Tweeting for Business: Experts Connection Webinar Offers Course in How to Use Twitter to Build Your Business

Social Media Expert Neal Shaffer Offers Step-by-Step Instruction on How to Build Successful Twitter Marketing Campaigns for Any Organization.

NOVATO, Calif. (August 7, 2012) -- This month, Experts Connection for Business (http://www.experts-connection.com/business.aspx) will present Neal Schaffer, social media strategist and author of "Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing Twitter," who will share his expertise into how to apply Twitter as part of any strategic marketing campaign. The webinar, entitled "Twitter for Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing Twitter," is hosted by NETSHARE® (http://www.netshare.com), and scheduled for August 21, from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET, (1:00 - 2:30 p.m. PT).

Twitter continues to be one of the most powerful most misunderstood social networks. While many marketing professionals are still struggling to perfect their microblogging strategy, Schaffer has been designing successful marketing campaigns for clients for a number of years and will provide specific strategies and a step-by-step approach to show how to get the most out of Twitter for sales and marketing.

Among the insights Schaffer will share are the Twitter secrets used by major brands. The instruction will include:

- What opportunities Twitter provides to business;
- How Twitter is currently being used within corporations;
- How to build an effective Twitter marketing strategy;
- How to include Twitter as part of a broader marketing program;
- Understanding hash tags, Twitter chats, and how to build a following;
- Examples of successful Twitter campaigns; and
- Twitter tools that are available to make Tweeting more efficient.

"Social media levels the marketing playing field so any business can compete effectively," said Katherine Simmons, CEO of NETSHARE and host of the Experts Connection webinar series. "Neal has designed winning Twitter campaigns for global companies, and we are fortunate to be able to share his expertise through Experts Connection. This is a unique opportunity for anyone who wants to learn how to harness Twitter and social media for effective marketing."

The Experts Connection teleseminar series allows business professionals to connect with experts in a wide range of areas, gathering information about business-critical topics presented with an eye toward the practical, not just the theoretical. Experts Connections recruits the most knowledgeable specialists to address problems facing small companies, multi-national corporations, B2B, B2C; businesses of any size serving any market. The cost of the seminar is $100, and access is provided via web and telephone. For more information, visit the Experts Connection online at http://www.experts-connection.com/business.aspx.

About Neal Schaffer
Neal Schaffer helps organizations strategically leverage and maximize return on investment from social business. He is currently Senior Vice President of Social Media Strategy for Social 5150 and Vice President of Social Media Strategy for Green Dream Social, as well as the author of two books on LinkedIn and the soon-to-be-published “Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing Twitter”. Neal is a frequent speaker at media events sponsored by ABC and CBS and quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, Yahoo! and the American Express Open Forum. He also has counseled Fortune 500 companies and celebrities with nearly one million social media fans.

About NETSHARE
NETSHARE (http://www.netshare.com) is a confidential, membership based organization dedicated to providing executives across all disciplines and industries with quality $100K plus job lists. NETSHARE also offers networking opportunities and a community of peers for the exchange of strategic information related to job search, professional development and best practices. NETSHARE has been recognized by Fortune and Forbes magazines as the best online destination for executive positions.

Contact:
Annette DiSano
NETSHARE, Inc.
(415) 883-1700

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638

Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal Ranks Rosendin Electric Third Among Largest Private Companies for 2012

Rosendin Electric Named Number Three in Revenue for the Second Year in a Row.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (August 7, 2012) – For the second year in a row the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal has placed Rosendin Electric, one of the nation's largest private electrical contractors and a 100% employee-owned company, as number three in its 2012 list of top private companies as ranked by revenue.

The rankings for the annual list have been published in the current issue of the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and are determined by earnings for the preceding fiscal year. This year, Rosendin Electric was named third based on earnings of $817.3 million for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. For the list published in 2011, Rosendin Electric also ranked third with earnings of $727 million for the year ending December 31, 2010.

