[SatNews] COM DEV International Ltd. (TSX:CDV) has revealed that exactEarth Ltd. has presented its shareholders, COM DEV and Hisdesat Servicios Estrategicos S.A., with strategic growth plans that are expected to expand its existing vessel tracking business into the much larger maritime data services market.

Given the success of exactEarth in developing the satellite AIS (Automatic Identification System) data services market, COM DEV and Hisdesat are supportive of these strategic growth plans. Accordingly, exactEarth has retained Canaccord Genuity to advise its Board of Directors on implementation of private and public funding options as well as potential merger and acquisition opportunities.

"Our success in building out exactEarth's space- and ground-based infrastructure, achieving a position of market leadership, and reaching positive cash flow has opened up some exciting growth opportunities and new directions for the company," said Peter Mabson, President of exactEarth. "We strongly believe that exactEarth is poised to become an even more significant player in this expanding market."

In light of the central role of exactEarth in COM DEV's core strategic plan, as well as successful progress on other strategic initiatives including its acquisitions and dividend policy, COM DEV is also taking steps to refresh and update its strategic plan. As part of this initiative COM DEV has retained Canaccord Genuity in a separate engagement.

"The strategic options under consideration for exactEarth will be instrumental in helping it reach its full potential, while at the same time unlocking significant value for COM DEV's shareholders," said Michael Pley, CEO of COM DEV.