|
Exhibit
10.2
INVESTMENT AND
SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
with respect
to
GERENS MANAGEMENT GROUP,
S.A.
between
Tinsa Tasaciones
Inmobiliarias, S.A.
Mr. José Manuel
Albaladejo González
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de
Piedad de Ávila
Caja de Ahorros de
Murcia
Caja de Ahorros de la
Rioja
Monte de Piedad y Caja
General de Ahorros de Badajoz
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de
Piedad del Círculo Católico de Obreros de
Burgos
Caja Castilla la Mancha
Corporación, S.A.
Araba Gertu,
S.A.
Invernostra,
S.L.U.
Caixa d’Estalvis de
Sabadell
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de
Piedad de Zaragoza, Aragón y Rioja (Ibercaja)
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de
Piedad de Segovia
Monte de Piedad y Caja de
Ahorros San Fernando de Huelva, Jerez y Sevilla
(Cajasol)
Caja Insular de Ahorros de
Canarias
(the “Minority
Shareholders”)
and
HILL INTERNATIONAL,
S.A.
(the
“Investor”)
and
HILL INTERNATIONAL,
Inc.
(the,
“Guarantor”)
February 15,
2008
INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.
|
|
PURPOSE, BINDING NATURE AND DUE DILIGENCE |
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 Purpose |
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.2 Binding
nature |
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.3 Purpose of the
Company |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
INVESTMENT AND FINANCING OF THE COMPANY |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 Financing of the
Company |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 Subordinated Loan or
Credit Facility |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.3 Share capital
Increase |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 Shareholders’
Meeting |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
3.2 Board of
Directors |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
4.
|
|
EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS AND DEADLOCK
SITUATIONS |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 Exercise of voting
rights |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.2 Deadlock
situation |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
5.
|
|
POLICY
FOR THE FINANCING OF THE COMPANY |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
6.
|
|
TRANSFER OF SHARES IN THE COMPANY |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.1 Lock-up and pre-emptive
acquisition/subscription rights |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.2 Company share transfer
rules |
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.3 Put and Call
Options |
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
7.
|
|
INFORMATION RIGHTS |
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
8.
|
|
GEOGRAPHIC RIGHTS FOR THE COMPANY |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
8.1 Reserved
regions |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
8.2 Reserved
clients |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
8.3 Subrogating
party |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
9.
|
|
GUARANTEE BY THE GUARANTOR |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.
|
|
TERM
AND TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT. |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
11.
|
|
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
11.1 Governing
law |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
11.2 Jurisdiction |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
12.
|
|
MISCELLANEA |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.1 Labor Conditions of the
Executive |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.2 Entire
Agreement |
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.3 No assignment of the
Agreement |
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.4 Notices |
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.5 Taxes and
Costs |
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.6 Annexes |
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.7 Confidentiality |
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.8 Previous
agreements |
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.9 Partial
invalidity |
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.10 Compliance |
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.11 Good Faith |
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.12
Language |
|
29 |
INVESTMENT AND
SHAREHOLDERS´ AGREEMENT
This agreement has been made in Madrid,
on February 15, 2008
BY AND
BETWEEN
On the one side,
Mr. José Manuel Albaladejo
González (hereinafter the “ Executive
”), of legal age, of Spanish nationality, with domicile for
these purposes at Las Rozas (Madrid), calle José Echegaray,
number 8, building number 3, 1ª and Tax Identification Number
(NIF) 139.256- Z, acts for and on his own name and
behalf.
Tinsa Tasaciones Inmobiliarias,
S.A. (hereinafter the “ Entity 1” )
an entity duly incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws,
whose principal place of business is at Madrid, calle Vallehermoso,
number 8 . It is registered at Madrid Mercantile Registry in Volume
4,319, Sheet 191, Section 8 and Page Number M-71677. It has
been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF) A-78029774. It is
duly represented by Mr. Luís Leirado Campo, of Spanish
nationality, of legal age, with domicile for these purposes at Las
Rozas (Madrid), calle José Echegaray, number 9 and holder of
I.D. number 21375008-G. He acts by virtue of the power of attorney
granted, before the Madrid Public Notary, Mr. Enrique Franch
Valverde, on January 18, 2008, under his protocol serial
number 201.
