THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION,
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND AND
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO
SO MAY RESULT IN THE CONTRAVENTION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER
LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF SUCH JURISDICTION
21 August 2024
Legal Entity Identifier:
2138009DIENFWKC3PW84
Gulf Investment Fund
PLC
("GIF" or the
"Company")
Tender
Offer
The Company announces the launch of
the tender offer for up to 100 per cent. of each Shareholder's
holding in the Company, details of which were set out in the
circular of the Company dated 28 November 2023 (the "Circular"). This tender offer is being
proposed in line with the authority that was granted by
Shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 22
December 2023 and is referred to as the September 2024 Tender Offer
in the Circular (but hereinafter referred to as the "Tender Offer").
Capitalised terms in this
announcement ("Tender Offer
Announcement"), unless otherwise defined, have the same
meanings given to them in the Circular. The Circular is available
to view on the Company's website at
https://www.gulfinvestmentfundplc.com/investor-relations/other-documents/.
Outline of the
Tender Offer
Shareholders on the Register at 5.30
p.m. on 27 August 2024 (the "Record Date") are invited to either (i)
continue their full investment in the Company; or (ii) save for
Restricted Shareholders, tender some or all of their Shares held at
the Record Date.
The Company's assets and liabilities
will be valued as at 5.30 p.m. on 13 September 2024 (the
"Calculation Date") and
allocated between two pools - the Continuing Pool and the Tender
Pool - and the Investment Adviser will be instructed to realise the
assets allocated to the Tender Pool as soon as practicable and the
proceeds (after payment of tender costs) used to repurchase the
Tendered Shares (defined below).
The Tender Price will be determined
once the Company's assets have been allocated between the
Continuing Pool and the Tender Pool, the assets contained in the
Tender Pool have been fully realised and all the liabilities
(including the costs of the proposals) to be borne by the Tender
Pool have been accounted for. In this regard, the costs associated
with the Tender Offer are expected to be approximately US$50,000.
However, in accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer, these
costs are capped at 5 per cent. of the unaudited realised value of
the Tender Pool (after taking into account the costs associated
with the realisation of all the assets in the Tender Pool and the
Tender Pool's pro rata share of the Company's operating costs) and
the balance (if any) of the implementation costs will be borne by
the Continuing Pool. The Tender Price will be paid to Shareholders
in US Dollars. Further details on the terms and conditions of the
Tender Offer are set out in full below.
The Tender Offer is being made
directly by the Company which will, on the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Tender Offer being satisfied, purchase at the
Tender Price the Shares validly tendered ("Tendered Shares").
Any Tendered Shares tendered will be
cancelled.
As it would not be in the interests
of Shareholders to be invested in a sub-scale illiquid fund, the
Company shall not be obliged to proceed with any tender offer where
the Directors, in their sole discretion, believe the result of any
such tender offer would reduce the Company to such a size that it
would no longer be fit for purpose (this being a minimum size
condition). The minimum size condition in respect of the Tender
Offer shall be a post Tender Offer share capital of not less than
38,000,000 Shares (the "Minimum
Size Condition"). In the event that applications are
received in respect of the Tender Offer such that the number of
Shares remaining in issue following completion of the Tender Offer
will be less than 38,000,000 Shares, meaning that the Minimum Size
Condition could not be met, the Tender Offer shall not proceed. The
Company will announce via a Regulatory Information Service on 13
September 2024 (the "Confirmation
Date") whether the Minimum Size Condition has been met and,
accordingly, whether the Tender Offer will
proceed.
In addition to the Minimum Size
Condition, the Tender Offer is conditional, inter alia, on the Company satisfying
the distributable profits requirements under Isle of Man law at the
time of the Tender Offer and the other conditions more fully set
out in the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer (set out below
in full).
The Circular provides more information in
relation to the Tender Offer, including, inter alia, certain risks relating to
the Tender Offer (contained in paragraph A of Part 8 of the
Circular) and a general guide relating to taxation in the United
Kingdom based on UK law and HMRC's published practice as at the
date of the Circular (contained in Part 6 of the
Circular).
Intentions of the Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser has indicated
its intention to remain invested in the Company and will not
participate in the Tender Offer.
Expected Timetable of Principal Events
The expected timetable for the
Tender Offer is as follows:
Tender Offer opens
|
21 August
2024
|
Record Date for participation in the Tender
Offer
|
5.30 p.m. on 27
August 2024
|
Latest time and date for receipt of Tender Forms
and/or for settlement of TTE Instructions in respect of the Tender
Offer (the "Closing
Date")
|
1.00 p.m. on 12
September 2024
|
Confirmation Date and announcement regarding the
Minimum Size Condition1
|
13 September
2024
|
|
|
If
the Minimum Size Condition is satisfied:
|
|
Calculation Date
|
5.30 p.m. on 13
September 2024
|
Establishment of Tender Pool and Continuing
Pool
|
16 September
2024
|
Realisation of the Tender Pool
commences
|
17 September
2024
|
Realisation of the final assets in the Tender
Pool announced; Tender Price announced; cheque despatched and CREST
accounts credited with proceeds in respect of successfully Tendered
Shares; balancing certificates despatched and CREST accounts
credited in respect of unsold Shares
|
as soon as
practicable after commencement of the realisation of the Tender
Pool
|
Notes:
1 The Company
will announce via a Regulatory Information Service provider on the
Confirmation Date whether the Minimum Size Condition has been met.
If the Minimum Size Condition is not met the Tender Offer will not
proceed and the Company will instead put forward proposals to
Shareholders for the Company to be wound up with a view to
returning cash to Shareholders or to enter into formal
liquidation.
Each of the
times and dates in the expected timetable may be extended or
brought forward without further notice. If any of the above times
and/or dates change, the revised time(s) and/or date(s) will be
notified to Shareholders by an announcement through a Regulatory
Information Service provider.
All references
to times are to London times.
Legal Entity Identifier:
2138009DIENFWKC3PW84
For
further information:
Anderson
Whamond
Via Apex Corporate Services
Gulf Investment Fund plc
Frazer Pickering/Suzanne Jones
+44 (0) 1624 630400
Apex Corporate Services (IOM)
Limited
Alex Collins/Atholl Tweedie/Ashwin
Kohli
+44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Panmure Liberum Limited
William
Clutterbuck
+44 (0) 20 7379 5151
Maitland/AMO
Terms and
Conditions of the Tender Offer
1.
Tenders
1.1. All Shareholders (other
than Restricted Shareholders) on the Register as at the Record Date
may tender some or all of their Shares held at the Record Date for
purchase by the Company on and subject to these terms and
conditions set out in this Tender Offer Announcement and, in
respect of Shareholders holding their Shares in certificated form,
the Tender Form.
