AND OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS Deposit Agreement Dated as of March 18, 1997
CRESUD S.A.C.I.F. y A.
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
As Depositary
AND
OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Dated as of March 18, 1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1.01.
American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 1.02.
Commission.
SECTION 1.03.
Custodian.
SECTION 1.04.
SECTION 1.05.
Depositary; Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 1.06.
Deposited Securities.
SECTION 1.07.
Dollars; Pesos.
SECTION 1.08.
Foreign Currency.
SECTION 1.09.
Foreign Registrar.
SECTION 1.10.
Issuer.
SECTION 1.11.
Owner.
SECTION 1.12.
Receipts.
SECTION 1.13.
Registrar.
SECTION 1.14.
Restricted Securities.
SECTION 1.15.
Securities Act.
SECTION 1.16.
Securities Exchange Act.
SECTION 1.17.
Shares.
XXXXXXX 0.00.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx.
ARTICLE 2 FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 2.01.
Form and Transferability of Receipts.
SECTION 2.02.
Deposit of Shares.
SECTION 2.03.
Execution and Delivery of Receipts.
SECTION 2.04.
Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
SECTION 2.05.
Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Shares.
SECTION 2.06.
Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
SECTION 2.07.
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Receipts.
SECTION 2.08.
Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
SECTION 2.09.
Pre-Release of Receipts.
SECTION 2.10.
Maintenance of Records.
ARTICLE 3 CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 3.01.
Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
SECTION 3.02.
Liability of Owner for Taxes.
SECTION 3.03.
Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
SECTION 3.04.
Disclosure of Interest.
ARTICLE 4 THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.01.
Cash Distributions.
SECTION 4.02.
Distributions Other than Cash, Shares or Rights.
SECTION 4.03.
Distributions in Shares.
SECTION 4.04.
Rights.
SECTION 4.05.
Conversion of Foreign Currency.
SECTION 4.06.
Fixing of Record Date.
SECTION 4.07.
Voting of Deposited Securities.
SECTION 4.08.
Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
SECTION 4.09.
Reports.
SECTION 4.10.
Lists of Owners.
SECTION 4.11.
Withholding.
ARTICLE 5 THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE ISSUER
SECTION 5.01.
Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
SECTION 5.02.
Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Issuer.
SECTION 5.03.
Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Issuer.
SECTION 5.04.
Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.
SECTION 5.05.
The Custodians.
SECTION 5.06.
Notices and Reports.
SECTION 5.07.
Issuance and Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
SECTION 5.08.
Indemnification.
SECTION 5.09.
Charges of Depositary.
SECTION 5.10.
Retention of Depositary Documents.
SECTION 5.11.
Exclusivity.
SECTION 5.12.
List of Restricted Securities Owners.
ARTICLE 6 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.01.
Amendment.
SECTION 6.02.
Termination.
ARTICLE 7 MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.01.
Counterparts.
SECTION 7.02.
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
SECTION 7.03.
Severability.
SECTION 7.04.
Holders and Owners as Parties; Binding Effect.
SECTION 7.05.
Notices.
SECTION 7.06.
Governing Law.
SECTION 7.07.
Survival.
SECTION 7.08.
Assignment.
SECTION 7.09.
Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws.
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF RECEIPT
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DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of March 18, 1997 among CRESUD S.A.C.I.F. y A., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Argentine Republic (herein called the Issuer), THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners (as hereinafter defined) and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Issuer desires to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Issuer from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined), as agent of the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement (the singular includes the plural and vice-versa):
SECTION 1.01.
American Depositary Shares.
The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the securities representing the interests in the Deposited Securities and evidenced by Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent ten (10) Shares, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.03 or a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.08 with respect to which additional Receipts are not executed and delivered, and thereafter American Depositary Shares shall evidence the amount of Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
SECTION 1.02.
Commission.
The term “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.03.
Custodian.
The term “Custodian” shall mean The Bank of New York S.A. (Argentina), as agent of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation having an office in the city of Buenos Aires which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.05, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require and shall also mean all of them collectively.
SECTION 1.04.
Deposit Agreement.
The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and all instruments supplemental hereto.
SECTION 1.05.
Depositary; Corporate Trust Office.
The term “Depositary” shall mean The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, and any successor as depositary hereunder. The term “Corporate Trust Office”, when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the corporate trust office of the Depositary which at the date of this Agreement is 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000. If the address of the Corporate Trust Office changes after the date of this Deposit Agreement, notice shall be given 30 days prior to such change by the Depositary to the Issuer of such new address. During such 30-day notification period, the Issuer shall send all communications to the Depositary’s previous address.
SECTION 1.06.
Deposited Securities.
The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean all Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received at any time by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect or in lieu thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the provisions of Section 4.05.
SECTION 1.07.
Dollars; Pesos.
The term “Dollars” or “$” shall mean United States dollars. The term “Issuer’s Currency” or “Pesos” shall mean Argentine Pesos.
SECTION 1.08.
Foreign Currency.
The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean any currency other than Dollars.
SECTION 1.09.
Foreign Registrar.
The term “Foreign Registrar” shall mean Caja de Valores S.A., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Argentine Republic (“Caja de Valores”), which presently carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares of the Issuer or any successor as registrar for the Shares of the Issuer and any other appointed agent of the Issuer for the transfer and registration of Shares.
SECTION 1.10.
Issuer.
The term “Issuer” shall mean Cresud S.A.C.I.F. y A., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Argentine Republic, and its successors.
