SOUNDWILL HOLD<0878> - Announcement
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for
the contents of this announcement, 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 announcement.
SOUNDWILL HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
CONNECTED TRANSACTION
ISSUE OF 63,500,000 NEW SHARES
On 22nd July, 1999, COSCO (Hong Kong) Group Limited ("COSCO HK")
entered into an agreement with Soundwill Holdings Limited (the
"Company") to subscribe for 63,500,000 new shares of the Company
(the "New Shares") at a subscription price of HK$0.1729 per share
(the "Subscription"). The New Shares represent approximately
4.24% of the existing issued share capital of the Company and
approximately 4.07% of the issued share capital of the Company as
enlarged by the Subscription.
The Subscription constitutes a connected transaction under the
Listing Rules requiring independent shareholders' approval at a
special general meeting convened to approve the Subscription (the
"SGM") at which COSCO HK and its associates, being the connected
persons, will have to abstain from voting. The consideration of the
Subscription will be satisfied by way of a set-off of an unsecured
interest-bearing loan of HK$10,000,000 advanced by COSCO HK to the
Company and the accrued interest up to 22nd July, 1999 of
approximately HK$985,000.
Subscriber
COSCO (Hong Kong) Group Limited ("COSCO HK") or its nominee.
Number of New Shares
63,500,000 New Shares representing approximately 4.24% of the
existing issued share capital of the Company and approximately 4.07%
of the issued share capital as enlarged by the Subscription.
Subscription Price
HK$0.1729 per New Share representing a discount of approximately
1.8% to the closing price of HK$0.176 per share of the Company as
quoted on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Stock
Exchange") on 22nd July, 1999 and a discount of approximately 1.8%
to the average closing price of HK$0.176 per share of the Company
as quoted on the Stock Exchange for the last 5 trading days up to
and including 22nd July, 1999. The ag`gregate subscription price
of HK$10,979,150 for the 63,500,000 New Shares will be satisfied by
way of a set-off of an unsecured interest-bearing loan of
HK$10,000,000 advanced by COSCO HK to the Company and the accrued
interest up to 22nd July, 1999 of approximately HK$985,000.
Connected Transaction
COSCO HK and its associates own 242,996,000 shares representing
approximately 16.23% of the existing issued share capital of the
Company. Under the Listing Rules, the proposed subscription of
63,500,000 New Shares by COSCO HK constitutes a connected
transaction and requiring independent shareholders' approval at a
special general meeting convened to approve the Subscription (the
"SGM") at which COSCO HK and its associates, being the connected
persons, will have to abstain from voting.
Conditions
COSCO HK shall not dispose of the New Shares or any part thereof
within six months from the date of allotment of the New Shares.
Completion of the Subscription is conditional upon:
1. The Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange granting listing
of, and permission to deal in, all the New Shares to be subscribed
by COSCO HK; and
2. The approval of the Subscription and issue of New Shares by
shareholders other than COSCO HK and its associates in the SGM.
Application for listing
Application will be made to the Stock Exchange for the listing of,
and permission to deal in, the New Shares.
General
In light of the current informal standstill arrangement with the bank
creditors of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Subscription sets
off an interest-bearing loan from a substantial shareholder of the
Company and the accrued interest of approximately HK$10,985,000 by
issue of new shares without application of funds. The directors of
the Company consider that the Subscription and their respective
terms to be in the best interests and to the benefit of the Company
and its shareholders as a whole.
Prior to the Subscription, Madam Foo Kam Chu, Grace, the chairman
and controlling shareholder of the Company, COSCO HK and its
associates, and the public are interested in approximately 54.64%,
16.23% and 29.13% of the existing issued share capital of the Company,
respectively. Immediately following the issue of the New Shares,
Madam Foo Kam Chu, Grace, COSCO HK and its associates, and the public
are interested in approximately 52.41%, 19.64% and 27.95% of the
enlarged issued share capital of the Company, respectively.
An independent financial advisor will be appointed to advise the
shareholders on the terms of the Subscription. A circular setting
out the particulars of the Subscription, advice from the independent
financial advisor and notice of the SGM will be sent to the
shareholders as soon as possible.
By order of the Board
Yip Kwai Cheung
Director
Hong Kong, 22nd July, 1999
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