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Wang On Group Limited — Capital/Financing Update 2008
Dec 18, 2008
49778_rns_2008-12-18_79168e1a-bd1c-4ffd-9741-69e50ec5dd2f.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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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 licensed securities dealer, bank manager, solicitor, professional accountant or other professional adviser.
If you have sold or transferred all your securities in Wang On Group Limited (宏安集團有限公 司)[*] , you should at once hand this circular with the accompanying form of proxy to the purchaser or the transferee or to the bank manager, the licensed securities dealer or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or the transferee.
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for the contents of this circular, makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this circular.
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WANG ON GROUP LIMITED (宏安集團有限公司)[*]
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 1222)
PROPOSAL FOR REFRESHMENT OF GENERAL MANDATE TO ISSUE NEW SHARES AND NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
Independent financial adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders
A letter of recommendation from the Independent Board Committee to the Independent Shareholders is set out on page 9 of this circular and a letter of advice from Nuada to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders on the grant of the New General Mandate is set out on pages 10 to 16 of this circular.
A notice convening the SGM to be held at 37th Floor, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong on Monday, 5 January 2009 at 4:00 p.m. is set out on pages 17 to 19 of this circular. Whether or not you intend to attend the SGM, you are requested to complete the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return it to the Company’s branch share registrar and transfer office in Hong Kong, Tricor Tengis Limited at 26/F., Tesbury Centre, 28 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the SGM or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be). Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting in person at the SGM or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be) should you so wish.
19 December 2008
- For identification purpose only
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 1 |
| Letter from the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 4 |
| Letter from the Independent Board Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 9 |
| Letter from Nuada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 10 |
| Notice of the SGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 17 |
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DEFINITIONS
In this circular, unless the context otherwise specifies, the following expressions have the following meanings:
- “Announcement”
an announcement of the Company dated 27 November 2008 in respect of the Placings
- “associate”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Listing Rules
- “Board”
the board of Directors
- “Bye-law(s)”
the bye-laws of the Company
- “Company”
Wang On Group Limited (宏安集團有限公司)[*] , an exempted company incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability and the shares of which are listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange
- “Current General Mandate”
the general mandate approved and granted to the Directors to allot and issue Shares not exceeding 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of passing the resolutions at the Last Annual General Meeting
- “Director(s)”
the director(s) of the Company
- “Group”
the Company and its subsidiaries
- “HK$”
Hong Kong dollar(s), the lawful currency of Hong Kong
- “Hong Kong”
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC
- “Independent Board Committee”
an independent committee of the Board comprising all of the four independent non-executive Directors formed for the purpose of advising the Independent Shareholders on the grant of the New General Mandate
- “Independent Shareholder(s)”
the Shareholders other than the Directors (excluding the independent non-executive Directors) and the chief executive of the Company and their respective associates
- “Last Annual General Meeting”
the annual general meeting of the Company held on 27 August 2008
- For identification purpose only
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DEFINITIONS
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“Latest Practicable Date” 16 December 2008, being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this circular for ascertaining certain information for inclusion in this circular
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“Listing Rules” the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange
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“New General Mandate” the refreshment of the general mandate proposed to be granted to the Directors at the SGM to allot and issue Shares and other securities representing not exceeding 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of the SGM (such mandate to be extended and added by the number of Shares, if any, repurchased by the Company since the grant of the New General Mandate)
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“Nuada” Nuada Limited, a licensed corporation under the SFO to conduct Type 6 regulated activity and the independent financial adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders on the grant of the New General Mandate
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“Placings” including top-up placing of 900,000,000 Shares and placing of 672,600,000 new Shares under the Current General Mandate, details of which are set out in the Announcement
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“PRC” The People’s Republic of China and for the purpose of this circular shall exclude Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC
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“SFO” the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong)
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“Shareholder(s)” the holder(s) of the Share(s)
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“Share(s)” the ordinary share(s) with a nominal value of HK$0.005 each in the issued share capital of the Company
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“Share Option Scheme” the share option scheme adopted by the Company on 3 May 2002
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“Share Options” the options to subscribe for Shares granted under the Share Option Scheme
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DEFINITIONS
“SGM” the special general meeting of the Company to be held at 37th Floor, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong on Monday, 5 January 2009 at 4:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving, among others, the grant of the New General Mandate “Stock Exchange” The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited “%” per cent.
