Famous five going for export title; UK TRADE & INVESTMENT Interview of the Week.

THE hunt is on to find the North-east's top export champions as nominations are sought for the North East Exporters Awards 2009.

The awards, sponsored by UK Trade & Investment, One North East and the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), recognise the efforts of individuals who have helped their companies boost its international sales performance.

The winners will be announced at a special gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead, on Thursday, July 16, when leading figures from the world of business will gather to celebrate the region's international trade success.

Entries are now sought for the awards in each of the five categories: New Exporter Award - for the individual new to exporting who demonstrates exceptional achievement, this could be with a company new to exporting or an existing exporter.

Export Achievement Award - for the individual who has shown exceptional personal achievement in international trade to the benefit of the North-east.

Innovation in Export Award - for the individual engaged in international trade who can demonstrate added value to their company through innovation such as product design, management systems, logistics, innovative technology.

Export Communicator Award - for the individual who can demonstrate how the application of his/her language skills has increased business performance in international trade.

Passport to Export Award - for an individual who has worked with an International Trade Adviser to develop an export action plan that has resulted in commercial success in their target market.

The awards will go to those who, in the judges' opinion, achieved the most for their companies in pursuit of export business.

Each of the winners will receive a special trophy and pounds 1,000.

David Coppock, UK Trade & Investment's international trade director, said: "The North-east's international trade performance continues to show good growth, with the total value of North-east exports of goods now at more than pounds 11.5bn, at a time when the world's economies are showing signs of slowdown.

"Obviously we know there may be more testing times ahead, but we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the region's success in international trade and to recognise the efforts of the individuals who are working so hard to achieve that success.

"By highlighting their achievements, I hope we can also encourage others to follow their example and we want to encourage as many companies and individuals to come forward and enter the awards."

FOR details of how to enter the awards or to purchase tickets for the North East Exporters Dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead, from 6.30pm on Thursday, July 16, contact the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054, email [e-mail] or log onto the website at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/northeast. The deadline for entries is Friday, May 28, 2009.

Companies wanting to find out more about the range of services available through UK Trade & Investment to help them succeed overseas can also contact the hotline.