UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.___)
Filed by the Registrant: | ý |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant: | ¨ |
Check the appropriate box: | |
¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
ý | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12 |
NetSol Technologies, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
__________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): | |||||
ý | No fee required. | ||||
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | ||||
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | ||||
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | ||||
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | ||||
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¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||||
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | ||||
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | ||||
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | ||||
(3) | Filing Party: | ||||
(4) | Date Filed: |
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of NetSol Technologies, Inc. to be held on June 4, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Companys offices located at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, California 91302. The phone number is (818) 222-9195.
For overnight accommodations, the Hilton Garden Inn located at 24150 Park Sorrento, Calabasas, CA 91302, telephone (818) 591-2300 is within walking distance of the Companys offices. Other hotels near by are: Renaissance Hotel located at 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, their telephone number is (818) 707-1220; The Hilton Hotel located at 6360 Canoga Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, their telephone number is (818) 595-1000.
Details of the business to be conducted at the annual meeting are given in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
This is your opportunity as a shareholder to exercise your vote in the best interests of your Company.
Whether or not you attend the annual meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Therefore, I urge you to promptly vote and submit your proxy card in the postage paid envelope as soon as possible.
Your participation in the annual meeting, via proxy or in person, is important and allows you a voice in determining the future of your Company. We will also report on the activities of the Company, and you will have an opportunity to submit questions or comments on matters of interest to shareholders generally.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in the Company. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
Najeeb Ghauri
Chief Executive Officer
NetSol Technologies, Inc.
23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072
Calabasas, CA 91302
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held June 4, 2007
To the Stockholders of NetSol Technologies, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NetSol Technologies, Inc. (the Company) will be held on June 4, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Companys headquarters located at 23901 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, California 91302. The phone number is (818) 222-9195.
1.
To elect directors, each to hold office for a term of one year ending in 2008 or when their successors are elected.
2.
To ratify the appointment of Kabani & Company, Inc. as the Companys independent auditors for fiscal year 2007.
3.
To consider such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Only stockholders of record as shown on the books of the Company at the close of business on April 20, 2007, the record date and time fixed by the Board of Directors, will be entitled vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors | |
| NetSol Technologies, Inc. |
| |
/s/ Najeeb Ghauri | |
Najeeb Ghauri | |
Calabasas, California
TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND IN PERSON. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE IN PERSON IF THEY DESIRE.
NetSol Technologies, Inc.
23901 Calabasas Road Suite 2072
Calabasas, CA 91302
PROXY STATEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies
This Proxy Statement is furnished to holders of the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of NetSol Technologies, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the Company), in connection with the solicitation by the Companys Board of Directors of proxies for use at the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) to be held on June 4, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Companys headquarters located at 23901 Calabasas Road Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 and any and all adjournments thereof. The purpose of the Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted on there are set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Annual Meeting has been called for the purpose of the following:
1.
To elect directors, each to hold office for a term of one year ending in 2008 or when their successors are elected.
2.
To ratify the appointment of Kabani & Company, Inc. as the Companys independent auditors for fiscal 2007-08.
3.
To consider such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Preparing and mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 20, 2007, will make solicitations of proxies. These materials are expected to be first mailed to stockholders on or about April 26, 2007. The cost of making the solicitation includes the cost of preparing and mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy and the payment of charges made by brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding documents to stockholders. In certain instances, officers of the Company may make special solicitations of proxies either in person or by telephone. Expenses incurred in connection with special solicitations are expected to be nominal. The Company will bear all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting.
Voting and Revocation of Proxies
A stockholder giving a proxy on the enclosed form may revoke it at any time prior to the actual voting at the Annual Meeting by filing written notice of the termination of the appointment with an officer of the Company, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person or by filing a new written appointment of a proxy with an officer of the Company. The revocation of a proxy will not affect any vote taken prior to the revocation. Unless a proxy is revoked or there is a direction to abstain on one or more proposals, it will be voted on each proposal and, if a choice is made with respect to any matter to be acted upon, in accordance with such choice. If no choice is specified, the proxies intend to vote the shares represented thereby to approve Proposals No. 1 through 3 as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and in accordance with their best judgment on any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Voting at the Meeting
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 20, 2007 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on the matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. If a share is represented for any purpose at the Annual Meeting, it is deemed to be present for all other matters. Abstentions and broker nonvotes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Broker nonvotes are shares held by brokers or nominees which are present in person or represented by proxy, but which are not voted on a particular matter because instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner. Under applicable Nevada law, the effect of broker nonvotes on a particular matter depends on whether the matter is one as to which the broker or nominee has discretionary voting authority.