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LETTER FROM THE BOARD
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WANG ON GROUP LIMITED (宏安集團有限公司)[*]
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) (Stock Code: 1222)
Executive Directors:
Mr. Tang Ching Ho (Chairman) Ms. Yau Yuk Yin (Deputy Chairman) Mr. Chan Chun Hong, Thomas (Managing Director)
Registered office: Clarendon House 2 Church Street Hamilton HM 11 Bermuda
Independent non-executive Directors:
Dr. Lee Peng Fei, Allen, CBE, BS, FHKIE, JP Mr. Wong Chun, Justein, MBE, JP Mr. Siu Yim Kwan, Sidney, S.B.St.J. Mr. Siu Kam Chau
Head office and principal place of business: 5/F., Wai Yuen Tong Medicine Building 9 Wang Kwong Road Kowloon Bay Kowloon Hong Kong
19 December 2008
To the Shareholders and, for information only,
holders of the Share Options
Dear Sir or Madam,
PROPOSAL FOR REFRESHMENT OF GENERAL MANDATE TO ISSUE NEW SHARES AND NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this circular is to provide you with, among others, (i) the details of the New General Mandate; (ii) the recommendation from the Independent Board Committee to the Independent Shareholders in relation to the grant of the New General Mandate; (iii) the advice from Nuada to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in relation to the grant of the New General Mandate; and (iv) the notice of the SGM.
- For identification purpose only
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LETTER FROM THE BOARD
PROPOSAL FOR GRANT OF THE NEW GENERAL MANDATE
At the Last Annual General Meeting, the Shareholders approved, among others, an ordinary resolution to grant the Current General Mandate which enables the Directors to allot and issue Shares not exceeding 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company at the date of the Last Annual General Meeting (equivalent to the aggregate nominal amount of HK$7,867,913.64 divided into 1,573,582,728 Shares with a nominal value of HK$0.005 each).
On 27 November 2008, the Company announced that it has entered into agreements to issue and allot a total of 1,572,600,000 Shares to independent placees pursuant to the Placings. Pursuant to the Announcement, the aggregate net proceeds from the Placings amounted to approximately HK$33.24 million which are intended to be used for repayment of bank loans and general working capital for the Group. The Placings, as detailed in the Company’s announcements dated 9 December 2008 and 12 December 2008, have been fully completed on 12 December 2008. As the Current General Mandate granted to the Directors has almost been fully utilised as a result of the Placings, the Board would like to propose a refreshment of the general mandate to allot and issue Shares at the SGM.
The New General Mandate is to authorise the Directors to allot and issue Shares and other securities representing not exceeding 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of the SGM (such mandate to be extended and added by the number of Shares, if any, repurchased by the Company in accordance with the general mandate to repurchase Shares granted to the Directors at the Last Annual General Meeting, since the grant of the New General Mandate and provided that such additional amount shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of the passing of such resolution to grant the Directors the general mandate to repurchase Shares. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the remaining unutilised general mandate to repurchase Shares which has been granted to the Directors at the Last Annual General Meeting, would allow the Directors to exercise the powers of the Company to repurchase up to 786,791,364 Shares). At the SGM, upon the ordinary resolution(s) relating to the New General Mandate (including a separate ordinary resolution for the New General Mandate to be extended and added by the number of Shares, if any, repurchased by the Company since the grant of the New General Mandate) being approved by the Independent Shareholders, the Current General Mandate will be revoked.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the total number of Shares in issue was 9,440,513,640 Shares with a nominal value of HK$0.005 each. Assuming no further Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company between the Latest Practicable Date and the date of the SGM, the New General Mandate (before taking into account any extension thereof by any repurchased Shares) would enable the Board to issue and allot Shares with an aggregate nominal amount of HK$9,440,513.64 (representing 1,888,102,728 Shares with a nominal amount of HK$0.005 each).
