businesses must look to the region's glorious heritage of international trading, a trade director said yesterday, following the announcement of more than £9m of funding to boost exports.

A partnership between government agencies and the region's business community has been launched to support exports.

More than £9.2m will be invested over the next two years to boost international trade, which already accounts for 30 per cent of the region's gross domestic product (GDP).

John Williams, head of UK Trade and Investment, said businesses could draw on the North-East's industrial past for inspiration.

Mr Williams said: "Our glorious heritage sometimes seems to hold us back, but it is important to recognise the positive lessons that can be learned from it.

"This area was one of the powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution with ships and goods from the region exported all around the globe. This entrepreneurial spirit should be at the heart of our current drive to increase international trade."

UK Trade and Investment, the Government's trade development operation, has joined forces with regional development agency One NorthEast, the region's Business Links and the North East Chamber of Commerce to maximise support for local businesses.

There are 2,200 North-East companies involved in exports, with an estimated 200,000 jobs in the region dependent on international trade.

Seventy per cent of exports are to the European Union, with Germany the main trade partner for the region.

However, Mr Williams said they were looking further afield, to the Far East and North America in particular, for new business opportunities.

"In the last two to three years, we have seen a slight shift away from Europe," he said.

"The most exciting new markets for us would be North America, the Far East and the EU's new member states.

"However, it is the businesses which dictate where we search for export opportunities and that could be anywhere in the world."