East of England exporters are being invited to nominate their company for UK Trade & Investment's prestigious Passport to Export Awards.

The third, annual Passport to Export Awards recognise the achievement of companies from across the region who have demonstrated the best potential to develop and improve their international trade business performance. The standards have been rising every year and this year will be no exception.

Now five years old, the Passport to Export programme has already helped over a thousand companies to develop successful international business across a wide range of industry sectors.

And this year, the Awards Ceremony promises to be more high profile than ever, with Lord Digby Jones coming along to present the awards at a sparkling event at the stunning Ickworth House, just outside Bury St Edmunds.

Lord Digby Jones said, "I would urge companies to put themselves forward, not just for the well-deserved recognition it will bring, but also to act as role models for others. Exporting remains a vital aspect in the well-being of the UK's economy yet many potential exporters are unaware of the support they can access through Passport to Export. Through the programme they can all be winners."

The ceremony takes place on 19th March with awards presented for outstanding achievement in different categories.

Entering the Awards couldn't be simpler: companies can use a straightforward online system or download a hard copy entry at http://www.itrade.org.uk/p2eawards/

The application process is now open so companies need to make sure they get their applications in without delay - applications close on Friday 29th February.