Regional development agency One NorthEast will be using its recently awarded European grant to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) across the region.

The agency, one of only a handful of organisations to win the £35,000 grant, will be using it to promote the benefits of e-business practice and to provide advice to (SMEs), reports the n.e life website.

Managed by The North East Regional Portal (TNERP), the grant will showcase the benefits of good e-business practice and demonstrate how better use of broadband and ICT can make companies more competitive.

David Allison, director of business and industry at One NorthEast, an agency which sets the north east's business development and regeneration agenda, said that improving these skills among SMEs was a key priority for the agency.

"Across the country, it has been proven that good use of these e-business tools can lead to a more successful economy and we are committed to doing all we can to help businesses realise the benefits they can bring to them," he said.

Norma Foster, chief executive of TNERP, which acts as an interactive support for the regions businesses, said she hoped that businesses would be able to form strong partnerships in the north east and across the European Community.

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