The University of Durham has become the latest organisation to confirm it will take part in InterTech 2004.

The international technology-partnering event has attracted a line-up of leading businesses and organisations looking to take advantage of the two-day event being held in County Hall, Durham City on October 11 and 12.

It follows the success of InterTech 2003, which attracted more than 400 delegates from 12 countries to the North-East, and saw more than 1,000 one-to-one business meetings held over the two-day period.

InterTech is being organised by County Durham Development Company (CDDC), Durham County Council's inward investment and business development arm.

Sir Kenneth Calman, the university's vice chancellor, said: "InterTech 2004 gives us the ideal platform to showcase the innovations emanating from our research strengths.

"Since the early 1990s we have been developing our role as a major contributor to regional regeneration and this event provides an opportunity to develop our already robust links with the business community." Phil Eadon, InterTech 2004 project director, said: "The region's economic future depends upon us being able to make the most of our many strengths.

"The University of Durham, and the region's four other universities, represent an important asset, with leading edge teaching and research and a growing number of successful business spin-offs.

"The InterTech event in October will provide them with a tremendous opportunity for knowledge transfer, joint research ventures and to introduce the products of their research and development excellence to the market."

InterTech 2004 is expected to make a major contribution to promoting the region as a location for knowledge-based investment and business and will support County Durham's efforts to promote the new North of England Technology Park (NetPark) development at Sedgefield.