"Rosendin Electric's reputation continues to grow, not only here in Silicon Valley but throughout the country as well as in international markets where we have an established presence," said Tom Sorley, Chairman and CEO of Rosendin Electric. "Business is booming because our partners and clients know they can rely on Rosendin Electric to bring the latest design-build techniques and innovation to any job. We continue to attract the best talent in the construction business, and our commitment to excellence and creating a safe and friendly workplace continues to put us ahead of the competition in productivity and reliability."

About Rosendin Electric
Rosendin Electric, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California, is a 100% employee-owned electrical engineering, power and communications provider and is one of the largest privately held electrical contractors in the United States. With over 2,500 employees and experience nationwide, Rosendin Electric has built upon a 90-year reputation for quality design and installations. For additional information, visit http://www.rosendin.com.

Contact:
Shelly Goulart
Marketing Manager
Rosendin Electric, Inc.
880 Mabury Road
San Jose, CA 95133
(408) 534-2819

AAA Welcomes Report into Pensions Investing in Alternatives

AAA has welcomed new research from Towers Watson consultancy, which found that pension funds are still putting more and more of their funds into alternative investments.

Boston, MA, USA, August 6, 2012 -- Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has welcomed new research from Towers Watson consultancy, which found that pension funds are still putting more and more of their funds into alternative investments.

The survey found that there has been a 7.9 per cent rise in the total pension fund assets under management by the top 100 asset managers. The total sum is now $1.03 trillion, up from $951.7 billion in 2010.

The rise is partly due to the fact that the survey now includes figures from insurers, foundations, endowments and sovereign wealth funds. Much of the assets under management are being invested in alternatives such as hedge funds and private equity, according to Towers Watson.

A spokesman for Towers Watson, Craig Baker, said, "Our client base is quite different today from when we started this survey. We do a lot of work with insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and endowments."

AAA's analysis partner, Anthony Johnson said that these latest figures show that institutional investors are increasingly looking towards alternatives to diversify their portfolios and offset the impact of inflation. He stated, "We are seeing an increase in interest in alternatives with individuals and institutional investors realizing in their droves that alternatives can offer a wise option."

AAA claims that individual investors are now "spoiled for choice" when it comes to interesting alternatives asset classes that can offer a hedge against inflation and a less risky investment than the equity markets. "Timberland is one of the best-performing alternatives," added Mr Johnson.

"Investing directly in timberland through the kind of schemes run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, for example, ensures people get something tangible in exchange for their investment."

"Not only this, but timberland returns on investment have typically outperformed equities over a number of years and can offer a good long-term investment option for people looking for a pension investment."

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596

Luxury Travel Unveils Discover The Golden Central Coast of Vietnam in Luxury Style in 10 days

This newest tour lasts 10 days which helps visitors to see the top highlights of Central Vietnam (including Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Quang Binh), discover new destinations, stay in the newest and trendiest hotels and resorts, as well as experience the finest cuisine.

Hanoi, Vietnam, August 6, 2012 -- This newest tour lasts 10 days which helps visitors to see the top highlights of Central Vietnam (including Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Quang Binh), discover new destinations, stay in the newest and trendiest hotels and resorts, as well as experience the finest cuisine.

Vietnam has always had extraordinary charm, in part because of the French colonial influence still evident throughout much of the country. Its jaw dropping scenery, fabulous food and friendly locals all contribute to the country's appeal to travelers. But in recent times the destination's luxury offerings have also had great appeal, due to new luxe hotels, beautiful resorts and world class golf courses, especially in Central Vietnam. Danang now has a new International airport and launched direct international flights throughout Asia, which has given a boost to local tourism. This makes movement in the central area much easier than it had been previously.

This tour focuses on local life and food. Starting in Hanoi or Saigon, visitors will then fly directly to Danang International Airport. From here, they will gradually access each spot of the central area with the help of an experienced guide and, along with local experts, they will discover the most charming aspects of each destination.

