Delegation will see what North-East can offer

Led by Trade Partners UK and supported by a host of industry partners, including regional development agency One NorthEast, the Northern Offshore Federation and Newcastle City Council, the conference has already attracted more than 25 international delegates.

Now Trade Partners UK has issued an open invitation to companies across the North-East to attend the International Floating Technology Exchange (IFTE) conference on Tuesday, May 20, at Newcastle Civic Centre.

The international delegation will spend four days in the region finding out what North-East companies can offer and giving advice to local firms on how to win international contracts.

They will also be given an opportunity to visit the world's largest floating production, storage and offloading vessel - the Bonga - at AMEC's Tyneside yard.

Companies across the North-East can take part by attending a conference when operators will reveal international opportunities for UK SMEs - small and medium-sized enterprises. Jim Milne, chairman and managing director of the Blamoral Group, will give the keynote address followed by a series of presentations by Shell Nigeria and other operators.

There will also be a series of afternoon workshops covering a range of issues from meeting pre-qualification requirements to overcoming legal, cultural and local content issues.

On the following day, Wednesday, May 21, the international delegates will visit the IFTE Offshore Technology Exhibition at the Offshore Energy Centre, Wallsend, where UK companies will showcase their capabilities.

The final day, on Thursday, May 22, will see delegates return to the Offshore Energy Centre where AMEC will give a presentation on Bonga and offer tours of the vessel itself.

To book a place, e-mail Phil Andrews at philind-ex.org, or visit www.ind-ex.org and return the registration form to The Industry Exchange, 25 to 27 Courtfield Road, Kensington, London, SW7 4DA.