EX-1 2 dex1.htm AGREEMENT OF DIRECT PURCHASE AND SALE EXECUTION VERSION AGREEMENT OF DIRECT PURCHASE AND SALE BY AND BETWEEN NEWQUEST ASIA FUND I, L.P. AS BUYER, AND BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS LLC AS SELLER DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 2011 AGREEMENT OF DIRECT...
Exhibit 1
EXECUTION VERSION
AGREEMENT OF DIRECT PURCHASE AND SALE
BY AND BETWEEN
NEWQUEST ASIA FUND I, L.P.
AS BUYER,
AND
BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS LLC
AS SELLER
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 2011
AGREEMENT OF DIRECT PURCHASE AND SALE
This Agreement of Direct Purchase and Sale (this “Purchase Agreement”), dated as of February 4, 2011 (the “Signing Date”), is by and between NewQuest Asia Fund I, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Buyer”), and Blue Ridge Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”). Each of Buyer and Seller is referred to individually herein as a “Party” and collectively, as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in Article I.
WHEREAS, Seller owns the Subject Interest; and
ARTICLE I
“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any entity, any other entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such entity; provided, that the Portfolio Company shall not be considered an Affiliate of any Party for purposes of this Purchase Agreement. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Asia Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, dated as of February 4, 2011, as such agreement may be amended, modified or waived from time to time pursuant to its terms, by and among NewQuest Asia Fund I, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, BankAmerica International Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Blue Ridge Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CPI Ballpark Investments, Ltd., a Mauritius limited corporation, GTBVI Inc., a Mauritius corporation, Indopark Holdings Ltd., Xxxxxxx Xxxxx International, an unlimited liability corporation organized under the laws of England and Wales, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx PCG, Inc., a Delaware corporation, ML IBK Positions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, ML Knight 2003 Holdings Corp., a Cayman Islands corporation, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx JPNDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and TK Holdings I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Assignment Agreements” shall mean the instruments of assignment and assumption pursuant to which (a) Seller assigns to Buyer all of its right, title and interest in and to the Subject Interest and (b) Buyer assumes all of the Obligations.
“Business Day” shall mean any day that is not (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) any other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by law to be closed in the City of New York.
“Capital Contribution” shall mean any contribution of capital, purchase price paid for any securities or any other payment made or (pursuant to the terms of the applicable Portfolio Company Agreement) deemed made to the Portfolio Company with respect to the Subject Interest (other than any amounts paid to the Portfolio Company as reimbursement for any costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Purchase Agreement).
“Code” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto.
“Governmental Authority” shall mean any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, state or local governmental, regulatory (including stock exchanges and antitrust regulatory bodies), self-regulatory or administrative authority, department, court, commission, arbitral authority, agency, official, or any other governmental body, including any political subdivision thereof, or any judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal of competent jurisdiction thereof.
“Independent Auditor” shall mean an accounting firm of international reputation mutually agreeable to Buyer and Seller.
“Investment Manager” shall mean a Cayman Islands exempted company or a foreign corporation or other legal entity registered under Part IX of the Cayman Islands Companies Law (as amended), to be formed prior to Closing and which shall provide management and administrative services to the general partner of Buyer or the general partner of an affiliate of Buyer.
“Law” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise; provided, that “Law” shall not include, for all purposes hereunder, compliance with the terms of, or any requirements under, any agreement to which a Party is bound (or any other contractual obligation of a Party), including, without limitation, any Portfolio Company Agreement.
“Marketable Securities” shall mean equity securities or debt securities, in each case which are listed on a national or international securities exchange or are quoted on any national or international automated inter-dealer quotation system, and which may be resold on any such securities market or exchange in a single transaction without volume or manner of sale limitations under applicable Law or the need for registration or qualification of such securities or such sale with any applicable Governmental Authority (other than routine administrative filings);
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provided, that any such securities shall not constitute Marketable Securities if the aggregate amount of any such securities held by a Person is of a size in relation to the average trading volume of such securities that a sale of such aggregate amount would reasonably be expected to occur at a material discount to the then-current trading price of such securities.