1.2. This Tender Offer
Announcement is available to download from the Company's website
at
https://www.gulfinvestmentfundplc.com/investor-relations/other-documents/.
The Circular is available to view or download on the Company's
website at
https://www.gulfinvestmentfundplc.com/investor-relations/other-documents/.
Apex Corporate Services (IOM) Limited will send by post to the
registered holders of Shares in certificated form a hard copy of
this Tender Offer Announcement and a hard copy personalised Tender
Form for use in connection with the Tender Offer. For an additional
or replacement of the hard copy Tender Form, this can be requested
from the Receiving Agent, Link Group, Corporate Actions, Central
Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL.
1.3. Changes of a technical or
administrative nature to these terms and conditions may be made at
the Directors' discretion and will be published on the Company's
website at
https://www.gulfinvestmentfundplc.com/investor-relations/other-documents/.
Shareholders accepting the Tender Offer will be deemed to have
accepted such changes, if any.
1.4. Shareholders are not
obliged to tender any Shares during the Tender Offer. If
Shareholders wish to continue their existing investment in the
Company at the same level, they should not return the Tender Form
or TTE Instruction (in CREST) in respect of the Tender
Offer.
1.5. Tender Purchases will be
made at the Tender Price. The Company will calculate the Tender
Price for the Tender Offer in accordance with the provisions set
out in paragraph 4 of these terms and conditions. The calculations
approved by the Directors will be conclusive and binding on all
Shareholders. The consideration for each Tender Purchase will be
paid in accordance with the settlement procedures set out in
paragraph 6.4 below.
1.6. Subject to the Tender
Offer becoming unconditional and unless the Tender Offer has been
terminated, the Company will purchase the validly and successfully
tendered Shares of Shareholders in accordance with these terms and
conditions.
2. Conditions,
suspension and termination
2.1. In structuring the Tender
Offer, the Board has sought to provide a mechanism through which to
provide liquidity to those Shareholders that want it and, for those
Shareholders who wish to continue their investment in the Company,
to provide some assurance as to its minimum size.
2.2. The Tender Offer is
subject to the following conditions:
2.2.1. the Minimum
Size Condition - the Company will announce via a Regulatory
Information Service on the Confirmation Date whether the Minimum
Size Condition has been met and, accordingly, whether the Tender
Offer will proceed;
2.2.2. the Company
satisfying the distributable profits requirements under Isle of Man
law at the time of the Tender Offer; and
2.2.3. the Tender
Offer not having been terminated in accordance with this paragraph
2.2 prior to the fulfilment of the conditions referred to in
sub-paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.2 above.
2.3. It would not be in the
interests of Shareholders to be invested in a sub-scale illiquid
fund. Accordingly, the Company shall not be obliged to proceed with
the Tender Offer where the Minimum Size Condition is not met. In
the event that validly completed Tender Forms or TTE Instructions
are received in relation to the Tender Offer in respect of such
aggregate number of Shares which means that the Minimum Size
Condition cannot be met, the Directors will instead put forward
proposals to Shareholders for the Company to be wound up with a
view to returning cash to Shareholders or to enter into formal
liquidation. The Company will not purchase Shares pursuant to the
Tender Offer unless the applicable conditions have been satisfied
in full (or waived, where applicable).
2.4. If the Directors, at any
time prior to effecting the purchase of the Tendered Shares in
respect of the Tender Offer consider, in their opinion acting
reasonably that (i) there has occurred a change in national or
international financial, economic, political or market conditions
such that it has either become impractical or inappropriate for the
Company to dispose of its investments without materially harming
Shareholders as a whole, including amongst other things, the cost
of realisation of investments having become excessive, (ii)
the completion of the purchase of Shares under the Tender Offer
would have unexpected adverse fiscal consequences (whether by
reason of a change in legislation or practice or otherwise) for the
Company or its Shareholders if the Tender Offer were to proceed, or
(iii) it is no longer in the best interests of the Company or
Shareholders to proceed with the Tender Offer, the Company may
either terminate the Tender Offer or postpone the completion of the
Tender Offer for up to 30 Business Days, after which the Tender
Offer, if and to the extent not then completed by reason of the
postponement circumstances continuing, will lapse.
3. Announcement of
the Tender Offer and Minimum Size Condition
3.1. At the Confirmation Date,
the Company will announce details of the aggregate number of Shares
in respect of which validly completed Tender Forms have been
received, whether the Minimum Size Condition has been met and
therefore whether the Tender Offer will proceed. If the Minimum
Size Condition is not satisfied the Tender Offer will not proceed.
If the Minimum Size Condition is satisfied all of the Company's
assets and liabilities will be valued and allocated between the
Continuing Pool and the Tender Pool on the basis set out under
paragraph 4 (Tender Price) below.
4. Tender
Price
4.1. The Tender Price will be
calculated in accordance with this paragraph 4 and will be
announced once all the assets in the Tender Pool have been fully
realised which will be as soon as practicable after the
commencement of the realisation of the Tender Pool.
4.2. The assets and
liabilities of the Company will be allocated between the Continuing
Pool and the Tender Pool on the Calculation Date by the Directors
(in consultation with the Company's advisers) on the basis set out
below.
4.3. The Tender Offer Formula
Asset Value is an amount representing the proportionate value of
the Company attributable to the Tendered Shares and will be
calculated on the Calculation Date on the following
basis:
Tender Offer Formula Asset Value = (i) NAV per
Share on Calculation Date
multiplied
by
(ii) the number of Tendered Shares
4.4. The Tender Offer Formula
Asset Value determines the initial allocation of assets to the
Tender Pool after which it will be operated as described
below.
4.5. Following the allocation
of assets and liabilities to the Continuing Pool and the Tender
Pool, the Board will instruct the Investment Adviser to commence
realisation of the assets comprising the Tender Pool.
4.6.
The Tender Pool will bear all costs associated
with the realisation of such assets. The Tender Pool will also bear
its share of the operating costs of the Company on a pro rata
basis. All changes in value of the assets allocated to the Tender
Pool will be attributable solely to the Tender Pool.
The Tender Pool will also bear the costs
associated with the implementation of the Tender Offer, although
the costs associated with the implementation of the Tender Offer
which are to be borne by the Tender Pool will be capped at 5 per
cent. of the unaudited realised value of the Tender Pool (after
taking into account the costs associated with the realisation of
all the assets in the Tender Pool and the Tender Pool's pro rata
share of the Company's operating costs) and the balance (if any) of
the implementation costs will be borne by the Continuing
Pool. Following the date upon which all of the assets
comprising the Tender Pool have been fully realised, and all
liabilities to be borne by the Tender Pool (other than any stamp
duty or stamp duty reserve tax payable) met, the Directors will
select a date upon which the Final Tender Offer Asset Value of the
Tender Pool will be calculated (the "Tender Pool Determination
Date").
