Understanding the governmental and political situation in each of the Eastern European countries is vital.  We feel it is imperative to establish communication at Government level.  The Project Directors at TradePartner Europe have been building contacts at governmental level for the past 20 years.  In certain countries in Eastern and Central Europe, EU funding goes via the Ministries of Economy and through to an Investment Agency.  Therefore Trade Partner Europe gain embryonic knowledge of which industries in each country are receiving funding.  Certain projects need Government approval before they can begin, an understanding of the proposals being put forward at Government level enables us to accurately forecast which products, services and technology are in demand in those markets.