“Obligations” shall mean all of Seller’s duties, liabilities and obligations under the Portfolio Company Agreements and, except to the extent arising prior to the Closing, under applicable Law.
“Person” shall mean an individual, a partnership (general, limited or limited liability), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, any other business entity or a governmental, quasi-governmental, judicial or regulatory entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Portfolio Company” shall mean China Hydroelectric Corporation.
“Portfolio Company Agreement” shall mean, with respect to the Subject Interest, any agreement, contract or document to which Seller is a party or which specifically inures to the benefit of Seller that governs the terms of Seller’s ownership of the Subject Interest or Seller’s rights and Obligations with respect to the Portfolio Company, including subscription agreements, investor rights agreements, stockholder agreements and registration rights agreements, in each case as amended, modified or supplemented and in effect from time to time.
“Proceeds” shall mean, with respect to the Subject Interest, and subject to Section 2.5, the sum (without duplication) of all amounts received from the Transfer, conversion, redemption, exercise, repayment, waiver, release, compromise, settlement or satisfaction of such Subject Interest, together with all distributions, dividends, interest and payments received by, or made or (pursuant to a Portfolio Company Agreement) deemed made with respect to the Subject Interest, either (a) by Seller or any subsidiary of Seller (other than the Portfolio Company), if received on or after the Signing Date but prior to the Closing Date; provided, that with respect to any non-cash Proceeds,
(i) if such non-cash Proceeds constitute or subsequently become Marketable Securities, such non-cash Proceeds shall be promptly sold for cash, whether received by Seller or any of its subsidiaries (other than the Portfolio Company), and shall constitute Proceeds upon such sale equal to the cash received therefor, net of any out-of-pocket brokerage commissions incurred in connection therewith; or
(ii) so long as such non-cash Proceeds do not constitute Marketable Securities, such non-cash Proceeds if received by Seller or any subsidiary of Seller (other than the Portfolio Company), shall not constitute Proceeds hereunder and shall be retained by Seller or such subsidiary and shall be included with the Subject Interest Transferred at Closing (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not require a reduction to or increase of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2(b), unless and until so sold for cash prior to Closing and in which case shall constitute Proceeds on the date so sold equal to the cash received therefor, net of any out-of-pocket brokerage commissions incurred in connection therewith).
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“received” shall mean actually received or (to the extent the context permits, pursuant to a Portfolio Company Agreement) deemed received by a Person, but subject to subject to Section 2.5.
“Representatives” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the officers, directors, partners, members, employees, advisors, agents and representatives of such Person.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Subject Interest” shall mean the loans, securities and/or other ownership interests set forth on Schedule 1 and any additions thereto pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of “Proceeds”; it being understood that if the Portfolio Company at any time issues additional interests to the Seller, divides, combines or otherwise adjusts (by any stock or other equity split, reverse stock or equity split, stock or equity dividend, recapitalization, or otherwise) the Subject Interest, the definition of Subject Interest shall be automatically adjusted to include such additional interests (and if any Capital Contribution is made by Seller or any Proceeds are received by Seller, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.2(b)).
“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean any federal, state, local or non-U.S. income, corporation, capital gains, alternative, minimum, accumulated earnings, personal holding company, franchise, capital stock, profits, capital, inheritance, windfall profits, gross receipts, sales, use, registration, stamp, premium, excise, turnover, customs duties, severance, environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the Code), real property, personal property, ad valorem, occupancy, license, occupation, employment, payroll, social security, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation, withholding, estimated or other similar tax, duty, fee, assessment or other charge by a Governmental Authority; in all cases, including all interest and penalties and late payment surcharges thereon and additions thereto, whether disputed or not.
“Transaction Documents” shall mean this Purchase Agreement, the Assignment Agreements and the certificates and documents executed in connection herewith and therewith.
