SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Exhibit (g)(2)
AGREEMENT made as of the 18th day of December, 2013 by and between BMO Asset Management Corp., an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), organized under the laws of Delaware and having its principal place of business in Chicago, Illinois (the “Adviser”), and Xxxxx Xxxxxx Management (Europe) Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of England and Wales and an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act (the “Subadviser”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, BMO Xxxxx Xxxxxx Frontier Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is a closed-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority granted the Adviser by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) and pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement dated December 18, 2013 between the Adviser and the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser has selected the Subadviser to act as a sub-investment adviser of the Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, it is agreed as follows:
1. The Subadviser’s Services.
| (a) | Within the framework of the fundamental policies, investment objectives, and investment restrictions of the Fund, and subject to the supervision and review of the Adviser and oversight of the Board, the Subadviser shall have the sole and exclusive responsibility for the making of all investment decisions for that portion of the Fund’s portfolio as designated by the Adviser (the “Portfolio”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of securities, in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Fund’s Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (such Registration Statement, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, collectively called the “Prospectus”) and subject to the following understandings: |
| (i) | The Subadviser shall supervise the Portfolio’s investments and determine from time to time what securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Portfolio, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash. |
| (ii) | In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws; the Fund’s Prospectus, policies and procedures; and the instructions and directions received in writing from |
| the Adviser or the Board and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. |
| (iii) | As of the date of this Agreement 100% of the Fund’s investable assets will be allocated to the Portfolio; provided, however, that the Adviser has the right at any time to reallocate the portion of the Fund’s assets allocated to the Portfolio pursuant to this Agreement if the Adviser deems such reallocation appropriate. |
| (b) | The Subadviser shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Fund, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Subadviser to supply to the Adviser, the Fund or the Board the information required to be supplied under this Agreement. |
| The Subadviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to the Fund and the Portfolio (the “Fund’s Books and Records”), including without limitation a daily ledger of such assets and liabilities relating thereto and brokerage and other records of all securities transactions. The Fund’s Books and Records shall be available by overnight delivery of copies or electronic transmission without delay to the Adviser during any day that the Fund is open for business upon reasonable notice to the Subadviser. |
| (c) | The Subadviser shall determine the securities to be purchased or sold by the Fund in respect of the Portfolio and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus. Subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Subadviser will take reasonable steps to assure that Portfolio transactions are effected at the best price and execution available, as such phrase is used in the Fund’s Prospectus. |
| In using reasonable efforts to obtain for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available, the Subadviser, bearing in mind the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including by way of illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker or dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker or dealer in other transactions. The Subadviser may allocate brokerage business to firms that provide such services or facilities and in accordance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and interpretive guidance issued by the SEC thereunder, the Subadviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker or a dealer a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged if the Subadviser determines in good faith that the |
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| commission paid was reasonable in relation to the brokerage or research services received. |
| Consistent with the foregoing paragraph, nothing in this agreement is intended to inhibit the Subadviser’s selection of broker-dealers used to execute trades for the Fund, including trades placed with broker-dealers who provide investment research services to the Subadviser. Such research services may include, but are not limited to, advice provided either directly or through publications or writings, including electronic publications, telephone contacts and personal meetings with security analysts, economists and corporate and industry spokespersons, and analyses and reports concerning issues, industries and securities economic factors and trends. Research so provided is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Subadviser. |
| It is understood that the Subadviser may have advisory, management, service or other contracts with other individuals or entities, and may have other interests and businesses. When a security proposed to be purchased or sold for the Fund is also to be purchased or sold for other accounts managed by the Subadviser at the same time, the Subadviser may aggregate such orders and shall allocate such purchases or sales on a pro-rata, rotating or other equitable basis so as to avoid any one account being systematically preferred over any other account. |
| The Subadviser will advise the Adviser and, if instructed by the Adviser, the Fund’s custodian or sub-custodians on a prompt basis each day by electronic telecommunication of each confirmed purchase and sale of a Portfolio security specifying the name of the issuer, the full description of the security including its class, and amount or number of shares of the security purchased or sold, the market price, commission, government charges and gross or net price, trade date, settlement date and identity of the clearing broker. Under no circumstances may the Subadviser or any affiliates of the Subadviser act as a principal in a securities transaction with the Fund or any other investment company managed by the Adviser unless (i) permitted by an exemptive provision, rule or order under the 1940 Act, and (ii)upon obtaining prior approval of the securities transaction from the Adviser. Any such transactions shall be reported quarterly to the Board. |