Returned Proxy Cards Which Do Not Provide Voting Instructions
Proxies that are signed and returned will be voted in the manner instructed by a stockholder. If you sign and return your proxy card with no instructions, the proxy will be voted For with respect to the item set forth in the Proposal.
Changing Your Vote
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. In order to do this, you must:
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send us written notice, stating your desire to revoke your proxy, or
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send us a signed proxy that bears a later date than the one you intend to revoke, or
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attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. In this case, you must notify the Inspector of Elections or Secretary of the Company that you intend to vote in person.
A list of those stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting for examination by any stockholder at the Companys principal executive offices, 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302, and at the Annual Meeting.
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Proposal No. One
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on the Proxy Card)
General Information
The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company is authorized to have up to seven directors, and that stockholders will elect the directors of the Company at each annual meeting. Directors are elected to serve a one-year term. Directors being elected at the Annual Meeting will serve until the Companys next annual meeting of stockholders, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors does not contemplate that any of the persons it will nominate will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director. However, if that should occur, the Board of Directors reserves the right to name a substitute nominee at the Annual Meeting and persons named as nominees may exercise their discretion to vote for such nominee.
The board is currently comprised of seven members. Six of the seven members are standing for re-election.
The seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote for them, a quorum being present, shall be elected as directors. Only votes cast for a nominee will be counted, except that the accompanying proxy will be voted for all nominees in the absence of instruction to the contrary. Abstentions, broker nonvotes and instructions on the accompanying proxy to withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees will result in the respective nominees receiving fewer votes. However, the number of votes otherwise received by the nominee will not be reduced by such action.Mr. Caton replaced Mr. Moody in mid-term. Mr. Moody had to resign for personal reasons and not due to any disagreements with the Company or otherwise. Mr. Moody has chosen not to seek re-election for this term. Mr. Soper has also chosen not to seek re-election for this term for personal reasons and not due to any disagreements with the Company or otherwise.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED BELOW.
Information Regarding Nominees
All nominees have consented to serve if elected, but if any becomes unable to serve, the persons named as proxies may exercise their discretion to vote for a substitute nominee. The stockholders have previously elected all director candidates. The name, age, business experience and offices held by each director nominee are as follows:
Name and Age | Director Since | Current Position with the Company | ||
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Najeeb U. Ghauri (54) | 1997 | Chairman, Director | ||
Naeem Ghauri (49) | 1999 | Chief Executive Officer, Director | ||
Salim Ghauri (52) | 1999 | President, Director | ||
Eugen Beckert (62) | 2001 | Director | ||
Shahid Burki (66) | 2003 | Director | ||
Mark Caton (58) | 2007 | Director | ||
Alexander Shakow (70) | | |
Najeeb U. Ghauri has been a Director of the Company since the inception of the Company in 1997. Mr. Ghauri served as the Companys CEO from 1999-2001 and as the Companys CFO from 2001-2005. Mr. Ghauri was instrumental in the Companys acquisition of McCue Systems Inc. in 2005 which has common customers and goals providing the Company with a presence in North America. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Board and has renamed CEO as of October 1, 2006. During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Ghauri is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Company, as well as the Companys overall growth and expansion plan. As the CFO of the Company, Mr. Ghauri sought financing for the Company as well as managed the day-to-day financial position of the Company. In 2003, Mr. Ghauri brought Maxim Group to conduct a private offering and raise of capital for the Company. This relationship has continued through today and the Company has benefited from the capital raised by Maxim Group. Mr. Ghauri was also instrumental in the Companys Pakistani subsidiary, NetSol Technologies, Ltd., being the first IT company to go public with shares trading on the KSE. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri was part of the marketing team of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), a Fortune 500 company, from
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1987-1997. Mr. Ghauri received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Economics from Eastern Illinois University in 1979, and his M.B.A. in Marketing Management from Claremont Graduate School in California in 1983. Mr. Ghauri serves on the boards of the US Pakistan Business Council and Pakistan Human Development Fund, a non-profit organization which he is a Vice Chairman of.
Naeem Ghauri is the Companys current President of European Operations. Mr. Ghauri has been a Director of the Company since 1999. Mr. Ghauri took over the position of CEO from August 2001- September 2006. Mr. Ghauri has been instrumental in the Companys relationship with CQ Systems Ltd. which eventually led to the acquisition of CQ Systems in 2005. During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Ghauri was the force behind the profitable joint venture between UK based insurance processors TIG Plc Group. The relationship with United Kingdom-based Habib Allied International Bank PLC, was also as a result of Mr. Ghauris efforts. Prior to his position as CEO of NetSol, Mr. Ghauri served as the Managing Director of NetSol (UK) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company located in Milton Keys, England from 1999-2001. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri was Project Director for Mercedes-Benz Finance Ltd., a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, Germany from 1994-1999. Mr. Ghauri supervised over 200 project managers, developers, analysts and users in nine European Countries. Mr. Ghauri earned his degree in Computer Science from Brighton University, England.