“Transfer” shall mean, with respect to the Subject Interest, (a) when used as a verb, to sell, assign, dispose of, liquidate, exchange, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise transfer such Subject Interest or any economic participation or interest therein, whether directly or indirectly, and (b) when used as a noun, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, disposition, liquidation, exchange, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or other transfer of such Subject Interest or any participation or interest therein.
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required as of the date hereof with respect to any payment made pursuant to this Purchase Agreement under applicable Law, including, for the avoidance of doubt, under any Laws of Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, or the United States of America. In the event of a change of relevant Law prior to the Closing Date, the Parties shall use their reasonable efforts to agree on the amount of Taxes required to be withheld, provided that if the Parties disagree as to whether a change in relevant Law has occurred or as to the amount of Taxes required to be withheld, then the matter shall be submitted to the Independent Auditor for resolution, the costs of which shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by Buyer and fifty percent (50%) by Seller.
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE PORTFOLIO
2.2 Purchase Price and Adjustments.
(a) The purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) for the Subject Interest shall be $13,095,362 (as such amounts may be adjusted in accordance with this Purchase Agreement). The Purchase Price shall be paid at the Closing in immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Seller.
(b) The Purchase Price shall be (i) increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by any Capital Contributions made by Seller, on or after the Signing Date but prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) reduced (but not below zero) on a dollar-for-dollar basis by any Proceeds received on or after the Signing Date but prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Schedule 2.2(c) sets forth a description of all Capital Contributions made by Seller and Proceeds received with respect to the Subject Interest on or after the Signing Date. Seller shall deliver to Buyer:
(i) no later than 15 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Schedule 2.2(c), together with reasonable supporting documentation setting forth a description of all Capital Contributions made by Seller and Proceeds received with respect to the Subject Interest on or after the Signing Date and prior to the date of such Schedule 2.2(c), and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(b) to take into account the Capital Contributions and Proceeds included on such Schedule 2.2(c); and
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(ii) on the Closing Date (as defined below), a revised Schedule 2.2(c), together with reasonable supporting documentation setting forth an updated description of all Capital Contributions made by Seller and Proceeds received with respect to the Subject Interest on or after the Signing Date and prior to the Closing Date, and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(b) to take into account the Capital Contributions made by Seller and Proceeds received with respect to such Subject Interest on or after the date of the updated Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i) and prior to the Closing Date.
2.4 Delivery and Other Actions.
(a) The Purchase Price shall be paid by Buyer to the bank account designated in writing by Seller at least 2 Business Days prior to the Closing.
(b) At the Closing (i) Seller shall execute, and Seller shall deliver to Buyer, all necessary agreements of Transfer, Assignment Agreements and any other document or instrument reasonably requested or required by Buyer or the Portfolio Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated to occur at the Closing, (ii) Buyer shall execute and deliver to Seller all necessary joinders, agreements of Transfer, Assignment Agreements and any other document or instrument reasonably requested or required by Seller or the Portfolio Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated to occur at the Closing, (iii) Buyer shall assume, perform, discharge and pay, as and when due, all of the Obligations, (iv) Seller shall deliver to Buyer stock certificates or other instruments, if any, evidencing the Subject Interest, in each case endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed assignment documents, as applicable and (v) Buyer shall deliver to Seller the Purchase Price.
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with respect to Proceeds received on or prior to the Closing Date, any withholding Taxes attributable to the excess of such Proceeds over the allocated Purchase Price with respect to the Subject Interest, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.2(b) on the later of (i) the Signing Date and (ii) immediately prior to the transaction giving rise to such Proceeds.