Since the Last Annual General Meeting, the Current General Mandate has not been refreshed.
The Directors believe that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders to grant a general authority to the Directors to issue new Shares.
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LETTER FROM THE BOARD
The New General Mandate would provide financial flexibility for the Group to conduct any equity financing exercise for future development of the Group should that be required.
The Company will propose to put the following ordinary resolutions to be considered at the SGM so as to seek approval of the Independent Shareholders that:
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(i) the Directors be granted the New General Mandate to allot and issue Shares and other securities representing not exceeding 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of the SGM; and
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(ii) the New General Mandate be extended to the Shares and other securities that are allowed to be repurchased by the Company since the grant of the New General Mandate.
Upon passing the relevant resolutions at the SGM and assuming no further Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company between the Latest Practicable Date and the date of the SGM, the Company would be allowed pursuant to the New General Mandate to allot and issue Shares with an aggregate nominal amount not exceeding HK$9,440,513.64 (representing 1,888,102,728 Shares with a nominal value of HK$0.005 each), being 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of HK$47,202,568.20 divided into 9,440,513,640 Shares with a nominal value of HK$0.005 each expected to be in issue as at the date of passing the resolutions.
Pursuant to Rules 13.36(4) of the Listing Rules, the grant of the New General Mandate is subject to the approval of the Independent Shareholders by way of a poll at the SGM with the controlling Shareholders and their associates or, where there are no controlling Shareholders, Directors (excluding the independent non-executive Directors) and the chief executive of the Company and their respective associates abstain from voting in favour. In this regard, Mr. Tang Ching Ho, an executive Director, and his associates, who in aggregate own 1,005,658,060 Shares, representing approximately 10.65% of the existing issued share capital of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date, shall abstain from voting in favour of the relevant resolution(s) to be proposed at the SGM to approve the grant of the New General Mandate and the extension thereof, where voting shall be taken by way of a poll.
INDEPENDENT ADVICE
The Independent Board Committee comprising Dr. Lee Peng Fei, Allen, Mr. Wong Chun, Justein, Mr. Siu Yim Kwan, Sidney and Mr. Siu Kam Chau, all of them being the independent non-executive Directors, has been formed to advise the Independent Shareholders, and Nuada has been appointed by the Company to advise the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders on the grant of the New General Mandate.
RECOMMENDATION
The Directors are of the opinion that the grant of the New General Mandate is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole and the terms of which are fair and reasonable so far as the Shareholders are concerned. Accordingly, the Directors recommend the Independent Shareholders to vote in favour of the resolutions set out in the notice of the SGM contained herein.
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LETTER FROM THE BOARD
In addition, your attention is drawn to the letter from the Independent Board Committee as set out on page 9 of this circular which contains its recommendation to the Independent Shareholders in relation to the grant of the New General Mandate, which was given after the Independent Board Committee has considered the advice of Nuada thereon. The letter from Nuada is set out on pages 10 to 16 of this circular containing the principal factors and reasons it has taken into consideration and its recommendation to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in relation to the grant of the New General Mandate.
SGM
A notice of the SGM is set out on pages 17 to 19 of this circular for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving, among others, the grant of the New General Mandate. A form of proxy for use at the SGM is accompanied with this circular.
Whether or not you intend to attend the SGM, you are requested to complete the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return it to the Company’s branch share registrar and transfer office in Hong Kong, Tricor Tengis Limited at 26/F., Tesbury Centre, 28 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the SGM or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be). Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting in person at the SGM or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be) should you so wish.
PROCEDURES BY WHICH A POLL MAY BE DEMANDED
Pursuant to the Listing Rules, the resolution(s) for approving the New General Mandate to be proposed at the SGM shall be taken by way of a poll. For the information of the Shareholders, the procedures by which the Shareholders may demand a poll at the SGM are set out below.