SECTION 1.11.
Owner.
The term “Owner” shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.
SECTION 1.12.
Receipts.
The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder evidencing American Depositary Shares as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
SECTION 1.13.
Registrar.
The term “Registrar” shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed to register Receipts and transfers of Receipts and to countersign Receipts as herein provided and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary.
SECTION 1.14.
Restricted Securities.
The term “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares, or American Depositary Shares representing such Shares, which are acquired directly or indirectly from the Issuer or its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering or which are subject to resale limitations under Regulation D under the Securities Act or both, or which are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Issuer, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or the Argentine Republic, or under a shareholder agreement or the Articles of Association and By-Laws of the Issuer.
SECTION 1.15.
Securities Act.
The term “Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.16.
Securities Exchange Act.
The term “Securities Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.17.
Shares.
The term “Shares” shall mean Common Stock of the Issuer, par value Pesos 1 per share, heretofore validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or interim certificates representing such Shares; provided, however, that if there shall occur any change in par value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.08, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares, the term “Shares” shall thereafter mean the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion.
XXXXXXX 0.00.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx.
The term “United States” shall, except as otherwise provided in this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts, mean the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States, and the District of Columbia.
ARTICLE 2
FORM OF RECEIPTS,
DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY,
TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 2.01.
Form and Transferability of Receipts.
(a)
Definitive Receipts shall be entitled “American Depositary Receipts” and shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions as hereinafter provided. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary; provided, however, that such signature of the Depositary may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed and such Receipts are countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and delivered as hereinafter provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such other legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary upon consultation with the Issuer or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date or manner of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
The Receipts shall bear a CUSIP number that is different from any CUSIP number that is or may be assigned any restricted depositary receipt facility relating to the Shares.
(b)
Title to a Receipt (and to the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby, but subject to any limitations set forth in such Receipt), when properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer and transferred in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument in accordance with the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Issuer and the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the Owner thereof.
SECTION 2.02.
Deposit of Shares.
(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares may be deposited under this Deposit Agreement (i) by delivery thereof to any Custodian hereunder, accompanied by any appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer, or endorsement, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Custodian, (ii) through electronic transfer of such Shares to the account maintained by the Custodian at the Foreign Registrar for such purpose, or (iii) by delivery to the Custodian of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Custodian that irrevocable instructions have been given to cause such Shares to be transferred to such account, in all such cases, together with all such certifications and payments as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and, if the Depositary requires, together with a written order directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order, a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposited Shares.
No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under Argentine laws and regulations and any necessary approval has been granted by the governmental authority or body in the Argentine Republic, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange. If required by the Depositary, Shares presented for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, shall also be accompanied by (i) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to vote such deposited Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares are registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee.
At the request, risk and expense of any person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of such person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments herein specified, for the purpose of forwarding such Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit hereunder.
Upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited hereunder, together with the other documents specified above, such Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present such certificate or certificates to the Issuer or the appointed agent of the Issuer for transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee.
(b)
The Depositary agrees to instruct the Custodian to place all Shares accepted for deposit under this Deposit Agreement into segregated accounts separate from any Shares of the Issuer that may be held by such Custodian under any other depositary receipt facility relating to the Shares.
(c)
Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine. Except as provided in Section 2.09, neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall lend Deposited Securities.
SECTION 2.03.
Execution and Delivery of Receipts.
Upon receipt by any Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.02 hereunder together with the other documents required as specified above (and in addition, if the transfer books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are open, the Depositary may in its reasonable discretion require a proper acknowledgment or other evidence from the Issuer that any Deposited Securities have been recorded upon the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee), such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver at its Corporate Trust Office, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, a Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names of such person or persons and evidencing any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested by such person or persons, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary for the execution and delivery of such Receipt or Receipts as provided in Section 5.09, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the Deposited Securities.
SECTION 2.04.
Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09, shall, without unreasonable delay, register transfers of Receipts on its transfer books from time to time, upon any surrender of a Receipt, by the Owner in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer, and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as evidenced by the Receipts surrendered, and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
SECTION 2.05.
Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Shares.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts as provided in Section 5.09 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the corporate charter of the Issuer and the Deposited Securities and Argentine laws and regulations, the Owner of such Receipt shall be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, as permitted by applicable law, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made, as permitted by applicable law, by the physical or electronic delivery of (x) certificates in the name of such Owner or as ordered by him or certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer to such Owner or as ordered by him, and (y) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of such Receipts to such Owner or as ordered by him. Such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order, as permitted by applicable law. Thereupon the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver, without unreasonable delay, at the Buenos Aires, Argentina office of the Custodian, subject to Sections 2.06, 3.01 and 3.02 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary if so required by the Depositary and as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt or evidence of the electronic transfer to or for the account of such person of the Deposited Securities to an account at the Foreign Registrar, except that the Depositary may make delivery, without unreasonable delay, to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
At the request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property (other than rights) comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates and other proper documents of title for, the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Owner, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
SECTION 2.06.
Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
(a)
As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Issuer, Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge or fee with respect to the Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary and the Issuer may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Deposit Agreement.
(b)
The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against or in order to reflect deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or deposits of Shares may be refused, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused or the registration of transfer, split-up or combination of outstanding Receipts may be suspended generally or in particular instances, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Issuer, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, subject to Section 7.09 of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of the following sentence. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts to the contrary, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended, subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depository or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares. The Depositary will comply with written instructions of the Issuer that the Depositary shall not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Issuer’s compliance with the securities laws of the United States.
