THE end of this month sees a significant anniversary in the world of business with the 40th World Economic Forum being held in the Swiss resort of Davos, working under the banner of Improving the State of the World: Rethink, Redesign and Rebuild.

But what does such an august gathering of world political and business leaders mean for the North-East?

The UK as a whole is leading the way on the global stage, setting out new standards and shaping the regulatory and collaborative frameworks for the future. And the North-East has a role to play in this work.

The region has some excellent examples on the kind of entrepreneurial spirit and expertise that is needed to help bring the economy out of the current recession and, through doing this, help the global marketplace as well.

Innovation will play a key part in the future of the global economy, whether that be innovating in business practice or innovation in areas such as the green economy and sustainable, energy-efficient practices and products.

In addition, advanced engineering, creative industries and ICT will also play significant roles in the future economic recovery and all of these are areas in which the North-East excels and are also areas in which the region’s businesses have had good overseas success.

The North-East is already established as a major centre for the development of products as diverse as electric vehicles and wind and wave energy generation. It also has a range of “ethical” businesses which are helping develop sustainable businesses in Third World countries.

I am confident that businesses such as these, and many others already set up in this region, will benefit in the long-term from the discussions and brainstorming sessions which will take place in Davos.

Our region has proved itself in recent years to be one which has bucked trends in terms of export sales and with this experience and the expertise of UK Trade and Investment and other partners, I am certain that the North-East will help in the stated aims of the World Economic Forum in Davos by improving the state of the world by rethinking, redesigning and rebuilding.

For more information about the wide range of support services available through UK Trade and Investment, call the North- East International Trade Hotline on 0845- 05-05-054 or email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk

■ David Coppock is the International Trade Director at UK Trade and Investment.