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de
Ávila (hereinafter the “ Entity
2”) an entity duly incorporated and existing under the
Spanish laws, whose principal place of business is at Ávila,
plaza de Santa Teresa, number 10. It is registered at Ávila
Mercantile Registry in Volume 55, Book 13, Sheet 191,
Section 8 and Page Number AV-684. It has been assigned Tax
Identification Number (NIF) G-05011846. It is duly represented by
Mr. José Manuel Espinosa Herrero, of Spanish nationality,
of legal age, with domicile for these purposes at Ávila, plaza
de Santa Teresa, number 10 and holder of I.D. number 15.982.184-J.
He acts by virtue of the power of attorney granted before the
Public Notary, Dña. Concepción Pilar Barrio del Olmo, on
September 19, 2007, under her protocol serial number
2,676.
Caja de Ahorros de Murcia
(hereinafter the “ Entity 3”) an entity
duly incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws, whose
principal place of business is at Murcia, calle Gran Vía
Escultor Salizillo, number 23. It is registered at Murcia
Mercantile Registry in Volume 292, Sheet 201 and Page Number
MU-5808. It has been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF)
G-30010185. It is duly represented by Ms. Valvanera Marcos
Cartelle, of spanish nationality, of legal age, with domicile for
these purposes at Murcia, calle Gran Vía, number 23 and holder
of I.D. number 32.817.305-P. She acts by virtue of the power of
attorney granted before the Public Notary Mr. Carlos
Peñafiel de Río, on January 24, 2008, under his
protocol serial number 287.
Caja de Ahorros de la Rioja
(hereinafter the “ Entity 4”) an entity
duly incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws, whose
principal place of business is at Logroño, calle Miguel
Villanueva, number 9.It is registered at Logroño Mercantile
Registry in Tome 267, Sheet 1 and Page Number LO-1131. It has been
assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF) G-26003038. It is duly
represented by Mr. Jorge Albájar Barrón, of spanish
nationality, of legal age, with domicile for these purposes at
Logroño, calle Miguel Villanueva number 9 and holder of I.D.
number 18.009.145-F. He acts by virtue of the power of attorney
granted before the Public Notary Mr. Julio Antonio Pernas
Tobía, on October 28, 2003, under his protocol serial
number 3,022.
Monte de Piedad y Caja General de
Ahorros de Badajoz (hereinafter the “ Entity
5”) an entity duly incorporated and existing under the
Spanish laws, whose principal place of business is at Badajoz,
plaza de San Francisco, number 18. It is registered at Badajoz
Mercantile Registry in Tome 36, Sheet 1 and Page Number BA-1853. It
has been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF) G-06000681. It is
duly represented by Mr. José Antonio Marcos Blanco, of
spanish nationality, of legal age, with domicile for these purposes
at Badajoz, paseo de San Francisco, number 18 and holder of I.D.
number 32.339.889-A. He acts by virtue of the power of attorney
granted before the Public Notary Mr. José Soto
García-Camacho, on April 17, 1986, under hir protocol
serial number 532 and power of attorney granted before the Public
Notary Mr Ángel Juárez Juárez, on August 18,
1978, under his protocol serial number 1,466.
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad del
Círculo Católico de Obreros de Burgos (hereinafter
the “ Entity 6”) an entity duly
incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws, whose principal
place of business is at Burgos, avenida de Reyes Católicos,
number 1. It is registered at Burgos Mercantile Registry in Tome
258, Book 49, Sheet 50 and Page Number BU-2099. It has been
assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF) G-09000779. It is duly
represented by Santiago Ruiz Díez, of Spanish nationality, of
legal age, with domicile for these purposes at Burgos, avenida de
Reyes Católicos, number 1 and holder of I.D. number
13.047.059-X. He acts by virtue of the power of attorney granted
before the Public Notary Mr. Jesús Santamaría
Villanueva, on December 5, 2001, under his protocol serial
number 2,672.
