NORTHEAST EXPORT:Volume I. Issue No. 7 (August 2007): Building Your International Business, Richard Halpern, Halpern Info Services: 

Here's free and fee-based resources like trade statistics databases that can help you compete more effectively in the global economy.  Authoritative and up to date information is at the heart of successful business plans and programs. Research can be used to monitor and gather information that's integral to making sound business decisions, to remain competitive and profitable in an increasingly more complicated and connected global economy.