Order of Entrepreneurial Merit

The Order of Merit for Agriculture and Trade was founded on June 4, 1893 by King Dom Carlos I and is to award to individuals and institutions provided that have acquired in the field of agriculture and trade services to Portugal. On 19 February 1991 the Order received new statutes and since then is called the Order for Services to agriculture, trade and industry.

Order of classes

The Order comprises five classes and was first awarded in the departments of agriculture and commerce. In 1991 he was extended by the Department of Industry.

• Grand Cross ( Grã Cruz )
• Grand Officer ( Grande- Oficial )
• Commander ( Comendador )
• Officer ( Oficial )
• Medal ( Medalha )

Order decoration

The religious character is a gilded neunstrahliger star hanging on a green enameled laurel wreath. On the Star a second, enamelled neunstrahliger star is attached, which shows the coat of arms of Portugal in the medallion that is surrounded by a white enamel hoop. In each department, the religious character differs as follows

• Agriculture - green enamelled star with the inscription MERITO AGRICOLA
• Commercial - blue enamelled star with the inscription MERITO COMERCIAL
• Industry - red enamelled star with the inscription MERITO INDUSTRIAL

Carrying method

The Grand Cross is worn on a sash from the right shoulder to the left hip as well as with a neunstrahligen gold Breast Star. Grand Officer and Commander decorate the distinction of being neck Orders, Grand Officers in addition to a silver-plated breast star. Officers wear the award with ribbon and a rosette on the left chest.

The ribbon will vary by department. For services to agriculture, it is green with a white center stripe, Commercial, it is blue with a white center stripe and for industry, it is red with a white center stripe.

Known carrier (selection)

• Hans Eltze 1943
• Consul of Manfred Mautner Markhof 1966
• Hermann Reinhardt 1951
• Reinfried Franz Pohl 1998
• Günther Serres 1961
• Otto Stahlmann 1961