Signing of historic memorandum marks new milestone in American economy

Signing of historic memorandum marks new milestone in American economy
On January 13, 2025, a historic signing of the MOU Memorandum of Understanding took place in Washington, D.C., between the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, led by the brilliant leader and serious businessman Duvi Honig, and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. This historic document became the first official recognition of Jewish businesses as minorities, which opens up access to important resources for them: financing, government contracts, and global markets. The signing of the MOU, to which I was invited as an American journalist, took place just a week before the inauguration of President Donald Trump and symbolized a new era of equality and opportunity in U.S. economic policy.
The event not only corrects a historical injustice, but also marks a key moment in the development of American democracy. Undersecretary of Commerce Don Graves called the signing of the historic memorandum a "significant achievement" and a correction of a historical oversight, emphasizing its importance for the future of the country.
Since MBDA’s creation in 1969, the agency has provided support to minority groups, including Hispanics, who make up 19% of the U.S. population, African Americans, who make up 15%, and others. They are offered access to numerous programs worth billions of dollars. However, the Jewish community, despite making up only 2% of the U.S. population and having faced discrimination throughout history, was not included among businesses eligible for federal support. The signed memorandum was the first step in recognizing the contributions of Jewish businesses and providing them with equal opportunities.
"Today, we are correcting an injustice and ensuring that Jewish businesses receive equal recognition and access to resources," said Under Secretary of Commerce Don Graves.
MBDA CEO Joann Hill stressed that this achievement, based on respect and trust, was the result of many years of dialogue with the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce: “This success was built on mutual respect and went beyond politics,” she noted.
The memorandum was signed by the CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Duvi Honig, US Deputy Secretary of State Don Graves, US Deputy Secretary of State Eric Morissette and incoming US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Madiha Latif.
Among those present at the meeting during the signing of the memorandum were: Congressman Jack Bergman, Chairman of both the Intelligence and House Budget Committee, Rabbi Pini Dunner, the West Coast Chairman of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, Mark Jaffe, President of the Greater NY Chamber, Bradford Slutsky, US Customs and Border Protection Director of Cargo Security and Controls, Robert Singer, Senator of New Jersey, Mark Zeldin, former US Deputy Secretary of Labor, Ezra Friedlander, founder of the Friedlander Group.
The signing of the memorandum creates an economic boost for both New Jersey and the entire country, especially given the serious climate challenges of hurricanes and wildfires in Los Angeles, as well as the humanitarian crisis that has arisen in connection with them.
Eric Morissette, acting under secretary of commerce for minority business development, noted that the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, being the largest in the world, is ready not only to support Jewish businesses, but also to make a significant contribution to the development of the American economy.
The historic signing of the memorandum was a major milestone on the path to equality and fairness in U.S. economic policy. This step not only corrects past mistakes, but also opens up new prospects for Jewish business, proving that respect and cooperation can overcome any barriers.
Marina Lagunova