25 + 25 The March Progresses It is true that we are celebrating today the lapse of twenty five years since Wadi Group of companies took off in Egypt, however this period did not start from vacuum. It was preceded by twenty five years of serious work molded with sweat, toil, surmounting obstacles and surpassing barriers. Success was not inherited excepting ethics and values, but it was realized via education which in turn paved the way to many attributes and considerations. Education and specialization was the beginning but ambition was the greatest incentive. Rational and restrained ambition. An ambition that continuously escorted further education and enlightment. An ambition that observed progress in experience and improvement in accomplishment. An ambition that captured transparent opportunities at the appropriate time and circumstance. An ambition that was guided by wisdom in most of the difficult positions when instant decisions need to be made. And what of wisdom? I do not claim to perceive it well. However, I tend to believe that wisdom is a creative brilliant mental essence that combines sharp intelligence, sensitive feeling, instant inspirational intuition, and advanced experience that depends on accurate and renewed knowledge. Yes, we did depend on wisdom in many of our stands and decisions, and they were correct. Ladies and Gentlemen, Was it necessary or wise to celebrate the silver jubilee for Wadi group of companies? This question occurred to me since the idea was brought up. We have elected to be and have been known as people who silently work in earnest away from the lime light. When we appear, we seek to avail and transfer our knowledge more than benefit. Yes, we preferred this approach. However, we provoked tens without our will. We have endured without hesitation. We have continued our journey without stumbling. We have insisted on more productivity and giving. Why then the celebration? We have, as usual, conferred and found it wise to celebrate. We celebrate, ladies and gentlemen, once in half a century because we agreed to coronate a silver era preceded by an era of strife by removing the curtain in front of the door of honesty which falls in the forefront of doors leading to the chamber of ethics and values. These values were and still are the instigator of our conduct and the conduct of all our people. We remove this curtain in order to expose these values to others so they follow suit. Over the years, a culture was in the making. Wadi culture is now a reality. This culture is actually based on ethics and values. Our ethics and values do not really differ from those adopted by lovers of man and humanity at large. What differentiates us is that we practice it because we believe in it and because we realize that righteousness is a key to success. Truthfulness comes in the forefront of our values. Honesty is our binder. Loving others is our path. Our country’s interest is before our eyes. Success is our target as we believe that success breeds success and elevates the target and draws others to it, thus resolve and energies evolve to advance the nation. To be a good example to others was always our pride and honor and was never our apprehension or hesitation, because we believe in generalizing benefit as this serves the nation. Our activity in Lebanon since 1957 up to the present, and in Syria from 1973 to 2000, in Saudi Arabia between 1975 and 2002, in Jordan since 1976, and in Sudan since five years are but a proof of our keen desire to transfer knowledge and generalize benefit in an Arab world we belong to. I take this opportunity to commend the wise policy of the government of Egypt in encouraging investment in the productive sectors since early 1970. This policy provided the right atmosphere for us to work, deliver and prosper. Our companies have obtained HACCP certifications for food safety and ISO certifications for good management practices. These certifications are yet another proof of our ability to excel and abide by the methodology of attaining world class proper production and good management. Furthermore, we have adopted Total Production Manufacturing and World Class Manufacturing schemes since one year in order to keep upgrading our processes and production methods targeting quality improvement and cost reduction. Another proof of our capability to repeatedly execute in accordance with economic feasibility studies is the trust of banks and financial institutions. The appropriate economic policies, especially those that have a bearing on our businesses, were always a concern. Thus we continuously participate in relevant conferences and publish articles in newspapers and specialized magazines in order to impress or draw the attention of the officials to the right solutions. Ladies and Gentlemen, At Wadi we are not only poultry farmers, or feed manufacturers. Rather, we are producers of animal protein which provides the necessary nutrition to us, to our children and to generations. We do not only grow olive trees, but we participate in turning the desert land to green land which provides vegetables and fruits. We are not only producers of feed additives, glass containers and evaporative cooling systems. But we are contributors to replacing imports with local production, thus creating jobs, increasing self sufficiency, transferring technology and moving Egypt to an industrial country soon. We are continuously involved in modernization, creativity, upgrading our products and staff. These steps are a proof of our confidence that uplifts ambition to great heights. If sublimity was so far monopolized by the class that wears ties, we need it from now onwards to those who carry pickaxes and sickles. We need it for the hard workers who used to be looked down upon. Let me say to you that the day when the farmer will become a master is not far off. On our part, we are actively working in the productive sectors whether agriculture or industry. We employ minds to move hands and sweat. We never got involved in areas where favorable deals or privileges exist. Ladies and Gentlemen, I say all this while I deplore arrogance and avoid splendor, I walk with Wadi family on a straight path with our heads lifted proudly yet humbly, glorify yet without provocation. Our concern was and still is, the participation in moving Egypt and every Arab country we work in from an underdeveloped status to a developing then developed one, seeking local production to attain sufficiency, or even to exceed that to export. Only then we can say to the world that we, Arab countries, have woken up to contribute to human well being in an atmosphere of peace. Before I move to our next part of the program, allow me to extend a special thanks to each and every one of you for joining us and participating in our celebration. Special thanks goes to those of you who have travelled overseas, hoping that you have enjoyed what you have seen yesterday and today, and hoping that you will spend a delightful evening. Ladies and Gentlemen, The idea of being introduced to the latest theories in management was always on top of Wadi managers’ agenda. They have methodically engaged several international organizations in training and upgrading their staff skills. These included International Finance Corporation (IFC), Ernest & Young, CCI/Skopos, Majara Group and Ken Tyler Institute. We are presently working with all these experts in executing special complicated programs which involve laborers, middle managers, managers and top managers. Amongst these development schemes is the theory of succession which requires choice and preparation of a successor. It also requires defining a date for execution at all managerial levels starting with me being the Chief Executive Officer of the group. However, before I hand over, allow me to say few words about Ramzi Nasrallah and Tony Freiji. About two knights who have learnt chivalry at the hands of Philip Nasrallah the father of the former and Musa Freiji the brother of the latter. It took both knights only few years to perfect knighthood, and independently ride their horses. Tony’s horse was brown. He chose this color to match the soil he worked in, the farms he built, the equipment he chose and the factories he assembled. Ramzi’s horse was white. He chose this color to match the papers he wrote on, the accounts he reviewed, the feasibility studies he embarked on and the banks he negotiated with. The best scene I admire is when both knights meet side by side, each mounting his horse, discussing and agreeing before each goes his way to execute what they both decided or what the board of directors directed. The harmony of both knights and the harmony and wisdom of their teachers has solidified the relationship between both families Freiji and Nasrallah. This relationship is continuing to foster one of the most successful family companies in the Arab world. The establishment of Wadi Family Assembly and Wadi Family Council is but an expression of this strong relationship and of responsibly organizing its future for generations to come. And now I declare handing over my responsibility as a President and Chief Executive Officer to my beloved brother Tony Freiji who has acquired the blessing and approval of all partners whether active or not. What would I say about Tony? The few words that this occasion permits shall not give him justice. His ambition exceeded mine by far, such that my ambitions appeared to be modest. He builds the projects before the ink of the approval dries out. He takes the hands of his collaborators, whether engineers or technicians or veterinarians, to plan and execute on the ground as though he is a commander engaged in a battle with his soldiers. He goes the extra mile to explain to the beginner to grow. He travels the world in order to capture new ideas and new solutions. He respects and loves everyone and is reciprocated with similar love and respect. This is Tony the raider, Tony the noble, Tony the knight … Musa Freiji Cairo 24/11/2010