The Maryland Department of Commerce's Office of International Investment and Trade has been awarded the 2021 President’s “E-Star” Award for Export Service.

The award was given to the department for its significant contributions to increasing U.S. exports , as well as its leadership in spearheading nearly two dozen international trade missions for the state in recent years.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor, and I am so proud of the work of our international team to not only grow Maryland’s exports, but to contribute to the growth of U.S. exports as well,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

The E-Star Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Maryland Commerce last received this award in 1989.

The U.S. Department of Commerce also recognized the state's creation of the Maryland Partners in International Trade program  (MAPIT), which brings together key partners from local, state, and federal government and academia to raise awareness of existing export promotion programs, facilitate greater access and usage of the state’s ExportMD grant  and FlexEx programs, and build new collaborative globally-focused programs.