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Global Corn Group Limited — AGM Information 2020
Apr 28, 2020
50915_rns_2020-04-28_429bcd2a-2513-408a-ae8a-84de6f3d4e31.pdf
AGM Information
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THIS CIRCULAR IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of this circular or as to the action to be taken, you should consult your stockbroker or other licensed securities dealer in securities, bank manager, solicitor, professional accountant or other professional adviser.
If you have sold or transferred all your shares in Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited, you should at once hand this circular and the accompanying form of proxy to the purchaser(s) or the transferee(s) or to the bank, stockbroker or licensed securities dealer or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser(s) or the transferee(s).
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this circular, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this circular.
GLOBAL SWEETENERS HOLDINGS LIMITED 大成糖業控股有限公司[*]
(incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 03889)
GRANT OF THE NEW ISSUE MANDATE AND
THE REPURCHASE MANDATE, RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
AND
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
A notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at Bauhinia Room I-II, 4th floor, The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, No. 3 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong on Wednesday, 24 June 2020 at 10:30 a.m. is set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular.
Whether or not you intend to attend the Annual General Meeting, you are requested to complete and return the accompanying form of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon to the Company’s branch share registrar and transfer office in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong as soon as possible and in any event no later than 48 hours before the time of the Annual General Meeting (i.e. at or before 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 22 June 2020 (Hong Kong time)) or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting in person at the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof should you so wish.
* for identification purposes only
29 April 2020
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Definitions............................................................................................................ | 1 |
| Letter from the Board | |
| Introduction ................................................................................................. | 3 |
| General mandate to repurchase shares .......................................................... | 4 |
| General mandate to issue shares ................................................................... | 4 |
| Re-election of Directors ............................................................................... | 5 |
| Actions to be taken ...................................................................................... | 6 |
| Voting at the Annual General Meeting ......................................................... | 6 |
| Precautionary Measures for the Annual General Meeting ............................. | 6 |
| Recommendation .......................................................................................... | 7 |
| Additional information ................................................................................. | 7 |
| Miscellaneous .............................................................................................. | 7 |
| Appendix I — Explanatory Statement on the Repurchase Mandate.......... |
8 |
| Appendix II — Details of the Directors proposed to be re-elected at |
|
| the Annual General Meeting............................................. | 12 |
| Notice of Annual General Meeting...................................................................... | 15 |
— i —
DEFINITIONS
In this circular, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings:
-
“AGM Notice”
-
the notice for convening the Annual General Meeting set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular
-
“Annual General Meeting” the annual general meeting of the Company to be convened and held on Wednesday, 24 June 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Bauhinia Room I-II, 4th floor, The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, No. 3 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
-
“Board” the board of Directors
-
“Companies Law” the Companies Law, Chapter 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands
-
“Company” Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability, the Shares of which are listed on the Stock Exchange
-
“Director(s)” the director(s) of the Company
-
“GBT” Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability, the shares of which are listed on the Stock Exchange
-
“Group” the Company and its subsidiaries
-
“Hong Kong” the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
-
“HK$” Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of Hong Kong
-
“Latest Practicable Date”
-
21 April 2020, being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this circular for ascertaining certain information herein
— 1 —
DEFINITIONS
- “Listing Rules”
the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange
-
“New Issue Mandate”
-
a general and unconditional mandate proposed to be granted to the Directors to exercise the power of the Company to allot, issue or otherwise deal with Shares up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of passing the relevant resolution at the Annual General Meeting
-
“Registrar”
-
Tricor Investor Services Limited, the Company’s branch share registrar and transfer office in Hong Kong, whose office is at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong
“Repurchase Mandate” a general and unconditional mandate proposed to be granted to the Directors to enable them to repurchase Shares, the total number of shares of the Company which shall not exceed 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of passing the relevant resolution at the Annual General Meeting
-
“SFO”
-
the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong)
-
“Share(s)” ordinary share(s) of HK$0.10 each in the share capital of the Company
-
“Shareholder(s)” holder(s) of Share(s)
-
“Stock Exchange”
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
-
“Takeovers Code”
-
the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buybacks
-
“%”
per cent.
