A Message from our President - Astranova · Said El Azab. Yehia El Azab concluded: “Every year, we are grow-ing at a rate of double digit figures and we are one of few that produce

Quarterly Journal Issued by AIG’s Corporate Communications

PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS: SPECIALITY CHEMICALS I POWER & STEEL I PHARMACEUTICALS I MINING

Issue 01, Quarter 3, 2015

A Message

from our President

OUR VALUES

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the first edition of “INSIGHT”, an electronic newsletter issued by AIG Corporate Communications on quarterly basis. Through this newsletter, we aim to keep you informed about news and developments pertaining to AIG and its subsidiaries.

We envisage this journal toward becoming a common platform for sharing news, experiences and best practices between our different businesses where most of the substance will come directly from yourselves; our valued members of Astra Industrial Group. This will also be a venue for all of us to articulate our thoughts and share our experiences allowing us to learn and benefit from each other.

With your support and contribution, we look forward to continue sharing interesting topics and updates on AIG activities in the upcoming editions.

At the same time, we would always appreciate your valuable feedback on how we can further enhance “INSIGHT” to become the ideal news and information podium within AIG. Please write to us at [email protected]

We wish you a pleasant and enjoyable read of our first edition!

Yours Sincerely,

Mohammed Al Hagbani

Result Oriented

High Ethical Standards

Continuous Improvement

Commitment to Quality

Empowerment & Accountability

ISSUED BY AIG’S CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS • ISSUE 01, QUARTER 3, 2015

Issue 01, Quarter 3 2015

Interview with Mr. Yehia El Azab, CEO, Astrachem

FOR Manufacturing Global Magazine

In this Issue ...

Mr. Yehia El Azab, CEO, Astrachem

Astrachem is a well-established company most notable for its specialist work in the agriculture and chemical sectors, and is now set to enjoy more growth across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.

The firm, known as Astrachem but formally Astra Industrial Complex, is part of the AIG conglomerate and was founded back in 1988. It provides tailor-made turnkey solutions to farmers in over 25 countries in MENA, in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and plastic.

Due to the success in branching out to a wider customer base, the company has been making major investments in new warehousing and manufacturing facilities in Morocco and Egypt, which will complement existing units in Dammam, Saudi Arabia and also in Turkey through its Subsidiary, AstraNova.

Yehia El Azab, CEO of Astrachem, said: “We have a far reaching presence, mainly in MENA region but even in places such as Uzbekistan, Ukraine and remote parts of Africa. We plan to keep investing in the agriculture sector, potentially expanding into the larger US and European markets, so that is the direction we are going”.

“Due to the water scarcity, there has been a drop in the development of agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia. Over the past 12 years, cereal production in Saudi Arabia has almost dropped to zero. The export of open field agriculture has been banned and farmers can no longer export open field fruits and vegetables”. He added.

But the direct result of this is that more attention is being paid to high-tech agriculture, where farms in greenhouses are possible.

“So, in the next five years a lot of projects are coming up for greenhouses and indoor farming. The farmers can export these products as well. Other than that, we have faced some difficulties because of a 40 percent drop in the size of arable land. There was a complete stop in this area in 2008 until2012. Now we are over it and are geared to start with high-tech farming”.

Agricultural Player

There was a time when Saudi Arabia was exporting cereals and wheat to other countries, but today it focuses its strengths on few main crops due to various regulations that control production in the Arab country. It is now pursuing large investments in countries like Sudan, Egypt and Ukraine where projects involve the farming of alfalfa and wheat, which uses up most of the water in the soil. In addition to supplying raw material for agriculture, it is very cost-effective to produce in Saudi Arabia and El Azab believes Astrachem can be very competitive in this field.

Other factors such as Saudization have to be considered going forward, but other than that can easily produce in Saudi Arabia and export to neighboring Asian countries as well as the MENA regions.

El Azab said: “Our main ports are Dammam and Jeddah are getting faster and more efficient every year. It has become convenient for us to serve the neighboring countries with low freight costs and in countries where we can use the raw materials produced in Saudi Arabia. Saudi still has an edge over other countries. We can utilize this advantage to export more in the coming five years”.