| (d) | From time to time as the Adviser or the Board may reasonably request, the Subadviser shall furnish the Adviser and the Board reports of Portfolio transactions and reports on securities held in the Portfolio, all in such detail as the Adviser or the Board may reasonably request. The Subadviser will also inform the Adviser and the Board of material changes in investment strategy or tactics or in key personnel and will provide reasonable prior notice of any changes to Subadviser’s ownership. |
| It shall be the duty of the Subadviser to furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments hereto for the purpose of casting a vote pursuant to |
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| Section 8 or 9 hereof or in connection with the Board’s annual consideration of this Agreement under Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. |
| (e) | The Subadviser shall use its good faith judgment in a manner which it reasonably believes best serves the interests of the Fund’s shareholders to vote or abstain from voting all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in the Portfolio, in accordance with the Subadviser’s proxy voting policies, which shall be provided, along with any amendments, to the Fund, or such other proxy voting policy approved by the Board. The Subadviser’s obligations in the previous sentence are contingent upon its timely receipt of such proxy solicitation materials, which the Adviser shall cause to be forwarded to the Subadviser. The Subadviser further agrees that it will provide the Board, as the Board may reasonably request, with a written report of the proxies voted during the most recent 12-month period or such other period as the Board may designate, in a format that shall comply with the 1940 Act. Upon reasonable request, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with all proxy voting records relating to the Portfolio, including but not limited to those required by Form N-PX. Upon request of the Adviser, the Subadviser will also provide an annual certification, in a form reasonably acceptable to Adviser, attesting to the accuracy and completeness of such proxy voting records. |
| (f) | As reasonably requested by the Fund on behalf of the Fund’s officers and in accordance with the scope of the Subadviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement, the Subadviser shall provide reasonable assistance to the Fund in connection with the Fund’s compliance with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-l of the 1940 Act. Such assistance shall include, but not be limited to, (i) certifying periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Fund and to the extent accurate, that it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws,” as defined in Rule 38a-l(e)(l) under the 1940 Act and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act and to the extent that it is not in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws,” describe such noncompliance and the timeframe in which compliance is expected to be achieved; (ii) facilitating and cooperating with third-party audits arranged by the Fund to evaluate the effectiveness of its compliance controls; (iii) providing the Fund’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its compliance personnel; (iv) providing the Fund’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports; and (v) promptly providing special reports to the Fund’s chief compliance officer in the event of compliance issues. Further, the Subadviser is aware that: (i) the president (principal executive officer) and treasurer (principal financial officer) of the Fund (collectively, the “Certifying Officers”) are required to certify the Fund’s periodic reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the 1940 Act; and (ii) the Certifying Officers must rely upon certain matters of fact generated by the Subadviser of which they do not have firsthand knowledge. Consequently, the Subadviser has in place procedures and controls that are reasonably designed to ensure the adequacy of the services provided to the Fund under this Agreement and the accuracy of the information prepared by it and which is included in the Fund’s periodic reports, and shall provide |
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| certifications to the Fund to be relied upon by the Certifying Officers in certifying the Fund’s periodic reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q (and such other periodic reports that may require certification in the future), in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Fund. |
2. Allocation of Charges and Expenses. The Subadviser will bear its own expenses of providing services hereunder. Other than as specifically indicated herein, the Subadviser shall not be responsible for the Fund’s or the Adviser’s expenses, including, without limitation the expenses of organizing the Fund and continuing its existence; fees and expenses of Trustees and officers of the Fund; fees for investment advisory services and administrative personnel and services; expenses incurred in the distribution of its shares (“Shares”), including expenses of administrative support services, fees and expenses of preparing and printing its Registration Statements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act, and any amendments thereto; expenses of registering and qualifying the Fund and Shares of the Fund under federal and state laws and regulation; expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses (and any amendments thereto) to shareholders; interest expense; taxes, fees and commissions of every kind; expenses of issue (including costs of Share certificates), purchase, repurchase and redemption of Shares including expenses attributable to a program of periodic issue, charges and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, shareholder servicing agents and registrars, printing and mailing costs, auditing, accounting and legal expenses; reports to shareholders and governmental officers and commissions; expenses of meetings of the Board and shareholders and proxy solicitations therefore; insurance expenses; association membership dues and such nonrecurring items as may arise, including all losses and liabilities incurred in administrating the Fund. The Fund or the Adviser, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Subadviser for any such expenses or other expenses of the Fund or the Adviser, as may be reasonably incurred by such Subadviser on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser. The Subadviser shall keep and supply to the Fund and the Adviser adequate records of all such expenses. The Subadviser will pay expenses incurred by the Fund for any matters related to any transaction or event caused by the Subadviser that is deemed to result in a change of control of the Subadviser or otherwise result in the assignment of this Agreement under the 1940 Act. The Adviser shall be responsible for any travel costs it incurs in connection with on-site inspections of the Subadviser.
