Boosting Business Confidence

The key to getting British business back on track

LONDON, Mar. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Britain's executives are being urged to honour the people who make the most crucial contribution to their businesses: their staff. Workers in thousands of firms all over the UK are currently giving their all to support companies through the recession. By acknowledging their efforts, bosses can create an upswing in staff confidence that will be passed on in turn to customers, sending them a powerful message that the business is strong, able to deliver and here to stay.

In spite of the negative headlines on employment, a surprising seven in ten firms say the spirit of their staff has not been dampened by the current economic climate, according to recent research that polled 1200 business leaders and entrepreneurs at The National Business Awards.

The research shows that the majority of firms believe that the quality of the nation's workforce is the reason why UK plc will survive the recession. With that in mind, bosses are being encouraged to acknowledge the contribution of their employees by entering the 2009 National Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange.

In a period of economic uncertainty, it is vital that businesses do all they can to reinstate consumer and staff confidence. While winning an award or reaching the finals is highly prestigious, just entering can be enough to inspire those around you.

Mike Faulkner, Group Director, The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange said: "In the current economic climate there has never been such a heightened need to instil confidence in consumers. There is no better way for a business to send a positive message to its customers than gaining recognition in The National Business Awards. We expect 2009 to be a bumper year for entries and look forward to a robust and hard fought contest across the UK."

Paul Tollet, Vice President of Orange Business, UK added: "Orange is proud to be sponsoring The National Business Awards for an eighth consecutive year and recognising the resilience and adaptability of British business. In spite of this difficult economic climate, those organisations that are truly exceptional will buck the market trends and remain successful."

In order to make entering The Awards as straight forward as possible, new for 2009, is the ability to complete the entries entirely digitally at www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals. The Regional Awards programme is now open for registrations and the closing date for submission of entry forms is Tuesday 7th April 2009.

Made up of nine categories, shortlisted finalists will be announced on 6th May 2009, before preparing to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel in June. Winners will be unveiled at glittering gala award dinners throughout July. Scotland and regional winners will then advance to The National Business Awards finals competing with public and private organisations from all over the country culminating in The National Business Awards gala dinner in November.

To obtain further information or to enter the 2009 programme visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk, telephone 020 7234 8753 or email nbapressoffice@ubm.com

*Photography is available upon request

    For further information please contact:

    The National Business Awards
    Henriette Svensen, PR Manager
    Telephone: 020 7234 8753/0750 091 7628
    Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com
    Visit: www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk

Editors Notes:

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS - REGIONAL PROGRAMME 2009

The 1200 business leaders polled at The National Business Awards also concluded that:

• Businesses believe that the most important thing organisations need to do to make UK Plc more successful long term is:
  • 51% - Invest In Skills and Training
  • 34% - Support innovation
  • 8% - Encourage more relaxed governance
  • 7% - Invest in greener business practices

• Asked how well prepared they thought the UK economy is to weather the storm compared to other world economies, businesses said:
  • 30% - Better
  • 32% - The same
  • 37% - Less

• Businesses think the best attribute that the UK can offer successful business is:
  • 51% - Great talent pool from which to recruit
  • 21% - Its reputation as a world superpower in business
  • 28% - Its geography and language

The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, has considerable success in embedding its reputation for managing and delivering a robust and rigorous process delivering the United Kingdom's most respected business recognition platform, with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business.

The 2009 Awards categories now open for entries are:

• The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
• The Health Work Well-being Award for Small Business
• The 3i Growth Strategy of the Year Award
• The Business Innovation of the Year Award
• The Badenoch & Clark Business of the Year Award
• The Customer Focus Award
• The Employer of the Year Award
• The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award

About United Business Media

The National Business Awards is owned by United Business Media the leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 5,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

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NEWSWEEK International Editions: Highlights and Exclusives, March 9, 2009 Issue

COVER: Radical Islam Is a Fact of Life. How to Live With It. (All overseas editions). Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that in order to prevail, the West must learn to distinguish between those Islamic groups who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home. "Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "[Osama] Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common." Zakaria, however, stresses that this "does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187093

