OPTION AGREEMENT NO. 3
Exhibit 10.25
This OPTION AGREEMENT No. 3 (this “Agreement”), dated January 15, 2010, is entered
into by and between China Environment Fund III, L.P. (the
“Investor”), Sun Xxxx Xxxx ,
holder of Hong Kong document of identity No. DA9001901 (the “Holder”) and Nobao Renewable
Energy Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company (the “Company”).
RECITALS
A. | A Share Exchange Agreement was entered into on January 15, 2010 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) by and among the Investor, the Holder and other parties thereto. | |
B. | It is condition precedent of closing under the Share Exchange Agreement that the Holder and the Investor enter into this Agreement. | |
C. | Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Holder and the Investor are entering into an Option Agreement No. 1, an Option Agreement No. 2 and a Shareholders Agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”). |
WITNESSETH
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, the mutual promises and
covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as
follows:
1. Purchase During Exercise Period. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, the Holder shall be entitled, at any time during the Exercise Period, to
purchase (such right, the “Purchase Option”) from the Investor, at an aggregate price of
US$1 per share (the “Exercise Price”), a number of fully paid Ordinary Shares, par value
US$0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”) held by the Investor equal to
the “Adjustment Number” (as defined below). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Adjustment Number shall be the number of Ordinary Shares equal to the result of (i)
20,000,000 multiplied by the Percentage Interest, subtracted by (ii) 14,593,520. If at the time of
the exercise of the Purchase Option by the Holder, the Investor holds Series A Preferred Shares of
the Company (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), the parties hereto shall cause such number
of Series A Preferred Shares held by the Investor be converted into Ordinary Shares at then
applicable conversion ratio between Series A Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares as to be
sufficient for such exercise.
2. Termination. Subject to Section 4(c), the Exercise Period shall not
commence, and this Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder shall terminate, if the
Adjusted Post-Money Valuation, as determined pursuant to this Agreement, is less than the
Initial Post-Money Valuation.
3. Determination of Adjusted Post-Money Valuation.
(a) Adjusted Post-Money Valuation. Simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
statements for the 2009 Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Shareholders Agreement, but in
any event within 60 days after the end of the 2009 Fiscal Year of the Company, the Company shall
deliver to the Holder and the Investor, together with such financial statements, (i) an audited
statement of profits and losses for the 2009 Fiscal Year (divided into two periods, i.e. a period
from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, and another period from January 1, 2010 to February 28,
2010), audited by the accounting firm agreed by the Company and the Holder, prepared in accordance
with IFRS, and (ii) a statement of revenue and cost breakdown by project for the 2009 Fiscal Year
issued by the Company and confirmed by the accounting firm in writing, setting forth in reasonable
detail the calculation of Adjusted Post-Money Valuation. The Holder shall have the right to object
to the determination of Adjusted Post-Money Valuation in accordance with Section 3(b) below.
(b) Objection Procedure
(i) Unless the Holder gives written notice to the Investor and the Company of
its objection (an “Objection”) to the Company’s calculation of the Adjusted
Post-Money Valuation within 30 days following its receipt of the financial statements and
accompanying chief financial officer’s certificate, the Company’s calculation shall be
final and binding upon the parties for purposes of this Agreement. If the Holder waives in
writing its right to deliver an Objection with respect to any such determination, the
applicable determination shall be final and binding upon the parties as of the date of
delivery of such waiver. Any Objection shall specify in reasonable detail the nature of any
disagreement so asserted. Upon request of the Holder, the Company shall promptly provide a
representative of the Holder such access to the books and records of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as are reasonably necessary to confirm the Company’s calculation of the
Adjusted Post-Money Valuation and the Holder agrees to maintain any such information in
strict confidence (except for such disclosure to advisors or otherwise as appropriate in
connection with the proceedings referred to below in clause (ii)). During the 15-day period
following the delivery of an Objection, the Investor and the Holder shall attempt in good
faith to resolve any differences which they may have with respect to any matter specified
in the Objection.
