SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For: January 31, 2014
BONSO ELECTRONICS
INTERNATIONAL
INC.
(Translation of Registrant’s name into
English)
Room 1404, 14F
Cheuk Nang Centre
9 Hillwood Road, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong
(Address of principal executive
offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
|
|
Form 20-F ___
X
__
|
Form 40-F ______
|
|
|
[Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant
by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule
12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.]
BONSO ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2013
TO BE HELD MARCH 7, 2014 AT 11:00 AM
(SHENZHEN TIME)
Notice is hereby given that an annual meeting
of the shareholders (the “Shareholders”) of Bonso Electronics International Inc., a British Virgin Islands corporation
(the “Corporation” or “Bonso”), will be held at 11:00 a.m., local time, on March 7, 2014, at the offices
of the Corporation’s China Subsidiary, at 10th Floor, Commercial Building, 2 Zheng Feng Bei Road, Fu Yong, Shenzhen, Guangdong,
China, and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting” or “Annual Meeting”) for the following
purposes:
1.
|
|
To elect the following six (6) persons to serve as directors of the Corporation until
the next annual meeting of shareholders and thereafter until their successors shall have been elected and qualified: Anthony So,
Andrew So, Albert So, Kim Wah Chung, Woo Ping Fok and Henry F. Schlueter;
|
2.
|
|
To ratify the selection of Moore Stephens as the independent public accountants of
the Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014; and
|
3.
|
|
To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.
|
Only Shareholders
of record at the close of business on January 31, 2014, shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. All Shareholders
are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person. Regardless of your plan to attend/not attend the Meeting, please vote either
by phone or over the Internet or complete the enclosed proxy card and sign, date and return it promptly in the enclosed postage
paid envelope. Sending in your proxy will not prevent you from voting in person at the Meeting.
We have elected to
furnish proxy materials to our shareholders on the Internet. We believe this approach will allow us to provide our shareholders
with the appropriate information while lowering costs to the Corporation. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials (the “Internet Notice”) to our stockholders of record and beneficial owners. All stockholders will
have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Internet Notice. Instructions on how to access the
proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found on the Internet Notice.
The Corporation’s
annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2013, including its complete audited financial statements, as filed with
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) is available without charge upon written request from
the Corporation at 1404, Cheuk Nang Centre, 9 Hillwood Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Corporation’s annual report
on Form 20-F and other documents filed or submitted to the SEC are also available from the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov
.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Anthony So, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Hong Kong
January 31, 2014
2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RELATING TO THE
ANNUAL MEETING
Why did I receive these materials?
Our
shareholders as of the close of business on January 31, 2014, which we refer to as the “Record Date,” are entitled
to vote at our Annual Meeting of shareholders, which will be held on March 7, 2014. As a shareholder, you are invited to attend
the annual meeting and are requested to vote on the items of business described in this proxy statement. This proxy statement provides
notice of the Meeting, describes the proposals presented for shareholder action and includes other information about the Corporation.
The accompanying proxy card enables shareholders to vote on the matters without having to attend the annual meeting in person.
The cost of soliciting
these Proxies, consisting of the printing, handling, and mailing of the Proxy and related material, and the actual expense incurred
by brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the shares
of common stock, will be paid by the Corporation.
In order to assure that
there is a quorum, it may be necessary for certain officers, directors, regular employees and other representatives of the Corporation
to solicit Proxies by telephone, facsimile or in person. These persons will receive no extra compensation for their services.
Who is entitled to vote at the
Meeting?
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and to participate in the
annual meeting. If you were a shareholder of record on the Record Date, you will be entitled to vote all of the shares that you
held on that date at the Meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the Meeting.
How many votes do I have?
You
will be entitled to one vote for each outstanding share of our common stock you own as of the Record Date. As of the Record Date,
there were 5,246,903
shares of our common stock outstanding and eligible to vote.
How many shares must be present or
represented to conduct business at the Meeting?