Pursuant to Bye-law 66, a resolution put to the vote of a general meeting shall be decided on a show of hands (before or after the declaration of the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll), a poll is demanded:
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(a) by the chairman of such meeting; or
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(b) by at least three Shareholders present in person or by proxy (or in the case of a Shareholder being a corporation, by its representative duly authorised under Section 78 of the Companies Act) for the time being entitled to vote at the meeting; or
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(c) by any Shareholder or Shareholders present in person or by proxy (or being a corporation, is present by a representative duly authorised under Section 78 of the Companies Act) and representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of the Shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting; or
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LETTER FROM THE BOARD
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(d) by a Shareholder or Shareholders present in person or by proxy (or being a corporation, is present by a representative duly authorised under Section 78 of the Companies Act) having the right to attend and vote at the meeting on which there have been paid up sums in the aggregate equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the Shares having that right; or
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(e) by a Director or Directors (including the chairman of a general meeting), who, individually or collectively, hold proxies in respect of Shares representing 5% or more of the total voting rights at such meeting and if on a show of hands, such meeting votes in the opposite manner to that instructed in those proxies.
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
This circular includes particulars given in compliance with the Listing Rules for the purpose of giving information with regard to the Company. The Directors collectively and individually accept full responsibility, for the accuracy of the information contained in this circular and confirm having made all reasonable enquiries, that to the best of their knowledge and belief there are no other facts the omission of which would make any statement in this circular misleading.
CONSENT
Nuada has given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the issue of this circular with the inclusion of its letter set out therein and reference to its name in the form and context in which they appear respectively.
Yours faithfully, For and on behalf of the Board WANG ON GROUP LIMITED (宏安集團有限公司)[*] Chan Chun Hong, Thomas Managing Director
- For identification purpose only
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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT BOARD COMMITTEE
The following is the text of a letter of recommendation from the Independent Board Committee to the Independent Shareholders in relation to the grant of the New General Mandate for the purpose of incorporation in this circular.
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WANG ON GROUP LIMITED (宏安集團有限公司)[*]
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) (Stock Code: 1222)
19 December 2008
To the Independent Shareholders
Dear Sir or Madam,
PROPOSAL FOR REFRESHMENT OF GENERAL MANDATE TO ISSUE NEW SHARES
We refer to the circular of the Company dated 19 December 2008 (the “ Circular ”) of which this letter forms part. Unless the context specifies otherwise, capitalised terms used herein have the same meanings as defined in the Circular.
We have been appointed by the Board to advise the Independent Shareholders as to whether the grant of the New General Mandate is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole and the terms of which are fair and reasonable so far as the Company and the Independent Shareholders are concerned. Nuada has been appointed as the independent financial adviser to advise us and you in this respect.
Having taken into account the principal reasons and factors considered by and the advice of Nuada as set out in its letter of advice to us and you on pages 10 to 16 of the Circular, we are of the opinion that the grant of the New General Mandate is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole and the terms of which are fair and reasonable so far as the Company and the Independent Shareholders are concerned. Accordingly, we recommend the Independent Shareholders to vote in favour of the ordinary resolution(s) to be proposed at the SGM to approve the grant of the New General Mandate and the extension thereof.
Yours faithfully, For and on behalf of the Independent Board Committee
Lee Peng Fei, Allen Wong Chun, Justein Siu Yim Kwan, Sidney Siu Kam Chau Independent non-executive Directors
- For identification purpose only
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LETTER FROM NUADA
The following is the text of the letter of advice to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders from Nuada Limited dated 19 December 2008 in relation to the grant of the New General Mandate for the purpose of this circular.
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7th Floor, New York House 60 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong
19 December 2008
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To the Independent Board Committee
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and the Independent Shareholders of
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Wang On Group Limited
Dear Sirs,
PROPOSAL FOR REFRESHMENT OF GENERAL MANDATE TO ISSUE NEW SHARES
INTRODUCTION
We refer to the circular to the Shareholders dated 19 December 2008 (the “ Circular ”) issued by the Company in which this letter forms part and our appointment as independent financial adviser to advise the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in respect of the proposed grant of New General Mandate, details of which are set out in the letter from the Board (the “ Board’s Letter ”) contained in the Circular. Capitalised terms used in this letter shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Circular unless the context otherwise requires.