“The Golden Central Coast of Vietnam boasts a rich mix of attractions. Besides the stunning beaches, sumptuous resorts and golf links, there are numerous UNESCO accredited cultural heritage sites, including the centuries-old former port town of Hoi An, once an international hub for merchants in Asia. There is also the former imperial city of Hue (home to the throne of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945) and the My Son ruins, the spiritual home of the Kingdom of Champa, dubbed the “Valley of Kings” by French archaeologists. There are also mountain retreats, the Vinh Moc tunnels and the natural wonders of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, making this trip one with something to offer for everyone.” said Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

The tour price starts from US$2,445 per person. Accommodations for two people are in twin, shared rooms at luxury five-star hotels. Price includes all transportation, return domestic flights from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, meals, entrance fees, boat trips and the services of an English-speaking guide. This offer is valid until 30 December 2012.

“One of the attractions of this tour is that visitors will visit colonial sites by Jeep. They will also experience street food with an expert in local cuisine. Each region of Vietnam has different flavors of food, but the central region really offers something that cannot be compared with any other type of food in the world. Central Vietnam has a wide array of activities and landscapes that appeal to a mix of travelers, including tropical beaches, post-colonial towns, world heritage sites, top cuisine and more. Each tour is designed with flexibility to suit travelers’ personal interest, schedule and energy level.” said Hong Linh, Marketing Executive at Luxury Travel Ltd.


About Luxury Travel Ltd

Vietnam-based Luxury Travel Ltd (http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel and serves today’s most sophisticated travelers, in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel excels in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd. has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator.

Media Contact:
Doan Hong Linh (Ms.)
Marketing Executive
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
+ 84.4.39274120 Ext 122

REITs are proving an Attractive Option, claims AAA

AAA claims that commercial property investment trusts are a great option for alternative investors.

Boston, MA, USA, August 4, 2012 -- Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) claims that commercial property investment trusts are a great option for alternative investors.

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that recent results showing impressive returns from real estate investment trusts (REITs) demonstrate how alternatives are regularly outperforming more traditional asset classes, such as equities.

Recent statistics show that average annualized returns from REITs total 33 per cent over the past three years, illustrating the kinds of returns people can see if they invest in income-producing property at the right time. REITs offer extra benefits to investors as they are obliged to distribute 90 per cent of their taxable income to shareholder to avoid the kind of taxes that other corporate property owners pay.

Investors usually receive payouts each quarter, which they take as dividend or cash. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index average dividend yield is just 2.1 per cent, compared with an average yield of 3.2 per cent for REITs.

Investing in real estate is a popular option at the moment, with house prices in the US finally increasing once more. Many of those who took the risk and bought property when the prices were at rock bottom will already be reaping the returns. AAA's analysis partner Anthony Johnson said, "It's not surprising that investors are putting their cash into solid investments such as bricks and mortar, precious metals, commodities and timberland. Getting something in return for your cash rather than simply some shares, is increasingly attractive."

He added that REITS are attractive as low interest rates make it difficult to earn much interest without taking a risk on an asset class that can earn well each month. Like forestry investment through firms like Greenwood Management, REITs allow investors to receive income while holding onto an asset that will also produce healthy returns when it is sold off.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596

IAPAM Announces Next Date for hCG Training: September 21, 2012

A recent study found that, "more than 1.7 billion people worldwide may be classified as overweight and need appropriate medical or surgical treatment with the goal of sustainable weight loss." To meet this consumer demand, the IAPAM helps physicians enter this lucrative market, by offering their physician-led hCG Training in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 21, 2012. Physicians will learn and receive everything they need to start safely and profitably offering hCG for weight loss to their patients as they go back-to-school and back-to-work.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - August 4, 2012 -- Researchers in Canada recently published a study that found "that over a six-year period 43% of the patients of a weight-management clinic dropped out of the program before achieving sustainable weight loss." The study also found that "substantial early weight loss," like that associated with an hCG program or bariatric surgery, served as a successful motivator to continue a weight loss program, and that of those patients who achieved a substantial early weight loss, only 12% dropped out of the their program.

To that end, the IAPAM (http://www.iapam.com) has trained over 700 physicians on how to effectively offer hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for “substantial early weight loss” to their patients. To date, well over 26,000 patients have successfully lost weight on hCG using the IAPAM's Exclusive hCG Diet (http://www.hcgtraining.com), based on Dr. Simeons manuscript, Pounds and Inches (http://www.iapam.com/dr-simeons-pounds-and-inches-manuscript.html).
Join the IAPAM for its next hCG Training session of 2012, on September 21, 2012, and offer hCG for Weight Loss to your patients as they prepare to go back-to-school and back-to-work after the summer.