4.7. The
Final Tender Offer Asset Value will equal the unaudited Net Asset
Value of the assets in the Tender Pool on the Tender Pool
Determination Date (which for the avoidance of doubt will take
account of the costs of realisation of the Tender Pool) less any
stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax arising on the repurchase of
Shares by the Company. The Tender Pool Determination Date will be
as soon as practicable following realisation of the assets in, and
accounting for liabilities (other than any stamp duty or stamp duty
reserve tax to be payable) to be borne by, the Tender
Pool.
4.8. If prior
to the Tender Pool Determination Date the non-cash assets remaining
in the Tender Pool represent 10 per cent. or less of the Tender
Pool's initial value and the Directors believe that it would be in
the best interests of the Tendering Shareholders to complete the
realisation of the Tender Pool, they will direct the Investment
Adviser to sell the remaining assets of the Tender Pool at the best
price available, failing which such assets will be transferred to
the Continuing Pool at a price to be determined by the Directors
taking into account the fact that the assets cannot otherwise be
fully realised in a timely and value-effective manner.
4.9. The
Tender Price will be determined by the Company (in consultation
with its advisers) as soon as practicable after the assets in the
Tender Pool have been fully realised and all the liabilities
(including, inter
alia, the (capped) costs of implementing the
Tender Offer) to be borne by the Tender Pool have been accounted
for. The Tender Price will be an amount equal to the Final Tender
Offer Asset Value divided by the total number of Tendered Shares
(rounded down to four decimal places) in each case on the Tender
Pool Determination Date.
4.10. The Tender
Price will be paid to Shareholders in US Dollars and will be
effected by the despatch of cheques drawn on an account of a branch
of a United Kingdom clearing bank, or the crediting of CREST
accounts as appropriate.
Allocation of
assets to the Continuing Pool and the Tender Pool
4.11. The assets
and liabilities of the Company will be allocated between the
Continuing Pool and the Tender Pool on the Calculation Date by the
Directors (in consultation with the Company's advisers) on the
basis set out below:
4.11.1. all
liabilities recognised in the Company's accounting records will be
allocated to the Continuing Pool;
4.11.2. all
debtors and other receivables will be allocated to the Continuing
Pool;
4.11.3. any
investments whose quotation has been suspended and any other assets
which the Directors consider it would be inappropriate to transfer
to the Tender Pool (for example, stocks subject to corporate
actions) will be allocated to the Continuing Pool at the value
reflected in the accounting records (which will reflect the
Directors' assessment of fair value);
4.11.4. all
quoted investments, other than those included under
paragraph 4.11.3 above, and such other investments as the Directors determine,
will be allocated pro rata between the Continuing Pool and the
Tender Pool by reference to the respective values of each pool. For
such purposes the calculations will be rounded to the nearest whole
number of securities for each security so allocated or otherwise as
the Directors determine; and
4.11.5. the
near cash assets of the Company will be divided in whatever
proportion is necessary such that the net assets attributable to
the Tender Pool are equal to the Tender Offer Formula Asset Value
and the net assets attributable to the Continuing Pool are equal to
the Net Asset Value of the Company less the Tender Offer Formula
Asset Value.
4.12. In
allocating and/or valuing assets and liabilities pursuant to this
paragraph 4, the Directors shall be entitled, in any
case where the proper allocation of an asset or liability is in
doubt, or where the valuation of any asset or liability or the
allocation of an asset or liability in accordance with any of the
above provisions is, in the opinion of the Directors, incorrect or
unfair, to adopt an alternative basis of allocation or method of
valuation (as the case may be) and to allocate assets as the
Directors fairly consider.
4.13. The net
asset value of the assets and liabilities allocated on the
establishment of the Tender Pool will equal the Tender Offer
Formula Asset Value (calculated in accordance with this
paragraph 4). The Company's assets and liabilities
will be valued as at the Calculation Date and thereafter allocated
between the Continuing Pool and the Tender Pool on the basis set
out above. The Investment Adviser will be instructed by the Board
to realise the assets allocated to the Tender Pool as soon as
possible.
4.14. The Tender
Pool will bear the costs of realising the assets in the Tender Pool
and the amount of any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax payable
on the repurchase by the Company of the Shares. Shareholders who
validly tender some or all of their Shares will receive a pro rata
share of the net proceeds of the Tender Pool, less associated
costs. The assets of the Tender Pool will be fully realised as soon
as practicable after the commencement of the realisation of the
Tender Pool such that final cash payments can be made to the
Tendering Shareholders as soon as practicable thereafter. However,
under the Tender Offer the Company reserves the right to defer the
Tender Pool realisations and/or cash payments if the Board believes
this to be in the best interests of Shareholders as a
whole.
4.15. If prior to
the Tender Pool Determination Date the non-cash assets remaining in
the Tender Pool represent 10 per cent. or less of the Tender Pool's
initial value and the Directors believe that it would be in the
best interests of the Tendering Shareholders to complete the
realisation of the Tender Pool, they will direct the Investment
Adviser to sell the remaining assets of the Tender Pool at the best
price available, failing which such assets will be transferred to
the Continuing Pool at a price to be determined by the Directors
taking into account the fact that the assets cannot otherwise be
fully realised in a timely and value-effective manner.
4.16. The
Investment Adviser will prepare, or procure the preparation of, the
calculation of the Net Asset Value, the Tender Offer Formula Asset
Value, the value of the Tender Pool, the Final Tender Offer Asset
Value and the Tender Price. All of such calculations shall be
subject to review and approval by the Board (in consultation with
its advisers). In the event of a dispute regarding any such
calculations, such dispute will be determined by a chartered
accountant selected by agreement between the Company and the
Investment Adviser, or, in default of such agreement, within 14
days of the relevant date on which the calculation is made,
selected by the President for the time being of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Such chartered
accountant will act as an expert and not as an arbitrator and their
determination shall be final and legally binding on all parties,
provided that any such chartered accountant will be bound by any
basis of allocation or method of valuation agreed between the
Investment Adviser and the Company.
5. Procedure for
tendering Shares
5.1. There
are different procedures for tendering Shares depending on whether
the Shares are held in certificated or uncertificated form (i.e. in
CREST).
5.2.
Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) who hold Shares
in certificated form must complete, sign and return a Tender Form
in accordance with paragraph 5.4 below and the
instructions printed on the Tender Form.
5.3. If the
Shares are held in uncertificated form (i.e. in CREST) they may be
tendered only by sending a TTE Instruction in accordance with the
procedure set out in paragraph 5.5 below. Shareholders
should send separate TTE Instructions for Shares held under
different member account IDs.
