Exhibit
10.27
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT
This
Agreement is made as of this 26 day of September 2005 by and
between
UAB Rinkos skatinimo sistemos, a
company organized and existing under the law of the Republic of
Lithuania, identification code 125374081, and having its
headquarters at Aušros al. 66a, 76233 Šiauliai, Lithuania
(hereinafter called “ Lithuanian Partner
”);
Spar Group International Inc., a
Nevada corporation, with an office at 580 White Plains Road,
Tarrytown New York, USA (hereinafter called "SPAR"
);
(hereinafter each Lithuanian
Partner and SPAR is sometimes individually referred to as “
Party ” and collectively – as “
Parties ”);
and
for the purposes of this clause
31.3. of this Agreement, shareholders of Lithuanian Partner, namely
Irena Kairiene, personal code 45903080634, Edvardas Kairys,
personal code 35907131197 and Rimantas Paulauskas, personal
code 38101221126 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “
Guarantors ”);
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS,
Lithuanian Partner is engaged in
the retail solution businesses in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia
(hereinafter called “ Territory ”) having a wide
range of clients and also having various knowledge and human
resources with respect to the retailing businesses in the
Territory;
WHEREAS,
SPAR is engaged in the retail
solution businesses in the USA, having computer software useful for
agency, assistance, instruction and reporting of storefront
activities and also having operational know-how with respect to
such software; and
WHEREAS,
Lithuanian Partner and SPAR are
desirous of organizing a corporation to jointly conduct retail
solution businesses in the Territory;
NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreement herein contained, the parties hereto agree
as follows:
CHAPTER I: ORGANIZATION OF THE
NEW COMPANY
1.1.
After the effective date of this Agreement, the parties hereto
shall cause a new company to be organized under the laws of the
Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter called UAB SPAR RSS
Baltic or “ New Company ”). The New Company
will be formed in two stages:
1.1.1. Promptly after effective
date of this Agreement, SPAR will incorporate the New Company by
subscribing for 76,500 (seventy six thousand five hundred) ordinary
– registered shares of the New Company of the par value of 1
(one) Lithuanian Litas (“ LTL ”) each. SPAR will
subscribe for the shares of the New Company at their par value and
will pay them in cash thus forming the authorized capital of the
New Company in the amount of 76,500 (seventy six thousand five
hundred) LTL;
1.1.2. Promptly after
registration of the New Company with the Lithuanian Register of
Legal Persons, the authorized capital of the New Company will be
increased to 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL and
Lithuanian partner will subscribe for 73,500 (seventy three
thousand five hundred) newly issued ordinary registered shares of
the Company of the par value 1 (one) LTL each, thus forming the
authorized capital of the New Company in the amount of 150,000 (one
hundred fifty thousand) LTL. Lithuanian partner subscribe for these
newly issued shares of the New Company by making the contribution
to the New Company defined in Article 8.3 of this Agreement, at the
total issue price determined under Article 8.5 of this
Agreement.
1.2. Upon
formation, New Company shall become a party to this Agreement
through approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders of New
Company and signature for acknowledgement of all original
copies.
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Article 2.
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Business
Purposes
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The business purposes of the New
Company shall consist of the following:
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1.
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provide retail
merchandising and product demonstration services;
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2.
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agency,
assistance, instruction and report of storefront sales
activities;
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3.
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implementation
of market research and analysis of results thereof;
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4.
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assembly of
setups used for sales promotion;
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5.
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consulting
regarding store management;
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6.
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development and
sale of management system regarding retailing;
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7.
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designing and
sale of database; and
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8.
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any and all
businesses incidental or relating to any of the
foregoing.
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The New Company shall be named in
Lithuania as UAB SPAR RSS Baltic.
The New Company shall have its
headquarters at Aušros al. 66a, 76233 Šiauliai,
Lithuania. Lithuanian partner will obtain to the New Company all
consents and authorizations required for registration of
headquarters of the New Company at the address set forth
above.
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Article 5.
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Articles of
Association
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The Articles of Association of
the New Company shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
6.1.
After completion of actions set forth in clause 1.1.2. of this
Agreement, the authorized capital of the New Company will equal to
150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL and will be divided into
150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) shares with a par value of 1
(one) LTL each. At the time of completion of actions set forth in
clause 1.2. of this Agreement, shares of the New Company shall be
issued and fully subscribed by the parties hereto as
follows:
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•
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SPAR
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:
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51
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%
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76,500
shares
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•
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Lithuanian
Partner
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:
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49
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%
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73,500
shares.