The IAPAM's hCG Training includes everything a physician needs to add this program to a practice, such as:

- Detailed IAPAM hCG Program Protocols
- Patient selection criteria
- Common medical hCG contraindications
- Consent forms, medical history forms
- Patient hCG Program Guidebook to offer patients (hCG friendly recipes, food journal, tips)
- Patient PowerPoint presentations for the waiting room
- Phone scripts & call logs for your staff
- Legal/Insurance considerations, and current FDA status
- hCG ordering information and special pharmaceutical hCG pricing
- Special hCG Facebook discussion forum
- VLCD/LCD diet programs
- Meal replacement diet programs
- Ketogenic based diet programs
- Utilizing B6/B12 injections in weight loss
- Using prescription appetite suppressants in weight loss
- Metabolism testing as a profit center
- Laser assisted lipolysis
- Listing of one's hCG Clinic in the IAPAM's NEW hCG Diet Clinic Directory (http://www.hcgtraining.com/hcg-diet-clinics)

Moreover, the IAPAM's respected program is taught by true hCG experts who operate hCG weight loss clinics, and who have completed the hCG Protocol themselves. This allows physicians and their staff to learn from the faculty's vast experience. Finally, the IAPAM's hCG Training is the only Physician hCG Training program in North America approved for a special medical malpractice rate for those who have attended and have been certified by the IAPAM. This medical malpractice coverage is not offered to any other hCG training program.

For additional information or to register for the September 21, 2012 hCG Training, please contact the IAPAM, at 1-800-219-5108 ext. 708, or visit http://www.hcgtraining.com or http://iapam.com/physician-weight-loss-training-using-hormones

About the IAPAM: The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary global association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession worldwide. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits to members around the globe. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), dentists (DDSs/DMDs) physicians assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). The IAPAM offers aesthetic medicine and hCG medical weight management programs, including: botox ® training, medical aesthetic training, laser training, physician hCG training, and aesthetic practice business training. Additional information about the association can be accessed through the IAPAM’s website (http://www.iapam.com) or by contacting:

Jeff Russell, Executive-Director
International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
1-800-219-5108 ext. 708

NanoMarkets Announces Release of Latest Report on Emerging Market for Printed Organic Logic and Memory

NanoMarkets announces the release of its latest report on the emerging organic/printed logic and memory market, titled "Markets for OTFTs, OFETs and Organic Memory - 2012."

Glen Allen, Virginia - August 3, 2012 -- Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets announces the release of its latest report on the emerging organic/printed logic and memory market, titled "Markets for OTFTs, OFETs and Organic Memory - 2012." The report analyzes the opportunities for materials, component, and device makers in the OTFT/OFET and organic nonvolatile memory (ONVM) value chain over the next eight years. NanoMarkets estimates that the total market value of OTFT/OFET and ONVM components will grow to nearly $1B (US) in revenues by 2018. Over the same time period, the value of the market for printed electronics devices enabled by these OTFT/OFET and ONVM components will reach $4.6B.


About the Report:

This latest NanoMarkets report provides an analysis and forecast of the OTFT/OFET and ONVM market over the next eight years. Applications covered include smart packaging, brand protection, security, smartcards, distribution tagging and RFID, interactive media, disposable electronics, and (flexible) display backplanes. The report examines some of the latest market strategies, products and technical developments in materials, and it identifies how performance and manufacturing improvements are finally improving the prospects for printed/organic electronics.

As in all NanoMarkets reports, this report contains granular eight-year forecasts of OTFT/OFET and ONVM shipments in both unit and value terms, with breakouts by material type (small molecule vs. polymer) deposition technology (vapor vs. solution processing), and by panel type (rigid vs. flexible). Material categories discussed include organic and/or polymeric semiconductors, ferroelectric materials, dielectrics, and electrodes.