Caja Castilla La Mancha
Corporación, S.A. (hereinafter the “
Entity 7”) an entity duly incorporated and existing
under the Spanish laws, whose principal place of business is at
Cuenca, calle Parque de San Julián, number 20. It is
registered at Cuenca Mercantile Registry in Tome 123, Sheet 96 and
Page Number CU-900. It has been assigned Tax Identification Number
(NIF) A-16036634. It is duly represented by Mr. Juan José
Ávila González, of Spanish nationality, of legal age,
with domicile for these purposes at Burgos, avenida de Reyes
Católicos, number 1 and holder of I.D. number 13.047.059-X. He
acts by virtue of power of attorney granted before the Public
Notary Mr. Carlos de la Haza Guijarro, on March 31, 2006,
under his protocol serial number 699.
Araba Gertu, S.A. (hereinafter
the “ Entity 8”) an entity duly
incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws, whose principal
place of business is at Vitoria, calle Olaguíbel, number 2. It
is registered at Álava Mercantile Registry in Tome 835, Sheet
90 and Page Number VI-6,140. It has been assigned Tax
Identification Number (NIF) A-01.269.679. It is duly represented by
Mr. José Alberto Barrena Llorente, of Spanish
nationality, of legal age, with domicile for these purposes at
Vitoria, calle Olaguidel, number 2 and holder of I.D. number
14.909.320-F. He acts by virtue of power of attorney granted before
the Public Notary Mr. Alfredo Pérez Ávila, on
February 12, 2008, under his protocol serial number
429.
Invernostra, S.L.U.
(hereinafter the “ Entity 9”) an entity
duly incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws, whose
principal place of business is at Palma de Mallorca, calle Ter,
number 16. It is registered at Palma de Mallorca Mercantile
Registry in Tome 1,603, Sheet 31 and Page Number PM-7,965. It has
been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF) B-07229693. It is
duly represented by Mr. José María Navarro Lacoba,
of spanish nationality, of legal age, with domicile for these
purposes at Palma de Mallorca, camí Son Fangos, number 100,
flat B, 2 Floor-8 th B
(Complex Mirall Balear) and holder of I.D. number 7.562.484-S. He
acts by virtue of power of attorney granted before the Public
Notary Mr. José Andrés Herrero de Lara, on
January 24, 2008, under his protocol serial number
354.
Caixa d’Estalvis de
Sabadell (hereinafter the “ Entity
10”) an entity duly incorporated and existing under the
Spanish laws, whose principal place of business is at Sabadell,
calle Gràcia, number 17 to 19. It is registered at Barcelona
Mercantile Registry in Tome 21,370, Sheet 1 and Page Number
B-20785. It has been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF)
G-08169799. It is duly represented by Francisco Javier Chivato
Pérez, of Spanish nationality, of legal age, with domicile for
these purposes at Sabadell, calle Gràcia, number 17 and holder
of I.D. number 2601570-V.It is registered at Barcelona Mercantile
Registry in Tome 21,370, Sheet 1 and Page Number B-20785. It has
been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF) G-08169799. It is
duly represented by Francisco Javier Chivato Pérez, of Spanish
nationality, of legal age, with domicile for these purposes at
Sabadell, Gràcia, number 17 and holder of I.D. number
2601570-V. He acts by virtue of power of attorney granted before
the Public Notary Mr. Enrique Ruiz de Bustillo Pont, on
January 24, 2008, under his protocol serial number
245.
