A MAJOR business event held in the North-East this week could lead to lucrative partnerships with US companies.

American visitors to the two-day Intertech event in Durham were so impressed they want to hold a similar one in Mississippi.

Representatives from the Mississippi Gulf Coast alliance - a partnership between six counties and private sector partners in the state - also revealed they were discussing business plans with North-East companies.

They said because the North-East and the Mississippi Coast were similar in terms of industry, the two areas could learn from each other.

The aim of Intertech, organised by the County Durham Development Company, is to build contacts between the North-East's growing technology industry and international companies.

Businesses networked and took part in more than 1,000 meetings during the course of the two days, giving companies and business support organisations the opportunity to discuss partnerships.

John Atherton, director of economic development at Mississippi Power, said: "Intertech has worked really well because you actually sit down with other companies and discuss the future. It is not just about networking and mingling, you are talking about what you can do for each other straightaway.

"We are already talking about holding an Intertech event in Southern Mississippi.

"I personally like the North-East because it is very similar to our area - there are similar industries, ship building, metal manufacturing, and we both can learn from each other the ways to move forward."

David Smallman, of Pathfinder Team Consulting, who is also part of the US alliance, said: "I really think County Durham could end up finding that Intertech is the best thing they did. It is getting people into the area from all over the world and spreading the word about the region."

Russian firm Mining and Chemical Combine was also at the event to look for partners to develop biodegradable medical dressings from natural materials.

Hundreds of delegates from 20 countries are taking part in Intertech, with organisations from nations like Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Hungary, China and Australia.