UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 27, 2020
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Nevada | 333-201360 | 90-1137640 |
(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS
Employer Identification No.) |
2498
Wanfeng Highway, Lane 181, Fengjing Town, Jinshan District Shanghai, China 201501 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(86) 21-67355092 |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
Mullan Agritech, Inc. |
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Company under any of the following provisions:
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On March 17, 2020, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Muliang Agritech Inc. (the “Company”) approved the nomination of Vick Bathija, Guofu Zhang and Scott Silverman as independent directors, as defined under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15), appointment of whom shall be effective upon approval of Company’s application to list on the Nasdaq Stock Market. In addition, the Board approved the adoption of the audit, compensation and nomination committees. Mr. Bathija, Mr. Silverman and Mr. Zhang shall serve as the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Compensation Committee, respectively. Copies of the director offer letters are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3, respectively.
The biographical information of the three director nominees are set forth below:
Mr. Vick Bathija, age 34, has worked on many complex engagements ranging from audits, tax and consulting. He received a BBA in Accounting and a Masters in Taxation from Hofstra University. He then began his career at Holtz Rubenstein, now known as Baker Tilly. He was in the audit/tax department where he grew into a senior role overseeing mid cap companies from an audit and tax standpoint. He also dealt with high net worth individuals clients.
He was then recruited by Ernst & Young where he specialized in the Hedge Fund Practice. He oversaw staff and interacted with partners and clients and consulted on the engagements and provided solutions to the audit and tax engagements that arose. He was in contact with the audit departments to get clarity on transactions that would affect the tax implications.
After over 2 years at Ernst & Young, he started his own practice, Commerce CPA, LLC. He has advised and service several hundred clients ranging from startups to established companies. He has consulted and conducted audits for companies looking to raise money in accordance with SEC regulations. He also has done tax returns and provided tax consulting for these entities. He also has done compliations in accordance with IFRS and GAAP in order for the books and records to be in a presentable format for the SEC and other authorities.
Mr. Scott Silverman, age 53, has over 25 years of business success on national and international levels, with a highly diverse knowledge of financial, legal and operations management; public company management, accounting and SEC regulations. Mr. Silverman specializes in establishing and streamlining back-office policies and procedures and implementing sound financial management and internal controls necessary for enterprise growth and scalability. Mr. Silverman is currently a partner and CFO of VC Capital Holdings, a diversified PE firm with portfolio investments in hospitality, healthcare and construction and engineering. Additionally, Scott serves as the CFO of Riverside Miami, a mixed use entertainment, food and beverage project in Miami, FL. He also serves as the CFO of Healthsnap, Inc. a healthcare SaaS platform on the cutting edge of remote patient monitoring and chronic care management. Mr. Silverman is one of the founders, and serves as President and CEO, of EverAsia Financial Group, which grew into a multi-national corporate financial management and advisory firm serving clients in the United States and Asia, and JJL Capital Management, a private equity firm specializing in investing in startup, early- and mid-stage companies. Prior, while serving as the VP of Finance of Itopia, Mr. Silverman was involved in the raise of over $5 million in Series A capital, reduced expenses by more than 40% and participated in a 100% increase in year-over-year top line revenues. Mr. Silverman has orchestrated investor exits for multiple companies, including direct participation in taking 7 companies public. He has also assisted in raising over $35 million for client companies, both public and private. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from George Washington University and a Master’s degree in accounting from NOVA Southeastern University.
Mr. Guofu Zhang, age 40, has served as Chief Financial Officer of AGM Group Holdings Inc. since the inception of the company. He was a senior accounting consultant at China Customer Relations Centers, Inc. from 2013 to 2015. He was the Financial Manager at Tianli Agritech, an American public company, from 2009 to 2012 and served as Chief Financial Officer there from April 2012 to July 2013. Mr. Zhang earned his bachelor degree in accounting from Renmin University of China. He is experienced in financial analysis, auditing, and accounting internal control. He also has experience with IPO when he helped CCRC list on NASDAQ in December 2015.
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Family Relationships
None of the directors or executive officers has a family relationship as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K.
Related Party Transactions
There are no related party transactions reportable under Item 5.02 of Form 8-K and Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Employment Agreement
As independent directors, Vick Bathija will be compensated for an annual cash amount of $40,000 and stock option for up to 40,000 shares at an exercise price of $4.00 exercisable for three years from the date of issuance. Mr. Silverman will be compensated for an annual cash amount of $30,000 and stock option for up to 30,000 shares at an exercise price of $4.00 exercisable for three years from the date of issuance. Mr. Zhang will be compensated for an annual cash amount of $20,000 and stock option for up to 20,000 shares at an exercise price of $4.00 exercisable for three years from the date of issuance. In addition, during the directorship term, the Company will reimburse the independent directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred by the director in attending any in-person meetings, provided that the director complies with the generally applicable policies, practices and procedures of the Company for submission of expense reports, receipts or similar documentation of such expenses.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On October 28, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the designation of 30,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock as Series A Preferred Stock, which the preferences and relative and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, shall be set forth in the certificate of designation filed with the Secretary of the State of the State of Nevada on October 30, 2019. The Certificate of Designation, which is filed herewith as Exhibits 3.1, is incorporated herein by reference.
On October 10, 2019 and November 11, 2019, Mr. Lirong Wang entered into a Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement and its amendment (the “Exchange Agreement”) with the Company pursuant to which 19,000,000 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Wang was cancelled in exchange for 19,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock have the right to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders with each share of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to ten (10) votes per share which any holder of common stock has with respect to any matter. Copies of Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement and its amendment are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.4 and 10.5.
Following the completion of the transaction, 37,341,954 shares of common stock and 19,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding as of November 11, 2019.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On March 17, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nomination Committee of the Board of the Directors as well as the Code of Conduct and Ethics and copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, 99.3 and 14.1, respectively.
The formal written Audit Committee charter, Nomination Committee charter and the Compensation Committee conform to the requirements of NASDAQ Rule 5605(c)(1) of the NASDAQ Listing Guide, and each committee will review and assess the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis.
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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. | ||
Date: March 27, 2020 | By: | /s/ Lirong Wang |
Name: | Lirong Wang | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director |
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Exhibit 3.1
Exhibit 10.1
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
2498 Wanfeng Highway, Lane 181
Fengjing Town, Jinshan District
Shanghai, China 201501
(86) 21-67355092
March 19, 2020
Vick Bathija, CPA
10 Times Square. 1441 Broadway,
FL 3. Suite 3046
New York, NY 10018
Re: Director Offer Letter
Dear Mr. Bathija:
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Company” or “we”), is pleased to offer you a position as a Director of the Company. We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your participation as a Director in the Company. Should you choose to accept this position as a Director, this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Your appointment shall also be subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and/or Nomination and Compensation Committees and shall begin upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
1. Term. This Agreement is effective as of the date of this Agreement. Your term as a Director shall continue subject to the provisions in Section 9 below or until your successor is duly elected and qualified. The position shall be up for re-appointment every year by the board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and upon re-appointment, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
2. Services. You shall render customary services as a Director, Chairperson of the Audit Committee, and member of the Nomination and Compensation Committees (hereinafter, your “Duties”). During the term of this Agreement, you may attend and participate at each meeting regarding the business and operation issues of the Company as regularly or specially called, via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the members of the Board and committee (if any) regularly and as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence.
3. Services for Others. You shall be free to represent or perform services for other persons during the term of this Agreement.
4. Compensation. As compensation for your services to the Company, you will receive upon execution of this Agreement a compensation of $40,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis and payable on a quarterly basis starting on the date of your appointment. In addition, you should receive stock option or warrants for up to 40,000 shares exercisable at an exercise price of $4.00 for three years from the date of issuance. The shares underlying the stock options may be exercised on a cashless basis and shall vest in four equal installment on a quarterly basis (i.e. 10,000 shares every three months). For the avoidance of doubt, the first payment of $10,000 and 10,000 shares of stock option or warrant shall be due and vested three months after Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
You shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties (including travel expenses for in-person meetings).
5. D&O Insurance Policy. During the term under this Agreement, the Company shall include you as an insured under its officers and directors insurance policy with a Side A coverage.
6. No Assignment. Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.
7. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure. In consideration of your access to certain Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company, in connection with your business relationship with the Company, you hereby represent and agree as follows:
a. Definition. For purposes of this Agreement the term “Confidential Information” means: (i) any information which the Company possesses that has been created, discovered or developed by or for the Company, and which has or could have commercial value or utility in the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) any information which is related to the business of the Company and is generally not known by non-Company personnel; and (iii) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets and any information concerning products, processes, formulas, designs, inventions (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, and whether or not reduced to practice), discoveries, concepts, ideas, improvements, techniques, methods, research, development and test results, specifications, data, know-how, software, formats, marketing plans, and analyses, business plans and analyses, strategies, forecasts, customer and supplier identities, characteristics and agreements.
b. Exclusions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include: (i) any information which becomes generally available or is readily available to the public other than as a result of a breach of the confidentiality portions of this Agreement, or any other agreement requiring confidentiality between the Company and you; (ii) information received from a third party in rightful possession of such information who is not restricted from disclosing such information; (iii) information known by you prior to receipt of such information from the Company, which prior knowledge can be documented and (iv) information you are required to disclose pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order or decree, or request by other regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law; provided, however, that you shall first have given prior written notice to the Company and made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information not be disclosed.
c. Documents. You agree that, without the express written consent of the Company, you will not remove from the Company's premises, any notes, formulas, programs, data, records, machines or any other documents or items which in any manner contain or constitute Confidential Information, nor will you make reproductions or copies of same. You shall promptly return any such documents or items, along with any reproductions or copies to the Company upon the Company's demand, upon termination of this Agreement, or upon your termination or Resignation (as defined in Section 9 herein).
d. Confidentiality. You agree that you will hold in trust and confidence all Confidential Information and will not disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information or anything relating to such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company. You further agree that you will not use any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company, and that the provisions of this paragraph (d) shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may disclose Confidential Information to your legal counsel and accounting advisors who have a need to know such information for accounting or tax purposes and who agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph (d).
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e. Ownership. You agree that the Company shall own all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designations, designs, know-how, ideas and information made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by you during the term of this Agreement and that arise out of your Duties (collectively, “Inventions”) and you will promptly disclose and provide all Inventions to the Company. You agree to assist the Company, at its expense, to further evidence, record and perfect such assignments, and to perfect, obtain, maintain, enforce, and defend any rights assigned.
8. Non-Solicitation. During the term of your appointment, you shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company with whom you have had contact due to your appointment.
9. Termination and Resignation. Your services as a Director may be terminated for any or no reason by the determination of the Board. You may also terminate your services as a Director for any or no reason by delivering your written notice of resignation to the Company (“Resignation”), and such Resignation shall be effective upon the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt of the notice of resignation by the Company. Upon the effective date of the termination or Resignation, your right to compensation hereunder will terminate subject to the Company's obligations to pay you any compensation that you have already earned and to reimburse you for approved expenses already incurred in connection with your performance of your Duties as of the effective date of such termination or Resignation.
10. Governing Law; Arbitration. All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the State of New York. All disputes with respect to this Agreement, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination thereof or any dispute regarding non-contractual obligations arising out of or relating to it shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association at its New York office in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The law of this arbitration clause shall be New York law. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York. The number of arbitrators shall be one. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.
11. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts. This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto. Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.
12. Indemnification. The Company shall, to the maximum extent provided under applicable law, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, settlements and other legally permissible amounts (“Losses”), incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of, or related to, your performance of your Duties, other than any such Losses incurred as a result of your gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company shall advance to you any expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Such costs and expenses incurred by you in defense of any such proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding promptly upon receipt by the Company of (a) written request for payment; (b) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (c) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on your behalf to repay the amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to any non-appealable judgment or settlement that you are not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
13. Acknowledgement. You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.
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The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.
Sincerely, | ||
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang | |
Lirong Wang | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
AGREED AND ACCEPTED: | |
/s/ Vick Bathija |
Vick
Bathija
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Exhibit 10.2
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
2498 Wanfeng Highway, Lane 181
Fengjing Town, Jinshan District
Shanghai, China 201501
(86) 21-67355092
March 19, 2020
Scott Silverman
14075 SW 83rd Ct
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Re: Director Offer Letter
Dear Mr. Silverman:
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Company” or “we”), is pleased to offer you a position as a Director of the Company. We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your participation as a Director in the Company. Should you choose to accept this position as a Director, this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Your appointment shall also be subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and/or Nomination and Compensation Committees and shall begin upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
1. Term. This Agreement is effective as of the date of this Agreement. Your term as a Director shall continue subject to the provisions in Section 9 below or until your successor is duly elected and qualified. The position shall be up for re-appointment every year by the board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and upon re-appointment, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
2. Services. You shall render customary services as a Director, Chair of the Nomination Committee, and member of the Audit and Compensation Committees (hereinafter, your “Duties”). During the term of this Agreement, you may attend and participate at each meeting regarding the business and operation issues of the Company as regularly or specially called, via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the members of the Board and committee (if any) regularly and as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence.
3. Services for Others. You shall be free to represent or perform services for other persons during the term of this Agreement.
4. Compensation. As compensation for your services to the Company, you will receive upon execution of this Agreement a compensation of $30,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis and payable on a quarterly basis. In addition, you should receive stock option or warrants for up to 30,000 shares exercisable at an exercise price of $4.00 for three years from the date of issuance. The shares underlying the stock options may be exercised on a cashless basis and shall vest in four equal installment on a quarterly basis (i.e. 7,500 shares every three months). For the avoidance of doubt, the first payment of $7,500 and 7,500 shares of stock option or warrant shall be due and vested three months after Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
You shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties (including travel expenses for in-person meetings).
5. D&O Insurance Policy. During the term under this Agreement, the Company shall include you as an insured under its officers and directors insurance policy with a Side A coverage.
6. No Assignment. Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.
7. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure. In consideration of your access to certain Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company, in connection with your business relationship with the Company, you hereby represent and agree as follows:
a. Definition. For purposes of this Agreement the term “Confidential Information” means: (i) any information which the Company possesses that has been created, discovered or developed by or for the Company, and which has or could have commercial value or utility in the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) any information which is related to the business of the Company and is generally not known by non-Company personnel; and (iii) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets and any information concerning products, processes, formulas, designs, inventions (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, and whether or not reduced to practice), discoveries, concepts, ideas, improvements, techniques, methods, research, development and test results, specifications, data, know-how, software, formats, marketing plans, and analyses, business plans and analyses, strategies, forecasts, customer and supplier identities, characteristics and agreements.
b. Exclusions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include: (i) any information which becomes generally available or is readily available to the public other than as a result of a breach of the confidentiality portions of this Agreement, or any other agreement requiring confidentiality between the Company and you; (ii) information received from a third party in rightful possession of such information who is not restricted from disclosing such information; (iii) information known by you prior to receipt of such information from the Company, which prior knowledge can be documented and (iv) information you are required to disclose pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order or decree, or request by other regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law; provided, however, that you shall first have given prior written notice to the Company and made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information not be disclosed.
c. Documents. You agree that, without the express written consent of the Company, you will not remove from the Company’s premises, any notes, formulas, programs, data, records, machines or any other documents or items which in any manner contain or constitute Confidential Information, nor will you make reproductions or copies of same. You shall promptly return any such documents or items, along with any reproductions or copies to the Company upon the Company’s demand, upon termination of this Agreement, or upon your termination or Resignation (as defined in Section 9 herein).
d. Confidentiality. You agree that you will hold in trust and confidence all Confidential Information and will not disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information or anything relating to such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company. You further agree that you will not use any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company, and that the provisions of this paragraph (d) shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may disclose Confidential Information to your legal counsel and accounting advisors who have a need to know such information for accounting or tax purposes and who agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph (d).
e. Ownership. You agree that the Company shall own all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designations, designs, know-how, ideas and information made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by you during the term of this Agreement and that arise out of your Duties (collectively, “Inventions”) and you will promptly disclose and provide all Inventions to the Company. You agree to assist the Company, at its expense, to further evidence, record and perfect such assignments, and to perfect, obtain, maintain, enforce, and defend any rights assigned.
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8. Non-Solicitation. During the term of your appointment, you shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company with whom you have had contact due to your appointment.
9. Termination and Resignation. Your services as a Director may be terminated for any or no reason by the determination of the Board. You may also terminate your services as a Director for any or no reason by delivering your written notice of resignation to the Company (“Resignation”), and such Resignation shall be effective upon the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt of the notice of resignation by the Company. Upon the effective date of the termination or Resignation, your right to compensation hereunder will terminate subject to the Company’s obligations to pay you any compensation that you have already earned and to reimburse you for approved expenses already incurred in connection with your performance of your Duties as of the effective date of such termination or Resignation.
10. Governing Law; Arbitration. All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the State of New York. All disputes with respect to this Agreement, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination thereof or any dispute regarding non-contractual obligations arising out of or relating to it shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association at its New York office in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The law of this arbitration clause shall be New York law. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York. The number of arbitrators shall be one. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.
11. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts. This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto. Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.
12. Indemnification. The Company shall, to the maximum extent provided under applicable law, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, settlements and other legally permissible amounts (“Losses”), incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of, or related to, your performance of your Duties, other than any such Losses incurred as a result of your gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company shall advance to you any expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Such costs and expenses incurred by you in defense of any such proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding promptly upon receipt by the Company of (a) written request for payment; (b) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (c) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on your behalf to repay the amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to any non-appealable judgment or settlement that you are not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
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13. Acknowledgement. You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.
The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.
Sincerely, | ||
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang | |
Lirong Wang | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
AGREED AND ACCEPTED: | |
/s/ Scott Silverman | |
Scott Silverman |
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Exhibit 10.3
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
2498 Wanfeng Highway, Lane 181
Fengjing Town, Jinshan District
Shanghai, China 201501
(86) 21-67355092
March 19, 2020
Re: Director Offer Letter
Dear Mr. Zhang:
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Company” or “we”), is pleased to offer you a position as a Director of the Company. We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your participation as a Director in the Company. Should you choose to accept this position as a Director, this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Your appointment shall also be subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and/or Nomination and Compensation Committees and shall begin upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
1. Term. This Agreement is effective as of the date of this Agreement. Your term as a Director shall continue subject to the provisions in Section 9 below or until your successor is duly elected and qualified. The position shall be up for re-appointment every year by the board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and upon re-appointment, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
2. Services. You shall render customary services as a Director and member of the Audit, Nomination and Compensation Committees (hereinafter, your “Duties”). During the term of this Agreement, you may attend and participate at each meeting regarding the business and operation issues of the Company as regularly or specially called, via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the members of the Board and committee (if any) regularly and as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence.
3. Services for Others. You shall be free to represent or perform services for other persons during the term of this Agreement.
4. Compensation. As compensation for your services to the Company, you will receive upon execution of this Agreement a compensation of $20,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis and payable on a quarterly basis. In addition, you should receive stock option for up to 20,000 shares exercisable at an exercise price of $4.00 for three years from the date of issuance. The shares underlying the stock options may be exercised on a cashless basis and shall vest in four equal installment on a quarterly basis (i.e. 5,000 shares every three months). For the avoidance of doubt, the first payment of $5,000 and 5,000 shares of stock option shall be due and vested three months after Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
You shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties (including travel expenses for in-person meetings).
5. D&O Insurance Policy. During the term under this Agreement, the Company shall include you as an insured under its officers and directors insurance policy with a Side A coverage.
6. No Assignment. Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.
7. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure. In consideration of your access to certain Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company, in connection with your business relationship with the Company, you hereby represent and agree as follows:
a. Definition. For purposes of this Agreement the term “Confidential Information” means: (i) any information which the Company possesses that has been created, discovered or developed by or for the Company, and which has or could have commercial value or utility in the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) any information which is related to the business of the Company and is generally not known by non-Company personnel; and (iii) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets and any information concerning products, processes, formulas, designs, inventions (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, and whether or not reduced to practice), discoveries, concepts, ideas, improvements, techniques, methods, research, development and test results, specifications, data, know-how, software, formats, marketing plans, and analyses, business plans and analyses, strategies, forecasts, customer and supplier identities, characteristics and agreements.
b. Exclusions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include: (i) any information which becomes generally available or is readily available to the public other than as a result of a breach of the confidentiality portions of this Agreement, or any other agreement requiring confidentiality between the Company and you; (ii) information received from a third party in rightful possession of such information who is not restricted from disclosing such information; (iii) information known by you prior to receipt of such information from the Company, which prior knowledge can be documented and (iv) information you are required to disclose pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order or decree, or request by other regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law; provided, however, that you shall first have given prior written notice to the Company and made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information not be disclosed.
c. Documents. You agree that, without the express written consent of the Company, you will not remove from the Company’s premises, any notes, formulas, programs, data, records, machines or any other documents or items which in any manner contain or constitute Confidential Information, nor will you make reproductions or copies of same. You shall promptly return any such documents or items, along with any reproductions or copies to the Company upon the Company’s demand, upon termination of this Agreement, or upon your termination or Resignation (as defined in Section 9 herein).
d. Confidentiality. You agree that you will hold in trust and confidence all Confidential Information and will not disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information or anything relating to such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company. You further agree that you will not use any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company, and that the provisions of this paragraph (d) shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may disclose Confidential Information to your legal counsel and accounting advisors who have a need to know such information for accounting or tax purposes and who agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph (d).
e. Ownership. You agree that the Company shall own all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designations, designs, know-how, ideas and information made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by you during the term of this Agreement and that arise out of your Duties (collectively, “Inventions”) and you will promptly disclose and provide all Inventions to the Company. You agree to assist the Company, at its expense, to further evidence, record and perfect such assignments, and to perfect, obtain, maintain, enforce, and defend any rights assigned.
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8. Non-Solicitation. During the term of your appointment, you shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company with whom you have had contact due to your appointment.
9. Termination and Resignation. Your services as a Director may be terminated for any or no reason by the determination of the Board. You may also terminate your services as a Director for any or no reason by delivering your written notice of resignation to the Company (“Resignation”), and such Resignation shall be effective upon the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt of the notice of resignation by the Company. Upon the effective date of the termination or Resignation, your right to compensation hereunder will terminate subject to the Company’s obligations to pay you any compensation that you have already earned and to reimburse you for approved expenses already incurred in connection with your performance of your Duties as of the effective date of such termination or Resignation.
10. Governing Law; Arbitration. All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the State of New York. All disputes with respect to this Agreement, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination thereof or any dispute regarding non-contractual obligations arising out of or relating to it shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association at its New York office in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The law of this arbitration clause shall be New York law. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York. The number of arbitrators shall be one. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.
11. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts. This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto. Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.
12. Indemnification. The Company shall, to the maximum extent provided under applicable law, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, settlements and other legally permissible amounts (“Losses”), incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of, or related to, your performance of your Duties, other than any such Losses incurred as a result of your gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company shall advance to you any expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Such costs and expenses incurred by you in defense of any such proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding promptly upon receipt by the Company of (a) written request for payment; (b) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (c) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on your behalf to repay the amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to any non-appealable judgment or settlement that you are not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
13. Acknowledgement. You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.
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The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.
Sincerely, | ||
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang | |
Lirong Wang | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
AGREED AND ACCEPTED: | |
/s/ Guofu Zhang |
Guofu
Zhang
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Exhibit 10.4
PREFERRED STOCK EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This Exchange Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 10th day of October, 2019, by and among Muliang Agritech, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the shareholder Mr. Lirong Wang signatory hereto (the “Shareholder”), with reference to the following facts:
WHEREAS, the Shareholder desires to cancel his beneficial ownership of 15,000,000 shares of Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Existing Shares”) for the Company’s 15,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stocks (the “Exchange Shares”);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue the Exchange Shares to induce the Shareholder cancel the Existing Shares.
WHEREAS, Each of the Company and the Shareholder desire to effectuate the Exchange on the basis and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock. Each of the Company and Shareholder agrees that, on the date hereof, Shareholder cancel 15,000,000 shares of common stock and the Company shall issue to Shareholder in exchange therefore 15,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The exchange of the common stocks for the Series A Preferred Stock will be made in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.:
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Shareholder, as of the date hereof, and as of the time of consummation of the Exchange, that:
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”) are duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (as applicable), with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents except, with respect to the Subsidiaries, for violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each Subsidiary are duly qualified to conduct its respective businesses and are in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Authorization and Binding Obligation. The Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Exchange Shares and each of the other agreements and certificates entered into by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Exchange Documents”) and to issue the Exchange Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The execution and delivery of the Exchange Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the issuance of the Exchange Shares, have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and, other than (i) such filings required under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, (ii) no further filing, consent, or authorization is required by the Company or of its Board of Directors or its shareholders. This Agreement and the other Exchange Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(c) No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of the Exchange Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the terms of any share capital of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the bylaws of the Company or any of the organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules, and regulations, and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Principal Market”)) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except, in the case of (B) or (C), as would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or, make any filing or registration with, any court, governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by the Exchange Documents, in each case in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations (which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence) have been obtained or effected, or will have been obtained or effected, on or prior to the date hereof, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances that might prevent the Company from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings pursuant to the preceding sentence. The Company has no knowledge of any facts that would reasonably lead to delisting or suspension of the shares of Common Stock by the Principal Market in the foreseeable future.
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(d) No Integration. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, any of their affiliates, or any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of Exchange Shares under the Securities Act or cause this offering of the Exchange Shares to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates or any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps referred to in the preceding sentence that would require registration of any of Exchange Shares under the Securities Act or cause the offering of the Exchange Shares to be integrated with other offerings.
(e) Securities Law Exemptions. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Shareholder contained herein, the offer and issuance by the Company of the Exchange Shares is exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) thereof, and applicable state securities laws.
(f) Issuance of Exchange Shares. The issuance of the Exchange Shares is duly authorized and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Documents shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof. The issuance of the Exchange Shares is duly authorized and upon issuance in with the terms of the Exchange Documents will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, with the Shareholders being entitled to all rights accorded to a shareholder of common stock. Upon issuance in accordance with the Exchange Shares, the Exchange Shares, respectively, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, with the Shareholders being entitled to all rights accorded to a Shareholder of Common Stock.
(g) No Consideration Paid. No commission or other remuneration has been paid by Company for soliciting the exchange of the Existing Shares for the Exchange Shares and Exchange Shares as contemplated hereby.
(h) Disclosure. Other than as set forth in the 8-K Filing (as defined below), the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Shareholder or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, nonpublic information. The Company understands and confirms that the Shareholder will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in the Exchange Shares. All disclosure provided to the Shareholder regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their business and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the schedules to this Agreement, furnished by or on behalf of the Company is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No event or circumstance has occurred or information exists with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their business, properties, prospects, operations or financial conditions, which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement by the Company but which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed.
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3. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. The Shareholder represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof, as follows:
(a) Organization and Authority. The Shareholder has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Shareholder and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly authorized by Shareholder’s board of directors or other governing body. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Shareholder and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms.
(b) Ownership of Existing Shares. The Shareholder owns the Existing Shares free and clear of any liens (other than the obligations pursuant to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and applicable securities laws).
(c) Reliance on Exemptions. The Shareholder understands that the Exchange Shares are being offered and exchanged in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Shareholder’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Shareholder set forth herein and in the Exchange Documents in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Shareholder to acquire the Exchange Shares.
(d) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement and the Exchange Documents to which the Shareholder is a party have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Shareholder and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Shareholder enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(e) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Shareholder of this Agreement and the Exchange Documents to which the Shareholder is a party, and the consummation by the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Shareholder or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Shareholder is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to the Shareholder, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Shareholder to perform its obligations hereunder.
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(f) No Consideration Paid. No commission or other remuneration has been paid by the Shareholder for soliciting the exchange of the Existing Shares for the Exchange Shares and Exchange Shares as contemplated hereby.
4. Disclosure of Transaction. The Company shall, on or before 8:30 a.m., New York City time, on or prior to the fourth (4th) business day after the date of this Agreement, file a Current Report on Form 8-K describing the terms of the transactions contemplated hereby in the form required by the 1934 Act and attaching the Exchange Documents, to the extent they are required to be filed under the 1934 Act, that have not previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company (including, without limitation, the Exchange Shares and this Agreement) as exhibits to such filing (including all attachments, the “8-K Filing”).
5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE SHAREHOLDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST COMPANY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided, that facsimile or PDF signature pages shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original and not a facsimile or PDF signature.
7. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
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8. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).
9. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
10. Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
11. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns in accordance with the terms of the hereof.
13. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by (a) certified or registered mail, (b) recognized commercial overnight courier, (c) facsimile transmission with a confirming copy by certified mail or recognized commercial overnight courier, or (d) e-mail with a confirming copy by certified or registered mail or recognized commercial overnight courier, all addressed as follows:
(i) If to the Company, to its address, email address and facsimile number set forth on the signature page of the Company, with copies to the Company’s representatives set forth on the signature page of the Company or to such other address, email address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change.
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(ii) If to the Shareholder, to its address, email address and facsimile number set forth on the signature page of the Shareholder, with copies to the Shareholder’s representatives set forth on the signature page of the Shareholder or to such other address, email address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
14. Remedies. The Shareholder and each Shareholder of the Exchange Shares shall have all rights and remedies set forth in the Exchange Documents and all rights and remedies which such Shareholders have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Shareholders have under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Furthermore, the Company recognizes that in the event that it fails to perform, observe, or discharge any or all of its obligations under this Agreement, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Shareholder. The Company therefore agrees that the Shareholder shall be entitled to seek temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security.
15. Survival. The representations and warranties of the Company and the Shareholder contained herein and the agreements and covenants set forth herein shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the delivery and issuance of the Exchange Shares.
16. Indemnification. In consideration of the Shareholder’s execution and delivery of the Exchange Documents and acquiring the Exchange Shares thereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Exchange Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholder and all of its shareholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect Shareholders and any of the foregoing Persons’ agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”), as incurred, from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in the Exchange Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Exchange Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) and arising out of or resulting from (i) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Exchange Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (ii) the status of the Shareholder as a Shareholder of the Exchange Shares pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Documents (unless such action, suit or claim is based upon a breach of such Shareholder’s representations, warranties or covenants under this Agreement and the other Exchange Documents or any violations by Shareholder of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by Shareholder that constitutes fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable under law.
17. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the Shareholder, the Company, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf solely with respect to the Existing Shares, and this Agreement and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Shareholder makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Shareholder. No provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Shareholders and the Company have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement.
COMPANY: | |||
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang | ||
Name: | Lirong Wang | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
SHAREHOLDER: | ||
Lirong Wang | ||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang |
Exhibit 10.5
AMENDED AND RESTATED
PREFERRED STOCK EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PREFERRED STOCK EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (the “Amended and Restated Agreement”) is made and dated November 11, 2019 between Muliang Agritech, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the shareholder Mr. Lirong Wang signatory hereto (the “Shareholder”), and it amends and restates the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), made and dated October 10, 2019, and originally entered into between the Company and the Shareholder.
WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholder entered into the Original Agreement on October 10, 2019;
WHEREAS, the Shareholder desires to cancel his beneficial ownership of 19,000,000 shares of Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Existing Shares”) for the Company’s 19,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stocks (the “Exchange Shares”);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue the Exchange Shares to induce the Shareholder cancel the Existing Shares.
WHEREAS, Each of the Company and the Shareholder desire to effectuate the Exchange on the basis and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock. Each of the Company and Shareholder agrees that, on the date hereof, Shareholder cancels 19,000,000 shares of common stock and the Company shall issue to Shareholder in exchange therefore 19,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The exchange of the common stocks for the Series A Preferred Stock will be made in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.:
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Shareholder, as of the date hereof, and as of the time of consummation of the Exchange, that:
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”) are duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (as applicable), with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents except, with respect to the Subsidiaries, for violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each Subsidiary are duly qualified to conduct its respective businesses and are in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Authorization and Binding Obligation. The Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Exchange Shares and each of the other agreements and certificates entered into by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Exchange Documents”) and to issue the Exchange Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The execution and delivery of the Exchange Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the issuance of the Exchange Shares, have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and, other than (i) such filings required under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, (ii) no further filing, consent, or authorization is required by the Company or of its Board of Directors or its shareholders. This Agreement and the other Exchange Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(c) No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of the Exchange Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the terms of any share capital of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the bylaws of the Company or any of the organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules, and regulations, and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Principal Market”)) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except, in the case of (B) or (C), as would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or, make any filing or registration with, any court, governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by the Exchange Documents, in each case in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations (which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence) have been obtained or effected, or will have been obtained or effected, on or prior to the date hereof, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances that might prevent the Company from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings pursuant to the preceding sentence. The Company has no knowledge of any facts that would reasonably lead to delisting or suspension of the shares of Common Stock by the Principal Market in the foreseeable future.
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(d) No Integration. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, any of their affiliates, or any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of Exchange Shares under the Securities Act or cause this offering of the Exchange Shares to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates or any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps referred to in the preceding sentence that would require registration of any of Exchange Shares under the Securities Act or cause the offering of the Exchange Shares to be integrated with other offerings.
(e) Securities Law Exemptions. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Shareholder contained herein, the offer and issuance by the Company of the Exchange Shares is exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) thereof, and applicable state securities laws.
(f) Issuance of Exchange Shares. The issuance of the Exchange Shares is duly authorized and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Documents shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof. The issuance of the Exchange Shares is duly authorized and upon issuance in with the terms of the Exchange Documents will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, with the Shareholders being entitled to all rights accorded to a shareholder of common stock. Upon issuance in accordance with the Exchange Shares, the Exchange Shares, respectively, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, charges and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, with the Shareholders being entitled to all rights accorded to a Shareholder of Common Stock.
(g) No Consideration Paid. No commission or other remuneration has been paid by Company for soliciting the exchange of the Existing Shares for the Exchange Shares and Exchange Shares as contemplated hereby.
(h) Disclosure. Other than as set forth in the 8-K Filing (as defined below), the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Shareholder or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, nonpublic information. The Company understands and confirms that the Shareholder will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in the Exchange Shares. All disclosure provided to the Shareholder regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their business and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the schedules to this Agreement, furnished by or on behalf of the Company is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No event or circumstance has occurred or information exists with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their business, properties, prospects, operations or financial conditions, which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement by the Company but which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed.
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3. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. The Shareholder represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof, as follows:
(a) Organization and Authority. The Shareholder has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Shareholder and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly authorized by Shareholder’s board of directors or other governing body. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Shareholder and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms.
(b) Ownership of Existing Shares. The Shareholder owns the Existing Shares free and clear of any liens (other than the obligations pursuant to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and applicable securities laws).
(c) Reliance on Exemptions. The Shareholder understands that the Exchange Shares are being offered and exchanged in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Shareholder’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Shareholder set forth herein and in the Exchange Documents in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Shareholder to acquire the Exchange Shares.
(d) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement and the Exchange Documents to which the Shareholder is a party have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Shareholder and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Shareholder enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(e) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Shareholder of this Agreement and the Exchange Documents to which the Shareholder is a party, and the consummation by the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Shareholder or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Shareholder is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to the Shareholder, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Shareholder to perform its obligations hereunder.
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(f) No Consideration Paid. No commission or other remuneration has been paid by the Shareholder for soliciting the exchange of the Existing Shares for the Exchange Shares and Exchange Shares as contemplated hereby.
4. Disclosure of Transaction. The Company shall, on or before 8:30 a.m., New York City time, on or prior to the fourth (4th) business day after the date of this Agreement, file a Current Report on Form 8-K describing the terms of the transactions contemplated hereby in the form required by the 1934 Act and attaching the Exchange Documents, to the extent they are required to be filed under the 1934 Act, that have not previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company (including, without limitation, the Exchange Shares and this Agreement) as exhibits to such filing (including all attachments, the “8-K Filing”).
5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE SHAREHOLDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST COMPANY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided, that facsimile or PDF signature pages shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original and not a facsimile or PDF signature.
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7. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
8. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).
9. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
10. Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
11. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns in accordance with the terms of the hereof.
13. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by (a) certified or registered mail, (b) recognized commercial overnight courier, (c) facsimile transmission with a confirming copy by certified mail or recognized commercial overnight courier, or (d) e-mail with a confirming copy by certified or registered mail or recognized commercial overnight courier, all addressed as follows:
(i) If to the Company, to its address, email address and facsimile number set forth on the signature page of the Company, with copies to the Company’s representatives set forth on the signature page of the Company or to such other address, email address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change.
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(ii) If to the Shareholder, to its address, email address and facsimile number set forth on the signature page of the Shareholder, with copies to the Shareholder’s representatives set forth on the signature page of the Shareholder or to such other address, email address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
14. Remedies. The Shareholder and each Shareholder of the Exchange Shares shall have all rights and remedies set forth in the Exchange Documents and all rights and remedies which such Shareholders have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Shareholders have under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Furthermore, the Company recognizes that in the event that it fails to perform, observe, or discharge any or all of its obligations under this Agreement, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Shareholder. The Company therefore agrees that the Shareholder shall be entitled to seek temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security.
15. Survival. The representations and warranties of the Company and the Shareholder contained herein and the agreements and covenants set forth herein shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the delivery and issuance of the Exchange Shares.
16. Indemnification. In consideration of the Shareholder’s execution and delivery of the Exchange Documents and acquiring the Exchange Shares thereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Exchange Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholder and all of its shareholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect Shareholders and any of the foregoing Persons’ agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”), as incurred, from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in the Exchange Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Exchange Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) and arising out of or resulting from (i) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Exchange Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (ii) the status of the Shareholder as a Shareholder of the Exchange Shares pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Documents (unless such action, suit or claim is based upon a breach of such Shareholder’s representations, warranties or covenants under this Agreement and the other Exchange Documents or any violations by Shareholder of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by Shareholder that constitutes fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable under law.
17. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the Shareholder, the Company, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf solely with respect to the Existing Shares, and this Agreement and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Shareholder makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Shareholder. No provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Shareholders and the Company have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement.
COMPANY: | |||
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang | ||
Name: | Lirong Wang | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
SHAREHOLDER: | ||
Lirong Wang | ||
By: | /s/ Lirong Wang |
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Exhibit 14.1
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
PURSUANT TO NASDAQ RULE 5600 Sec(c)(1)
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
I. | INTRODUCTION |
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) helps ensure compliance with legal requirements and our standards of business conduct. This Code applies to directors, officers, and employees of Muliang Agritech, Inc. (the “Corporation”). Therefore, all directors, officers and employees of the Corporation are expected to read and understand this Code, uphold these standards in day-to- day activities, comply with all applicable policies and procedures, and ensure that all agents and contractors are aware of, understand and adhere to these standards.
Because the principles described in this Code are general in nature, all corporate directors, officers, and employees should also review all applicable corporate policies and procedures for more specific instruction, and contact the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) with any questions.
The Corporation is committed to continuously reviewing and updating its policies and procedures.
Therefore, this Code is subject to modification. This Code supersedes all other such codes, policies, procedures, instructions, practices, rules or written or verbal representations to the extent they are inconsistent.
II. | COMPLIANCE IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS |
Ethical business conduct is critical to the business of the Corporation. Each director, officer or employee has a responsibility is to respect and adhere to these practices. Many of these practices reflect legal or regulatory requirements. Violations of these laws and regulations can create significant liability for the violator, the Corporation, its directors, officers, and other employees.
Part of the job and ethical responsibility of each director, officer and employee is to help enforce this Code. Each director, officer and employee should be alert to possible violations and report possible violations to the CFO.
Each director, officer and employee must cooperate in any internal or external investigations of possible violations.
Reprisal, threats, retribution, or retaliation against any person who has in good faith reported a violation or a suspected violation of law, this Code or other corporate policies, or against any person who is assisting in any investigation or process with respect to such a violation, is prohibited.
Violations of law, this Code, or other corporate policies or procedures should be reported to the CFO.
Violations of law, this Code or other corporate policies or procedures by corporate directors, officers or employees can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
In trying to determine whether any given action is appropriate, use the following test.
Imagine that the words you are using or the action you are taking is going to be fully disclosed in the media with all the details, including your photo. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of this information being made public, perhaps you should think again about your words or your course of action.
In all cases, if you are unsure about the appropriateness of an event or action, please seek assistance in interpreting the requirements of these practices by contacting the CFO.
III. | YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CORPORATION AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS |
A. | General Standards of Conduct |
The Corporation expects all directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors to exercise good judgment to ensure the safety and welfare of employees, agents, and contractors and to maintain a cooperative, efficient, positive, harmonious, and productive work environment and business organization. These standards apply while working on our premises, at offsite locations where our business is being conducted, at Corporate-sponsored business and social events, or at any other place where any director, officer or employee is acting as a representative of the Corporation. Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors who engage in misconduct or whose performance is unsatisfactory may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. Each director, officer and employee should review the employment handbook for more detailed information.
