ATLANTA, Jan. 4, 2013 -- East Coast Diversified Corporation (OTC.BB:ECDC) announces today that its subsidiary, EarthSearch Communications International, has launched a new proprietary RFID/GPS software platform designed specifically for customs agencies and revenue authorities.

Based on EarthSearch's successful Global Asset Tracking & Identification System (GATIS), its new Customs Agencies and Revenue Authority Software (CARAS) tool is a fully customizable solution built upon the specific requirements of customs and revenue enforcement authorities around the globe.  

"After several presentations of our GATIS application and its unique features, we have completed a customized version of GATIS designed specifically to help customs and revenue agencies improve revenue collection and provide a streamlined approach to securing cargo between borders. This approach was based on feedback from several customs agencies and also offers internal security features to manage access and activities related to monitored cargo," said ECDC CEO Kayode Aladesuyi. "Based on these requirements, we embarked on this new project to provide a product that would simplify electronic cargo tracking (ECT) for this sector."

CARAS was created with real life challenges in mind and is, therefore, uniquely positioned for use by government agencies with high levels of import/export activity in their territories.

"Countries that have strategically important international ports or that have high levels of goods trafficking between borders have a special need to impose tracking solutions in order to minimize tax evasion and improve revenue collection," said ECDC Business Development and Marketing Director Andrej Jeremic. "CARAS is the solution these customers need to quickly and effectively facilitate electronic cargo tracking."

The robust set of CARAS features includes:

• Create specific routes for cargo traveling between borders
• Create electronic fence around routes traveled by monitored cargo
• Create Start and End Journey processes for cargo movement validation
• Create customized agent access and activity reports
• Implement electronic seals and hardware for rail, wet cargo and containers
• Generate exception alerts and reports

"We're looking forward to rolling out the new CARAS RFID/GPS application across the globe," said EarthSearch Sales Manager Andrew Seawell. "So far, I'm pleased with the progress we've made in the last quarter, as our partners on the ground in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania are already marketing the product for use by customs agencies and revenue authorities in their respective markets."

About East Coast Diversified Corporation (ECDC.OB) - ECDC is a holding corporation with a diversified group of technology companies. Its business portfolio includes companies offering technology for logistics and asset management, media entertainment, transportation safety and social media applications.

For more information on ECDC and its group of companies, please visit www.eastcoastdiversified.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the Company's entry into new commercial businesses, the risk of obtaining financing, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and other risks described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any obligation to provide updates, revisions or amendments to any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in the Company's expectations or future events.