Northern firms have secured more than £2.5 million sterling (€3.9 million) in contracts after a trade mission to south-east Asia.

Invest Northern Ireland organised the trip, which saw 31 companies travel to Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam in search of new markets.

Antrim-based construction company Mivan secured one of the biggest contracts, worth in excess of £817,000.

Colorite Europe (Belfast) signed a contract worth £810,000 for medical grade vinyl used in medical devices, and FM Environmental, based in Newry, secured a £172,000 deal for its waste-water treatment technology. A number of other companies secured smaller contracts.

An Invest NI spokesperson estimated the cost of the trade mission at between £45,000 and £50,000.

Ms Tracy Meharg, managing director of innovation and development at Invest NI, said the mission was the most successful ever to the developing markets of south-east Asia.

Invest Northern Ireland estimates a 10 per cent increase over the next three years in its annual growth exports as a direct result of the participation in Asian trade missions.