— 2 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
GLOBAL SWEETENERS HOLDINGS LIMITED 大成糖業控股有限公司[*]
(incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 03889)
Executive Director: Mr. Zhang Zihua
Independent non-executive Directors:
Mr. Fong Wai Ho Mr. Lo Kwing Yu Mr. Wen Xia
Registered office: Cricket Square Hutchins Drive PO Box 2681 Grand Cayman KY1-1111 Cayman Islands
Head office and principal place of
business in Hong Kong: Suites 2202-4, 22nd Floor Tower 6, The Gateway 9 Canton Road Tsimshatsui, Kowloon Hong Kong 29 April 2020
To the Shareholders
Dear Sir or Madam,
GRANT OF NEW ISSUE MANDATE AND REPURCHASE MANDATE, RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
INTRODUCTION
The primary purpose of this circular is to provide you with information regarding the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting and to give you notice of the
* for identification purposes only
— 3 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
Annual General Meeting. Resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting include ordinary resolutions relating to the proposed grant of the New Issue Mandate, the Repurchase Mandate and the re-election of Directors.
GENERAL MANDATE TO REPURCHASE SHARES
At the annual general meeting held on 28 June 2019, a general mandate was given by the Company to the Directors to exercise the powers of the Company to repurchase Shares. Such mandate will lapse at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting.
At the Annual General Meeting, an ordinary resolution will be proposed that the Directors be given a general and unconditional mandate to exercise all powers of the Company to repurchase on the Stock Exchange shares of the Company, up to a maximum of 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of the passing of the ordinary resolution approving the grant of the Repurchase Mandate at the Annual General Meeting.
The Repurchase Mandate will expire: (a) at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company following the Annual General Meeting; or (b) at the end of the period within which the Company is required by the Companies Law or the memorandum and articles of association of the Company to hold its next annual general meeting; or (c) when revoked or varied by ordinary resolutions of the Shareholders in a general meeting prior to the next annual general meeting of the Company, whichever is the earliest.
An explanatory statement to provide Shareholders with all the information reasonably necessary for them to make an informed decision in relation to this proposed resolution as required by the Listing Rules is set out in Appendix I to this circular.
GENERAL MANDATE TO ISSUE SHARES
At the Annual General Meeting, an ordinary resolution will also be proposed that the Directors be given a general and unconditional mandate to allot, issue or otherwise deal with shares of the Company of up to 20% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of the passing of the ordinary resolution approving the grant of the New Issue Mandate at the Annual General Meeting. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the issued share capital of the Company comprised 1,527,586,000 Shares. Subject to the passing of the proposed resolution approving the grant of the New Issue Mandate and on the basis that no further Shares will be allotted and issued or repurchased by the Company before the Annual General Meeting, the Company will be allowed under the New Issue Mandate to issue a maximum of 305,517,200 Shares. In addition, an ordinary resolution will be proposed that the Directors be authorised to allot, issue or otherwise deal with shares of the Company in a number equal to the total number of issued shares of the Company repurchased under the Repurchase Mandate.
— 4 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
According to article 108(A) of the articles of association of the Company, not less than one-third of the Directors shall retire from office by rotation at each annual general meeting of the Company. Any Director who retires under this article shall then be eligible for re-election as Director. Mr. Fong Wai Ho and Mr. Lo Kwing Yu will retire as Directors and, all being eligible, Mr. Fong Wai Ho and Mr. Lo Kwing Yu will offer themselves for re-election as Directors at the Annual General Meeting.
In addition, pursuant to article 112 of the articles of association of the Company, any Director appointed by the Board to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional Director shall hold office only until the next following general meeting of the Company and shall then be eligible for re-election at the meeting. By virtue of article 112 of the articles of association of the Company, the office of Mr. Wen Xia will end at the Annual General Meeting. Mr. Wen Xia being eligible, will offer himself for re-election as Directors at the Annual General Meeting.
The nomination committee of the Company (the “ Nomination Committee ”) identifies individuals suitably qualified to become members of the Board and select or make recommendations to the Board on the selection of individuals nominated for directorship, the appointment or re-appointment of Directors. In recommending Mr. Fong Wai Ho, Mr. Lo Kwing Yu and Mr. Wen Xia to stand for re-election as an independent non-executive Directors, the Nomination Committee has assessed and reviewed the written confirmation of independence of Mr. Fong Wai Ho, Mr. Lo Kwing Yu and Mr. Wen Xia based on the independence criteria as set out in rule 3.13 of the Listing Rules and is satisfied that they remain independent in accordance with rule 3.13 of the Listing Rules. Based on the board diversity policy adopted by the Company, the Nomination Committee also considered that in view of their educational backgrounds and experience as set out in Appendix II to this circular, Mr. Fong Wai Ho, Mr. Lo Kwing Yu and Mr. Wen Xia will bring valuable perspectives, knowledge, skills and experiences to the Board for its efficient and effective functioning and their appointments will contribute to the diversity (in particular in terms of skills) of the Board appropriate to the requirements of the Company’s business.
