Baltic Boost for efamro

Polish MR association OFBOR and Lithuanian body LRSTA have joined European research federation efamro.

OFBOR (the Polish Association of Public Opinion and Marketing Research Firms) was founded in 1997 and represents 21 research businesses; LRSTA(the Lithuanian Market and Social Research Association) just last year, and has twelve member companies. Both were formed partly in response to problems applying data protection legislation in their countries.

Netherlands-based efamro represents over 600 research businesses, accounting for 26% of the global research industry, or just over EUR 6 bn, and has recently joined its Asian and US counterparts in co-founding worldwide partnership the Global Research Business Network (www.grbn.org ) - whose programme was set out last week.

efamro President Andrew Cannon says the two new members are 'great examples of effective national research associations' and adds: 'We are very excited that they have chosen to join the efamro network'.

OFBOR President Janusz Durlik says that despite fifteen years of success his organisation can see that 'not all the challenges of the research industry can be addressed locally'. He explains: 'There is more and more demand for lobbying in regard to EU regulations affecting research. Data protection and public data-base samples are just examples. Membership of efamro is natural way to cope with these challenges.'

According to LRSTA's Artûras Urbonavièius, requiring Lithuanian firms to work to international standards is a key part of its role in enhancing the reputation of market research in the country. He believes that 'with efamro the possibility of reaching our aims becomes stronger.'

Web sites are at www.efamro.eu , www.ofbor.pl and www.lrsta.lt .

[pictured: efamro's Barry Ryan]

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.