B. | Applicable Laws |
All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders. Corporate directors, officers and employees located outside of the United States must comply with laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders of the United States, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.S. Export Control Act, in addition to applicable local laws. Each director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must acquire appropriate knowledge of the requirements relating to his or her duties sufficient to enable him or her to recognize potential dangers and to know when to seek advice from the CFO on specific Corporate policies and procedures. Violations of laws, regulations, rules, and orders may subject the director, officer, employee, agent or contractor to individual criminal or civil liability, as well as to discipline by the Corporation. Such individual violations may also subject the Corporation to civil or criminal liability or the loss of business.
C. | Conflicts of Interest |
Each director, officer and employee has a responsibility to the Corporation, the stockholders and each other.
Although this duty does not prevent any director, officer, and employee from engaging in personal transactions and investments, it does demand avoiding situations where a conflict of interest might occur or appear to occur. The Corporation is subject to scrutiny from many different individuals and organizations.
Each director, officer and employee should always strive to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
What constitutes conflict of interest? A conflict of interest exists where the interests or benefits of one person or entity conflict with the interests or benefits of the Corporation.
Examples include:
(i) Employment/Outside Employment. In consideration of the appointment or employment with the Corporation, each director, officer, and employee is expected to devote full attention to the business interests of the Corporation. Engaging in any activity that interferes with one’s performance or responsibilities to the Corporation or is otherwise in conflict with or prejudicial to the Corporation is prohibited. The Corporation’s policies prohibit any director, officer, or employee from accepting simultaneous employment with a Corporate supplier, customer, developer, or competitor, or from taking part in any activity that enhances or supports a competitor's position. Additionally, each director, officer and employee must disclose to the Corporation any interest that may conflict with the business of the Corporation. Any questions on this requirement should be directed to a supervisor or the CFO.
(ii) Outside Directorships. It is a conflict of interest to serve as a director of any company that competes with the Corporation. Although a director, officer and employee may serve as a director of a Corporate supplier, customer, developer, or other business partner, the Corporation’s policy requires that approval first be obtained from the Corporation's Board of Directors (the “Board”) before accepting a directorship. Any compensation received should be commensurate to the responsibilities of holding such position.
Such approval may be conditioned upon the completion of specified actions.
(iii) Business Interests. If a director, officer, and employee is considering investing in a Corporate customer, supplier or competitor, great care must be taken to ensure that these investments do not compromise any responsibilities owed to the Corporation. Many factors should be considered in determining whether a conflict exists, including the size and nature of the investment; the ability to influence the Corporation’s decisions; access to confidential information of the Corporation or of the other company; and the nature of the relationship between the Corporation and the other company.
(iv) Related Parties. As a rule, conducting Corporate business with a relative or significant other, or with a business in which a relative or significant other is associated in any significant role, should be avoided. Relatives include spouse, sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, step relationships, and in-laws. Significant others include persons living in a spousal (including same sex) or familial fashion with an employee.
If such a related party transaction is unavoidable, the nature of the related party transaction must be fully disclosed to the CFO. If determined to be material to the Corporation by the CFO, the Corporation's Audit Committee must review and approve in writing in advance such related party transactions. The most significant related party transactions, particularly those involving the Corporation's directors or executive officers, must be reviewed, and approved in writing in advance by the Corporation's Board. The Corporation must report all such material related party transactions under applicable accounting rules, federal securities laws, and SEC rules and regulations, and securities market rules. Any dealings with a related party must be conducted in such a way that no preferential treatment is given to this business.
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The Corporation discourages the employment of relatives and significant others in positions or assignments within the same department and prohibits the employment of such individuals in positions that have a financial dependence or influence (e.g., an auditing or control relationship, or a supervisor/subordinate relationship). The purpose of this policy is to prevent the organizational impairment and conflicts that are a likely outcome of the employment of relatives or significant others, especially in a supervisor/subordinate relationship. If a question arises about whether a relationship is covered by this policy, the CFO is responsible for determining whether this policy covers an applicant or transferee’s acknowledged relationship. The CFO shall advise all affected applicants and transferees of this policy. Willful withholding of information regarding a prohibited relationship/reporting arrangement may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. If a prohibited relationship exists or develops between two employees, the employee in the senior position must bring this to the attention of his/her supervisor. The Corporation retains the prerogative to separate the individuals at the earliest possible time, either by reassignment or by termination, if necessary.
(v) Other Situations. Because other conflicts of interest may arise, it would be impractical to attempt to list all possible situations. Directors, officers, and employees should consult the CFO if a proposed transaction or situation raises any questions or doubts.
D. | Corporate Opportunities |
Employees, officers, and directors may not exploit for their own personal gain opportunities that are discovered using corporate property, information, or position unless the opportunity is disclosed fully in writing to the Corporation’s Board and the Board declines to pursue such opportunity.
E. | Protecting the Corporation's Confidential Information |
The Corporation's confidential information is an asset. The Corporation’s confidential information includes our database of customer contacts; details regarding our equipment procurement sources; names and lists of customers, suppliers, and employees; and financial information. This information is the property of the Corporation and may be protected by patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws. All confidential information must be used for Corporate business purposes only. Every director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must safeguard it.
THIS RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES NOT DISCLOSING THE CORPORATION’S CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SUCH AS INFORMATION REGARDING THE CORPORATION'S PRODUCTS OR BUSINESS OVER THE INTERNET.
Each director, officer and employee is also responsible for properly labeling all documentation shared with or correspondence sent to the CFO or outside counsel as “Attorney-Client Privileged.” This responsibility includes the safeguarding, securing and proper disposal of confidential information in accordance with the Corporation's policy on Maintaining and Managing Records set forth in Section III.I of this Code. This obligation extends to confidential information of third parties, which the Corporation has rightfully received under Non-Disclosure Agreements. See the Corporation's policy dealing with Handling Confidential Information of Others set forth in Section IV.D of this Code.
(i) Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement. Upon joining the Corporation, each director, officer, and employee signed an agreement to protect and hold confidential the Corporation's proprietary information. This agreement remains in effect for the entire term of employment with the Corporation and remains in effect thereafter. Under this agreement, the Corporation's confidential information may not be disclosed to anyone or used to benefit anyone other than the Corporation without the prior written consent of an authorized Corporate officer.
(ii) Disclosure of Corporate Confidential Information. To further the Corporation's business from time to time, confidential information of the Corporation may be disclosed to potential business partners. However, such disclosure should never be done without careful consideration of its potential benefits and risks. If, in consultation with a manager and other appropriate Corporate management, it is determined that disclosure of confidential information is necessary, the CFO should be contacted to ensure that an appropriate written nondisclosure agreement is signed prior to the disclosure. The Corporation has standard nondisclosure agreements suitable for most disclosures. A third party's nondisclosure agreement must not be signed and no changes should be accepted to the Corporation's standard nondisclosure agreements without review and approval by the CFO. In addition, all Corporate materials that contain Corporate confidential information, including presentations, must be reviewed, and approved by the CFO prior to publication or use.
Furthermore, any employee publication or publicly made statement that might be perceived or construed as attributable to the Corporation, made outside the scope of his or her employment with the Corporation, must be reviewed in advance and approved in writing by the CFO and must include the Corporation's standard disclaimer that the publication or statement represents the views of the specific author and not of the Corporation.
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(iii) Requests by Regulatory Authorities. The Corporation and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must cooperate with appropriate government inquiries and investigations. In this context, however, it is important to protect the legal rights of the Corporation with respect to its confidential information. All government requests for information, documents or investigative interviews must be referred to the CFO. No financial information may be disclosed without the prior approval of the CFO.
(iv) Corporate Spokespeople. Specific policies have been established regarding who may communicate information to the press and the financial analyst community. All inquiries or calls from the press and financial analysts should be referred to the CFO. The Corporation has designated its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and CFO as official Corporate spokespeople for financial matters. These designees are the only people who may communicate with the press on behalf of the Corporation.
F. | Obligations under Securities Laws-” Insider” Trading |
Obligations under the U.S. securities laws apply to everyone. In the normal course of business, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, and consultants of the Corporation may come into possession of significant, sensitive information. This information is the property of the Corporation, and any director, officer, or employee in possession of such information has been entrusted with it. No director, officer or employee may profit from it by buying or selling securities on their own behalf, or passing on the information to others to enable them to profit or for them to profit on behalf of such director, officer, or employee. The purpose of this policy is both to inform all Corporate employees of the legal responsibilities and to make clear that the misuse of sensitive information is contrary to Corporate policy and U.S. securities laws.
Insider trading is a crime, penalized by fines of up to $5,000,000 and 20 years in jail for individuals. In addition, the SEC may seek the imposition of a civil penalty of up to three times the profits made or losses avoided from the trading. Insider traders must also disgorge any profits made, and are often subjected to an injunction against future violations. Finally, insider traders may be subjected to civil liability in private lawsuits.
Employers and other controlling persons (including supervisory personnel) are also at risk under U.S. securities laws. Controlling persons may, among other things, face penalties of the greater of $5,000,000 or three times the profits made or losses avoided by the trader if they recklessly fail to take preventive steps to control insider trading.
Thus, it is important that insider-trading violations not occur. Stock market surveillance techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the chance that U.S. federal or other regulatory authorities will detect and prosecute even small-level trading is significant. Insider trading rules are strictly enforced, even in instances when the financial transactions seem small. Any questions about the ability to trade should be directed to the CFO.
The Corporation has imposed a trading blackout period on members of the Board, executive officers, and certain designated employees who, because of their position with the Corporation, are more likely to be exposed to material nonpublic information about the Corporation. These directors, executive officers and employees generally may not trade in Corporate securities during the blackout periods.
For more details, and to determine whether a trade restriction applies during trading Blackout periods, each director, officer, and employee should review the Corporation’s Insider Trading Compliance Program carefully, paying attention to the specific policies and the potential criminal and civil liability and disciplinary action for insider trading violations. Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors of the Corporation who violate this policy are also be subject to disciplinary action by the Corporation, which may include termination of employment or of business relationship. All questions regarding the Corporation's Insider Trading Compliance Program should be directed to the Corporation's CFO.
G. | Prohibition against Short Selling of Corporate Stock |
No Corporate director, officer or other employee, agent or contractor may, directly or indirectly, sell any equity security, including derivatives, of the Corporation (1) if he or she does not own the security sold, or (2) if he or she owns the security, does not deliver it against such sale (a “short sale against the box”) within twenty days thereafter, or does not within five days after such sale deposit it in the mails or other usual channels of transportation. No Corporate director, officer or other employee, agent or contractor may engage in short sales. A short sale, as defined in this policy, means any transaction whereby one may benefit from a decline in the Corporation's stock price. While law from engaging in short sales of Corporation’s securities does not prohibit employees who are not executive officers or directors, the Corporation has adopted as policy that employees may not do so.
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H. | Use of Corporation’s Assets |
(i) General. Protecting the Corporation's assets is a key fiduciary responsibility of every director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor. Care should be taken to ensure that assets are not misappropriated, loaned to others, or sold or donated, without appropriate authorization. All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors are responsible for the proper use of Corporate assets, and must safeguard such assets against loss, damage, misuse, or theft.
Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors who violate any aspect of this policy or who demonstrate poor judgment in the way they use any Corporate asset may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion. Corporate equipment and assets are to be used for Corporate business purposes only. Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors may not use Corporate assets for personal use, nor may they allow any other person to use Corporate assets. All questions regarding this policy should be brought to the attention of the CFO.
(ii) Physical Access Control. The Corporation has and will continue to develop procedures covering physical access control to ensure privacy of communications, maintenance of the security of the Corporation communication equipment, and safeguard Corporate assets from theft, misuse, and destruction. Each director, officer and employee is personally responsible for complying with the level of access control that has been implemented in the facility where such director, officer and employee works on a permanent or temporary basis and must not defeat or cause to be defeated the purpose for which the access control was implemented.
(iii) Corporate Funds. Every Corporate director, officer or employee is personally responsible for all Corporate funds over which he or she exercises control. Corporate agents and contractors should not be allowed to exercise control over Corporate funds. Corporate funds must be used only for Corporate business purposes. Every Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must take reasonable steps to ensure that the Corporation receives good value for Corporate funds spent, and must maintain accurate and timely records of each expenditure. Expense reports must be accurate and submitted in a timely manner. Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must not use Corporate funds for any personal purpose.
(iv) Computers and Other Equipment. The Corporation strives to furnish directors, officers, and employees with the equipment necessary to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Each director, officer and employee must care for that equipment and use it responsibly only for Corporate business purposes. If Corporate equipment is used at home or off site, precautions must be taken to protect it from theft or damage. All Corporate equipment must be returned immediately upon termination of employment. While computers and other electronic devices are made accessible to directors, officers and employees to assist them to perform their jobs and to promote the Corporation's interests, all such computers and electronic devices, whether used entirely or partially on the Corporation's premises or with the aid of the Corporation's equipment or resources, must remain fully accessible to the Corporation and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, will remain the sole and exclusive property of the Corporation.
Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors should not maintain any expectation of privacy with respect to information transmitted over, received by, or stored in any electronic communications device owned, leased, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of the Corporation. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation retains the right to gain access to any information received by, transmitted by, or stored in any such electronic communications device, by and through its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or representatives, at any time, either with or without a director’s, officer’s, employee's or third party's knowledge, consent, or approval.
(v) Software. All software used by directors, officers, and employees to conduct Corporate business must be appropriately licensed. Directors, officers, and employees should never make or use illegal or unauthorized copies of any software, whether in the office, at home, or on the road, since doing so may constitute copyright infringement and may expose such director, officer, employee and the Corporation to potential civil and criminal liability. In addition, use of illegal or unauthorized copies of software may subject the director, officer, and employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The Corporation's Information Technology Department will inspect Corporate computers periodically to verify that only approved and licensed software has been installed. Any non-licensed/supported software will be removed.