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

COVER: Losing Hand. (Japan only). Tokyo Bureau Chief Christian Caryl reports on Japan's dramatic leadership deficit. Despite the embarrassment caused by Shoichi Nakagawa, Japan's finance minister who resigned last month, Prime Minister Taro Aso, the man responsible for appointing Nakagawa, is still on the job--despite approval ratings in the single digits and an apparent lack of any coherent plan for rescuing the world's second-largest economy. Aso's propensity for gaffes and his failure to find a modus vivendi with the emboldened opposition have condemned Japan to paralysis at just the moment when it's in dire need of strong leadership. Many blame Aso's failings on his predecessors and Japanese traditions that value seniority over performance. But pretty much everyone agrees the biggest problem is the LDP itself, which has singlehandedly ruled Japan since the party's founding in 1955.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186965

Politics Takes a Right Turn in Jerusalem. In his first foreign media interview since being asked by Israeli President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government, Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that he believes it is possible to halt Iran's nuclear program without having to resort to military action, but it shouldn't be ruled out. "I think this regime is vulnerable to pressure that ought to be intensified. But none of these sanctions and other measures that are contemplated would have much of an effect if the Iranians believe that a military option is off the table," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187077

Avigdor Lieberman. Weymouth also interviewed Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beytenu party was a surprise winner in Israel's recent election. Last week Lieberman sat down for his first foreign interview and discussed his proposal of a loyalty oath for all Israelis. "The dividing line for Yisrael Beytenu is who supports terror and who fights terror. We cannot accept that there are people in Israel that even during even the war openly supported Hamas," he says. This proposal, he adds, is not only meant for Israeli Arabs but Jews as well. "[I propose] to outlaw these parties and these political leaders [who supported Hamas]," Lieberman says. "Secondly, there must be some kind of national or military service for all Israelis. We take all our examples from Europe or the United States."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186953

Anti-Semitism in Araby. Josef Joffe, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Abramowitz fellow at the Hoover Institution, examines Hillary Clinton's peacemaking trip to Israel and the West Bank this week, another chapter in "the longest-running show in American diplomacy." The reasons for the slow pace are familiar: the status of Jerusalem, problems with security, Jewish settlements, civil war among the Palestinians, etc. But one other key problem is stubbornly ignored: "the fact that no Arab regime has shown itself willing to truly prepare its people for peace with Israel, which would mean accepting the lasting presence of Jews in their midst." Anti-Semitism is a very real part of Arab life today. "Whereas this darkest of creeds is no longer tolerated in polite society in the West, in the Arab world, Jew hatred remains culturally endemic."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186974

Waiting for Barack. Denis MacShane, a Labour M.P. and Britain's minister for Europe under Tony Blair, writes that "all of Europe looks anxiously to Washington for answers to the world's intractable problems: a banking freeze-up, a job meltdown, a Middle East with no solution in sight, an Iran racing for nuclear arms, a quagmire in Afghanistan, a Russia that treats the European Union as a playpen for the Kremlin's divide-and-rule diplomatic games." Yet Barack Obama is the first president in decades with no experience or knowledge of Europe, and this is a time when Europe is disunited and quarrelsome on economic, security and foreign-policy issues.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186966

What Hillary Didn't Do in Asia. Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (National University of Singapore), writes that Hillary Clinton's recent trip to Asia provides some early clues on how she'll manage the task of engaging in long-term strategic thinking on major geopolitical challenges. "There's no doubt she did a competent job. Clinton followed the advice of her briefing books, making Japan her first stop to reassure this nervous and insecure ally. Then she went to Indonesia, probably at Obama's instigation, to rebuild America's image in the world's most populous Islamic country. South Korea was an essential stop to send the usual tough signals to North Korea. And then came China, her most important destination." Yet, there's little evidence Clinton has engaged in any serious strategic thinking about U.S.-China relations. During her trip, she refrained from asking any big questions.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186967

How to End a Genocide Debate. Contributor Grenville Byfordreports on the 1915 massacre of Armenians in what is now Eastern Turkey, and the ongoing debate over whether it was "genocide." "In all probability, Turkey and Armenia can only resolve the genocide dispute if they recognize that 'was it a genocide?' may be the ultimate question, but it is not the most important one today," he writes. Two questions outrank it: what common facts can Turks and Armenians be brought to accept, and is the common ground sufficient for both sides to start binding up the wounds? As important as the final answer, however, is the development of empathy across the divide.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186973

