Oregon Company Named Exporter of the Year by U.S. Export Promotion Magazine

Kwaplah International of Corvallis, Ore., has been awarded a 2007 ThinkGlobal/Commercial News USA Exporter of the Year award from ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Commerce Department.

Commercial News USA is a catalog-style magazine distributed to an estimated 400,000 readers in 176 countries worldwide. Awards are given to one U.S. company in each of 15 industry categories. Privately-held Kwaplah International was named Exporter of the Year in the Business Services category.

Winners were chosen based on the total number of documented export deals completed in 2005, total percentage increase in sales in 2005 compared to 2004, exports as percentage of total sales, the company’s commitment to exporting, the company’s commitment to customer service, and the company’s innovation and originality in marketing products or services.

To be eligible for the award, the company must currently be exporting from the United States.

Founded in 1993, Kwaplah International provides international procurement services for World Bank assisted development projects and United Nations field offices. The company reported total export sales of $3,200,000 in 2005, a 256% increase from 2004. Exports represent 100% of the company’s total sales.

“We are excited about this recognition from Commercial News USA. It will provide the necessary exposure that Kwaplah International needs for the products and services that we provide. This recognition will give us ample opportunities to avail our services to prime contractors that are seeking minority and disadvantaged firms with proven track records for subcontracting opportunities,” said Sherlock Mahn, president and CEO of Kwaplah International.

Gregory Sandler, publisher of Commercial News USA, said that Kwaplah International’s success is indicative of how American companies can benefit from exporting. “With 95% of the world’s market outside the U.S., there is significant growth opportunity for American manufactures and service providers.”

More information about the Exporter of the Year awards is available online at www.exporteroftheyear.com.