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6.2. All
the shares to be issued by the New Company shall be ordinary
– registered shares represented by the share
certificates.
SPAR and Lithuanian partner, as
applicable, will pay for the shares of the Company in the manner
set forth in clause 1.1. and clause 8.3. of this Agreement, as
applicable.
CHAPTER II: PREPARATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF
THE NEW COMPANY, AND FIRST INCREASE OF ITS AUTHORIZED
CAPITAL
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Article
8.
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Preparation
of Establishment of the New Company and First Increase of Its
Authorized Capital
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8.1. Each
party shall take its role as described in this Agreement for the
preparation of the commencement of New Company’s business.
Until this Agreement is signed by both Parties, each of the Parties
will be responsible for payment of all of its own expenses incurred
in connection with this Agreement, the setting up of the New
Company and the preparation of the commencement of New
Company’s business. All such expenses incurred after
both
Parties have signed this
Agreement, including, without limitation, New Company’s
registration fees and legal fees, will be covered by New Company.
In case SPAR incorporates the New Company and then Lithuanian
Partner refuses to pay for newly issued shares of the New Company
as set forth in clause 8.3. below, Lithuanian partner will have to
pay all expenses and costs incurred by SPAR in relation to this
Agreement.
8.2. At
the moment of payment for the shares of the New Company by
Lithuanian partner (as described below), SPAR shall enter into New
Company with a license agreement in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B (the “ License Agreement ”).
For reference, the License Agreement includes the obligations of
SPAR to:
8.2.1. localize
and set up software provided by SPAR to work in Territory;
and
8.2.2. consult
on the organization of merchandising services; and
8.2.3. train
the New Company’s personnel in how to operate the
merchandising software; and
8.2.4. give
advice on budgeting and development of each business
plan.
8.3. Promptly
after registration of the New Company with the Lithuanian Register
of Legal Persons, the authorized capital of the New Company will be
increased to 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL and
Lithuanian partner will subscribe for 73,500 (seventy three
thousand five hundred) newly issued ordinary registered shares of
the Company of the par value 1 (one) LTL each by:
8.3.1. making
cash contribution to the New Company in the amount of 73,500
(seventy three thousand five hundred) LTL in cash; and
8.3.2. transferring
assets to the New Company listed and defined in Exhibit C
(the “ Assets ”).
8.4. Further,
Lithuanian Partner shall:
8.4.1. move
certain liabilities of its Merchandising and In-Store Demo
Division, as defined in Exhibit D (the “
Liabilities ”), to the New Company, where total amount
of the Liabilities shall in no event exceed total amount of the
Assets;
8.4.2. arrange
meetings with current clients to promote the New Company’s
services;
8.4.3. make
its best endeavors (including any actions within their reasonable
control) to cause employees of Lithuanian Partner listed in
Exhibit F to be employed at the New Company in accordance
with terms and conditions defined in Exhibit F or under item 15 of
Article 18 of this Agreement; and
8.4.4. make
its best endeavors (including any actions within their reasonable
control) to cause the contracts of Lithuanian partner listed in
Exhibit G to be transferred to the New Company in accordance
with terms and conditions defined in Exhibit G.
8.5. Total
issue price payable by Lithuanian partner for 73,500 (seventy three
thousand five hundred) newly issued ordinary registered shares of
the Company shall be calculated as (i) the sum of 73,500 (seventy
three thousand five hundred) LTL cash contribution and total value
of the Assets established by independent assets valuator licensed
in Lithuania (ii) minus total amount of the Liabilities.
CHAPTER III: GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
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Article 9.
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Ordinary and
Extraordinary General Meeting
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The Ordinary General Meeting of
Shareholders shall be convened by resolution of the Board of
Directors and held in Lithuania or any other place that Lithuanian
Partner and SPAR may agree within three months from the last day of
each accounting period of New Company. An Extraordinary General
Meeting shall be convened by a resolution of the Board of Directors
whenever deemed necessary.
A quorum of the General Meeting
of Shareholders shall be the shareholders present either in person
or by proxy representing more than 50% of all shares of the New
Company.
Except as expressly otherwise
provided in the Articles of Association of the New Company or this
Agreement, all resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders
shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of Shareholders holding
more than 50% of the shares present or represented at meeting for
which there is quorum.
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Article 12.