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of common stock is necessary to constitute
a quorum at the Meeting.
Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding
on the Record Date, the holders of our common stock representing at least 1,748,968, votes will be required to establish a quorum.
Proxies received but marked as abstentions, votes withheld and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number
of votes considered present at the Meeting. Abstentions and broker "non-votes" are counted as present or represented
for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. A broker "non-vote" occurs when a broker holding shares
for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal, but does not vote on another proposal because, in respect of such other proposal,
the broker does not have discretionary voting power and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.
3
How can I vote my shares in person
at the Meeting?
Shares
held in your name as the shareholder of record may be voted by you in person at the Meeting. Shares held by you beneficially in
“street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee may be voted by you in person at the Meeting only if you obtain
a legal proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares.
How can I vote my shares without attending
the Meeting?
Whether
you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or beneficially in “street name,” you may direct how your shares
are voted without attending the Meeting. If you are a shareholder of record (that is, if your shares are registered directly in
your name with our transfer agent), you must complete and properly sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it to us
and it will be voted as you direct. If you are a shareholder of record and attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy
card in person. If you hold shares beneficially in “street name,” you may vote by submitting voting instructions to
your broker, bank or other nominee.
Can I vote by telephone or electronically?
If
you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by telephone, or electronically through the Internet, by following the instructions
included with your proxy card. If your shares are held in “street name,” please check your proxy card or contact your
broker, bank or other nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote by telephone or electronically and the deadline for
such voting.
Can I change my vote after I return
my proxy card?
Yes.
If you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke or change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by delivering
to our Secretary at the address shown at the beginning of this proxy statement a notice of revocation, or by signing a proxy card
bearing a later date or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.
For
shares you hold beneficially in “street name,” you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your
broker, bank or other nominee or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee giving you the right
to vote your shares, by attending the Meeting and voting in person. In either case, the powers of the proxy holders will be suspended
if you attend the Meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the Meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted
proxy.
4
Who counts the votes?
Votes
will be counted and certified by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), our transfer agent; provided
that Computershare will not attend the Meeting and Henry F. Schlueter will serve as the Judge of Election and will certify the
final vote count at the Meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, your signed proxy card is returned directly to Computershare
for tabulation. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank
or other nominee will return one proxy card to Computershare on behalf of its clients.
What are the Board of Directors’
recommendations?
Unless
you give other instructions on your proxy card, the person named as proxy holder on the proxy card will vote in accordance with
the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors’ recommendation is set forth together with the description
of each item in this proxy statement. In summary, the Board of Directors recommends FOR the election of directors named; and FOR
the ratification of the selection of Moore Stephens as independent public accountants of the Corporation for the year ending March
31, 2014.
The Corporation’s
executive officers and directors have advised the Corporation that they intend to vote their shares 2,828,977 (including those
shares over which they hold voting power), representing approximately 53.9% as of January 23, 2014,
of the outstanding shares
of common stock, in favor of each of the proposals above.
Will shareholders be asked to vote
on any other matters?
To
the knowledge of the Corporation and its management, shareholders will vote only on the matters described in this proxy statement.
However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies for shareholders will vote on those
matters in the manner they consider appropriate.
What vote is required to approve
each item?
Election
of Directors.
The
affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting is required for the election of directors. A properly executed
proxy marked “withhold authority” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect
to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.
5
Ratification
of Moore Stephens and other items.
For
the proposal to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for our year ending March 31, 2014
(Proposal 2) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote on the item will be required for approval.
A
properly executed proxy marked “abstain” with respect to any matter will not be voted, although it will be counted
for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote.
How are votes counted?
In
the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all or some of the nominees or your vote may “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR” with respect to one or more of the nominees. You may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.
For
the Ratification of Moore Stephens and other items of business, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.”
If you elect to “ABSTAIN,” the abstention has the same effect as a vote “AGAINST.” If you provide specific
instructions with regard to certain items, your shares will be voted as you instruct on such items.