“We find solutions for the farming needs or requirements that are characteristics to each country; be it climate, soil conditions or traditional farming conditions. We also make use of our synergies between our facilities in Turkey and Saudi, which have always been our two main markets. Pesticides are produced in both countries and we have spent five years in production at our AstraNova facilities in Turkey, which have seen renewed investment”.

Future Plans

In terms of growth markets, Astrachem’s manage-ment see many countries in Asia as key focus areas for the future. Two years ago, the company started exporting to Vietnam and Taiwan, and will be con-centrating on further emerging markets like Pakistan going forward. For El Azab, it makes logistical sense to export to these countries as his organization attempts to muscle between Europe and China and compete for business by offering high quality products at reasonable prices. All of firm’s 400-plus products are either aligned with a multinational logo or a multinational company, and allows Astrachem to produce its products under a brand name. Con-sequently, The Astrachem brand image is spreading across multiple countries.

“We are looking forward to going upstream into further production in various fields, which will serve our customers faster and cost-effectively . We be-lieve we can share a part of China’s export market, and strategically we see some future in this area”. Said El Azab.

Yehia El Azab concluded: “Every year, we are grow-ing at a rate of double digit figures and we are one of few that produce such a wide range of products under one umbrella, so we are confident for the future as farmers know they can rely on us to meet their high expectations”.

• Interview with Yehia Al Ezab, CEO, Astrachem• AIG appoints Mr. Amr Abu Ally as IBSF’s new CEO

and celebrates Mr. Mufid Hattab’s 22 years in service• Tabuk Pharmaceuticals renews support to Nulabi Al

Nida’a campaign, helping Syrian refugees in Jordan• SAP team continues to drive efficiency in AIG and

its subsidiaries workplace• Astrachem to launch its new mobile application

helping customers improve productivity and increase efficiency

• Astra Mining team holds a project kick-off meeting• PWC holds training session on IFRS standards for

AIG staff members• AIG holds its annual Ramadan Iftar for its

employees• 8 ways to effectively prioritize the things on your

to-do-list



Stemming from its firm belief in contributing to societies and helping those in need, Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company (“Tabuk Pharmaceuticals”), one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) region, joined the “Nulabi Al-Nida” (We Answer the Call) Campaign to help the Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Under the campaign, sponsored by HRH Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz, Tabuk Pharmaceuticals will provide support through a new shipment of lifesaving medicines, valued at 5.7 million SAR to Syrian refugees in Jordan who are battling difficult health conditions.

Commenting on the donation, Mr. Ismail Belbachir, Chief Executive Officer, Tabuk

Pharmaceuticals said: “As a leading pharmaceutical company in MENA, our mission is to improve health, and today our region is facing what is probably one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.”

“Tabuk Pharmaceuticals stands in solidarity with those affected, and this support of life saving medicine is a simple act to aid the relief efforts on the ground to meet the basic health needs of the Syrian refugees,” he continued.“I am very thankful that we are in a position to make a difference by providing these medicines at a time when help is so desperately needed.”

As an integral component of its social responsibility activities, Tabuk Pharmaceuticals embarks on significant philanthropic initiatives to improve the health of people. As such, this is Tabuks’ second participation through the Nulabi Al-Nida’a campaign to help address the escalating humanitarian Syrian crisis which has displaced nearly 12 million people and

brought more than 3.9 million Syrians as refugees in neighboring countries and in dire need of assistance.

Nulabi Al-Nida is a voluntary Arab initiative which has carried out more than 53 projects that serve Syrian refugees in neighboring countries and displaced Syrians inside Syria. The initiative deploys stringent processes enabling it to plan carefully, mobilize swiftly, and execute efficiently on the projects it undertakes.

“As a leading pharmaceutical company in MENA, our mission is to improve health, and today our region is facing what is probably one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.”

Tabuk Pharmaceuticals renews support to Nulabi Al-Nida’a campaign, helping Syrian refugees in Jordan

AIG has appointed Mr. Amr Abu Ally as new chief executive officer for International Building Systems Factory (IBSF) as of September 1st 2015. Mr. Amr is joining the company with more than 15 years of experience in the steel and plate works industries. Prior to joining IBSF, he was the General Manager of Arab Steel Fabrication Co. (ASF), a subsidiary of El Sewedy Industries Group. In that role, he played an instrumental role into transforming ASF toward becoming one of the most reputable and recognized companies within the steel, lighting, utility and wireless communication sectors within Egypt and MENA region. Celebrating Mr. Abu Ally’s arrival, a welcome reception was held and attended by AIG’s management and IBSF employees to welcome the new CEO.

