As many as 10 winners will be honored this September at a gala ceremony in Montreal. One company among the winners will also receive the prestigious Exporter of the Year Award.

"Canadians exported a record $474 billion in 2000, a 15% increase over 1999," Pettigrew noted. "The 2001 finalists played an active role in this growth, generating more than $2 billion in export sales."

Since 1983, more than 200 firms have been recognized for their success in Canada and in foreign markets.