5.4. Shares
held in certificated form (that is, not in CREST)
5.4.1. To tender your Shares held in certificated form, you must
complete, sign and return a Tender Form (a personalised hard copy
being sent by Apex Corporate Services (IOM) Limited to registered
holders of Shares held in certificated form) together with the
relevant share certificate(s) and/or other documents of title in
accordance with the instructions printed on the Tender Form (which
shall be deemed to form part of the Tender
Offer).
5.4.2.
Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) should complete
separate Tender Forms for Shares held in certificated form but
under different designations. The share certificate(s) and/or other
document(s) of title should be returned with the Tender Form(s).
Additional or replacement Tender Forms will be available from the
Receiving Agent, whose details are as follows: Link Group,
Corporate Actions, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1
4DL.
5.4.3. The completed
and signed Tender Form should be sent by post to the Receiving
Agent so as to arrive as soon as possible and in any event not
later than the Closing Date and time. Tender Forms received after
this time may be rejected. No acknowledgement of receipt of
documents will be given. Any Tender Form received in an envelope
postmarked from a Restricted Territory or otherwise appearing to
the Company or its agents to have been sent from any Restricted
Territory may be rejected as an invalid tender. Further provisions
relating to Restricted Shareholders are contained in paragraph 11
(Restricted Shareholders and
other Overseas Shareholders) below.
5.4.4. If your share
certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title are not readily
available (for example, if they are with your stockbroker, bank or
other agent), the Tender Form should nevertheless be completed,
signed and returned as described above so as to be received by the
Receiving Agent no later than the Closing Date together with any
share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title you may have
available, accompanied by a letter stating that the (remaining)
share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title will be
forwarded as soon as possible thereafter and, in any event, no
later than the Closing Date.
5.4.5. The Receiving
Agent, acting as the Company's agent, will effect such procedures
as are required to transfer your Shares to the Company under the
Tender Offer.
5.4.6. If you have lost
your share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title, you
should write to the Registrar at Link Group, Central Square, 29
Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL to request a letter of indemnity
in respect of the lost share certificate(s) which, when completed
in accordance with the instructions given, should be returned to
the Registrar to the same address so as to be received no later
than the Closing Date.
5.5. Shares
held in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST)
5.5.1. If the Shares
you wish to tender are held in uncertificated form do not complete
a Tender Form. You should take (or procure to be taken) the action
set out below to transfer (by means of a TTE Instruction) the
number of Shares held as at the Record Date which you wish to
tender in respect of the Tender Offer to an escrow balance,
specifying the Receiving Agent in its capacity as a CREST receiving
agent under its participant ID (referred to below) as the escrow
agent, as soon as possible and, in any event, so that the TTE
Instruction settles not later than the Closing Date.
5.5.2. If you are a
CREST sponsored member, you should refer to your CREST sponsor
before taking any action. Your CREST sponsor will be able to
confirm details of your participant ID and the member account ID
under which your Shares are held. In addition, only your CREST
sponsor will be able to send the TTE Instruction to Euroclear UK
& International in relation to the Shares which you wish to
tender.
5.5.3. You should send
(or, if you are a CREST sponsored member, procure that your CREST
sponsor sends) a TTE Instruction to Euroclear UK &
International, which must be properly authenticated in accordance
with Euroclear UK & International's specification and which
must contain, in addition to other information that is required for
the TTE Instruction to settle in CREST, the following
details:
●
the ISIN number of the Shares which is IM00B1Z40704;
●
the number of uncertificated Shares to be transferred to an escrow
balance;
●
your member account ID;
●
your participant ID;
●
the participant ID of the escrow agent, Link Group in its capacity
as a CREST receiving agent, which is RA10;
●
the member account ID of the escrow agent, Link Group in its
capacity as a CREST receiving agent, which is 22521GUL;
●
the Corporate Action Number for the Tender Offer. This is allocated
by Euroclear UK & International and can be found by viewing the
relevant corporate action details in CREST;
●
the intended settlement date for the TTE Instruction;
●
input with the standard delivery instruction, priority 80;
and
●
a contact telephone number to be inserted in the shared note
field.
5.5.4. After settlement
of the TTE Instruction, you will not be able to access the Shares
concerned in CREST for any transaction or for charging purposes,
notwithstanding that they will be held by the Receiving Agent as
your escrow agent until completion or termination or lapsing of the
Tender Offer. If the Tender Offer becomes wholly unconditional, the
Receiving Agent will transfer the Shares which are accepted for
purchase by the Company to itself as the Shareholder's agent for
onward sale to the Company.
5.5.5. You are
recommended to refer to the CREST Manual published by Euroclear UK
& International for further information on the CREST procedures
outlined above.
5.5.6. In addition, you
should arrange separate TTE Instructions for Shares held in
uncertificated form but under different member account
IDs.
5.5.7. You should note
that Euroclear UK & International does not make available
special procedures in CREST for any particular corporate action.
Normal system timings and limitations will therefore apply in
connection with a TTE Instruction and its settlement. You should
therefore ensure that all necessary action is taken by you (or by
your CREST sponsor) to enable a TTE Instruction relating to your
Shares to settle prior to the Closing Date. In connection with
this, you are referred in particular to those sections of the CREST
Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and
timings.
5.5.8. Normal CREST
procedures (including timings) apply in relation to any Shares that
are, or are to be, converted from uncertificated to certificated
form, or from certificated to uncertificated form, during the
course of the Tender Offer (whether such conversion arises as a
result of a transfer of Shares or otherwise). Shareholders who are
proposing to convert any such Shares are recommended to ensure that
the conversion procedures are implemented in sufficient time to
enable the person holding or acquiring the Shares as a result of
the conversion to take all necessary steps in connection with such
person's participation in the Tender Offer (in particular, as
regards delivery of share certificates and/or other documents of
title or transfer to an escrow balance as described above) prior to
the Closing Date.
5.6. Validity
of Tender Forms and TTE Instructions
5.6.1. Notwithstanding
the powers in paragraph 11.5 below, the Company reserves the right
to treat as valid only Tender Forms and TTE Instructions which are
received entirely in order by the Closing Date, which are
accompanied (in the case of Shares held in certificated form) by
the relevant share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title
or a satisfactory indemnity in lieu in respect of the entire number
of Shares tendered.
5.6.2. Notwithstanding
the completion of a valid Tender Form or sending of a TTE
Instruction, the Tender Offer may be suspended, terminate or lapse
in accordance with these terms and conditions.
5.6.3. The decision of
the Company as to which Shares have been validly tendered shall be
conclusive and binding on Shareholders who participate in the
Tender Offer.
5.7.
Information on procedure for tendering
If you have any queries regarding the procedure
for tendering your Shares please contact the Company's Receiving
Agent on +44 (0)371 664 0321. Calls are charged at the standard
geographic rate and will vary by provider. Different charges may
apply to calls from mobile telephones. Calls from outside the
United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international
rate. Lines are open between 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., Monday to
Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Please note
that the Receiving Agent cannot provide any financial, legal or tax
advice and calls may be recorded and monitored for security and
training purposes.
