UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)*
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value HK $0.10 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
763991-02-3
(CUSIP Number)
SES
L-6815 Château de Betzdorf
Luxembourg
Attention: General Counsel
+352 710 725 525
Copy to:
David M. Wilf, Esq.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(212) 351-4000
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
February 13, 2007
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), Rule 13d-1(f) or Rule 13d-1(g), check the following box
NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
_________________
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 2 of 35 Pages |
1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS IRS IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) SES
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2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
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(a) |
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3 |
SEC USE ONLY
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4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions) BK, AF and WC
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5 |
CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e)
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6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Luxembourg
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NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER |
0 | |||||
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER |
268,905,000 | ||||||
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
0 | ||||||
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
268,905,000 | ||||||
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
268,905,000 |
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12 |
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
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13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
68.95% |
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14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions) CO
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CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 3 of 35 Pages |
1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS IRS IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) SES Global Holding AG
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2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
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(a) |
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3 |
SEC USE ONLY
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4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions) BK, AF and WC
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5 |
CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e)
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6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Switzerland
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NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER |
0 | |||||
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER |
268,905,000 | ||||||
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
0 | ||||||
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
268,905,000 | ||||||
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
268,905,000 |
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12 |
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
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13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
68.95% |
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14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions) CO
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CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 4 of 35 Pages |
Introduction
This Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D amends the Schedule 13D initially filed on January 26, 1999 (the Schedule 13D) by Société Européenne des Satellites S.A. (Société Européenne), relating to the common stock, par value HK$0.10 per share, of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (the Issuer). SES, a société anonyme (SES), is the successor entity to Société Européenne. SES Global Holding AG (SES Global Holding, and together with SES, the Reporting Persons) is a subsidiary of SES. Pursuant to Rule 13d-2(e) issued under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the entirety of the original paper filing of the Schedule 13D, excluding exhibits, is restated in Appendix A hereto.
Item 2. Identity and Background
Item 2 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
(a)-(c) This statement is being filed on behalf of SES and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SES Global Holding, through which SES has indirect beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of the Issuer. A copy of the Joint Filing Agreement among the Reporting Persons is attached hereto as Exhibit 7.
SES is a Luxembourg company with its principal business and principal office located at L-6815 Château de Betzdorf, Luxembourg, and is a provider of satellite transponder capacity for broadcasting services.
SES Global Holding is a Switzerland company with its principal business and principal office located at Innere Güterstrasse 4, Postfach 4029 6304, Zug, Switzerland, which acts as a holding company for SES.
See attached Appendix B, which is incorporated herein by reference, for the names, business addresses and present principal occupations or employment (and names, principal businesses and addresses of organizations of such employment) of the executive officers and directors of SES.
See attached Appendix C, which is incorporated herein by reference, for the names, business addresses and present principal occupations or employment (and names, principal businesses and addresses of organizations of such employment) of the executive officers and directors of SES Global Holding.
(d) None of SES or SES Global Holding or any of their respective officers or directors listed on Appendices B and C has been, during the last five years, convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors).
(e) None of SES or SES Global Holding or any of their respective officers or directors listed on Appendices B and C has been, during the last five years, a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) See Appendices B and C for the citizenship of the executive officers and directors of SES and SES Global Holding, respectively.
Item 4. Purposes of Transaction
Item 4 is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following paragraphs:
On February 13, 2007, SES entered into a Share Redemption Agreement (the SRA) with GE CFE Luxembourg S. à r.l. (GECFE), GE Capital Equity Holdings Inc. (GECE) and General Electric Capital Corporation (GE Capital and, together with GECFE and GECE, the GE Entities), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Company (GEC and, together with GE Capital and their affiliates, GE).
The SRA provides for a transaction (the Transaction) in which SES will contribute certain assets (the Transferred Assets) and cash to a newly formed subsidiary, SES International Holdings, Inc. (SIH), and, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the SRA, SES will redeem (the Redemption) the GE Entities holding of 103,149,900 shares in SES (the SES Shares) for consideration in kind consisting of all the outstanding shares of SIH. The transaction values the SES Shares at EUR 12.00 per share, resulting in a total transaction value of EUR 1,238 million.