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Important
Matters
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In addition to such matters as
required by the Articles of Association of New Company or the
applicable laws in Lithuania, any resolutions of the following
matters by the General Meeting of Shareholders require the
affirmative vote of shareholders representing at least two-thirds
of the shares present or represented at meeting for which there is
quorum:
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1.
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any
amendment or modification of the Articles of
Association;
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2.
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increase,
decrease or change of structure in the authorized capital, but only
subject to provisions of Chapter VI;
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3.
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issuance of new
shares or any other kind of equity securities or instruments
convertible into equity securities or the decision to undertake a
Public Offering (as defined on Article 30);
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4.
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issuance
of debentures;
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5.
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transfer
of any part or whole of business;
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6.
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approval,
rejection or change of the balance sheet, profit assignment and
dividends of New Company;
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7.
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splitting, dissolution or
amalgamation;
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8.
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dismissal,
replacement, change of powers, change in number or length of tenure
of Directors, subject to the rights of Lithuanian Partner and SPAR
under Article 13.
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CHAPTER IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS
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Article 13.
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Election of
Directors
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The Board of Directors of the New
Company shall consist of four (4) Directors; two (2) of whom shall
be elected from among those appointed by Lithuanian Partner and 2
whom shall be elected by those appointed by SPAR. The Chairman of
the Board of Directors shall be elected from the Directors by the
mutual consultation of both parties. In case of any increase or
decrease in the number of Directors, the representation stipulated
above shall be unchanged and pro-rata at all times.
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Article 14.
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Election of
Officers
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14.1. Officers
shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors.
14.2. The
Chief Executive Officer of the New Company shall be elected for the
period of 1 (one) year, subject to possible re-election. If
requested either by SPAR or Lithuanian partner, SPAR and Lithuanian
partner will cause their respective nominees on the Board of
Directors to vote for dismissal of the Chief Executive
Officer:
14.2.1. if
he/she violates any provision of the employment contract or the
Articles of Association of the New Company, or ignores any
resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Board or
Directors; or
14.2.2. in
case of willful misconduct, gross negligence or criminal offense of
the Chief Executive Officer; or
14.2.3. in
case of his/her failure to act for the benefit of the New Company
and its shareholders.
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Article 15.
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Office of
Director
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The term of office of each
Director shall expire at the close of each Ordinary General Meeting
of Shareholders
Each Director shall have one (1)
voting right in the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise
required in the Articles of Association of New Company or this
Agreement, 2/3 of the Directors shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting of their Board of Directors, and all resolutions shall be
adopted by the affirmative vote of at least of 3 (three)
Directors.
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Article 17.
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Ordinary
Meeting of the Board of Directors
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The Ordinary Meeting of the Board
of Directors shall be held semiannually, and an Extraordinary
Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held when necessary,
both of which shall be convened in accordance with the provisions
of the Articles of Association. To the extent then permitted, any
meeting of the Board of Directors may be held by interactive
telephone conference, video conference or other similar electronic
or telephonic means, and any action that may be taken by the Board
of Directors at a meeting thereof (whether in person or video
conference) may be effected in lieu of such meeting by unanimous
written consent resolution executed by each member of the Board of
Directors. The Parties hereto confirm that the interpretation in
Lithuania is that meetings of boards of directors may be held by
interactive telephone conference. For any proposed meeting of the
Board of Directors for which SPAR requests, the New Company and
SPAR shall cooperate to arrange for such meetings to be held by
telephone conference. A written record in Lithuanian of all
meetings of the Board of Directors and all decisions made by it
together with English translation thereof shall be made as promptly
as practicable after each meeting of the Board of Directors by one
of the Board selected by the Board of Directors at each meeting,
kept in the records of the Company and signed or sealed by each of
the Directors.
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Article 18.
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Important
Matters
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In addition to such matter as
required by Articles of Association of New Company, the following
matters of the Board of Directors meeting shall require the
affirmative vote of at least of 3 (three) votes of the
Directors:
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1.
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any proposal to
the General Meeting of Shareholders or action by the Board of
Directors for the matters as provided in Article 12
hereof;
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2.
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any investment
or commitment of New Company in amounts individually in excess of
LTL 50,000 or in the aggregate in excess of LTL150,000;
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3.
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any loan or
credit taken by New Company;
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4.
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execution,
amendment or termination of agreements or commitments with
Lithuanian Partner, SPAR or their subsidiaries or
affiliates;
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5.
