Gateshead-based Mari Advanced Electronics Ltd has clinched a UKP3.6m telecommunications standards development contract from the EEC Commission, which wants to foster the creation of common telecommunications standards throughout the community by 1992 when all the remaining trade barriers within the European Community are due to be abolished – and has as its goal the creation of a European industry that can challenge Japanese and US companies in world markets by supporting development projects under the Race – Research and Advanced Communications Technologies for Europe – initiative.