The Transferred Assets include, among other assets, SES indirect ownership of 133,107,975 Y Ordinary Shares (the Bowenvale Shares) of Bowenvale Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (Bowenvale). The Bowenvale Shares represent 50% of the total outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale and 49.5% of the total equity interest in Bowenvale. CITIC Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Able Star Associates Limited (Able Star and, together with CITIC Group, CITIC), owns the remaining 50% of the
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 5 of 35 Pages |
total outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale, as well as an additional 1%, non-voting equity interest in Bowenvale, and thus owns 50.5% of the total equity interest in Bowenvale. The sole asset of Bowenvale is 268,905,000 shares of common stock of the Issuer.
The Transaction is expected to close by the second quarter of 2007 following the satisfaction of all the closing conditions (which include, among others, receipt of approvals from SES shareholders, a tax ruling regarding the tax treatment of the Transaction for the GE Entities, and required regulatory approvals).
On February 13, 2007, SES, SES Global Holding AG, GE Capital, Bowenvale and CITIC entered into a letter agreement (the Letter Agreement) that contains the following terms, among others:
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CITIC consents to the transfer of the Bowenvale Shares by SES to SIH subject to the completion of the Transaction. |
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GE would accept the terms of the Shareholders Agreement relating to Bowenvale, dated December 10, 1998, as amended by the Deed of Adherence and Amendment No. 1 dated November 9, 2004 (the 1998 Shareholders Agreement), with the changes described in appendix 1 attached to the Letter Agreement, and GE Capital and SIH, and CITIC Group and Able Star, and GEC for certain purposes will enter into an amended and restated shareholders agreement reflecting these changes (the New Shareholders Agreement), the substantive provisions of which will take effect from the closing of the Transaction. |
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Since the Transaction would, in the determination of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commissions Takeovers Executive, trigger a mandatory general offer for the Issuer, CITIC and GE have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Letter Agreement, to a potential joint privatization of the Issuer to be implemented by way of a general offer or a scheme of arrangement of the Issuer, to be initiated at around the same time as the Transaction is announced. |
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For the CITIC Groups and Able Stars consent and release under the Letter Agreement, SES or any of its subsidiaries including SES Global Holding AG will pay HK$100,000,000 in cash to CITIC upon the closing of the Transaction. |
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The parties (the Parties) to the 1998 Shareholders Agreement agree that the 1998 Shareholders Agreement (other than Clause 19 (Confidentiality)) shall be terminated in its entirety and shall cease to have effect as from completion of the Transaction. Further, other than in respect of liabilities and claims (if any) under Clause 19 (Confidentiality) of the 1998 Shareholders Agreement, without prejudice to any of the provisions of the Letter Agreement, the Parties shall, subject to completion of the Transaction, be released from all (if any) liabilities and claims under or in connection with the 1998 Shareholders Agreement (including without limitation in respect of any antecedent breaches) and, subject to completion of the Transaction, no claim under the 1998 Shareholders Agreement shall be brought by any Party against any of the other Parties arising as from completion of the Transaction. |
This item is qualified in its entirety by reference to the SRA and the Letter Agreement, which are filed as Exhibits 5 and 6 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
Item 6 is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the paragraphs set forth under Item 4 above.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
Item 7 of Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated as follows:
1. Shareholders Agreement, dated December 10, 1998, by and among Société Européenne, China International Trust and Investment Corporation, Bowenvale Limited, Able Star Associates Limited, and SES Finance S.A., dated December 10, 1998.*
2. LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement, dated January 11, 1999, by and among the entities described in Annex C, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Société Européenne.*
3. LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility dated January 11, 1999 by and among the entities described in Annex D, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Société Européenne.*
4. Deed of Adherence and Amendment No. 1 to the Shareholders Agreement, by and among SES Astra S.A., CITIC Group, Bowenvale Limited, Able Star Associates Limited, SES Global Holding, AG, and SES Global S.A., dated November 9, 2004.