Salim Ghauri has been with the Company since 1999 as the President and Director of the Company. Mr. Ghauri is currently the President of Asia Pacific and Middle East Operations. Mr. Ghauri is also the CEO of NetSol Technologies Ltd., (F/K/A/ Network Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd.), a subsidiary of the Company located in Lahore, Pakistan. Mr. Ghauri is the original founder of NetSol Technologies, Ltd. in Pakistan founded in 1996. Built under Mr. Ghauris leadership, NetSol Technologies Ltd. gradually built a strong team of I/T professionals and infrastructure in Pakistan and became the first software house in Pakistan certified as ISO 9001 and CMMi Level 5 assessed. In 2005, under Mr. Ghauris leadership, NetSol signed its first major contract with Toyota Leasing Thailand for over $2.3 million. The major aspect of this appreciation was the industry wide recognition by noted professionals and independent observers under Salim Ghauris visionary leadership, were conceived and distributed by NCR Pakistan and adjudicated by Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder, Pakistans leading consultancy organization. Before NetSol Technologies Ltd., Mr. Ghauri was employed with BHP in Sydney, Australia from 1987-1995, where he commenced his employment as a consultant. Mr. Ghauri received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan.
Eugen Beckert, was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2001 to fill a vacancy and was elected at each annual meeting of shareholders since 2002. A native of Germany, Mr. Beckert has been with Mercedes-Benz AG/Daimler Benz AG since 1973, working in technology and systems development. In 1992 he was appointed director of Global IT (CIO) for Debis Financial Services, the services division of Daimler Benz. In 1996 he was appointed director of Processes and Systems (CIO) for Financial Services of DaimlerChrysler in Asia-Pacific. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Vice President in the Japanese Company of DCS. Mr. Beckert retired from DaimlerChrysler in November 2005. Mr. Beckert is chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.
Shahid Javed Burki was appointed to the Board of Directors in February 2003. He enjoyed a distinguished career with World Bank at various high level positions from1974 to 1999. He was a Director of Chief Policy Planning with World Bank from 1974-1981. He was also a Director of International Relations from 1981-1987. Mr. Burki served as Director of China Development from 1987-1994 and Vice President of Latin America with World Bank from 1994-1999. In between, he briefly served as the Finance Minister of Pakistan from 1996-1997. Mr. Burki also served as the CEO of the Washington based investment firm EMP Financial Advisors from 1992-2002. Presently, he is the Chairman of Pak Investment & Finance Corporation. He was awarded a Rhodes scholarship in 1962 and M.A in Economics from Oxford University in 1963. He also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University, Cambridge, MA in 1968. Most recently, he attended Harvard University and completed an Executive Development Program in 1998. During his lifetime, Mr. Burki has authored many books and articles including: Chinas Commerce (Published by Harvard in 1969) and Accelerated Growth in Latin America (Published by World Bank in 1998). Mr. Burki is the chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation and Nomination and Corporate Governance Committees.
Mark Caton joined the board of directors of NetSol on January 1, 2007 to fill a vacancy and has accepted his nomination to the board for a new term. Mr. Caton is currently President of Centela Systems, Inc. a distributor of computer peripheral solutions in the multimedia and digital electronic market segment, a position he has held since 2003. Prior to joining Centela, Mr. Caton was President of NetSol Technologies USA, responsible for US sales,
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from June 2002 to December 2003. Mr. Caton was employed by ePlus from 1997 to 2002 as Senior Account Representative. He is a member of the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors and served on the Board of Directors of NetSol from 2002-2003. Mr. Caton is a member of the Compensation, Audit and Nominating Committees. Mr. Caton received his BA from UCLA in psychology in 1971.
Alexander Shakow is nominated for the first time to the board of NetSol. Mr. Shakow has enjoyed a distinguished career with the World Bank as he held various high level positions from 1981-2002. Since 2002, he has been an independent consultant for the World Bank. From 1968-1981 Mr. Shakow worked with the United States Agency for International Development where he held many high level positions such as Assistant Administrator for Program and Policy; Director, Office of Development and Planning, Bureau of Asia; Director of Affairs for Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Mr. Shakow was also in the United States Peace Corps from 1963-1968. Mr. Shakow received his Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1962. He earned his undergraduate degree with honors from Swarthmore College. Mr. Shakow is listed in Whos Who in America and Whos Who in the World; and currently holds a seat as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of EnterpriseWorks/VITA.