WORLD VIEW: A Deal With Syria Is Possible. Contributor Richard N. Haass writes that there may be an opportunity now to make peace between Israel and Syria. Damascus is signaling that it's ready to negotiate a separate peace with Israel and it needs America's help to do it. "Any accord between Israel and Syria would require a push from the outside. Turkey has been hosting talks between the two countries, but it cannot succeed on its own. The United States needs to become a participant ... President Obama correctly views dialogue as a tool, not a reward. It is time to put the tool to use, and to see what can be built."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186954

THE LAST WORD: Alexander Medvedev, deputy chief executive of energy giant Gazprom. Senior Editor Michael Freedmanmet with Medvedev to discuss the economic crisis, foreign investment in the Russian energy sector and the Ukraine gas dispute. "We value our reputation very highly. That's why we have done everything possible to prevent the crisis. Unfortunately we became hostages of the political situation in Ukraine and a commercial dispute went out of the commercial terms."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186975

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NEWSWEEK: Media Lead Sheet/March 9, 2009 Issue (on newsstands Monday, March 2).

COVER: "Radical Islam is A Fact of Life. How To Live With It." (p. 24). Newsweek international Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that radical Islam is a fact of life, which we must learn to deal with. In order to prevail, the West must learn to distinguish between those who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home. "Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "[Osama] Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common." Zakaria, however, stresses that this "does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas. We should mount a spirited defense of our views and values. We should pursue aggressively policies that will make these values succeed. Such efforts are often difficult and take time--rebuilding state structures, providing secular education, reducing corruption--but we should help societies making these efforts. The mere fact that we are working in these countries on these issues--and not simply bombing, killing and capturing--might change the atmosphere surrounding the U.S. involvement in this struggle."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187093

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

INTERVIEW: "Politics Takes a Right Turn in Jerusalem" (p. 30). In his first foreign media interview since being asked by Israeli President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government, Prime Minister- elect Benjamin Netanyahu tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that he believes it is possible to halt Iran's nuclear program without having to resort to military action, but it shouldn't be ruled out. "I think this regime is vulnerable to pressure that ought to be intensified. But none of these sanctions and other measures that are contemplated would have much of an effect if the Iranians believe that a military option is off the table," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187077

"Avigdor Lieberman" (p. 31). Weymouth also interviewed Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beytenu party was a surprise winner in Israel's recent election. Last week Lieberman sat down for his first foreign interview and discussed his proposal of a loyalty oath for all Israelis. "The dividing line for Yisrael Beytenu is who supports terror and who fights terror. We cannot accept that there are people in Israel that even during even the war openly supported Hamas," he says. This proposal, he adds, is not only meant for Israeli Arabs but Jews as well. "[I propose] to outlaw these parties and these political leaders [who supported Hamas]," Lieberman says. "Secondly, there must be some kind of national or military service for all Israelis. We take all our examples from Europe or the United States." A video of this interview is also available on Newsweek.com.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186953?tid=relatedcl

POLITICS: "Obama's Pelosi Problem" (p. 34). White House Correspondent Holly Bailey reports on the friction between the White House and Congress over courting support for the stimulus package. While President Barack Obama worked to win over Republicans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was going in the opposite direction. Pelosi didn't share the president's dream of brotherly love breaking out in the Capitol. To the ire of Republicans, and some Democrats, Pelosi maneuvered to put the stimulus package on the fast track, cutting short debate on the bill and cutting Republicans out of the discussion.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186961

THE WHITE HOUSE: "The Busiest Woman in Washington" (p. 38) Editor-At-Large Evan Thomas and Political Correspondent Katie Connolly profile Desiree Rogers, the First Family's social secretary, gatekeeper and imagemaker, whose top job is to cast the Obamas as occupants of a "People's House." A New Orleans native, Rogers describes her job as "one cornerstone of building the Obama presidency brand."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186963

DANIEL GROSS: "Reining In Bubbles So They Won't Pop" (p. 44). In an adaptation of Senior Editor Daniel Gross'snew book, "Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation," Gross breaks down some of the reasons why our advanced financial system suffered such a catastrophic failure and looks at whether it's possible to keep this from happening again. "There's plenty of blame to go around: poor regulation, eight years of a failed Republican economic philosophy, Wall Street-friendly Democrats who helped stymie reform, misguided bipartisan efforts to promote home ownership, Wall Street greed, corrupt CEOs, a botched rescue effort, painfully fallible central bankers," Gross writes. "Everybody--individuals, companies, institutions, and governments--got caught up in the stupidity."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186949

