THE North-East has long been known for its creativity in the manufacturing sector.

Great innovators and investors such as George Stephenson, Armstrong, Swann, Merz, Parsons and others form a roll call of which the region can be proud.

But today the creative sector is starting to develop its own roll of honour as companies in areas such as those involved in computer games, music production and the performing arts lead the way to developing genres and products.

The creative sector accounts for about five per cent of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP). Manufacturing accounts for 20 per cent.

But what is the creative sector? It is made up of a number of sub-groups, including advertising, animation, film and TV production, architecture, computer games, design and fashion and music.

Most, if not all, are well represented in the North-East, and many are starting to see growth in export sales.

The region is becoming a worldrenowned centre for computer games design, and Teesside University is helping to build that reputation.

But also at the cutting edge is Eutechnyx, based in Gateshead. The multiaward winning company has been designing video games for more than 20 years and its latest stable of driving games has a worldwide following.

Another company that has had a major impact in the US is Loft Music, in Newcastle, which produces music for TV, film, advertising and video games. In the past year, it won a major contract to produce music for the CSI TV shows.

UK Trade and Investment has also helped companies in the performing arts sector to get a foothold overseas.

The Surface Area Dance Company, which is based at Dance City, Newcastle, and has a centre in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, has recently taken contemporary dance to Brazil, the home of samba, to share dance experiences between the North-East and Brazil. It is also looking to tour in Japan.

The creative sector is now, and will continue to be, a very important contributor to national wealth.

The current level of five per cent of GDP is set to grow, and North-East companies are already starting to see the benefit.

For more information about the range of support services available through UK Trade and Investment to help your company succeed overseas, call 0845-050-5054 or email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk

■ David Coppock is international trade director at UK Trade and Investment.