TECHNOLOGY businesses in the region have been finding out how they "go for gold" in global information technology markets from some of the world's top exporting experts.

More than 80 small to medium enterprise (SME) business people in the sector gathered at Newcastle's St James' Park for the first Trade Partners UK "Golden Opportunities" day to gain an insight into key overseas markets and the opportunities available to them.

Trade Partners UK offers potential or current exporting businesses the combined resource of a local team of international trade advisors, based in the UK's 45 Business Links, and commercial teams based in more than 200 locations worldwide, which provide market information and overseas contacts for UK businesses.

Delegates at the event were able to hear at first hand how IT markets operate in the seven countries where there is demand for UK information communication technology (ICT) products and services - USA, Singapore, Israel, Malaysia, India, China and Japan.

There were also presentations on international cyber law, secondments abroad and high-tech business parks.

After their presentations, speakers were available to offer individual sessions with delegates, giving them advice and information.

Jayne Pickersgill, Trade Partners UK's regional ICT international trade advisor, said: "It's our first event for North-East businesses dedicated solely to the ICT sector, and it's obvious there's a huge amount of interest in exploring overseas markets."