Key players mentioned in the report include Acreo, BASF, Bemis, Fujifilm Dimatix, Hewlett Packard, Heraeus, Holst Centre, InkTec, JAPERA, LG, Merck/EMD, OE-A, Optomec, PARC, PEA, Polyera, PolyIC, Qolpac, Samsung, Solvay, Sony, Thin Film Electronics, Toppan Printing, and others.

From the Report:

A decade ago, OTFTs/OFETs and ONVMs were once darlings of the advanced materials sector, but the early hype largely dissipated as their huge potential was in stark contrast to their disappointing reality. Materials performance was low and manufacturing proved more difficult, and more costly, than originally expected. But today there are signs that things may be turning around. There is renewed interest and commercialization activity in this sector, and NanoMarkets believes that the industry is poised to take off in the 2014-2015 timeframe, built upon better materials and processes, meaningful collaboration between players, and the launch of new products that will add credibility to the whole sector.

But NanoMarkets cautions that commercial success will only happen if suppliers can help to close the remaining technology - and cost - gaps that could hold back the realization of low-cost/high volume fabrication. Players in this industry can thus carve out competitive advantages in the following areas: improved material performance, especially with respect to mobility, because while improvements have been made, still more are needed; development of reliable and easy-to-use inks and coatings, as well as the optimization of suitable printing or solution patterning methods for them; and establishment of a well-integrated manufacturing and supply chain that brings all of the elements together to provide sellable products to end-users.

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in electronics, solid-state lighting, energy, and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts of this kind and has been covering the advanced materials sector for nearly a decade.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets' reports and other services.

Media Contact:
Robert Nolan
NanoMarkets, LC
PO BOX 3840
Glen Allen, VA 23058
(804) 938-0030

AAA Welcomes New Support for Canadian Impact Investing

AAA, an alternative investment advocacy and research group, has lent its support to the TMX Group in Canada, which has announced a commitment to contributing to the development of the impact investing market in the country.

Boston, MA, USA, August 3, 2012 -- Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), an alternative investment advocacy and research group, has lent its support to the TMX Group in Canada, which has announced a commitment to contributing to the development of the impact investing market in the country.

TMX Group is officially supporting MaRS Centre for Impact Investing ('the Centre'), which has been created to try to promote and initiate impact investing programs. The programs that will be launched by the Centre are all about mobilizing cash to help fund projects that are beneficial on either a social or environmental level.

The existing impact investment market in Canada is worth an estimated CA$2 billion and is expected to increase to CA$30 billion within the coming ten years as more and more investors look for ways to ensure their money goes towards ethical and responsible causes. The MaRS project will work by finding ways to match investment with projects that could help social or economic causes, but that could also generate returns for the investors.

AAA's analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “Many people may presume that impact investors see little return on their investment. However, more and more ethical investment projects are generating healthy returns due to the fact that there are an enormous number of opportunities to help people in developing countries to make money by starting their own enterprises.”

The TMX Group's Vice president, Ronald Alepia, said, "TMX Group is pleased to support corporate social innovation in partnership with the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing."

"The MaRS Centre for Impact Investing is the right institution with which to develop this transformative new opportunity for Canada. We've been active with the Centre from its inception and look forward to a long and productive partnership," he added.

AAA supports ethical investments of all kinds, including investment in sustainable forestry plantation projects, such as those run in Brazil by firms like Greenwood Management.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. Reports Unaudited IFRS Financial Results for the First Half of 2012

- Revenue increased to US $1,261 million, compared to US $1,035 million in H1 2011
- Operating profit increased to US $410 million, compared with US $288 million in H1 2011
- Adjusted EBITDA grew to US $462 million, compared to US $337 million in H1 2011
- Net profit amounted to US $444 million, compared with US $266 million in H1 2011

Moscow, Russia - August 03, 2012 -- URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. (hereinafter URALCHEM Holding or the Company), a Cypriot holding company of the URALCHEM Group (hereinafter the Group), one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia, announced its unaudited IFRS financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2012.

