WASHINGTON – Know-how entrepreneur Jonathan Kaplan was sworn in as america Ambassador to Singapore on Tuesday (Nov 30), filling a submit that has been vacant for practically 5 years.
Mr Kaplan was ceremonially sworn in by US Vice-President Kamala Harris, on a duplicate of the US Structure held by his daughter, who was one in every of his visitors. Additionally current have been his companion, niece and two pals.
Ms Harris congratulated him after the swearing in, in accordance with a media pool report.
Mr Kaplan based the corporate Pure Digital Applied sciences, which was identified for its Flip video digicam. He later began a series of grilled cheese eating places and most just lately co-founded EducationSuperHighway, a non-profit group that brings high-speed Web to public colleges.
He was nominated by US President Joe Biden in July, and had his Senate listening to in October earlier than being confirmed final month.
The US has been stepping up its engagement with South-east Asian international locations with a string of high-profile visits in current months, and senators on the affirmation listening to have been hopeful that Mr Kaplan’s appointment might additional strengthen these commerce and diplomatic ties.
The envoy submit has been empty since earlier ambassador Kirk Wagar left his submit in January 2017 on the finish of the Obama administration.
Earlier president Donald Trump nominated political commentator and former official Okay. T. McFarl and businesswoman Barbera Hale Thornhill for the submit, however neither superior via the Senate affirmation course of.