notes to the financial statements - Food Empire Holdings Limited
notes to the financial statements - Food Empire Holdings Limited
notes to the financial statements - Food Empire Holdings Limited
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EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE<br />
In November we officially opened<br />
our newest manufacturing facility in<br />
Zolo<strong>to</strong>nosha, in <strong>the</strong> Cherkasy region<br />
of Ukraine. The opening was attended<br />
by His Excellency Mr Simon Tensing<br />
de Cruz, Singapore’s non-resident<br />
Ambassador <strong>to</strong> Ukraine; Mr Sergei<br />
Tulub, Head of <strong>the</strong> Cherkasy Regional<br />
State Administration; and Mr Vitaly<br />
Wojciechowsky, Mayor of Zolo<strong>to</strong>nosha.<br />
<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Empire</strong> has been part of <strong>the</strong><br />
Ukrainian business community for more<br />
than 15 years and this new facility will<br />
cater <strong>to</strong> our cus<strong>to</strong>mers both in Ukraine<br />
as well as o<strong>the</strong>r parts of Eastern Europe.<br />
The ability <strong>to</strong> manufacture in Ukraine for<br />
<strong>the</strong> local market also has <strong>the</strong> benefit of<br />
reducing <strong>the</strong> tariffs we would have <strong>to</strong> pay<br />
if we had imported our products.<br />
(from left): Mr Tan Wang Cheow, Executive Chairman,<br />
<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Empire</strong> <strong>Holdings</strong> Ltd; Mr Sergei Tulub, Head of <strong>the</strong><br />
Cherkasy Regional State Administration; His Excellency<br />
Mr Simon Tensing de Cruz, Singapore’s non-resident<br />
Ambassador <strong>to</strong> Ukraine; Mr Sudeep Nair, CEO,<br />
<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Empire</strong> <strong>Holdings</strong> Ltd.<br />
Mr Sergey Chetverov, General Manger of <strong>the</strong> FES Ukraine Fac<strong>to</strong>ry, addresses <strong>the</strong> media<br />
costs and optimize our manufacturing.<br />
However, if global growth kicks in, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
is a risk that commodity prices may start<br />
<strong>to</strong> rise again.<br />
Outside of our <strong>to</strong>p three country markets,<br />
we are looking in<strong>to</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia as<br />
well as <strong>the</strong> Middle East and Africa. We<br />
will also continue <strong>to</strong> explore acquisitions<br />
within <strong>the</strong> food and beverage industry.<br />
Our shareholders are <strong>the</strong> foundation of<br />
our Group and I am grateful for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
continuing belief and support in what we<br />
do. My appreciation extends <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
members of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Food</strong> <strong>Empire</strong> family<br />
- our cus<strong>to</strong>mers, suppliers, partners<br />
and associates. And <strong>to</strong> colleagues who<br />
work for our Group all over <strong>the</strong> world,<br />
I say “Thank You” for your efforts. We<br />
certainly achieved a great deal <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
in 2012.<br />
Finally, I would like <strong>to</strong> express my<br />
gratitude <strong>to</strong> my fellow board members<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir invaluable contributions<br />
throughout 2012. It is a great benefit <strong>to</strong><br />
be surrounded by people with such deep<br />
knowledge and integrity.<br />
While concern continues about <strong>the</strong> state<br />
of <strong>the</strong> European economy, consumer<br />
sentiments and <strong>the</strong> economic outlook<br />
in our major markets remain positive.<br />
Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are<br />
all expected <strong>to</strong> record solid single digit<br />
GDP growth in 2013. In each of <strong>the</strong>se<br />
countries, unemployment appears <strong>to</strong><br />
be stable. Moreover, all three countries<br />
have now completed <strong>the</strong>ir presidential<br />
elections.<br />
<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Empire</strong> Singapore Christmas event 2012<br />
Mr Tan Wang Cheow<br />
Executive Chairman<br />
We are also increasingly confident that<br />
commodity prices will be less volatile<br />
than in previous years, allowing us <strong>to</strong><br />
better plan our purchasing <strong>to</strong> reduce our<br />
Mr and Ms <strong>Food</strong> <strong>Empire</strong> Singapore 2012<br />
08