U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo spoke at the recent 2022 SelectUSA Investment Summit, delivering both opening and closing remarks, the Department of Commerce reports.
In her opening remarks at the summit, held June 26-29 in National Harbor, Md., Raimondo welcomed participants to the first centralized gathering since 2019. "After three years, we’re finally back in person," Raimondo said, according to her published remarks.
Raimondo described SelectUSA as a "whole-of-government" enterprise to bring foreign investment to the U.S. and be the "primary liaison between foreign investors and American markets," the remarks record. She said she was "excited" for attendees to see the plethora of investment partnerships in the U.S., saying "America is the best place on Earth to do business."
“For a full decade, the United States has been the number one destination for foreign direct investment,” Raimondo said, according to her remarks. “This is no small feat, and SelectUSA’s work has contributed to this success.”
Raimondo told participants that the U.S. has "unmatched diversity, a culture of innovation, and the world’s most productive workforce to companies of all sizes looking to grow and succeed in the U.S. market," the transcript reports.
Raimondo concluded her opening statements telling attendees that “If there’s one thing you take away from today, and you will hear it often this week because it’s true, it’s this: the United States is open for business,” according to the posted remarks.
She also spoke at the end of the summit, saying in her closing remarks that this year's summit attracted 3,600 participants for "our largest summit ever."
"We had 51 U.S. states and territories represented," Raimondo said, according to the transcript." We had more than 70 global markets in attendance. And we had a record 2,000 international participants."
"From agribusiness to energy, and from technology to trade, these new connections will bring lasting impact across the globe," Raimondo told summit participants.
Raimondo told attendees that the SelectUSA initiative and the DOC are always available to assist foreign investors connect with states and communities seeking foreign-investment opportunities.
"We are all partners in the effort to build and grow strong companies, support our workers and economies, and form lasting relationships," Raimondo said in her closing comments.
