Secretary of State's 2004 Award for Corporate Excellence Presented to FIJI Water.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Secretary of State Colin Powell presented the Secretary of State's 2004 Award for Corporate Excellence to FIJI Water. The award recognizes U.S. firms for their outstanding corporate citizenship, innovation and exemplary business practices, and for exhibiting the qualities of conscience, character and integrity.

FIJI Water is being acknowledged for the deep commitment the company has demonstrated to the people of Fiji since its inception in 1996. By bringing new industry to Fiji, and more specifically, sustainable industry based on a renewable source, FIJI Water has created more than just jobs. It has created a model for economic development in the islands that has built a bridge from the past to the future.

When FIJI Water founder, David Gilmour, began to build the organization, it was important to him that the enterprise respect Fijian culture and reflect Fijian values. The goal was to bring together the best of two worlds in a company built on passion, intellect and integrity. The physical plant reflects the best western understanding of eco-sensitive design and industrial process, and is staffed by local people, many of whom had never before been employed on a full-time basis.

David Gilmour's long love affair with the islands of Fiji began over 30 years ago when after an initial visit to the area, he and a partner started the Southern Pacific Hotel Company that ultimately grew to over 50 hotels that are now part of the Inter-Continental Hotel Group. Through his involvement with this venture, he developed a love of the islands and a respect for the people of Fiji. Gilmour also purchased the island of Wakaya in Fiji where he and his wife, Jill, created a luxury resort. This resort, called The Wakaya Club, represents all of the best qualities of Fijian culture--the warmth of the people, a pristine eco-system and the ultimate in luxury and privacy. It was on Wakaya that Gilmour first envisioned the company that would become the pride of the Fijian people-- FIJI Water.

When he started FIJI Water in 1996, creating a successful business that would also be beneficial to the local people and the Fijian economy was paramount to the venture. Before construction began on the original plant, the company began to assess local needs and identified early childhood education as a priority. To date, the company has built five kindergartens in neighboring villages and worked to help local teachers earn necessary certification.

The company has gone on to establish a trust fund (Natural Waters/Vatukaloko Trust) to provide a source of long-term funding for capital improvements at the village level. These funds are being used to build and improve churches and civic buildings, to upgrade water and sanitation systems and other utilities. In addition, the company has created a fund for educational programs and scholarships in Fiji.

The company's efforts has been previously acknowledged at the highest level in Fiji, in addition to the current bestowment of the Secretary of State's Award. Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara awarded David Gilmour an honorary officership (The Order of Fiji) in the spring of 1999, an honor comparable to the British designation of knighthood, in recognition of his efforts to build a long-term partnership with the people of Fiji.

The Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence, which was established in 1999, demonstrates how American firms can do best by doing good in the global marketplace. More than 50 international firms were nominated for the award and past recipients have included Chevron/Texaco, U.S. Steel, Coca-Cola, Motorola, Xerox and Chinadex. Motorola Brazil joins FIJI Water as a 2004 recipient of this prestigious award.

FIJI Water is shipped direct from the Fiji Islands. Bottled at the source, this natural artesian water is known for its soft, smooth taste and superb mineral content including a high concentration of colloidal silica, a youth-preserving anti-oxidant that promotes healthy skin, hair and nails. Carbon testing proves that this underground aquifer protects rainwater that fell over 450 years ago and, due to the state-of-the-art bottling process, the water does not see the light of day until the cap is removed. The expansive aquifer is located in the Yaqara Valley on the main island of Viti Levu in Fiji and is protected by 1,500 miles of open Pacific Ocean from the nearest industrialized continent. FIJI Water is currently available in eight countries and is the second largest selling imported bottled water sold in the United States. For more information, contact 1-877-H20-FIJI (1-877-426-3454) or www.fijiwater.com.