5. Share Redemption Agreement, dated February 13, 2007, by and among SES, GE CFE Luxembourg S. à r. l., GE Capital Equity Holdings Inc. and General Electric Capital Corporation.
6. Letter Agreement, dated February 13, 2007, by and among SES, General Electric Capital Corporation, SES Global Holding AG, CITIC Group, Able Star Associates Limited and Bowenvale Limited.
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 6 of 35 Pages |
7. Joint Filing Agreement among the Reporting Persons.
* Filed with the original paper filing of the Schedule 13D on January 26, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 7 of 35 Pages |
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the undersigneds knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated as of February 14, 2007.
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SES |
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By: |
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Name: |
Romain Bausch |
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Title: |
President and CEO |
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By: |
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Name: |
Mark Rigolle |
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
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SES GLOBAL HOLDING AG |
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By: |
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Name: |
Romain Bausch |
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Title: |
Director |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 8 of 35 Pages |
Appendix A
The Schedule 13D initially filed by Société Européenne on January 26, 1999 is restated as follows: |
Item 1. Security and Issuer
This statement relates to common stock, par value HK$0.10 per share, of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (the Issuer). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at Cedar House, 41 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton 11M12, Bermuda.
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a)-(c) This statement is being filed by Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. (Societe Europeenne), which, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SES Finance S.A. (collectively referred to as SES), acquired beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of the Issuer as described in Item 3 below.
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. is a Luxembourg company with its principal business and principal office located at L-6815 Château de Betzdorf, Luxembourg, and is a provider of satellite transponder capacity for broadcasting services. SES Finance S.A. is a Luxembourg company with its principal business and principal office located at L-6815 Château de Betzdorf, Luxembourg.
See attached Annex A, which is incorporated herein by reference, for the names, business addresses, and present principal occupations or employment (and names, principal businesses and addresses of organizations of such employment) of the executive officers and directors of Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A.
See attached Annex B, which is incorporated herein by reference, for the names, business addresses, and present principal occupations or employment (and names, principal businesses and addresses of organizations of such employment) of the executive officers and directors of SES Finance S.A.
(d) None of SES or any of its executive officers or directors listed on Annex A or Annex B has been, during the last five years, convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors).
(e) None of SES or any of its executive officers or directors listed on Annex A or Annex B has been, during the last five years, a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
See attached Annexes A and B for the citizenship of the executive officers and directors of Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. and SES Finance S.A., respectively.
Item 3. Source and Amounts of Funds or Other Consideration
SES acquired beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock of the Issuer through the acquisition of 133,107,975 of the outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (Bowenvale). The sole asset of Bowenvale is 268,905,000 shares of common stock of the Issuer (constituting 68.95% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Issuer). The funds for the transaction pursuant to which SES acquired such shares of Bowenvale were provided from a combination of working capital and funding pursuant to the facility agreements described in Item 6. The consideration used in making the purchase of 133,107,975 of the outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale is US$331,050,196.50 (the Purchase Price). Funds for the Purchase Price include 4,000,000,000 Luxembourg Francs borrowed under the LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement, referred to in Item 6 below, and 6,000,000,000 Luxembourg Francs borrowed under the LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility, also referred to in Item 6 below.
This item is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Shareholders Agreement, the LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement and the LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility, which are filed hereto as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Purposes of Transaction
SES owns 133,107,975 voting shares in Bowenvale (representing 49.5% of the total outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale). China International Trust and Investment Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Able Star Associates
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 9 of 35 Pages |
Limited (Able Star) (China International Trust and Investment Corporation and Able Star are collectively referred to as CITIC), owns the remaining 50% of the total outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale. The sole asset of Bowenvale is 268,905,000 shares of common stock of the Issuer (representing 68.95% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Issuer).