3. Information Supplied by the Adviser. The Adviser shall provide the Subadviser with the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Fund’s most current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and the instructions, policies and directions of the Board pertaining to the Adviser and the Fund, as in effect from time to time; and the Subadviser shall have no responsibility for actions taken in reliance on any such documents. The Adviser shall promptly furnish to the Subadviser copies of all material amendments or supplements to the foregoing documents.
4. Representations of the Subadviser. The Subadviser represents, warrants, and agrees as follows:
| (a) | The Subadviser: (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing |
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| the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory organization, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will promptly notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise. |
| (b) | The Subadviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-l under the 1940 Act and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Fund with a copy of such code of ethics. On at least an annual basis, the Subadviser will comply with the reporting requirements of Rule 17j-l, which include (i) certifying to the Adviser that the Subadviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its access persons from violating the Subadviser’s code of ethics, and (ii) identifying any material violations which have occurred with respect to the code of ethics. Upon reasonable notice from and the reasonable request of the Adviser, the Subadviser shall permit the Adviser, its employees and its agents to examine the reports required to be made by the Subadviser pursuant to Rule 17j-l and all other records relevant to the Subadviser’s code of ethics. |
| (c) | The Subadviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Subadviser, its employees, officers and agents. Upon reasonable notice to and reasonable request, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with access to the records relating to such policies and procedures as they relate to the Portfolio. The Subadviser will also provide, at the reasonable request of the Adviser, periodic certifications, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Adviser, attesting to such written policies and procedures. |
| (d) | The Subadviser has adopted written proxy voting procedures that shall comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act. |
5. Subadviser’s Compensation. As compensation for the Subadviser’s services with respect to the Fund hereunder, the Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly in arrears, at an annual rate set forth on Exhibit A. The method of determining net assets of the Portfolio for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method of determining net assets for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption price of Fund shares as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this contract is in effect.
6. Independent Contractor. In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Subadviser is and shall be an independent contractor and unless otherwise expressly provided
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| herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Fund or of the Adviser. |
7. Sales Literature. The Adviser and Subadviser acknowledge that all sales literature for investment companies (such as the Fund) are subject to strict regulatory oversight. The Subadviser agrees to submit any proposed sales literature for the Fund or for itself or its affiliates which mentions the Fund to the Fund’s distributor for review and filing with the appropriate regulatory authorities prior to the public release of any such sales literature, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed so as to create any obligation or duty on the part of the Subadviser to produce sales literature for the Fund. Further, the Adviser agrees to submit to the Subadviser any and all sales literature referencing Subadviser by name (other than in the name of the Fund) for review and approval prior to filing or public release.
8. Amendments. The terms of this Agreement may be changed only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties, with such approvals as required by applicable law.
