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Minister announces call for nominations for export awards Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kathy Dunderdale today announced a call for nominations for the 2005 Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards. Three finalists will be selected and one will be named Newfoundland and Labrador Exporter of the Year at the Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards luncheon to be held in St. John�s on March 17. "The Newfoundland and Labrador Exporter of the Year Award recognizes the importance of exporting to the provincial economy, which generated almost $11 billion in 2003," said Minister Dunderdale. "Winners of the award are exceptional companies that exhibit a range of qualities including innovation, research, tenacity and market penetration." Eligible companies must be registered in Newfoundland and Labrador and have been exporting goods or services outside Canada for at least three years. The nominees will be evaluated on Newfoundland and Labrador content; the range of market penetration; the company�s ability to hold market share in the face of strong external competition; the ratio of export sales to total sales; the uniqueness of the company� s products and services; the extent to which the company has been innovative in its approach; and the level of research and development leading to the expansion of a company�s products and/or services. Finalists will be selected through an assessment process involving the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - Newfoundland and Labrador Division, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technical Industries (Nati), the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association (NEIA), and provincial and federal departments responsible for export development. Previous recipients of the award include Rodrigues Winery, Lotek Wireless Inc., and Rutter Technologies. Rutter Technologies president Byron Dawe, winner of the 2003 award, said, "We appreciated the award that recognized our hard work in establishing international markets and were pleased to be recognized by the business community for our exporting contribution to the economy of our province." Beginning January 15, advertisements will appear in newspapers across the province calling for nominations for the Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards. For more information on the nomination process, call John King at (709) 729-1796. Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570, 690-6290 2005 01 13 12:40 p.m. |
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