FUTURE trading relationships across the world as the UK leaves the European Union will be discussed at an event in the North-East today.

Businesses and people across the region are being given the opportunity to have their say on how the UK should capitalise on new opportunities.

The Department for International Trade is today hosting an event in Durham in partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce to seek the views of businesses and other groups based in the North-East.

The business roundtable will discuss future trading relationships with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – a trade agreement between 11 countries around the Pacific including Japan, Mexico and Canada.

Members of the public can also submit their views as part of four online consultations which launched in July and are open until October 26.

Lasting for 14 weeks, they will have be open for two weeks longer than the European Union’s equivalent consultations on new free trade agreements

Exports of goods to the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the Trans Pacific Partnership countries were worth £1.95billion for the North-East last year. More than £1 in every £7 of the region’s goods exports went to countries covered by these trading relationships.

Securing free trade agreements with these countries will support the new ambition set by the government’s Export Strategy, a collaboration with businesses after extensive engagement with UK firms, to increase exports to 35 per cent of GDP.

Minister for International Trade, George Hollingbery said: “For the first time in over 40 years we will be able to determine the terms of our trade. That means new trade agreements with our key partners, as well as putting the UK at the heart of the world’s fastest growing regions such as Asia.

“The USA, Australia, New Zealand and countries around the Pacific are already important trading partners for the North-East, buying more than a seventh of all the goods the region produces, and new trade agreements will create even more opportunities.

“We are committed to forging new trading relationships that create jobs, boost our vital industries and benefit consumers across the whole of the UK. I urge people across the North-East to seize the opportunity to visit consultations.trade.gov.uk to make their voices heard.”

Jack Simpson, Policy Adviser, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “As we approach a new era of a Global Britain, any new trade agreements must be made with business interests at heart. The Chamber is pleased to chair this discussion, in association with the Department for International Trade, on Free Trade Deals.”

“Our Chamber CEO is accompanying a full delegation to the USA next month, while Asia and Oceania are the regions second biggest exporting market, so the North East already has a strong trading relationship with the specific markets in question.”

“We welcome the chance to discuss how future Free Trade Agreements will develop these strong relationships, and how they will work best for both Chamber members and the North East region.”

Today’s roundtable is the ninth of 12 consultation roundtables held across the UK to seek views from interested parties as the Government delivers an approach that works for the whole of the UK.

The North East has a particularly strong transport sector and exports in this sector increased to £522m in 2015, up by 14 per cent on the year before. There is highest demand for the North East’s manufacturing services in the United States, with exports worth £96m.

The region is home to many successful exporting companies such as Durham-based educational toy manufacturer Big Little Toys.

Mother-of-two Sarah Greenwell developed the company’s ‘educational elves’ when she couldn’t find a toy to inspire her young children to learn. International trade is a key part of their strategy and last year, with DIT support, the business exported more than 20,000 units to overseas markets.

This year her company has extended its international reach by securing contracts in Australia and New Zealand. Little Big Toys is now looking at further expansion in the USA as well as a number of other destinations.

Another example is Seaweed and Co Based in Whitley Bay, which was founded by marine biologist Dr Craig Rose and produces a range of seaweed-infused cooking oils and nutritional supplements.

The products have been even been used on this year’s Great Celebrity Bake Off with Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson using Seaweed and Co’s PureSea smoked Scottish seaweed in his savoury scones.

Overseas sales now account for 15 per cent of Seaweed and Co’s turnover, and the company sells to customers as far afield as South Korea, Australia, Canada and the USA. Dr Rose is working with DIT to increase the company’s presence in the USA and a free trade deal could help further secure his success.

Exports of goods from the North East last year were worth £12.9 billion, up 7.9 per cent on the year before. The export of services from the North-East was worth an additional £3.5 billion in 2015, the latest year in which data is available.

Over a seventh of goods exports from the North East – £1.95 billion worth – are covered by the consultations, with the USA being the North East’s largest export market accounting for 8.2% (£1.2 billion) of goods by value and the CPTPP countries accounting for a further 6.9 per cent (£890 million) of goods by value.

A spokesman for the Department for International Trade said: “With such potential for North-East firms in the global market, it is crucial that the region benefits fully from future trade agreements. That’s why the we want to hear from all interested parties across the country.”