6. Announcement of the
results of the Tender Offer, the Tender Price and
settlement
6.1. Unless
terminated in accordance with these terms and conditions, the
Tender Offer will close for Shareholders on the Closing Date. On
the Confirmation Date, the Company will release an announcement via
a Regulatory Information Service informing Shareholders of the
aggregate number of Shares in respect of which Tender requests have
been made. If the Directors, in their sole discretion, decide not
to proceed with the Tender Offer for the reasons described in
paragraph 2.3 above, the Tender Offer will not proceed. In such
event, the Directors will instead put forward proposals to
Shareholders for the Company to be wound up with a view to
returning cash to Shareholders or to enter into formal liquidation.
If the Tender Offer is to proceed, the Directors will make
arrangements for all of the Company's assets and liabilities to be
valued and allocated between the Continuing Pool and the Tender
Pool on the basis set out in paragraph 4 above.
6.2. Delivery
of cash to Shareholders for the Shares to be purchased pursuant to
the Tender Offer will be made by the Receiving Agent on behalf of
the Company. The Receiving Agent will act as agent for Tendering
Shareholders for the purpose of receiving the cash and transmitting
such cash to Tendering Shareholders. Interest will not be paid on
the cash to be paid by the Company regardless of any delay in
making such payment.
6.3. If any
Tendered Shares are not purchased because of an invalid tender, the
lapse or termination of the Tender Offer or otherwise, relevant
share certificate(s) evidencing any such Shares and other
document(s) of title, if any, will be returned or sent by post at
such Shareholder's risk as promptly as practicable, to the relevant
tendering Shareholder, or, in the case of Shares held in
uncertificated form (that is, in CREST), the Receiving Agent will
provide instructions to Euroclear UK &
International to transfer all Shares held in escrow balances
by TFE Instruction to the original available balances to which
those Shares relate.
6.4. For the
Tender Offer, settlement of the consideration to which any
Shareholder is entitled pursuant to valid tenders accepted by the
Company is expected to be made as follows in accordance with the
timetable set out by the Company in respect the Tender
Offer:
6.4.1. Shares held in
certificated form (that is, not in CREST)
Where an accepted tender relates to Shares held
in certificated form, cheques for the consideration due will be
despatched by the Receiving Agent by first class post to the person
or agent whose name and address is set out in Box 1 (or, if
relevant, Box 4A or 4B of the Tender Form), or if none is set out,
to the registered address of the tendering Shareholder or, in the
case of joint holders, the address of the first named. All cash
payments will be made in US Dollars by cheque drawn on a UK
clearing bank.
6.4.2. Shares held in
uncertificated form (that is, in CREST)
Where an accepted tender relates to Shares held
in uncertificated form, the consideration due will be paid through
CREST by the Receiving Agent (on behalf of the Company) procuring
the creation of a CREST payment in favour of the tendering
Shareholder's payment bank in accordance with the CREST payment
arrangements.
6.4.3. Timing of
settlement
The payment of any consideration to
Shareholders for Tender Purchases will be made only after the
relevant TTE Instruction has settled or (as the case may be) timely
receipt by the Receiving Agent of share certificate(s) and/or other
requisite document(s) of title evidencing such Shares and any other
documents required for the Tender Offer.
6.5. If only
part of a holding of Shares is sold pursuant to the Tender Offer
then:
6.5.1. where the Shares
are held in certificated form (that is, not in CREST), the relevant
Shareholder will be entitled to receive a certificate in respect of
the balance of the remaining Shares; and
6.5.2. where the Shares
are held in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST), unsold Shares
will be transferred by Link Group by means of a TFE Instruction to
the original available balance from which those Shares
came.
6.6. The
Tender Price will be announced by the Company once all the assets
in the Tender Pool have been fully realised which will be as soon
as practicable after the commencement of the realisation of the
Tender Pool. Tender Purchases will result in the relevant number of
Shares purchased being cancelled and therefore the percentage
voting rights attached to the remaining Shares in issue will
increase proportionately. Accordingly, the announcement will also
contain information notifying Shareholders of the percentage
increase in voting rights attaching to each of the Shares remaining
in issue.
7. Representations and
Warranties - Tenders by means of a Tender Form
7.1. Each
Shareholder by whom, or on whose behalf, a Tender Form is executed
irrevocably undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees to and with
the Company (so as to bind itself and its personal representatives,
heirs, successors and assigns) that:
7.1.1. the execution of
the Tender Form shall constitute an offer to sell to the Company
such Shareholder's entire holding of Shares if Box 2A is completed,
or such number of Shares as is inserted in Box 2B of the Tender
Form, in each case, on and subject to these terms and conditions
and the Tender Form and that, once lodged, such offer shall be
irrevocable;
7.1.2. if in the
Company's determination, in its absolute discretion, an entry has
been made in Box 2B which is greater than the number of Shares held
by the Shareholder to whom the Tender Form relates as at the Record
Date, then, provided that the Tender Form is otherwise in order and
accompanied by all other relevant documents, the tender will be
deemed to be a tender in respect of all the Shares held by that
Shareholder as stated in Box 1;
7.1.3. such Shareholder
has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign or transfer
the Shares in respect of which such offer is accepted (together
with all rights attaching thereto) and, when the same are purchased
by the Company, it will acquire such Shares with full title
guarantee and free from all liens, charges, encumbrances, equitable
interests, rights of pre-emption or other third party rights of any
nature and together with all rights attaching thereto on or after
the Closing Date, including the right to receive all dividends and
other distributions declared, paid or made after that
date;
7.1.4. the execution of
the Tender Form will, subject to the Tender Offer becoming wholly
unconditional, constitute the irrevocable appointment of any
Director or officer of the Company as such Shareholder's attorney
and/or agent ("attorney"), and an irrevocable instruction to the
attorney to complete and execute all or any instruments of transfer
and/or other documents at the attorney's discretion in relation to
the Shares referred to in paragraph 7.1.1 above in favour of the
Company or such other person or persons as the Company may direct
and to deliver such instrument(s) of transfer and/or other
documents at the discretion of the attorney, together with the
share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) relating to such
Shares, for registration within six months of the Tender Offer
becoming unconditional and to do all such other acts and things as
may in the opinion of such attorney be necessary or expedient for
the purpose of, or in connection with, the Tender Offer and to vest
such Shares in the Company or its nominee(s) or such other
person(s) as the Company may direct;
7.1.5. such Shareholder
agrees to ratify and confirm each and every act or thing which may
be done or effected by the Company or any of its Directors or
officers or any person nominated by the Company in the proper
exercise of its or their powers and/or authorities
hereunder;
7.1.6. such Shareholder
will deliver to the Receiving Agent their share certificate(s)
and/or other document(s) of title in respect of the Shares referred
to in paragraph 7.1.1 above, or an indemnity acceptable to the
Company in lieu thereof, or will procure the delivery of such
document(s) to the Receiving Agent as soon as possible thereafter
and, in any event, no later than the Closing Date;
7.1.7. such Shareholder
shall do all such acts and things as shall be necessary or
expedient and execute any additional documents deemed by the
Company to be desirable, in each case to complete the purchase of
the Shares and/or to perfect any of the authorities expressed to be
given hereunder;
7.1.8. if such
Shareholder is an Overseas Shareholder, (a) he is not in a
Restricted Territory or in any territory in which it is unlawful to
make or accept the Tender Offer, (b) he has fully observed any
applicable legal and regulatory requirements of the territory in
which such Overseas Shareholder is resident or located, and (c) the
invitation under the Tender Offer may be made to and accepted by
him under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction;
7.1.9. such Shareholder
has not received or sent copies or originals of this Tender Offer
Announcement or Tender Form or any related documents (or
previously, the Circular) to a Restricted Territory and has not
otherwise utilised in connection with the Tender Offer, directly or
indirectly, the mails or any means or instrumentality (including,
without limitation, facsimile transmission, internet, telex and
telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce, or of any facility of
a national securities exchange, of any Restricted Territory, that
the Tender Form has not been mailed or otherwise sent in, into or
from any Restricted Territory and that such Shareholder is not
tendering any Shares pursuant to the Tender Offer from any
Restricted Territory;
7.1.10. the provisions of the
Tender Form shall be deemed to be incorporated into these terms and
conditions;
7.1.11. the despatch of a cheque in
respect of the Tender Price to a Shareholder at his/her registered
address or such other address as is specified in the Tender Form
will constitute a complete discharge by the Company of its
obligations to make such payment to such Shareholder;
7.1.12. on execution the Tender
Form takes effect as a deed; and
7.1.13. the execution of the Tender
Form constitutes such Shareholder's submission to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the High Court of England and Wales (the "Court")
in relation to all matters arising out of or in connection with the
Tender Offer or Tender Form.
7.2. A
reference in this paragraph 7 to a Shareholder
includes a reference to the person or persons executing the Tender
Form and in the event of more than one person executing a Tender
Form, the provisions of this paragraph will apply to them jointly
and to each of them.
8. Representations and
Warranties - Tenders through CREST
8.1. Each
Shareholder by whom, or on whose behalf, a tender through CREST via
a TTE Instruction is made irrevocably undertakes, represents,
warrants and agrees to and with the Company (so as to bind itself
and its personal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns)
that:
8.1.1. the input of the
TTE Instruction shall constitute an offer to sell to the Company
such number of Shares as are specified in the TTE Instruction or
deemed to be tendered, in each case, on and subject to these terms
and conditions and that once the TTE Instruction has settled, such
offer shall be irrevocable;
8.1.2. such Shareholder
has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign or transfer
the Shares in respect of which such offer is accepted (together
will all rights attaching thereto) and, when the same are purchased
by the Company, it will acquire such Shares with full title
guarantee and free from all liens, charges, encumbrances, equitable
interests, rights of pre-emption or other third party rights of any
nature and together will all rights attaching thereto, on or after
the Closing Date including the right to receive all dividends and
other distributions declared, paid or made after that
date;
8.1.3. the input of the
TTE Instruction will, subject to the Tender Offer becoming
unconditional, constitute the irrevocable appointment of the
Receiving Agent as the escrow agent for the Tender Offer and an
irrevocable instruction and authority to the Receiving Agent: (i)
subject to the Tender Offer becoming wholly unconditional, to
transfer to itself by means of CREST and then to transfer to the
Company by means of CREST all of the Relevant Shares (as defined
below) in respect of which the Tender Offer is accepted or deemed
to be accepted, or to provide all or any instructions on behalf of
the relevant Shareholder in respect of transferring the Relevant
Shares (as defined below) in CREST to such person or persons as the
Company may direct, in each case not exceeding the number of Shares
which have been tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer; and (ii) if
the Tender Offer is terminated or does not become unconditional and
lapses, or there are Shares which have not been successfully
tendered under the Tender Offer, to give instructions to Euroclear
UK & International, as promptly as practicable after such
lapse, termination or unsuccessful tender, to transfer Relevant
Shares to the original available balances from which those Shares
came. For the purposes of this paragraph, "Relevant Shares" means Shares in
uncertificated form in respect of which a transfer or transfers to
escrow has or have been effected pursuant to the procedures
described in this paragraph;
8.1.4. such Shareholder
agrees to ratify and confirm each and every act or thing which may
be done or effected by the Company or any of its Directors or any
person nominated by the Company or the Receiving Agent in the
proper exercise of its powers and/or authorities
hereunder;
8.1.5. such Shareholder
shall do all such acts and things as shall be necessary or
expedient and execute any additional documents deemed by the
Company to be desirable, in each case to complete the purchase of
the Shares and/or to perfect any of the authorities expressed to
given hereunder;
8.1.6. if such
Shareholder is an Overseas Shareholder, (a) he is not in the
Restricted Territories or in any territory in which it is unlawful
to make or accept the Tender Offer, (b) he has fully observed any
applicable legal and regulatory requirements of the territory in
which such Overseas Shareholder is resident or located, and (c) the
Overseas Shareholder has ensured that the invitation under the
Tender Offer may be made to and accepted by him under the laws and
regulations of the relevant jurisdiction;
8.1.7. such Shareholder
has not received or sent copies or originals of this Tender Offer
Announcement or any related documents to a Restricted Territory and
has not otherwise utilised in connection with the Tender Offer,
directly or indirectly, the mails or any means of instrumentality
(including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, internet,
telex or telephone) or interstate or foreign commerce, or of any
facility of a national securities exchange, of any Restricted
Territory, and that such Shareholder is not tendering any Shares
pursuant to the Tender Offer from any Restricted
Territory;
8.1.8. the creation of
a CREST payment in respect of the Tender Price in favour of such
Shareholder's payment bank in accordance with the CREST payment
arrangements as referred to in paragraph 6.4.2 above will
constitute a complete discharge by the Company of its obligations
to make such payment to such Shareholder; and
8.1.9. the input of the
TTE Instruction constitutes such Shareholder's submission to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Court in relation to all matters
arising out of or in connection with the Tender Offer or the TTE
Instruction.
8.2. If the
appointment of the Receiving Agent as escrow agent for the Tender
Offer under paragraph 8.1.3 above shall be
unenforceable or invalid or shall not operate so as to afford the
benefit or authority expressed to be given in paragraph 8.1.3, the
Shareholder shall with all practicable speed do all such acts and
things and execute all such documents that may be required to
enable Link Group to secure the full benefits of paragraph 8.1.3
above.