If
you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in your own name,
then your broker, bank or other nominee is considered the shareholder of record, and you are considered the beneficial owner of
your shares. We have supplied copies of our proxy statement to the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares of record,
and they have the responsibility to send it to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or
other nominee on how to vote your shares at the Meeting. The broker, bank or other nominee that is the shareholder of record for
your shares is obligated to provide you with a voting instruction card for you to use for this purpose. If you hold your shares
in a brokerage account but you fail to return your voting instruction card to your broker, your shares may constitute “broker
non-votes.”
Brokerage firms generally
have the authority to vote customers' un-voted shares on certain "routine" matters. With the sole exception of the ratification
of Moore Stephens
as independent auditors for the year ending March 31, 2014, no matters submitted for shareholder approval
herein are "routine" matters. When a brokerage firm votes its customers' un-voted shares, these shares are counted for
purposes of establishing a quorum. At our Annual Meeting these shares will be counted as voted by the brokerage firm
with respect to ratifying the Board of Directors' reappointment of Moore Stephens as Corporation’s auditors for the year
ending March 31, 2014.
6
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF SIX (6) PERSONS TO SERVE AS
DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION
The Corporation’s
directors are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and thereafter until their successors shall
have been elected and qualified. The number of directors presently authorized by the Articles of Association of the Corporation
shall be not less than one (1) nor more than seven (7).
Unless otherwise directed
by Shareholders, the proxy holders named in the accompanying Proxy will vote all shares represented by Proxies held by them for
the election of the following nominees, all of whom are now members and constitute the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
The Corporation is advised that all nominees have indicated their availability and willingness to serve if elected. In the event
that any nominee becomes unavailable or unable to serve as a director of the Corporation prior to the voting, the proxy holder
will vote for a substitute nominee in the exercise of his best judgment.
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES
Anthony So, 71, is the
founder of Bonso. He has been our Chairman of the Board of Directors since July 1988. He was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer
and the President on November 16, 2006. Mr. So received his BSE degree in civil engineering from National Taiwan University in
1967 and a master’s degree in business administration (“MBA”) from the Hong Kong campus of the University of
Hull, Hull, England in 1994. Mr. So has been Chairman of the Hong Kong GO Association since 1986, and also served as Chairman of
the Alumni Association of National Taiwan University for the 1993-1994 academic years. Mr. So has served as a trustee of the Chinese
University of Hong Kong, New Asia College since 1994.
Andrew So, 27, joined the
Corporation in August 2009. From 2008 to 2009, prior to his employment with the Corporation, Mr. So has worked as a Derivatives
Analyst at State Street Trust Company Canada in Toronto, Canada. Mr. So currently holds the position of Deputy Chairman, President
and Chief Operating Officer and looks after the Corporation’s daily operations. Mr. So graduated with distinctions
in 2008 from the University of Toronto, Canada with a Bachelors of Commerce degree (BComm).
Albert So, 35, was appointed
as the Chief Financial Offer of the Company in March 2009. Mr. Albert So was first employed as the Financial Controller of the
Company in January 2008 and as a management trainee of the Company in November 2004. Prior to his employment as a management
trainee of the Company, Mr. Albert So was a student. Mr. Albert So is a Certified Management Accountant, Financial Risk Manager,
and received a Masters degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and a Bachelors
degree in Mathematics from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
7
Kim Wah Chung, 55, has
been a director since September 1994. Mr. Chung has been employed by us since 1981 and currently holds the position of Director
of Engineering and Research and Development. Mr. Chung is responsible for all research projects and product development. Mr. Chung’s
entire engineering career has been spent with Bonso, and he has been involved in all of our major product developments. Mr. Chung
graduated with honors in 1981 from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a bachelor of science degree in electronics.