(ii) If at the end of such 15-day period, the Investor and the Holder shall have
failed to reach written agreement with respect to all matters specified in any Objection,
any matter that remains in dispute shall promptly be submitted to an independent accounting
firm of internationally recognized standing (the “Accountant”) designated by the
Investor and the Holder within ten days after the expiration of such 15-day period, or, if
they cannot agree on an accounting firm, such dispute shall be promptly referred to the
HKIAC and an independent accounting firm of internationally recognized standing shall be
appointed thereby. The Accountant shall consider only the matters specified in the
Objection. The
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Accountant shall act promptly to resolve all matters specified in the Objection, and
shall give its decision within 30 days after the referral of the matter to it. Upon
resolution by the Accountant of all matters specified in the Objection, the Accountant
shall determine the Adjusted Post-Money Valuation and/or whether the Adjusted Post Money
Valuation is lower than the Initial Post Money Valuation, as applicable, on the basis of
the matters it has resolved. The Accountant’s decisions and determinations with respect to
all matters specified in the Objection and its determination as to Adjusted Post Money
Valuation shall be final and binding upon the Investor and the Holder. The costs and
expenses of the Accountant shall be borne equally by the Investor, on the one hand, and
the Holder, on the other hand.
4. Covenants.
Without limiting any other covenant of the Company and the Investor under the Memorandum and
Articles of Association of the Company and the Shareholders Agreement:
(a) the Company shall not change any method of accounting or accounting practice or policy,
other than (i) pursuant to guidance provided by any applicable regulatory authority, with the
Holder’s consent, or (ii) as recommended by the Company’s independent auditors, with the Holder’s
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(b) the Company shall not (i) directly or indirectly change the allocation of items of
revenue, income and/or gain between, or the principles applied to allocate items of revenue, income
and/or gain in, EMC related profits on the one hand, and other items of income or gain on the other
hand, or (ii) otherwise artificially affect the Adjusted Post Money Valuation;
(c) if there is any change to any Accounting Rules prior to an IPO of the Company, the Company
shall employ the adjusted Accounting Rules to re-calculate the Adjusted Post Money Valuation and
deliver the re-calculated Adjusted Post Money Valuation to the Holder and the Investor within 60
days after such change. The Adjusted Post Money Valuation can be re-calculated from time to time
prior to the IPO of the Company, due to change of the Accounting Rules. Determination of the
re-calculated Adjusted Post Money Valuation shall be in accordance with Section 3 of this
Agreement; and
(d) if the Adjusted Post Money Valuation is adjusted prior to the IPO, and if, accordingly,
the Holder is not entitled to exercise the Purchase Option, any and all Ordinary Shares that have
been purchased by the Holder by exercising the Purchase Option shall be repurchased by the Investor
at the Exercise Price.
5. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
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(a) “Adjusted Post Money Valuation” means a valuation of the Company, equaling to
the audited and consolidated Net Profit for 2009 Fiscal Year of the Company multiplied by X, where
X is determined in accordance with the following formula. For the foregoing purpose, the exchange
rate between United States Dollar and Renminbi is USD1 = RMB6.82.
X = (A / B) * 5.8 + (C / B)* 3.4
A | = | EMC Gross Profit for the 2009 Fiscal Year; | |
B | = | Normal Business Gross Profit for the 2009 Fiscal Year; | |
C | = | other Gross Profit for the 2009 Fiscal Year, i.e. B minus A; |
(b) “Initial Post Money Valuation” means a valuation of the Company equal to RMB
100,000,000, multiplied by 5.56, with the exchange rate between United States Dollar and Renminbi
being USD1 = RMB6.82.
(c) “Exercise Period” means the period beginning on the date (if any) that it is
determined in accordance with Section 3 hereof that the Adjusted Post Money Valuation exceeds the
Initial Post Money Valuation and ending at 5:00 p.m., Beijing time on the tenth anniversary of June
24, 2009, or if such date is not a Business Day, then 5:00 p.m., Beijing time on the following
Business Day, or ending at the tenth anniversary of the date of publication of the final
re-calculated Adjusted Post Money Valuation in accordance with Section 4(c) hereof, whichever is
longer.
(d) “2009
Fiscal Year” commences on January 1, 2009, ending on February 28, 2010.
(e) “Percentage Interest” means a percentage obtained by dividing (i) US$59,486,720 by
(ii) the Adjusted Post Money Valuation, with the exchange rate between United States Dollar and
Renminbi being USD1 = RMB6.82; provided that the Percentage Interest shall in no event be higher
than 77.5%.