Biographical information of Mr. Fong Wai Ho, Mr. Lo Kwing Yu and Mr. Wen Xia is set out in Appendix II to this circular.
— 5 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
The AGM Notice is set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular. At the Annual General Meeting, resolutions will be proposed to approve, among other matters, the following:
-
(a) to grant the Repurchase Mandate to the Directors;
-
(b) to grant the New Issue Mandate to the Directors;
-
(c) to increase the number of Shares that may be allotted, issued or otherwise dealt with under the New Issue Mandate by such number of additional Shares equal to the total number of shares of the Company repurchased under the Repurchase Mandate; and
-
(d) to approve the re-election of Directors.
Enclosed with this circular is a form of proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting. Whether or not you intend to be present at the Annual General Meeting, you are requested to complete the form of proxy and return it to the Registrar in accordance with the instructions printed thereon no less than 48 hours before the time fixed for holding the Annual General Meeting (i.e. at or before 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 22 June 2020 (Hong Kong time)) or any adjournment thereof. Completion and delivery of the form of proxy will not prevent you from attending, and voting at, the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof if you so wish.
VOTING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Pursuant to rule 13.39(4) of the Listing Rules, all votes of the Shareholders at the general meetings must be taken by poll. The chairman of the Annual General Meeting will therefore demand a poll for every resolution put to the vote of the Annual General Meeting pursuant to article 72 of the articles of association of the Company. An announcement on the poll vote results will be made by the Company after the Annual General Meeting in the manner prescribed under rule 13.39(5) of the Listing Rules.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Taking into account the recent development of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Company strongly recommends the Shareholders to appoint the chairman of the Annual General Meeting as their proxy to vote on their behalf in respect of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to minimise the risk of infection. For Shareholders attending the Annual General Meeting in person, the
— 6 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
Company will implement the following prevention and control measures at the Annual General Meeting:
-
(a) compulsory body temperature check will be conducted for every Shareholder or proxy at the entrance of the venue. Any person with a body temperature of over 37.2 degrees Celsius may be denied entry into the venue or be required to leave the venue;
-
(b) every Shareholder or proxy is required to sterilise their hands with hand sanitiser after they register their attendance at the counter at the entrance of the venue;
-
(c) every Shareholder or proxy is required to wear a surgical mask in the venue and throughout the meeting; and
-
(d) no refreshments will be served.
RECOMMENDATION
The Board considers that the ordinary resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole and recommends the Shareholders to vote in favour of such resolutions at the Annual General Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Your attention is drawn to the additional information set out in the appendices to this circular and the AGM Notice.
MISCELLANEOUS
The English text of this circular shall prevail over the Chinese text for the purpose of interpretation.
By order of the Board
Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited
Zhang Zihua
Acting Chairman
— 7 —
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
APPENDIX I
This appendix serves as an explanatory statement, as required by the Listing Rules, to provide the requisite information to enable you to make an informed decision whether to vote for or against the resolution to approve the grant of the Repurchase Mandate to the Directors.
1. LISTING RULES RELATING TO THE REPURCHASE OF SHARES
The Listing Rules permit companies whose primary listing is on the Stock Exchange to repurchase their shares on the Stock Exchange subject to certain restrictions, the most important of which is summarised below. The Company is empowered by its memorandum and articles of association to repurchase the Shares.
(a) Shareholders’ approval
The Listing Rules provide that all on-market shares repurchased by a company with its primary listing on the Stock Exchange must be approved in advance by an ordinary resolution, either by way of a general mandate or by specific approval with reference to a specific transaction.