SES has acquired beneficial ownership of the securities of the Issuer referred to in Item 3 above for the purpose of investment. In addition, SES, as a leading company in the field of the provision of satellite services, believes that its involvement with the Issuer and CITIC can create a strategic relationship which may be beneficial to SES, the Issuer and their respective shareholders and customers. SES expects to work with the management of the Issuer to enhance the Issuers marketing, service offerings and operating efficiency. There can be no assurance as to the amount or nature of SESs involvement with the Issuer or as to the effect of SESs involvement on the Issuer, its products and services, and the value of its shares. SES, to the extent it is involved with the business of the Issuer, may cease such involvement at any time.
Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement referred to in Item 6 below, the rights of each of SES and CITIC to acquire or dispose of Bowenvale shares, and to require Bowenvale to acquire shares of the Issuer or dispose of its attributable shares of the Issuer, are subject to certain consent rights held by the other. SES intends to continue to review its investment in the Issuer on an ongoing basis and based upon the results of such review, market and general economic conditions, regulatory approvals, other regulatory conditions, or other factors SES deems relevant, may seek to modify its investment in the Issuer through any available means including, without limitation, increases or decreases in its investment through open market purchases or sales or privately negotiated transactions or actions of the type enumerated in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. Except as set forth herein, and subject to the foregoing, SES has no current plans or proposals that would result in any of the actions specified in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.
This item is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Shareholders Agreement, the LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement and the LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility, which are filed hereto as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5. Interest in the Securities of the Issuer
(a)-(b) Pursuant to the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement described in Item 5(c) below and related transactions, SES and CITIC each owns 50% of the outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale. In addition, CITIC owns a number of special shares of Bowenvale, which do not carry voting rights, but which have substantially the same rights as the Bowenvale voting shares in dividends and other distributions from Bowenvale. CITICs voting shares represent a 49.5% economic interest in Bowenvale and its special shares represent a 1% economic interest in Bowenvale, for a total of 50.5% economic interest. SESs voting shares represent a 49.5% economic interest in Bowenvale. The sole asset of Bowenvale is 268,905,000 shares of common stock of the Issuer (constituting 68.95% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the Issuer). SES hereby disclaims beneficial ownership of 135,797,025 of the shares of the Issuer held by Bowenvale, which are attributable to CITICs interest in Bowenvale.
(c) SES acquired beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of the Issuer through the acquisition of 133,107,975 of the outstanding voting shares of Bowenvale. SES and CITIC completed the purchase of the entire shareholdings of Cable and Wireless plc (C&W) and Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HW) in Bowenvale on January 15, 1999 (the Share Purchase), pursuant to a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement dated December 10, 1998 by and among Able Star, C&W, HW, Bowenvale, and SES (the Agreement). In accordance with the Share Purchase, (i) SES acquired 95,071,670 shares of Bowenvale from C&W and 38,036,305 shares of Bowenvale from HW, at a price of 111($19.25 per Bowenvale share, and (ii) CITIC acquired 16,968,330 shares of Bowenvale from C&W and 6,788,695 shares of Bowenvale from 11W, at a price of HK$13.20.
(d) Not applicable. |
(e) Not applicable. |
This item is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Shareholders Agreement, the LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement and the LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility, which are filed hereto as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Contracts. Arrangements. Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer
Concurrently with the signing of the Agreement referred to in Item 5 above, a shareholders agreement relating to Bowenvale was entered into among SES, CITIC and Bowenvale dated December 10, 1998 (the Shareholders Agreement). Key provisions of the Shareholders Agreement are summarized below.
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 10 of 35 Pages |
The Shareholders Agreement provides that the board of Bowenvale will comprise eight directors, and that SES and CITIC shall each be entitled to appoint four directors to the board of Bowenvale. The right to nominate a chairman and a deputy chairman will rotate on a bi-annual basis between SES and CITIC, with each nominee to hold office for two years. The quorum for board meetings of Bowenvale will be two directors, one appointed by SES and one appointed by CITIC. Decisions of the board will be by unanimous vote of those directors present. The chairman or deputy chairman will not have an additional vote at board meetings.