SECTION 2.07.
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Receipts.
In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.08.
Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
All Receipts physically surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
SECTION 2.09.
Pre-Release of Receipts.
Notwithstanding Section 2.03 hereof, the Depositary may execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.02 (a “Pre-Release”) unless requested in writing by the Issuer to cease doing so. The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.05, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom Receipts are to be delivered that such person, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all beneficial right, title and interest in such Shares to the Depositary for the benefit of the Owners and (iii) agrees in effect to hold such Shares for the account of the Depositary until delivery of the same, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days’ notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares which are outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited hereunder; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate and may, with the prior written consent of the Issuer, change such limit for purposes of general application. The collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary for the benefit of the Owners as security for the performance of the obligations to deliver Shares set forth in clause (a) above (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities hereunder).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
SECTION 2.10.
Maintenance of Records.
The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.05, substitute Receipts delivered under Section 2.07, and cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.08, in keeping with procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in The City of New York.
ARTICLE 3
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 3.01.
Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, proof of the identity of any person legally or beneficially interested in the Receipt and the nature of such interest, proof of compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and the terms of this Deposit Agreement or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, of the Shares presented for deposit or other information, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary, or the Issuer upon request to the Depositary, may deem necessary or proper to comply with applicable laws or regulations or to enable the Depositary to perform its obligations hereunder. The Depositary may, and at the request of the Issuer shall, withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or sale of any dividend or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made.
Upon the request and at the expense of the Issuer, the Depositary and the Custodian shall provide the Issuer, in a timely manner, with copies of any such proofs of citizenship or residence, or exchange control approval which it receives or any other information referred to above so requested.
SECTION 3.02.
Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of such Receipt to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect registration of transfer of such Receipt or any transfer and withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions in respect of any Deposited Securities, or may sell for the account of the Owner thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner of such Receipt shall remain liable for any deficiency.
SECTION 3.03.
Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of any preemptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that the deposit of such Shares and the sale of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Shares by that person are not restricted under the Securities Act. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts.
SECTION 3.04.
Disclosure of Interest.
The Issuer may from time to time request Owners to provide information as to the capacity in which such Owners own or owned Receipts and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such Receipts and the nature of such interest. Each Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Issuer or the Depositary under this Section. At the expense of the Issuer, the Depositary and the Custodian agree to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions received from the Issuer requesting that the Depositary or the Custodian forward any such requests to the Owners and to forward to the Issuer such responses to such requests received by the Depositary or the Custodian.
ARTICLE 4
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.01.
Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, if such cash is received in Foreign Currency, subject to the provisions of Section 4.05, convert as promptly as practicable such dividend or distribution into Dollars and shall promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively; provided, however, that in the event that either the Issuer, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from such cash dividend or such other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Security an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owner of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Owner a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Owners entitled thereto. The Issuer or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in the Argentine Republic all amounts withheld and owing to such agency. The Depositary will forward to the Issuer or its agent such information from its records as the Issuer may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies, and the Depositary or the Issuer or its agent may file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Owners of Receipts.
SECTION 4.02.
Distributions Other than Cash, Shares or Rights.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4.11 and 5.09, whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04, the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it or the Custodian to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Issuer or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the Securities Act in order to be distributed to Owners or holders) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, upon consultation with the Issuer, adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash.
SECTION 4.03.
Distributions in Shares.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and shall if the Issuer shall so request, instruct the Issuer to deposit or cause such Shares to be deposited with the account of the Custodian at the Foreign Registrar and distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charges as provided in Section 4.11 and the payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares, in any such case, the Depositary shall sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds of such sale, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
SECTION 4.04.
Rights.
In the event that the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary shall, after consultation with the Issuer, have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines in its reasonable discretion after consultation with the Issuer that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Issuer to the Depositary that (a) the Issuer has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Issuer has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to purchase or otherwise receive Shares to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from any such Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Issuer shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this Section, such Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable United States laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation and transfer under such laws, or such distribution shall be accomplished in accordance with such other procedures as the Issuer and the Depositary may agree.
If at the time of the offering of any rights, the Depositary determines in its reasonable discretion after consultation with the Issuer that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and distribute the net cash proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01 hereof.
The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to a distribution to all Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act; provided, however, that nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of the Issuer to file a registration statement with respect to such rights or underlying securities or endeavor to have such a registration statement declared effective. If an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under the Securities Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Issuer upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular.
SECTION 4.05.
Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Subject to any restrictions imposed by Argentine laws, regulations or applicable permits issued by any Argentine governmental body, whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the Foreign Currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall promptly be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments, as applicable, upon surrender thereof for cancellation in whole or in part depending upon the terms of such warrants or other instruments. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any reasonable and customary expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable, after consultation with the Issuer.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any Foreign Currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its reasonable discretion may hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any such conversion of Foreign Currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible and practicable to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the Foreign Currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto for whom such conversion and distribution is not permissible and practicable.
SECTION 4.06.
Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient for any other purpose, the Depositary shall fix a record date (which shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as any corresponding record date set by the Issuer, and if such record date is different from the record date applicable to the Deposited Securities, after consultation with the Issuer) (a) for the determination of the Owners who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) for fixing the date on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.01 through 4.05 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on such record date shall be entitled, as the case may be, to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively and to give voting instructions, to exercise the rights of Owners hereunder with respect to such changed number of Shares and to act in respect of any other such matter.
