EMBASSY PRESENTS INTEL COSTA RICA WITH ACE FINALIST AWARD

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001190 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/EPPD NSMITH-NISSLEY AND TENOCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EIND CS PGOV PREL SUBJECT: EMBASSY PRESENTS INTEL COSTA RICA WITH ACE FINALIST AWARD ¶1. On December 17, Charge d'Affaires Peter Brennan presented Intel Costa Rica with a plaque of recognition for achieving Finalist status in the Department of State's 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence program. Brennan highlighted Intel's achievements in the areas of good corporate citizenship, environmental stewardship, investment in community education programs, and development of the local economy. ¶2. Intel Costa Rica's General Manager Mike Forrest expressed gratitude for the recognition. He considered it a validation that Intel was "on the right track" in its attempts to model excellence in the area of corporate social responsibility. He noted that Intel believed so strongly in contributing to the community that it authorized employees to work with charitable organizations during business hours, and Intel employees had dedicated 32,000 hours to these causes in 2009. ¶3. Following the ceremony, Forrest commented that multinational companies can counter negative stereotypes of their roles by using corporate social responsibility to positively impact local communities. By recognizing the achievement of the private sector in this area, the Department of State helps to promote a positive image of U.S. involvement in community-building initiatives. BRENNAN