(vi) Electronic Usage. The purpose of this policy is to make certain that directors, officers, and employees utilize electronic communication devices in a legal, ethical, and appropriate manner. This policy addresses the Corporation's responsibilities and concerns regarding the fair and proper use of all electronic communications devices within the organization, including computers, e- mail, connections to the Internet, intranet and extranet and any other public or private networks, voice mail, video conferencing, facsimiles, and telephones. Posting or discussing information concerning the Corporation's products or business on the Internet without the prior written consent of the Corporation's CFO is prohibited. Any other form of electronic communication used by directors, officers, or employees currently or in the future is also intended to be encompassed under this policy. It is not possible to identify every standard and rule applicable to the use of electronic communications devices. Directors, officers, and employees are therefore encouraged to use sound judgment whenever using any feature of our communications systems and are expected to review, understand and follow such policies and procedures.
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I. | Maintaining and Managing Records |
The purpose of this policy is to set forth and convey the Corporation's business and legal requirements in managing records, including all recorded information regardless of medium or characteristics. Records include paper documents, CDs, computer hard disks, email, floppy disks, microfiche, microfilm, or all other media. Local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations require the Corporation to retain certain records and to follow specific guidelines in managing its records. Civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with such guidelines can be severe for directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors and the Corporation, and failure to comply with such guidelines may subject the director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion. All original executed documents that evidence contractual commitments or other obligations of the Corporation must be forwarded to the CFO promptly upon completion. Such documents will be maintained and retained in accordance with the Corporation’s record retention policies.
J. | Records on Legal Hold. |
A legal hold suspends all document destruction procedures to preserve appropriate records under special circumstances, such as litigation or government investigations. The CFO determines and identifies what types of Corporate records or documents are required to be placed under a legal hold. Every Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must comply with this policy. Failure to comply with this policy may subject the director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion.
The CFO will notify any director, officer, or employee if a legal hold is placed on records for which that person is responsible. The necessary records must thereafter be preserved and protected in accordance with instructions from the CFO.
RECORDS OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER A LEGAL HOLD MUST NOT BE DESTROYED, ALTERED, OR MODIFIED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
A legal hold remains effective until it is officially released in writing by the CFO.
Any questions about whether a document has been placed under a legal hold should be directed to the CFO and the document should be preserved and protected until the CFO provides clarification.
K. | Payment Practices |
(i) Accounting Practices. The Corporation's responsibilities to its stockholders and the investing public require that all transactions be fully and accurately recorded in the Corporation's books and records in compliance with all applicable laws. False or misleading entries, unrecorded funds or assets, or payments without appropriate supporting documentation and approval are strictly prohibited and violate Corporate policy and the law.
Additionally, all documentation supporting a transaction should fully and accurately describe the nature of the transaction and be processed in a timely fashion.
(ii) Political Contributions. The Corporation reserves the right to communicate its position on important issues to elected representatives and other government officials. It is the Corporation's policy to comply fully with all local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding political contributions. The Corporation's funds or assets must not be used for, or be contributed to, political campaigns or political practices under any circumstances without the prior written approval of the CFO and, if required, the Board.
(iii) Prohibition of Inducements. Under no circumstances may directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors offer to pay, make payment, promise to pay, or issue authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value to customers, vendors, consultants, or other party that is perceived as intending, directly or indirectly, to improperly influence any business decision, any act or failure to act, any commitment of fraud, or opportunity for the commission of any fraud. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, provided that they are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy.
Questions regarding whether a payment or gift violates this policy should be directed to the CFO.
L. | Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. |
The Corporation requires full compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by all its directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors.
The anti-bribery and corrupt payment provisions of the FCPA make illegal any corrupt offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value to any foreign official, or any foreign political party, candidate or official, for the purpose of influencing any act or failure to act in the official capacity of that foreign official or party; or inducing the foreign official or party to use influence to affect a decision of a foreign government or agency, in order to obtain or retain business for anyone, or direct business to anyone.
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All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors, whether located in the United States or abroad, are responsible for FCPA compliance and the procedures to ensure FCPA compliance.
All managers and supervisory personnel are expected to monitor continued compliance with the FCPA to ensure compliance with the highest moral, ethical, and professional standards of the Corporation. FCPA compliance includes the Corporation's policy on Maintaining and Managing Records in Section III.I of this Code.
Laws in most countries outside of the United States also prohibit or restrict government officials or employees of government agencies from receiving payments, entertainment, or gifts for winning or keeping business. No contract or agreement may be made with any business in which a government official or employee holds a significant interest, without the prior approval of the CFO.
M. | Export Controls |
Several countries maintain controls on the destinations to which products or software may be exported. Some of the strictest export controls are maintained by the United States against countries that the U.S. government considers unfriendly or as supporting international terrorism. The U.S. regulations are complex and apply both to exports from the United States and to exports of products from other countries, when those products contain components or technology of U.S. origin. Software created in the United States is subject to these regulations even if duplicated and packaged abroad. In some circumstances, an oral presentation containing technical data made to foreign nationals in the United States may constitute a controlled export. The CFO can provide guidance on which countries are prohibited destinations for Corporate products or whether a proposed technical presentation to foreign nationals may require a U.S. Government license.
IV. | RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR SUPPLIERS |
A. | Customer Relationships |
Each time a director, officer or employee meets any Corporate customers or potential customers, that director, officer, or employee represents the Corporation and should therefore act in a manner that creates value for the Corporation’s customers and helps to build a relationship based upon trust. The Corporation and its employees have provided products and services for many years and have built up significant goodwill over that time. This goodwill is one of our most important assets, and the Corporation employees, agents and contractors must act to preserve and enhance our reputation.
B. | Payments or Gifts from Others |
Under no circumstances may directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors accept any offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value from customers, vendors, consultants, or other party that is perceived as intended, directly or indirectly, to influence any business decision, any act or failure to act, any commitment of fraud, or opportunity for the commission of any fraud. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, if they are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy. Questions regarding whether a payment or gift violates this policy are to be directed to the CFO.
Gifts given by the Corporation to suppliers or customers or received from suppliers or customers should always be appropriate to the circumstances and should never be of a kind that could create an appearance of impropriety. The nature and cost must always be accurately recorded in the Corporation's books and records.
C. | Publications of Others |
The Corporation subscribes to many publications that help directors, officers and employees do their jobs better. These include newsletters, reference works, online reference services, magazines, books, and other digital and printed works. Copyright law generally protects these works, and their unauthorized copying and distribution constitute copyright infringement. Consent of the publisher of a publication must be obtained before copying publications or significant parts of them. Any questions about whether a publication may be copied should be directed to the CFO.
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D. | Handling the Confidential Information of Others |
The Corporation has many kinds of business relationships with many companies and individuals. Sometimes such other companies and individuals will volunteer confidential information about their products or business plans to induce the Corporation to enter a business relationship with them. At other times, the Corporation may request that a third party provide confidential information to permit the Corporation to evaluate a potential business relationship with that party. The Corporation must take special care to handle the confidential information of others responsibly, regardless of how it was obtained. Such confidential information should be handled in accordance with the agreements with such third parties. See also the Corporation's policy on Maintaining and Managing Records in Section III.I of this Code.
(i) Appropriate Nondisclosure Agreements. Confidential information may take many forms, including an oral presentation about a company's product development plans, which may contain protected trade secrets; a customer list or employee list; or a demo of an alpha version of a company's new software, which may contain information protected by trade secret and copyright laws.
Employees, officers, and directors should never accept information offered by a third party that is represented as confidential, or which appears from the context or circumstances to be confidential, unless an appropriate nondisclosure agreement has been signed with the party offering the information.
THE CFO CAN PROVIDE NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS TO FIT ANY SITUATION, AND WILL COORDINATE APPROPRIATE EXECUTION OF SUCH AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION.
Even after a nondisclosure agreement is in place, directors, officers, and employees should accept only the information necessary to accomplish the purpose of receiving it, such as a decision on whether to proceed to negotiate a deal. If more detailed or extensive confidential information is offered and it is not necessary for immediate purposes, it should be refused.
(ii) Need to Know. Once a third party's confidential information has been disclosed to the Corporation, the Corporation has an obligation to abide by the terms of the relevant nondisclosure agreement and limit its use to the specific purpose for which it was disclosed and to disseminate it only to other Corporate employees with a need to know the information. Every director, officer, employee, agent and contractor involved in a potential business relationship with a third party must understand and strictly observe the restrictions on the use and handling of confidential information. Any questions about how to handle any such information should be directed to the CFO.
(iii) Notes and Reports. Any notes taken while reviewing the confidential information of a third party under a nondisclosure agreement, or any reports summarizing the results of the review or drawing conclusions about the suitability of a business relationship, can include confidential information disclosed by the other party and should be retained only long enough to complete the evaluation of the potential business relationship. Subsequently, they should be either destroyed or turned over to the CFO for safekeeping or destruction. As with any other disclosure of confidential information, these notes or reports should be marked as confidential and distributed only to those the Corporation employees with a need to know.
(iv) Competitive Information. No director, officer or employee should attempt to obtain a competitor's confidential information by improper means, and should never contact a competitor regarding their confidential information. While the Corporation may, and does, employ former employees of competitors, it recognizes and respects the obligations of those employees not to use or disclose the confidential information of their former employers.
E. | Selecting Suppliers |
The Corporation's suppliers make significant contributions to the success of the Corporation. To create an environment where Corporate suppliers have an incentive to work with the Corporation, they must be confident that they will be treated lawfully and in an ethical manner. The Corporation's policy is to purchase supplies based on need, quality, service, price and terms and conditions. The Corporation's policy is to select significant suppliers or enter significant supplier agreements though a competitive bid process where possible. Under no circumstances should any Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor attempt to coerce suppliers in any way. The confidential information of a supplier is entitled to the same protection as that of any other third party and must not be received before an appropriate nondisclosure agreement has been signed. A supplier's performance should never be discussed with anyone outside the Corporation. A supplier to the Corporation is generally free to sell its products or services to any other party, including competitors of the Corporation. In some cases where the products or services have been designed, fabricated, or developed to our specifications the agreement between the parties may contain restrictions on sales.
F. | Government Relations |
It is the Corporation's policy to comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations governing contact and dealings with government employees and public officials, and to adhere to high ethical, moral, and legal standards of business conduct. This policy includes strict compliance with all local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Any questions concerning government relations should be directed to the CFO.
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G. | Lobbying |
Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors whose work requires lobbying communication with any member or employee of a legislative body or with any government official or employee in the formulation of legislation must have prior written approval of such activity from the CFO. Activity covered by this policy includes meetings with legislators or members of their staffs or with senior executive branch officials. Preparation, research, and other background activities that are done in support of lobbying communication are also covered by this policy even if the communication ultimately is not made.
H. | Government Contracts |
It is the Corporation's policy to comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations that apply to government contracting. It is also necessary to strictly adhere to all terms and conditions of any contract with local, state, federal, foreign, or other applicable governments.
The CFO must review and approve all contracts with any government entity.
I. | Free and Fair Competition |
Most countries have well-developed bodies of law designed to encourage and protect free and fair competition. The Corporation is committed to obeying both the letter and spirit of these laws. The consequences of not doing so can be severe.
These laws often regulate the Corporation's relationships with its distributors, resellers, dealers, and customers. Competition laws generally address the following areas: pricing practices (including price discrimination), discounting, terms of sale, credit terms, promotional allowances, secret rebates, exclusive dealerships or distributorships, product bundling, restrictions on carrying competing products, termination, and many other practices.
Competition laws also govern, usually quite strictly, relationships between the Corporation and its competitors. As a rule, contacts with competitors should be limited and should always avoid subjects such as prices or other terms and conditions of sale, customers, and suppliers.
Employees, agents, or contractors of the Corporation may not knowingly make false or misleading statements regarding its competitors or the products of its competitors, customers, or suppliers. Participating with competitors in a trade association or in a standards creation body is acceptable when the association has been properly established, has a legitimate purpose, and has limited its activities to that purpose.
No director, officer, employee, agent or contractor shall at any time or under any circumstances enter into an agreement or understanding, written or oral, express or implied, with any competitor concerning prices, discounts, other terms or conditions of sale, profits or profit margins, costs, allocation of product or geographic markets, allocation of customers, limitations on production, boycotts of customers or suppliers, or bids or the intent to bid or even discuss or exchange information on these subjects. In some cases, legitimate joint ventures with competitors may permit exceptions to these rules, as may bona fide purchases from or sales to competitors on non-competitive products, but the CFO must review all such proposed ventures in advance. These prohibitions are absolute and strict observance is required.
Collusion among competitors is illegal, and the consequences of a violation are severe. Although the spirit of these laws, known as “antitrust,” “competition,” “consumer protection” or unfair competition laws, is straightforward, their application to situations can be quite complex. To ensure that the Corporation complies fully with these laws, each director, officer, and employee should have a basic knowledge of them and should involve the CFO early on when questionable situations arise.
J. | Industrial Espionage |
It is the Corporation's policy to lawfully compete in the marketplace. This commitment to fairness includes respecting the rights of competitors and abiding by all applicable laws during competing. The purpose of this policy is to maintain the Corporation's reputation as a lawful competitor and to help ensure the integrity of the competitive marketplace. The Corporation expects its competitors to respect the rights of the Corporation to compete lawfully in the marketplace, and the Corporation must respect the competitors’ rights equally. Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors may not steal or unlawfully use the information, material, products, intellectual property, or proprietary or confidential information of anyone including suppliers, customers, business partners or competitors.
V. | WAIVERS |
Any waiver of any provision of this Code for a member of the Corporation’s Board or an executive officer must be approved in writing by the Corporation’s Board and promptly disclosed. Any waiver of any provision of this Code with respect any other employee, agent or contractor must be approved in writing by the CFO.
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VI. | DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS |
The matters covered in this Code are of the utmost importance to the Corporation, its stockholders, and its business partners, and are essential to the Corporation's ability to conduct its business in accordance with its stated values. The Corporation expects all its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, and consultants to adhere to these rules in carrying out their duties for the Corporation.