ARTICLE III
(a) discussions and/or a transaction with Buyer, Buyer’s limited partners and their respective Affiliates,
(b) discussions by and among Seller and its Affiliates; provided that such discussions may not involve consideration of a potential Alternative Transaction in favor of an acquisition of the Subject Interest by an Affiliate of Seller,
(c) discussions with current employees of Seller or its Affiliates who are to become members or employees of the Investment Manager and/or the employees of the Portfolio Companies regarding the transactions contemplated hereby and/or the Portfolio,
(d) discussions and transactions as required by and in compliance with the terms of any agreements to which any Seller is party with any Portfolio Company or with any other holder of securities of any Portfolio Company, and
(e) discussions with Representatives of the foregoing persons and entities described in foregoing clauses (a) through (e).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall limit or prevent (i) Seller from responding to any inquiries or proposals from any third party regarding the Subject Interest, solely for the purposes of indicating to such third party that Seller is bound by exclusivity obligations (without specifying any further details of such exclusivity obligations, including the duration or expiration thereof); provided, that Seller provides Buyer with prompt notice of any written inquiries or proposals received by Seller, (ii) any commercial banking or investment banking activities of Seller or any Affiliates of Seller with respect to the Portfolio Company (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to Seller’s ownership interests in the underlying Subject Interest specifically) or (iii) Seller from taking any actions with respect to any securities of the Portfolio Company that are not Subject Interests.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES
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ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER
The obligation of Buyer and Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Purchase Agreement at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (by both Buyer and Seller) of each of the following conditions as of such Closing:
5.1 Legal Proceedings. At the Closing:
(a) No applicable Law shall prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) There shall not have been instituted or pending any action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority challenging or seeking to make illegal or to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
If the Closing occurs, all closing conditions thereto set forth in Article V which have not been fully satisfied as of the Closing shall (to the extent disclosed to Seller in a closing certificate delivered by Buyer or to Buyer in a closing certificate delivered by Seller) be deemed to have been waived by Seller and Buyer for all purposes of this Purchase Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
ARTICLE VII
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ARTICLE VIII
(a) automatically in the event that Seller Representative (as defined in the Asia Purchase Agreement) designates the Subject Interest as an Excluded Interest (as defined in the Asia Purchase Agreement) under Section 8.1(a)(iii)(A) of the Asia Purchase Agreement;
(b) by mutual written agreement by Buyer and Seller; or
(c) by either Buyer or Seller, if the Asia Purchase Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms.
The Party desiring to terminate this Purchase Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1 (other than pursuant to Section 8.1(a)) shall give notice of such termination to the other Party.
ARTICLE IX
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9.4 Governing Law. This Purchase Agreement and the legal relations among the Parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof (other than the New York General Obligations Law 5-1401).
9.7 Consent to Jurisdiction. Any and all legal actions and proceedings by a Party hereto concerning, relating to, or arising out of this Purchase Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or its enforcement shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of United States federal courts sitting in New York City, New York or any New York State court sitting in New York City, New York. Each of the Parties hereto hereby consents and submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and waives and agrees not to plead or claim, in any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Purchase Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or its enforcement brought in any of the aforesaid courts, that any such court lacks jurisdiction over such Party, that venue before any such court is improper, that any such court is an inconvenient forum, or that such legal action or proceeding should be transferred from any such court for any other reason. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller and Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that the party listed on Schedule 9.7 is such Party’s duly appointed, authorized agent for service of process in connection with any and all legal actions and proceedings arising under this Purchase Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents and Buyer and Seller agree to maintain such appointments until the 30-month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, that Buyer and Seller may, upon at least ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice to the other Parties hereto, change the identity of its authorized agent for service of process in connection with any such legal actions and proceedings arising under this Purchase Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents.
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any signature was transmitted through the use of a facsimile, telecopier, electronic mail or electronically transmitted “.pdf” format as a defense to the enforcement of this Purchase Agreement or any amendment or other document executed and delivered pursuant to this Purchase Agreement and each Party hereby forever waives any such defense.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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NEWQUEST ASIA FUND I, L.P. | ||||
By: | Xxxxxx Holdings GP Limited, | |||
its general partner | ||||
By | /s/ Xxxxx Sambanju | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Sambanju | |||
Title: | Director | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Director | |||
By: | /s/ Alex Sao-Xxx Xxx | |||
Name: | Alex Sao-Xxx Xxx | |||
Title: | Director | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Director |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CHINA HYRDO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT]
SELLER: | ||
BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Its: | Managing Director |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT]