AECI'S CHAIRMAN, IN HIS LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS IN THE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT, NOTED THAT "2009 WILL BE A CHALLENGING YEAR WITH MUCH UNCERTAINTY AND, THEREFORE, THE PRESERVATION OF CASH WILL BE A PRIORITY." THE BOARD REQUESTED THAT AECI'S MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATE ON FOUR KEY AREAS TO STEER THE COMPANY THROUGH THE ECONOMIC CRISIS. STRATEGIES IN THIS REGARD, SUMMARIES ON HOW THEY WERE APPLIED, AND THE RESULTS THEREOF, ARE PROVIDED IN THE INTRODUCTIONS TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, THE REVIEW OF OPERATIONS, CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AND THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.