BCIU Presents Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards to Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited; His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin AbdulAziz Alsaud, Chairman, Kingdom Holding Company; Jake Eberts, Hollywood film producer

NEW YORK, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) today announced the recipients of the 26th annual Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards, which will be presented at a Gala and Award Ceremony held on November 17th at New York's Plaza Hotel. The evening brings together hundreds of leaders in international business, the arts and media, with senior government officials, ambassadors and diplomats from throughout the world to celebrate the annual awards, modeled after President Eisenhower's global view of commercial diplomacy.

Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, will be presented with the Global Leadership Award; His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin AbdulAziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, will be honored with the Global Innovation award, and film producer and financier, Jake Eberts, will receive the Global Citizenship Award.

"Our 2010 Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards recipients represent the finest in entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership on the world's stage and embody the pioneering view of commercial diplomacy established by BCIU founder President Eisenhower," said Peter Tichansky, President of BCIU. "We are pleased to recognize Mr. Ambani's role in fueling the largest newly industrialized countries through energy and technology and for the possibilities such growth creates for the global economy. In recognition of Prince Alwaleed's profound investment impact both here in the United States and abroad, we are honored to spotlight the role he plays in funding the foundational institutions of commerce, culture and communications. And, for his leadership role in bringing the best stories and documentaries that matter most to the broadest of world audiences, we pay tribute to the lasting cultural impressions Mr. Eberts continues to paint through film."

An internationally admired businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Ambani has built Reliance into the largest private sector enterprise in India, and one of the world's most successful companies in the fields of petrochemicals, petroleum, gas exploration and production. Mr. Ambani has also created one of the major information technology initiatives in the world – Reliance Communications Ltd.

Prince Alwaleed's Kingdom Holding is among the world's leading international investment companies with diverse interests including banking and finance, real estate, hotel management and technology, media and communications.  Prince Alwaleed is also a noted philanthropist and is a generous supporter of educational initiatives, international development programs and disaster relief efforts throughout the world.

Mr. Eberts has financed or produced over 50 feature films and documentaries, many of which provide a greater understanding of cultural, social and environmental issues worldwide.  These films, which have garnered 65 Academy Award nominations, include: Chariots of Fire, Gandhi, The Killing Fields, The Dresser, Driving Miss Daisy, Dancing with Wolves, A River Runs Through It, and two important works this year, Journey to Mecca, and Oceans.

Established at President Eisenhower's initiative on November 10, 1955, the Business Council for International Understanding is a premier business association whose membership includes many of the world's largest multinational corporations in all major industries. BCIU promotes international understanding through dialogue and action by organizing briefings and off-the-record discussions between senior government officials and key business executives on issues of common concern, by facilitating public-private partnerships in the global marketplace, and by assisting stakeholders with problem-solving in turbulent situations and markets. BCIU provides an ongoing venue for its member companies to interact with heads of state, chiefs of government, cabinet ministers, and senior officials of multilateral and international organizations. BCIU supports commercial diplomacy and corporate social responsibility in the international arena by facilitating roundtables and programs related to investment promotion, public diplomacy, corporate governance, and branding. On request, BCIU provides due diligence, referral, and qualifier services.

To make a donation or reservation for the Gala, please contact Shreema Sanghvi by phone (212) 997-0100, fax (212) 997-0188, or e-mail [email protected].

SOURCE Business Council for International Understanding