8.3. If, for
any reason, any Shares in respect of which a TTE Instruction has
been made are, prior to the Closing Date, converted into
certificated form, the tender through CREST in respect of such
Shares shall cease to be valid and the Shareholder will need to
comply with the procedures for tendering Shares in certificated
from as set out in these terms and conditions in respect of the
Shares so converted, if it wishes to make a valid tender of such
Shares pursuant to the Tender Offer.
9. Additional
provisions
9.1. Each
Shareholder (other than a Restricted Shareholder) will be entitled,
subject to these terms and conditions, to have accepted in the
Tender Offer valid tenders to the Company. In respect of Shares
held in certificated form, if in the Company's determination (in
its absolute discretion) Box 2 of the Tender Form has not been
validly completed in respect of the number of Shares to be tendered
and provided that the Tender Form is otherwise in order and
accompanied by all other relevant documents, a Shareholder may be
deemed to have accepted the Tender Offer in respect of all of the
Shares being tendered by the Tendering Shareholder. For the
avoidance of doubt, if the number of Shares inserted in Box 2B of
the Tender Form is higher than the number of Shares actually held
by the Tendering Shareholder on the Record Date or the Closing
Date, the Tendering Shareholder will be deemed to have tendered
such lower number of Shares.
9.2. Shares
sold by Shareholders pursuant to the Tender Offer will be acquired
with full title guarantee and free from all liens, charges,
encumbrances, equitable interests, rights of pre-emption or other
third party rights of any nature and together with all rights
attaching thereto on or after the Closing Date, including the right
to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, paid or
made after that date.
9.3. Each
Shareholder who tenders or procures the tender of Shares will
thereby be deemed to have agreed that, in consideration of the
Company agreeing to process its tender, such Shareholder, will not
revoke its tender or withdraw its Shares. Shareholders should note
that once tendered, Tendered Shares may not be sold, transferred,
charged or otherwise disposed of pending completion of the Tender
Offer.
9.4. Any
omission to despatch the Tender Offer Announcement or the Tender
Form or any notice required to be despatched under the terms of the
Tender Offer to, or any failure to receive the same by, any person
entitled to participate in the Tender Offer shall not invalidate
the Tender Offer in any way or create any implication that the
Tender Offer has not been made to any such person.
9.5. No
acknowledgement of receipt of any Tender Form, TTE Instruction,
share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title will be
given. All communications, notices, certificates, documents of
title and remittances to be delivered by or sent to or from
Shareholders (or their designated agents) will be delivered by or
sent to or from such Shareholders (or their designated agents) at
their own risk.
9.6. All
powers of attorney and authorities on the terms conferred by or
referred to in these terms and conditions or in the Tender Form are
given by way of security for the performance of the obligations of
the Shareholders concerned and are irrevocable in accordance with
section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971.
9.7. Subject
to paragraphs 10 (Miscellaneous) and 11 (Restricted
Shareholders and other Overseas Shareholders) below, all tenders by
Shareholders holding their Shares in certificated form must be made
on the prescribed Tender Form, fully completed in accordance with
the instructions set out thereon which constitute part of these
terms and conditions. A Tender Form or TTE Instruction will only be
valid when the procedures contained in these terms and conditions
are complied with. The Tender Offer will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of England and
Wales.
9.8. If the
Tender Offer is terminated or lapses in accordance with these terms
and conditions, all documents lodged pursuant to the Tender Offer
will be returned promptly by post, within 14 Business Days of the
Tender Offer terminating or lapsing, to the person or agent whose
name and address is set out in Box 1 or, if relevant, Box 4A or 4B
of the Tender Form or, if none is set out, to the tendering
Shareholder or, in the case of joint holders, the first named at
his or her registered address as shown in Box 1. In the case of
Shares held in uncertificated form, the Receiving Agent in its
capacity as the escrow agent will, within 14 Business Days of the
Tender Offer terminating, give instructions to Euroclear to
transfer all Shares held in escrow balances and in relation to
which it is the escrow agent for the purposes of the Tender Offer
by TFE Instruction to the original available balances from which
those Shares came. In any of these circumstances, Tender Forms and
TTE Instructions will cease to have any effect.
9.9. The
instructions, terms, provisions and authorities contained in or
deemed to be incorporated in the Tender Form shall constitute part
of these terms and conditions. The definitions set out in this
Tender Offer Announcement apply to these terms and
conditions.
9.10. Subject to
paragraphs 10 (Miscellaneous) and 11 (Restricted
Shareholders and other Overseas Shareholders) below, the Tender
Offer is open to Shareholders on the Register at the Record Date
and will close on the Closing Date. Tender Forms, share
certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title or indemnities or
TTE Instructions received after that time may be accepted or
rejected by the Company in its absolute discretion.
9.11. Further
copies of this Tender Offer Announcement may be obtained from the
Company's website at
https://www.gulfinvestmentfundplc.com/investor-relations/other-documents/
or from Link Group on 0371 644 0321. Calls are charged at the
standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Different
charges may apply to calls from mobile telephones. Lines are open
from 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday excluding public
holidays in England and Wales. Please note that Link Group cannot
provide any financial, legal or tax advice and calls may be
recorded and monitored for security and training
purposes.
9.12. Each
Shareholder tendering Shares in the Tender Offer represents,
warrants and confirms to the Company that it has observed all
relevant legislation and regulations, in particular (but without
limitation) that relate to anti-money laundering (the "Anti-Money
Laundering Legislation"), and, in all such cases, its offer to
tender Shares in the Tender Offer is made on the basis that it
accepts full responsibility for any and all such requirements under
the Anti-Money Laundering Legislation and warrants and represents
that such requirements have been satisfied, and each Shareholder
tendering Shares in the Tender Offer acknowledges that, due to
money laundering prevention requirements operating within their
respective jurisdictions, the Company, the Administrator, the
Registrar and the Receiving Agent for the Tender Offer may require
proof of addresses and identity or corporate existence, as
applicable, before an offer to tender Shares can be processed and
that each of the Company, the Administrator, the Registrar and the
Receiving Agent shall be held harmless and indemnified by each such
Shareholder against any loss ensuing due to the failure to process
a Shareholder's offer to tender Shares if such information as has
been required, has not been provided by it.
10. Miscellaneous
10.1. Any change
to the terms, or any extension or termination of the Tender Offer
will be followed as promptly as practicable by a public
announcement thereof no later than 1.00 p.m. on the Business Day
following the date of such changes. Such an announcement will be
released via a Regulatory Information Service. References to the
making of an announcement by the Company includes the release of an
announcement on behalf of the Company by Panmure Gordon to the
press and delivery of, or telephone or facsimile or other
electronic transmission of, such announcement to a Regulatory
Information Service.