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adoption or
amendment of the annual budgets and business plan;
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6.
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adoption or any
material modification of major regulations or procedures, including
any employee rules or handbook;
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7.
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initiating or
settling any litigation, arbitration or other formal dispute
settlement procedures or forgiveness of any obligation owed to the
New Company in excess of 150,000;
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8.
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approval of
annual closing of the books of New Company and the New
Company’s annual financial statements, and changing of
accounting policies and practices or the New Company’s
accounting periods;
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9.
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establishment
or amendment to the condition of employment of New Company
officers, provided that the affirmatives vote of SPAR-nominated
Directors shall not be withheld unreasonably;
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10.
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sale or
disposition of or granting a lien, security interest or similar
obligation with respect to, in one or a series of related
transactions of New Company or with respect to any major strategic
asset of New Company that is crucial to New Company’s
business;
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11.
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formation of
any subsidiary of New Company, entry into (or subsequent
termination of) any joint venture, partnership or similar
agreements;
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12.
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entering into,
amending or terminating any contract with/or commitment to any
Director or shareholder; and
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13.
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entering into
any agreement or commitment to provide goods or services outside
the Territory;
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14.
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giving the
consent for viewing, modifying of copying the software subject to
the License Agreement. The parties explicitly agree to cause the
New Company not to view, modify or copy the software subject to the
License Agreement without approval by the Board of Directors even
in case when the applicable legal requirements do not require an
authorization from the author of other owner of the software
subject to the License Agreement;
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15.
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approval of the
list of positions of the New Company’s Employees and main
terms and conditions of their employment.
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CHAPTER V: AUDIT
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Article 19.
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Accounting
Period
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The accounting periods of New
Company shall end on the 31st day of December of each year or
another date if permitted by applicable law.
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Article 20.
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Inspection
of Accounting Records and Books
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20.1.
Each year, New Company shall arrange an annual audit of the
accounting records and books and shall submit a report of such
audit to each of the parties hereto within thirty (30) days from
the completion of the audit. Each year, the audit shall commence no
later than February 15 and shall be completed no later than March
1.
20.2. An
internationally recognized auditing firm shall be the accounting
firm selected by SPAR and appointed by the General Meeting of
Shareholders of the New Company. Such accounting firm shall audit
the accounting records and books of New Company and any other
matters relating, directly or indirectly, to the financial
condition of New Company. Any fee for the certified public
accountant for inspection and audit mentioned above shall be borne
by the New Company. New Company shall keep true and correct
accounting records and books with regard to all of its operations
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals
consistently applied in Lithuania (“GAAP”). All
accounting records and books shall be kept ready for inspection by
the Parties hereto or by their authorized representatives. If
requested by SPAR, New Company shall cooperate with respect to each
financial period to provide such information as required by SPAR to
reconcile New Company’s financial statements with U.S. GAAP
reporting requirements of SPAR. SPAR and Lithuanian Partner shall
each have the right at any time to have an outside auditor inspect
all the books and records of New Company and the New Company shall
cooperate fully with any such audit.
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Article 21.
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Increase of
Capital
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In case of capital increase of
the New Company after its establishment (other than increase
stipulated in Articles 1 and 8 of this Agreement), Lithuanian
Partner and SPAR shall have the preemptive right to new shares to
be issued for such capital increase in proportion to their
respective shareholdings in the New Company.
CHAPTER VI: TRANSFER OF
SHARES
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Article 22.
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Restrictions
on Transfer of Shares
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Except as provided in Article 23
hereof, no Party hereto shall, without the prior written consent of
other Party, assign, sell, transfer, pledge, mortgage, or otherwise
dispose of all or any part of its shares (including its right to
subscribe to new shares) of the New Company to any third
parties.
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Article 23.
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Preemptive
Right and Option
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23.1. The
Parties agree that (3) years from the effective date of this
Agreement no one of the Parties will sell or otherwise transfer its
shares in the New Company, and at no time may any Party transfer
less than all of its shares. After three (3) years from the
effective date of this Agreement, if any Party hereto (hereinafter
in items 1 and 2 of this Article called “Selling
Party”) wishes to transfer and/or sell all but not less than
all of its shares, the Selling Party shall furnish to the other
Party (hereinafter in this Article called “Other
Party”) a written
notice (hereinafter called
“Notice on Sale”) of a proposed purchaser, the offered
purchase price and other major terms and conditions of such
proposed sale.
