NORTH-East firms can learn how to compete for lucrative multi-billion dollar contracts from the world's premier aid agencies.

Trade Partners UK and Business Link County Durham is holding free seminars on the opportunities available from the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Asian Development Bank is a multilateral development financier, promoting social and economic progress in the Asian Pacific Region by providing loans and technical assistance for a broad range of developments.

The UNHCR is one of the foremost humanitarian agencies, providing protection and assistance to more than 22 million people in more than 40 countries.

Every year, UNHCR buys about $1bn of goods and services through its supply and transport section in Geneva.

John Williams, Trade Partners UK's international trade director, said: "Every year these two organisations are involved in projects worth billions of pounds and the seminars offer an opportunity for North-East firms to find out how they can win a share of this lucrative market.

"It's a little known fact that the average contract size for UN projects is $20,000 (£15,000), which means companies of almost any size, no matter how small, could usefully bid for business from the UN."

The seminars will be held at the Sunderland Stadium of Light.

The first, a half-day session on Wednesday, September 11, will focus on the United Nations procurement. The speaker will be Mats Hultgren, head of engineering supplies and senior purchasing officer at the UNHCR, in Geneva.

The second will be a day-long event on Thursday, September 19 and will feature Asian Development Bank staff, explaining the organisation's role and workshops focusing on bidding for contracts.

For information and booking call Melanie Scott at Business Link County Durham on 0845 051 2250.