LAST week, we paid tribute to the fastest growing businesses in the North- East. Each and every member of our elite expanding companies is a shining ambassador for our region and I was particularly heartened by how many are taking on – and beating – their global competitors.

Business Secretary Vince Cable was guest of honour at an event to celebrate this success and commented on the region’s export strength and the positives in our economy.

This is something we have known for many years, particularly NECC, which launched an export trade campaign more than a year ago to profile the many success stories in the international arena.

NECC’s latest quarterly economic report, the North-East Business Barometer, yesterday graphically illustrated the role that export has in maintaining growth in the region.

Domestic trade is increasingly tough, a situation compounded by the impending Spending Review, but internationally we are holding our own.

NECC is the only business membership organisation in the region that is a member of a global network of trade groups.

Chambers of commerce thrive across the world and this is a strong link for companies finding their feet in foreign markets.

As you read this column, I will be travelling across to China at the invitation of the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce to further embed a Memorandum of Understanding we have to promote trade between our two regions.

This is business development in action. Mr Cable spoke passionately about the role of export, NECC is putting it into practice.

Mr Cable emphasised this is a vital area of commerce in the current climate, we are promoting it for the good of our members regionwide.

NECC forged this trade alliance in March 2007, only one week after signing a similar agreement with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.

China and the Middle East are undoubtedly growth areas for North- East companies and I am confident that the effort we put into embedding the expertise that exists in our region will be time well spent.

NECC has repeatedly called on both this and the previous Government to do more to support businesses trading abroad.

We trust that Mr Cable’s passion for export will extend to clear initiatives to help our fastest growing firms push on to ever greater heights.

■ James Ramsbotham is chief executive of the NECC.