EX-IM BANK VICE CHAIRMAN EDUARDO AGUIRRE, JR. RECEIVES HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL HONOR GIVEN IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Eduardo Aguirre, Jr., vice chairman and chief operating officer of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), received the highest honor given government leaders in recognition of their service to the Dominican Republic.
On November 19, 2002, at a National Palace ceremony in Santo Domingo, Hipolito Mejia, president of the Dominican Republic, presented Aguirre the Order of Christopher Columbus medal at the grade of Grand Officer for Aguirre's contribution toward promoting business opportunities and economic growth in the public and private sectors between the two countries.
In July 2002, Aguirre hosted a luncheon honoring President Mejia that included members of the Bush and Mejia administrations and business leaders from both countries involved in export trade.
The Dominican Republic, with $788 million in authorizations, is Ex-Im Bank's fourth largest market in Latin America. Exports financed in FY 2002 include medical equipment, telecommunications, oil and gas, electricity, transportation, environmental goods and services, manufacturing equipment, and other services.
Aguirre was also recognized in 1997 by the Universidad Technological de Santiago in the Dominican Republic with an honorary doctorate highlighting his cooperation and commitment to higher education exchanges between the United States and the Dominican Republic.
The Order of Christopher Columbus was established in 1937 as an official honor bestowed upon foreign heads of state, former presidents, government leaders and professionals in recognition of their service to the Dominican Republic through humanitarian, artistic or scientific merit.