A NORTH-EAST delegation is visiting India promote the region and attract new business.

Bosses from 16 firms will join the North-East Process Industry Cluster (Nepic) and UK Trade and Investment on a ten-day trip to prime chemical and pharmaceutical regions across Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Orissa.

The party will visit Pune to look at innovation centres run by the Tata Corporation and Hikal, and Orissa, where the Indian government will talk about the country's special economic zone.

The delegation will also go to Mumbai for the seventh annual chemical Indian outlook conference and see Bangalore's Karnataka region's special economic zone.

Dr Stan Higgins, Nepic chief executive, said: “Our long-term relationships in India give members unprecedented access to many business opportunities in a rapidly growing economy, and more and more companies are taking advantage.”

The trip, which takes place next month, will include a number of supply chain firms, engineers, chemical makers and education providers, such as K-Home International, in Thornaby, near Stockton, CatalySystems, in Wilton, near Redcar, and Redcar and Cleveland College.