President Bush awards nation's top international trade honor to GDEcD

President's "E-Star" award recognizes agency for forming export assistance partnership

ATLANTA-- Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has received the Presidential "E-Star" Award for excellence in exporting. U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined President George W. Bush in the Oval Office of the White House today to present the award to GDEcD International Trade Division Director Kathe Falls and Assistant Director Rick Martin.

"Exports create good high paying jobs in Georgia, and the Department of Economic Development is at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness," said Gutierrez. "I commend GDEcD for helping to grow new markets around the world."

The "E" Award is the highest honor the federal government can give to an American exporting organization. The President's "E Star" Award was authorized to recognize previous "E" Award winners for their continued efforts in export expansion. Georgia's international trade program achieved "E" status in the 1970s. GDEcD is one of only three entities nationwide to receive the "E Star" award this year, and the only public agency.

GDEcD was recognized for leading an integrated partnership with other federal, state and local agencies, which collaborate to help Georgia companies export their goods and services. Georgia has arguably the strongest U.S. Export Assistance (USEAC) partnership in the country. The Atlanta USEAC, now 12 years old, leverages programs at all levels of government — federal, state and city/county — as well as academic programs. GDEcD led the two-year drive to form this partnership and has continued to play a pivotal role.

"We could not be prouder of our international trade team and the partnership they have put together to seamlessly connect Georgia businesses to the world's markets," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This award justly recognizes the Atlanta USEAC as one of the nation's best."

USEAC's integration of services is demonstrated through the export successes of Georgia's small and medium-sized companies, which have exported more and exported faster because of the multi-agency teamwork. Export assistance in FY06 from GDEcD generated 116 export successes by small Georgia businesses. Of these successes, 82 percent included assistance from other USEAC partners.

"Georgia's Trade team has always focused on putting client needs first," said Kathe Falls, director of GDEcD's International Trade office. "Our active partnership program with other state and federal agencies eliminates duplication in services and benefits clients, because they receive the most appropriate service regardless of the agency that provides it. The concept sounds simple, but reaching this level of collaboration took a substantial amount of planning given differing processes in state and federal government agencies."

Templeton Carpet Mills, a division of Thomas Industries in Dalton, is one of many examples of the valuable international export support provided through the GDEcD/USEAC partnership.

"The assistance of the USEAC has truly broadened the international scope of the company's sales," said Paul Yacobucci, Thomas Industries' vice president of International Sales. "Before, Templeton Carpets had experienced some difficulty breaking into the Western European market, but with the USEAC team's guidance and in-depth knowledge of the region, in less than a year, our company has obtained sales agents in Germany, France and Spain and made inroads in the Middle East."

Label Visions Systems, a small company in Peachtree City, also utilized the USEAC to establish distribution in China. The agency worked with CEO Tim Lydell on elements including the basics of small business resources, information on export tariffs and running background check to ensure secure international transactions.

"The USEAC's service has been an invaluable tool for Label Visions Systems, not only as a small business, but also as one new to the international marketplace," Lydell said. "Their assistance with all of my company's questions and needs was phenomenal."

This award is a capstone to the contributions and investment GDEcD has made to Georgia's small and medium-sized businesses and increasing U.S. exports. By working collaboratively through a multi-agency network, government resources are conserved, duplicate export services are eliminated and Georgia companies profit from more accessible international trade opportunities.

The U.S. Commercial Service is a U.S. Commerce Department agency that helps U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The Commercial Service has over 100 Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and more than 150 international offices in over 80 countries. For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please visit www.export.gov.