Trade organizations search for Georgia’'s top export talent

 
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ATLANTA, July 11, 2007 – Commissioner Ken Stewart of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and Dr. Bruce Allen, chairman of the Annual Georgia European Union Summit (AGEUS) organization, announced the launch today of the inaugural Georgia Featured Export Product Award. The program will be the state's first-ever awards program for excellence in exporting.

'Georgia's international trade topped $20 billion last year,' said Commissioner Stewart. 'Trade is a critical component of Georgia's economy and helps our small- and medium-sized businesses participate in the world market.'

'The Georgia Featured Export Award was developed to encourage and reward businesses as they develop innovative products that will find success not only in the U.S., but also in export markets around the world,' said Dr. Allen.

Companies with 150 employees or less, or with annual sales of $50 million or less, will qualify for this award. Companies will be evaluated on the basis of their product innovation, market potential and international export efforts. Those companies who are not yet exporting but anticipate doing so with their successful products need only show a viable international export business plan.

Nominations are now being accepted, with nominations limited to the first 150 companies. The deadline is August 1.

The 2008 Georgia Featured Export Product Award will be presented to the winner Nov. 8 at the annual Georgia European Union Summit dinner and reception hosted in Macon. Finalists will also be recognized at the ceremony. This annual event attracts some 200 business leaders, consular and trade dignitaries and others in a celebration of the growing business and commercial relationships between Georgia, the European Union and other nations represented in Georgia by consular and trade offices.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state agency responsible for marketing Georgia around the world. A 2007 winner of the coveted Presidential E-Star Award for export excellence, the highly-recognized GDEcD Trade Division actively promotes export trade to Georgia companies. A network of 10 international offices provides support for Georgia exporters.

The Annual Georgia European Union Summit organization was established in 2001 and is now a subsidiary of the successful Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the most successful international festivals held annually in the U.S. AGEUS has developed strong ties between the consular and international trade community outside the metro Atlanta area, thus opening a wider business and economic view of Georgia for these dignitaries.

For more information on the Georgia Featured Export Product Award Program and for nomination forms, please contact Alicja Drojet at 404-962-4122, or e-mail [email protected]. To print and fill out a copy of the form, please click on Georgia Featured Export Product Award Nomination (PDF). The mailing address is located at the bottom of the form.