a) When was STO incorporated and when did STO become a public listed company?

STO was incorporated as a Government company, Athireemaafannu Trading Account, on 20th December 1964 and was renamed as State Trading Organization on 09th June 1979. On 14th August 2001, State Trading Organization became a Public Limited Company.

b) What are STO's areas of operation?

STO is a trading company operating under the 10/96 Companies' Act of the Republic of Maldives. STO's main areas of operation include, Sales & Marketing of home improvement items, Supermarket items, electronic items, construction materials, staple foods, fuel and medicals. STO is also engaged in insurance, gas, structural products and cement manufacturing. Further to this, STO has now ventured into the Hotel & Resort industry and even airport management.

c) Does STO hold shares in any other company?

Yes:

• STO Maldives (Singapore) Pte Ltd (100%)
• Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives Pvt. Ltd (99.99%)
• Fuel Supplies Maldives Pvt Ltd (99.99%)
• Maldives National Oil Company Ltd (99.99%)
• Hotels & Resorts Pvt ltd (99.99%)
• Maldive Gas Pvt Ltd (90.00%)
• Maldives Structural Products Pvt Ltd (50.00%)
• Lafarge Maldive Cement Pvt Ltd (25.00%)
• Addu International Airport Pvt Ltd (10%)
• Maldives Stock Exchange Company Pvt Ltd (08.00%)

d) Five-year revenue and net profit?

Available here.

e) What is the employee strength of the company?

	2009		2010		2011
	local	foreign	local	foreign	local	foreign
No. of staff at beginning	704	210	819	191	818	187
No. of staff left	105	51	198	59	143	89
No. of staff recruited	202	32	197	55	229	65
No. of staff at end	819	191	818	187	903	166

f) Where is the registered office of STO?

State Trading Organization plc
Boduthakurufaanu Magu
Maafannu
Malé 20345
Republic of Maldives

g) When does STO's financial year end?

31st December of every year.

h) Who are STO's independent auditors?

Pricewaterhousecoopers from 2009 till today.

i) What exchange does STO stock trade on?

Maldives Stock Exchange

j) When is the dividend declared?

At the Annual General Meeting.

Year	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
EPS	128	137	141	102	115	122	126	138	124	106	171
DPS	105	118	110	70	55	82	70	65	68	68	72

k) When is the AGM held?

AGM is held within the first 5 months of every year.

l) What are the shareholders voting rights at AGM?

One of your key rights as a shareholder is the right to vote your shares at the Annual General Meeting. Shareholder voting rights give you the power to elect directors, elect auditors, pass other important items in agenda at annual or special meetings hence make your views known to company management and directors on significant issues that may affect the value of your shares.

m) How do I know when to vote?

STO will set and announce a "holder of record date." Investors who own the company's shares on that record date have the right to vote and be eligible for that year's dividend. This announcement along with proxy form will be made available on website and from Head Office reception, closer to AGM.

This form will have to be submitted to STO, 24 hours prior to the AGM.

n) How do I vote at the AGM?

According to the Articles of Association, shareholders may vote at an annual or special meeting. However, since most people live hundreds of miles away from these meetings and are too busy to attend, Articles permit shareholders to vote by "proxy" without being present in person. When you vote by proxy, you are authorizing someone (need not be a member of the Company) to vote according to your wishes at the meeting.

You cannot appoint the Chairman or any other Board Director as your proxy to the meeting.

o) How is vote counted?

Upon attendance to AGM, individuals will be provided a voting board, along with other materials for the meeting. This Board will include the no. of shares held by that individual on one side, while the no. of shareholders he represents is displayed on the other side. This will also include proxy details he represents.

According to the Articles of Association, voting will be counted as one share one vote (no. of shareholders) unless 10% of the company shareholders request for poll.

p) How is STO stock traded?

STO shares can only be traded through the stock exchange through a broker. You may view available share trade prices from the Equity Trading Board of Maldives Stock Exchange.

q) Who do I contact regarding share certificates, dividend inquiries, lost certificates or Communications with the Board of Directors?

Company Secretariat
cs@stomaldives.net
State Trading Organization plc
Boduthakurufaanu Magu
Maafannu
Malé 20345
Republic of Maldives
Tel: 3344383 / 3344373
Fax: 3344533

r) Who do I conact for general information of STO and its businesses?

Corporate & Legal Affairs
Email: cla@stomaldives.net
State Trading Organization plc
Boduthakurufaanu Magu
Maafannu
Malé 20345
Republic of Maldives
Tel: 3344394
Fax: 3344530