TYNESIDE businesswoman Stefania Williams has launched the region's first online introduction to doing business in Italy.

The course, available at www.communicate-it.co.uk, focuses on Italian business culture, language and behaviour for firms wanting to export to the country.

Dr Williams said Destination Italy answered many questions about Italian customs and gestures so that bosses give the right first impression when striking a business deal.

"Italians use gestures as a major part of their communication, with language coming second to body language when meeting a new business contact. This is just one example of the cultural differences which must be handled correctly when doing business with a new country," she said.

"The course consists of self-learning topics that can be studied at one's own pace, and covers both language and building a relationship with an Italian business counterpart.

"It addresses everything from confidently making a phone call in Italian to banishing stereotypes held about Italians, and delivers a practical guide to avoiding embarrassing situations through lack of language or cultural knowledge."

The package is the latest launch from Williams Language Solutions, of Woolsington, which has been delivering translation and cultural training on a consultancy basis for eight years.

Italian-born Dr Williams has lived in the region for ten years and aligns the locals with the Italians in many ways.

She said: "People in the North-East are often far from the stereotypes Italians have of the British, and I feel both are very passionate and warm people, which is why there is a huge untapped market for export opportunities from this region to Italy.

"I am trying to put the North-East on the map in Italian business circles and challenge their idea that Britain consists of only London and Scotland. With affordable flights direct from the North-East, the possibilities of business in Italy are very exciting for North-East companies."

Destination Italy's online course has been part funded by n-e-life's Grow your Business and the website has been designed by local new media firm Indigo.