(f) “Accounting Rules” means the accounting policies and critical accounting estimates
and assumptions (including without limitation, those descriptions under Note 3 from Page 10 to Page
23 and Note 5 from Page 24 to Page 25 in the report attached as Exhibit B hereto) employed by
PricewaterhouseCoopers in connection with preparation of the Company’s consolidated 2008 audit
report.
(g) “IPO” means the first firmly underwritten registered public offering by the
Company of its Ordinary Shares pursuant to a registration statement that is filed with and
declared effective by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction.
(h) “EMC” means energy management contracts projects, which are central heating
and cooling refurbishment and replacements for existing buildings and installation projects for new
buildings. In the EMC, the Company (including the PRC Companies) designs, manufactures and installs
ground-source heat pump (“GSHP”)
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systems under long-term (which shall be no less than 10 years) service contracts, which have
an annual energy management fee, to large scale commercial businesses, such as hotels and
supermarkets. The Company (including the PRC Companies) will retain the title to various GSHP
related equipment and facilities until expiration of term under a service contract. For avoidance
of confusion, EMC shall include, but not limited to, the long term service contracts described in
the report attached as Exhibit B hereto. The Holder shall reserve the right to determine whether a
contract constitutes an EMC. However, such determination shall not be made in conflict with the
provisions hereof.
(i) “EMC Gross Profit” means gross profit generated only from the EMC.
(j) “EPC” means engineering-procurement construction projects. In the EPC, the
Company (including the PRC Companies) designs and installs central heating/cooling/hot water system
using its GSHP technology on a single project basis, charging an upfront fee to large scale
commercial customers, including large office buildings, industrial parks, and financial centres. By
the completion of the project, customers must settle the payment to and assume ownership of the
system from the Company.
(k) “Normal Business” means heat pump related sales contracts, EPC, EMC and
other heat pump related businesses.
(1) “Normal Business Gross Profit” means gross profit generated only from the
Normal Business.
(m) “Net Profit” means Normal Business Gross Profit minus distribution costs
minus administrative expenses (excluding other gains) plus finance income minus tax. The accounting
terms used herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the report attached as Exhibit B
hereto.
(n) Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such
terms in the Shareholders Agreement. All accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings assigned under IFRS.
6. Methods of Exercise.
During the Exercise Period, the Holder may exercise, in whole or in part, the Purchase
Option pursuant to this Agreement by either of the following methods:
(a) Cash Exercise. The Holder may exercise by delivering a notice of exercise, in the
form attached as Exhibit A hereto (a “Notice of Exercise”) to the Investor and paying to
the Investor an amount (i) in cash (by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (ii)
by cancellation of indebtedness of the Investor owed to the Holder,
if any, or (iii) by a combination of (i) and (ii), equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the
number of Ordinary Shares being purchased by such Holder.
(b) Net Exercise. Alternatively, the Holder may exercise by:
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(i) delivering a Notice of Exercise to the Investor; and
(ii) receiving such lesser number of Ordinary Shares calculated in accordance
with the formula below representing the satisfaction of the payment to the Investor of an
amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Ordinary Shares being
purchased.
In the event the Holder chooses to exercise the Purchase Option pursuant to this Agreement in
accordance with this Section 6(b) (a “Net Exercise”), the Investor shall transfer to the
Holder a number of Ordinary Shares computed using the following formula:
X = [Y * (A-B)]/A
where:
X = the number of Ordinary Shares to be transferred to the Holder
Y = the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable under this Agreement or, if only
a portion of the Purchase Option is being exercised, the number of Ordinary Shares
for which the Purchase Option is being exercised (at the date of such calculation)
A = the fair market value of one Ordinary Share (at the date of such
calculation)
B = the Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation).
For purposes of this Section 6(b), the fair market value of an Ordinary Share shall be the average
of the closing prices of the Ordinary Shares quoted (i) in the over-the-counter market in which the
Ordinary Shares are traded, or (ii) on any exchange or electronic securities market on which the
Ordinary Shares are listed for trading, as applicable, for the 30 trading days prior to the date of
determination of fair market value (or such shorter period of time during which such Ordinary
Shares were traded over-the-counter or on such exchange). If the Ordinary Shares are not traded on
the over-the-counter market, an exchange or an electronic securities market, the fair market value
of an Ordinary Share shall be determined by dividing:
(i) the cash price at which a willing seller would sell and a willing buyer
would buy all of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares in a transaction negotiated at
arm’s length by unaffiliated third parties, each being apprised of and considering all
relevant facts, circumstances and factors, and neither acting under compulsion or time
constraints, by
(ii) the number of then issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares.
