Transcript
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    CONTENTS

    03-04THE QI STORY

    05-06LEADERSHIP

    07-08GUIDING VALUES

    09-12BUSINESS LINES

    13-20RECENT INVESTMENTS

    21-24STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    25-32

    BUILDING A GLOBAL BRAND

    Showcasing CreativityNurturing ChampionsEntertaining Asia

    33-43CORPORATE HEARTBEAT

    RYTHM FoundationVijayaratnam Foundation

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    998 was a time ofspeculative optimism.

    was the year when Southeast Asia was christened as one of the worldsriving economic centres. And yet, barely a year later, it was embroiled in one the worst and most uncertain nancial crises it had ever encountered.

    t the same time, the dot com bubble was in decline. The economic meltdownaused an alarming number of failures in the e-commerce industry. There coulde only a few winners in each sector, and even the largest companies suffered.

    ut in spite of the turmoil, QI was born, due to great perseverance, foresight,ational thinking and determination.

    sing e-commerce, with the Internet as its main business thrust, QI delivered itsverse range of products and services to customers at every corner of the globe.

    oday, the QI Group has grown into a multinational conglomerate with six keyusiness lines telecommunications, lifestyle and leisure, luxury and collectibles,aining and conference management, property development and a global retaildirect sales business.

    ur subsidiaries can be found in over 30 countries with key regional ofces inong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

    hese achievements are a reection of the creative and entrepreneurial spirit ofresourceful, multi-cultural team led by a global board of directors schooled in

    olid economic fundamentals.

    ut we believe that this is just the beginning. The constantly evolving group isxpanding organically with strategic investments, creating high-quality interrelatedentures, products and services worldwide.

    nd as we move ahead into the future, it is our vision to keep on growing, noatter what the odds. Just as our journey began in 1998, we know the roadmorrow may be uncertain, but with spirit and determination, we can achievel that we dream of today.

    QIs newly acquiredheadquarters in Malaysia.

    QI Headquarters at Bank ofChina Tower in Hong Kong.

    THE QI STORY

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    Upon completing his higher educationin the United Kingdom and the UnitedStates of America, Eswaran worked inseveral blue-chip companies in Europe,Canada, Australia, and the U.S. beforereturning to Asia in the early 1990s. Hestarted a business venture with a smallgroup of partners that soon transformeditself into the multimillion-dollar globalconglomerate, the QI Group. Themulticultural organisation achievedspectacular growth in its rst decadespearheaded by his consensus-drivenmanagement style.

    Eswaran is also a highly respected andmuch in-demand motivational speakerwho is well versed in subjects thatrange from spirituality, leadership andbusiness innovation to economic affairs.His repertoire includes speeches atthe Commonwealth Business Forumat CHOGM 2007 in Uganda, the GlobalEntrepreneur Summit in Singapore, theInternational Business and LeadershipSymposium in Brussels, and PravasiBharatiya Divas, the global IndianDiaspora meet in India.

    He is also the author of the best-sellingbook, In The Sphere Of Silence, whichencapsulates his personal philosophy inattaining a ne balance between successand individual fullment. His mostrecent book, In The Thinking Zone, is acollection of his thoughts and reectionsthrough a series of quotations aimed athelping readers adopt a healthy attitudein dealing with day-to-day situations.

    Eswaran divides his time between HongKong, Malaysia, London, and Sydney andprovides strategic direction for the QIGroups growth and global expansion.

    To learn more about him and toread his blog, please visit his websitewww.vijayeswaran.com

    LEADERSHIP Vijay EswaranExecutive ChairmanQI Group of Companies

    Vijay Eswaran, the Executive Chairman of the QI Groupof Companies, is a man of multiple talents: a visionaryentrepreneur, a talented author, and a renowned speaker.

    His lifes journey commenced rather unconventionally, when at the age of nine,he left home to live in an ashram in the mountains of the Philippines until he was 17.Since then, Bismark has actively pursued an innate thirst for knowledge, andexcelled in his various interests as a vedic philosopher, yoga instructor, bonsaimaster, tai chi coach, a classical musician and even a martial arts exponent.

    A founding director of the QI Group, Bismark assumed the role of Group ManagingDirector in December 2008. His open and consultative management style is anchoredaround the tenets of his vedic philosophies.

    A philanthropist at heart, Bismark is also a rm believer in spiritual growth acquiredthrough meaningful service to humankind and devotes a signicant part of his timeto the activities of RYTHM Foundation - the Corporate Social Responsibility arm ofthe QI Group.

    Bismark is currently based in Singapore, from where he oversees the QI Groupsbusiness operations.

    To share his musings and reections on life, visit his blog at www.gemsofwisdom.com

    Joseph BismarkGroup Managing DirectorQI Group of Companies

    Joseph Bismark, the Managing Director of the QI Group is atalented, dynamic and versatile leader, who lives by the adageeveryone has the potential to do extraordinary things.

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    GUIDING VALUES

    At the core of this unity was the inspiration of one man. A man whose teachings the

    ounding team unanimously admired. A man whose teachings changed an entire generation,ong before technology turned the world into a global village. That man was no other thanhe great Mahatma Gandhi.

    He had inspired a new generation of leaders, from Martin Luther King to Mandela to Aungan Suu Kyi. So perhaps it was apt that the four pillars of QI Group are derived from his

    eachings.

    ruth, Service, Care and Raising Oneself lies at the heart of all that we do. Inspired byandhi, they are meddled into the mettle of leadership that is being built at QI.