(b) Source of funds
Repurchase must be paid out of funds legally available for the purpose and in accordance with the Company’s memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law. A listed company may not repurchase its own securities on the Stock Exchange for a consideration other than cash or for settlement otherwise than in accordance with the trading rules of the Stock Exchange. Under Cayman Islands law, repurchases by a company may only be made out of profits of the company or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose, or, if so authorised by its memorandum and articles of association and subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, out of capital. Any premium payable on a redemption or purchase over the par value of the shares to be purchased must be provided for out of profits of the company or out of the company’s share premium account, or, if so authorised by its memorandum and articles of association and subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, out of capital.
(c) Trading restrictions
Where the securities to be repurchased by a company are shares, such shares must be fully paid shares.
— 8 —
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
APPENDIX I
2. SHARE CAPITAL
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the issued share capital of the Company comprised 1,527,586,000 Shares.
Subject to the passing of the proposed resolution for the grant of the Repurchase Mandate and on the basis that no further Shares will be allotted and issued or repurchased by the Company before the Annual General Meeting, the Company will be allowed under the Repurchase Mandate to repurchase a maximum of 152,758,600 Shares, representing 10% of the total number of Shares in issue as at the Latest Practicable Date.
3. REASONS FOR THE REPURCHASE
The Directors believe that the Repurchase Mandate is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. An exercise of the Repurchase Mandate may, depending on market conditions and funding arrangements at the time, lead to an enhancement of the net asset value per Share and/or earnings per Share and will only be made if the Directors believe that such repurchases will benefit the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
4. FUNDING OF REPURCHASES
In repurchasing Shares, the Company may only apply funds legally available for such purpose in accordance with its memorandum and articles of association, the Listing Rules and the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands.
Taking into account the current working capital position of the Group, the Directors consider that, if the Repurchase Mandate were to be exercised in full, it might have a material adverse effect on the working capital and/or the gearing position of the Company as compared with the position as at 31 December 2019, being the date on which its latest published audited consolidated financial statements were made up. However, the Directors do not intend to make any repurchases to such an extent as would, in the circumstances, have a material adverse effect on the working capital requirements or the gearing position of the Company which in the opinion of the Directors are from time to time appropriate for the Company.
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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
APPENDIX I
5. SHARE PRICES
The highest and lowest prices at which the Shares have been traded on the Stock Exchange in each of the twelve calendar months immediately preceding (and including) the Latest Practicable Date were as follows:
| Highest | Lowest | |
|---|---|---|
| HK$ | HK$ | |
| 2019 | ||
| April | 0.150 | 0.111 |
| May | 0.149 | 0.101 |
| June | 0.125 | 0.098 |
| July | 0.146 | 0.097 |
| August | 0.140 | 0.080 |
| September | 0.130 | 0.100 |
| October | 0.130 | 0.109 |
| November | 0.128 | 0.109 |
| December | 0.119 | 0.088 |
| 2020 | ||
| January | 0.094 | 0.058 |
| February | 0.113 | 0.057 |
| March | 0.072 | 0.054 |
| April_(Note)_ | 0.070 | 0.067 |
Note: up to the Latest Practicable Date
6. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS AND MINIMUM PUBLIC HOLDING
None of the Directors or, to the best of their knowledge, having made all reasonable enquiries, their close associates (as defined in the Listing Rules), have any present intention to sell any Shares to the Company if the Repurchase Mandate is approved at the Annual General Meeting and exercised.
The Directors have undertaken to the Stock Exchange that, so far as the same may be applicable, they will exercise the power of the Company to make purchases of the Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate in accordance with the Listing Rules, applicable laws of the Cayman Islands and the regulations set out in the memorandum and articles of association of the Company.
— 10 —
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
APPENDIX I
ON THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
If as a result of a share repurchase made pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate, a Shareholder’s proportionate interest in the voting rights of the Company increases, such increase will be treated as an acquisition for the purposes of rule 32 of the Takeovers Code. As a result, a Shareholder or a group of Shareholders acting in concert (as defined in the Takeovers Code) could obtain or consolidate control of the Company and become obliged to make a mandatory offer in accordance with rules 26 and 32 of the Takeovers Code.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, according to the register of members kept by the Company pursuant to section 336 of the SFO and so far as is known to, or can be ascertained after reasonable enquiry by the Directors, GBT, through itself and its wholly owned subsidiary Global Corn Bio-chem Technology Company Limited held in aggregate approximately 64.04% of the then existing issued Shares. On the basis of 1,572,586,000 Shares in issue as at the Latest Practicable Date and assuming no further Shares will be allotted and issued or repurchased before the Annual General Meeting, if the Repurchase Mandate were exercised in full, the percentage shareholding of GBT, through itself and Global Corn Bio-chem Technology Company Limited, in the Company would in aggregate increase to approximately 71.16% of the then issued Shares.
