Microsoft India in the race for corporate excellence award

The award recognises American companies that are leaders in socially responsible activities in countries where they operate

Eleven finalists, including Microsoft India, have been selected for the US Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE).

Microsoft India is the only American company in India to have found a place in the 11 shortlisted US companies. These were chosen from 82 nominations submitted by US ambassadors around the world.

ACE finalists recognise the vital role that US businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens that promote sustainable development and support local community needs in the countries where they operate, the State Department said in a statement.

Microsoft in India has been selected for its efforts to provide community technology skills for young adults in rural and underserved communities; donating software for non- governmental organisation efforts for community development, it said.

Stating the others reasons for Microsoft's nomination, it said, "Technology company's efforts to... Create and disseminate internet templates so that persons with disabilities can access public information; and develop accessibility guides for educators, governments and businesses to enhance learning opportunities for students with disabilities."

Other American companies in the list of 11 finalists are Chevron in Turkmenistan, Esso in Angola, General Motors in Uzbekistan, Intel in Vietnam, Intel in Malaysia, Microsoft in Thailand, Microsoft in Egypt, Rosalie Bay in Dominica, Sorwathé in Rwanda and Sustainable Mahogany Industries in Fiji.

The annual award, instituted in 1999, recognises American companies that are leaders in socially responsible activities and contribute to the overall growth and development of the local economy in which they work.

The 2012 ACE winners will be announced at the annual ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State on November 28.