    RUTHWe believe that the rst thing people should care to know

    the truth about themselves. Only then can they have theesire to change. This value translates itself into ouraining programmes, literature and all our communication.

    We also constantly attempt to set higher standards of thepplication of truth in all that we do.

    ERVICEhe second pillar is a fundamental value weaved into thebric of our organisation. In-Service is a tagline inculcated

    to all our companies and departments, all the way toustomer service. It is a statement of pride, as we believeat it is more than just a philosophy. It is a value that lives

    onstantly at every moment of all our lives.

    AREhis value takes life in the form of the RYTHM Foundation.

    We care for the communities where we live, operate and dousiness in. We work hand in hand with local communities etting up free hospitals, providing medical care, homes fore underprivileged, shelters for women or even ground

    upport during disasters.

    Care, as per Gandhis teachings, is not just limited to fellowhuman beings. His concept of ahimsa can mean non-violencebut in a broader sense, it also means that all l ife is sacred.

    At QI, we embrace this teaching by practicing vegetarianism,just as Gandhi did. But it is more than just a food choice,lifestyle statement or health preference. It is our statementthat all Life is Sacred.

    RYTHM

    It stands for Raise Yourself To Help Mankind and is the mostimportant pillar and mission of the QI Group. In all its forms,RYTHM is about recreating the message of Gandhi. It is ourcorporate heartbeat that fuels our growth and it denes thepurpose of our existence. Most of all, it continuously propelsus towards higher goals.

    These core values are the pillars that hold the QI Grouptogether and help it ourish. It brings us together, regardless oflanguage, culture, creed or stature. It gives us a common goal to achieve RYTHM. Its the special magic that we attribute toMahatma Gandhi. And at QI, this special magic has perpetuallyweaved its own brand of miracles amongst everyone in our family.

    n 1998, the QI Group was born from a diverse group of peopleof different nationalities and cultures united by a vision. It was aision to create something that would change the lives of people

    everywhere. And in spite of their diversity, a common value systemheld them together and guided their road ahead.

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    ifestyle and Leisure

    Is lifestyle division embraces the concept of living life toe fullest. We believe that work and play should co-exist,

    nd good times spent together can bring both family andiends closer.

    BUSINESS LINES

    Training and ConferenceManagement

    The V is QIs training arm that consists

    of a professional team of trainersoffering customised training andsupport to international entrepreneursthrough global marketing events,network management and developmentprogrammes.

    The Vs agship event is the V-Convention.The largest global event within theGroup, it converges participants fromover 30 countries for an intensefour-day training programme.

    To date, The V has organised 12 highlysuccessful V-Conventions in variousEast African and Asian capitals.Smaller scale regional conventionsare organised at least once a monthin different parts of the world.

    Luxury and Collectibles

    Qatana is QIs luxury and collectibles division that has acollection of brands considered to be the worlds best-keptsecrets in terms of product excellence and artisanship.

    For example, CIMIER timepieces are known for theirtechnology and handcrafted designs. Meanwhile, CHAIROSwatches are renowned for their fashionable, sporty designsthat complement a modern lifestyle.

    Other brands include Bernhard H. Mayer, specialisingin manufacturing high-quality jewellery and timepiecesfor a discerning clientele. JR Mayer Collections isinternationally recognised as one of the worlds leadingnumismatic companies, minting an exclusive range ofcoins and medallions.

    Armed with foresight, innovation and a collection ofprestigious brands, Qatana is poised to make a lastingimpression in the luxury goods sector.

    Direct Selling - E-commerce

    Direct selling is a key business of the Group. Operating onan e-commerce platform, we provide customers with adiverse range of products and services that help them build aninnovative and self-efcient business.

    QuestNet is our agship subsidiary with a network marketingbusiness model that supports Independent Representatives(IRs) and retail customers with a structured trainingprogramme, marketing seminars and conferences. We armthem with essential tools to facilitate a start-up business.

    Today, we have more than ve million IRS and retailcustomers operating globally.

    Telecommunications

    Following the acquisition of an independent UK-based

    telecommunications provider, QI has positioned itselfstrategically to penetrate the European telecom industry.

    Our investment provides end-to-end services tailoredto meet the requirements of internationaltelecommunications network operators and enterprises.These include systems integration, engineering servicesand advanced telco solutions.

    The teams industry knowledge of new and emergingtechnologies plus its competitive rates will go a long waytowards strengthening our presence in this area.

    Property Development

    From luxury villas to holiday resorts and hotels, QI is alsoaggressively investing in property development.

    Our team works closely with prominent architects anddevelopment consultants. This venture has enabled us tobegin work in developing high-end residential propertiestargeted at discerning investors and homeowners.

    Today, the fruits of this labour can be found in the Groupsagship development, a 167-acre luxury resort nestled inKuala Rompin in Peninsular Malaysia.

    Which is why Q Lifestyle offers a wide range of servicessuch as vacation club memberships, hotels and holidayresorts, spas and wellness centres, leisure travel, andentertainment. They all provide opportunities for people torelax, unwind and have a good time.

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    Luxury Timepiece Manufacturing

    When QI acquired CIMIER, an 85-year old watch manufacturerbased in Zug, Switzerland, the acquisition facilitated the full

    cycle of in-house design of its luxury timepieces, including otherexclusive brands in the stable Bernhard H. Mayer , CHAIROS,and the coin timepiece series produced under the JR MayerCollections label.