Pursuant to Rules 13.36(4) of the Listing Rules, the grant of the New General Mandate of the Company is subject to the approval of the Independent Shareholders by way of a poll at the SGM with the controlling Shareholders and their associates or, where there are no controlling Shareholders, Directors (excluding the independent non-executive Directors) and the chief executive of the Company and their respective associates abstain from voting in favour. In this regard, Mr. Tang Ching Ho (“ Mr. Tang ”), an executive Director, and his associates, who in aggregate held approximately 10.65% of the existing issued share capital of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date. As such, Mr. Tang and his respective associates shall abstain from voting in favour of the relevant resolution(s) at the SGM. Save as disclosed, to the best of the Directors’ knowledge, information and belief and having made all reasonable inquiry, no other Directors beneficially hold any Shares as at the Latest Practicable Date.
The Independent Board Committee has been formed to advise the Independent Shareholders on whether the proposed grant of the New General Mandate is fair and reasonable so far as the Independent Shareholders are concerned and whether it is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
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LETTER FROM NUADA
BASIS OF OUR OPINION
In formulating our opinion, we have relied on the information, statements, opinions and representations supplied to us by the Company and the Directors and we have assumed that all such information, statements, opinions and representations contained or referred to in the Circular were true, accurate and complete at the time they were made and continue to be true at the date of the Circular, and we have relied on the same. We have also assumed that all statements of belief, opinion and intention of the Directors as set out in the Board’s Letter were reasonably made after due and careful inquiry. We have also sought and obtained confirmation from the Company that no material facts have been omitted from the information provided and referred to in the Circular. We consider that we have been provided sufficient information to enable us to reach an informed view regarding the proposed grant of the New General Mandate, and to justify reliance on the accuracy of the information contained in the Circular so as to provide a reasonable basis of our opinions. We have no reason to suspect that any material facts or information (which is known to the Company) have been omitted or withheld from the information supplied or opinions expressed in the Circular nor to doubt the truth and accuracy of the information and facts, or the reasonableness of the opinions expressed by the Company and the Directors which have been provided to us. We have not, however, carried out any independent verification on the information provided to us by the Directors, nor have we conducted an independent in-depth investigation into the business and affairs of the Group.
PRINCIPAL FACTORS AND REASONS CONSIDERED
In arriving at our opinion in respect of the proposed grant of the New General Mandate, we have taken the following principal factors and reasons into consideration:
Background
At the Last Annual General Meeting, the Directors were granted, among other things, the Current General Mandate to allot and issue up to 1,573,582,728 Shares, representing 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the issued share capital of the Company then in issue.
The Current General Mandate has almost been fully utilised as to 1,572,600,000 Shares in association with the top-up placing of 900,000,000 Shares (the “ Top-up Placing ”) and the placing of 672,600,000 new Shares (the “ New Shares Placing ”) announced by the Company on 27 November 2008. To maintain the financial flexibility necessary for the Group’s future business development, the Directors therefore propose to seek the approval of the Independent Shareholders at the SGM for the granting of the New General Mandate.
The Company had an aggregate of 9,440,513,640 Shares in issue as at the Latest Practicable Date. Subject to the passing of the ordinary resolutions for the approval of the New General Mandate and assuming that no Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company between the Latest Practicable Date and the date of the SGM, the Company would be allowed to allot and issue up to 1,888,102,728 Shares under the New General Mandate.
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LETTER FROM NUADA
Reasons for the grant of the New General Mandate
As advised by the Company, the Directors consider that equity financing to be an important avenue of resources to the Group since it does not create any interest paying obligations on the Group. Notwithstanding that there is no immediate funding need for the Group’s current operations and that there is currently no concrete proposal presented by potential investors for investment in Shares, the Board consider that the refreshment of the Current General Mandate is necessary so that should future funding needs arise or attractive terms for investment in Shares become available from potential investors, the Board will be able to respond to the market and such investment opportunities promptly. Accordingly, the Directors consider that the approval of the grant of the New General Mandate is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. The Board proposes to grant the New General Mandate to the Directors not exceeding 20% of the issued share capital of the Company at the SGM.