On the basis of the shareholding interests of GBT and Global Corn Bio-chem Technology Company Limited in the Company, an exercise of the Repurchase Mandate in full would not result in any of them becoming obliged to make a mandatory offer under rule 26 of the Takeovers Code.
The Directors also have no intention to exercise the Repurchase Mandate to such an extent that will result in the number of Shares in the hands of public falling below the prescribed minimum percentage of 25%.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, no core connected person of the Company had notified the Company that he/she/it has a present intention to sell any securities to the Company nor has such core connected person undertaken not to sell any of the securities held by him/her/it to the Company in the event that the Repurchase Mandate is granted.
7. SECURITIES REPURCHASE MADE BY THE COMPANY
The Company had not purchased any of the Shares (whether on the Stock Exchange or otherwise) in the six months immediately preceding the Latest Practicable Date.
— 11 —
DETAILS OF THE DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
APPENDIX II
The following sets out the biographical information of the Directors eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting:
Independent non-executive Directors
Mr. Fong Wai Ho
Mr. Fong Wai Ho, aged 39, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in business administration (honours) in accountancy and management information systems from the City University of Hong Kong in 2004. Mr. Fong obtained his qualification from Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2010 and has become a practising Certified Public Accountant in Hong Kong since 2013, a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants since 2015, a fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 2017. Mr. Fong has become members of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada since 2018 and a member of CPA Australia since 2019. Mr. Fong has over 11 years of experience in accounting, auditing and financing aspect.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Fong did not have any interest in the shares or underlying shares in the Company or its associated corporations within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO. Mr. Fong is currently an independent non-executive director of Perennial Energy Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 02798) and Great Wall Belt & Road Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 00524), the shares of which are listed on the Stock Exchange. Save as disclosed above, during the three years immediately before the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Fong had not held any directorship in other listed public companies in Hong Kong or overseas or any other major appointments and qualifications. Mr. Fong is not related to any Directors, senior management or substantial or controlling shareholders of the Company.
Mr. Fong has entered into an appointment letter with the Company for an initial term of two years commencing from 31 December 2018, which shall be renewable automatically for successive terms of one year unless terminated by not less than three months’ written notice served by either party at any time during the then existing term. Under the appointment letter, Mr. Fong shall be paid an annual director’s fee of HK$240,000. The director’s fee is determined by the Board with reference to his duties, responsibilities, performance and results of the Group.
— 12 —
DETAILS OF THE DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE
APPENDIX II
RE-ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Mr. Lo Kwing Yu
Mr. Lo, aged 56, holds a Bachelor’s degree in law and economics from the University of Keele, United Kingdom. Mr. Lo is a solicitor and has been in private practice in Hong Kong since 1995. He was first admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and then admitted as solicitor of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong and of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Territory in the Virgin Islands. Mr. Lo is a consultant of Messrs. Ho and Ip.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Lo did not have any interest in the shares or underlying shares in the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO. During the three years immediately before the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Lo had not held any directorship in other listed public companies in Hong Kong or overseas or any other major appointments and qualifications. Mr. Lo is not related to any Directors, senior management or substantial or controlling shareholders of the Company.
Mr. Lo has been appointed as an independent non-executive Director for an initial term of two years commencing from 3 March 2014, renewable automatically for successive term of one year each commencing from the next day after the expiry of the then current term of appointment, unless terminated by not less than three months’ notice in writing served by either party at any time during the then existing term. Unless determined otherwise, Mr. Lo shall be paid a director’s fee of HK$240,000 per annum. The director’s fee of Mr. Lo is determined by the Board with reference to his duties and responsibilities.
Mr. Wen Xia
Mr. Wen, aged 43, graduated from Tianjin Institute of Light Industry (now Tianjin University of Science and Technology) in 1997, majoring in pulp and paper engineering. He then obtained a professional certification of self-study examinations for higher education in law from Jilin University in 2004. Mr. Wen was qualified as a lawyer in the People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”) in February 2008. Mr. Wen has over 12 years of experience as a legal practitioner, with expertise in providing advice on investments and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Wen has served in various law firms in the PRC during his career. Mr. Wen is currently a senior partner in Guangdong Guanghe (Changchun) Law Firm.