Woo-Ping Fok, 64, was elected
to our Board of Directors on September 21, 1994. Mr. Fok has practiced law in Hong Kong since 1991 and is a Consultant with Messrs.
C.K. Mok & Co. Mr. Fok’s major areas of practice include conveyancing or real property law, corporations and business
law, commercial transactions and international trade with a special emphasis in China trade matters. Mr. Fok was admitted
to the Canadian Bar as a Barrister & Solicitor in December 1987 and was a partner in the law firm of Woo & Fok, a Canadian
law firm with its head office in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In 1991, Mr. Fok was qualified to practice as a Solicitor of England
& Wales, a Solicitor of Hong Kong and a Barrister & Solicitor of Australian Capital Territory.
Henry F. Schlueter, 62,
has been a director since October 2001, and has been our Assistant Secretary since October 1988. Since 1992, Mr. Schlueter has
been the Managing Director of Schlueter & Associates, P.C., a law firm, practicing in the areas of securities, mergers and
acquisitions, finance and corporate law. Mr. Schlueter has served as our United States corporate and securities counsel since 1988.
From 1989 to 1991, prior to establishing Schlueter & Associates, P.C., Mr. Schlueter was a partner in the Denver, Colorado
office of Kutak Rock (formerly Kutak, Rock & Campbell), and from 1984 to 1989, he was a partner in the Denver office of Nelson
& Harding. Mr. Schlueter is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Colorado Society of CPA’s,
the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and the Wyoming State Bar.
Anthony So, the Corporation’s
Chairman of the Board of Directors is the father of Andrew So and Albert So. Andrew So is the Corporation’s Deputy Chairman
of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Operating Officer. Albert So is the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer
and a member of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
No arrangement or understanding
exists between any such director or officer and any other persons pursuant to which any director or executive officer was elected
as a director or executive officer. Our directors are elected annually and serve until their successors take office or until their
death, resignation or removal. The executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the six (6) nominees named above as directors of the Corporation.
8
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows
the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by our directors, and executive officers as of January 23, 2014:
Name
|
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Owned of Record
|
|
|
|
Options Held
|
|
|
|
Total Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
|
Percent of Beneficial Ownership
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony So
|
|
|
2,281,770 (1)
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,281,770
|
|
|
|
43.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew So
|
|
|
253,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
4.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Albert So
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kim Wah Chung
|
|
|
93,700
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
93,700
|
|
|
|
1.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Henry F. Schlueter
|
|
|
34,000
|
|
|
|
30,000 (2)
|
|
|
|
64,000
|
|
|
|
1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woo-Ping Fok
|
|
|
66,507
|
|
|
|
30,000 (2)
|
|
|
|
96,507
|
|
|
|
1.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Directors and Officers as a group (6 persons)
|
|
|
2,828,977
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
2,888,977
|
|
|
|
54.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes 1,143,421 shares of common stock owned of record by a corporation
that is wholly owned by a trust of
which Mr. So is the sole beneficiary.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.12 expiring
on March 25, 2014, options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.20 per share expiring on September
12, 2014 and options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share expiring on December 4,
2015.
|
There are no arrangements
known to the Corporation the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Corporation.
NASDAQ
Exemptions and Home Country Practices
NASDAQ Marketplace Rule
4350 provides that foreign private issuers may elect to follow certain home country corporate governance practices so long as they
provide NASDAQ with a letter from outside counsel in its home country certifying that the issuer’s corporate governance practices
are not prohibited by home country law.
9
On July 19, 2005, we submitted
a letter to NASDAQ certifying that certain of Bonso’s corporate governance practices are not prohibited by the relevant laws
of the British Virgin Islands. We will follow British Virgin Island law in respect to the following requirements:
|
§
|
A majority of Bonso’s board of directors
will not be independent;
|
|
§
|
Bonso will not have a nominating committee;
|
|
§
|
Bonso will not have a compensation committee;
|
|
§
|
Bonso’s independent directors will
not meet in executive session; and
|
|
§
|
Bonso’s audit committee may have
only one member.
|
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors
maintains an Audit Committee. Mr. Woo Ping Fok and Mr. Henry F. Schlueter are the members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Fok is “independent”
as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards and Mr. Schlueter may not be considered “independent” since his law firm
serves as Bonso’s United States counsel.