SECTION 4.07.
Voting of Deposited Securities.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, fix a record date for determining the Owners entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights as provided in Section 4.06 and shall mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be in the reasonable discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting received by the Depositary from the Issuer, (b) a statement, in the form, if any, provided by the Issuer, that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provisions of Argentine law, of the Deposited Securities and of the corporate charter of the Issuer, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Owners’ Receipts and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and any applicable provisions of Argentine law and of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Issuer, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities the right to receive which is represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Owner’s Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in such request; provided, however, that if, after complying with the foregoing procedures, the Depositary does not receive instructions from an Owner of a Receipt on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary will exercise all voting rights relating to the Deposited Securities represented by such Owner’s Receipts in the same manner as the majority of such Common Stock or other Deposited Securities not held in the depositary receipt facility under the Deposit Agreement voted in the relevant shareholders’ meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary shall only be required to vote Common Stock in accordance with the foregoing procedures if it has received satisfactory assurances from the Issuer (which may include an opinion of recognized counsel for the Issuer in Argentina), that the actions to be voted on are not contrary to Argentine law or regulations or the Issuer’s by-laws.
The Depositary agrees to retain all records relating to the voting of Deposited Securities pursuant to this Section as may be required under applicable Argentine laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Issuer and the Depositary hereby mutually agree to inform one another of such requirements and any changes thereto as soon as such requirements or changes come to the Issuer’s or the Depositary’s knowledge, as the case may be.
SECTION 4.08.
Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.03 do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities, shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent, in addition to existing Deposited Securities, the right to receive the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may and shall, if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities.
SECTION 4.09.
Reports.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust Office and the office of the Custodian any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer or Caja de Valores which are both (a) received by the Depositary or the Custodian or the nominee of either as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Issuer or Caja de Valores. The Depositary, upon the request of the Issuer, will also send to Owners of Receipts copies of such reports when furnished by the Issuer or Caja de Valores pursuant to this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 4.10.
Lists of Owners.
Promptly upon request by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Issuer, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.
SECTION 4.11.
Withholding.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or governmental charges and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively and the Depositary shall distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. The Issuer or its agent shall remit to appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the Argentine Republic all amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the Issuer. The Depositary or its agent shall remit to appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the United States all amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the Depositary.
The Depositary shall forward to the Issuer or its agent such information from its records as the Issuer may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies. The Depositary shall use reasonable efforts to make and maintain arrangements enabling Owners who are citizens or residents of the United States to receive any tax credits or other benefits (pursuant to treaty or otherwise) relating to dividend payments on the American Depositary Shares.
ARTICLE 5
THE DEPOSITARY, THE
CUSTODIANS AND THE ISSUER
SECTION 5.01.
Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers and surrender of Receipts in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners and the Issuer, provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Issuer or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary may close the transfer books, at any time or from time to time, after consultation with the Issuer, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder or at the written request of the Issuer.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges in the United States the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registry of such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchange or exchanges. Such Registrar or co-registrars may be removed upon the written request or after consultation with the Issuer and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary upon the written request or after consultation with the Issuer.
SECTION 5.02.
Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Issuer.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer nor any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or holder of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the Argentine Republic or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, including NASDAQ, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the corporate charter of the Issuer, or by reason of any provision of the Deposited Securities or any securities issued or distributed by the Issuer, or any offering or distribution thereof, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary or the Issuer or any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Issuer incur any liability to any Owner or holder of any Receipt by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or the corporate charter of the Issuer. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.01, 4.02, or 4.03 of this Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.04 of this Deposit Agreement, because of applicable law, or for any other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
SECTION 5.03.
Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Issuer.
The Issuer assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Owners or holders of Receipts, except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or holder of any Receipt (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Without limiting the preceding sentences, neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be (i) under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary or (ii) liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information including but not limited to, any such action or nonaction based upon written notice, request, direction or other document believed in good faith by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary shall not be responsible and shall have no liability for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast, or the effect of any such vote, or for any action taken or not taken with respect to any such vote, provided that the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith.
In addition to and not in limitation of the first paragraph of this Section 5.03, with respect to any Pre-Release (as defined in Section 2.09 of this Deposit Agreement), the Issuer shall not be responsible for any liabilities or expenses (a) which may be imposed under any United States Federal, state or local income tax laws or (b) which may arise out of the failure of the Depositary to deliver Deposited Securities when required under the terms of Section 2.05 of this Deposit Agreement. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any liability or expense which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or omission or alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus (or placement memorandum), or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement memorandum) relating to the offer or sale of American Depositary Shares, except to the extent any such liability or expense arises out of (i) information relating to the Depositary or any Custodian, as applicable, furnished in writing and not materially changed or altered by the Issuer expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents, or, (ii) if such information is provided, the failure to state a material fact necessary to make the information provided not misleading.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer (and its affiliates) and in Receipts.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.04.
Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Issuer effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Issuer by written notice of such removal effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Issuer shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Issuer an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor; but such predecessor, nevertheless, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Issuer, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Deposited Securities to such successor, and shall deliver to such successor a list of the Owners of all outstanding Receipts. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the Owners.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act. Upon the occurrence of any such merger or consolidation, the Issuer may remove the Depositary in accordance with the foregoing procedures.