SHARON BEGLEY: "Why Doctors Hate Science" (p. 49). Senior Editor Sharon Begley writes about why doctors are reluctant allow science to guide their practices and to listen to scientists conducting "comparative-effectiveness research" that determines which treatments, including drugs, are more medically and cost-effective for a given ailment than others. "The power of medical culture explains only part of the resistance to following practices that have been shown scientifically to be superior to others. Some doctors insist that results of such studies do not apply to their patients, since every patient is different," Begley writes. Money, however, also matters. "In one infamous case in the mid-1990s, a federal agency concluded that spinal fusion doesn't help back pain, a decision that threatened insurance coverage for it. Surgeons, who stood to lose piles of money, got Congress to decimate the agency's budget, forcing it to pull back from making recommendations."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187006

EDUCATION: "Rethinking Race In the Classroom" (p. 52). National Correspondent Allison Samuels writes about why in the age of Obama, the call to banish "Huck Finn" and abolish Black History Month is wrong. "There's a case to be made that, in the age of Obama, it is more important than ever to study works like 'Huck Finn,'" Samuels writes. "As adamant as some African-American teachers and professors are about keeping the books in the classroom, some black parents feel very differently," she writes. "Parents, teachers and mentors are all responsible for arming students with the right tools for the future. And when our children end up learning only half the story, no one wins."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187009

MOVIES: "Till Death Do Us Part" (p. 60). Senior Editor Devin Gordon reviews the long-awaited, "Watchmen" movie. Zack Snyder's film adaptation of the graphic novel is meticulous, even slavish, in its recreation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's imagery. "'Watchmen' loyalists are already rejoicing. But is that a good thing?" writes Gordon. "Speaking as an admirer, but not an apostle, of the graphic novel, I thought the 'Watchmen' movie was confusing, maddeningly inconsistent and fighting a long, losing battle to establish an identity of its own."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186958

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NEWSWEEK Cover: Radical Islam Is A Fact Of Life. How To Live With It.

Fareed Zakaria Writes, "It is crucial that we adopt a more sophisticated strategy toward radical Islam"

Not All Islamic Fundamentalists Support Jihad or are Potential Terrorists

NEW YORK, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In the March 9 Newsweek cover, "Radical Islam Is a Fact of Life. How to Live With It" (on newsstands Monday, March 2), Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that radical Islam is a fact of life, which we must learn to deal with. He emphatically does not say that we should accept the medieval values of the Islamists, or that we should not continue trying to destroy Al Qaeda. But to prevail in a generational cultural struggle, the West must learn to distinguish between those who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

Reports from Nigeria to Bosnia to Indonesia show that Islamic fundamentalists are finding support within their communities for their agenda, which usually involves the introduction of some form of Sharia-Islamic law--reflecting a puritanical interpretation of Islam. No music, no liquor, no smoking, no female emancipation. "The groups that advocate these policies are ugly, reactionary forces that will stunt their countries and bring dishonor to their religion. But not all these Islamists advocate global jihad, host terrorists or launch operations against the outside world--in fact, most do not," Zakaria writes. "Consider, for example, the most difficult example, the Taliban. The Taliban have done all kinds of terrible things in Afghanistan. But so far, no Afghan Taliban has participated at any significant level in a global terrorist attack over the past 10 years--including 9/11." Zakaria also points out that while some elements of the Taliban are closely associated with Al Qaeda, "the Taliban is large, and many factions have little connection to Osama bin Laden. Most Taliban want Islamic rule locally, not violent jihad globally," he writes.

This is why "it is crucial that we adopt a more sophisticated strategy toward radical Islam," Zakaria writes. "This should come naturally to President Obama, who spoke often on the campaign trail of the need for just such a differentiated approach toward Muslim countries." The Washington Institute, a think tank often associated with conservatives, also agrees with this view. Its report due to be released this week recommends that the United States use more "nuanced, noncombative rhetoric" that avoids sweeping declarations like "war on terror," "global insurgency," even "the Muslim world."

"Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common. That does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas. We should mount a spirited defense of our views and values. We should pursue aggressively policies that will make these values succeed. Such efforts are often difficult and take time--rebuilding state structures, providing secular education, reducing corruption--but we should help societies making these efforts. The mere fact that we are working in these countries on these issues--and not simply bombing, killing and capturing--might change the atmosphere surrounding the U.S. involvement in this struggle."