Business development of the Group
The Group is principally engaged in development and management of agricultural by-products wholesaling business in the PRC and Hong Kong, property investment, property development, management and sub-licensing of wet markets in the PRC and Hong Kong, management and sublicensing shopping centers in Hong Kong. It also has interests in the pharmaceutical business through its investments in Wai Yuen Tong Medicine Holdings Limited, a company listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange. As stated in interim report 2008 of the Company for the six months ended 30 September 2008 (the “ Interim Report ”), the Group will continue to search for attractive investment opportunities to ensure our Group’s further long-term earnings. Given that, should any investment opportunities arise that would require the issuance of new Shares and a specific mandate has to be sought, the Directors are uncertain as to whether the requisite approval from the Shareholders or the Independent Shareholders, as the case may be, could be obtained in a timely manner. In addition, the New General Mandate offers an opportunity for the Directors to capture a favourable equity market condition to raise funds by issuing new Shares. Notwithstanding the fact that the Group had no immediate funding need for its current operations and there is currently no concrete proposal presented by potential investors for investment in Shares, the Directors believe that the New General Mandate would offer the Group higher flexibility to capture investment opportunities which may arise at any time and require prompt investment decision by the Group. The Directors also consider that the New General Mandate would provide the Company with the maximum flexibility to raise additional capital for any future investment or as working capital of the Group if necessary.
In light of the above, we are of the opinion that the New General Mandate would provide the Company with the necessary flexibility essential for fulfilling any possible funding needs for future investment and business development decisions in a timely manner. As such, we are of the view that the grant of the New General Mandate will be in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
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LETTER FROM NUADA
Other financing alternative
The Board considers equity financing to be an important avenue of resources for the Group since it does not create any interest paying obligations on the Group. In appropriate circumstances, the Group will also consider other financing methods such as debt financing or internal cash resources to fund its future investment and/or business development. While sufficient for its present requirements, there is no certainty that such cash resources will be adequate or other financing alternatives will be available for appropriate investment that may be identified by the Company in the future. In addition, debt financing may incur interest burden on the Group and it may subject to lengthy due diligence and negotiations with the banks with reference to the Group’s financial position, capital structure and the financial market condition at that time. The Directors consider that equity financing such as issuance of new Shares may be an appropriate means to fund such investments and/or acquisitions and provide additional working capital for future development and expansion of the Group.
We consider that the proposed grant of the New General Mandate will provide the Company with an additional alternative and it is reasonable for the Company to have the flexibility in deciding the financing methods for its future development, including equity financing. As such, we are of the view that the proposed grant of the New General Mandate will be in the interest of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
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LETTER FROM NUADA
EQUITY FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS
Set out below are the fund raising activities conducted by the Company in the past twelve months prior to the Latest Practicable Date.
| Actual use of | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of initial | Net proceeds | Intended use | proceeds as at the | |
| announcement | Description | (approximately) | of proceeds | Latest Practicable Date |
| 27 November | The Top-up | HK$33.24 | Approximately HK$18.81 | Approximately HK$1.60 |
| 2008 | Placing and the | million | million for the repayment | million has been utilised |
| New Shares | of bank loans | for the repayment of bank | ||
| Placing | loans. The remaining | |||
| balance has not yet been | ||||
| utilised. | ||||
| Approximately HK$14.43 | Not yet utilised | |||
| million for general working | ||||
| capital | ||||
| 26 March | Top-up placing | HK$98.90 | Approximately HK$35 | Has been fully utilised as |
| 2008 | and placing of | million | million for financing | intended |
| new Shares | the development and | |||
| management of agricultural | ||||
| by-products wholesaling | ||||
| markets in the PRC | ||||
| Approximately HK$30.30 | ||||
| million for the repayment | ||||
| of bank loans | ||||
| Approximately HK$33.60 | ||||
| million for financing the | ||||
| expansion and development | ||||
| of property investment | ||||
| and development business | ||||
| both in the PRC and Hong | ||||
| Kong and other potential | ||||
| investment opportunities |
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LETTER FROM NUADA
Save for disclosed herein, the Company has not conducted any other equity fund raising activities in the past twelve months immediately preceding the Latest Practicable Date.