In the case of any determination of the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares pursuant to this
Section 6(b), fair market value shall not include any discount (i) by reason of such
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Ordinary Shares representing a minority interest, or (ii) to reflect the fact that such
Ordinary Shares are illiquid and subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this
Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, dated
January 15, 2010, by and among the Company, the Investor, the Holder and other parties thereto
(the “ROFR Agreement”) and the Memorandum and Articles.
If the Investor and the Holder cannot agree on the fair market value of an Ordinary Share within
30 days after the date upon which the Holder delivers a Notice of Exercise to the Investor (the
“Negotiation Period”), the valuation shall be made by an appraiser of internationally
recognized standing designated jointly by the Investor and the Holder within ten days after the
expiration of the Negotiation Period or, if they cannot so agree on an appraiser, such dispute
shall be promptly referred to the HKIAC and an appraiser of nationally recognized standing shall
be appointed thereby. The valuation shall be made by such appraiser within 20 days of its
designation by the HKIAC. Any valuation made by an appraiser under this Section 6(b) shall be
determinative of such value and binding upon the Investor and the Holder. The cost of such
valuation shall be borne equally by the Investor and the Holder, but each party shall bear its own
legal expenses, if any, incurred in connection therewith.
(c) Partial Exercise. The Purchase Option may be exercised for less than the
full number of Ordinary Shares subject to the Purchase Option, in which case the number of Ordinary
Shares receivable upon the exercise of the Purchase Option as a whole, and the sum payable upon the
exercise of the Purchase Option as a whole, shall be proportionately reduced.
7. Certificates for Ordinary Shares. Upon the exercise of the Purchase Option
pursuant to this Agreement, one or more certificates for the number of Ordinary Shares so purchased
shall be issued and delivered by the Company to the Holder as soon as practicable thereafter, and
in any event within ten days of the delivery by the Holder to the Investor of the Notice of
Exercise. The date of delivery of such certificates is referred to herein as the “Delivery
Date.”
8. Dividend, Subdivision, Combination, Reclassification, Reorganization, Consolidation,
Merger or Sale of Assets. The number of and kind of securities that may be transferred pursuant
to this Agreement and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as
follows:
(a) In case of any reclassification, capital reorganization, or change in the shares of
the Company, or consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation pursuant to
which the holders of Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to receive shares, securities, cash or other
property with respect to or in exchange for Ordinary Shares, then, as a condition to such
reclassification, reorganization, change, consolidation, merger or sale, the Investor shall make
appropriate provision so that the Holder (or its permitted transferees) shall have the right at any
time prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period to acquire, at a total per-share price equal to
that payable pursuant to this Agreement, the kind and amount of shares, securities, cash or other
property receivable in
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connection with such reclassification, reorganization, change, consolidation, merger or sale
by a holder of the same number of Ordinary Shares as were purchasable by the Holder immediately
prior to such reclassification, reorganization, change, consolidation, merger or sale. In any such
case, appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights and interest of the Holder
so that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable with respect to any shares,
securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise hereof, and appropriate adjustments
shall be made to the purchase price per Ordinary Share payable hereunder, provided that the
aggregate purchase price shall remain the same.
The Company shall not effect any such consolidation, merger or sale, unless prior to the
consummation thereof, the successor corporation (if other than the Company) resulting from such
consolidation or merger or the corporation purchasing such assets in such sale shall assume, by
written instrument mailed or delivered to the Holder at the last address of the Holder appearing on
the books of the Company, the obligation to deliver to the Holder such shares, securities, cash or
other property as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Holder may be entitled to
purchase. If a purchase, tender or exchange offer is made to and accepted by the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, the Company shall not effect any consolidation, merger
or sale with the Person having made such offer or with any Affiliate of such Person, unless prior
to the consummation of such consolidation, merger or sale the Holder shall have been given a
reasonable opportunity to then elect to receive pursuant to this Agreement either the stock,
securities, cash or other property then issuable with respect to the Ordinary Shares or the stock,
securities, cash or other property, or the equivalent, issued to holders of Ordinary Shares in
accordance with such offer.
(b) If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time, (i) declare a dividend on
the Ordinary Shares payable in shares of its capital stock (including Ordinary Shares), (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Ordinary Shares, (iii) combine the outstanding Ordinary Shares into a
smaller number of shares, or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of
the Ordinary Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation), then in each such case, the Exercise
Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such
subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock
issuable on such date shall be proportionately adjusted so that the Holder, upon exercise of the
Purchase Option after such date, shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of the same aggregate
amount as would have been payable before such date, the aggregate number and kind of shares of
capital stock which, if the Purchase Option had been exercised immediately prior to such date, such
Holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification. Any such adjustment shall become effective
immediately after the record date of such dividend or the effective date of such subdivision,
combination or reclassification. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event
listed above shall occur. If a dividend is declared and such dividend is not paid, the Exercise
Price shall again be adjusted to be the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such record
date.
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(c) Notice of Adjustment. When any adjustment is required to be made in
the number or kind of shares purchasable upon exercise of this Agreement, or in the Exercise
Price, the Investor shall provide the Holder with not less than 20 days’ prior written notice of
the date on which the event requiring such adjustment is to take place and information, reasonably
detailed, regarding the pertinent facts of such event, as well as the calculation of the adjusted
Exercise Price and the adjusted number of Ordinary Shares or securities, cash or other property
thereafter purchasable upon exercise of this Agreement.
9. No Dilution or Impairment. The Investor will not, by amendment of the Company’s
Memorandum and Articles of Association, or through reorganization, consolidation, merger,
dissolution, sale of assets or any other voluntary action involving the Company, avoid or seek to
avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Agreement, but will at all times in
good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may
be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution or other
impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor at all times will take
all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Investor may validly and
legally transfer fully paid shares pursuant to this Agreement.
10. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing
fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of the Purchase Option, but in lieu of such
fractional shares the Investor shall make a cash payment therefor on the basis of the Exercise
Price then in effect.
11. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Investor
(a) Sale of Shares. The Investor covenants that the Ordinary Shares, when sold and
delivered pursuant to this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and free from all taxes and liens with respect thereto(except pursuant to
applicable laws, the Company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, this
Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement or the ROFR Agreement).
(b) Covenants as to Exercise of Purchase Option. The Investor covenants that the
Investor will at all times during the Exercise Period, hold a sufficient number of Ordinary Shares
(or Series A Preferred Shares convertible into Ordinary Shares) to provide for the exercise of the
Purchase Option pursuant to this Agreement.
12. Restrictive Legend. The Ordinary Share certificates shall be stamped or imprinted
with a legend in substantially the following form (unless registered under the Securities Act or if
the Holder delivers to the Investor an opinion of counsel (who may be an employee of the Holder)
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Investor, that the Ordinary Shares do not
require registration under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws):
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THEY MAY NOT BE
SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION
STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT OR A COMPARABLE
DOCUMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT
SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OF SUCH ACT.
THE OFFERING OF THESE SECURITIES HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED OR APPROVED BY ANY STATE
SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR.
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A SHAREHOLDERS
AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JANUARY 15, 2010, AMONG THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN OF ITS
SHAREHOLDERS, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE COMPANY. NO SALE, ASSIGNMENT,
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, ENCUMBRANCE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED
HEREBY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UNLESS AND UNTIL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SAID
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN FULL.
Any certificate issued at any time in exchange or substitution for any certificate bearing such
legend (except a new certificate issued upon completion of a public distribution pursuant to a
registration statement under the Securities Act) shall also bear such legend unless, in the opinion
of counsel selected by the Holder (who may be an employee of the Holder) and reasonably acceptable
to the Investor, the securities represented thereby need no longer be subject to restrictions on
resale under the Securities Act.