(Read cover article at www.Newsweek.com)

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For Florida Nonprofits: Free Fundraising Consulting Hotline

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Totally free, personalized fundraising consulting is now available for all Florida nonprofits 24/7 at www.fundraisershotline.com.

"Florida nonprofit fundraisers may ask anything they want - like How can I find donors? or How can I get my board to give more and to ask others to give? It's absolutely one-on-one attention. They won't be getting boilerplate answers," says Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein, creator of the hotline and president of The Nonprofit Institute, Educational Marketing Services in Fort Lauderdale.

"Nonprofits always have a hard time raising money. But many are really struggling in today's bad economy, especially in Florida. They need immediate professional advice tailored to their specific needs. But most nonprofits cannot afford to hire an expert to give them quick answers to their pressing questions. So, www.fundraisershotline.com gives them personal access to an experienced professional to be their sounding-board to increase their fundraising success," Goldstein adds.

That's what's so unique about the hotline. It's quick, efficient, direct --and free, of course. Getting answers from the hotline is simple. Go to www.fundraisershotline.com, fill out the short user form, ask a question, then send it to Dr. Goldstein. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Every question is answered personally and within 24 hours.

Columnist, author, consultant, TV and radio personality, and workshop leader - Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein is a nationally recognized marketing, communications, and fundraising executive, as well as a trends analyst and forecaster. For more than 30 years, he has developed strategies for nonprofit success.

Dr. Goldstein is now the co-producer and host of "The Forum for Nonprofits," which airs on WNN & WSBR and may be heard 24/7 at www.forumfornonprofits.com. He was the producer and host of "Fundraising Success," a weekly radio program on WXEL, 90.7FM/National Public Radio and still available at any time from anywhere in the world at www.wxelpodcasts.org.

Dr. Goldstein's "Fundraising Guru" columns have appeared in The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and have been a regular feature of the Scripps papers on Florida's Treasure Coast. He is the author of the bestseller, 30 Days to Successful Fundraising.

Goldstein is also the developer of "Fundraising Briefing Books," the basis for the workshops and tailored consulting programs he offers nationwide.

    Media contact:
    Stephen Goldstern
    954-772-4455
    trendsman@aol.com

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Grupo Casa Saba Announces 4Q08 Earnings Results

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Casa Saba ("Saba," "GCS," "the Company" or "the Group") (NYSE: SAB), one of the leading Mexican distributors of pharmaceutical products, beauty aids, personal care and consumer goods, general merchandise, publications and other products, announces its consolidated financial and operating results for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Financial Highlights:

(All December 2007 figures are expressed in millions of Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007, while the figures for December 2008 are expressed in millions of current Mexican pesos. Comparisons are made with the same period of 2007, unless otherwise stated. Figures may vary due to rounding practices. "b.p." stands for basis points).

    -- Sales for the quarter totaled $7,807.03 million
    -- Gross income increased 17.86%
    -- Gross margin for the quarter was 12.21%
    -- Quarterly operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 7.80%
    -- The operating margin for the quarter was 4.41%
    -- Net profit for the quarter reached $222.79 million
    -- Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter was $524.21 million


                              QUARTERLY EARNINGS

NET SALES

During the fourth quarter, GCS's sales were $7,807.03 million, an increase of 7.91%.

Sales for our Private Pharma division rose 8.46% during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the consolidation of investments made within the sector, including the most recent acquisition of Drogasmil Medicamento e Perfumeria, S.A.(1), a Brazilian pharmacy chain.

Sales in our Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other division increased 14.77% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This growth was due to commercial agreements that enabled us to increase promotions and discounts which, in turn, increased our sales.

Sales in our Government Pharma division rose 30.37% due to an increase in sales to Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), as well as the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado ("ISSSTE"), or the Mexican Social Security and Service Institute for Government Employees.

Publication sales decreased 45.02%, primarily as a result of lower unit sales. This decrease was due to the fact that Citem stopped distributing some publications that did not meet our minimal profitability requirements.

The sales mix did not change significantly this quarter. Private Pharma sales represented 85.74% of total sales (compared to 85.30% during the fourth quarter of 2007), while Government Pharma accounted for 4.08% (versus 3.37% during the fourth quarter of 2007). Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other represented 8.47% (compared to 7.97% in the fourth quarter of 2007) and Publications made up the remaining 1.71% (versus 3.36% during the fourth quarter of 2007).