23.2. The
Other Party shall have a right to purchase such shares by giving
the Selling Party a written notice of their intention to purchase
the same within ninety (90) days from the receipt of the Selling
Party’s notice, upon the same terms and conditions as
described in the Notice on Sale. If the Other Party does not
exercise their right to purchase the Selling Party’s shares
within ninety (90) days from the receipt of the Notice on Sale, the
Selling Party within subsequent ninety (90) days (hereinafter
called “Selling Period”) may sell such shares to the
purchaser indicated in the Notice on Sale and upon the terms and
conditions as described in the Notice on Sale. Unless agreed by the
Other Party in writing, any transferee or purchasing party shall be
subject to this Agreement.
23.3.
After three (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement,
SPAR may at any time make a written offer to buy all of the
Lithuanian Partner’s shares in the New Company. The
Lithuanian Partner shall then accept the offer and sell all of its
shares under the terms and conditions offered, or Lithuanian
Partner may purchase all of SPAR’s shares at the same terms
and conditions. If the Lithuanian Partner does not respond to the
initial offer within one hundred and twenty (120) days, it shall be
deemed that the Lithuanian Partner has accepted the offer to sell
all of its shares. After three (3) years from the effective date of
this Agreement, Lithuanian Partner may at any time make a written
offer to buy all of the SPAR’s shares in the New Company.
SPAR then may elect to either accept the offer and sell all of its
shares under the terms and conditions offered, or purchase all of
Lithuanian Partner’s shares at the same terms and conditions.
If SPAR does not respond to the initial offer within one hundred
and twenty (120) days, it shall be deemed that SPAR has accepted
the offer to sell all of its shares. In any case, the Parties shall
cooperate to affect the closing of such purchase and sale of all of
the shares of the New Company held by the selling Party within 120
days of the decision or deemed decision of the second Party. At
such closing, the purchasing Party shall pay to the selling Party
the purchase price in cash, and the selling Party shall deliver to
the purchasing Party all of the selling Party’s shares held
in the New Company, free and clear of any liens.
23.4.
Notwithstanding the general arbitration provisions in Article 37,
should there be any deadlock at any meeting of the Board of
Directors and/or at any General Meeting of Shareholders of New
Company, then in such event the Parties shall attempt to resolve
these issues by mediation as soon as possible and failing such
resolution within twenty-one (21) business days after having been
referred to mediation, any director or shareholder (as the case may
be) shall be entitled by written notice to New Company to claim
that all or any of the
matters which were under
discussion and/or to be discussed at that meeting, be submitted to
and decided by arbitration in terms of Article 38.
23.5.
Notwithstanding that a deadlock may have arisen in terms of clause
23.4. such deadlock shall not alone constitute a ground for any
shareholder to apply to court for the winding up of the New
Company.
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Article 24.
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Cooperation
in Financing
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24.1. The
New Company may initially borrow up to LTL 150,000 as its operating
funds, which shall be guaranteed by Lithuanian Partner in its
discretion. Lithuanian Partner shall make its reasonable efforts to
enable such borrowing. The terms of the borrowing and any agreement
between the New Company and Lithuanian Partner with respect to
Lithuanian Partner guarantee shall be matters subject to Article 18
hereof.
24.2. The
New Company may borrow an additional LTL 150,000 when it needs
additional funds, if such borrowing is approved in advance by the
Board of Directors as an important matter under Article 18
herein.
24.3. If
Lithuanian Partner pays any creditors of the New Company due to a
guarantee made by Lithuanian Partner to such creditors in favor of
the New Company under clause 24.1., SPAR shall reimburse Lithuanian
Partner pro rata with their respective share capital percentage in
the New Company as at the date of reimbursement, but only if the
New Company’s borrowing of such funds and Lithuanian Partner
guaranty of the New Company’s obligations have been expressly
agreed to in advance by SPAR in writing or in a Board resolution,
for which all SPAR-nominated directors have voted
affirmatively.
24.4. For
the first three years of operations subsequent to the effective
date of this Agreement (the “ Maximum Loss Period
”), if for any year the net loss of the New Company exceeds
LTL 80,000 (the “ Annual Maximum Loss ”),
Lithuanian Partner shall make a cash payment to the New Company
equal to the amount of the net loss in excess of the Annual Maximum
Loss (the “ Annual Maximum Loss Payment ”),
which payment shall be in the form of a fully subordinated,
non-amortizing, interest free loan with an initial term of the
later of one year and the date following the close of any fiscal
year where the New Company has sufficient distributable profits,
which term shall be automatically extended by successive 12-month
periods until such loan shall have been repaid. The Annual Maximum
Loss Payment shall be paid within 45 days after the issuance of the
annual audit report by the outside auditing firm specified in
Article 20.