The Audit Committee was
established to: (i) review and approve the scope of audit procedures employed by our independent auditors; (ii) review and approve
the audit reports rendered by our independent auditors; (iii) approve the audit fee charged by the independent auditors; (iv) report
to the Board of Directors with respect to such matters; (v) recommend the selection of independent auditors; and (vi) discharge
such other responsibilities as may be delegated to it from time to time by the Board of Directors and to discharge such other responsibilities
as may be delegated to it from time to time by the Board of Directors. Effective as of August 17, 2000, the Board of Directors
adopted a formal charter for its Audit Committee, which was amended effective June 30, 2005.
10
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The aggregate amount
of compensation paid by us and our subsidiaries during the year ended March 31, 2013 to all directors, former directors, and officers
as a group for services in all capacities was $1,339,000. Total compensation for the benefit of Anthony So was $857,000, for the
benefit of Kim Wah Chung was $160,000, for the benefit of Andrew So was $124,000, for the benefit of Albert So was $124,000 and
for the benefit of Henry F. Schlueter was an aggregate of $74,000. The $74,000 listed as having been paid for the benefit of Mr.
Schlueter was paid to his law firm, Schlueter & Associates, P.C. for legal services rendered.
We
did not set aside or accrue any amounts to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors and officers for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2013, other than contributions to our Provident Fund Plan, which aggregated
$16,000 for officers and
directors.
Employment Agreements
We have employment
agreements with Anthony So and Kim Wah Chung. Mr. So’s employment agreement provides for a maximum yearly salary of approximately
$800,000 per year plus bonus, and Mr. Chung’s employment agreement provides for a maximum yearly salary of approximately
$200,000 per year plus bonus, as stated in their respective employment agreements, which expire on March 31, 2014. One of the properties
of the Group in Hong Kong is also provided to Mr. So as part of his compensation. Mr. So’s employment agreement contains
a provision under which we will be obligated to pay Mr. So all compensation for the remainder of his employment agreement and five
times his annual salary and bonus compensation if a change of control, as defined in his employment agreement occurs. Both employment
agreements with Anthony So and Kim Wah Chung were renewed automatically, and the respective employment agreements will expire on
March 31, 2014.
Options of Directors and Senior Management
The following table
provides information concerning options owned by the directors and senior management at March 31, 2013.
11
Name
|
Number of Common Shares Subject to
Stock Options
|
Exercise Price
Per Share
|
Expiration Date
|
Woo-Ping Fok
|
10,000
|
$6.12
|
March 25, 2014
|
|
10,000
|
$6.20
|
September 12, 2014
|
|
10,000
|
$4.50
|
December 4, 2015
|
Henry F. Schlueter
|
10,000
|
$6.12
|
March 25, 2014
|
|
10,000
|
$6.20
|
September 12, 2014
|
|
10,000
|
$4.50
|
December 4, 2015
|
Directors
Except as mentioned above,
our directors do not receive any additional monetary compensation for serving in their capacities. All directors are reimbursed
for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their services as a director.
Employee retirement benefits
With effect from January
1, 1988, BEL, a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary of the Company in Hong Kong, implemented a defined contribution plan (the “Plan”)
with a major international assurance company to provide life insurance and retirement benefits for its employees. All permanent
full time employees who joined BEL before December 2000, excluding factory workers, are eligible to join the provident fund plan.
Eligible employees of the Plan are required to contribute 5% of their monthly salary, while BEL is required to contribute from
5% to 10% based on the eligible employee’s salary, depending on the number of years of the eligible employee’s service.
