Washington: Microsoft India and 10 other U.S. companies have been selected for the Secretary of State's prestigious 2008 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE).

These companies were chosen from 61 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world. ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognise the vital role that US businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens, a State Department announcement said.

Microsoft India has been chosen for empowering small and medium enterprises, promoting economic development, and strengthening innovation through strategic product development, including improved technology for HIV/AIDS and TB diagnosis.

STM Telecom Sanchar in Nepal was picked up for providing needed services where others feared to go because of security concerns, for technical training and contributions to the development of rural technology, and for innovative health care programmes.

Cargill in China was selected for its public-private partnership efforts to prevent the spread of disease, foster environmental stewardship, contribute to disaster relief, implement innovative food safety training programmes, and demonstrate volunteerism.

The other finalists for 2008 included Virtusa in Sri Lanka, Dole Philippines, Esso Angola, Google Brazil, Occidental de Colombia, Starbucks in Guatemala, Surevolution in Colombia and Weyerhaeuser in Uruguay.

ACE awards have been given since 1999 to recognise US businesses for advancing good corporate citizenship, innovation and democratic principles. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will announce the 2008 ACE winners in a Nov 6 awards ceremony at the State Department.