THE North-East has the opportunity to tap into markets worth £1.38bn, according to a leading international trade director.

John Williams, of Trade Partners UK, said openings are available in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland during the next two years.

The Government agency chief said the Government's Export Explorer scheme could be used to open doors that many companies would experience difficulty in tackling on their own.

The programme is for smaller companies with little experience of markets outside the UK.

For more experienced companies there is an opportunity to receive support to enter the larger markets of France, Germany and Spain.

Since it was launched in 1998, more than 2,000 companies have been supported in identifying export opportunities with a number gaining new business.

Under the scheme, 71 visits have been planned between September this year and June next year to explore opportunities.

The visits will be organised by Business Links across England.