The Shareholders Agreement provides that SES, CITIC and Bowenvale shall cause the directors of Bowenvale from time to time to be appointed to the board of the Issuer, and the chairman and the deputy chairman of Bowenvale from time to time to be appointed as the chairman and the deputy chairman of the Issuer.
The Shareholders Agreement provides that, on each occasion that Bowenvale needs to exercise the voting rights in respect of its shares in the Issuer, Bowenvale is required to seek separate instructions from SES and CITIC. If the voting instructions expressed by SES and CITIC are the same, Bowenvale will exercise its voting rights with respect to its shares in the Issuer in accordance with such common instructions. If their instructions are different, Bowenvale will vote, according to each shareholders instruction, the portion of Bowenvales shares of the Issuer corresponding to such shareholders voting interest in Bowenvale. In such a case, the consequence would be that the outcome of the relevant vote will depend upon the votes cast by the shareholders in the Issuer other than Bowenvale.
However, the Shareholders Agreement provides that the consent of both SES and CITIC and the agreement of each of SES and CITIC to vote, and to cause Bowenvale to vote its shares of the Issuer accordingly, shall be required in order for any of the following to occur:
(a) |
the withdrawal of listing of the Issuers shares from the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited or The New York Stock Exchange; |
(b) |
the alteration of the share capital of Bowenvale or the Issuer (save for the exercise of employee share opinions, the issue of bonus shares and scrip dividends); |
(c) |
any dilution of SESs or CITICs attributable shareholdings in the Issuer (save for the exercise of employee share options, the issue of bonus shares and scrip dividends); and |
(d) |
the amendment to the memorandum and articles of Bowenvale or of the Issuer. |
The LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement dated January 11, 1999, was underwritten by the entities described in Annex C, which is incorporated herein by reference, in the amount of 4,000,000,000 Luxembourg Francs to Societe Europeenne (the Senior Facility). Societe Europeenne intends to pledge its shares in Bowenvale as security for the Senior Facility. Approval of CITIC is required for this action, and this has not been sought at this time. In accordance with the Senior Facility, the pledge must be effected within three months of the date of the first drawdown
Other than as described above, the Senior Facility provides no restrictions as to the voting or the disposition of Societe Europeennes ownership interest in the shares of the Issuer.
The LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility dated January 11, 1999, is subscribed by a group of shareholder banks and other shareholders of Societe Europeenne described in Annex D, which is incorporated herein by reference, and made in the amount of 6,000,000,000 Luxembourg Francs to Societe Europeenne (the Subordinated Loan). The Subordinated Loan provides no restrictions as to the voting or the disposition of Societe Europeennes ownership interest in the shares of the Issuer.
This item is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Shareholders Agreement, the LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement and the LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility, which are filed hereto as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Materials to be Filed as Exhibits
1. |
Shareholders Agreement, dated December 10, 1998, among SES, CITIC and Bowenvale. |
2. |
LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement dated January 11, 1999 by and among the entities described in Annex C, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Societe Europeenne. |
3. |
LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility dated January 11, 1999 by and among the entities described in Annex D, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Societe Europeenne. |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 11 of 35 Pages |
Annex A
(a) |
Names of executive officers and directors of Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A.; Business addresses of executive officers and directors of Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., |
(b) |
Present principal occupations and names, principal businesses and addresses of organizations of employment of executive officers and directors of Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A.; and |
(c) |
Citizenship of executive officers and directors of Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., as follows: |
