BUSINESSES in the region are looking to capitalise on trade links opened up by the North-East's first long-haul flight to Dubai.
Direct flights run by Emirates Airlines from Newcastle International Airport to the Emirate state began last Saturday.
The service will give access to an export market worth about £825m.
Businesses are hoping to increase trading through the route, with Cohesion, a business network for glassmakers, looking to expand links.
Members of Cohesion, including glass artists and designers Claudia Philips and Kathryn Wightman, are already involved in three exhibitions in Dubai.
Regional glass cluster development manager Anne Tye said: "We are going back out to the Emirates later this month and I'm taking another group out there in October when, among other activities, the businesses will mount a showcase of their work."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article