10.2. All
Tendered Shares bought back by the Company will be
cancelled.
10.3. Except as
contained in this Tender Offer Announcement no person has been
authorised to give any information or make any representations with
respect to the Company or the Tender Offer and, if given or made,
such other information or representations should not be relied on
as having been authorised by the Company. Under no circumstances
should the delivery of this Tender Offer Announcement or the
delivery of any consideration pursuant to the Tender Offer create
any implication that there has been no change in the assets,
properties, business or affairs of the Company since the date of
this Tender Offer Announcement.
10.4. The Company
reserves the absolute right to inspect (either itself or through
its agents) all Tender Forms and TTE Instructions and may consider
void and reject any tender that does not in the Company's sole
judgement (acting reasonably) meet the requirements of the Tender
Offer to which such Tender Form or TTE Instruction relates. The
Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect or
irregularity in the tender of any Shares, including any Tender Form
and/or TTE Instruction (in whole or in part) which is not entirely
in order or which is not accompanied by the related share
certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title or an indemnity
acceptable to the Company in lieu thereof. In that event, however,
the consideration in the Tender Offer will only be despatched when
the Tender Form is entirely in order and the relevant share
certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title or indemnities
satisfactory to the Company has/have been received. The Company,
the Receiving Agent or any other person will not be under any duty
to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or
incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.
10.5. The
provisions of the UK Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
do not apply to the Tender Offer.
11. Restricted Shareholders and other
Overseas Shareholders
11.1. The
provisions of this paragraph and any other terms of the Tender
Offer relating to Restricted Shareholders may be waived, varied or
modified as regards specific Shareholders or on a general basis by
the Company but only if the Company is satisfied that such waiver,
variance or modification will not constitute or give rise to a
breach of applicable securities or other laws.
11.2. Overseas
Shareholders should inform themselves about and observe any
applicable legal requirements. It is the responsibility of any such
Overseas Shareholder wishing to tender Shares to satisfy
himself/herself as to the full observance of the laws of the
relevant jurisdiction in connection herewith, the compliance with
other necessary formalities and the payment of any transfer or
other taxes or other requisite payments due in such jurisdiction.
Any such Overseas Shareholder will be responsible for the payment
of any such transfer or other taxes or other requisite payments due
by whomsoever payable and the Company and any person acting on its
behalf shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by such
Overseas Shareholder for any such transfer or other taxes or other
requisite payments such person may be required to pay. No steps
have been taken to qualify Tender Offer or to authorise the
extending of Tender Offer or the distribution of this Tender Offer
Announcement and Tender Forms, as well as the Circular, in any
territory outside the United Kingdom.
11.3. The Tender
Offer will not be made to Restricted Shareholders. Restricted
Shareholders are being excluded from the Tender Offer to avoid
offending applicable local laws relating to the implementation of
the Tender Offer. Accordingly, copies of this Tender Offer
Announcement, Tender Forms and any related documents (including the
Circular) are not being and must not be mailed or otherwise
distributed into any Restricted Territory, including to
Shareholders with registered addresses in Restricted Territories,
or to persons who the Company knows to be custodians, nominees or
trustees holding Shares for persons in Restricted Territories.
Persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation,
custodians, nominees and trustees) should not distribute or send
them in or into a Restricted Territory or use such mails or any
such means, instrumentality or facility in connection with the
Tender Offer, as so doing will render invalid any related purported
acceptance of the Tender Offer. Persons wishing to accept the
Tender Offer should not use such mails or any such means,
instrumentality or facility for any purpose directly or indirectly
relating to acceptance of the Tender Offer. Envelopes containing
Tender Forms postmarked from a Restricted Territory or otherwise
despatched from a Restricted Territory or Tender Forms which
provide Restricted Territory addresses for the remittance of cash
or return of Tender Forms will be rendered void.
11.4. A
Shareholder will be deemed not to have made a valid tender if (i)
such Shareholder is unable to make the representations and
warranties set out in paragraph 7.1.8 (if relevant)
and 7.1.9 above or paragraph 8.1.6 (if relevant) and 8.1.7 above,
or (ii) such Shareholder inserts in Box 4A or 4B of the Tender Form
the name and address of a person or agent in a Restricted Territory
to whom he wishes the consideration to which such Shareholder is
entitled in the Tender Offer to be sent; or (iii) the Tender Form
received from him/her is in an envelope postmarked in, or which
otherwise appears to the Company or its agents to have been sent
from, a Restricted Territory. The Company reserves the right, in
its absolute discretion, to investigate, in relation to any
acceptance, whether the representations and warranties referred to
in paragraph 7.1.8 (if relevant) and 7.1.9 above or in paragraph
8.1.6 (if relevant) and 8.1.7 above given by any Shareholder are
correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result
the Company determines (for any reason) that such representations
and warranties are not correct, such acceptance shall not be
valid.
11.5. If, in
connection with the Tender Offer, notwithstanding the restrictions
described above, any person (including, without limitation,
custodians, nominees and trustees), whether pursuant to a
contractual or legal obligation or otherwise, forwards this Tender
Offer Announcement, the Tender Form or any related offering
documents in or into a Restricted Territory or uses the mails of,
or any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation,
facsimile transmission, telex, internet and telephone) of
interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national
securities exchange in, a Restricted Territory in connection with
such forwarding, such person should (i) inform the recipient of
such fact; (ii) explain to the recipient that such action may
invalidate any purported acceptance by the recipient; and (iii)
draw the attention of the recipient to this paragraph.
11.6. Overseas
Shareholders (who are not Restricted Shareholders) should inform
themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory
requirements. If you are in any doubt about your position, you
should consult your professional adviser in the relevant
territory.
12. Modifications
12.1. These terms
and conditions shall have effect subject to such non-material
modifications or additions as the Company may from time to time
approve in writing. The times and dates referred to in this Tender
Offer Announcement may be amended by the Company and notified to
Shareholders via an announcement through a Regulatory Information
Service. Details of any such changes will also appear on the
Company's website at
https://www.gulfinvestmentfundplc.com/investor-relations/other-documents/.
12.2. The Company
may, in its discretion, require some or all of a Shareholder's
Tendered Shares to instead be transferred to a third party
purchaser and each Shareholder shall comply in a timely fashion
with any such requirements of the Company, provided always that
each such Shareholder shall not receive less consideration for the
transfer of the Tendered Shares than it would have received from
the Company pursuant to the Tender Offer. Each Shareholder shall be
deemed to have given the same representations and warranties
(mutatis mutandis) referred to in these terms and conditions in
respect of the Tendered Shares to be transferred to a third
party.