Nestle (Proejct)

1.  Exports (place)

The company's exports to Bangladesh rose by 16%, from 77.8 mio. In 1999 to Rs. 90.5 mio. In 2000. However, our export markets of Central Asian Republics and Afghanistan remained under economic pressure during the year under review. Consequently, exports to Central Asia remained limited to Rs. 47 mio. Mainly due to devaluation of currency in those countries, and in case of Afghanistan we finished at Rs. 83 mio. As against Rs.88 mio. in 1999.

Bangladesh imported baby cereals from Nestle Milkpak during the year 2000. The company's exports to Central Asian states included NESTLE PURE LIFE, Baby Cereals, LACTOGENs and MAGGI Noodles while those to Afghanistan included Baby Cereals, LACTOGENs, UHT Milk and Cream, FROST, GLORIA full cream milk powder, EVERYDAY and NIDO.

The overall exports declined this year and stood at Rs. 231 mio against Rs.242 mio. in 1999. Efforts continue to be made to diversify the export portfolio and to explore new markets.

Ø    Auditors' Report

We have audited the annexed balance sheet of Nestle Milkpak Limited as at December 31, 2000 and the related profit and loss account, cash flow statement and the statement of changes in equity together with the notes forming part thereof, for the year then ended and we state that we have obtained all the information and explanations which, to the best of our knowledge and belief, were necessary for the purposes of our audit.

It is the responsibility of the company's management to establish and maintain a system of internal control and prepare and present the above said statements in conformity with the approved accounting standards and the requirements of the Companies Ordinance, 1984. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these statements based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the auditing standards as applicable in Pakistan. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the above said statements are free of any material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the above said statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting policies and significant estimates made by management, as well as, evaluating the overall presentation of the above said statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion and, after due verification, we report that:

Ø      In our opinion, proper books of accounts have been kept by the company as required by the Companies Ordinance, 1984;

i.                    The balance sheet and profit and loss account together with the notes thereon have been drawn up in conformity with the Companies Ordinance, 1984 and are in agreement with the books of account and are further in accordance with accounting policies consistently applied;

ii.                   The expenditure incurred during the year was for the purpose of the company's business; and

iii.                The business conducted, investments made and the expenditure incurred during the

            year were in accordance with the objects of the company;

c) In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow statement and statement of changes in equity together with the notes forming part thereof, conform with approved accounting standards as applicable in Pakistan, and give the information required by the Companies Ordinance, 1984, in the manner so required and respectively give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at December 31, 2000 and of the profit, its cash flow and changes in equity for the year then ended; and

d) in our opinion, Zakat deductible at source under the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance, 1980 (XVIII of 1980), was deducted by the company and deposited in the Central Zakat Fund established under section 7 of that Ordinance.

Lahore, April 03, 2001    Chartered   A. F. Ferguson & Co.