Defense Technology Equipment Inc., of Sterling, was one of four Northern Virginia companies recently accepted into the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade program by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The program, launched in 2002, assists exporters in Virginia “that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy,” according to a release.

Currently, there are 50 participants in the VALET program, and new participants like Defense Technology Equipment have access to $15,000 in reimbursement funds from the commonwealth. VALET provides its companies with an array of resources to help them meet their goals and to assist them in their international exporting. 

“The VALET Program generates international sales for Virginia companies,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP director of international trade and investment. “Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with more than 165 companies to increase their international sales. Because of the program’s proven success and because jobs are created when Virginia companies sell more into global markets, it is important that we continue to assist Virginia companies through the program. We are happy to welcome these companies to VALET and look forward to working with them over the course of the next two years.”

The other three Northern Virginia companies accepted into VALET this year were Comter Systems Inc. and Dewberry & Davis LLC, both of Fairfax County, and Elicere Inc., of Falls Church.