International Trade Challenge Program in Auckland

FedEx New Zealand to Launch 2009

International Trade Challenge Program in Auckland

Initiative aims to educate young people about entrepreneurship, teamwork and global trade

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, June 9, 2009 – In just under two weeks, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, will help bring together 80 outstanding senior secondary school students from around New Zealand.

The students are at the start of a journey to select the final six students to represent New Zealand on the world stage for international enterprise, at the FedEx/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge, in Singapore in August.

This international program, now in its third year, aims to educate and inspire young people in six Asia-Pacific countries to understand how entrepreneurship can improve the quality of their lives and communities.

On Sunday 21st June, the 80 students will compete in the New Zealand regional heat of the FedEx/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge. The enterprise event, which will be opened by the Prime Minister on Saturday June 20th, is part of two days of competition, held at Massey University’s Albany Campus.

Rhicke Jennings, Managing Director, FedEx Australasia says the FedEx ITC regional heat is about connecting people with ideas.

“FedEx New Zealand wants to support our next generation of future trade and business entrepreneurs through the International Trade Challenge.”

“Our aim with this regional challenge is to give all those involved a taste for the excitement and opportunities that international trade between countries can provide. The current economic environment makes it particularly challenging for business, so we’re looking forward to hearing the fresh ideas and perspectives these 80 innovative minds can work together to develop.”

Through the FedEx International Trade Challenge, students gain first-hand experience of world trade, enhance their knowledge of product distribution, promotion and sales and develop traits of competition, teamwork, risk-taking and self-confidence.

The judges will be looking for concise business plans and well-constructed presentations that demonstrate each team’s chosen product and international market entry strategies.

At the conclusion of this first international enterprise weekend, 10 outstanding students will be selected from the pool of 80 to participate in the FedEx Weekend Workshop in July. This intensive workshop will further hone their skills and understanding of global trade and business, and from this, the final six will be selected as the New Zealand representatives in the FedEx/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge in a week-long competition in Singapore this August.

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