The Corporation will take appropriate action against any director, officer, employee, agent, contractor, or consultant whose actions are found to violate these policies or any other policies of the Corporation. Disciplinary actions may include immediate termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation's sole discretion. Where the Corporation has suffered a loss, it may pursue its remedies against the individuals or entities responsible. Where laws have been violated, the Corporation will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.
CONCLUSION
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. We expect all Company employees to adhere to these standards.
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as applied to the Company’s principal financial officers, shall be the Company’s “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
This Code and the matters contained herein are neither a contract of employment nor a guarantee of continuing Company policy. We reserve the right to amend, supplement or discontinue this Code and the matters addressed herein, without prior notice, at any time.
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Exhibit 99.1
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
PURPOSE:
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Muliang Agritech, Inc. (the “Corporation”) will make such examinations as are necessary to monitor the corporate financial reporting and external audits of the Corporation and its subsidiaries; to provide to the Board the results of its examinations and recommendations derived therefrom; to outline to the Board improvements made, or to be made, in internal accounting controls; to nominate independent auditor; and to provide to the Board such additional information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of significant financial matters requiring Board attention.
In addition, the Audit Committee will undertake those specific duties and responsibilities listed below and such other duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members of the Board, each of whom must (1) be “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) under the Listing Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “NASDAQ Rules”); (2) meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) promulgated under Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), subject to the exemptions provided in Rule 10A-3(c) under the Exchange Act; and (3) not have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or a current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, one director who (1) is not “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) under the NASDAQ Rules; (2) satisfies the criteria for independence set forth in Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder; and (3) is not a current officer or employee or a Family Member of such officer or employee, may be appointed to the Audit Committee, if the Board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that membership on the Audit Committee by the individual is required by the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and the Board discloses, in the next annual proxy statement subsequent to such determination (or, if the Company does not file a proxy statement, in its Form 10-K), the nature of the relationship and the reasons for that determination. A member appointed under this exception may not serve on the Audit Committee for more than two years and may not chair the Audit Committee.
Each member of the Audit Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. At least one member of the Audit Committee shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities. One or more members of the Audit Committee may qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules promulgated by the SEC.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall recommend to the Board nominees for appointment to the Audit Committee annually and as vacancies or newly created positions occur. The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board and may be replaced or removed by the Board with or without cause. Resignation or removal of a Director from the Board, for whatever reason, shall automatically and without any further action constitute resignation or removal, as applicable, from the Audit Committee. Any vacancy on the Audit Committee, occurring for whatever reason, may be filled only by the Board. The Board shall designate one member of the Audit Committee to be Chair of the committee.
COMPENSATION:
A member of the Audit Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board or any other committee established by the Board, receive directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company. A member of the Audit Committee may receive additional directors’ fees to compensate such member for the significant time and effort expended by such member to fulfill his or her duties as an Audit Committee member.
MEETINGS:
The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines is appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this Charter, but not less frequently than quarterly. A majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of holding a meeting and the Audit Committee may act by a vote of a majority of the members present at such meeting. In lieu of a meeting, the Audit Committee may act by unanimous written consent. The Chair of the Audit Committee, in consultation with the other committee members, may determine the frequency and length of the committee meetings and may set meeting agendas consistent with this Charter.
RESPONSIBILITES:
1. | Review of Charter |
i. | The Audit Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the Board any amendments or modifications to the Charter that the Audit Committee deems appropriate. |
2. | Performance Evaluation of the Audit Committee |
i. | Periodically, the Audit Committee shall evaluate its own performance and report the results of such evaluation to the Board. |
3. | Matters Relating to Selection, Performance, and Independence of Independent Auditors |
i. | The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, retention, and termination, and for determining the compensation, of the Company’s independent auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The Audit Committee may consult with management in fulfilling these duties but may not delegate these responsibilities to management. |
ii. | The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review, or attest services for the Company. |
iii. | The independent auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee. |
iv. | The Audit Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”)) to be provided to the Company by the independent auditors; provided, however, the pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provision of non-audit services for the Company if the “de minimus” provisions of Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision. |
v. | The Audit Committee may review and approve the scope and staffing of the independent auditors’ annual audit plan(s). |
vi. | The Audit Committee shall: |
1. | request that the independent auditors provide the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (“Rule 3526”), |
2. | require that the independent auditors submit to the Audit Committee at least annually a formal written statement describing all relationships between the independent auditors or any of its affiliates and the Company or persons in financial reporting oversight roles at the Company that might reasonably be thought to bear on the independence of the independent auditors, |
3. | discuss with the independent auditors the potential effects of any disclosed relationships or services on the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors, |
4. | require that the independent auditors provide to the Audit Committee written affirmation that the independent auditor is, as of the date of the affirmation, independent in compliance with PCAOB Rule 3520 and |
5. | based on such disclosures, statement, discussion, and affirmation, take, or recommend that the Board take appropriate action in response to the independent auditor’s report to satisfy itself of the independent auditor’s independence. In addition, before approving the initial engagement of any independent auditor, the Audit Committee shall receive, review, and discuss with the audit firm all information required by, and otherwise take all actions necessary for compliance with the requirements of, Rule 3526. References to rules of the PCAOB shall be deemed to refer to such rules and to any substantially equivalent rules adopted to replace such rules, in each case as subsequently amended, modified, or supplemented. |
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vii. | The Audit Committee may consider whether the provision of the services covered in Items 9(e)(2) and 9(e)(3) of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision) is compatible with maintaining the independent auditor’s independence. |
viii. | The Audit Committee shall evaluate the independent auditor’s qualifications, performance and independence and shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditors to the full Board. As part of such evaluation, at least annually, the Audit Committee shall: obtain and review a report or reports from the independent auditors describing: |
1. | the auditor’s internal quality-control procedures, |
2. | any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review or peer review of the auditors or by any inquiry or investigation by government or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, regarding one or more independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps taken to address any such issues, and |
3. | in order to assess the auditor’s independence, all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company; review and evaluate the performance of the independent auditors and the lead partner (and the Audit Committee may review and evaluate the performance of other members of the independent auditor’s audit staff); and assure the regular rotation of the audit partners (including, without limitation, the lead and concurring partners) as required under the Exchange Act and Regulation S-X. |
ix. | In this regard, the Audit Committee shall also: |
1. | seek the opinion of management and the internal auditors of the independent auditor’s performance and |
2. | consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, there should be regular rotation of the audit firm. The Audit Committee may establish, or recommend to the Board, policies with respect to the potential hiring of current or former employees of the independent auditors. |
4. | Audited Financial Statements and Annual Audit |
i. | The Audit Committee shall review the overall audit plan (both internal and external) with the independent auditors and the members of management who are responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements, including the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and/or principal accounting officer or principal financial officer (the Chief Financial Officer and such other officer or officers are referred to herein collectively as the “Senior Accounting Executive”). |
ii. | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with management (including the Company’s Senior Accounting Executive) and with the independent auditors the Company’s annual audited financial statements, including: |
1. | all critical accounting policies and practices used or to be used by the Company, |
2. | the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” prior to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and |
3. | any significant financial reporting issues that have arisen in connection with the preparation of such audited financial statements. |
iii. | The Audit Committee must review: |
1. | any analyses prepared by management, the internal auditors (if any) and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements. The Audit Committee may consider the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments on the financial statements, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee may also consider other material written communications between the registered public accounting firm and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences; |
2. | major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; |
3. | major issues regarding accounting principles and procedures and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles; and |
4. | the effects of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet transactions and structures, on the financial statements of the Company. |
iv. | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with the independent auditors (outside of the presence of management) how the independent auditors plan to handle their responsibilities under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and request assurance from the independent auditors that Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act has not been implicated. |
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v. | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response thereto. This review shall include: |
1. | any difficulties encountered by the independent auditors in the course of performing their audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of their activities or their access to information, |
2. | any significant disagreements with management and |
3. | a discussion of the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function. |
vi. | This review may also include: |
1. | any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the independent auditors but were “passed” (as immaterial or otherwise); |
2. | any communications between the audit team and the audit firm’s national office regarding auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement; and |
3. | any management or internal control letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditors. |
vii. | The Audit Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors those matters brought to the attention of the Audit Committee by the independent auditors pursuant to Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended (“AS 1301”). |
viii. | The Audit Committee shall also review and discuss with the independent auditors the report required to be delivered by such auditors pursuant to Section 10A(k) of the Exchange Act. |
ix. | If brought to the attention of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee shall discuss with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company: |
1. | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and |
2. | any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
x. | Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions: |
1. | with management of the audited financial statements, |
2. | with the independent auditors of the matters required to be discussed by AS 1301, and |
3. | with the independent auditors concerning the independent auditor’s independence, the Audit Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board as to whether the Company’s audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year. |
xi. | The Audit Committee shall prepare the Audit Committee report required by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision) to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. |
5. | Internal Auditors |
i. | The Audit Committee shall evaluate the performance, responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function and review the internal audit plan. Such evaluation may include a review of the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function with the independent auditors. |
ii. | If applicable, in connection with the Audit Committee’s evaluation of the Company’s internal audit function, the Audit Committee may evaluate the performance of the senior officer or officers responsible for the internal audit function. |
6. | Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements |
i. | The Audit Committee shall discuss with management and the independent auditors, prior to the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, |
1. | the Company’s quarterly financial statements and the Company’s related disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” |
2. | such issues as may be brought to the Audit Committee’s attention by the independent auditors pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100, and |
3. | any significant financial reporting issues that have arisen in connection with the preparation of such financial statements. |
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7. | Earnings Press Releases |
i. | The Audit Committee shall discuss the Company’s earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies, including, in general, the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made (paying particular attention to the use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” non-GAAP information). |
8. | Risk Assessment and Management |
i. | The Audit Committee shall discuss the guidelines and policies that govern the process by which the Company’s exposure to risk is assessed and managed by management. |
ii. | In connection with the Audit Committee’s discussion of the Company’s risk assessment and management guidelines, the Audit Committee may discuss or consider the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps that the Company’s management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. |
9. | Procedures for Addressing Complaints and Concerns |
i. | The Audit Committee shall establish procedures for: |
1. | the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and |
2. | the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
ii. | The Audit Committee may review and reassess the adequacy of these procedures periodically and adopt any changes to such procedures that the Audit Committee deems necessary or appropriate. |
10. | Regular Reports to the Board |
i. | The Audit Committee shall regularly report to and review with the Board any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the independent auditors, the performance of the internal audit function and any other matters that the Audit Committee deems appropriate or is requested to review for the benefit of the Board. |
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITES:
The Audit Committee is authorized, on behalf of the Board, to do any of the following as it deems necessary or appropriate:
1. | Engagement of Advisors |
i. | The Audit Committee may engage independent counsel and such other advisors it deems necessary or advisable to carry out its responsibilities and powers, and, if such counsel or other advisors are engaged, shall determine the compensation or fees payable to such counsel or other advisors. |
2. | Legal and Regulatory Compliance |
i. | The Audit Committee may discuss with management and the independent auditors, and review with the Board, the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries and the Company’s compliance with such requirements. After these discussions, the Audit Committee may, if it determines it to be appropriate, make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations. |
3. | The Audit Committee may discuss with management legal matters (including pending or threatened litigation) that may have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements or its compliance policies and procedures. |
4. | Conflicts of Interest |
i. | The Audit Committee shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis, and the approval of the Audit Committee shall be required for all such transactions. The Audit Committee may establish such policies and procedures as it deems appropriate to facilitate such review. |
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5. | General |
i. | The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more of its members as the Audit Committee deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities and exercise its powers. |
ii. | The Audit Committee may perform such other oversight functions outside of its stated purpose as may be requested by the Board from time to time. |
iii. | In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee shall be entitled to rely upon advice and information that it receives in its discussions and communications with management, the independent auditors and such experts, advisors and professionals as may be consulted with by the Audit Committee. |
iv. | The Audit Committee is authorized to request that any officer or employee of the Company, the Company’s outside legal counsel, the Company’s independent auditors or any other professional retained by the Company to render advice to the Company attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or meet with any members of or advisors to the Audit Committee. |
v. | The Audit Committee is authorized to incur such ordinary administrative expenses as are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. |
6. | Notwithstanding the responsibilities and powers of the Audit Committee set forth in this Charter, the Audit Committee does not have the responsibility of planning or conducting audits of the Company’s financial statements or determining whether the Company’s financial statements are complete, accurate and in accordance with GAAP. Such responsibilities are the duty of management and, to the extent of the independent auditor’s audit responsibilities, the independent auditors. In addition, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct investigations or to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE SUBJECT MATTER FINANCIAL EXPERTS
When do the rules regarding audit committee financial experts apply?
The rules require the Company to make certain disclosures relating to audit committee financial experts in the registration statement on Form S-1 that it will be filing in connection with its proposed public offering and its annual reports (or its proxy statements for its annual meetings, if such information is incorporated by reference into its annual reports and these proxy statements are filed within 120 of days of the end of the fiscal year) that it must file on an annual basis thereafter.
What disclosure is required by the rules?
The rules regarding audit committee financial experts require the Company to disclose that its board of directors has determined that the Company either:
1. | has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee; or |
2. | does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. |
If the Company discloses that it does not have an audit committee financial expert, the Company must disclose the reasons why it does not. If the Company discloses that it has at least one audit committee financial expert, then it must disclose the name of at least one of its audit committee financial experts and whether such person is independent of management. The Company is permitted, but not required, to disclose that it has more than one audit committee financial expert. If the Company discloses the names of any additional audit committee financial experts, then it must also disclose whether these additional audit committee financial experts are independent of management.
What does the Company’s board of directors need to do as a result of the rules?