The Mandatory Provident
Fund (the “MPF”) was introduced by the Hong Kong Government and commenced in December 2000. BEL joined the MPF by implementing
a plan with a major international assurance company. All permanent Hong Kong full time employees who joined BEL on or after December
2000, excluding factory workers, are eligible to join the MPF. Eligible employees’ and the employer’s contributions
to the MPF are both at 5% of the eligible employee’s monthly salary and are subject to a maximum mandatory contribution of
HK$1,000 (US$128) monthly. The maximum mandatory contribution was increased to HK$1,250 (US$160) monthly starting from June 1,
2012.
Pursuant to the relevant
PRC regulations, the Group is required to make contributions for each employee, at rates based upon the employee’s standard
salary base as determined by the local Social Security Bureau, to a defined contribution retirement scheme organized by the local
Social Security Bureau in respect of the retirement benefits for the Group’s employees in the PRC.
12
The contributions to each
of the above schemes are recognized as employee benefit expense when they are due and are charged to the consolidated statement
of income (loss). The Group’s total contributions to the above schemes for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013
amounted to approximately $318,000, $239,000 and $225,000, respectively. The Group has no other obligation to make payments in
respect of retirement benefits of the employees.
Compensation Pursuant to Options to Purchase Common Stock
Stock Option and Bonus Plans
The 1996 Stock Option
Plan
In October 1996, our stockholders
adopted the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “Employees’ Plan”), which provides for the grant of options to purchase
an aggregate of not more than 400,000 shares of our common stock. In January 2000, our shareholders approved the proposal of the
Board of Directors to increase from 400,000 to 900,000 in the aggregate the number of options to purchase common stock under the
Employees’ Plan. The purpose of the Employees’ Plan is to make options available to management and employees in order
to encourage them to secure or increase on reasonable terms their stock ownership and to encourage them to remain with the Corporation.
The Employees’ Plan
is administered by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors which determines the persons to be granted options under the
Employees’ Plan, the number of shares subject to each option, the exercise price of each option and the option period, subject
to the requirement that no option may be exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant. The exercise price of an option
may be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock. No options granted under the Employee Plan are
transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each option will be exercisable during
the lifetime of the optionee, only by such optionee.
The exercise price of an
option granted pursuant to the Employees’ Plan may be paid in cash, by the surrender of options, in common stock, in other
property, including the optionee’s promissory note, or by a combination of the above, at our discretion.
During the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2013, no options were granted under the Employees Plan.
The 2004 Stock Option
Plan
On March 23, 2004, our
stockholders adopted the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Plan”) which provides for the grant of up to six hundred
thousand (600,000) shares of the Corporation’s common stock in the form of stock options, subject to certain adjustments
as described in the 2004 Plan.
13
The purpose of the
2004 Plan is to secure key employees to remain in the employ of the Corporation and to encourage such employees to secure or increase
on reasonable terms their common stock ownership in the Corporation. The Corporation believes that the 2004 Plan promotes continuity
of management and increased incentive and personal interest in the welfare of the Corporation.
The 2004 Plan is administered
by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors which consists of at least two but not more than three members of the Board,
one of whom shall be a non-employee of the Corporation. The committee members currently are Anthony So and Woo-Ping Fok. The committee
determines the specific terms of the options granted, including the employees to be granted options under the plan, the number
of shares subject to each option grant, the exercise price of each option and the option period, subject to the requirement that
no option may be exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant. The exercise price of an option may be less than the fair
market value of the underlying shares of common stock. No options granted under the plan will be transferable by the optionee other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each option will be exercisable, during the lifetime of the optionee,
only by the optionee.
The exercise price of an
option granted pursuant to the 2004 Plan may be paid in cash, by the surrender of options, in common stock, in other property,
including a promissory note from the optionee, or by a combination of the above, at the discretion of the Committee.
As of March 31, 2013, no
options had been granted under the 2004 Plan.
