Firms in West Yorkshire are being given a chance to do deals with companies in Brazil and India.

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has organised its first trade mission to north east Brazil and another to Bombay, now called Mumbai, in India.

Brazil, which has been targeted by the Government as one of the top ten trade hot spots, will be visited between November 9 and 13.

The Indian trip is between November 23 and 27 and coincides with the World Chemical Industry Seminar and CHEMTECH World Expo 98 - India's international trade fair and conference which is from November 19 to 23.

Lorraine Ellison, the Chamber's marketing director, said: "This region has historic links with India and we feel it is our responsibility to encourage and develop the good relations that exist."

The trip to Brazil will take in three major states in the rapidly expanding north east of the country - Pernambuco, Bahia and Ceara and includes visits to Recife, Salvador and Fortaleza.

The Brazilian mission is being jointly organised with LATAG - the trade body responsible for Latin America - and is part of one of the official events in a special programme called Britain in Brazil.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the British Commercial Posts in Brazil are planning to support a series of missions and seminars in the country for the whole of November.

Michael Valdes Scott, chief executive of LATAG, said: "British exports to Brazil have grown faster, during the last four years, than to any other export market in the world. This is because of the economic stability and reforms introduced by the Cardoso Government."

Lorraine Ellison is keen to encourage firms involved in environmental projects, textiles, tourism, packaging, agriculture and especially fruit production, plastics, paper and cellulose, petrochemicals and management and language training. For information contact the Chamber on 01484 438800.

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