(f) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. is a company engaged in the field of provision of satellite services, and is located at L-6815 Château de Betzdorf (SES), Grand Duchy of Luxembourg |
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. |
(a) |
Rene Steichen, Chairman of the Board |
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(b) |
Arendt & Medernach, 8 - 10 rue Mathias Hardt, L - 2010 Luxembourg |
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(c) |
Partner of Arendt & Medernach, a law firm, at 8 - 10 rue Mathias Hardt, L - 2010 Luxembourg (f) Luxembourg |
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(a) |
Roland de Kergorlay, Vice-Chairman of the Board |
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(b) |
App. 930, Chalet du Palace, CH - 3780 Gstaad |
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(c) |
Vice-Chairman of the Board of SES French |
3. |
(a) |
Dr. Joachim KrOske, Vice-Chairman of the Board |
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(b) |
Deutsche Telekom AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 140, D - 53113 Bonn |
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(c) |
Member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Telekom AG, a telecommunications company, at Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 140, D -53113 Bonn |
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(d) |
German |
4. |
(a) |
Georges Schmit, Vice-Chairman of the Board |
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(b) |
Ministere de lEconomie, L - 2914 Luxembourg |
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(c) |
Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, Luxembourg |
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(f) |
Luxembourg |
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(a) |
George Bollig |
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(b) |
Societe Nationale de Credit et dInvestissement, 7, rue du St. Esprit, L - 1012 Luxembourg |
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(c) |
Executive Director of Societe Nationale de Credit et dInvestissement, a public law banking institution, at Luxembourg |
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(f) |
Luxembourg |
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(a) |
Paul-Henri Denuit |
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(b) |
Coditel S.A., 26, rue des Deux Eglises, B - 1040 Bruxelles |
|
(c) |
Managing Director of Coditel S.A., a cable television provider, at 26, rue des Deux Eglises, B - 1040 Bruxelles |
|
(f) |
Beige |
7. |
(a) |
Henri Germeaux |
|
(b) |
Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat, 1, place de Metz, L 2954 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat, a bank, at Luxembourg |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
|
(a) |
Richard Goblet dAlviella |
|
(b) |
Sofina S.A., 38 rue de Naples, B - 1050 Bruxelles |
|
(c) |
Administrateur delegué of Sofina S.A., a holding company, at 38 rue de Naples, B -1050 Bruxelles |
|
(f) |
Beige |
|
(a) |
Marco Goeler |
|
(b) |
Societe Nationale de Credit et dinvestissement, 7 rue du Saint Esprit, L - 1012 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
Inspector at Societe Nationale de Credit et dInvestissement, a public law banking institution, at Luxembourg |
|
|
Luxembourg |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 12 of 35 Pages |
10. |
(a) |
Joseph Gonner |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L - 6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Chief Engineer of SES |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
11. |
(a) |
James Hallet |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L - 6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Senior satellite controllor of SES |
|
(f) |
British |
12. |
(a) |
Candace Johnson |
|
(b) |
Europe Online S.A., 11, Rue Pierre Werner, L - 6832 Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Europe Online S.A., operating, marketing and commercialising the European Portal to the Internet, at 11, Rue Pierre Werner, L -6832 Betzdorf, Luxembourg |
|
(f) |
American |
13. |
(a) |
Raymond Kirsch |
|
(b) |
Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat, 1 place de Metz, L - 2954 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
President and Chief Executive of Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat, a bank, at Luxembourg Luxembourg |
14. |
(a) |
Martina Maas |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L - 6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Senior Accountant of SES |
|
(f) |
German |
15. |
(a) |
Paul Meyers |
|
(b) |
Banque Generale du Luxembourg S.A., 14, rue Aldringen, L - 1118 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