The removal of the Depositary in conjunction with the appointment of any such successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment shall not constitute a termination of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.05.
The Custodians.
The Depositary may, from time to time, appoint one or more agents, as permitted by Argentine law and any other applicable laws or regulations, to act for it as Custodian hereunder. The Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. Any Custodian may resign and be discharged from its duties hereunder by written notice of such resignation delivered to the Depositary and the Issuer at least 30 days prior to the date on which such resignation is to become effective. If upon the effectiveness of such a resignation there would be no Custodian acting hereunder, the Depositary shall, promptly after receiving such notice, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian hereunder. The Depositary, upon the request of the Issuer shall, and when it reasonably appears to be in the interest of the Owners, and subject to the approval of the Issuer (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), may, discharge a Custodian at any time upon notice to the Custodian being discharged and may appoint a substitute or an additional custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian hereunder. Upon demand of the Depositary any Custodian shall deliver such of the Deposited Securities held by it as are requested of it to any other Custodian or such substitute or additional custodian or custodians. The Depositary shall cause each such substitute or additional custodian to deliver to the Depositary and the Issuer, forthwith upon its appointment, an acceptance of such appointment satisfactory in form and substance to the Depositary. The Depositary shall give notice in writing to all Owners of the name and location of the appointment of any Custodian not named in the Receipts.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary hereunder, each Custodian then acting hereunder shall forthwith become, without any further act or writing, the agent hereunder of such successor depositary and the appointment of such successor depositary shall in no way impair the authority of each Custodian hereunder; but the successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority as agent hereunder of such successor depositary.
SECTION 5.06.
Notices and Reports.
On or before the first date on which the Issuer gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect of Deposited Securities, the Issuer agrees to transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in English but otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Issuer will also furnish to the Depositary copies of all reports required to be filed by the Issuer with the Commission under the Exchange Act, including annual reports in English, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the Argentine Republic (“Argentine GAAP”), together with a reconciliation of consolidated net income and consolidated total shareholders’ equity to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Issuer will also furnish the Depositary with an English translation of its unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with Argentine GAAP. The Issuer will also furnish the Depositary with English translations of all other reports and communications that are made generally available to its shareholders.
The Issuer will arrange for the translation into English, if not already in English, and the prompt transmittal by the Issuer to the Depositary and the Custodian of such notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally available by the Issuer to holders of its Shares.
The Depositary will, within a reasonable time, arrange for mailing of copies of such notices of shareholder meetings and action in respect of distributions or offering of rights and annual reports and quarterly financial statements to all Owners. The Depositary will make such other reports and communications available to all Owners on a basis similar to that for holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or on such other basis as the Issuer may advise the Depositary may be required by any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange requirements. The Issuer will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications as requested by the Depositary from time to time for such purposes.
SECTION 5.07.
Issuance and Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
The Issuer agrees that in the event of any distribution of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for any such securities (each a “Distribution”), the Issuer will promptly furnish to the Depositary a written opinion from United States counsel for the Issuer, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating whether or not the Distribution requires a registration statement under the Securities Act to be in effect prior to making such Distribution available to Owners entitled thereto. If in the opinion of such counsel a registration statement under the Securities Act is required, such counsel shall furnish to the Depositary a written opinion as to whether or not there is a registration statement in effect which will cover such Distribution.
The Issuer agrees with the Depositary that neither the Issuer nor any company controlled by or under common control with the Issuer will at any time deposit any Shares, either originally issued or previously issued and reacquired by the Issuer or any such affiliate, unless a Registration Statement is in effect as to such Shares under the Securities Act or the Issuer has furnished to the Depositary a written opinion from United States counsel for the Issuer (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary), stating that such deposit is exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act.
The Issuer understands and agrees that the Depositary will at no time knowingly accept for deposit from any person controlling the Issuer any Shares unless a Registration Statement is in effect as to such Shares under the Securities Act or the Issuer has furnished to the Depositary a written opinion from United States counsel for the Issuer (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary) that such deposit is exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act. The Issuer will use its best efforts to ascertain the identity of any person from time to time controlling it, and agrees to inform each person who it becomes aware is a controlling person of the foregoing restriction.
SECTION 5.08.
Indemnification.
The Issuer agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted, in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or any Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence of any of them, or (ii) by the Issuer or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
The indemnities contained in the preceding paragraph shall not extend to any liability or expense which may arise out of any Pre-Release (as defined in Section 2.09 of this Deposit Agreement) to the extent that any such liability or expense arises in connection with (a) any United States Federal, state or local income tax laws, or (b) the failure of the Depositary to deliver Deposited Securities when required under the terms of Section 2.05 hereof. However, the indemnities contained in the preceding paragraph shall apply to any liability or expense which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or omission or alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus (or placement memorandum), or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement memorandum) relating to the offer or sale of American Depositary Shares, except to the extent any such liability or expense arises out of (i) information relating to the Depositary or any Custodian, as applicable, furnished in writing and not materially changed or altered by the Issuer expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents, or, (ii) if such information is provided, the failure to state a material fact necessary to make the information provided not misleading.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Issuer, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and hold them harmless from any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or the Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates due to their negligence or bad faith.
Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “indemnified person”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (“the indemnifying person”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement and shall consult in good faith with the indemnifying person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No indemnified person shall compromise or settle any action or claim without the written consent of the indemnifying person which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
SECTION 5.09.