13. Purchase Option and Shares Transferable. Subject to compliance with the
terms and conditions of the Shareholders Agreement and this Section 13, this Agreement and all
rights hereunder are assignable, in whole or in part, by the Holder. With respect to any assignment
of this Agreement or any offer, sale or other disposition of Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to
the exercise of the Purchase Option prior to registration of such Ordinary Shares, the Holder
agrees to give written notice to the Investor prior thereto, describing briefly the manner thereof,
together with a written opinion of such holder’s counsel, or other evidence, if reasonably
requested by the Investor, to the effect that such assignment or offer, sale or other disposition
may be effected without registration or qualification (under the Securities Act as then in effect
or any U.S. federal or state or other applicable securities law then in effect) of the Ordinary
Shares and indicating whether or not under the Securities Act certificates for the Ordinary Shares
to be sold or otherwise disposed of require any restrictive legend as to applicable restrictions on
transferability in order to ensure compliance with such law. Upon receiving such written notice and
reasonably satisfactory opinion or other evidence, if so requested, the Investor, as promptly as
practicable, shall notify such Holder that such Holder may assign this Agreement or sell or
otherwise dispose of such Ordinary Shares,
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all in accordance with the terms of the notice delivered to the Investor. If a determination
has been made pursuant to this Section 13 that the opinion of counsel for the Holder or other
evidence is not reasonably satisfactory to the Investor, the Investor shall so notify the Holder
promptly with details thereof after such determination has been made. Each certificate
representing the Ordinary Shares transferred in accordance with this Section 13 shall bear a
legend as to the applicable restrictions on transferability in order to ensure compliance with
such laws, unless in the aforesaid opinion of counsel for the Holder, such legend is not required
in order to ensure compliance with such laws. The Company may issue stop transfer instructions to
its transfer agent in connection with such restrictions.
14. Rights of Shareholders. The Holder shall not be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed the holder of the Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company
which may at any time be transferable on the exercise of the Purchase Option for any purpose, nor
shall anything contained herein be construed to confer upon the Holder, in respect of such Ordinary
Shares, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote upon any matter
submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate
action (whether upon any recapitalization, issuance of stock, reclassification of Ordinary Shares,
change of par value, consolidation, merger, conveyance, or otherwise) or to receive notice of
meetings, or to receive dividends or subscription rights or otherwise until the Purchase Option
shall have been exercised and the Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise hereof shall have
become deliverable, as provided herein.
15. Notices. Any notice required or permitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be
given in writing and shall be given either personally or by sending it by next-day or second-day
courier service, fax, electronic mail or similar means to the address as shown below the signature
of such party on the signature page of this Agreement (or at such other address as such party may
designate by fifteen (15) days’ advance written notice to the other parties given in accordance
with this Section 15). Where a notice is sent by next-day or second-day courier service, service of
the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and sending by
next-day or second-day service through an internationally-recognized courier a letter containing
the notice, with a confirmation of delivery, and by two (2) days having passed after the letter
containing the same is sent as aforesaid. Where a notice is sent by fax or electronic mail, service
of the notice shall be deemed to be effected on the same day on which it is properly addressed and
sent through a transmitting organization with a reasonable confirmation of delivery.
16. “Market Stand-Off” Agreement. The Holder hereby agrees that, during the period of
time specified by the Company and an underwriter of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the
Company, following the effective date of (i) a registration statement of the Company filed under
the Securities Act, or (ii) a comparable offering document filed under the applicable laws and
regulations of any foreign governmental authority, it shall not, to the extent requested by the
Company and such underwriter, directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract to sell
(including, without limitation, any short sale), grant any option to purchase or otherwise transfer
or dispose of (other than to donees who agree to be similarly bound) any securities of the Company
held by it at any
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time during such period, except Ordinary Shares included in such registration or offering;
provided, however, that:
(a) all officers and directors of the Company, and each Person who holds one percent (1%) or
more of the Company’s outstanding shares, enter into similar agreements; and
(b) such market stand-off time period shall not exceed 90 days.
The Holder agrees to provide to the underwriters of any public offering such further agreements as
such underwriters may reasonably request in connection with this market stand-off agreement,
provided that the terms of such agreements are substantially consistent with the provisions of
this Section 16. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to the securities of the Company held by the Holder (and the shares or
securities of every other Person subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such
period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations described in this Section 16 shall not apply to (i)
a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans on Form S-l or Form S-8 or similar forms
which may be promulgated in the future, (ii) a registration relating solely to a transaction under
Rule 145 of the Securities Act, or (iii) any offering which would the equivalent of clause (i) or
(ii) under the applicable laws and regulations of any foreign governmental authority.
17. Change, Waiver, Etc. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived, discharged or terminated orally except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
18. Remedies. The Investor stipulates that the remedies at law of the Holder in the
event of any default by the Investor in the performance of or compliance with any of the terms of
this Agreement are not and will not be adequate, and that the same may be specifically enforced.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement and all actions arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong,
without regard to the conflicts of law provisions of the Hong Kong.