Messrs. Najeeb Ghauri, Salim Ghauri and Naeem Ghauri are brothers.
Board Meetings and Board Committees
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company met or acted by written consent three times with 100% attendance by all directors. The Company requests that all board members attend annual meetings of the board and all board members were present at the last annual meeting of the board.
The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The charters for the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are posted on the Companys web site at www.netsoltek.com (select Investors then the desired committee charter). All committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee met four times, the Compensation Committee met once and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met twice during fiscal year 2006.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Burki, Beckert, Caton and Soper, all of whom are independent within the meaning of NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (34 Act). Mr. Burki is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2006. The Audit Committee was established by the Board for the purpose of overseeing the Companys accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Companys financial statements and reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental body or the public and the Companys systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance, and ethics. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Companys financial reporting process, audits of the Companys financial statements, and the Companys internal control system and (ii) appoint from time to time, evaluate, and, when appropriate, replace the registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review, or attest services for the Company, determine the compensation of such outside auditors and the other terms of their engagement, and oversee the work of the outside auditors. The Companys outside auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is also charged with establishing procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and Kabani & Company, the Companys independent auditors. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of NetSols financial statements; accounting and financial reporting principles; establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)); establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)); evaluating the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures; evaluating the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and evaluating any change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting. Kabani & Company is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion
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on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as well as expressing an opinion on (i) managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and (ii) the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee has discussed with Kabani & Company the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, Communication with Audit Committees and PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2, An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction with an Audit of Financial Statements. In addition, Kabani & Company has provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as amended, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and the Audit Committee has discussed with Kabani & Company their firms independence.
Based on the discussions above, the Audit Committee did recommend that the financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for filing with the Commission.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Burki (Chairman), Beckert, Caton and Soper all of whom are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act. The Compensation Committee met once during the 2006 fiscal year. The primary function of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to officer and director compensation. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) oversee the development and implementation of the compensation policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the Companys executive officers and outside directors; (ii) review and determine the compensation of the executive officers of the Company; and (iii) oversee the selection and performance of the Companys executive officers and succession planning for key members of the Companys management. The Compensation Committees report is included below under Board Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation.
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. Beckert (Chairman), Burki, Caton and Soper all of whom are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act. Mr. Beckert is the Chairperson for the Committee. This Committee met twice during the 2006 fiscal year. The primary function of the Nominating Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to Board and committee membership and shareholder proposals. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) establish criteria for Board and committee membership and recommend to the Board proposed nominees for election to the Board; and (ii) make recommendations regarding proposals and nominees for director submitted by shareholders of the Company.
The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees recommended by shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a person or persons for consideration as a Company nominee for election to the Board of Directors must send a written notice by mail to: Corporate Secretary, NetSol Technologies, Inc., 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA, 91302 by fax to: 818-222-9197, that sets forth (i) the name of each person whom the shareholder recommends be considered as a nominee; (ii) a business address and telephone number for each nominee (an e-mail address may also be included) and (iii) biographical information regarding such person, including the persons employment and other relevant experience. Shareholder considerations will only be considered if delivered or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within sixty (60) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the Stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, which ever first occurs.
The Companys nominating committee recommends that a nominee for a position on the Companys Board of Directors meet the following minimum qualifications:
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He or she must be over 21 years of age;
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He or she must be able to read and understand basic financial statements;
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He or she must have experience in a position with a high degree of responsibility in a business or other organization;
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He or she must possess integrity and have high moral character;
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He or she must be willing to apply sound, independent business judgment; and
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He or she must have sufficient time to devote to the Company.
The Companys nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee by considering whether the potential nominee meets the minimum qualifications described above, as well as by considering the following factors:
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whether the potential nominee has leadership, strategic, or policy setting experience in a complex organization, including any scientific, governmental, educational, or other non-profit organization;
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whether the potential nominee has experience and expertise that is relevant to the Companys business, including any specialized business experience, technical expertise, or other specialized skills, and whether the potential nominee has knowledge regarding issues affecting the Company;
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whether the potential nominee is highly accomplished in his or her respective field;
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in light of the relationship of the Companys business to the field of technology, whether the potential nominee has received any awards or honors in the fields of technology or engineering and whether he or she is recognized as a leader in that field;
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whether the addition of the potential nominee to the Board of Directors would assist the Board of Directors in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience, including diversity with respect to age, gender, national origin, race, and competencies;
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whether the potential nominee has high ethical character and a reputation for honesty, integrity, and sound business judgment;
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whether the potential nominee can work collegially with others;
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whether the potential nominee is independent, as defined by NASDAQ listing standards, whether he or she is free of any conflict of interest or the appearance of any conflict of interest with the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and whether he or she is willing and able to represent the interests of all shareholders of the Company; and
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Any factor which would prohibit the potential nominee to devote sufficient time to its business.
