Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the state government economic development agency, selected TMEIC Corporation as one of 12 companies accepted into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The VALET program assists companies in the Commonwealth of Virginia committed to international trade as a growth strategy. The program provides participating companies with export planning services, market research, and assistance from a team of experienced global service providers to help meet the companies' international business goals.

"VEDP is committed to working with Virginia businesses to expand their international sales, thereby increasing trade and trade-related jobs in the Commonwealth, and we welcome these companies into the VALET program," said VEDP President and CEO Stephen Moret. "During this time when businesses need growth opportunities more than ever, we are proud to have a proven program like VALET available to propel Virginia exporters to compete in the global marketplace."

TMEIC has named Industrial Systems BU Commercial Director Darren Honaker and Marketing Communications Manager Tricia Downie to lead this VEDP VALET initiative for the next two years. Their focus will be on actively pursuing modernization, expansion, and new projects in developed markets to deepen TMEIC's understanding of the medium-term port project pipeline and market characteristics. They will focus their efforts on specific countries in South and Southeast Asia while engaging with key container port contacts. VEDP will provide TMEIC with US$30,000 in funding to reimburse expenses related to developing and implementing TMEIC's export strategies.

Mr. Honaker and Ms. Downie served as keynote speakers at the 2020 Virginia Economic Summit & Forum on World Trade in a session entitled "International Trade: Why, Where, and How in a COVID-19 World."