RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Vienna company, Synergy International Systems, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.
Synergy International Systems joins the program as part of the 15th class of VALET companies. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 100 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.
Synergy International Systems is a privately held, growth-stage software company headquartered in Vienna, Virginia that specializes in Web database, Web Portal and Web Services solutions. Synergy’s combination of business intelligence software and global consulting expertise support international development, e-Government, case management, and public health initiatives around the world. Synergy’s flagship system, the Development Assistance Database (DAD), is the most widely implemented solution for aid management, public investment, and national budgeting. It has been established in more than 25 countries world-wide to promote transparency and accountability of funds and results-driven decision making. Synergy’s clientele includes the U.S. federal government, government ministries around the world and well-known international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“We are excited to have been selected to the January 2009 class of the VALET program,” said Ashot Hovanesian, President and CEO. “It is our hope that the VALET program will support our efforts to enhance the capacity of governments around the world to more effectively track and analyze data on development and public investment. The VALET program is a wonderful example of public-private partnership and I believe that our active participation in the program will have tangible results in both the strengthening and expansion of our international business.”
The VALET program incorporates services from a team of experienced international service providers who assist the VALET companies with their international goals. Service providers such as attorneys, Web designers, bankers, translators and freight-forwarders contribute essential skills for expansion into international markets.
“VALET welcomes Synergy International Systems into the program,” said Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager. “We look forward to working with its international team over the course of the next two years to assist the company in exceeding export goals.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Division of International Trade earned the coveted President's "E Star" Award for Export Service. The President's "E Star" Award was created in 1969 to recognize continued superior performance in increasing or promoting exports. Only previous recipients of the "E" Award are eligible, and the period of consideration covers the most recent three years of export operation. During the 2005-2007 period of consideration, VEDP's International Trade Division assisted more than 100 Virginia companies through its export development programs, Accessing International Markets (AIM) and Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET).
NASBITE International, a multi-national professional trade organization, awarded its 2007 Program Excellence Award to the VEDP Division of International Trade’s VALET program. The Program Excellence Award is given to recognize innovation and originality in international trade education, counseling, training and research. The VALET program stood out because of its successful pairing of resources, state funding and private-sector support to promote and expand international sales for Virginia companies.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 21-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan.
To learn more about the VALET program, contact Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager, at LParpart [at] YesVirginia.org or visit the programs tab at www.ExportVirginia.org.