CHAPTER VII: ROLE OF CONTRACTING
PARTIES
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Article 25.
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Certain
Expenses
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25.1.
SPAR for first three (3) years will provide up to three thousand
(3,000) hours of business support annually. This support may be in
the form of general business, consultation or programming support
to modify or enhance the merchandising software. SPAR will maintain
ownership of all software. If support provided by SPAR exceeds
three thousand (3,000) hours the additional hours will be billed by
SPAR to the New Company at US$ fifty five (55.00) per hour. However
a lower price will be charged for programming costs if a less
expensive way to hire IT staff is found. The New Company will be
able to hire its own IT staff if cost of such hiring are lower than
costs that otherwise will be paid by the New Company to
SPAR.
25.2. If
after three (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement,
SPAR sells its interest to a third party or to Lithuanian Partner,
SPAR is committed to supply:
25.2.1. its name for
an additional year at no cost; and
25.2.2. its Licensed
Technology (as defined in the License Agreement) to the New Company
for an additional eighteen (18) months at the following
cost:
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25.2.2.1. first
six (6) months:
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out of pocket
costs; and
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25.2.2.2. next
twelve (12)months:
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US$3,000/month
plus out of pocket costs.
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At the end of such additional
eighteen (18) months period, in the case of both clauses 25.2.1.
and 25.2.2. the New Company shall immediately cease using the name
“SPAR” and the License Agreement shall be
terminated.
25.3.
Lithuanian Partner agrees that its operating expenses may not be
allocated to the New Company.
SPAR and Lithuanian Partner shall
provide the appropriate training to the employees for New
Company’s operation at its own site. The said training shall
be made upon New Company’s request and any necessary expenses
for the training shall be borne by New Company, except as otherwise
provided in the License Agreement.
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Article 27.
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Non-Competition
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For the duration of this
Agreement and for two (2) years after the termination of the
Agreement, neither SPAR without the consent of Lithuanian Partner,
nor Lithuanian Partner without the consent of SPAR, shall engage
in, whether directly or indirectly, Merchandising
Services (as defined in the
License Agreement) or any other business then competitive with New
company in the Territory. However, in the event that SPAR enters
into a contract with a customer that covers more than one country
and the scope of such agreement includes services in the Territory,
SPAR shall not be prohibited from entering into or performing such
agreement, provided that SPAR shall make commercially reasonable
efforts to enable New Company to participate in and be fairly
compensated for providing services to any such customer.
CHAPTER VIII: AMENDMENT FOR
PUBLIC OFFERING
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Article 28.
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Public
Offering
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The Parties acknowledge that the
New Company may attempt to become a listed company or
over-the-counter company on the Vilnius Stock Exchange or any other
stock exchange or public market in Lithuania (Public Offering). The
Parties acknowledge that in case of Public Offering the New Company
will have to comply with the relevant governmental or regulatory
requirements applicable for Public Offering. If SPAR and Lithuanian
Partner agree to undertake a Public Offering, all parties shall
discuss and reasonably cooperate with each other to rearrange the
New Company into the public company (akcine bendrove), amend the
Articles of Association, other incorporation documents of the New
Company, and/or the License Agreement, as well as cause the New
Company to comply with other applicable governmental or regulatory
requirements in order to complete the Public Offering of the New
Company. Any changes to the License Agreement will be effective
upon consummation of the Public Offering (but not before), and
subject to the approval of the Boards of Directors of the New
Company, Lithuanian Partner and SPAR.
CHAPTER IX:
CONFIDENTIALITY
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Article 29.
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Confidential
Information
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Lithuanian Partner and SPAR shall
keep secret and retain in strict confidence any and all
confidential information and use it only for the purpose of this
Agreement and shall not disclose it to a third party without the
prior written consent of the other party unless the receiving party
can demonstrate that such information: (i) has become public other
than as a result of disclosure by the receiving party, (ii) was
available to the receiving party prior to the disclosure by the
disclosing party with the right to disclose, or (iii) has been
independently acquired or developed by the receiving party.