SALES BY DIVISION

PRIVATE PHARMA

Sales in our Private Pharma division rose 8.46% during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the consolidation of investments that were made within the sector. This includes the most recent acquisition of Drogasmil Medicamento e Perfumeria, S.A. a Brazilian pharmacy chain.

Sales reached $6,693.86 million and represented 85.74% of the Group's total sales.

GOVERNMENT PHARMA

Sales in our Government Pharma division grew 30.37% due to an increase in sales to PEMEX as well as the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado ("ISSSTE"). Government Pharma sales reached $318.16 million during 4Q08 and accounted for 4.08% of our total sales.

HEALTH, BEAUTY, CONSUMER GOODS, GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND OTHER

Sales in our Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other division reached $661.54 million, an increase of 14.77% versus the fourth quarter of 2007. This was due to commercial agreements that enabled us to increase promotions and discounts which, in turn, increased our sales.

As a percentage of total sales, this division went from representing 7.97% in 4Q07 to 8.47% during the fourth quarter of 2008.

PUBLICATIONS

Publication sales decreased 45.02% during the quarter, primarily as a result of lower unit sales. This decrease was mainly due to the fact that Citem stopped distributing some publications that no longer met our minimal profitability requirements.

This division's participation as a percentage of total sales went from 3.36% in 4Q07 to 1.71% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

GROSS INCOME

During the fourth quarter of the year, Grupo Casa Saba's gross income increased 17.86% to reach $953.38 million. The company's gross margin improved as a result of the recent investments, to 12.21% compared to 11.18% during 4Q07.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses reached $608.78 million, an increase of 50.94% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This was due to the investments that were made over the past months. Operating expenses represented 7.80% of our total sales.

OPERATING INCOME

As a result of the increase in operating expenses, operating income declined 15.04%, to reach $344.59 million. The operating margin was 4.41%, 120 b.p. lower than the 5.61% margin registered in the fourth quarter of 2007.

OPERATING INCOME PLUS DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Operating income plus depreciation and amortization for 4Q08 was $374.30 million, a decrease of 12.23% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Depreciation and amortization for the period was $29.71 million, 42.50% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2007.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 was $524.21 million.

COMPREHENSIVE COST OF FINANCING

During the fourth quarter of 2008, GCS's comprehensive cost of financing (CCF) was $69.35 million, due primarily due to an increase in the amount of interest income paid.

The interest payments were related to the long-term credit that was obtained as a result of our most recent acquisition in Brazil, as well as the interest that was generated from the utilization of short-term credits for our operations in Mexico and Brazil.

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company registered an income of $31.55 million in other expenses (income). The expenses (income) from this line item were derived from activities that are distinct from the company's everyday business operations.

TAX PROVISIONS

During the fourth quarter, tax provisions were $84.01 million. These provisions included $77.30 million for income tax and $6.7 million for deferred income tax.

NET INCOME

GCS's net income for the fourth quarter was $222.79 million, a decrease of 39.34% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a higher comprehensive cost of financing (CCF).

The net margin for the period was 2.85%, lower than the 5.08% net margin obtained during the fourth quarter of 2007.

WORKING CAPITAL

During the fourth quarter of 2008, our accounts receivable days were 61.9, compared to 56.5 days during the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, our accounts payable days increased by 6.9 days compared to 4Q07, to reach 66.1 days. Finally, our inventory days were 67.4 days, 0.8 fewer days than in 4Q07.

(1) The acquisition took place on May 15, 2008.

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Xinhua Finance Limited (TSE: 9399) Reports Its Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

SHANGHAI, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Xinhua Finance Limited ("XFL", or "the Company", TSE Mothers: 9399; OTC: XHFNY), China's premier financial information service provider, today reported consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), of US$279.4 million, an 8% increase over 2007. EBITDA was negative US$457.3 million and net loss was US$341.7 million. Proforma EBITDA, adjusted to exclude non-cash ESOP expenses and one-time items, was US$50.3 million versus US$52.0 million in 2007. Adjusting for the divestiture or discontinuation of certain businesses in 2008 and 2007, revenue from continuing operations increased 24%, from US$24.7 million in 2007 to US$30.6 million in 2008.

