1st June, 2018
Dear Bondholder,
I am writing to thank you for supporting the AST Group p.l.c. €1.835 million 5.5% 2028 Prospects MTF bond, which was successfully admitted to Prospects MTF on 9 February 2018.
We have been working hard on a number of initiatives which will contribute to growing our business further. To this end, we have set up offices in Republic Street, Valletta. These were renovated within less than a week and will serve as our Head Office. Furthermore, we are particularly pleased to inform you that on 20 April 2018, AST Shipping Limited, a subsidiary of AST Group p.l.c., purchased a multipurpose vessel worth USD1.7 million, through the bond proceeds, in line with the Company Admission Document dated 4 December 2017. The vessel has since been re-named M/V AST Malta, and on 1 May 2018 M/V AST Malta began its first voyage for the Group whereby it transported 3,000 tonnes of DDGS from Constanta, Romania to Larnaca, Cyprus.
Acquiring M/V AST Malta has allowed us to set up shipping operations. We believe that through this endeavour, the AST Group can now vertically integrate its animal feed operation. We are committed to continually expand our distribution channels and penetrate new markets across Europe, using Malta as our logistics base.
On behalf of the AST Group, I would like to express my gratitude to you, for believing in the AST Group, and for supporting our business plan. I would also like to thank our Board of Directors for their continuous support, Financial Planning Services Limited, who are the appointed Placement Agent, Manager, Registrar and Escrow Agent, Grant Thornton, who are our Corporate Advisors and assist us on an ongoing basis, and the Malta Stock Exchange, who are the operators of the Prospects MTF.
Should you wish to get in touch with us, please contact on the following email address: info@astgroupplc.com
Best regards,
Emmanouil Kalamaras
Chief Executive Officer