Notwithstanding to the foregoing, SPAR is authorized to disclose or
make public available this Agreement, if such disclosure is
required by legal requirements or other stock exchange regulations
applicable to SPAR in the United States or any other jurisdiction
where SPAR is engaged in its business. These confidentiality
provisions shall survive termination of this Agreement.
CHAPTER X: REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES, INDEMNITY
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Article 30.
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Representations and Warranties
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30.1.
Each Party represents and warrants to each other that it is a
company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
Lithuania or United States of America, as applicable.
30.2.
Each Party and Guarantors represent and warrant to each other that
they have power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform its obligations hereunder, except that the Board of
Directors of SPAR has to approve the execution of this Agreement
prior its effect. The Agreement constitutes a valid and legally
binding obligation of each Party and Guarantors enforceable against
each of them in accordance with its terms. Except as provided
herein, consummation by each Party and Guarantors of the
transactions contemplated hereby does not and will not conflict
with any legal requirement or contract applicable to each of
them.
30.3.
Lithuanian Partner and Guarantors represent and warrant to SPAR
that financial statements of Lithuanian partner attached hereto as
Exhibit H fairly represent the financial condition of
Lithuanian Partner and, without limitation, all liabilities of
Lithuanian partner.
30.4.
Guarantors represents and warrants to SPAR that, as the result of
Lithuanian Partner’s contributions to the New Company
described in clauses 8.3. and 8.4., the New Company will not become
liable to any creditors of Lithuanian Partner and will not directly
or indirectly take over any of Lithuanian Partner’s debts,
liabilities or obligations (whether existing or contingent), other
than those as indicated in Exhibit D.
31.1.
Each Party will indemnify other Party for all losses incurred by
such Party in connection with any inaccuracy of any representation
or warranty made by the Party in this Agreement or any breach by
the Party of any obligation hereunder.
31.2.
Without limitation to the foregoing, each of the Party in the event
of inaccuracy or breach of any of its representations, warranty of
obligation hereunder, will be obliged to pay to the other Party the
fine in the amount of LTL 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) and
compensate the losses incurred by the other Party which are not
covered by such fine.
31.3. If
as the result of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement the
New Company is recognized liable against any creditors of
Lithuanian Partner, or have to pay for any debts, liabilities or
obligations (whether existing or contingent) of Lithuanian Partner
(other than those as listed in Exhibit D ), the Guarantors
will jointly and severally compensate the New Company by paying the
amount necessary to put the New Company into the position it would
have been in had such liability of the New Company not
existed.
CHAPTER XI: GENERAL
PROVISIONS
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Article 32.
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Effective
Date
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This Agreement shall become
effective at the time of execution hereof.
33.1. If
SPAR transfers its shares in the New Company to Lithuanian Partner,
or Lithuanian Partner transfers its respective shares in the New
Company to SPAR, in accordance with Article 23 hereof, this
Agreement shall terminate. If any Party transfers its shares in the
New Company to another Party, unless expressly agreed by the
non-transferring parties in writing, this Agreement shall be
assigned to and binding upon such third party, provided that the
assigning Party shall remain liable for all legal acts with respect
to this Agreement or the New Company occurred before the effective
date of such assignment.
33.2. If
SPAR is not in breach of this Agreement, it may terminate this
Agreement by written notice to Lithuanian Partner if any breach by
Lithuanian Partner shall not have been corrected by Lithuanian
Partner within thirty (30) days after written notice is given by
SPAR. If Lithuanian Partner is not in breach of this Agreement,
Lithuanian Partner may terminate this Agreement by written notice
to SPAR if any breach by SPAR shall not have been corrected by SPAR
within thirty (30) days after written notice is given by Lithuanian
Partner. If Lithuanian Partner or SPAR disputes the exercise of any
rights under this provision, such disputing party may invoke the
arbitration provisions in Article 37.
33.3.
Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving notice in the
event of one or more of the following occurs with respect to the
other Party:
(a) appointment of a trustee
or receiver for all or any part of its assets;
(b) insolvency or
bankruptcy;
(c) assignment for the
benefit of any creditor;
(d) attachment of
assets;
(e) expropriation of
business or assets; and
(f) dissolution or
liquidation.
If any Party is involved in any
of the events stated above, it shall immediately notify the other
parties of the occurrence of such event.
33.4. In
case of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article 33.2.
or Article 33.3., the Party terminating in accordance with this
Agreement shall have an option to purchase the shares of the other
parties at the book value to be decided by an internationally
recognized accounting firm that is not the principal accounting
firm of either party, if either party so requests, or to have the
New Company dissolved.
