NOTE TO EDITORS: 19^th annual Export Awards, St. John�s, May 29

Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Judy Foote and John Patten, chair of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - Newfoundland and Labrador Division, will present the 2003 Newfoundland and Labrador Exporter of the Year Award at 12 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), May 29, at the Fairmont Hotel, Salon B.

Keith Stoodley, Oceans Director, Lotek Wireless Inc., will emcee the 19^th annual Export Awards which will feature guest speaker Steven Poloz, Vice-President and Chief Economist, Export Development Canada.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards are designed to celebrate success and encourage new exporters to enter the global marketplace. The Export Awards event is a joint initiative of the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - Newfoundland and Labrador Division.

Media are invited to attend.

Media contact:

Tansy Mundon, Industry, Trade and Rural Development, (709) 729-4570
Sean McCarthy, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, (709) 772-3682

2003 05 28                                      10:30 a.m.