Specialty coffee retailer Gloria Jean's has been awarded the Western Sydney Exporter Award for the second time at the 2008 Premier's NSW Export Awards.

The awards are part of a national program run by the Australian Institute of Export, recognising excellence in the export of goods and services by NSW businesses.

 
"We are very pleased to once again be recognised for our work in the export sector. This award acknowledges our continued success and contribution to promoting great Australian entrepreneurship overseas," said Nabi Saleh, executive chairman of Gloria Jean's Coffees.

 
"Over the last year we have grown our international network to over 900 stores, with 51 master franchise agreements across 32 countries worldwide. We have achieved this by investing in new initiatives including the implementation of a new technology platform and developed systems which has enabled faster, more efficient delivery to our stores.

"Over the last year our international store numbers grew by a phenomenal 75%, and we show no signs of slowing this down. We have opened in India and have signed on new Master Franchise agreements with China and Peru," he said.

The NSW Premier's Export Awards, supported by the NSW government and blue chip sponsors from public and private sectors, is the state's biggest annual export awards program.

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