33.5.
Upon termination of this Agreement or SPAR’s ceasing to hold
at least 51% of the shares in New Company, the License Agreement
shall terminate immediately. The validity of License Agreement may
be extended upon request of the Lithuanian Partner, according to
the provisions of Article 25 Paragraph 2 of this
Agreement.
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Article 34.
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Force
Majeure
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No party shall be liable to any
other party for failure or delay in the performance of any of its
obligations under this Agreement for the time and to the extent
such failure or delay is caused by riots, civil commotions, wars,
hostilities between nations, governmental laws, orders or
regulations, embargoes, actions by the government or any agency
thereof, acts of God, storms, fires, accidents, strikes, sabotages,
explosions, or other similar contingencies beyond the reasonable
control of the respective parties.
All notices, reports and other
communications given or made in accordance with or in connection
with this Agreement shall be made in writing and may be given
either by (i) personal delivery, (ii) overnight delivery or (iii)
registered air mail, if properly posted, with postage fully
prepaid, in an envelope properly addressed to the respective
parties at the address set forth below or to such changed address
as may be given by either party to the other by such written
notice. Any notice, etc by personal delivery or overnight delivery
or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to have been given (7)
days after the dispatch. In any event, if any notice, etc. is
received other than the regular business hours of the recipient, it
shall be deemed to have been given as of the following business day
of the recipient.
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If to
Lithuanian Partner:
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UAB "Rinkos
skatinimo sistemos"
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Aušros av.
76233 Siauliai, Lithuania,
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ATT Irena
Kairiene
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fax: + 370 41
595516;
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If to
SPAR:
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Spar Group
International Inc.,
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580 White
Plains Road, Tarrytown New York, USA
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ATT Robert G.
Brown, Chairman
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fax: +
914-332-0741
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If to
Guarantors:
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Aušros av.
76233 Siauliai, Lithuania,
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ATT Irena
Kairiene
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fax: + 370 41
595516.
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This Agreement and the rights and
obligations hereunder are personal to the parties hereto, and shall
not be assigned by either of the parties to any third
party.
All dispute, controversies, or
differences which may arise between SPAR, on the one hand, and
Lithuanian Partner, on the other hand, out of or in relation to or
in connections with this Agreement, shall be finally settled by
arbitration in Lithuania in accordance with the Arbitration Rules
of Vilnius Court of Commercial Arbitration if initiated by SPAR, or
in New York City in accordance with the International Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association if initiated by
Lithuanian Partner. The hearings of the arbitral tribunal shall be
held in Vilnius, if initiated by SPAR, or in New York City, if
initiated by any other party hereto. The arbitration shall be
conducted in English, by three (3) arbitrators. The arbitration
shall be final and legally binding upon both parties.
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Article 38.
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Implementation
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The parties hereby agree, for
themselves, their successors, heirs and legal representatives,
affiliates or other related persons, respectively, to vote at
Shareholders’ meetings, and to make their best endeavors
(including any actions within their reasonable control) in causing
the Directors they nominate to vote at Board meetings and to carry
out their duties, to prepare, execute and deliver or cause to be
prepared, executed and delivered such further instruments and
documents, to take such other actions and to cause the Articles of
Association of New Company, New Company work rules and other rules
and Commercial registry and any other document to be amended or
adopted, as may be reasonably required to effect the provisions and
intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
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Article 39.
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Governing
Law
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This Agreement and all questions
arising out of or under this Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of
Lithuania.
Any failure of any party to
enforce, at any time or for any period of time, any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of
such provisions or of the right of such party thereafter to enforce
each and every such provision.
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Article 41.
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Entire
Agreement
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This Agreement constitutes the
entire and only agreement among the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any other
commitments, agreements or understandings, written or verbal, that
the parties hereto may have had. No modification, change and
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
hereto except by mutual express consent in writing of subsequent
date signed by authorized officer or representative of each of the
parties hereto or of the party against whom enforcement is
sought.
The headings of articles and
paragraphs used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the
respective articles and paragraphs of this Agreement.
This Agreement has been executed
in English language.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties
hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in six (6) copies
by their respective duly authorized officer or representative as of
the day first above written.
Lithuanian Partner:
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Signature:
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/s/ Irena Kairiene
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Name:
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Irena
Kairiene
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Title:
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Director
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Spar Group International
Inc.:
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Signature:
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/s/ Robert G Brown
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Name:
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Rob
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