NORTH-EAST exporters will not see their prowess diminish after Brexit as “big opportunities” open up to maintain Britain’s position as a trading powerhouse, it was last night claimed.

Chancellor Philip Hammond says companies’ longterm plans will be protected under a new Conservative regime that is determined to “shut down” EU uncertainty and cultivate international industrial links.

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo, he also said smaller companies have taken inspiration from Sunderland car maker Nissan and cast off Brexit jitters to commit their futures to the country.

Mr Hammond, who yesterday visited Darlington marine equipment engineer Subsea Innovation, vowed the Conservatives would work hard to protect the region’s strong balance of trade, which has long seen the North-East outperform other areas across the country.

He added that would be reflected in a focus on EU and global trade deals, as well as encouraging companies to invest in Britain and bring work and jobs in the process.

He said: “We understand that Brexit represents an uncertainty for business and we want to shut that down as soon as we can by getting on with the negotiations and getting to a clear picture of a deal with the EU, so we know what our future relationship will look like.

“We have got big opportunities ahead, which we need to work together to exploit.

“We want to see a Britain that is strong and independent, in control of its own borders, its own money and its own laws, but that also has to be a Britain that is doing good, strong business with the rest of the world.

“We have already taken steps to increase our support to exporters but it is not just British companies exporting, it is attracting foreign, direct investment into the UK to use the UK as a platform for making products and exporting them.

“We’ve had a very strong vote of confidence from Nissan with their commitment to new investment in Sunderland, that is very much welcome.

“It gets a lot of publicity because Nissan is a big company but other, smaller companies are making decisions every day of the week, which represent a vote of confidence in the future.”

Subsea Innovation has experience of supporting energy projects in Azerbaijan and Qatar and maintaining launch and recovery systems that deploy underwater remotely-operated vehicles, and last year revealed a deal to send clamps for an emergency gas pipeline repair system to Australia.

Speaking after a factory tour, Mr Hammond said such work was proof of the opportunities for companies beyond Brexit.

He said: “We want to encourage businesses like Subsea Innovation to build a global future.

“This is a good example of a business that is not just working in Europe but is working around the world, whose future will be about looking outward across the global economy and working in supply chains across the global economy.

“You come to a company like Subsea Innovation and you realise not all business is dependent on trade with the EU, much of it is dependent on trade with the wider world.”

However, Mr Hammond said it was imperative not to forget the significance of the EU, reiterating a desire to maintain links with the continent well after Britain’s split.

He added: “We have an important business with the EU. “We have always been a trading nation and we want to remain one; we want to remain an outward looking country.”

Mr Hammond also paid a visit to Durham University and Newton Aycliffe dehumidifier and washing machine maker Ebac during his time in the region.