SOUTH SUDAN NEWS UPDATE

You may have seen the recent UN report on South Sudan that was widely reported in the international media. It painted a worrying picture about the security situation in the country. Since 2006, when ETC began operations, the country has experienced several periods of instability, including a protracted civil war commencing in 2013 shortly after Maris became the majority shareholder. The company has continued to operate smoothly throughout this period and has every confidence that it will be able to do so during whatever may lie ahead. Western Equatoria State, particularly the area around our operations, has generally always remained peaceful despite instability in the remainder of the country. This is undoubtedly due to the direct and indirect employment opportunities the company creates and the impact our continued operation brings to the community through our Social Development Fund projects and the taxes we pay. Our deep experience allows us to navigate the complexity associated with doing business in the country and we know the impact we have is huge. The more employment opportunities we create through new investment, the more we ensure a peaceful operating environment, greater security for our existing investment and more opportunities for our local communities to prosper. Teak is a long-term crop and we are committed to operating in South Sudan for many years to come.