EDC and PROFIT Magazine announce 2nd annual Canada Export Achievement Awards

OTTAWA, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ - Export Development Canada (EDC) and PROFIT Magazine today announced the launch of the 2nd annual Canada Export Achievement Awards.

The awards program recognizes and celebrates the export achievements of successful Canadian small -and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and is intended to inspire and encourage other Canadian companies to expand internationally. The awards are also meant to identify best exporting practices that other companies can adopt in their own efforts to globalize their sales and production.

"Trade is the life-blood of the Canadian economy, and these awards provide leading examples of how companies can successfully compete, grow and thrive through export trade," said Eric Siegel, President and CEO of EDC. "Trade will help Canadian businesses catch the wave of recovery in the places where it is beginning - places like Brazil, India and China - and also flourish beyond the recovery and into the future."

"The Canada Export Achievement Awards give small - and medium-sized exporters a great opportunity to receive the recognition they deserve for their export success," said Ian Portsmouth, Editor and Associate Publisher of PROFIT. "By sharing their stories through this awards program, participants also demonstrate how to win in foreign markets and foster the development of future exporters."

All Canadian SMEs that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to enter. Five winners will be selected, one from each Canadian region defined as Pacific, Prairies and the Territories, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The criteria for the award will focus on the company's export activities and their relation to its overall performance, with an emphasis on innovation and creativity.

Winners will receive national media coverage in PROFIT and L'actualité magazines, in addition to other marketing and public relations opportunities. Official recognition as a Canada Export Achievement Award winner may also be used to raise the recipient's profile with customers, investors, the media and potential employees.

The submission deadline is June 30, 2010.

Companies may download an application form or learn more about the program at www.exportawards.ca

About EDC

EDC is Canada's export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC's knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 8,300 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining, a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis, and has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for nine consecutive years.

About PROFIT Magazine

PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success is Canada's preeminent publication dedicated to the management issues and opportunities facing small and mid-sized businesses. For 28 years, Canadian entrepreneurs and senior managers across a vast array of economic sectors have remained loyal to PROFIT because it's a timely and reliable source of actionable information that helps them achieve business success and get the recognition they deserve for generating positive economic and social change. Visit PROFIT online at www.profitmagazine.ca

For further information: Media contacts: Phil Taylor, Export Development Canada, Tel: [phone], Blackberry: [email protected]; Ian Portsmouth, PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]