9. Duration and Termination.
| (a) | Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund after it has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and Exhibit A has been executed by the Adviser and Subadviser, and shall continue in effect for the initial term set forth on Exhibit A and thereafter for successive periods of one year, subject in both cases to the provisions for termination and all of the other terms and conditions hereof and provided in the latter case that such continuation is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees voting in person, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, the Adviser or the Subadviser, at a meeting called for that purpose, or (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
| (b) | Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Adviser, in each case upon not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days’ written notice to the Subadviser. The Subadviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without payment of any penalty, upon not less than 60 calendar days’ written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement shall also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment by either party (as defined under the 0000 Xxx) and upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement. |
| In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Subadviser shall, immediately upon notice of termination or on such later date as may be specified in such notice, cease all activity on behalf of the Fund and with respect to any of its assets, except as expressly directed by the Adviser. In addition, the Subadviser shall deliver the Fund’s Books and Records to the Adviser by such means and in accordance with such schedule as the Adviser shall direct and shall otherwise |
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| cooperate, as reasonably directed by the Adviser, in the transition of portfolio assets management to any successors of the Subadviser, including the Adviser. The Subadviser may retain copies of any record required to meet any record retention obligation imposed by law or regulation. |
10. Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement:
| (a) | “Affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” means the affirmative vote, at an annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Fund, duly called and held, of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such meeting are present (in person or by proxy), or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such meeting, whichever is less. |
| (b) | “Interested persons” and “Assignment” shall have their respective meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act. |
11. Standard of Care, Liability and Indemnification.
| (a) | The Subadviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services provided by it under this Agreement. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Subadviser, or of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Subadviser shall not be subject to any liability to the Adviser or the Fund, to any shareholder of the Fund, or to any person, firm or organization, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with the rendering of services by Subadviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, federal securities laws and certain state laws impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who have acted in good faith, and, therefore, nothing herein shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which the Fund or any shareholder of the Fund may have under any federal securities or state law. |
| (b) | The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold the Adviser harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liabilities arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or omission to act by the Subadviser as a result of the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. |
| (c) | The Adviser shall indemnify and hold the Subadviser harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liabilities arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or omission to act by the Adviser as a result of the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. |
12. Confidentiality. The Adviser and the Subadviser acknowledge that the Fund may disclose shareholder nonpublic personal information (“NPI”) to the Subadviser solely in
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furtherance of fulfilling the Subadviser’s contractual obligations under this Agreement in the ordinary course of business to support the Fund and its shareholders. The Subadviser agrees to be bound to use and redisclose such NPI only for the limited purposes of processing and servicing transactions; for specified law enforcement and miscellaneous legally permitted purposes; and as a Fund service provider or in connection with joint marketing arrangements solely at the direction and discretion of the Fund, in accordance with the limited exceptions set forth in applicable state privacy laws and Regulation S-P. The Subadviser further represents and warrants that, in accordance with applicable state privacy laws and Regulation S-P, it has implemented safeguards by adopting policies and procedures reasonably designed to insure the security and confidentiality of records and NPI of Fund shareholders; protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Fund shareholder records and NPI; and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such Fund shareholder records or NPI that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any Fund shareholder. The Subadviser agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any NPI it receives from the Fund in connection with this Agreement or any joint marketing arrangement beyond the termination date of this Agreement.
13. Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be consistent with the Advisory Agreement and in accordance with substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving regard to the conflict of law principles thereof and in accordance with the 1940 Act. In the case of any conflict between state law and the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act shall control.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
| BMO ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP. | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| BMO ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP. | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Chief Operating Officer | ||
| XXXXX XXXXXX MANAGEMENT (EUROPE) LIMITED | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Director | ||
| XXXXX XXXXXX MANAGEMENT (EUROPE) LIMITED | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
| Title: Director | ||
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Exhibit A
| Fund Name |
Subadvisory Fee |
Initial Term | ||
| BMO Xxxxx Xxxxxx Frontier Markets Equity Fund | Fifty percent (50%) of the gross advisory fee received by Adviser from the Fund | August 31, 2014 | ||
Executed as of this 18th day of December, 2013.
| BMO ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP. | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| BMO ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP. | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Chief Operating Officer | ||
| XXXXX XXXXXX MANAGEMENT (EUROPE) LIMITED | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Director | ||
| By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
| Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
| Title: Director | ||
A-1