Key Financial Figures for H1 2012 and 2011 (US $ million)


H1 2012
H1 2011
Year-on-Year Change, %
Revenue
1,261
1,035
22%
Gross profit
743
577
29%
Gross profit margin
59%
56%
5%
Operating profit
410
288
42%
Operating profit margin
33%
28%
18%
Net profit
444
266
67%
Net profit margin
35%
26%
35%
Adjusted EBITDA
462
337
37%
Adjusted EBITDA margin
37%
33%
12%
Net cash generated from operating activities
342
194
76%

Dmitry Konyaev, CEO of URALCHEM, OJSC (part of the Group), commented on the results for the first half of 2012, “We achieved good financial results in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2011. EBITDA increased by more than one-third, sales grew by 18% and reached 3 million tons. The good performance was driven by situation on the urea and ammonium nitrate markets, which was favourable for us, as well as acquisition of Minudobrenia OJSC and our own efforts aimed at improving the efficiency of enterprises, the modernization of production and our responsiveness to changing market needs.”

Financial Results

Revenue for the first half of 2012 grew to US $1,261 million, compared to US $1,035 million in the first half of 2011. Operating profit amounted to US $410 million, or 33% of the revenue, compared with the operating profit of US $288 million, or 28% of the revenue in the first half of 2011.

Net profit for the first half of 2012 amounted to US $444 million, compared to US $266 million in the first half of 2011.

During the first half of 2012, adjusted EBITDA reached US $462 million, compared to US $337 during the same period last year, a rise of 37%. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first half of 2012 comprised 37% of revenue compared with 33% of revenue for the first half of 2011.

Markets

During the second quarter of 2012 prices of mineral fertilisers and semi-products showed significantly different dynamics. Ammonia prices began to recover due to high demand and limited supply. During the second quarter the price grew by $150/t and by the end of June it reached $600/t FOB at the Yuzhny port.

Prices for urea increased until mid-May and surpassed the peak figures of 2011. Since mid-May there was a significant decline in prices due to low activity of buyers. In late June - early July, the urea market began to show signs of recovery.

Prices for ammonium nitrate repeated the dynamics of the urea market and grew rapidly until mid-May. However, the second half of the quarter was characterized by falling prices for the product, which was also due to low purchasing activity.

The global market of phosphate fertilisers was in the process of recovery during the second quarter of 2012. Due to strong demand in Latin America, spot prices recovered, despite the launch of Chinese products on the market. Market participants are forecasting a stable outlook for the third quarter of the year.

Sales

In the first six months of 2012 the Group’s product sales grew by 18% compared to the same period in 2011 and totalled 3 million tons. Due to the acquisition of OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm, sales of urea and ammonia increased significantly, by 117% and 61% respectively.

Sales of Commercial Products of URALCHEM Group in H1 2012-2011 (thousands of tons)

Name of Product
H1 2012
H1 2011
Year-on-Year Change, %
Ammonium nitrate and its derivatives
1,169
1,178
-1%
Urea
598
275
117%
Ammonia
353
219
61%
Phosphate based fertilisers
282
289
-2%
Complex fertilisers
293
319
-8%
Other chemicals, including ammonium nitrate for industrial use
384
329
17%
Total
3,079
2,609
18%

Financial Situation

Cash generated from operating activities in the first half of 2012 amounted to US $342 million compared with US $194 million in the first half of 2011.

On 30 June 2012, the Company’s net debt amounted to US $991 million. Interest expenses in the first half of 2012 decreased by US $23 million or 36% compared to the same period last year.

For more information, please visit the Company web site http://www.uralchem.com or use the following contact information:

PR department
URALCHEM, OJSC
Tel: +7 (495) 721 89 89

URALCHEM HOLDING P.L.C. is a holding company of the URALCHEM Group, which includes four fertilizer manufacturing facilities in Russia. URALCHEM Group is one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers in Russia and the CIS with production capacities of over 2.5 million tons of ammonium nitrate, 2.8 million tons of ammonia, 0.8 million tons of MAP and DAP, 0.8 million tons of complex fertilisers and 1.2 million tons of urea per year. URALCHEM Group is the second largest ammonium nitrate producer in the world and number one in Russia, the second largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Russia. URALCHEM Group’s key production assets include Azot Branch of URALCHEM, OJSC in Berezniki, Perm Region; OJSC Minudobrenia, Perm; MFP Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Works, OJSC, Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region; Voskresensk Mineral Fertilisers, OJSC in Voskresensk, Moscow region.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of URALCHEM. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions. We do not intend to update these statements and our actual results may differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.

