DELEGATES from the economic heart of China are coming to the North-East, to examine the region's potential as a future business partner.

A dozen members of the powerful Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce will spend two days casting their eyes over the region, with a view to future expansion.

Regional Development Agency One NorthEast - which organised the visit through its Shanghai-based office - is determined that the delegation chooses the North-East as its preferred UK partner .

Kevin Aisbitt, One NorthEast inward investment manager, Asia Pacific, said: "The federation is a key player in the economic powerhouse that is Shanghai - their economy is expanding at an incredible rate and we want to show them that the North-East of England is a dynamic and vibrant place from which to do business."

Outside of London, the region boasts the largest concentration of Chinese-owned businesses in the UK. There are more than 30 companies trading from the from the North-East, which also has 2,000 students of Chinese origin studying at its universities or colleges.

The Shanghai Federation was set up 50 years ago and now boasts more than 16,000 member companies.

The delegation includes federation vice-president Chen Pingtian as well as representatives from trade development, the plastics industry, clothing, service and pharmaceuticals sectors.

It arrives tomorrow with One NorthEast, Gateshead Borough Council, the North East Chamber of Commerce and Trade Partners UK.

Together with partners, they will also gather information from the federation of possible business openings in Shanghai for local firms.

Councillor Ian Mearns, Gateshead council's cabinet member with responsibility for jobs and employment, said: "The project is not just about inward investment, but also about helping UK businesses get into the Chinese market and we hope we can forge links with companies in China through contacts we make on Thursday."