NDTO News Article

Press Release: The NDTO Recognizes Fargo Jet Center, Praxis Africa, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring with Global Business Awards

FARGO, ND—Fargo Jet Center, Praxis Africa, and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring were recognized for their achievements in international trade at the Global Business Connections conference hosted by the NDTO (North Dakota Trade Office) on May 15, 2024. Governor Burgum presented the awards and highlighted ND’s international business successes.

Fargo Jet Center was named the 2023 Exporter of the Year. This is well-deserved recognition for a team that continues to push boundaries, create connections, and spread internationally at a fast pace. To win the Exporter of the Year award, the business must have expanded to a new international market, increased its export sales during the past year, and supported the larger, statewide effort to expand ND’s global reach.

Fargo Jet Center stood out amongst a pool of nominations and continues to showcase its willingness to expand into new parts of the world. Dedication to international business can take countless hours of building connections, negotiations, and ingenuity that are years in the making. This team has persevered and found success in several new markets globally and continues to lift all boats, engaging other ND businesses.

Praxis Africa won the 2023 Service to Exporters award because of its teams’ tireless commitment to bettering the world through a variety of avenues. The Service to Exporters Award is given to an international business resource that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting ND exporters and increasing the state’s overall international business strategy. Praxis Africa’s operations span nine affiliate countries and a handful of businesses abroad. They are committed to education, choosing a variety of opportunities to support both the US and the international people it serves. They continue to engage ND companies to further support businesses and success that are mutually beneficial. Praxis Africa’s services have been crucial to the globalization of North Dakota businesses.

The 2023 NDTO Global Ambassador award was received by ND Agriculture Commissioner Goehring. This Award recognizes an individual or organization that selflessly assists in the promotion of ND products worldwide and helps strengthen the relationships between ND companies and their international partners. Commissioner Goehring’s work at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture has benefited our state’s economy and increased the potential for trade development across several sectors. His dedication to supporting the businesses of ND has contributed to international recognition at many international tradeshows and events.

The Global Business Connections Conference brought together international visitors from Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and more, engaging with state and local leaders, business leaders, and many international exporters across the state to reflect on our growing involvement in international trade and its crucial ties to local economies. The conference began with keynote speaker Ambassador Terry Branstad, current president of the World Food Prize Foundation, former US Ambassador to China, and Governor of Iowa. He served as Iowa’s governor from 1983 to 1999, and again from 2011 to 2017, making him the longest-serving governor in our nation’s history.

Other presentations included words from the Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis, Beth Richardson, sessions on USMCA, a Global Agility panel, briefings on the Nordic Region and Taiwan, as well as highlights on culture for international business, cybersecurity, and many opportunities for networking.

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The North Dakota Trade Office is a membership-based, private/public partnership that provides education, research, advocacy, organization, and leadership so that NDTO members and ND companies can increase exports and grow their international business.