Earlier this week, the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, California was awarded the President’s “E” Award for Export Service by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross at a ceremony in Washington, DC. 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 Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with the Chamber’s creation of an International Development Committee. The Chamber’s development of a series of trade opportunities between companies and organizations in Orange County, California and potential buyers and officials in both the United Kingdom and Canada was also particularly notable,” said Secretary Ross in his congratulatory letter to the Chamber announcing its selection as an award recipient. “The Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”
The Greater Irvine Chamber provides export services for small and medium-sized U.S. businesses, including Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Free Sale, and export counseling through committee initiatives and events such as the organization’s annual Orange County World Trade Week Breakfast and Forum. The Chamber also plays a key role in Foreign Direct Investment to the region through delegate missions such as a recent visit to the United Kingdom.
“Exporting is crucial to the success of many of the businesses we support and to the creation of jobs, further advancing Irvine’s economic engine,” said Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition for our work in international trade.”
In total, Secretary Ross honored 43 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.
“There is no better way to kick off World Trade Week than to honor these companies who have increased exports while creating jobs for communities across the United States,” said Secretary Ross.
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 U.S. 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 $2.33 trillion in 2017, accounting for 12 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. Exports supported an estimated 10.7 million jobs nationwide in 2016, according to the most recent statistics from the International Trade Administration.
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