    QIs luxury timepiece manufacturing division adopts an integratedproduction ow management under the strict supervision ofskilled artisans. Each timepiece offers the best in performanceand value for future generations.

    At QI, we believe that growing is an essentialpart of existing. Which is why we are constantlyexpanding organically into various new segmentsthrough strategic investments around the world.

    QI Asset Management is the mergers andacquisitions arm of the QI Group. It serves thenancial needs of the groups subsidiaries andexplores new business opportunities for thegroup locally and internationally. QI AssetManagement also provides the groups newlyestablished companies with a broad range ofnancial services specially tailored to theirneeds, including business loans, credit, andnancial management.

    RECENT INVESTMENTS

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    Lifestyle Hotels and Resorts

    Lifestyle Resort in Thailand

    QI recently renovated a ve-star resort rechristened as PranaResorts & Spa, a multimillion-dollar investment in one ofThailands most popular holiday destinations, Koh Samui.

    QIs newest jewel in the crown is the worlds rst internationalhotel chain to embrace vegetarianism and is also home to a

    world-class, all-vegetarian restaurant, Amala Restaurant.The resort also houses the Amezcua Wellness Centre, a QIsubsidiary and award-winning health spa. The environmentally-conscious resort runs on solar power with green conservationprogrammes that revolve around the practice and ideology ofwellness from within.

    Travel Agency

    The launch of Bonvo Travel heralded a new beginning for QIin the travel, resort and vacation industry.

    Bonvo Travel is a premier, full-edged travel agency thatprovides comprehensive and personalised travel services.Registered with the Singapore Tourism Board, Bonvos threedivisions include Bonvo Corporate, Bonvo Conferences andBonvo Channel Sales, which involves the distribution of travel

    products through reward and redemption programmes.

    Beach Resort Suites in Patong, ThailandQI has invested in a number of suites within the PatongTower Condominium in Thailands vibrant beachside holidaydestination, Patong. The investment allows thousands ofmembers of the companys subsidiary, QVI Club, to embracethe idyllic beach playground with access to luxury rooms inone of the few high-rise resorts in Patong.

    ENT INVESTMENTS

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    Eco Tourism in Malaysia

    With expertise in the leisure and hospitality industry,QI has now embarked on its most ambitious project:a 167-acre luxury resort in Kuala Rompin. The plannedresort, costing an estimated US$28.1 million, isdesigned to allow visitors to appreciate Kuala Rompinsnatural beauty.

    The resort, featuring a combination of beachfrontvillas and bungalows, is advantageously planned

    to promote eco-tourism. Phase One of the project

    will see the development of 14 acres of the propertyhousing 200 rooms, cluster villas, and a spa managedby QIs Amezcua Wellness Centre. Other attractionsplanned include an innity pool facing the SouthChina Sea and a beautiful scenic view of the riverwater owing from the 200 million-year old RompinForest Reserve.

    Wellness Health Spas

    The Amezcua Wellness Centre was born with the aimof directing QIs already strong standing in the wellnessindustry into a luxury chain of health spas.

    Every Amezcua Wellness Centre offers a comprehensiveapproach to health care, combining integrative screeningprocedures, wellness therapies, spa treatments andtness activities.

    The development of the health spas has proved to behighly fruitful, with phenomenal growth that has garneredaccolades, namely two consecutive nominations asMedi-Spa of the Year in the Baccarat AsiaSpa Awards2008 and 2007, where Amezcua shares top billing with theregions nest players in the industry.

    Such recognition has come with commendations forAmezcuas implementation of high quality standards and

    innovation, unique business concept, the use of purelynatural ingredients and treatments and service excellence.

    ENT INVESTMENTS RECENT INVESTMENTS

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    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    Member of Commonwealth Business Council

    The QI Group is a member of the CommonwealthBusiness Council (CBC). The CBC provides leadershipin increasing international trade and investmentow, creating new business opportunities,promoting good governance and corporate socialresponsibility. It helps integrate developing

    countries into the global market and is the voiceof the private sector in the commonwealth andbeyond. It plays a crucial role in bridging the gapbetween the public and private sector, smalland large businesses, and developed anddeveloping markets.

    Based in London, it has an extensive rapportwith the 53 Commonwealth governments,giving members a unique opportunity fordialogue with these governments. It hasbeen working with governments and theprivate sector to stimulate the investmentclimate, contributing to some impressiveeconomic growth achievements.

    The extensive range of internationalconferences, forums, special receptionsand focused working groups give ampleopportunity for members to discuss issuesof common interest. QI joins other ill ustriousCBC members such as Standard CharteredBank, MTN Group, Coca-Cola, Virgin Atlanticand more.

    Mr Richard Zinkiewicz, Director ofInternational Operations, and Mr VijayEswaran, Executive Chairman,presenting the CHOGM Medallion toPresident Museveni of Uganda.

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    East Africa International Business Forum

    With its expanding business investments in Africa, QI sponsoredthe East Africa International Business Forum (EAIBF)2008 organised by the Commonwealth Business Council inassociation with the Government of the Republic of Rwanda.

    The EAIBF provided various Heads of Government, seniorministers and prominent business leaders from all over theworld with networking opportunities and active participationin various round-table sessions.

    QI was acknowledged and recognised as a potential investor,alongside other international investors from the UnitedStates, Germany and France, in assisting to improve theinvestment climate in East Africa.