As stated in the above table, we note that the net proceeds from the Top-up Placing and the New Shares Placing have been partially utilised as at the Latest Practicable Date. We consider it is prudent and reasonable for the Group to maintain a strong capital base while additional funding may be needed for investment and business expansion purposes from time to time. We are of the view that the New General Mandate could provide the Company with flexible financing option to raise additional capital for any future needs or as working capital of the Group and therefore is fair and reasonable.
POTENTIAL DILUTION TO SHAREHOLDING OF THE PUBLIC SHAREHOLDERS
Set out below is a table showing the shareholding structure of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date, and, for illustrative purpose, the potential dilution effect upon full utilisation of the New General Mandate, assuming no other Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company prior to the date of the SGM.
| Shareholders Mr. Tang and his associates_(Note)_ Public Shareholders Shares to be issued under the New General Mandate Total |
As at the Latest Practicable Date Shareholding % No. of Shares (approximately) 1,005,658,060 10.65 8,434,855,580 89.35 – – 9,440,513,640 100.00 |
Upon full utilisation of the New General Mandate (assuming no other Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company from the Latest Practicable Date and up to the date of the SGM) Shareholding % No. of Shares (approximately) 1,005,658,060 8.88 8,434,855,580 74.45 1,888,102,728 16.67 11,328,616,368 100.00 |
Upon full utilisation of the New General Mandate (assuming no other Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company from the Latest Practicable Date and up to the date of the SGM) Shareholding % No. of Shares (approximately) 1,005,658,060 8.88 8,434,855,580 74.45 1,888,102,728 16.67 11,328,616,368 100.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100.00 |
Note: The above 1,005,658,060 Shares include (a) 16,218,960 Shares held by Mr. Tang; (b) 16,218,920 Shares held by Ms. Yau Yuk Yin (“ Ms. Yau ”), an executive Director and the spouse of Mr. Tang; (c) 59,326,780 Shares held by Caister Limited, a company wholly and beneficially owned by Mr. Tang; and (d) 913,893,400 Shares held by Accord Power Limited, which is wholly owned by Trustcorp Limited in its capacity as the trustee of Tang’s Family Trust, a discretionary trust of which Mr. Tang was the founder and Ms. Yau is a beneficiary.
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LETTER FROM NUADA
As illustrated in the table above, the aggregate shareholding of the existing public Shareholders will decrease from approximately 89.35% as at the Latest Practicable Date to approximately 74.45% upon full utilisation of the New General Mandate, assuming no other Shares are issued and/or repurchased by the Company prior to the date of the SGM.
Taking into account the benefits of the New General Mandate as discussed above and the fact that the shareholdings of all Shareholders will be diluted proportionately, we consider such dilution or potential dilution effect of shareholdings of the Shareholders to be acceptable.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Having considered the above principal factors and reasons, we are of the view that the proposed grant of the New General Mandate is fair and reasonable and in the interest of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, we would recommend the Independent Shareholders and advise the Independent Board Committee to recommend to the Independent Shareholders to vote in favour of the relevant resolution to be proposed at the SGM.
