Lord Davies said "Times are difficult here and across the world, but North East companies have shown that they can win business overseas.
"Companies that export tend to be more resilient in a downturn. They perform better and are less likely to lay people off. UK Trade and Investment can help to find the markets that make the difference."
A recent government survey found 42 per cent exporters had increased their turnover in the previous 12 months, compared with 23 per cent of companies overall. Figures produced by UK Trade and Investment showed that companies that export are 11.4 per cent more likely to survive in the long-term.
Lord Davies was speaking at the opening of a new Gateshead firm set up by Colin Billiet, former Chief Executive of Domnick Hunter Group plc, and two other former Domnick Hunter employees, Neil McPherson and Ian Fraser.
The firm, nano-porous solutions limited (n-psl), was created to commercialise a filtration technology invented by the University of Bath. It plans to start production in 2009, employing up to 20 people within the next 18 months and aiming for a worldwide market.
Colin Billiet, Chief Executive at n-psl, explained that their product is used in the recovery and purification of gases such as carbon dioxide. Compressed air treatment (CAT) systems are another area of focus.
He said "This fibre has the potential to reduce energy consumption by up to 50 per cent of the levels of current technology. It's estimated that this could translate into accumulated savings of more than 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050."
The firm has won grants from regional development agency One North East and is working with The Carbon Trust.
Lord Davies' visit follows the launch of the UK's low carbon industrial strategy this month.
"Reducing carbon emissions is an imperative for everyone. UK companies such as this Gateshead firm have found innovative solutions to world problems. By exporting solutions like this, we can help to tackle climate change and benefit UK businesses at the same time," Lord Davies said.
Government figures published in March show that the global market value of low carbon environmental goods and services was over £3 trillion in 2007-08. The UK's share was 3.5 per cent or £107 billion.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown launched a £3.5 million programme 'Gateway to Global Growth' that will, from April, help SMEs to access foreign markets where they see potential for their business."
Registering on the UK Trade and Investment website is the first step to receiving advice on how to make a company ready for export, which markets to access and how to sell products overseas. UKTI also provides grants of up to £1,800 for eligible firms to participate in trade shows overseas via its Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP).
North East companies can find out more about the range of support services available through UK Trade and Investment by contacting the North East International Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk
North-East export success stories
- Durham firm Kromek has developed an innovative scanning device that can identify and categorise liquids in bottles in less than 20 seconds. It can identify liquid explosives and screen for alcohol and for dissolved narcotics, The scanner can be used for airport security and to help in the battle against terrorism and drug smuggling. Interest is very high in the UK, Europe, USA and the Middle East and Kromek has already won orders.
- Tyneside firm Zytronic Displays Limited, which specialises in the design and manufacture of touch sensors, has developed a range of rugged touch sensor products based on its patented, award-winning projected capacitive technology (PCTTM). 80 per cent of the firm's revenues are derived from export markets and with assistance from UKTI it has recently appointed new partners in Japan and Turkey and is now looking to Brazil.
- Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB), of Billingham, manufactures and supplies research reagents such as peptides and antibodies to the biological and pharmaceutical sector. They have used UKTI's services to extend their business activities into France and Germany.