    Mr Vijay Eswaran, Executive Chairmanwith President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

    Director of Investment Management,Mr Kuna Senathirajah with PresidentPaul Kagame of Rwanda, at EAIBF.

    TRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    ommonwealth Heads of GovernmentMeeting (CHOGM)

    HOGM is the summit featuring heads of government froml Commonwealth nations. It meets every two years toscuss matters of common interest, development policies,

    nd advance initiatives to benet the Commonwealthsiscellaneous membership.

    2007, QuestNet was accredited by CHOGM as a partner fore summits commemorative medallion programme and asForum sponsor at the Commonwealth Business Forum.

    he forum focused on the African continent as a burgeoningommonwealth investment destination. The positivenvironment for networking and the support of Africanaders encouraged QI to become one of the rst foreignvestors to expand its business services in Africa.

    The Arab-Americas-Asia-Africa Business Summit

    The Arab-Americas-Asia-Africa (AAAA) Business Summitexamines the role of South-South Cooperation for GreaterEconomic Growth.

    Amidst the global nancial crisis, the 2009 Summit in Dubaiaddressed the role of new economic factors in emergingeconomies in driving development and wealth creation.

    QI was the Principal Sponsor of the summit. Some key topicsincluded how emerging nations can increase investmentinows, trade and capacity in sectors that allow them tocreate a sustainable competitive advantage. It also addressedthe subject of nancing for infrastructure development,as well as resource mobilisation, managing food price risesand the role of businesses in supporting the United NationsMillennium Development Goals (MDGS) Call to Action.

    With the current economic crunch and realignment of theaxis of power, the third world is indeed coming into its own.Hence, South-South cooperation is more signicant than ithas ever been. As a global company based out of Asia,with key markets in Middle East and Africa, QIs support ofthe AAAA Summit is in line with its strategic vision.

    B.H. Mayers Mint in Germany

    The Mayer Mint is a private master mint founded by BernardH. Mayer in Pforzheim, Germany in 1871. B.H. Mayer haddedicated his time to collecting knowledge in minting,precious metals and production, later using it to developMayer Mints reputation as Europes Finest Privately OwnedMint. It was even the ofcial manufacturer of medallions for

    the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.

    Today, it boasts 5 generations of experience in the goldrelated industry and the manufacturing of exquisite jewelleryand timepieces.

    QI has a strategic partnership with B.H Mayers Mint and hasproduced coin programmes for institutions such as the Foodand Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), theRoyal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and the Central Bank ofOman, among others.

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    Ambition is the tool that all leaders use to lead others to excel.Business is a very human endeavour. Innovative business leaders

    ecognise that successful brands are built by people creativeemployees, loyal customers and committed partnerships.

    With optimism and a carefully constructed business plan, QI sethe stage globally by shaping its prole pragmatically. The game

    plan feed the entrepreneurial calling of individuals with a solidsupport system was a win-win proposition.

    QI, which literally translated from Taoism means energy of life, fosters a positivecorporate image by investing in meaningful socio-civic projects and sponsorshipprogrammes collaboratively with international organisations.

    Today, QI supports a multitude of successful business ventures with a single-mindedvision: To champion a global village of entrepreneurs with proper guidance, counsel,training, support and patronage.

    BUILDING A GLOBAL BRAND

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    SHOWCASING CREATIVITY

    International Timepiece Exhibitions

    Entrepreneurial companies like QI often maintain a diversied portfolio of assets and enjoyprotable and synergistic relationships that complement the business as a whole.

    Since 2006, QI has attended Baselworld in Switzerland. Which is commonlyacknowledged as the top-ranked timepiece trade show and birthplace of new trends,attracting the nest lu xury timepiece manufacturers.

    When the company unveiled its newest acquisition, Swiss timepiece brand CIMIER,at Baselworld 2008, it was accorded luxury status. CIMIER distinguished itself with astellar collection of ladies timepieces and its exclusive Seven Seas collection.

    BUILDING A GLOBAL BRAND

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    International Coin Exhibitions

    QIs strategic partnership with B.H. Mayers Mint in Germanyexpanded business opportunities for both companies on aglobal scale.

    The ability to control, monitor and maintain the highest levelsof manufacturing excellence has seen QIs numismaticcompany, JR Mayer Collections, displaying ne quality coinsand medallions in major coin exhibitions around the world tomuch acclaim.

    QI representatives unfailingly attend the Worlds Fair ofMoney coordinated by the American Numismatic Association(ANA). And over the years, QI has exhibited its exquisite coin

    collection at numerous events:

    1999 PresentWorlds Fair of Money, American Numismatic Association(ANA) Congress, USA

    1999Beijing Numismatic Coin Congress

    2000Basel Coin Convention, SwitzerlandGuangzhou Numismatic Coin Congress, China

    2001Asian Coin Convention, Singapore

    2002Kuala Lumpur Money Fair, Malaysia

    200317th Singapore International Coin Show, SingaporeSingapore Collectible Fair, Singapore

    2004Beijing International Coin Exposition, China

    2006World Money Fair Berlin, Germany

    2007World Money Fair Berlin, GermanyBeijing International Coin Exposition, China

    2008World Money Fair Berlin, GermanyBeijing International Coin Exposition, China

    BUILDING A GLOBAL BRAND

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    QI-IBF

    QIs pledge to help build champions was also extended tobadminton. QIs title sponsorship of the Badminton WorldChampionships held in Birmingham, England, in 2003 andin Madrid, Spain, in 2006 capitalised on the companyscommitment to the pursuit of excellence.