(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/xprn/sa/200702151700.gif)

Due mainly to the worsening economic environment, which has a direct impact on the Company's assessment of intangible asset values, in addition to the Company's restructuring, the Company recorded provisions for intangible asset impairment totaling US$321.2 million. The Company also recorded a write- down of US$81.5 million related to its investment in Xinhua Finance Media Limited ("XFMedia") (1), due to the decline in XFMedia's asset value. Beginning December 31, 2008, XFMedia is no longer consolidated into the Company's accounts and XFMedia is accounted for as an associated company.

Primarily due to the aforementioned impairments, the Company generated a net loss for the year of US$341.7 million. On a proforma basis, after excluding non-cash and one-time items, proforma net income was US$2.9 million compared to US$1.8 million in 2007. Proforma results are provided by the Company to help investors better understand underlying operating and financial trends.

During the past several months, the Company continued to divest out of non core assets and reduce costs. Following the disposal of its Mergent and Kinetic subsidiaries in July 2008, the Company sold certain assets of the G7 Group and Taylor Rafferty, its joint alliance interest in Xinhua PR Newswire, and its US-based subsidiaries Washington Analysis and Market News International. On December 31, 2008, XFL converted its class B shareholding in XFMedia to class A shares, thereby relinquishing its control of XFMedia and allowing for its deconsolidation.

XFL CEO Mr. Jae Lie said, "The sale and divestiture of non core assets has allowed us to generate funds to redeem bonds, which will give us greater flexibility. This is also in line with our overall strategy to streamline and focus on our core competency, which is the provision of proprietary and value- added information and services of China's financial markets. The deconsolidation of XFMedia is in line with this strategy and improves transparency and provides a clearer picture of the underlying businesses as well as reduces reporting costs. In 2009, we will continue to focus on our core businesses of Indices, Ratings and Solutions and pursue strategies that will improve shareholder value."

Earlier in the month, the Company announced a tender offer for the redemption of approximately US$42 million of its 10% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011 (the "Notes"). This follows the redemption of around US$49 million of the Notes in September 2008.

XFL CFO Mr. David Wang said, "Upon the successful completion of the tender offer, we will have redeemed US$90 million of the Notes, leaving US$10 million outstanding. For 2009 we will continue cutting costs and improving operational efficiencies."

    (1) XFMedia changed its name to Xinhua Sports and Entertainment Limited
        on February 15, 2009.



    2008 vs. 2007 (IFRS) -- unit: USD million

                                            2008        2007    Variance
    Revenue                                279.4       257.7        8%
    Proforma EBITDA (1)                     50.3        52.0       -3%
    EBITDA                                (457.3)       39.0        NA
    Proforma Net Income (2)                  2.9         1.8       55%
    Net Income                            (341.7)       56.5        NA



    Continuing Operations (3)
    2008 vs. 2007 (IFRS) -- unit: USD million

                                             2008        2007    Variance
    Revenue                                  30.6        24.7       24%


    (1) Proforma EBITDA is EBITDA excluding non-cash share-based compensation
        expense and excluding one time items.
    (2) Proforma Net Income is calculated by taking net income and excluding
        non cash share-based compensation expenses, one time non recurrent
        items, amortization arising from acquisitions and non-cash imputed
        interest.
    (3) Due to changes in the composition of our business as a result of the
        divestiture or discontinuation of certain subsidiaries, we also
        present results from continuing operations.


    (Notes)
    A. We define EBITDA in relation to our IFRS financial statements as
       profit or loss before interest expense, tax, depreciation and
       amortization.

About Xinhua Finance Limited

Xinhua Finance Limited ("XFL") is China's premier financial information service provider and is listed on the Mothers Board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399) (OTC ADRs: XHFNY). Founded in November 1999, XFL is headquartered in Shanghai.

For more information, please visit http://www.xinhuafinance.com .

This is a press release to the public and should not be relied on as information to make an investment decision by any investor. Investors should read the Company's Securities Report filed to the Tokyo Stock Exchange and consider the risk factors together with other information contained therein when making an investment decision. This press release contains some forward- looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results, performance, achievements of the Company or industries in which it operates to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

    More Information:

     IR Contact
     Xinhua Finance
     Hong Kong
     Mr. Charles Lau
     Tel:   +852-3196-3779
     Email: charles.lau@xinhuafinance.com

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