U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented the North Dakota Trade Office with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 22. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
“The North Dakota Trade Office has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with your office’s development of a 12-week export management course in partnership with North Dakota universities. The office’s Trade Talks series of seminars and webinars was also particularly notable. The North Dakota Trade Office’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Secretary Ross in his congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.
The North Dakota Trade Office is a membership-based, private/public partnership in Fargo that provides education, research, advocacy, organization and leadership so that NDTO members and North Dakota companies can increase exports and grow their international business.
“Exporting is our expertise and we are continuously looking for new ways to support North Dakota companies with an international vision,” said Dean Gorder, NDTO’s executive director. “Year after year we see the success of our members and their increased ability to diversify through trade missions, educational events and networking with the right people. The bottom line is higher revenue and more jobs.”
In total, Secretary Ross honored 32 U.S. companies and organizations from across the country with the President’s “E” Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the Department’s International Trade Administration. With offices across the United States and in embassies and consulates around the world, The International Trade Administration lends its expertise at every stage of the exporting process by promoting and facilitating exports and investment into the United States; administering Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties orders; and removing, reducing, or preventing foreign trade barriers.
U.S. exports totaled $2.21 trillion in 2016, accounting for nearly 12 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. Exports supported an estimated 11.5 million jobs nationwide in 2015, according to the most recent statistics from the International Trade Administration.
About the “E” Awards
In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company’s clients.
For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.