    It afrmed our belief in empowering individuals by creatingopportunities for athletes and encouraging the spirit ofcamaraderie and friendly rivalry.

    Samba in Switzerland

    Once every four years, the whole world engages in a showlike no other the FIFA World Cup. In 2006, QI got into theaction by sponsoring the Samba in Switzerland football campfor the Brazilian world football championship team.

    The football camp served as a resource in improving the game

    at grassroots level with underprivileged young and aspiringfootballers. The sponsorship also coincided with QIs launchactivities in the Brazilian market.

    eam QI-Meritus

    the science of building a brand is an art, then motor racinga spectacle of sight, speed and sound that can propel a

    rand to greater heights.

    I pursued motor sports with a resolute mission: To promotee QI brand globally. In 2006, QI allied itself with thealaysian-based Team Meritus to become its title sponsor.year later, QI sponsored Team Meritus for the Formula BMWacic series under the teams new ofcial name: QI-Meritus.

    2008, new drivers joined Team QI-Meritus.Mahara (the solell-edged Asian team) for the GP2 Series in Asia and theiddle East. GP2, commonly referred to as the training ground F1, opened its second season in Shanghai before moving Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and Malaysia.

    Mr Vijay Eswaran, Executive Chairman,presenting soccer superstar Ronaldinhowith an exclusive watch from theBernhard H. Mayer collection.

    Tun Abdullah Badawi, former PrimeMinister of Malaysia, and Mr KunaSenathirajah, Director of InvestmentManagement, ofciating a GP2 event.

    NURTURING CHAMPIONS Disney On Ice

    Since 2005, QI has been bringing thehighly popular Disney On Ice (DOI) showsto Asia, transporting children andfamilies to magical landscapes withThe Lion King, Cinderella, Peter Panand The Little Mermaid.

    In 2009, QI continued its relationshipwith DOI with the spectacular PrincessWishes series that beautifully recreatesthe moments when the wishes of seven

    popular Disney princesses are fullled.Each Disney production is an unforgettableevent, with its high-energy music,glittering sets and dramatic choreography.

    Holiday On Ice

    Charged with the success of Disney On Ice,QI presented the worlds undisputed leaderin ice entertainment, Holiday On Ice.For more than 60 years, Holiday On Icehas captivated audiences around theworld. The show, reputedly the worldslargest touring live entertainmentproduction, averages a tour of 110 citiesacross 20 countries annually.

    And in 2005, appreciative audiencesin Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta,Singapore, and Hong Kong were treatedto a breathtaking show after a 17-yearhiatus in Asia.

    International Concerts

    Rap and rock and business? QIs ventureinto music concert sponsorship is part ofa larger investment to raise awarenessof its various business entities and totransition its corporate prole to a younggeneration of future entrepreneurs.

    In 2007, QuestNet sponsored theMalaysian leg of rap superstar Akonsconcert. And in 2008, the baby boomergeneration was treated to a concert bymultiple Grammy Award-winning Toto,in conjunction with the Formula Oneseason.

    QI has also invested in promoting localartists in various countries, including aconcert headlined by up-and-comingIranian artists at the Iranian New Yearcelebrations in Dubai in 2007.

    Shaolin Warriors

    QIs crowning glory in the performing artswas its 2006 sponsorship of the ShaolinWarriors debut in Hong Kong. ShaolinWarriors is a theatrical performancebased on the lives of Shaolin monks.The show covered a remarkable Kung Fudisplay, the Buddhist meditation customand martial arts training during thecoldest and hottest times of the year.

    The Shaolin Warriors toured from 2000 to2004 and earned rave reviews in China,Australia, North America and New Zealand.Audiences were delighted with theiracrobatic skills and came away with abetter understanding of the doctrines ofthe Unity of Zen and Martial Arts.

    Mr JR Mayer, Director of Business Development,presenting an exclusive Bernhard H. Mayer watchto Hip Hop superstar Akon in Malaysia.

    ENTERTAINING ASIA

    BUILDING A GLOBAL BRAND

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    Since its inception, philanthropy has been part of QIs DNA, and theconcept of RYTHM (Raise Yourself To Help Mankind) is the guidingprinciple in all that we do.

    After years of providing aid and donations to worthwhile causes,QI established the RYTHM Foundation to serve as the companysCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm.

    Fondly referred to as QIs corporate heartbeat, RYTHM Foundations the enabler of the Groups charitable endeavours and representsQIs spirit, compassion and dedication to serving the communities inwhich it operates around the world.

    CORPORATE HEARTBEAT

    The aim of the RYTHM Foundation is tocontribute to the sustainable economicdevelopment of communities andhelp improve peoples quality of life.It is not merely about implementing aplatform, but more critically, it is aboutdemonstrating impact, measuring it andcommunicating an evocative message.

    QI works in alliance with a number ofinternational institutions, foundationsand socio-civic groups such as theSoedirman Hospital in Indonesia, theWorld Fellowship of Buddhist Youth, theFull Gospel Business Mens FellowshipInternational and the Food and AgricultureOrganisation of the United Nations.

    As an inherent part of its corporatepolicy, QI also practices and promotesvegetarianism as a means to raisingawareness of the benets of a healthyvegetarian diet. Vegetarian meals areserved at all QI corporate events andfunctions.