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de
Zaragoza, Aragón y Rioja (Ibercaja) (hereinafter the
“Entity 11”) an entity duly incorporated and
existing under the Spanish laws, whose principal place of business
is at Zaragoza, plaza de Basileo Paraíso, number 2. It is
registered at Zaragoza Mercantile Registry in Tome 1,194, Sheet 23
and Page Number Z-4,862. It has been assigned Tax Identification
Number (NIF) G-50000652. It is duly represented by
Mr. Santiago Javier Pasamar Berenguer, of Spanish nationality,
of legal age, with domicile for these purposes at Zaragoza, plaza
de Basilio Paraíso, number 2 and holder of I.D. number
17129135-T. He acts by virtue of power of attorney granted before
the Public Notary Mr. Francisco Javier Hijas Fernández,
on January 23, 2008, under his protocol serial number
136.
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de
Segovia (hereinafter the “ Entity
12”) an entity duly incorporated and existing under the
Spanish laws, whose principal place of business is at Segovia,
avenida Fernández Ladreda, number 8. It is registered at
Segovia Mercantile Registry in Tome 28, Sheet 119 and Page Number
SG-560. It has been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF)
G-40000192. It is duly represented by Mr. Antonio Luis Tapias
Domínguez, of spanish nationality, of legal age, with domicile
for these purposes at Segovia, avenida Fernández Ladreda,
number 8 and holder ofI.D. number 3.420.782-S. He acts by virtue of
power of attorney granted before the Public Notary
Ms. Dña. Mª Antonia Santero de la Fuente, on
December 20, 2007, under her protocol serial number
15,414.
Monte de Piedad y Caja de
Ahorros San Fernando de Huelva, Jerez y Sevilla (Cajasol)
(hereinafter the “Entity 13”) an entity duly
incorporated and existing under the Spanish laws, whose principal
place of business is at Sevilla (41004), plaza de San Francisco,
number 1. It is registered at Sevilla Mercantile Registry in Tome
4,675, Sheet 1 and Page Number SE-74000 It has been assigned Tax
Identification Number (NIF) G-91658039. It is duly represented by
Mr. Juan Carlos Ollero Pina , of spanish nationality, of legal
age, with domicile for these purposes at Sevilla, calle Zaragoza,
number 52, 2 nd floorand holder of I.D. number 28.336.770-B. He acts by virtue
of power of attorney granted before the Public Notary
Mr. Antonio Ojeda Escobar, on May 18, 2007, under his
protocol serial number 1,810.
Caja Insular de Ahorros de
Canarias (hereinafter the “ Entity
14”) an entity duly incorporated and existing under the
Spanish laws, whose principal place of business is at Las Palmas de
Gran Canaria, calle de Triana, number 20. It is registered at Gran
Canaria Mercantile Registry in Tome 907, Sheet 152 and Page Number
GC-4209. It has been assigned Tax Identification Number (NIF)
G-35000272. It is duly represented by Mr. Juan Miguel
Amuchástegui Espilla, of Spanish nationality, of legal age,
with domicile for these purposes at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,
calle de Triana, number 20 and holder of I.D. number 15.341.410-L.
He acts by virtue of power of attorney granted before the Public
Notary Mr. Juan Alfonso Cabello Cascajo, on January 24,
2008, under his protocol serial number 504.
The Executive, the Entity 1, the Entity
2, the Entity 3, the Entity 4, the Entity 5, the Entity 6, the
Entity 7, the Entity 8, the Entity 9, the Entity 10, the Entity 11,
the Entity 12, the Entity 13 and the Entity 14, hereinafter will be
jointly referred to as the “ Minority Shareholders
”.
And on the other side,
Hill International, S.A.
(hereinafter, the “ Investor ”), a company duly
incorporated and existing under the laws of Luxembourg, whose
principal place of business is at 20 Avenue Monterrey, L-2163,
Luxembourg and registered at the Commercial Registry of
Luxembourg under number B106594, with
Tax Identification Number (NIF) N1181177E. The Investor is duly
represented by Mr.Irvin E. Richter, of American nationality, of
legal age, with domicile for these purposes at 303 Lippincott
Centre, Marlton, New Jersey, United States and holder of passport
number 017912208 in force. He acts by virtue of power of attorney
granted before the Niederaven Public Notary Mr. Paul
Bettingen, on January 30, 2008, duly apostilled.