— 13 —
DETAILS OF THE DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE
APPENDIX II
RE-ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Wen does not have any interest in the shares or underlying shares in the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO. During the three years immediately before the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Wen had not held any directorship in other listed public companies in Hong Kong or overseas or any other major appointments and qualifications. Mr. Wen is not related to any Directors, senior management or substantial or controlling shareholders of the Company.
Mr. Wen has entered into an appointment letter with the Company for an initial term of two years commencing from 28 June 2019, which shall be renewable automatically for successive terms of one year unless terminated by not less than three months’ written notice served by either party at any time during the then existing term. Under the appointment letter, Mr. Wen shall be paid an annual director’s fee of RMB120,000. The director’s fee is determined by the Board with reference to his duties, responsibilities, performance and results of the Group.
General
There are no other matters concerning any of the above Directors that need to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders in relation to their re-election as Directors, and there is no other information which is discloseable pursuant to any of the requirements set out in rule 13.51(2) of the Listing Rules.
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
GLOBAL SWEETENERS HOLDINGS LIMITED 大成糖業控股有限公司[*]
(incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(Stock code: 03889)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general meeting of Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited (“ Company ”) will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 24 June 2020 at Bauhinia Room I-II, 4th floor, The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, No. 3 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong for the following purposes:
-
to receive and approve the audited consolidated financial statements and the reports of the directors (“ Directors ”) of the Company and the auditors (“ Auditors ”) of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2019;
-
each as separate resolution, to re-elect the retiring Directors and to authorise the board (“ Board ”) of Directors to fix the Directors’ remuneration; and
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to re-appoint the Auditors and to authorise the board of Directors to fix their remuneration;
and, as further ordinary business, to consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions as ordinary resolutions (with or without modifications) respectively:
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
-
“ THAT :
-
(a) subject to paragraph (c) below, pursuant to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the exercise by the Directors during the Relevant Period of all the powers of the Company to allot, issue and deal with the unissued shares in the capital of the Company and to make or grant offers, agreements and options, including warrants to subscribe for shares in the Company, which might require the exercise of such powers be and the same is hereby generally and unconditionally approved;
* for identification purposes only
— 15 —
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
-
(b) the approval in paragraph (a) above shall authorise the Directors during the Relevant Period to make or grant offers, agreements and options, including warrants to subscribe for shares in the Company, which might require the exercise of such powers after the end of the Relevant Period;
-
(c) the total number of shares in the share capital of the Company allotted and issued or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be allotted and issued (whether pursuant to option or otherwise) by the Directors pursuant to the approval in paragraph (a) above, otherwise than pursuant to (i) a Rights Issue; or (ii) the exercise of any options granted under the share option scheme of the Company; or (iii) any scrip dividend or similar arrangements providing for the allotment and issue of shares in the Company in lieu of the whole or part of a dividend on shares in the Company in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association of the Company in force from time to time; or (iv) any issue of shares in the Company upon the exercise of rights of subscription or conversion under the terms of any warrants of the Company or any securities which are convertible into shares in the Company shall not exceed the aggregate of:
-
(i) 20% of the total number of issued shares of the Company on the date of the passing of this resolution; and
-
(ii) (if the Directors are so authorised by a separate ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company) the total number of shares in the share capital of the Company repurchased by the Company subsequent to the passing of this resolution (up to a maximum equivalent to 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company on the date of the passing of this resolution),
and the authority pursuant to paragraph (a) of this resolution shall be limited accordingly; and
- (d) for the purposes of this resolution:
“ Relevant Period ” means the period from the date of the passing of this resolution until whichever is the earliest of:
- (i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company;
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
- (ii) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required by the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, the Companies Law, Chapter 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands or any other applicable law of the Cayman Islands to be held; and
- (iii) the passing of an ordinary resolution by the shareholders of the Company in general meeting revoking or varying the authority given to the Directors by this resolution;
- “ **Rights Issue** ” means an offer of shares in the Company, or offer or issue of warrants, options or other securities giving rights to subscribe for shares in the Company open for a period fixed by the Directors to holders of shares on the Company’s register of members on a fixed record date in proportion to their then holdings of shares (subject to such exclusion or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements, or having regard to any restrictions or obligations under the laws of, or the requirements of, or the expense or delay which may be involved in determining the existence or extent of any restrictions or obligations under the laws of, or the requirements of, any jurisdiction outside Hong Kong or any recognised regulatory body or any stock exchange outside Hong Kong).”