Charges of Depositary.
The Issuer agrees to pay the fees, reasonable expenses and reasonable out-of-pocket charges of the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Issuer from time to time. Unless otherwise agreed, the Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses to the Issuer once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering Receipts or to whom Receipts are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Issuer or an exchange of stock regarding the Receipts or Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts pursuant to Section 4.03 hereof), whichever applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Issuer or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in this Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency pursuant to Section 4.05, (5) a fee of not in excess of $5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the execution and delivery of Receipts pursuant to Sections 2.03 or 4.03 and the surrender of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.05 or 6.02, and (6) a fee not in excess of $.02 per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement including, but not limited to Sections 4.01 through 4.04 hereof.
The Depositary, subject to Section 2.09 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer and its affiliates and in Receipts.
SECTION 5.10.
Retention of Depositary Documents.
The Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary, unless the Issuer requests that such papers be retained for a longer period or turned over to the Issuer or to a successor depositary.
SECTION 5.11.
Exclusivity.
The Issuer agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of American Depositary Receipts so long as The Bank of New York is acting as Depositary hereunder.
SECTION 5.12.
List of Restricted Securities Owners.
From time to time, the Issuer shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Issuer, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Issuer shall update that list on a regular basis. The Issuer agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities so listed that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder. The Depositary may rely on such a list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.01.
Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Issuer and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of thirty days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. Every Owner at the time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
SECTION 6.02.
Termination.
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Issuer terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Issuer and the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Issuer a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.04. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt will, upon (a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.05, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell property and rights as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of Receipts which have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.08 and 5.09 hereof. The obligations of the Depositary under Section 5.08 hereof shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.01.
Counterparts.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be retained by the Depositary and filed with the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any holder or Owner of a Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary and the office of the Custodians during business hours.
SECTION 7.02.
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
SECTION 7.03.
Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.04.
Holders and Owners as Parties; Binding Effect.
The holders and Owners of Receipts from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance thereof.
SECTION 7.05.
Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Issuer shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by registered mail, or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission, in each case confirmed by registered mail, addressed to Cresud S.A., Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx 000, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, telephone number 00-0-000-0000, facsimile number 00-0-000-0000, or any other place to which the Issuer may, upon notice to the Depositary, have transferred its principal office or that the Issuer specifies in writing to the Depositary.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if in English and personally delivered or sent by registered mail, or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission, in each case confirmed by registered mail, addressed to The Bank of New York, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, telephone number (000) 000-0000, facsimile number (000) 000-0000, or any other place to which the Depositary may, upon notice to the Issuer and the Owners, have transferred its Corporate Trust Office.
Any and all notices to be given to any Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first class mail, or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission in each case confirmed by first class mail, addressed to such Owner at the address of such Owner as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Owner shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such request.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box. The Depositary or the Issuer may, however, act upon any cable, telex or facsimile transmission received by it from the other or from any Owner of a Receipt, notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid.
SECTION 7.06.
Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 7.07.
Survival.
The provisions of Sections 5.08, 5.09 and 5.12 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 7.08.
Assignment.
This Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Issuer or the Depositary.
SECTION 7.09.
Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws.
Notwithstanding any terms of this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Issuer and the Depositary each agrees that it will not exercise any rights it has under this Deposit Agreement to prevent the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities in a manner which would violate the United States securities laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
CRESUD S.A.C.I.F. y A. and THE BANK OF NEW YORK have duly executed this agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners and holders shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
CRESUD S.A.C.I.F. y A.
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Depositary
By:
Name:
Title:
- # -
EXHIBIT A
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
(Each American Depositary
Share represents
ten (10) deposited Shares)
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTING
TEN (10) DEPOSITED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK,
PAR VALUE ONE PESO PER SHARE, OF CRESUD S.A.C.I.F. y A.
(INCORPORATED WITH LIMITED LIABILITY UNDER
THE LAWS OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC)
The Bank of New York, as depositary (hereinafter called the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that___________ ____________________________________________, or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF _____________________________
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited Shares of Common Stock, par value one peso per share, (herein called “Shares”) of Cresud S.A.C.I.F. y A., incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Argentine Republic (herein called the “Issuer”). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents ten (10) Shares deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as such term is hereinafter defined) at the Buenos Aires office of The Bank of New York S.A. (Argentina) (herein called the “Custodian”). The Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office is located at a different address than its principal executive office. Its Corporate Trust Office is located at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000, and its principal executive office is located at 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000.
THE DEPOSITARY’S CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE ADDRESS IS
000 XXXXXXX XXXXXX, XXX XXXX, X.X. 00000
1.
THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called “Receipts”), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the deposit agreement dated as of March 18, 1997 (herein called the “Deposit Agreement”) among the Issuer, the Depositary, and all Owners and holders from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and holders of the Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called “Deposited Securities”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms defined in the Deposit Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
2.
SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of this Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary provided in this Receipt, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owner hereof is entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares for which this Receipt is issued. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of (a) certificates in the name of the Owner hereof or as ordered by him or certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer and (b) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of this Receipt. Such delivery will be made at the option of the Owner hereof, either at the office of the Custodian or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, provided that the forwarding of certificates for Shares or other Deposited Securities for such delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary shall be at the risk and expense of the Owner hereof.
3.
TRANSFERS, SPLIT-UPS AND COMBINATIONS OF RECEIPTS.