For and on behalf of Nuada Limited Po Chan Executive Director
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NOTICE OF THE SGM
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WANG ON GROUP LIMITED (宏安集團有限公司)[*]
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 1222)
NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the special general meeting of Wang On Group Limited (宏安集團有限公司)[] (the “ Company* ”) will be held at 37th Floor, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong on Monday, 5 January 2009 at 4:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following resolutions as ordinary resolutions of the Company:
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
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(1) “ THAT :
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(a) the general mandate granted to the directors of the Company (the “ Directors ”) to exercise the powers of the Company to allot, issue and otherwise deal with the shares in the capital of the Company (the “ Shares ”) and to make or grant offers, agreements and options, as approved by the shareholders of the Company at the annual general meeting held on 27 August 2008, to the extent not already exercised be and is hereby revoked (but without prejudice to any valid exercise of such general mandate prior to the passing of this resolution);
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(b) subject to paragraph (d) below, the exercise by the Directors during the Relevant Period (as hereinafter defined) of all the powers of the Company to allot, issue and deal with additional Shares, and to make or grant offers, agreements and options which would or might require the exercise of such powers, subject to and in accordance with all applicable laws, be and is hereby generally and unconditionally approved;
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(c) the approval in paragraph (b) above shall be in addition to any other authorisations given to the Directors and shall authorise the Directors during the Relevant Period to make or grant offers, agreements and options which might require the exercise of such powers after the end of the Relevant Period;
- For identification purpose only
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NOTICE OF THE SGM
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(d) the aggregate nominal amount of the share capital allotted or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be allotted (whether pursuant to an option or otherwise) by the Directors pursuant to the approval in paragraph (b) above, otherwise than pursuant to:
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(i) a Rights Issue (as hereinafter defined);
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(ii) the exercise of rights subscription or conversion under terms of any warrants issued by the Company or any securities which are convertible into Shares;
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(iii) the exercise of any option under the share option scheme or similar arrangement for the time being adopted for the grant or issue to officers and/or employees of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries of Shares or rights to acquire Shares; and
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(iv) any scrip dividend or similar arrangement providing for the allotment of Shares in lieu of the whole or part of a dividend on the Shares in accordance with the bye-laws of the Company in force from time to time,
shall not exceed 20% of the aggregate nominal amount of the share capital of the Company in issue at the date of the passing of this resolution; and if the Directors are so authorised by a separate ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company, a nominal amount of the share capital of the Company repurchased by the Company in accordance with the general mandate to repurchase Shares granted to the Directors at the annual general meeting of the Company held on 27 August 2008, provided that such additional amount shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate nominal amount of the share capital of the Company in issue at the date of the passing of such resolution; and
- (e) for the purpose of this resolution:
“Relevant Period” means the period from 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 Bermuda law or the Company’s bye-laws to be held; or
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(iii) the revocation or variation of the authority given under this resolution by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company in general meeting; and
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NOTICE OF THE SGM
“Rights Issue” means the allotment, issue or grant of Shares pursuant to an offer of Shares open for a period fixed by the Directors to holders of Shares or any class thereof on the register of members on a fixed record date in proportion to their then holdings of such Shares or class thereof (subject to such exclusions 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, any recognised regulatory body or stock exchange in any territory outside Hong Kong).”
- (2) “ THAT conditional upon the passing of the resolution numbered (1) above, the general mandate granted to the Directors to exercise the powers of the Company to allot, issue and deal with the unissued shares pursuant to the resolution numbered (1) above be and is hereby extended by the addition thereon of an amount representing the aggregate nominal amount of the Shares which are repurchased by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the general mandate to repurchase Shares granted to the Directors at the annual general meeting of the Company held on 27 August 2008, provided that such additional amount shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate nominal amount of the share capital of the Company in issue at the date of the passing of such resolution.”
By Order of the Board WANG ON GROUP LIMITED (宏安集團有限公司)[*] Chan Chun Hong, Thomas Managing Director
Hong Kong, 19 December 2008
Notes:
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(1) A member entitled to attend and vote at the special general meeting convened by the above notice is entitled to appoint one or more than one proxy to attend and to vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.
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(2) To be valid, a form of proxy, together with any 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 Company’s branch share registrar and transfer office in Hong Kong, Tricor Tengis Limited, 26/F., Tesbury Centre, 28 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the special general meeting or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be).
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(3) Completion and delivery of the form of proxy will not preclude members from attending and voting at the special general meeting or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be) if they so wish.
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(4) Resolutions numbered 1 and 2 will be voted by way of a poll by the independent shareholders of the Company.
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For identification purpose only
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