A PIONEERING science park in the region is hoping for millions of pounds of investment from the US following a visit from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's right-hand man.

Dr George Atkinson, the science and technology advisor to Ms Rice, yesterday paid a visit to the North-East Technology Park, NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham.

The visit aimed to forge closer links between NetPark and various technology and policy agencies within the US Government.

Stewart Watkins, managing director of the County Durham Development Company, which is driving forward the development of NetPark, said links with the US vital for the site's future.

"We must forge outward-looking, international links because we are not going to grow and develop if we keep ourselves within our own borders," he said.

"We are hoping that there will be some capital investment from the US in the future, as well as research collaboration between universities and organisations on both sides of the water. It is early days, but we know the enormous potential that this area has to offer the research departments and organisations in the US.

"At one time, research and development was about competition, but now we believe it is about collaboration."

NetPark is one of the fastest-growing science and technology parks in the UK, established as the region's "home for brilliant ideas" with a focus on nanotechnology, photonics, microsystems and life sciences.

Dr Atkinson, a professor of chemistry and optical sciences at the University of Arizona, took a tour of the NetPark Incubator and the Research Institute, which houses research groups including the University of Durham, the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation and the Institute for Agility and Digital Enterprise Technology.

He said: "One of my responsibilities is to look at how both science and technology can be major tools in policy decisions.

"I am here to look at NetPark and learn how it has been successful. I am hoping to take away a few lessons."

Mr Watkins said: "Science and technology are the engines of modern industrial economies and, therefore, essential to the functioning of the modern world. As such, they are key aspects of US foreign policy.

"Dr Atkinson's responsibilities include reporting directly to Condoleezza Rice, and we view his visit as being very important in spreading the word that, through NetPark, Durham and the North-East are at the forefront of the UK's drive towards a knowledge-based economy."

NetPark is being developed in partnership with Durham County Council, One NorthEast, Sedgefield Borough Council and the University of Durham.