THREE of the region's five centres of excellence have signed up as sponsors of Intertech 2003.

The specialist centres of nanotechnology, life sciences and digital technology are committed to taking part in the international business partnering event for technology-related enterprises which takes place at County Hall in Durham, on October 13 and 14.

The trio, based at The International Centre for Life in Newcastle, have chosen to become joint sponsors of Intertech2003 in an attempt to build partnerships, both in the UK and globally, in order to identify commercial opportunities for firms in the North-East, helping to create both jobs and wealth for the region.

County Durham Development Company has organised the event.

Intertech 2003 follows the successful County Durham Interprise event held in March 2001, which attracted more than 500 representatives from 18 countries.

This year's event is designed to encourage business partnerships and ventures between small to medium enterprises (SMEs), and is geared to help companies that may lack the resources to seek out the kind of contacts such an event can provide.

Companies can register free of charge for the event at www.intertech2003.co.uk