To provide the required disclosure under the rules, the Company’s board of directors must determine whether it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. This will require the Company’s board of directors to:
1. | evaluate the qualifications of the prospective members of its audit committee; |
2. | determine whether at least one prospective member of its audit committee qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined in the applicable rules; |
3. | if a person is an audit committee financial expert because he or she has acquired the requisite attributes through “other relevant experience,” the board of directors should determine what constitutes this “other relevant experience” as it must be disclosed; and |
4. | if the Company has determined that none of the prospective members of its audit |
5. | committee qualify as an audit committee financial expert; the board of directors may want to determine which aspects of the definition of audit committee financial expert its prospective audit committee members do satisfy as the Company may want to disclose this information. |
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The board of directors may evaluate each prospective member of its audit committee or it may end its evaluation once it determines that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. The SEC was clear in the adopting release that a company cannot satisfy these disclosure requirements by stating that it has decided not to decide or by simply disclosing the qualifications of all of its audit committee members.
In the adopting release, the SEC did not specify the exact method by which the board of directors should conduct its evaluation, but it did indicate that it thought that it was appropriate for the determination of the board of directors to be subject to relevant state law principles such as the business judgment rule. Based on the applicable rules for determining qualification as an audit committee financial expert described below, the Company’s board of directors may determine that none of the current members of the Company’s board of directors are audit committee financial experts.
Who qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules?
The applicable rules define an “audit committee financial expert” as a person who has each of the following five attributes:
1. | an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements; |
2. | the ability to assess the general application of GAAP in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves; |
3. | experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that |
4. | present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally |
5. | comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; |
6. | an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and |
7. | an understanding of audit committee functions. |
In addition, the person must have acquired the five attributes through experiences described in at least one of the following categories:
1. | education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar functions; |
2. | experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor, or person performing similar functions; |
3. | experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements; or other relevant experience (it should be noted that if the board determines that a person identified as an audit committee financial expert qualifies as such because that person acquired the requisite attributes through “other relevant experience” as opposed to through one of the prior three categories, then the Company must briefly list that person’s relevant experience). |
In the SEC release adopting these rules, the SEC elaborated on certain aspects of this definition in a few notable respects, which are discussed below.
Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements. In the adopting release, the SEC suggested that experience with financial statements as an investment banker, venture capitalist or professional financial analyst would, in many cases, satisfy the requirement that an audit committee financial expert have experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements. This statement should be contrasted with the SEC’s earlier proposal that experience preparing or auditing financial statements (e.g., as an independent accountant/auditor or chief financial/chief accounting officer) would be required. The SEC indicated that the final requirement was intended to “capture the clear intent of the statute that an audit committee financial expert must have experience actually working directly and closely with financial statements in a way that provided familiarity with the contents of financial statements and the processes behind them.”
Generally comparable breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues. In making a determination regarding whether the breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues with which the person has experience are generally comparable to those that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, the SEC indicated that a person’s experience would not have to be in the same industry as the Company, or with a public company.
The SEC moved away from its earlier proposal, which had focused on the comparability of the actual accounting issues with which the person had experience, and, in the adopting release, suggested that the board of directors should focus on a variety of more general factors, such as the size of the company with which the person has experience, the scope of that company’s operations and the complexity of its financial statements and accounting.
Actively supervising. In the adopting release, the SEC made the following statement relating to the concept of “actively supervising”:
The term “active supervision” means more than the mere existence of a traditional hierarchical reporting relationship between supervisor and those being supervised. Rather, we mean that a person engaged in active supervision participates in, and contributes to, the process of addressing, albeit at a supervisory level, the same general types of issues regarding preparation, auditing, analysis or evaluation of financial statements as those addressed by the person or persons being supervised. We also mean that the supervisor should have experience that has contributed to the general expertise necessary to prepare, audit, analyze or evaluate financial statements that is at least comparable to the general expertise of those being supervised. A principal executive officer should not be presumed to qualify. A principal executive officer with considerable operations involvement, but little financial or accounting involvement, likely would not be exercising the necessary active supervision. Active participation in, and contribution to, the process, albeit at a supervisory level, of addressing financial and accounting issues that demonstrates a general expertise in the area would be necessary.
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Understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. In the adopting release, the SEC elaborated on the requirement that audit committee financial experts have an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting as follows:
It is necessary that the audit committee financial expert understand the purpose, and be able to evaluate the effectiveness, of a company’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. It is important that the audit committee financial expert understand why the internal controls and procedures for financial reporting exist, how they were developed, and how they operate. Previous experience establishing or evaluating a company’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting can, of course, contribute to a person’s understanding of these matters, but the attribute as rephrased properly focuses on the understanding rather than the experience. Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing, or evaluation of financial statements. In the adopting release, the SEC cited “individuals serving in governmental, self-regulatory and private-sector bodies overseeing the banking, insurance and securities industries who work on issues related to financial statements on a regular basis” as an example of the type of person to whom this provision was meant to apply.
Other relevant experience. In the adopting release, the SEC stated that this “catch all” provision was added to recognize that the required attributes of an audit committee financial expert can be acquired in many different ways; however, acquiring them through experience and not “merely education” is required.
Does the identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert alter the duties, obligations or liabilities of that person or the other members of the audit committee?
No. Because of concerns that directors designated and publicly identified as audit committee financial experts might become subject to greater liability, and to make clear that the other members of the audit committee should not be expected to perform their duties any differently as a result of the designation or identification of an audit committee financial expert, the SEC included a safe harbor in the new rules to clarify that:
1. | a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert; |
2. | the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on that person any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on that person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of the designation or identification; and |
3. | the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
This policy outlines the procedures that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Muliang Agritech, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) has established with respect to the receipt, treatment and retention of complaints received by the Company regarding:
1. | accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, or |
2. | potential violations of the federal securities laws, including any rules and regulations thereunder, or the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) (collectively, “Complaints”). |
1. | Procedures for Receiving Complaints |
a. | Complaints may be submitted to the Company as follows: |
i. | The complaining party may contact the “Compliance Hotline” (anonymously or not) by phone, online or by email using the contact information contained in the Company’s Code of Conduct. The complaining party should identify the subject matter of his or her Complaint and the practices that are alleged to constitute an improper accounting, internal accounting control or auditing matter or a violation of the federal securities laws or the FCPA, as the case may be, providing as much detail as possible; and/or |
ii. | The complaining party may submit a confidential memorandum which identifies the subject matter of his or her Complaint and the practices that are alleged to constitute an improper accounting, internal accounting control or auditing matter or a violation of the federal securities laws or the FCPA, as the case may be, providing as much detail as possible. The confidential memorandum may be mailed to the following: |
Muliang Agritech, Inc.
Attention: Chairperson of the Audit Committee
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b. | All Company employees will be instructed through postings and the Company’s Code of Conduct that any and all Complaints may be made anonymously and in a confidential manner in accordance with one or more of the procedures set forth above. Employees will also be notified that, if they do not feel comfortable submitting a Complaint in accordance with these procedures or if they feel that a previously submitted Complaint was not adequately addressed, they may contact the Chairperson or any other member of the Audit Committee directly by mail. The Company will provide notice on a current basis through postings, the Company’s Code of Conduct, and/or such other manner as is determined by the Audit Committee from time to time of the names, phone numbers and addresses of the designated recipients to whom Complaints may be submitted. |
c. | Any Complaint received by Audit Committee, the Compliance Officer, or the Compliance Hotline in accordance with the procedures set forth above will be forwarded in a confidential manner to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such Complaint. In addition, management will be informed that any Complaint received outside of these procedures should likewise be forwarded in a confidential manner to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such Complaint. |
d. | To ensure that the Compliant Procedure is not inadvertently or improperly screening out Complaints that should be viewed by the Audit Committee, the Company’s Compliance Officer will be charged with preparing and submitting to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee prior to each regularly scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee, a table or other report detailing the time, date, nature and disposition of each complaint received by the Compliance Officer and/or the Compliance Hotline since the date of the prior report. The table or other report will be reviewed by the Audit Committee at its next regularly-scheduled meeting. |
2. | Procedures for Treating Complaints |
a. | Following receipt of a Complaint, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee will promptly begin to conduct an initial evaluation of the Complaint. The Chairperson may delegate this authority to another member of the Audit Committee. In connection with the initial evaluation, the Chairperson or his or her designee will decide: |
i. | whether the Complaint requires immediate investigation; |
ii. | whether it can be held for discussion at the next regularly-scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee or whether a special meeting of the Audit Committee should be called; or |
iii. | whether it does not relate to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters or potential violations of the federal securities laws or the FCPA and should be reviewed by a party other than the Audit Committee in accordance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other policies. |
b. | In any event, each Complaint will be discussed at the next meeting of the Audit Committee. At that meeting, the Audit Committee will decide as to whether and how such Complaint will be investigated, or if the investigation has commenced, how to proceed with such investigation. The Audit Committee may elect among the following options or may investigate the Complaint in another manner determined by the Audit Committee: |
i. | The Audit Committee may choose to investigate the Complaint on its own. |
ii. | The Audit Committee may select a responsible designee within the Company to investigate the Complaint. Under no circumstances should a member of the division of the Company that is the source of the Complaint be charged with its investigation. If the Complaint was not made on an anonymous basis, the Audit Committee will determine whether it is appropriate to provide the designee with the identity of the complaining party. |
iii. | The Audit Committee may retain an outside party (other than the Company’s independent auditor) to investigate the Complaint and assist in the Complaint’s evaluation. |
iv. | The Audit Committee may retain outside counsel to initiate an investigation and work either with internal parties or an outside financial/forensic auditing company to assist in such investigation. |
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The investigating party designated by the Audit Committee will be permitted reasonable access to the Company and its documents and computer systems for purposes of conducting the investigation. At the conclusion of its investigation, the investigating party will be responsible for making a full report to the Audit Committee with respect to the Complaint and, if requested by the Audit Committee, to make recommendations for corrective actions, if any, to be taken by the Company.
The Audit Committee will consider, if applicable, the recommendations of the investigating party and determine whether any corrective actions should be taken. The Audit Committee will report to the Board of Directors not later than its next regularly-scheduled meeting with respect to the Complaint for which such investigation has been completed and, if applicable, any recommended corrective actions. In the event that the Complaint involves any Director of the Company (whether in his or her role as a director, employee, or officer of the Company or otherwise), the Audit Committee will make its report in an Executive Session of the Board of Directors (exclusive of any Director involved in such Complaint).
3. | Procedures for Retaining Records Regarding Complaints |
a. | The Audit Committee will seek to ensure that all Complaints received by the Audit Committee, together with all documents pertaining to the Audit Committee’s or its designee’s investigation and treatment of any such Complaint, are retained in a secure location in accordance with the Company’s record retention policy. If a Complaint becomes the subject of a criminal investigation or civil litigation, all documents related to that Complaint will be retained until such investigation or litigation is resolved, including all appeals. The Audit Committee may delegate this record retention obligation to an independent advisor or entity or the Company’s Compliance Officer. |
4. | Protection for Whistleblowers |
a. | At no time will there be any retaliation by the Company or at its direction against any employee for making a reasonable complaint, in good faith, pursuant to the procedures described herein regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, or potential violations of the federal securities laws or the FCPA. |
5. | Disciplinary Action |
a. | Nothing in these procedures shall limit the Company or the Board of Directors or a committee or designee thereof in taking such disciplinary or other action under the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other applicable policies of the Company as may be appropriate with respect to any matter that is the subject of a Complaint. |
6. | Periodic Review of Procedures |
a. | The Audit Committee will review the procedures outlined above and consider changes to such procedures periodically. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICY FOR AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
1. | Statement of Principles |
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Muliang Agritech, Inc. recognizes the importance of maintaining the independence of its independent auditor. Under the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company.
The SEC’s rules permit the Audit Committee to pre-approve such services by establishing policies and procedures for audit and non-audit services, provided that the policies and procedures are detailed as to the service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service, and such policies and procedures do not result in the delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has adopted, and the Audit Committee has ratified, this Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services (this “Policy”), which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditor may be pre-approved. Unless a type of service has been pre-approved pursuant to this Policy, it must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee before it may be provided by the independent auditor. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
The appendices to this Policy describe in detail the Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and All Other Services that have the pre-approval of the Audit Committee and do not result in the delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management. The term of any pre-approval under this Policy is twelve (12) months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee approves a different period. The Audit Committee may periodically revise the list of services pre-approved pursuant to this Policy, based on subsequent determinations. Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, pre-approval is waived for non-audit services that satisfy the “de minimus” provisions of Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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2. | Delegation |
As provided in the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee delegates to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve the provision by the Company’s independent auditor of non-audit services if time constraints require that such pre-approval occur prior to the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting.
3. | Audit Services |
Audit Services are services necessary for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The engagement of the independent auditor to perform the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements as well as the terms and fees for such engagement will be subject to separate pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Company structure or other items.
4. | Audit-Related Services |
Audit-Related Services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-Related Services does not impair the independence of the auditor and, consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, has pre-approved the Audit-Related Services, if any, in Appendix B. All other Audit-Related Services not listed in Appendix B must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
5. | Tax Services |
Tax Services are professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide Tax Services to the Company without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the independent auditor may provide such services. However, the Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with (i) a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the sole business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and related regulations, or (ii) representing the Company before a tax court, district court or federal court of claims.
6. | All Other Services |
The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the independent auditor from providing specific non-audit services, that the independent auditor may provide other types of non-audit services (“All Other Services”) that are not specifically prohibited and that are not Audit-Related Services or Tax Services. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may pre-approve All Other Services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
7. | Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts |
Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established periodically by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
8. | Supporting Documentation |
With respect to each service pre-approved under this Policy, the independent auditor has provided, or will provide for addition to the appendices hereto, detailed back-up documentation to the Audit Committee regarding the specific services pre-approved under this Policy. The detailed back-up documentation provided to the Audit Committee is incorporated by reference into, and shall be deemed a part of, this Policy.