The transfer of this Receipt is registrable on the books of the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office by the Owner hereof in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Receipt properly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and funds sufficient to pay any applicable transfer taxes and the expenses of the Depositary and upon compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish for such purpose. This Receipt may be split into other such Receipts, or may be combined with other such receipts into one Receipt, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Issuer, Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of the Shares or the presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to the Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in this Receipt or in the Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary and the Issuer may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, including, without limitation, this Article 3.
The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or deposits of Shares may be refused, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer, split-up or combination of outstanding Receipts may be suspended generally, or in particular instances, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer, or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Issuer, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or for any other reason, subject to Section 7.09 of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of the following sentence. Notwithstanding anything in this Receipt or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended, subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares. The Depositary will comply with written instructions of the Issuer that the Depositary shall not accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Issuer’s compliance with the securities laws of the United States.
4.
LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to this Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner hereof to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect registration of transfer of this Receipt or any transfer and withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner hereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner hereof shall remain liable for any deficiency.
5.
WARRANTIES OF DEPOSITORS.
Every person depositing Shares hereunder and under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free of any preemptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that the deposit of such Shares and the sale of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Shares by that person are not restricted under the Securities Act. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts.
6.
FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, proof of the identity of any person legally or beneficially interested in the Receipt and the nature of such interest, proof of compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and the terms of the Deposit Agreement or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, of the Shares presented for deposit or other information, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary, or the Issuer upon request to the Depositary, may deem necessary or proper to comply with applicable laws or regulations or to enable the Depositary to perform its obligations hereunder. The Depositary may, and at the request of the Issuer shall, withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made.
Upon the request and at the expense of the Issuer, the Depositary and the Custodian shall provide the Issuer, in a timely manner, with copies of any such proofs of citizenship or residence, or exchange control approval which it receives or any other information referred to above so requested.
No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under Argentine laws and regulations and any necessary approval has been granted by the governmental authority or body in the Argentine Republic, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange. If required by the Depositary, Shares presented for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, shall also be accompanied by (i) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to vote such deposited Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares are registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee.
7.
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY.
The Issuer agrees to pay the fees, reasonable expenses and reasonable out-of-pocket charges of the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Issuer from time to time. Unless otherwise agreed, the Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses to the Issuer once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering Receipts or to whom Receipts are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Issuer or an exchange of stock regarding the Receipts or Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts pursuant to Section 4.03 of the Deposit Agreement), whichever applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Issuer or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, (3) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee not in excess of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the execution and delivery of Receipts pursuant to Sections 2.03 or 4.03 of the Deposit Agreement and the surrender of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.05 or 6.02 of the Deposit Agreement and (6) a fee not in excess of $.02 per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement including, but not limited to Sections 4.01 through 4.04 thereof.
The Depositary, subject to Article 8 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer and its affiliates and in Receipts.
8.
PRE-RELEASE OF RECEIPTS.
Notwithstanding Section 2.03 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Deposit Agreement (a “Pre-Release”) unless requested by the Issuer to cease doing so. The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Deposit Agreement, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom Receipts are to be delivered that such person, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all beneficial right, title and interest in such Shares to the Depositary for the benefit of the Owners and (iii) agrees in effect to hold such Shares for the account of the Depositary until delivery of the same, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days’ notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares which are outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate and may, with the prior written consent of the Issuer, change such limit for purposes of general application. The collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary for the benefit of the Owners as security for the performance of the obligations to deliver Shares set forth in clause (a) above (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities hereunder).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
9.
TITLE TO RECEIPTS.
It is a condition of this Receipt and every successive Owner and holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and transferred in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument in accordance with the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the Owner thereof.
10.
VALIDITY OF RECEIPT.
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary; provided, however, that the signature of the Depositary may be a facsimile if a Registrar for Receipts shall have been appointed and this Receipt is countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar.
11.
REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The Issuer is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Such reports will be available for inspection and copying by holders and Owners at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000.
The Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners of Receipts at its Corporate Trust Office and the office of the Custodian any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer or Caja de Valores which are both (a) received by the Depositary or the Custodian as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Issuer or Caja de Valores. The Depositary, upon the request of the Issuer, will also send to Owners of Receipts copies of such reports when furnished by the Issuer or Caja de Valores pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. Any such reports and communications, including any such proxy soliciting material, furnished to the Depositary by the Issuer or Caja de Valores shall be furnished in English.
The Depositary will keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners of Receipts provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners of Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Issuer or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
12.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into United States dollars transferable to the United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert, as promptly as practicable, such dividend or distribution into dollars and will promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto; provided, however, that in the event that either the Issuer or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed to the Owners of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will promptly cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may upon consultation with the Issuer, adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may and shall if the Issuer shall so request, instruct the Issuer to deposit or cause such Shares to be deposited with the account of the Custodian at the Foreign Registrar and promptly distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary will sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds of such sale, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01 of the Deposit Agreement. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto.
13.
RIGHTS.
In the event that the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary shall, after consultation with the Issuer have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines in its reasonable discretion after consultation with the Issuer that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Issuer to the Depositary that (a) the Issuer has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Issuer has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to purchase or otherwise receive Shares to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from any such Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Issuer shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will arrange for Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this Article 13, such Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable United States laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation and transfer under such laws, or such distribution shall be accomplished in accordance with such other procedures as the Issuer and the Depositary may agree.
