RICHMOND—The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of 16 companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The VALET program assists companies in the Commonwealth that are committed to international exporting as a growth strategy. To participate, each business must meet both quantitative and qualitative selection criteria, and participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growing export sales. To date, 393 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

The companies joining the VALET program include:

  • Aeronautical Systems Inc. (Fairfax County)
  • Alacran Consulting Inc. (Montgomery County)
  • ANRA Technologies Inc. (Fairfax County)
  • Atlantic Research Group Inc. (Albemarle County) 
  • Axxor (Pittsylvania County)
  • Babylon Micro Farms Inc. (City of Richmond)
  • Black Dog Salvage LLC (City of Roanoke)
  • Bloomaker USA Inc. (Augusta County)
  • Elgin Separation Solutions (Tazewell County)
  • NAG Marine (City of Norfolk)
  • QualiChem Inc. (City of Salem)
  • RangeForce Inc. (Prince William County)
  • River Front Services Inc. (Fairfax County)
  • SimIS Inc. (City of Portsmouth)
  • Steelmaster Buildings LLC (City of Virginia Beach) 
  • XII Brands LLC (City of Richmond) 

“For 20 years, the VALET program has served as a catalyst to international growth for Virginia companies, providing the resources needed to compete globally and grow jobs and investment here in the Commonwealth,” said VEDP Executive Vice President and Interim President & CEO Jason El Koubi. “In today’s economy it is more important than ever for companies to seek a diverse range of sales opportunities, and we are proud that VEDP offers world-class resources and programs to support Virginia exporters in their pursuit of international growth.”
Currently, the VALET program has 48 companies as participants. The program provides participating companies with export planning services and assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet the companies’ international business goals. These private sector service providers contribute essential expertise to assist companies in executing export plans and include attorneys, web designers, bankers, translators, accountants, and freight forwarders.

The Commonwealth of Virginia exports more than $35 billion in goods and services annually. Exports of Virginia’s products and services to the world are vital to the growth of the Commonwealth, supporting more than 257,000 jobs and generating $2 billion in annual tax revenue. VEDP offers numerous programs to assist Virginia companies with selling into the global marketplace and has a network of international market research consultants covering more than 90 countries around the globe.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion, and international trade development.

For more information on the VALET Program, visit https://exportvirginia.org/service/programs-and-grants. 

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