Meeting Challenges THIS past year has not been an unusual one. It began with full of hope and optimism for economists and profit makers, but all of a sudden suffered a setback which threw all those hopes into doubt. However, the chaotic situation did not discourage those who were determined to succeed and attain their stated goals, despite the unprecedented global economic crisis which left no one in the world untouched. Okaz Organization for Press and Publication was no exception in feeling the bite and generating the feeling among top Okaz managerial staff that the good times had gone and that now it was a mere matter of survival, and so no time was wasted before reformulating and remolding policy to cope with the changes and reach set targets. The people of Okaz stood firm and resistant in the face of the economic crisis by remedying damages, overcoming its consequences, and producing fresh ideas. They were determined more than ever to emerge from the crisis with as few losses as possible. They diagnosed the challenges quantitatively and qualitatively. By any standards the challenges were not trivial, and they manifested themselves in the skyrocketing costs of printing, the fluctuations in the rates of exchange, a surge in freight charges and a fall in sales and advertising due to the economic crisis. Redefined Okaz policies made it the leading press organization in the country, succeeding in spite of the circumstances and making notable and hugely satisfying achievements to light up a path of optimism. The situation necessitated a comparison of what Okaz had achieved not just in local terms, but in terms of the Arab world. The result of the comparison was favorable, with Okaz excelling its counterparts in terms of circulation and sales, a success only made possible with the blessings of Almighty God followed by the intelligence and determination of Okaz staff. The result is now before you to consider and compare, admire or criticize, for all that plays its part in what we have achieved and plan to achieve. We turned the corner and started a new year, the year 2009, confronted with challenges no less important or aggressive than those of the past year, but still there is no shortage of ideas, and our determination to overcome the worst is not flagging. We, of the board of directors, the administration and editorial desk are optimistic and see a brighter future. Our achievements will not cease, and so we pray to Allah that the new fiscal year be better than the previous and that our words and deeds please Almighty God. I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to all. * Chairman of the Board of Directors of Okaz Organization for Press and Publication. __
