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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
August 10, 2009
Students from New Zealand
and Australia Win FedEx/JA Regional International Trade Challenge
Students from Seven Asian Markets
Display Remarkable Entrepreneurial Flair in Final
Singapore, August 7, 2009 — After a grueling three-day test of their
business acumen, analytical capabilities and mental strength, three teams from
New Zealand and Australia emerged as winners in the FedEx Express®/Junior
Achievement™ International Trade Challenge (ITC) regional finals, a competition
aimed at nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and business skills of students in
the Asia-Pacific region.
Jointly organised by FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX)
and the world's largest express transportation company, and U.S.-based JA
Worldwide®, the world's largest organisation dedicated to preparing
youths for the working world, the ITC was launched in 2007 and is supported by a
US$1million grant from FedEx over a three-year period involving markets in the
Asia Pacific region.
Forty-two students between 16 - 19 years of age from Australia, Hong Kong,
Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand were selected to represent
their markets at the regional final after competing at the local challenge in
their respective home markets. At the regional competition, these students were
tasked to come up with a market entry strategy for exporting carpets to
Egypt during a two-day intensive workshop.
The winning teams were selected based on two main criteria: content and
presentation. They were scored on their thoroughness, creativity and
professionalism in developing and executing their business entry strategy.
Team New Zealand (Paul Minors and Chuck Slogrove) took first place,
followed by Team New Zealand (Talman Madsen and Aimee Gordon) and Team
Australia (Jade Sewell-Robertson and Lauren Flint). The three winning teams
impressed the judges with their winning strategies, keen business acumen and
outstanding analytical skills.
"The new ideas and innovations that entrepreneurs bring to the marketplace
are crucial to building strong, resilient economies. FedEx support of the
International Trade Challenge is part of our commitment to educate and nurture
the next generation of business leaders who will be important contributors to
this region's future growth," said David L. Cunningham Jr., president,
Asia-Pacific, FedEx Express. "The finalists in this year's competition truly
exhibited teamwork, leadership and innovative thinking that will help them drive
success in a dynamic business world where opportunities abound."
Sean C. Rush, president and chief executive officer of JA Worldwide, added,
"Junior Achievement's long track record of teaching young entrepreneurs how to
succeed is vividly brought to life by the student participants in the
International Trade Challenge. These JA students are learning how to position
their enterprises for success in the global economy and are building a network
which they can leverage to expand their organization's footprint. FedEx is an
important partner of JA Worldwide in helping these young business owners succeed
now and as they start or join new businesses in the future."
The Challenge which is in its third year, attracted a total of 1690 students
from Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore and Thailand,
who participated in the ITC workshops from April to June 2009 where FedEx
employees volunteered their time to coach the students and facilitate business
lessons.
About JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement)
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring
and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated
volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school
programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness,
entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Today, 135 individual area operations
reach more than four million students in the United States, with an additional
five million students served by operations in 123 other countries worldwide. For
more information, visit www.ja.org.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing
fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries
and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed
delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a
money-back guarantee. (Subject to relevant terms and conditions)
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad
portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual
revenues of $35 billion, the company offers integrated business applications
through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively,
under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most
admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 employees
and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the
highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and
communities. For more information, visit
news.van.fedex.com.
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