NORTH-EAST business is likely to benefit from a new online database.

The database, called Enable, contains information on nearly 70,000 companies in the region.

It has been developed by the www.n-e-life.com website and regional development agency One NorthEast and is free to anyone looking for new suppliers, business partners or general information.

Maitland Hyslop, head of knowledge, information and ICT at One NorthEast, said: "The commercial possibilities of the Enable database are enormous, and the value to businesses of being part of it is clear.

"For example, people looking for specific services or potential business partners can easily find what they want via a simple, quick search, and could subsequently be working with the partners identified in the search within a very short time.

"As well as providing these immediate benefits, we anticipate the Enable database to encourage more businesses to look into establishing their own presence on the Internet, which will provide an even greater boost for both their commercial capabilities and the region's e-economy."

There is no cost to companies for having their own mini-website on the database, but users need to go on to it to confirm that their details are correct and to update them if necessary.

A top-of-the-range laptop computer is being offered in a free prize draw as an incentive for people to complete this process by Friday, April 18.

Individual user names and passwords are required to complete the simple validation process, and these will be arriving at business bases through the post from Monday as part of a direct mail campaign to promote the launch of the database.

To begin the validation process, simply go the www.n-e-life.com home page and click on the Enable box.

For more information on Enable call 0845 143 0018.