On April 2, an event took place. The U.S. Departments of State and Commerce partnership was celebrated for boosting the United States’ economic and commercial interests worldwide.
This event was the 2024 Benjamin Joy Awards, a ceremony named in honor of Benjamin Joy, the United States’ first Consul to India. The awards recognized the remarkable efforts of U.S. embassies worldwide in fostering American business interests.
U.S. Departments of State and Commerce (Credits: X.com)
Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Ramin Toloui, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Arun Venkataraman, and Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau hosted the ceremony. They acknowledged the exceptional interagency collaboration that has propelled U.S. companies to success abroad.
Seventeen embassies submitted nominations detailing their unique contributions to advancing U.S. business and economic goals. These submissions highlighted the creativity and determination of embassy staff in overcoming various challenges to support American companies.
Embassy Nairobi was awarded top honors among embassies with a Foreign Commercial Service presence. Their work with the Kenyan government led to vital investment climate reforms, enhancing trade and growth opportunities for U.S. companies. Their proactive and inventive strategies have been transformative for U.S.-Kenya economic relations.
Other known achievements include Mission Vietnam, which was recognized for facilitating a major $1.6 billion investment that strengthened the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, and Mission Norway, which secured $3.3 billion in new investments from Norway, creating substantial job opportunities in the United States.
U.S. Department of Commerce (Credits: Buzzfeed News)
Embassy Nassau emerged victorious in embassies lacking a Foreign Commercial Service presence. Their successful advocacy removed unreliable telecommunications technology from the Bahamian market, replacing it with trusted technology that promises widespread economic benefits and solidifies the U.S.’s commercial foothold.
Embassy Lusaka and Embassy Pristina also received accolades for contributing to U.S. commercial interests abroad. From facilitating a $150 million deal that supports a major infrastructure project in Zambia to aiding a tech agreement in Pristina, these efforts underline the vital role of commercial diplomacy in U.S. foreign policy.
The event also recognized the outstanding efforts of Embassy Deal Teams from various countries, from Azerbaijan to the UAE, all of whom have shown exceptional dedication to promoting U.S. economic interests.
The Benjamin Joy Awards underscore the critical importance of interagency collaboration in enhancing American economic presence globally. Through these awards, the invaluable contributions of U.S. embassies in commercial diplomacy are brought to the forefront, celebrating their role in securing America’s economic prosperity worldwide.
