THE region exported more than £10bn of goods and services last year, according to figures released yesterday.

UK Trade and Investment figures show that in 2003 the region exported the equivalent of £4,000 per head of population and £4.5m per exporting company.

Based on Customs and Excise statistics, the figures also revealed the region had a positive trade balance of £2.6bn, compared with a national trade balance of minus £47bn.

Exports from the region have seen a 6.1 per cent compound growth since the first quarter of 1999 - three times the UK average - and the net number of exporters has increased by 16 per cent, from 1,900 in 1999 to 2,200 last year.

John Williams, UK Trade and Investment's international trade director, said: "The North-East has clearly proved it can compete on the world stage.

"What is particularly interesting is the fact that as a region we are becoming less dependent on the EU, with the percentage of our exports going to the EU falling from 78 per cent to 61 per cent - which means we are not only exporting more, but also to more markets, thus spreading the risk.

"At the same time, about 62 per cent of our exports are within three sectors - automotive, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

"We want to build on our success in those areas and broaden the range of industries involved in international trade."

Exports to new EU countries last year was £250m - 45 per cent to Poland and about a quarter to the Czech Republic - and it is hoped now they have joined the EU there is even more scope for increased trade with those countries.