Moreover, recognizing and honoring his 22 years of service with IBSF, a celebration was held during the event for Mr. Mufid Hattab, IBSF’s former CEO. We would like to extend all support and cooperation to Mr. Ally in his role and for Mr. Hattab’s new position within AIG.

AIG appoints Mr. Amr Abu Ally as IBSF’s new CEO and celebratesMr. Mufid Hattab’s 22 years in service

From Left to right: Mr. Amr Abu Aly, Mr. Mufid Hattab, Mr. Hani Bustami, Mr. Gamal AbdelKader, Mr. Samer Hendawi, Mr. Mohammed Al Hagbani

From Left to right: Mr. Mufid Hattab, Mr. Mohammed Al Hagbani and Mr. Amr Abu Ally

Mr. Hattab, Mr. Al Hagbani and Mr. Abu Ally during the award ceremony



Team Highlights and Achievements

After the temporary “Pause” in rolling out SAP during 2013, SAP roll-out to the following AIG Subsidiaries were successfully completed:• TPMC Dammam Plant January 2014• Astra Chem Dammam Plant 2# May

2014

AstraChem Trading:• Oman Branch August 2014• Jordan Branch October 2014• Morocco Branch June 2015• Astra Polymers Turkey April 2015

SAP Employee & Manager Self Service (ESS/MSS):• AIG Group August 2014• Astra Mining December 2014

The functionality is “technically” ready for all Subsidiaries and can be implemented on approval from the CEO’s.

TPMC Trading Go-live

SAP team continues to drive efficiency in AIG and its subsidiaries workplaceSince the last published Shaheen News the SAP Support team has been busy with ongoing user support, roll-out of SAP to the remaining and new AIG Subsidiaries and also the implementation of new SAP functionality.

AIG Offshore SAP Support TeamAIG has embarked on establishing an offshore support team working from “home” in India. This approach is being used by more and more companies across the world to tap into the large pool of IT Resources

available in India. Specifically to AIG, this step forward has overcome the problems in acquiring visas for new hires not to mention with the guidance and dedicated support from AIG’s SAP team, AIG has been able to achieve significant time and cost savings across the board. It will surely improve efficiency and productivity gains, and save on the technology itself.

It is worth mentioning that currently AIG employs four offshore Employees working from India and plans to grow the team to eight.

Astra Chem Morocco Go-live

Astrachem, the region’s leading agrochemical company has announced that it will launch ‘Dr. Astra’, a mobile application service for farmers and retailers, enabling users to view product information, stay updated on technical tips and solutions to prevent diseases that affect their agricultural crops.

Astrachem’s new app provides growers with valuable information in support of their farming business needs, in addition to techniques that will help them increase access to quality produce and reduce the use of pesticides and fungicides on their crops. This easy-to-use app gives producers easier access to essential information through their mobile. It provides guidance on topics such as pest control, sustainable agriculture and other important topics. ‘Dr. Astra’ is flexible to use with any crop, including tomato, corn, cucumber and other crops, which will promote sustainable farming practices and improve the efficiency of in the agriculture sector.

Astrachem to launch its new mobile application helping customers improve productivity and increase efficiency


Issue 01, Quarter 3 2015As a means of accelerating and improving the planning, scheduling, and team-building efforts of the mining project, a kickoff meeting was conducted for the Astra Mining team. The main objectives of meeting are to confirm the members of the Mining team, to give the opportunity to each party involved to provide update on their respective tasks and finally, to discuss some of the key issues that are under the team’s responsibility.

Moreover, the project kickoff meeting represented an opportunity to establish a shared vision of the project, shared commitment, and a common understanding of project issues, constraints, accountabilities, and goals across all levels of the project team.

Astra Mining kickoff meeting

Astra Mining team holds a project kick-off meeting

AIG team members kickoff meeting

Mandated by the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA) for all public listed companies in Saudi Arabia and in collaboration with Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), the leading global professional services networks, a two-day training program was conducted May 25th – 26th, 2015 for AIG team members. The training session was aimed at providing hands-on application level training to ensure the compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are fully utilized and met.

