2008 Press Release

Under Secretary of State Reuben Jeffery III to Present
2008 Secretary of State’s Awards for Corporate Excellence to Cargill China

Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Reuben Jeffery III will announce and present the 2008 Secretary of State’s Awards for Corporate Excellence (ACE) to Cargill Investments (China) Ltd. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the U.S. Department of State.

The Secretary of State awards the ACE in recognition of the vital role that U.S. businesses play worldwide to advance good corporate governance and democratic principles and to highlight the Department’s commitment to promote exemplary business practices globally.  This year marks the 10^th annual presentation of the ACE.

Cargill's corporate responsibility efforts have been primarily focused on China's rural development in close cooperation with local governments and partners in China. These efforts include the "Cargill Cares Rural Education Program," which aims to renovate over 40 schools in rural areas to benefit 10,000 children, and the donation of US$1.1 million by Cargill employees and businesses for the relief and rebuilding efforts in Sichuan province after the May 2008 earthquake. Cargill support for agricultural development includes the training over 2 million farmers in livestock raising techniques. Cargill has also recently implemented a joint food safety management -training program with China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). 

In addition, Cargill China employees regularly volunteer their time to help in their communities.  In China, Cargill has 31 employee-led Cargill Cares Councils in 19 provinces. Over the past five years, Cargill China employees have contributed over 24,000 hours to community service.

“Cargill strives for world-class, good corporate citizenship in China. We are very proud to be able to contribute our efforts to the harmonious development of the Chinese economy and society,” Cargill China President Norwell Coquillard, said on receiving the U.S. State Department Award for Corporate Excellence.  “As the Chinese saying goes, even the hardest journey begins with a single step, but we must continue to move forward.”

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