Annex to the press release about the unaudited financial results for the first half of 2012

EBITDA is a profit / loss from financial and economic activities during the reporting period, before deduction of income tax on profits, income and interest costs, depreciation and amortization. "Adjusted EBITDA" is EBITDA for the reporting period before goodwill, profit / loss from associates, profit / loss on foreign exchange differences arising on financial performance and profit / loss on operations with derivative financial instruments. Adjusted EBITDA is operating profit before depreciation and amortization and financial results of operations with derivative financial instruments. In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), depreciation and amortization are included in cost structure, and in the selling, general and administrative expenses. IFRS does not require the disclosure and does not describe the calculation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, among other financial indicators, so they can not substitute for net profit for the period when evaluating the results of operations or the measure of cash provided by operating activities when evaluating liquidity. Approach to the calculation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, as described earlier, may not coincide with the approaches used by other companies, therefore, comparability may be limited. We believe that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA provide useful information to investors because they are indicators of the stability and efficiency of our business and our ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, the acquisition of subsidiaries and other investments, as well as indicators of our ability to incur and service debt. IFRS classifies depreciation and amortization to operating costs, while in fact they are distributed to the current period non-cash expenses for the acquisition or creation of fixed assets, incurred in previous periods, and are not affiliated with the movement of funds.

Calculation of EBITDA for H1 2012 - 2011 (thousands of US$)


H1 2012
H1 2011*
Net profit
444,405
266,339
Add:

Income tax
75,954
66,160
Interest income
(11,427)
(1,162)
Interest expense
40,444
63,606
Depreciation and amortisation
52,734
48,827
Loss/(profit) of associates
190
(22,690)
Gain from change in fair value of previously held interest
(153,458)
-
Foreign exchange loss/(gain) from financing activities
13,584
(84,237)
EBITDA
462,426
336,843

*Financial Statements for the first half of the year were restated following the acquisition of OJSC Minudobrenia.

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Vietnam's Golden Central Coast Attracts High-End MICE Travelers

Vietnam is an emerging destination for the MICE sector, as Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) targets MICE groups.

Hanoi, Vietnam, August 3, 2012 -- Vietnam is an emerging destination for the MICE sector, as Luxury Travel targets MICE groups.

Vietnam is recognized as a good destination for MICE. The tourism industry, especially luxury hotels and airlines, have had success in promoting Vietnam’s new MICE venues.

"Vietnam is for everyone and all sizes of MICE events can be held in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoi An). The international standard hotel in Central Vietnam has modern conference facilities, resort and meeting rooms and a variety of attractions suiting all tastes. This can include trips for nature and culture lovers, golfers, health and spa enthusiasts, and aficionados of fine cuisine. Further, the Central Coast of Vietnam has more varied products to offer the MICE market than Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi," said Pham Ha, founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

The central coast is growing in stature as one the hottest tourist spots in Southeast Asia with a variety of attractions. With a string of top-class resorts and golf courses opening, the region has been steadily growing in stature as one of the hottest tourist spots in the country and Southeast Asia but the arrival of a new international standard airport with links to multiple cities in China, Singapore and routes to Bangkok and Hong Kong set to open soon will help put Danang on the global map.

“We need to promote Vietnam as a preferred destination for both domestic and international MICE travels. We will foster closer and more effective partnerships between the private and government sectors. This will help build Vietnam's ability to compete internationally in the long term,” explained Ha.

Luxury Travel opened its Danang office to tap tourism boom in Central Coast of Vietnam. MICE planners can go to http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com for inspiration and options for successful meeting incentive conference and exhibition trips.

Media Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120