Managing Director at Banque Generale du Luxembourg S.A., a bank, at Luxembourg |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
16. |
(a) |
Erik Quistgaard |
|
(b) |
30, rue du Bois dOpio, F - 6650 Le Rouret |
|
(c) |
Retired. |
|
(f) |
Danish |
17. |
(a) |
Gaston Reinesch |
|
(b) |
Ministere des Finances, L - 2931 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
General Administrator of the Ministry of Finance, Luxembourg |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
18. |
(a) |
Victor Rod |
|
(b) |
Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat, 1 place de Metz, L - 2954 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
President of Commissariat aux Assurances, a public institution |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
19. |
(a) |
Philippe Sahut d Izarn |
|
(b) |
4, rue des Belles Feuilles, F - 75116 Pans |
|
(c) |
Associe gerant of PSI-Conseil |
|
(f) |
French |
20. |
(a) |
Gaston Schwertzer |
|
(b) |
4 - 6, rue du Fort Bourbon, L - 1249 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
Administrateur &live of Luxempart S.A. and Audiolux S.A., holding companies, at 4 - 6, rue du Fort Bourbon, L - 1249 Luxembourg |
|
|
Luxembourg |
21. |
(a) |
Dr. Ekkehard Storck |
|
(b) |
Luxburgweg 4, D - 83686 Tegernsee |
|
(c) |
Retired. |
|
(f) |
German |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 13 of 35 Pages |
22. |
(a) |
F. Otto Wendt |
|
(b) |
Dresdner Bank Luxembourg S.A., 26, rue du Marche-aux-Herbes, L 1728 Luxembourg |
|
(c) |
Managing Director of Dresdner Bank Luxembourg S.A., a bank, at Luxembourg |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 14 of 35 Pages |
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1. |
(a) |
Romain Bausch |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Director General of SES |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
2. |
(a) |
Yves Eisen |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Commercial and Marketing Director of SES |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
3. |
(a) |
Aldis Grinbergs |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(d) |
Technical Director of SES |
|
(f) |
Canadian |
|
(a) |
Dean Allen Olmstead |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Director of Business Development of SES |
|
(f) |
American |
5. |
(a) |
Jurgen Schulte |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Director of Finance of SES |
|
(f) |
German |
OTHER EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES
|
(a) |
Roland Jaeger |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Secretary General of SES |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
|
(a) |
Ken Saunders |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Treasurer of SES |
|
(f) |
British |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 15 of 35 Pages |
Annex B
|
(a) |
Names of executive officers and directors of SES Finance S.A.; |
|
(b) |
Business addresses of executive officers and directors of SES Finance S.A.; |
|
(c) |
Principal occupations and names, principal businesses and addresses of organizations of employment of executive officers and directors of SES Finance S.A.; and |
|
(f) |
Citizenship of executive officers and directors of SES Finance S.A., as follows: |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. is a company engaged in the field of provision of satellite services, and is located at L-6815 Château de Betzdorf (SES), Grand Duchy of Luxembourg |
1. |
(a) |
Romain Bausch |
|
(h) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Director General of SES |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
2. |
(a) |
Roland Jaeger |
|
(b) |
Societe. Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Secretary General of SES |
|
(f) |
Luxembourg |
3. |
(a) |
Dean Allen Olmstead |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Director of Business Development of SES |
|
(f) |
American |
4. |
(a) |
Jurgen Schulte |
|
(b) |
Societe Europeenne des Satellites S. A., L-6815 Château de Betzdorf |
|
(c) |
Director of Finance of SES |
|
(f) |
German |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 16 of 35 Pages |
Annex C
Banque et Caisse dEpargne de
lEtat, Luxembourg
Banque Generale du Luxembourg S.A.
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. Dresdner
Bank Luxembourg S.A. HSBC Investment Bank
PLC
Societe Nationale de Credit et dInvestissement
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 17 of 35 Pages |
Annex D
Banque et Caisse dEpargne de 1Etat, Luxembourg Societe
Nationale de Credit et dInvestissement Deutsche Telekom AG
TRACTEBEL S.A.
Banque Generale du Luxembourg S.A. Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A. AUDIOLUX S.A.
LUXEMPART S.A.
Dresdner Bank Luxembourg S.A.
