Zlie Gurin's job, encouraging the region's businesses to think communication when trading overseas, might have been made for her.

She claims Irish, French and Spanish lineage, is fluent in German and French, can get by in Spanish, and has worked extensively on export-orientated projects since she graduated in German and English Literature from Newcastle University in the 1980s.

Small wonder she is revelling in the task since taking charge at the Regional Language Network, a joint One NorthEast and Languages National Training Organisation (LNTO) initiative to address issues raised in an audit of the region's language skills base carried out by the LNTO in 2000.

She said: "This project is very much about the practical side of things, making sure our region doesn't miss out because we don't have the skills to do business effectively abroad."

Already, the Network, working with partners including the University of Teesside and Hummersknott School and Language College in Darlington, has carried out follow-up research among 30 businesses in the Tees Valley and the results will be used in the next phase of development.

Ms Guerin said: "We will shortly be starting detailed work in the four sub-regions of the North-East, including Tees Valley, to build a consortium approach to improving language and cultural awareness.

"This will aim to build 'language communities' in the sub-regions, bringing together exporting business, language service providers, educational establishments and other stakeholders."

The Network's website features case studies of companies that offer examples of good practice in language and cultural awareness.

For example, CRD Devices, based on Shildon's All Saints Industrial Estate, looked for new opportunities abroad, as UK manufacturing was shrinking.

The company specialises in bespoke electronic solutions for manufacturing clients and boasts a four-year association with a French manufacturer of electronic components, enabling the company to offer a range of products to complement its own, and giving it access to markets in France.

The company, which now has a turnover of £500,000 and employs eight staff, was founded by Dave Robinson and Stuart Cockrill in 1995. The pair put their progress in the tricky French market down to Dave, who owes his ability to work with French partners to one-to-one tuition in business French when he was with a previous employer.

Ms Gurin sees CRD as an example to other businesses, large and small: "Dave and Stuart have shown that even quite small companies can work effectively in markets in mainland Europe, but they must take on board the local conditions that apply."

She adds: "The 2000 audit was a powerful illustration of the extent to which the language skills gap may be holding the region back. But the language and culture skills shortfall is not something that can be solved overnight, or by throwing large sums of money at it - the key lies in achieving a more gradual shift in perceptions among the business community."