2004 Stock Bonus Plan
On September 7, 2004, our
stockholders adopted the 2004 Stock Bonus Plan (the “Stock Bonus Plan”) which authorizes the issuance of up to five
hundred thousand (500,000) shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in the form of stock a stock bonus.
The purpose of this
Stock Bonus Plan is to: (i) induce key employees to remain in the employ of the Corporation, or of any subsidiary of the Corporation;
(ii) encourage such employees to secure or increase their stock ownership in the Corporation; and (iii) reward employees, non-employee
directors, advisors and consultants for services rendered or to be rendered to or for the benefit of the Corporation, or any of
its subsidiaries. The Corporation believes that Stock Bonus Plan will promote continuity of management and increased incentive
and personal interest in the welfare of the Corporation.
The Stock Bonus
Plan shall be administered by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors, which consists of at least two but not more than
three members of the Board, one of whom shall be a non-employee of the Corporation. The Committee members currently are Anthony
So and Woo-Ping Fok. The Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion: (i) to determine the parties to receive bonus stock,
the times when they shall receive such awards, the number of shares to be issued, and the time, terms and conditions of the issuance
of any such shares; (ii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Stock Bonus Plan; (iii) to establish, amend and rescind rules
and regulations for the administration of the Stock Bonus Plan; and (iv) to make all other determinations necessary or advisable
for administering the Stock Bonus Plan.
As of March 31, 2013, no shares had been
granted under the Stock Bonus Plan.
14
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Over the years, the Corporation
has provided to and received cash advances from its officers and directors. In October 1994, the Board of Directors adopted a policy
prohibiting the Corporation from making any loan or advance of money or property, or guaranteeing the obligation of any directors
of the Corporation, and limiting the Corporation’s ability to make such loans, advances or guarantees to officers of the
Corporation or its subsidiaries unless a majority of independent, disinterested outside directors determine that such loan, advance
or guarantee may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation. Further, all future material affiliated transactions, loans
and loan guarantees, if any, will be made on terms that are no less favorable to the Corporation than those that are generally
available from unaffiliated third parties. The Corporation has neither provided nor received any cash advances to its officers
or directors since this policy was adopted.
During the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2013, we paid Schlueter & Associates, P.C. an aggregate of $74,000 for legal fees. Mr. Henry F. Schlueter,
a director of the Corporation, is the Managing Director of Schlueter & Associates, P.C.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors
has selected Moore Stephens as the independent public accountants of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014,
and has further directed that the Corporation submit the selection of the independent public accountants for ratification by Shareholders
at the Annual Meeting.
Unless otherwise directed
by Shareholders, the proxy holder named in the accompanying Proxies will vote all shares represented by Proxies held by him to
ratify the selection of Moore Stephens as the independent public accountants of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending March
31, 2014.
Fees Paid to the Independent Auditors
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees
billed by Moore Stephens for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were $180,000 and $180,000, respectively.
15
Audit Related Fees
There were no fees
billed by Moore Stephens for professional services rendered for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to
the performance of the audit and are not reported above under “Audit Fees” for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013
and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed
by a company controlled by Moore Stephens for professional services rendered for tax compliance for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2013 were approximately $3,600 and $6,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Moore Stephens as the independent public accountants of the Corporation
for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.
GENERAL
Other Matters
The Board of Directors
does not know of any matters that are to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting
and referred to in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters should properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the
proxy holder named in the accompanying Proxy to vote the shares they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend. Discretionary
authority with respect to such other matters is expressly granted by the execution of the enclosed Proxy.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Anthony So, Chairman of the Board of Directors
16
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
BONSO ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: February 18, 2014
|
|
By:
/s/ Henry F. Schlueter
|
|
|
Henry F. Schlueter, Assistant Secretary
|
|
|
|
17
Bonso Electronics (NASDAQ:BNSO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2024 to Oct 2024
Bonso Electronics (NASDAQ:BNSO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2023 to Oct 2024