20. Dispute Resolution.
(a) The parties agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve any dispute between them
regarding this Agreement. If the negotiations do not resolve the dispute to the reasonable
satisfaction of both parties, then each party that is a company, shall nominate one (1)
authorized officer as its representative. The parties or their representatives, as the case may
be, shall, within thirty (30) days of a written request by either party to call such a meeting,
meet in person and alone (except for one (1) assistant for each party) and shall attempt in good
faith to resolve the dispute. If the disputes cannot be resolved by such
12
senior managers in such meeting, the parties agree that they shall, if requested in writing
by either party, meet within thirty (30) days after such written notification for one (1) day with
an impartial mediator and consider dispute resolution alternatives other than formal arbitration.
If an alternative method of dispute resolution is not agreed upon within thirty (30) days after
the one (1) day mediation, either party may begin formal arbitration proceedings to be conducted
in accordance with subsection (b) below. This procedure shall be a prerequisite before taking any
additional action hereunder.
(b) In the event the parties are unable to settle a dispute between them regarding this
Agreement in accordance with subsection (a) above, such dispute shall he referred to and finally
settled by arbitration at the HKIAC in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration
Centre Administered Arbitration Rules in effect, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this subsection (b), subject to the following: (i) the arbitration tribunal shall
consist of three (3) arbitrators to be appointed according to the Hong Kong International
Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules; and (ii) the language of the arbitration shall
be English. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in the Hong Kong International
Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules or otherwise, the arbitration tribunal shall not
have the power to award injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy of any kind against any
Holder unless such award both (x) is expressly appealable to and subject to de novo review by the
courts of Hong Kong, and (y) would not, if upheld, have the effect of impairing, restricting, or
imposing any conditions on the right or ability of such Holder or its affiliates to conduct its
respective business operations or to make or dispose of any other investment. The prevailing party
shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to
any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
21. Rights and Obligations Survive Exercise of Purchase Option. Unless otherwise
provided herein, the rights and obligations of the Investor, the Company, the Holder and the holder
of the Ordinary Shares issued upon exercise of this Purchase Option shall survive any exercise of
the Purchase Option.
[Signature page follows]
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been signed by the duly authorised representatives of
the parties on the date first written above.
/s/ SUN XXXX XXXX | ||||
XXX XXXX XXXX | ||||
Address: Building Xx. 0, 000 Xxxx Xx Xxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx, 000000 Fax: 00-00-0000-0000 |
Signature
Page to Option Agreement No. 3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been signed by the duly authorised
representatives of the parties on the date first written above.
CHINA ENVIRONMENT FUND III, L.P. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx Ye | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxxx Ye | |||
Title: | Authorized Signatory | |||
Address: A2302, XX Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx 000000 Xxxxx Fax: 00-00-0000-0000 |
||||
Signature
Page to Option Agreement No. 3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been signed by the duly authorised representatives of
the parties on the date first written above.
NOBAO RENEWABLE ENERGY HOLDINGS LIMITED |
||||
By: | /s/ Sun Xxxx Xxxx | |||
Name: | Sun Xxxx Xxxx | |||
Title: | Director | |||
Address: Building Xx. 0, 000 Xxxx Xx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx, 000000 Fax: 00-00-0000-0000 |
||||
Signature
Page to Option Agreement No. 3
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: | CHINA ENVIRONMENT FUND III, L.P. A2302, XX Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx 000000 Xxxxx Fax:00-00-0000-0000 |
2. The undersigned hereby elects to purchase Ordinary Shares (“Ordinary Shares”) pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement No. 3 dated January
15, 2010 by and between China Environment Fund III, L.P., Sun Xxxx
Xxxx() and Nobao
Renewable Energy Holdings Limited (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.
3. The undersigned shall exercise the Purchase Option (i) by means of a cash payment, and
tenders herewith, payment in full for the purchase price of the Ordinary Shares being
purchased, or (ii) by means of a Net Exercise in accordance with the terms of Section 6(b) of
the Agreement, together with all applicable taxes, if any.
4. Please cause the Company to issue a certificate or certificates representing said
Ordinary Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
(Name) | ||||
(Address) |
5. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the aforesaid Ordinary Shares are
being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not with a view to, or
for resale, in connection with the distribution thereof, and that the undersigned has no
present intention of distributing or reselling such shares.
(Signature) | |||||
(Name) | |||||
(Date) | (Title) | ||||