Advice and support is available to help even more companies capitalise on the world-wide market.
UK Trade and Investment is working to help Teesside firms enter and become more competitive in overseas markets.
The Government organisation also works with overseas companies to bring high quality investment to the UK.
Overseas Success Nationally UKTI helped more than 10,000 companies overcome barriers to enter new markets in 2007/08.
And research by the organisation has found firms that begin to export boost their business productivity by up to a third in the first year.
And the figures speak for themselves when you look at our overseas success.
Norway is the UK's largest export market - although there is massive potential still to be capitalised on.
While Norway exported around £18.2bn worth of goods to the UK in 2006 (nine tenths in oil and gas), the amount traded in the opposite direction amounted to just £2.3bn.
Passport to Export
Uncle Sam remains the Tees Valley's biggest export customer. Around £1bn in products and services leaves Teesside every year heading for the United States, with chemical, engineering, pharmaceutical, construction, aerospace and energy companies leading the charge.
The North-east sends more than £300m in goods to Russia with automotive engineering, energy sector components and pharmaceuticals high on their shopping list.
And closer to home Ireland was the region's ninth most valuable destination for business during 2007, worth £370m.
These are just some of the many overseas markets Tees Valley firms are currently working with.
UKTI helps firms crack foreign markets and get to grips quickly with overseas regulations and business practice.
Its Passport to Export scheme is a free international business review to assess a firm's strengths and weakness in international trade.
Firms can also access one to one advice and support on issues such as training, export documentation and e-commerce.
Trade Missions
Its Overseas Market Introduction Service will put firms directly in touch with staff in overseas offices, who are able to give access to the country and sector specific advice, as well as offering support during visits overseas.
Taking part in overseas events such as trade fairs or missions is an effective way to test markets, attract customers, appoint agents or distributors and make sales.
Trade Missions include pre-visit briefings and one-to-one mentoring with the overseas teams; appointment making with selected contacts or business partners; accompanied meetings to help with translation, business etiquette and culture and specially organised bespoke receptions, meetings and seminars where firms can present products and services.
Contact UK Trade and Investment's regional team on 0845 05 05 054, email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk or visit www.exportnortheast.com