Hill International, Inc.
(hereinafter, the “ Guarantor ”), a company duly
incorporated and existing under the laws of Delaware, whose
principal place of business is at 303 Lippincott Centre, Marlton,
NJ 08053, United States, registered at the Commercial Registry of
Delaware under number 3785704. . The Guarantor is duly represented
by Mr. David L. Richter, of American nationality, of
legal age, with domicile for these purposes at 303 Lippincott
Centre, Marlton, New Jersey, United States and holder of passport
number 220307801 in force. He acts by virtue of power of attorney
granted before the New Jersey Public Notary Mr. Erin E.
Leschak, on January 28, 2008, duly apostilled.
In this Investment and
Shareholders’ Agreement, the Minority Shareholders, the
Investor and the Guarantor may also be hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Parties” and each of them as
a “Party” .
The Parties mutually recognise their
respective legal capacity for the execution of this Investment and
Shareholders’ Agreement and for this purpose, hereby declare
the following
WHEREAS
| |
I. |
Whereas GERENS MANAGEMENT GROUP, S.A. (hereinafter, the “
Company ”) is a Spanish corporation, with registered
office in Madrid at José Echegaray 8, Parque Empresarial
Alvia, Edificio 3, Planta 1, Oficinas 10-11-12, 28232 Las Rozas,
Madrid, incorporated under the name Gerens Hill International, S.A.
pursuant to a public deed executed in the presence of the Madrid
Notary Mr. Enrique Franch Valverde, on January 19, 1998,
under number 154 of his protocol, registered in the Madrid
Mercantile Registry, in volume 12,195, sheet 79, page M-207,890,
and with tax identification number A-81929788. |
| |
II. |
Whereas the Investor has acquired on the date hereof and
pursuant to a share purchase agreement attested by the Madrid
Notary Mr. Enrique Franch Valverde, three thousand
(3,000) shares representing 60% of the capital stock of the
Company. |
| |
III. |
Whereas it is the intention of the Parties to regulate their
relationship as shareholders owning 100% of the capital stock of
the Company, to establish the terms and conditions of certain
obligations in relation to their holdings in the capital stock of
the Company and to designate the members of the governing bodies of
the same. |
Based on the above, the Parties have
agreed to enter into this Investment and Shareholders’
Agreement (hereinafter, this or the “Agreement”
) pursuant to the following:
CLAUSES
| 1. |
PURPOSE, BINDING NATURE AND DUE DILIGENCE |
The purpose of this Agreement
is to establish the rules to govern and manage the Company as well
as certain rules that will rule the relation amongst the
shareholders of the Company and those to apply upon their eventual
exit.
The date of execution of this
Agreement will be considered hereinafter the “ Closing
Date ”.
This Agreement is binding on
the Parties and its provisions shall prevail over the bylaws of the
Company (the “Bylaws” ) in the event of
discrepancy between said documents.
The Parties hereby undertake
to cause to call and attend a General Shareholders’ meeting
of the Company to be held upon execution of this Agreement and to
vote in favour of (i) the adoption of a text of the Bylaws of
the Company which conforms, to the extent legally possible, to the
provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the appointment of the new
members of the Board of Directors of the Company and (iii) to
change the corporate name of the Company to “Gerens Hill
International, S.A.”.