Going forward with the convergence of SOCPA standards in line with IFRS, a kickoff meeting was held in June for AIG project team to identify the scope and hence develop a roadmap to carry out this assignment. Furthermore, it will help the team embark on a series of training sessions, which will ultimately increase the adoption of IFRS across the group’s subsidiaries. These subsidiaries will also be administering a number of other local and foreign subsidiaries.

It should be noted that with the conversion to IFRS, AIG and its subsidiaries will benefit by reducing the cost of investments, increasing the quality of the information provided and surely improving the quality of financial reports. It will basically insure all AIG companies use one accounting language group-wide.

PWC holds training session on IFRS standardsfor AIG staff members

Astra Mining kickoff meeting



FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For any queries or comments, please email [email protected] call extension 112.

Mr. Hagbani and AIG staff gather for a memorable photo

AIG staff enjoy Ramadan Iftar

AIG holds its annual Ramadan Iftar for its employeesIn collaboration with the Corporate Communication Department, AIG held its annual Ramadan Iftar with the participation of the Group’s president, Mr. Mohammed Al Hagbani and distinguished employees. The Iftar was held in the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel Riyadh, July 2nd, 2015.

Mr. Al Hagbani thanked members of the Group for accepting the invitation and pointed out that this ceremony comes in line with the Group’s strong belief of the virtues of Ramadan and in honor of its employees in this holy month, which symbolizes the values and meanings of communication and tolerance. It is worth noting that the Group›s management is keen to organize these gatherings to strengthen social links between the employees and enhance coherence among them on various levels outside work.

At the end of the ceremony, memorable photos were taken and a symbolic gift was distributed among AIG’s members.

Change your habits to become proactive—instead of reactive—in your approach to priorities... and see how much time you gain.

Priorities are things that are important—I know that, you know that. But a lot of us are guilty of the habit of reacting to the urgent things on—and off—our to-do list, rather than responding to the important ones.

Think about this: Important activities should be of high priority because they are the things that contribute most significantly to our objectives. They have more long-term impact, and they should help us the most in reaching our goals. Urgent activities are usually more short-term in nature and may or may not relate to our big-picture objectives, and they do not usually make significant contributions. Instead, by pressuring us daily, they make endless demands on our time.

There is a constant tension between the urgent and the important. And because the important things seldom need to be done today—and the urgent almost always do—there is a critical need to learn how to set proper priorities so that our visions, goals and desires can be met more effectively.

Don’t prioritize based on who gave you the work; fit it based on its importance and urgency for the big picture. Most people don’t take this time, the time to prioritize. They are usually reactive, so make a concerted effort to be proactive.

How much time could you gain by changing your habits—by more effectively prioritizing? Here are 8 time-gaining tips that you can apply to everyday tasks:

. 1 Create lists—a lot. Prioritized notes and lists help with focus and multitasking.

. 2 Set priorities during your daily planning. Eliminate or minimize unproductive to-do items from your daily list to make room for the productive ones.

. 3 Learn when your high-energy time is. Scheduling your priority work for when you have the most energy gains minutes through more effective work.

. 4 Early in the day, sort email and quickly categorize each piece appropriately—now, future, trash. Because each piece is only addressed once, you gain time throughout the day.

. 5 Request simplified emails. When appropriate, request that people send you prioritized emails that spell out the actions required of you with clear bullet points, not long narratives. Set the example yourself by sending only efficient, bullet-pointed emails.

. 6 Write down your objectives before you return phone calls to gain time through quicker, more effective communication.

. 7 Prioritize your reading by learning to skim industry newsletters, articles and books. Then read only what really gives you value.

. 8 Create a written agenda and follow it for every meeting. If you’re not the meeting organizer, help guide a long, rambling meeting to some actionable objectives.

Now find out how to organize your to-dos into 4 categories to weed out distractions and keep from being overwhelmed.

To-Do List

Ways toEffectively Prioritizethe Things on Your8

Source: www.success.com

Documents

A Message from our President - Astranova · Said El Azab. Yehia El Azab concluded: “Every year, we are grow-ing at a rate of double digit figures and we are one of few that produce