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“ THAT :
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(a) subject to paragraph (b) below, the exercise by the Directors during the Relevant Period of all powers of the Company to purchase shares in the capital of the Company on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“ Stock Exchange ”) or any other stock exchange on which the shares in the Company may be listed and recognised by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (“ SFC ”) and the Stock Exchange for such purpose, and otherwise in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SFC, the Stock Exchange, the Companies Law, Chapter 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands (“ Companies Law ”) and all other applicable laws in this regard, be and the same is hereby generally and unconditionally approved;
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
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(b) the aggregate number of shares in the Company which may be purchased or agreed to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the approval in paragraph (a) during the Relevant Period shall not exceed 10% of the total number of the issued shares of the Company as at the date of the passing of this resolution and the authority pursuant to paragraph (a) of this resolution shall be limited accordingly; and
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(c) for the purposes of this resolution, “ Relevant Period ” means the period from the date of the passing of this resolution until whichever is the earliest of:
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(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company;
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(ii) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required by the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, the Companies Law or any other applicable law of the Cayman Islands to be held; and
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(iii) the passing of an ordinary resolution by the shareholders of the Company in general meeting revoking or varying the authority given to the Directors by this resolution.”
-
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“ THAT conditional on the passing of resolutions numbered 4 and 5 above, the general mandate granted to the Directors pursuant to paragraph (a) of resolution numbered 4 above be and it is hereby extended by the addition to the total number of shares in the capital of the Company which may be allotted or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be allotted by the Directors pursuant to or in accordance with such general mandate of an amount representing the total number of shares in the share capital of the Company purchased by the Company pursuant to or in accordance with the authority granted under paragraph (a) of resolution numbered 5 above.”
By order of the Board
Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited
Zhang Zihua Acting Chairman
Hong Kong, 29 April 2020
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Registered office: Cricket Square Hutchins Drive PO Box 2681 Grand Cayman KY1-1111 Cayman Islands
Head office and principal place of business in Hong Kong: Suites 2202-4, 22nd Floor Tower 6, The Gateway 9 Canton Road Tsimshatsui, Kowloon Hong Kong
Notes:
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1 A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting convened by the above notice is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend and, subject to the provisions of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.
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2 To be valid, the form of proxy together with a power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy of such power or authority must be deposited at the offices of the Company’s Hong Kong branch share registrar, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong no later than 48 hours before the time of the meeting (i.e. at or before 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 22 June 2020 (Hong Kong time)) or any adjournment thereof.
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The register of members of the Company will be closed from Friday, 19 June 2020 to Wednesday, 24 June 2020, both days inclusive, during which period no transfer of shares will be effected. In order to qualify for the attendance at the annual general meeting, all transfers of shares, accompanied by the relevant share certificates, must be lodged with the Company’s branch registrar in Hong Kong at the address stated in note 2 above no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, 18 June 2020 for registration.
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In relation to the proposed resolutions numbered 4 and 6 above, approval is being sought from the shareholders for the grant to the Directors of a general mandate to authorise the allotment and issue of shares under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“ Listing Rules ”). The Directors have no immediate plans to issue any new shares other than shares which may fall to be issued upon the exercise of options granted under the share option scheme of the Company or otherwise or any scrip dividend scheme of the Company which may be approved by the shareholders of the Company.
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In relation to the proposed resolution numbered 5 above, the Directors wish to state that they will exercise the powers conferred thereby to purchase shares of the Company in circumstances which they deem appropriate for the benefit of the shareholders. An explanatory statement containing the information necessary to enable the shareholders to make an informed decision to vote on the proposed resolution as required by the Listing Rules is set out in an appendix to the circular of the Company to be despatched to the shareholders.
As at the date of this notice, the Board comprises one executive Director, namely, Mr. Zhang Zihua; and three independent non-executive Directors, namely, Mr. Fong Wai Ho, Mr. Lo Kwing Yu and Mr. Wen Xia.
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