Launch of annual awards for co's trading with US

Media Statement from the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand 20 July 2006

Innovative businesses trading with the US invited to enter awards - US-NZ Awards give winners tangible benefits, 2-way trade worth $8.7 billion

Companies trading with the United States are invited to enter the 2006 American Chamber of Commerce-UPS business awards, in conjunction with Air New Zealand. Over the last six years our sponsors have provided over $280,000 of prizes to our award winners.

The awards, to be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 8 November, celebrate business innovation and success in the import, export, investment and tourism sectors between New Zealand and its second largest trading partner, the United States. Prizes include an airfare to Los Angeles or San Francisco flying Air New Zealand for the import and exporter category winners.

“The American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (AmCham) is constantly seeking opportunities to build business and trade relationships within the private and public sectors, “ said Executive Director, Mike Hearn. “The annual Innovation and Success Awards are a fine example of recognising and honouring entrepreneurship, innovation and achievement in creating mutually beneficial and rewarding relationships that will help accelerate growth in bilateral trade.”

Two-way trade is currently pegging at around $8.7 billion, accounting for some 12.5 per cent of New Zealand’s total earnings from overseas trade.

Previous winners of the Supreme Award have included ZESPRI International, Peace Software, Airways Corporation, Pulse Data (HumanWare), Tenon and Orion Systems International.

UPS New Zealand General Manager, Dave Metcalf, is proud to acknowledge the long standing relationship with AmCham by again being the Major Sponsor of the AmCham 2006 Awards

Companies interested in entering the 2006 awards can find further information on the website at www.amcham.co.nz or phone Mike Hearn on 0-9-309 9140. Entries close at 5.00 pm on 15 September. Finalists will be named in the week 13 October, followed by a black tie awards dinner on 8 November. It is hoped that US Ambassador William McCormick will present the Importer of the Year award and the Prime Minister will again present the Exporter of the Year awards.

In addition to AmCham, UPS and Air New Zealand, the awards are supported by: Baldwins, CitiGroup Inc., Ernst & Young Ltd, General Electric, New Zealand Steel Ltd, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.

ENDS

© Scoop Media