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2012 Peace Through Commerce Medal Award Recipients
The Peace through Commerce Medal recognizes an individual, group, or organization, either domestic or abroad, whose actions have significantly promoted and developed U.S. export initiatives, encouraged innovative approaches, and improved overall U.S. trade relations.
American Chamber of Commerce in Japan – Tokyo
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) is one of the most influential business organizations in Japan, with members representing more than 1,000 companies. The ACCJ promotes activities that further develop commerce between the United States and Japan, promote the interests of U.S. companies, and improve the international business environment in Japan.
American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore – Singapore
The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore exhibits an unyielding commitment to expanding trade, creating opportunities for U.S. businesses, and fostering a positive image of the United States in Singapore and across Southeast Asia. It is dedicated to working with the International Trade Administration to achieve the mutual goal of creating prosperity in the United States and the Southeast Asia region through exports.
Business Council for International Understanding – New York, NY
The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) is a valued partner to the International Trade Administration in promoting U.S. business interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Through a variety of roundtable discussions, counseling sessions, and other events, the BCIU enables the International Trade Administration to facilitate the elimination of market access barriers, advocate for U.S. companies, and promote emerging opportunities to U.S. businesses in these important global markets.
Werner Escher, Exec Dir, Domestic & Intl Markets, South Coast Plaza – Costa Mesa, CA
Werner Escher’s leadership has catapulted the South Coast Plaza into an international shopping destination and the highest-grossing retail center in the United States. Through his partnership with the International Trade Administration, global outreach, and visits to designated international markets, Escher continues to build a successful tourism marketing program for South Coast Plaza.
Global FoodBanking Network -- Chicago, IL
Since 2006, the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) has knitted strong partnerships with the global grocery products industry focused on reducing hunger and improving nutrition. More than 15 U.S. food companies are participating in these efforts. GFN has successfully implemented an innovative and compassionate global strategy to create food bank networks while benefitting the U.S. food industry’s trade strategies. GFN’s efforts have led to increased market access for U.S. food companies in growing, National Export Initiative priority markets like South Africa and India.
SC ICCO Energ SRL – Brasov, Romania
ICCO Energ has made lasting improvements in the lives of Romanian citizens through its partnerships with U.S. exporters in the renewable energy and water infrastructure sectors. ICCO developed a vision for the first Smart Grid application in Romania and worked to install new solar panels and micro wind technologies. Through its efforts to promote U.S. export initiatives, ICCO Energ and has unlocked the market to millions of dollars in follow-on exports, thus improving America’s competitive position in the country and advancing the National Export Initiative.
Eugene J. Schreiber, World Trade Center of New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
Before his passing in 2011, Eugene Schreiber served as Managing Director of World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO). Under his direction, the WTCNO organized more than 1,500 seminars, conferences, country briefings, inbound and outbound trade missions, and other international trade programs. With his guidance, WTCNO received both the President’s “E” and “E Star” awards. Schreiber proposed and helped implement a program that gives tax rebates to international visitors. The program is unique in the United States and helps being in millions in spending by foreign visitors.
Harley Seyedin, President, American Chamber of Commerce in South China – Guangzhou
Under the direction of Harley Seyedin, the American Chamber of Commerce in South China has increased its membership from 211 in 2003 to more than 2,100 today and become a high-performing center of excellence that builds bridges between the United States and China. Seyedin pioneered a visa referral program that assisted more than 30,000 Chinese business travelers obtain visas for travel to the United States. He also assisted/co-organized more than 50 investment seminars and Chinese buying delegations to America that have resulted in more than $13 billion in Chinese purchases investment to the United States – which sustained more than 10,000 U.S. jobs.
SMN Investments – Kabul, Afghanistan
SMN Investments (SMN) is a Kabul-based conglomeration with more than 2,000 employees that fills major investment gaps in the Afghan commercial landscape. SMN invested to create the Insurance Corporation of Afghanistan (ICA) the first privately held insurance company in the country. ICA’s success has resulted in international A-rated insuring having the confidence in the Afghan market, more aggressive investment in the country, more rapid deployment of capital, and greater economic growth. Through its activities, SMN supports partnerships with U.S. businesses to bring peace and prosperity for a better Afghanistan.
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International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,400 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 75 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, manages this global trade site to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. This site contains PDF documents. A PDF reader is available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.