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    he focus of RYTHM Foundation spreadscross four key concerns:

    The promotion of education.The reduction and ultimately, elimination of poverty.Protection and care for the environment.Providing disaster relief.

    RYTHM (Raise Yourself To Help Mankind) ishe driving force that propels QI. The RYTHM

    Foundation is a charitable trust registered inHong Kong designed to serve as a code of beliefhat transcends every strata of the company.

    The Foundation works in concert with a wide cross-sectionof partners governments, charity foundations, the privatesector and non-prot organisations in accelerating themomentum, scale and sustainability of change. In criticalsituations, it acts as a catalyst between generous partnersand the underprivileged.

    The Hong Kong Council of Social Services (HKCSS) recentlyawarded RYTHM Foundation the Caring Company Logo for thethird consecutive year. The award is given to Hong Kong-basedcompanies in appreciation of the initiatives demonstratinggood corporate citizenship.

    The scope of assistance, support and rehabilitationadministered by RYTHM Foundation goes beyond merelysigning cheques. The Foundation members live and breathetheir responsibility to mankind.

    For example, the Foundations manager lives within thePhilippine squatter community of Taguig to help oversee theongoing work of RYTHM Foundation within the community,administering free nutritious meals, providing education andensuring the sustainability of the community. Plus, all QIsubsidiaries engage in routine charitable initiatives, in whichemployees give to the needy of their own community, visitcharities and bring n ecessities and joy.

    The RYTHM Foundation has undertaken numerous projectsand initiatives all over the world.

    Projects in the Philippines

    When typhoons ruined parts of Luzon, the RYTHM Foundationwas among the rst to respond. PHP 1 million was donated tothe ABS-CBN Foundation for its Sagip Kapamilya project asrelief aid for 75,000 families in 88 areas in the affected regions.

    To meet societal needs, the Foundation, through its globaltechnology subsidiary Quest Technologies, also raised fundsfor schoolchildren in Mindanao. It sponsored the Gitara, Lapis,Atbp project, an educational campaign to send impoverishedchildren to elementary school, spearheaded by the PhilippinesBusiness For Social Progress.

    The Foundations donation and nancial aid from privatedonors also enabled us to improve the academic performanceof children in The Taguig Project which supported 60 childrento attend non-prot private schools with full scholarships.

    The project focused on supporting the development of schoolstowards self-sustainability, alleviating poverty of the squattercommunity, enhancing community-building initiatives andimproving health needs of the Taguig community in Metro Manila.

    Support for the African Nation of Uganda

    RYTHM Foundation recently made three separate donations tothree worthy charity organisations of the Republic of Uganda,totalling USD 30,000.

    The donations were the beginning of an ongoing commitmentto improve the lives of Africans and assist the continentsdevelopment.

    The three charities to benet from the donations were HerMajesty Queen Sylvia Nagginda of Bugandas NnabagerekaDevelopment Trust Foundation; Her Excellency, Mrs JanetMuseveni, the First Lady of Ugandas UWESO (UgandanWomens Effort to Save Orphans) Foundation; and Think Tankof the Makerere University Private Sector Forum, under thepatronage of Governor Emmanuel Mutebile of Bank of Uganda.

    Mr Vijay Eswaran, Executive Chairman, presenting a token to Her Majesty QueenSylvia Nagginda of Buganda

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    Helping to spread goodness in Sri Lanka

    he Foundation is a supporter of the Foundation of Goodness in Sri Lanka, which works inhe region in and around the village of Seenigama, a two-hour drive from Colombo. In 2004,he tsunami deluged the village and since then, The Foundation has been working with localupporters to rebuild the region.

    2009, the Foundation also partnered with the FoundationGoodness in sponsoring the Village Heartbeat project. The

    roject aims to address the key areas of need in the ruralommunity. These include learning English, computer training,braries, womens enterprise, youth developments, childrensoodness clubs and a cottage for volunteers who are willing tohare their expertise and help develop the village.

    he Foundation has since made a signicant donation towardsis community and also the 30 sectors currently serving 20,000eneciaries from 25 villages in the Seenigama region.

    upport for Autistic Children in Hong Kong

    YTHM Foundations long-term association with the Rainbowroject in Hong Kong has helped the special education needs autistic children.

    team from QuestNet, under the auspices of the Foundation,articipates in Rainbow Trek, the 25km fundraising walk alonge trail starting from the famous Hong Kong Peak. In 2006,KD 50,000 was raised by the Foundation.

    he Foundation has also raised funds for a new classroomr autistic children at Island School. More recently, it alsoonated to the Rainbow Project for a new classroom at aecondary school in the New Territories.

    Mr Richard Zinkiewicz, Director ofInternational Operations, (left photo)and Ms Donna Imson, Director ofNetwork Affairs and RYTHM FoundationTrustee, (right photo) supporting thechildren of the Rainbow Project. Mr Bernhard H. Mayer, RYTHM

    Foundation Trustee, presenting acheque to UNICEF.

    Mr Magandran Rajadurai, Director ofFinance And Administration, presenting awheelchair at a Blood Donation Camp.

    Mr Joseph Bismark, Group Managing Director, and Ms Donna Imson, Director of NetworkAffairs, presenting a cheque to First Lady Madam Bunrani Hun Sen of Cambodia.

