For details of how to enter the awards or to purchase tickets for the North East Exporters Dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead from 6.30 pm on Thursday 16 July, on contact the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054, email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk or log onto the website at http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/north_east. The deadline for entries is Friday 28 May 2009.
Companies wanting to find out more about the range of services available through UK Trade and Investment to help them succeed overseas can also contact the hotline.
The winners will be announced at a special gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead on Thursday, 16 July when leading figures from the world of business will gather to celebrate the region's international trade success.
Entries are now sought for the awards in each of the five categories:
- New Exporter Award for the individual new to exporting who demonstrates exceptional achievement, this could be with a company new to exporting or an existing exporter.
- Export Achievement Award for the individual who has shown exceptional personal achievement in international trade to the benefit of the North East.
- Innovation in Export Award for the individual engaged in international trade who can demonstrate added value to their company through innovation such as product design, management systems, logistics, innovative technology.
- Export Communicator Award for the individual who can demonstrate how the application of his/her language skills has increased business performance.
- Passport to Export Award for an individual who has worked with an International Trade Advisor to develop an Export Action Plan that has resulted in commercial success in their target market.
The awards will go to those who, in the judges' opinion, achieved the most for their companies in pursuit of export business. Each of the winners will receive a special trophy and £1,000.
David Coppock, UK Trade and Investment's International Trade Director, said "The North East's international trade performance continues to show good growth, with the total value of North East exports of goods now at more than £11.5 billion, at a time when the world's economies are showing signs of slowdown.
"Obviously we know there may be more testing times ahead but we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the region's success in international trade and to recognise the efforts of the individuals who are working so hard to achieve that success.
"By highlighting their achievements, I hope we can also encourage others to follow their example and we want to encourage as many companies and individuals to come forward and enter the awards."
