A business and travel luggage firm has bagged its first major order in the Middle East with the help of Trade Partners UK.

Modrec International, of North Shields, specialises in the design and supply of business and travel luggage, small leather goods, gifts and stationery for the promotional and retail markets.

The company, which was set up more than 20 years ago and employs about 20 people, wanted to develop new export opportunities and enlisted Trade Partners UK to help.

Following a trip to Dubai, the company has secured its first order with a distributor for a container of 2,000 three-piece luggage sets, which will go on sale across the Middle East.

Andrew Laidler, marketing director at Modrec International, said: "As part of our business strategy we are looking to develop export opportunities. One of our main core skills is a knowledge of the Far East and the ability to design and source creative and innovative products at competitive prices.

"We want to be able to export that on a global scale and we contacted Trade Partners UK to help us. Our International Trade Advisor John Armstrong was extremely helpful - he couldn't do enough for us. I can't praise him enough."