The Parties hereby undertake
to cause to call a Board of Directors Meeting of the Company, once
such appointments of new members have taken place, to adopt the
following resolutions: (i) distribution of offices according
to this Agreement; (ii) approval or ratification, as the case
may be, of the contractual conditions of the Executive with the
Company; and (iii) approval of the Business Plan –as
defined below.
| 1.3 |
Purpose of the Company |
The Company is a company
engaged in the provision of project management and independent
technical consultancy services in Spain and abroad consisting
mainly in integrated real estate services, project management,
construction management, consulting and technical support, public
private partnership, project monitoring and facility management in
Spain and abroad for domestic and international clients and
projects.
| 2. |
INVESTMENT AND FINANCING OF THE COMPANY |
| 2.1 |
Financing of the Company |
The Parties have agreed on a
Business Plan –as defined below- which contains the mutual
understanding of the development of a strategic business and
investment plan for the Company.
In order to allow the
fulfilment of the Business Plan and to cover the financial needs
arising from the same, the Company will be provided with the
necessary funding and financing under, but not limited to, any of
the formulas provided for in this clause to allow it, in a timely
manner, to undertake and perform any of the expenditures or
investments contemplated in said plan.
The eventual non compliance
with the terms, aims or targets of the approved Business Plan -as
defined below- does in no way liberate or relieve the parties from
the undertakings and provisions of this Agreement, neither does it
modify, alter or condition the terms and conditions of the same nor
constitutes a breach of this Agreement. Accordingly, the fulfilment
of the terms, targets or aims of the approved Business Plan does
not constitute neither may it be construed as a condition of any of
the provisions of this Agreement.
| 2.2 |
Subordinated Loan or Credit Facility |
With the purposes described
in Section 2.1 above, following the execution of the
Agreement, all or part of the Minority Shareholder(s) may grant the
Company a Subordinated Loan or Credit Facility –under the
terms and conditions that may be agreed from time to time for an
amount of € 5,700,000 to increase the Company financial
resources, without limiting the Company’s borrowing capacity,
to be used to finance the investments contemplated in the Business
Plan, as this term is defined below, and to be fully repaid by the
Company or assigned to a third party upon exercise of the options
contemplated in Clause 6.3 of this Agreement, which amount will not
be considered as an increase of equity for the purposes of the
calculation of the price of the options foreseen in Clause
6.3.
The Company will be allowed
to draw from or use the subordinated credit facility or loan at any
time and without the need of a prior Board of Directors resolution
as long as it is invested further to the Business Plan –as
this term is defined below.-
| 2.3 |
Share capital Increase |
Alternatively, in the event
that the Subordinated Loan or Credit Facility mentioned under
Clause 2.2 above is finally not granted by all or part of the
Minority Shareholder(s) within a reasonable term to allow the
Company to enter into the expenditures or investments contemplated
in the Business Plan, the Minority Shareholders and the Investor
hereby undertake to cause to convene and to attend a General
Shareholders’ meeting of the Company to be held as soon as
legally possible, to vote in favour of the adoption of a resolution
to increase the capital stock of the Company to be subscribed and
paid in pro rata by the Minority Shareholders (except the Executive
who does not undertake any disbursement obligation whatsoever in
connection with said capital increase) and the Investor for an
amount of € 5,698,800 to be paid in cash, by means of the
subscription of 1,583 new shares for a price per share of €
3,600, equivalent to € 60,1 of face value per share plus an
issue premium per share of € 3,539,9. The resolutions to be
adopted will be substantially in the terms foreseen in Annex 2.3 to
this Agreement.
For the avoidance of doubt,
the Parties expressly state that the granting of the Subordinated
Loan or Credit Facility mentioned under Clause 2.2 above is not an
obligation for any of the Minority Shareholders but the preferred
alternative sought. Therefore, the Minority Shareholders will not
be in breach of any obligation in case that an agreement were not
finally reached.
| 3. |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY |
| 3.1 |
Shareholders’ Meeting |
General Shareholders’
meetings of the Company shall be validly convened to address any
matter within their authority, when shareholders are in attendance,
either personally or represented in first call, holding seventy per
cent (70%) of the subscribed voting capital.
