The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has honoured Visa Inc. with this year’s Corporate Award which recognises American companies that demonstrate exemplary commitment to trade or invest in one or more MCC partner countries.MCC is an innovative and independent US government foreign aid agency that is helping to lead the fight against global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth.It is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people.The MCC Corporate Award winner, along with the winners of the MCC Country Commitment Award and MCC’s Next Generation Award, were honoured at its inaugural Forum on Global Development held yesterday.The Forum on Global Development is a unique occasion for visionaries and practitioners in international development to meet, exchange ideas and honour three innovators for their demonstrateable commitment to creative approaches to helping the world’s underprivileged."Deepening financial literacy and expanding financial services for the unbanked and underserved throughout the developing world are key components for sustainable poverty reduction and economic growth,” said MCC CEO, Daniel W. Yohannes, in a statement. "Through its groundbreaking programmes, Visa is making remarkable strides in these areas, and MCC shares its commitment to lasting progress and prosperity. We are proud to stand with a partner like Visa as we seek to achieve our mission of reducing poverty through economic growth.” MCC’s Corporate Award is recognising Visa for its commitment to investing in sustainable development by expanding access to financial services, including their national partnership with the government of Rwanda.Visa’s initiatives to empower women by helping narrow the mobile phone gender gap and programmes that provide financial literacy education to millions around the world with a goal to reach 20 million people worldwide by May 2013 were also recognised."At Visa, we believe that addressing financial exclusion should be a priority issue on the world’s agenda,” said Douglas Michelman, Global Head of Corporate Relations. "We are proud of the work we are doing to apply our products, services, network, partnerships, and financial literacy programmes to advance financial inclusion, and we are humbled to be recognised by the MCC for our contributions.”Visa Inc. is a global payments technology firm that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency.