The Overseas Business Risk Service assists British companies, particularly those exporting to high growth and emerging markets.

With an increasingly globalised economy, more new markets are opening up to exporters. But conditions and hence risks vary widely and it is often difficult to assess the relative merits and challenges of different export opportunities. The aim of the Overseas Business Risk Service is to provide accurate, relevant and impartial information, especially on the high-growth emerging markets, to enable UK companies, especially SMEs, to be better informed and prepared, and to conduct their business more securely and successfully.

The service is provided free of charge principally through the UKTI website. It provides thematic market profiles for over ninety countries and covers major areas of risk which exporters will encounter. The website also carries regular reporting from Embassies and High Commissions based in key markets. Subjects covered include finance, fraud, bribery and corruption, organised crime, export control regulations, due diligence, IP protection, cyber crime and terrorism. It provides in one place access to authoritative information from across Government, the Serious Fraud Office, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure. It also offers links to other sources and specialist advice and assistance which may be useful to exporters.