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 18 of 35 Pages |
Appendix B
SES
Directors and Executive Officers
Name |
|
Present Business Address |
|
Present Principal Occupation |
|
Citizenship |
Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
René Steichen |
|
Château de
Betzdorf, |
|
Chairman, SES |
|
Luxembourg |
John Connelly |
|
Room 3C-54 |
|
Vice-Chairman, SES |
|
United States |
François Tesch |
|
12, rue Leon Laval L 3372 Leudelange |
|
Vice-Chairman, SES
Directeur
Général, |
|
Luxembourg |
Jean-Paul Zens |
|
5, rue Large |
|
Vice Chairman, SES Premier Conseiller de Gouvernement |
|
Luxembourg |
Charles Alexander |
|
30 Berkeley Square |
|
President, GE Capital Europe |
|
United Kingdom |
Marcus Bicknell |
|
Homefarm Orchard |
|
Director, New Media Foundry Ltd |
|
United Kingdom |
Hadelin de Liedekerke Beaufort |
|
20, avenue de Florimont |
|
Administrateur de Sociétés |
|
France |
Jacques Espinasse |
|
42, avenue de Friedland |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Vivendi Universal |
|
France |
Jean-Claude Finck |
|
1, place de Metz |
|
Directeur Général, Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat |
|
Luxembourg |
Gaston Reinesch |
|
L - 2931 |
|
Administrateur Général, Ministère des Finances |
|
Luxembourg |
Victor Rod |
|
1, place de Metz |
|
Président du Conseil dAdministration, Banque et Caisse dEpargne de lEtat |
|
Luxembourg |
Luis Sanchez-Merlo |
|
Antonio Maura, 9 |
|
Chairman, Lantana Capital SA |
|
Spain |
Christian Schaack |
|
50, avenue J.F. Kennedy |
|
Managing Director, FORTIS BANK |
|
Luxembourg |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 19 of 35 Pages |
Georges Schmit |
|
L-2914 |
|
Premier Conseiller de
Gouvernement, |
|
Luxembourg |
Terry Seddon |
|
Norton Disney Lodge |
|
N/A |
|
United Kingdom |
Marc Speeckaert |
|
11, rue des Colonies |
|
General Manager, Sofina |
|
Belgium |
Gerd Tenzer |
|
Lindenweg 8 |
|
SES Telecommunications Consultant, SES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Romain Bausch |
|
Château de Betzdorf |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, SES |
|
Luxembourg |
Robert Bednarek |
|
Rooseveltplantsoen 4 NL 2517 KR The Hague |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, SES New Skies Satellites |
|
United States |
Edward D. Horowitz |
|
Four Research Way |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, SES AMERICOM |
|
United States |
Ferdinand Kayser |
|
Château de Betzdorf |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, SES ASTRA |
|
Luxembourg |
Mark Rigolle |
|
Château de Betzdorf |
|
Chief Financial Officer, SES Global |
|
Belgium/United Kingdom |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 20 of 35 Pages |
Appendix C
Directors of SES Global Holding AG
Name |
|
Present Business Address |
|
Present Principal Occupation |
|
Citizenship |
Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Romain Bausch |
|
Château de Betzdorf |
|
President & CEO, |
|
Luxembourg |
Markus Iten |
|
Dipl.
Wirtschaftsprüfer |
|
Auditor, |
|
Switzerland |
Martin Weber |
|
Schellenberg Wittmer |
|
Lawyer, |
|
Switzerland |
CUSIP No. 763991-02-3 |
Schedule 13D |
Page 21 of 35 Pages |
Exhibit Index
1. Shareholders Agreement, dated December 10, 1998, by and among Société Européenne, China International Trust and Investment Corporation, Bowenvale Limited, Able Star Associates Limited, and SES Finance S.A., dated December 10, 1998.*
2. LUF 4,000,000,000 Term Loan Facility Agreement, dated January 11, 1999, by and among the entities described in Annex C, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Société Européenne.*
3. LUF 6,000,000,000 Subordinated Term Loan Facility dated January 11, 1999 by and among the entities described in Annex D, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Société Européenne.*
4. Deed of Adherence and Amendment No. 1 to the Shareholders Agreement, by and among SES Astra S.A., CITIC Group, Bowenvale Limited, Able Star Associates Limited, SES Global Holding, AG, and SES Global S.A., dated November 9, 2004.
5. Share Redemption Agreement, dated February 13, 2007, by and among SES, GE CFE Luxembourg S. à r. l., GE Capital Equity Holdings Inc. and General Electric Capital Corporation.
6. Letter Agreement, dated February 13, 2007, by and among SES, General Electric Capital Corporation, SES Global Holding AG, CITIC Group, Able Star Associates Limited and Bowenvale Limited.
7. Joint Filing Agreement among the Reporting Persons. |