If at the time of the offering of any rights, the Depositary determines in its reasonable discretion after consultation with the Issuer that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and distribute the net cash proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01 of the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to a distribution to all Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act; provided, however, that nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of the Issuer to file a registration statement with respect to such rights or underlying securities or endeavor to have such a registration statement declared effective. If an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under the Securities Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Issuer upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular.
14.
CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable Argentine laws, regulations or applicable permits issued by any Argentine office of foreign exchange or other govern- mental body, whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be promptly distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation in whole or in part depending upon the terms of such warrants or other instruments. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any reasonable and customary expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall promptly file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable, after consultation with the Issuer.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, of if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its reasonable discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible and practicable to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto for whom such conversion and distribution is not permissible and practicable.
15.
FIXING OF RECORD DATE.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix a record date (which date shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as any corresponding record date set by the Issuer and after consultation with the Issuer if such record date is different from the record date applicable to the Deposited Securities) (a) for the determination of the Owners of Receipts who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
16.
VOTING OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, fix a record date for determining the Owners entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights as provided in Section 4.06 of the Deposit Agreement and shall mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be in the reasonable discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting received by the Depositary from the Issuer, (b) a statement, in the form, if any, provided by the Issuer, that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provisions of Argentine law, of the Deposited Securities and of the corporate charter of the Issuer, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Owners’ Receipts and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and any applicable provisions of Argentine law and of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Issuer, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities the right to receive which is represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Owner’s Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in such request; provided, however, that if, after complying with the foregoing procedures, the Depositary does not receive instructions from an Owner of a Receipt on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary will exercise all voting rights relating to the Deposited Securities represented by such Owner’s Receipts in the same manner as the majority of such Common Stock or other Deposited Securities not held in the depositary receipt facility under this Deposit Agreement voted in the relevant shareholders’ meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary shall only be required to vote Common Stock in accordance with the foregoing procedures if it has received satisfactory assurances from the Issuer (which may include an opinion of recognized counsel for the Issuer in Argentina), that the actions to be voted on are not contrary to Argentine law or regulations or the Issuer’s by-laws.
The Depositary has agreed to retain all records relating to the voting of Deposited Securities pursuant to this Article 16 as may be required under applicable Argentine laws and regulations. In connection therewith, the Issuer and the Depositary hereby mutually agree to inform one another of such requirements and any changes thereto as soon as such requirements or changes come to the Issuer’s or the Depositary’s knowledge, as the case may be.
17.
CHANGES AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.03 of the Deposit Agreement do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation, or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent, in addition to existing Deposited Securities, the right to receive the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may and shall, if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities.
18.
LIABILITY OF THE ISSUER AND THE DEPOSITARY.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer nor any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or holder of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the Argentine Republic or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, including NASDAQ, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the corporate charter of the Issuer, or by reason of any provision of the Deposited Securities or any securities issued or distributed by the Issuer, or any offering or distribution thereof, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary or the Issuer or any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Issuer incur any liability to any Owner or holder of any Receipt by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or the corporate charter of the Issuer. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.01, 4.02, or 4.03 of the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.04 of the Deposit Agreement, because of applicable law, or for any other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
The Issuer assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Owners or holders of Receipts, except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Owner or holder of any Receipt (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Without limiting the preceding sentences, neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be (i) under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary or (ii) liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information including but not limited to, any such action or nonaction based upon written notice, request, direction or other document believed in good faith by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary shall not be responsible and shall have no liability for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast, or the effect of any such vote, or for any action taken or not taken with respect to any such vote, provided that the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith.
In addition to and not in limitation of the second paragraph of this Article 18, with respect to any Pre-Release (as defined in Section 2.09 of the Deposit Agreement), the Issuer shall not be responsible for any liabilities or expenses (a) which may be imposed under any United States Federal, state or local income tax laws or (b) which may arise out of the failure of the Depositary to deliver Deposited Securities when required under the terms of Section 2.05 of the Deposit Agreement. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any liability or expense which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or omission or alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus (or placement memorandum), or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement memorandum) relating to the offer or sale of American Depositary Shares, except to the extent any such liability or expense arises out of (i) information relating to the Depositary or any custodian, as applicable, furnished in writing and not materially changed or altered by the Issuer expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents, or, (ii) if such information is provided, the failure to state a material fact necessary to make the information provided not misleading.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer (and its affiliates) and in Receipts.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
19.
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Issuer, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Issuer by written notice of such removal, effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners of Receipts to do so, it may, subject to the prior approval of the Issuer, appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians.
20.
AMENDMENT.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Issuer and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees and cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners of Receipts, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of thirty days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. Every Owner of a Receipt at the time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
21.
TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Issuer, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Issuer and the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Issuer a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt will, upon (a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.05 of the Deposit Agreement, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it thereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of Receipts which have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary with respect to indemnification, charges, and expenses. The obligations of the Depositary under Section 5.08 of the Deposit Agreement shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
22.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
The Issuer may from time to time request Owners to provide information as to the capacity in which such Owners own or owned Receipts and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such Receipts and the nature of such interest. Each Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Issuer or the Depositary pursuant to this Article 22. At the expense of the Issuer, the Depositary and the Custodian agree to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions received from the Issuer requesting that the Depositary or the Custodian forward any such requests to the Owners and to forward to the Issuer such responses to such requests received by the Depositary or the Custodian.
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