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9. | Procedures |
All requests or applications for pre-approval of services to be provided by the independent auditor will be submitted to the Audit Committee, the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer for submission to the Audit Committee and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered and detailed back-up documentation regarding the specific services to be provided. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services as they are rendered by the independent auditor.
In the event that time constraints require pre-approval prior to the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee will have the authority to grant such pre-approval, provided that the Chairperson is independent, and, in accordance with Section II of this Policy, will report such pre-approval decision to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting. Requests for pre-approval by the Chairperson of the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Chairperson by both the independent auditor and the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered and a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee may from time to time limit the ability of the Chairperson of the Audit Committee to pre-approve services in accordance with the provisions of this Section IX.
Requests or applications to provide services that require separate approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer, and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered and a statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
The Audit Committee has designated the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the independent auditor and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of this monitoring. The Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer and management will immediately report to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer or any member of management. The directives in the paragraph do not delegate any required duties or authority of the Audit Committee to management or relieve the Audit Committee from any of its responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules of the SEC.
MINUTES:
The Audit Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.
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Exhibit 99.2
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER
PURPOSE:
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“the Board) of Muliang Agritech, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is established pursuant to this charter. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to the executive officers and directors of the Corporation, including stock compensation and loans, and all bonus and stock compensation to all employees.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to undertake the specific duties and responsibilities listed below and will have the authority to undertake such other specific duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members of the Board, all of whom shall be independent directors in accordance with Rule 5605 (d) of the NASDAQ OMX Group Company Guide. The members of the Compensation Committee will be appointed by a majority of the Board. No member of the Compensation Committee shall be removed except by a majority vote of the independent directors then in office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The responsibilities and duties of the Compensation Committee shall include:
1. | To review and approve annually the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the compensation of the chief executive officer (“CEO”), evaluate at least annually the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determine and approve the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of CEO compensation, the Compensation Committee may consider the Corporation’s performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards given to CEOs at comparable companies and the awards given to the company’s CEO in past years. |
2. | Matters Related to Compensation of the Officers Other Than the Chief Executive Officer: |
a. | Review and approve the proposed compensation for all Officers of the Company other than the CEO; for purposes hereof, the term “Officer” shall mean any officer at C-level, any “officer” as defined in Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Rule 16a-1 promulgated thereunder, and any individual that reports directly to the CEO. |
b. | Review no less frequently than annually the aggregate amount of compensation being paid or potentially payable to the Company’s Officers. |
c. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation policy for executive officers and directors of the Corporation, and such other officers of the Corporation as directed by the Board. |
3. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding all forms of compensation (including all “plan” compensation, as such term is defined in Item 402(a)(7) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and all non-plan compensation) to be provided to the executive officers of the Corporation. |
4. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding general compensation goals and guidelines for the Corporation’s employees and the criteria by which bonuses to the Corporation’s employees are determined. |
5. | Acting as Administrator any Stock Option Plan and administering, within the authority delegated by the Board, any Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted by the Corporation. In its administration of the plans, the Compensation Committee may, pursuant to authority delegated by the Board, grant stock options or stock purchase rights to individuals eligible for such grants and amend such stock options or stock purchase rights. The Compensation Committee shall also make recommendations to the Board with respect to amendments to the plans and changes in the number of shares reserved for issuance hereunder. |
6. | Review and approve grants and awards under incentive-based compensation plans and equity-based plans, in each case consistent with the terms of such plans. |
7. | Review and make such recommendations to the Board as the Compensation Committee deems advisable with regard to policies and procedures for the grant of equity-based awards by the Company. |
8. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding other plans that are proposed for adoption or adopted by the Corporation for the provision of compensation to employees of, directors of and consultants to the Corporation. |
9. | Preparing a report (to be included in the Corporation’s proxy statement) which describes: (a) the criteria on which compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer for the last completed fiscal year is based; (b) the relationship of such compensation to the Corporation’s performance; and (c) the Compensation Committee’s executive compensation policies applicable to executive officers. |
10. | Authorizing the repurchase of shares from terminated employees pursuant to applicable law. |
11. | If applicable, the Compensation Committee shall consider the results of the most recent stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act in its recommendations and decisions. |
MEETINGS:
It is anticipated that the Compensation Committee will meet at least two times each year. However, the Compensation Committee may establish its own schedule, which it will provide to the Board in advance. At a minimum of one of such meetings annually, the Compensation Committee will consider stock plans, performance goals and incentive awards, and the overall coverage and composition of the compensation package. The Compensation Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Compensation Committee shall report regularly to the Board regarding its actions and make recommendations to the Board as appropriate.
The Compensation Committee may invite such members of management to its meetings as it deems appropriate. However, the Compensation Committee shall meet regularly without such members present, and in all cases the CEO and any other such officers shall not be present at meetings at which their compensation or performance is discussed or determined.
REPORTS:
The Compensation Committee will provide written reports to the Board of the Corporation regarding recommendations of the Compensation Committee submitted to the Board for action, and copies of the written minutes of its meetings.
Review and discuss with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis to be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K (“CD&A”).
Based on the Compensation Committee’s review and discussions with management of the CD&A, make a recommendation to the Board that the CD&A be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K.
Prepare the Compensation Committee Report to be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, and any other rules and regulations applicable to the Company.
EVALUATION OF COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE:
The Compensation Committee shall on an annual basis, evaluate its performance under this Charter. The Compensation Committee shall address all matters that the Board of Directors considers relevant to its performance. The Compensation Committee shall deliver a report setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Board’s or the Corporation’s policies or procedures.
COMMITTEE RESOURCES:
The Compensation Committee shall have the authority to obtain advice and seek assistance from internal and external legal, accounting, and other advisors. The Compensation Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used to evaluate director or officer compensation, including sole authority to approve the consulting firm’s fee and retention terms.
Exhibit 99.3
MULIANG AGRITECH, INC.
NOMINATION COMMITTEE CHARTER
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Nomination Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Muliang Agritech, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding matters concerning corporate governance; review the composition of and evaluate the performance of the Board; recommend persons for election to the Board and evaluate director compensation; review the composition of committees of the Board and recommend persons to be members of such committees; review and maintain compliance of committee membership with applicable regulatory requirements; and review conflicts of interest of members of the Board and corporate officers. In addition, the Committee will undertake those specific duties and responsibilities listed below and such other duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Committee shall consist of no fewer than two members of the Board. All members of the Committee shall be appointed by a majority of the Board and shall be independent of the Corporation and its affiliates, shall have no relationship to the Corporation or its affiliates that may interfere with the exercise of their independence, and shall otherwise be deemed to be “independent directors” as defined in Rule 5605 (e)(2) of the NASDAQ OMX Group Company Guide (the “Guide”). The Board may designate one member of the Committee as its Chair. The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees, consisting of no fewer than two members of the Committee, when appropriate. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by a majority vote of the independent directors then in office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The responsibilities and duties of the Committee shall include:
Composition of the Board of Directors, Evaluation, and Nomination Activities
1. | Reviewing the composition and size of the Board and determining the criteria for membership of the Board, including issues of character, judgment, independence, diversity, age, expertise, corporate experience, length of service, and other commitments outside the Corporation. |
2. | Conducting an annual evaluation of the Board. |
3. | Identifying, considering, and recommending candidates to fill new positions or vacancies on the Board, and reviewing any candidates recommended by stockholders in accordance with the bylaws. In performing these duties, the Committee shall have the authority to retain any search firm to be used to identify candidates for the Board and shall have sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms. |
4. | Evaluating the performance of individual members of the Board eligible for re-election and recommending the director nominees by class for election to the Board by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders. |
5. | Evaluating director compensation, consulting with outside consultants when appropriate, and making recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation. |
6. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to a Director Option Plan and any proposed amendments thereto, subject to obtaining stockholder approval of any amendments as required by law or NASDAQ OMX or the NYSE Market LLC Company Guide Rules. |
7. | Selection of New Directors |
a. | Recommend to the Board criteria for Board and committee membership, which shall include a description of any specific, minimum qualifications that the Nominating Committee believes must be met by a Nominating Committee recommended nominee, and a description of any specific qualities or skills that the Nominating Committee believes are necessary for one or more of the Company’s directors to possess, and annually reassess the adequacy of such criteria and submit any proposed changes to the Board for approval. |
b. | Establish a policy regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders. |
c. | Establish procedures to be followed by securityholders in submitting recommendations for director candidates to the Nominating Committee. The current procedures to be followed by securityholders are set forth below: |
i. | All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must be submitted to the Secretary of the Company, who will forward all recommendations to the Nominating Committee. |
ii. | All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must be submitted to the Company not less than 120 calendar days prior to the date on which the Company’s proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. |
iii. | All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must include the following information: |
1. | The name and address of record of the securityholder. |
2. | A representation that the securityholder is a record holder of the Company’s securities, or if the securityholder is not a record holder, evidence of ownership in accordance with Rule 14a-8(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
3. | The name, age, business and residential address, educational background, current principal occupation or employment, and principal occupation or employment for the preceding five (5) full fiscal years of the proposed director candidate. |
4. | A description of the qualifications and background of the proposed director candidate which addresses the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board from time to time and set forth in this Charter. |
5. | A description of all arrangements or understandings between the securityholder and the proposed director candidate. |
6. | The consent of the proposed director candidate (i) to be named in the proxy statement relating to the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders and (ii) to serve as a director if elected at such annual meeting. |
7. | Any other information regarding the proposed director candidate that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
d. | Establish a process for identifying and evaluating nominees for the Board, including nominees recommended by securityholders. The current process for identifying and evaluating nominees for the Board is as follows: |
i. | The Nominating Committee may solicit recommendations from any or all of the following sources: non-management directors, the Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers, third-party search firms, or any other source it deems appropriate. |
ii. | The Nominating Committee will review and evaluate the qualifications of any such proposed director candidate and conduct inquiries it deems appropriate. |
iii. | The Nominating Committee will evaluate all such proposed director candidates in the same manner, with no regard to the source of the initial recommendation of such proposed director candidate. iv. In identifying and evaluating proposed director candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider, in addition to the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board from time to time, all facts and circumstances that it deems appropriate or advisable, including, among other things, the skills of the proposed director candidate, his or her depth and breadth of business experience or other background characteristics, his or her independence and the needs of the Board. |
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e. | Upon identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with the minimum qualifications and other criteria approved by the Board from time to time, recommend that the Board select the director nominees for election at each annual meeting of stockholders; provided that, if the Company is legally required by contract or otherwise to provide third parties with the ability to nominate individuals for election as a member of the Board (pursuant, for example, to the rights of holders of preferred stock to elect directors upon a dividend default or in accordance with shareholder agreements or management agreements), the selection and nomination of such director nominees shall be governed by such contract or other arrangement and shall not be the responsibility of the Nominating Committee. |
f. | Consider recommendations in light of the requirement that a majority of the Board be comprised of directors who meet the independence requirements set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. |
g. | Recommend that the Board select the directors for appointment to committees of the Board. |
h. | Review all stockholder nominations and proposals submitted to the Company (including any proposal relating to the procedures for making nominations or electing directors), determine whether the nomination or proposal was submitted in a timely manner and, in the case of a director nomination, whether the nomination and the nominee satisfy all applicable eligibility requirements, and recommend to the Board appropriate action on each such nomination or proposal. |
Committees of the Board of Directors
1. | Periodically reviewing the composition of each committee of the Board and making recommendations to the Board for the creation of additional committees or the change in mandate or dissolution of committees. |
2. | Recommending to the Board persons to be members of the various committees and Committee Chairperson, annually. |
Conflicts of Interest
3. | Reviewing and monitoring compliance with the Corporation’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. |
4. | Considering questions of possible conflicts of interest of members of the Board and of corporate officers. |
5. | Reviewing actual and potential conflicts of interest of members of the Board and corporate officers and clearing any involvement of such persons in matters that may involve a conflict of interest. |
GENERAL
The Nominating Committee may establish and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more of its members, when the Nominating Committee deems it appropriate to do so in order to carry out its responsibilities.
The Nominating Committee shall make regular reports to the Board concerning areas of the Nominating Committee’s responsibility.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee shall be entitled to rely upon advice and information that it receives in its discussions and communications with management and such experts, advisors, and professionals with whom the Nominating Committee may consult. The Nominating Committee shall have the authority to request that any officer or employee of the Company, the Company’s outside legal counsel, the Company’s independent auditor or any other professional retained by the Company to render advice to the Company attend a meeting of the Nominating Committee or meet with any members of or advisors to the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall also have the authority to engage legal, accounting, or other advisors to provide it with advice and information in connection with carrying out its responsibilities and shall have sole authority to approve any such advisor’s fees and other retention terms.
The Nominating Committee may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time.
MEETINGS:
The Committee will meet at least once a year. The Committee may establish its own meeting schedule, which it will provide to the Board. Special meetings may be convened as required. The Committee, or its Chair, shall report to the Board on the results of these meetings. The Committee may invite to its meetings other Directors, Corporate management, and such other persons, as the Committee deems appropriate in order to carry out its responsibilities. A majority of the members of the Committee, present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, shall constitute a quorum.
The Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which shall be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.
EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE’S PERFORMANCE:
The Committee shall, on an annual basis, evaluate its performance under this Charter. The Committee shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance. The Committee shall deliver a report setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Board’s or the Corporation’s policies or procedures.
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COMMITTEE RESOURCES:
The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the Corporation’s expense, such independent counsel, or other advisors as it deems necessary. The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms, and such related fees are to be borne by the Corporation.
REPORTS:
The Committee will record its summaries of recommendations to the Board in written form, which will be incorporated as a part of the minutes of the meeting of the Board at which those recommendations are presented.
MINUTES:
The Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.
4
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