    Projects in India

    Through integrated partnerships with philanthropic institutionsand QIs Indian subsidiary, QuestNet India, RYTHM Foundationsupports various charities in India. This includes the SivasakthiHome for Mentally Challenged Children in Chennai. The Foundationalso administers annual fundraising events in aid of the Home.

    Most recently, RYTHM Foundation supported UNICEFs commitmentin helping the victims and survivors of the 2008 fatal oods inNorth Bihar (India). The enormity of the devastation is ongoing,with almost 4.57 million people displaced and infrastructuredestroyed. Long-term and sustainable action is crucial to theood-ravaged community.

    Hence, RYTHM Foundations Trustee personally met withrepresentatives of UNICEF Bihar to present USD 30,000 insupport of its emergency programmes. Presently, the Foundationalso continues to work with UNICEF towards similar relief andsupport programmes in the state.

    In 2005, the RYTHM Foundation made a cash donation to the FirstSecretary of the Social Republic of Vietnam in Cambodia and thePresident of the Vietnamese Association based in Cambodia.

    The donation was in support of more than 200 Vietnamese andCambodian families who had lost their homes and properties in abushre in the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

    The Foundations trustees also presented a cheque to First LadyMadam Bunrani Hun Sen, the Chairperson of the Red Cross inCambodia, for projects undertaken by the voluntary organisationin rural Cambodia.

    Support in Vietnam and Cambodia

    RYTHM FOUNDATION

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    December 2005, the region was left battered by a tsunamiith far and destructive consequences. But in its aftermath,e RYTHM Foundation executed an action plan to assist in the

    ecovery and rehabilitation of these disaster-stricken countries.

    mobilised a team of volunteers to Sri Lankas coastal areasith relief material and nancial aid. The Foundation alsoommitted USD 1 million for long-term rehabilitation projects.

    Thailand, it raised much-needed funds and provided relieforkers with clothes, medical supplies, and necessities. Theoundation also donated THB 10 million to the Thai Primeinisters Disaster Relief Fund for relief operations in six

    oastal provinces.

    Is Indian subsidiary, QuestNet India, also raised fundsrough the Rupee-for-Rupee campaign to buy clothes,edical supplies and food for the affected. QuestNet India

    ontributed an equal amount for every Rupee contributed bycustomer or an employee for the campaign.

    Indonesia, where the tsunamis effect was at its worse,nds raised from QI customers and employees were donated a development organisation working on the rehabilitation victims in the Banda Aceh area, the village nearest to the

    picentre of the earthquake.

    sunami Rehabilitation in Southeast Asia Earthquake Relief in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

    When an earthquake hit central Java in 2006, the Foundationlet its actions do the talking. Volunteers were sent to Yogyakartato set up relief camps and provide victims with food, blankets,medical supplies and essentials. It also made a donation tothe Sultan of Yogyakarta for rehabilitation projects.

    Ms Donna Imson, RYTHM FoundationTrustee, distributing essential items at arelief camp in Yogyakarta.

    Mr. Bernhard H. Mayer, RYTHM FoundationTrustee visiting Yogyakarta relief camp.

    A pledge to young ones

    One of QI Groups underlying beliefs is that children are asacred part of our future and hence, deserve the right to growup in a safe and supportive environment. In conjunction withits 11th year anniversary celebration, the QI Group, under theQuestNet Pays Forward Programme and RYTHM Foundation,formed a two-year commitment with World Vision, a non-protchild-focused emergency, relief, development and advocacyorganisation, to provide 121 impoverished children in 11countries with education opportunities, health care and supportsystems. This, to date, is the most wide-spread corporatepartnership in the history of World Vision.

    Leveraging on World Visions advanced local-level knowledgeand support infrastructure, RYTHM Foundation was able toidentify 11 children in poverty-stricken conditions from 11 ofthe programmes targeted countries and donate USD 110,000for their benet. The targeted countries are Ethiopia, Sri Lanka,Tajikistan, Indonesia and India, just to name a few.

    This uniquely designed programme is tailored to meet thespecic needs of each child, and ensures that all participantsare actively engaged in its planning and implementation, sothat the beneciaries get the most out of the sponsorship.This helps foster self-sufciency within the community, and alsoensures the long-term sustainability of the benets resultingfrom the sponsorship, even long after it ends.

    Aiding typhoon victims in The Philippines

    The world watched in horror as Typhoon Ondoy (recognisedby international code name, Ketsana), packed with maximumwind speeds of up to 110 kph, brought a months rain in lessthan seven hours, ooding 80 percent of Metro Manila and nearbyprovinces, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

    With water levels rising, time was short, and ood victims werefar too many. RYTHM Foundation, recognising the severity ofthe situation after receiving word that many QI employees andcustomers in The Philippines were among the severely affected,hurriedly responded to World Visions urgent call for help bysetting up a Typhoon Ondoy 5-5-5 Emergency Fund under theQuestNet Pays Forward Programme. Under this program, adonation of 5,000 Pesos covers the emergency relief needs ofa family of 5 for 5 days.

    The appeal for contributions resulted in generous donationspouring in from QI employees and Independent Representativesfrom across the globe.

    Trustees and volunteers from RYTHM Foundation joined WorldVision as they conducted relief response by air to reach 20,000families in the hardest hit areas of Marikina, Pasig, Rizal andCainta. World Vision, in partnership with the Philippine CoastGuard and the Local Government Unit, was the rst NGOto provide airlifted relief goods to the hundreds of familiestrapped on their rooftops without food or water, after theirhomes had been wrecked or submerged by the violent storm.

