THE head of a North-East engineering company will join the Prime Minister today on a high-powered trade mission to Russia.

Geoff Turnbull, chairman of GT Group has been invited by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to accompany delegates which includes BP chief executive Bob Dudley and retailer Sir Philip Green on the two-day visit that aims to forge closer links with one of the worlds fastest growing economies.

Six hundred UK companies work in Russia, which buys more than £5bn of British exports each year. GT Group, based in Peterlee, east Durham, recently agreed a deal, worth up to £50m, from GAZ Group, Russias leading automotive manufacturer. The contract will support a major expansion programme at GT in the upcoming years.

GT, now established as world leaders in this field, is to supply exhaust gas control systems and engine brakes for a new range of heavy duty diesel engines to GAZ.

The designs are now complete and approved with initial quantities being shipped to GAZ. Production begins next month (October) and volumes will reach 100,000 systems a year at peak output.

Mr Turnbull said: "GT Group is proud to have been chosen to join the Prime Minister's Russian trade delegation and to meet influential business and political leaders.

"It will allow GT Group to introduce itself and to discuss issues surrounding trade and business opportunities between our two countries at the highest level.

"Russia is one of the worlds biggest potential automotive engineering sector marketplaces. It is of significant magnitude and importance to GT Group to be invited to join such a high powered delegation as it will enable the company to further strengthen its relationships with Russia."

GT Group exports to more than 60 countries. Employing 300 people, the business has an order book which should see it increase its workforce to 500 in the next three years and its turnover from £30m to £60m. Its clients include JCB, Scania, John Deere and Volvo.

David Cameron is hoping to thaw UK relations with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during today's meeting. It will be the first direct contact that Mr Putin has had with a British Prime Minsiter for three years. All recent discussions have been conducted through the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev.

Mr Cameron intends to make it clear that Britain has skills in financial services, engineering and energy extraction that can help Russia to diversify its economy.