NSW's top exporters were announced at the 2009 Premier's NSW Export Awards dinner held in Sydney last month.

Premier Nathan Rees presented the top award, NSW Exporter of the Year, to SMARTS Group, an information and communications technology company based in The Rocks, Sydney.

SMARTS provides real-time systems for market surveillance, market supervision, and market compliance to the international financial community.

More than 90 per cent of the company's business is export-based, with customers, including stock exchanges, derivatives exchanges, market regulators and brokers, in more than 30 countries.

MSM Milling in Manildra took out the award for Regional Exporter.

MSM Milling operates a modern, integrated oilseed crushing and refining plant which employs 35 people. In two years, its export sales have increased to 26 per cent of company revenue.

Premier Rees said the unifying theme among the winning companies was quality.

"These companies succeed by working smarter, by taking risks and by being creative."

NSW Government is the principal sponsor of the awards and sponsor of two categories – the NSW Exporter of the Year and the Regional Exporter Award.

Industry & Investment NSW supports NSW exporters by providing a range of services, including an extensive program of visits to established and emerging markets and a network of 10 export advisers across the State.

The Premier's NSW Export Awards are organised by the Australian Institute of Export.

View the full list of winners here.