Not Too Late To Enter Export Awards

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 2006

18 April 2006

Export Awards

Exporters are reminded that entries into the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) 2006 Export Awards - the most prestigious given to New Zealand exporters - close on April 28. But with ten days remaining there is still time to fill in an entry form online at www.exportawards.co.nz and be a part of the Awards excitement in its fortieth year.

Minister of Economic Development Trevor Mallard announced the opening of the Awards, sponsored by DHL on March 29.

This year the Awards celebrate their fortieth anniversary proving the long-term sustainability and productivity of New Zealand's exporting community in an environment that transcends market forces.

The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Export Awards recognise outstanding achievement and growth by New Zealand exporters across a range of sectors and those that are successful will join a list of distinguished winners. The Awards are also supported by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) and Export New Zealand.

Companies entering this year's awards will compete in a range of categories, some of which were unheard of 40 years ago, such as biotechnology and ICT. However the overriding objective of the annual Export Awards to recognise and celebrate our exporting heroes - remains unchanged.

To enter the 2006 Export Awards companies must have been exporting for more than three years, have earned at least $500,000 in foreign exchange in the last financial year and have consistently strong foreign exchange growth for the last three years. The Export Award categories are: Agritech, Life Sciences and Biotechnology Creative and Design

-Education
-Food and Beverage
-Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
-Specialised Manufacturing
-Wood Processing, Building and Interiors
-Services

The Exporter of the Year in each category will be named 2006 Export Awards winners and each receive a prize package of NZTE services which this year has been raised to the value of $10,000. The 2006 Supreme Exporter of the Year will receive an additional $10,000 worth of services (totalling $20,000).

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) CEO, Tim Gibson, says the judges consider all elements of a company's approach to exporting.

"If companies are being innovative, using clever strategies, achieving solid growth and excellent export sales volumes, then the 2006 Export Awards offer a chance to be recognised among their peers, throughout New Zealand and offshore." In 2006 winners also stand to gain international recognition through use of the Export Award Hallmark, defining their organisation as a New Zealand exemplar of export excellence.

Entries for the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 2006 Export Awards opened on 29 March and will close on Friday 28 April. Entry forms are available at www.exportawards.co.nz For more information e-mail awards@nzte.govt.nz

Eligible companies will be invited to complete a stage two entry later this year, with finalists to be announced in September 2006 after site assessments are completed. Category winners and the 2006 Supreme Exporter of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner and Awards ceremony in Auckland in November 2006.

Past winners attest to the positive impact of winning an Export Award. The 2005 Supreme Exporter of the Year was Rakon Ltd. Darren Robinson Rakon's Marketing Director, says: "Being recognised as the technology leader in our field by customers and competitors alike is one of our greatest achievements and since winning our business has gone from strength to strength. As a family business that started in the basement, and has now grown to some 500 people, our experience shows that with determination and vision success is achievable for even the smallest of companies."

DHL Express General Manager Derek Anderson says the Export Awards provide a prestigious platform to reward exporting achievement and are an essential element in helping foster innovative organisations.

"Our country's national Export Awards are celebrating their fortieth anniversary this year and DHL has had a presence in New Zealand for 33 of those years. We are very proud to continue our decade of association as Major Sponsor of this prestigious event, which continues to deliver more great role models for our future achievers".

ENDS

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