How we assess

How we assess markets

A clear, consistent method, so you can see what supports each recommendation.

What we look at

Every market, checked on the same areas

Demand and opportunityWho buys what you sell, how the market is growing and who you compete with.
Entry route and ownershipThe company types open to you and how much of the business you can own.
Licences and permitsThe licences your activity needs and how long they usually take.
TaxCorporate tax, VAT or GST, and the treaties with your home country.
Costs and timelineSetup and yearly running costs, and the time it takes to start trading.
People and visasHiring, employer rules and the visas you and your team will need.
Risks and restrictionsRules that limit foreign businesses, sanctions and other restrictions.

How the comparison works

From your business to a ranked shortlist

1Your businessWhat you sell, who buys it, your home country and your goals.
2The same criteriaEvery market is checked against the same areas, from official sources.
3Your prioritiesAreas are weighted to what matters most to your business.
4A clear shortlistMarkets ranked for you, with the reasons behind each position.

Our approach

Our commitments in every Snapshot

01Every market on equal termsEach market is assessed against the same criteria, shaped around your business and your priorities.
02Grounded in official sourcesWe start from official sources, and every figure shows where it comes from and when it was checked.
03Independent by designOur partners share local knowledge, but they have no say in how markets are compared or ranked.
04Clear on costsEvery cost shows its basis. Where a figure is still being confirmed, we say so plainly.

An illustrative example

What they asked

A UK payroll software company asked us to compare the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

What the comparison showed

A stronger option they hadn’t considered, and no need to pay for a second company.

Our reports are designed to support your planning. For legal and tax decisions, we recommend confirming with a qualified adviser, and we can introduce you to one.