If the quorum mentioned in
the preceding paragraph were not achieved in a first call, the
General Shareholders’ meetings of the Company shall be
validly convened to address any matter within their authority, when
shareholders are in attendance, either personally or represented in
a second call, holding forty per cent (40%) of the subscribed
voting capital.
As a general rule, the
General Shareholders’ meeting of the Company shall decide on
matters within its authority by the favourable vote of, at least,
fifty per cent plus one of the votes corresponding to the shares
present or represented at the meeting.
Without prejudice to the
provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph, the General
Shareholders’ meeting of the Company shall only resolve on
the following matters (the “GSM Reserved
Matters” ) by the favourable vote of shareholders
representing at least seventy per cent (70%) of the votes
corresponding to the shares in which the capital of the Company is
divided:
| |
(a) |
Entering into share capital increases, sales or acquisitions of
treasury stock and any other kind of equity issuances (e.g.
warrants, convertible bonds, etc.) except for the capital increase
described in Section 2.3 of this Agreement. |
| |
(b) |
Execution of related party transactions. |
| |
(c) |
Any modification of the corporate bylaws, including any change
in the management body and number of directors. |
| |
(d) |
A change in legal form, merger, spin-off of the Company, or the
dissolution of the Company where it is not obligatory pursuant to
the law or to the Bylaws; |
| |
(e) |
The removal of the directors designated by the Minority
Shareholders, pursuant to the provisions of Sub-clause 3.2 of this
Agreement; |
| |
(f) |
The approval of resolutions for voluntary filing of bankruptcy
proceedings by the Company (save in those cases when lack of filing
may impose penalties or liabilities on the members of the Board of
Directors of Company); |
| |
(g) |
The alteration of the purpose of the Company as described in
Section 1.3 above. |
The Company shall be managed
by a Board of Directors, which shall have the authority with
respect to any matters that refer to the Company’s management
and shall hold the power of representation thereof.
The Parties have agreed prior
to the Closing Date on a business and investment plan that
contemplates the activities to be carried out by the Company in the
coming five (5) years. The initial business and investment
plan and any future amendment, replacement or extension of the same
hereinafter the “ Business Plan ”. The Business
Plan contains the mutual understanding of the Parties, of the
development of a strategic business and investment plan for the
Company so as to maximize its business development, growth and
earnings potential.
The Parties hereby undertake
to cause a Board of Directors Meeting to be held within 1 month
following the execution of this Agreement to resolve upon the
formal approval of the Business Plan by the Board of Directors of
the Company.
The Board of Directors will
be composed of 10 members, 4 of whom will be appointed by the
Minority Shareholders. The Investor shall decide on the Chairman of
the Board of Directors, which shall be designated by the Board of
Directors amongst the directors designated by the Investor. The
Minority Shareholders shall decide on the Secretary to the Board of
Directors, which shall be designated by the Board of Directors
amongst the directors designated by the Minority Shareholders or as
a Secretary non-Director.
The post of director will be
remunerated. The remuneration will consist of per diem which
amount will be decided upon the General Shareholders Meeting on an
annual basis.
The Investor agrees to take
all necessary steps (including, but not limited to, abstention from
applying for the proportional representation system to the Board of
Directors, voting against the removal of the directors appointed by
the Minority Shareholder, or voting against any amendment to the
Bylaws that entails doing away with the seats of the Minority
Shareholders on the Board) in order to maintain and ensure at all
times the composition of the Board of Directors as provided in the
preceding paragraphs.
Decisions of the Board of
Directors of the Company shall require the favourable vote of, at
least, six (6) of the board members. Without prejudice to the
foregoing, the Parties agree that the approval of the following
points (the “BoD Reserved Matters” ) shall
require the favourable vote of at least two (2) of the
directors appointed by the Minority Shareholders:
| |
(i) |
Approval or modification of the Business Plan. |
| |
(ii) |
Any transaction that may imply a modification of the Business
Plan. |
| |
(iii) |
Investments or capital expenditures to be carried out by the
Company that in the aggregate exceed, for any given
year, |
|