A NUMBER of companies from the region are looking East in a bid to win business in the oil and gas sector.

Five companies from the region are among a delegation of 25 to sign up for a trade mission to Malaysia and Singapore.

Organised with the help of UK Trade and Investment and the Northern Offshore Federation (NOF), the mission, which leaves in December, will allow delegates to see the opportunities that exist in these two energy markets of South-East Asia.

Joanne Leng from the NOF, who will lead the mission, said: "Malaysia is a priority oil and gas market for the UK. It may be a mature province, but the Malaysian Government is still very committed to developing the country's hydrocarbon resources with particular emphasis being placed on the gas fields."

There are still places left for companies wishing to take part in the trip, which will be part-funded by the NOF.

For details, call Joanne Leng at NOF on (0191) 4174256.