    The Foundation also provided aid in many other ways;volunteers were deployed to set up a help desk and collectrelief goods for distribution to evacuation centres, doctors fromthe Amezcua Wellness Centre were sent on medical missionsto treat the injured, and the QI Groups facilities were openedup to the public as shelter, and as a place to treat the wounded.While the storm had swept away homes and loved ones, ourvolunteers worked tirelessly to bring ashore one thing thatwould help these victims rebuild their l ives hope.

    Partnerships with World Vision

    RYTHM FOUNDATION

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    Executive Chairman of the QI Group,Vijay Eswaran, established the VijayaratnamFoundation as the Malaysian Chapter ofhe RYTHM Foundation to continue the

    philanthropic activities started 60 years ago

    by his father, Mr. S. Vijayaratnam.he Foundation has close ties with theYTHM Foundation but works on andependent mission: Empowering Lives,ransforming Communities.

    he Foundation focuses on buildinguman capital and is committed to theocial empowerment of individuals, help them raise themselves and

    ontribute to their families, communitiesnd society. It creates these positivehanges by:

    Developing and implementing its ownprojects.

    Giving grants to civil societies thatadhere to the Foundations missionof enhancing human capital andcapacity building.

    Collaborations with the public sector,private sector, civil society andphilanthropic community.

    The Foundation focuses on threemain areas: education, communitydevelopment and arts and culture.

    In support of the arts

    The Foundation works closely with the Temple of Fine Artsin Malaysia to sponsor various cultural events in the country.Some of the key projects have included a musical eveningwith World Music Exponent Prem Joshua and a dance andmusic extravaganza titled JumpStart which was a collaborationbetween Malaysian and international artistes.

    Empowering individuals through education

    Rescue Project

    This project with the Hindu Youth Organisation (HYO) in PortKlang focuses on underachieving secondary school students.The Foundation supports the project by empowering, assistingand motivating these students to improve and fulll theirpotential. RESCUE stands for Realise, Empower, Self-Esteem,Committed, United and Education, and these are the corevalues of the programme. RESCUE identies underachieversat the Form 1 level and administers various empowerment andacademic programmes for them every Friday evening at theHYO hostel. This programme is designed to run over a periodof three years and will help these students build themselves

    holistically.

    In partnership with the Education Welfare & ResearchFoundation (EWRF)

    The EWRF is a non-prot, voluntary organisation founded in1979. Its C3G Skills Training Initiative aims to create awarenessof the skills training opportunities available to Malaysian youthand encourage their participation in these trainings.

    Vijayaratnam Foundation jointly funded the initiative along withAstro Vanavil and the MCEF.

    Education Loans

    As of 2009, the Foundation has awarded education loans worthover RM1.5 million to deserving students all over the country tostudy for professional degrees in International Universities.

    Building and empowering communities

    Projects in collaboration with TV3 Bersamamu

    In partnership with TV3, the Foundation has assisted numerousfamilies and individuals via the TV channels Bersamamuinitiative. Volunteers from Vijayaratnam Foundation havevisited families of those in need to assess their needs andprovide the necessary support. TV3 has lmed all the activitiesinvolved in this outreach programme for broadcast on localnews networks.

    CSR with Questnet Malaysia

    Under the QuestNet Pays Forward Programme, and inassociation with QuestNet Malaysia, Vijayaratnam Foundationsponsored tickets for 600 children from various orphanages inSelangor and Kuala Lumpur, providing them with a chance towatch the GP2 race held at the Sepang International Circuit.The Foundation also sponsored tickets for 40 children fromRumah Kasih in Petaling Jaya and Rumah Bakti in Ulu Kelang,to watch the Disney On Ice Princess Wishes show which wassponsored by QuestNet Malaysia in March 2009. This projectwas yet another successful effort under the QuestNet PaysForward Programme.

    KEY PROJECTS

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    Footprints Project

    This project focuses on the mentoring of 30 underprivilegedchildren from the Agathian Home and Ti-Ratana WelfareSociety. Volunteers from the QI Group and its customers inMalaysia work on a mentoring program with these childrento help guide and motivate them and help these children nda purpose in their lives.

    DLS Kindergarten Project

    This initiative will result in the building of a kindergartenmanaged by the Divine Life Society for underprivileged childrenat Batu Caves, Selangor.

    FUTURE PROJECTS

    Building and empowering communities

    Donations to charitable organisations

    The Vijayaratnam Foundation is focused on building humancapital and the social empowerment of individuals, so theycan raise themselves and contribute to the well-being of theirfamilies, communities and society at large. We believe increating positive changes by improving systems, inventing newapproaches and advancing sustainable solutions that createsocial values.

    The Foundation carries out various initiatives through its workwith the public and private sector, civil society and philanthropiccommunity. By reaching out to the grassroots, we have beenable to build ties with the community in various humanitarian

    projects. A few beneciaries of these projects include:

    Hindu Youth Organisation Port Klang Educational Welfare & Research Foundation Malaysia Klang Samaritans Persatuan Kebajikan Kasih Persatuan Mental Malaysia Yayasan Orang Kurang Upaya Yayasan Istana Abdul Aziz Geetha Ashram

    IJAYARATNAM FOUNDATION

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    55/F Bank of China Tower1 Garden RoadCentral, Hong Kong

    Tel: +852 2263 0910+852 2263 0913

    Fax: +852 2802 0961www.qi-ltd.com


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