CDS China Direct (MM)

Company Co-Founder Honored for Innovative and Successful Approach to Doing Business in China DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China Direct, Inc. co-founder and President, Marc Siegel received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2008 Award for the Emerging category in Florida. Mr. Siegel was selected by an independent panel of judges and the award was announced last night during a black-tie gala at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando. The annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award program, now in its 22nd year, honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. Founded by Marc Siegel, and Dr. James Wang, CEO and Chairman, China Direct, Inc. has achieved remarkable success in the past year and a half through its majority share acquisitions of small to mid-sized Chinese companies, primarily involved in natural resource and basic materials production. China Direct identifies companies that have strong growth potential, but have not been able to grow due to a lack of access to capital. Many of the companies are in remote regions of China that are overlooked by larger Western firms. The company advises these firms on how to become compliant with standard U.S. financial practices, and works with the domestic management to grow the business. Since it went public in August 2006 with revenues of $14 million, China Direct Inc. has increased its revenues to $174 million in 2007, and has a forecast of $320 million for 2008. Mr. Siegel said, "It is a profound honor to be recognized by such a prestigious award, and a testament to our vision that the entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled so much growth in this country should be made available to the emerging companies of China's future." As a regional award winner, Marc Siegel is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 national program. Award recipients in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipient, will be announced at the annual awards gala on November 15, 2008, hosted by Jay Leno. The national Entrepreneur Of The Year celebration is part of Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Forum. The overall national award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo. About China Direct, Inc. China Direct, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDS) is a diversified management and advisory services organization headquartered in the U.S. Our management services division acquires a controlling interest in entities operating in China. Our ownership control enables China Direct to provide management advice, as well as financing to Chinese entities. This infrastructure creates a platform to expand business opportunities globally while accessing the U.S. capital markets. Our advisory services division provides comprehensive advisory and consulting services to Chinese entities seeking to access the U.S. capital markets. As a direct link to China, China Direct serves as a vehicle allowing investors to directly participate in the rapid growth of the Chinese economy in a diversified and balanced manner. For more information about China Direct, please visit http://www.chinadirectinc.com/ . DATASOURCE: China Direct, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Rachel Carr of Dan Klores Communications, +1-212-981-5253, or Brian Moriarty, +1-212-981-5252, or Alicia Nieva-Woodgate, +1-415-515-0866; or Investors, Alan Sheinwald of HC International, Inc., +1-914-669-0222, ; or Company, Richard Galterio, Executive Vice President of China Direct, Inc., +1-877-China-57, Web site: http://www.chinadirectinc.com/

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