In addition, with respect to an incumbent director whom the nominating committee is considering as a potential nominee for re-election, the Companys nominating committee reviews and considers the incumbent directors service to the Company during his or her term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, and overall contribution to the Company. The manner in which the nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee will not differ based on whether the potential nominee is recommended by a shareholder or the Company.
The Company did not pay any fee to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for director at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Company did not receive, by July 1, 2006 (the 120th calendar day before the first anniversary of the date of the Companys 2005 proxy statement), any recommended nominee from a shareholder who beneficially owns more than 5% of the Companys stock or from a group of shareholders who beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Companys stock.
Communications Between Shareholders and Board of Directors
The Board provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board or any of the Directors. Shareholders may send written communications to the Board or any one or more of the individual Directors by mail to: Secretary, 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302, or via fax to: 818-222-9197. Such communications will be reviewed by our Secretary, who shall remove communications relating to solicitations, junk mail, customer service concerns and the like. All other shareholder communications shall be promptly forwarded to the applicable member(s) of our board of directors or to the entire board of directors, as requested in the shareholder communication.
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Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of the Companys employees, including but not limited to the Companys chief executive officer and principal financial and accounting officers and controller. The Companys Code of Ethics is posted on the Companys web site at www.netsoltek.com (Select Investors, and then Code of Ethics).
Executives
The following table sets forth all of the current executive officers of the Company and their respective ages, company positions and offices, and periods during which they have served in such positions and offices. There are no persons who have been selected by the Company to serve as its executive officers who are not set forth in the following table.
Name | Age | Company Offices Currently Held | Company Officer | |||
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Najeeb Ghauri | 54 | Chief Executive Officer | 1997 | |||
Salim Ghauri | 52 | President of Asia Pacific and Middle East Operations | 1999 | |||
Tina Gilger | 44 | Chief Financial Officer | 2005 | |||
Patti McGlasson | 41 | Secretary and General Counsel | 2004 | |||
Naeem Ghauri | 49 | President of European Operations | 1999 |
The Companys executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board.
Summary Compensation Table and Options
The Summary Compensation Table shows certain compensation information for services rendered in all capacities during each of the last three fiscal years by the executive officers of the Company who received compensation of or in excess of $100,000 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006. The following information for the officers includes the dollar value of base salaries, bonus awards, the number of stock options granted and certain other compensation, if any, whether paid or deferred.
Name and Principal Position | Annual Compensation(1) | Long Term Compensation | ||||||||||||
Fiscal | Salary | Bonus | Long Term | Securities | ||||||||||
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Najeeb Ghauri | 2006 | $ | 250,000 | 0 | 0 | 250,000 | (17) | |||||||
Chief Executive Officer, | 250,000 | (17) | ||||||||||||
Chairman of the Board of Directors | 2005 | $ | 250,000 | 0 | 0 | 500,000 | (10) | |||||||
500,000 | (11) | |||||||||||||
2004 | $ | 200,000 | 0 | 0 | 50,000 | (5) | ||||||||
50,000 | (6) | |||||||||||||
25,000 | (7) | |||||||||||||
20,000 | (8) | |||||||||||||
30,000 | (9) | |||||||||||||
Naeem Ghauri | 2006 | $ | 280,000 | (12) | 0 | 0 | 250,000 | (17) | ||||||
President of European Operations, | 250,000 | (17) | ||||||||||||
Director | 2005 | $ | 280,000 | 0 | 0 | 500,000 | (10) | |||||||
500,000 | (11) | |||||||||||||
2004 | $ | 207,900 | 0 | 0 | 50,000 | (5) | ||||||||
50,000 | (6) | |||||||||||||
25,000 | (7) | |||||||||||||
20,000 | (8) | |||||||||||||
30,000 | (9) |
8
Name and Principal Position | Annual Compensation(1) | Long Term Compensation | ||||||||||||
Fiscal | Salary | Bonus | Long Term | Securities | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
| ||||
Salim Ghauri | 2006 | $ | 150,000 | 0 | 0 | 250,000 | (17) | |||||||
President of Asia Pacific and | 250,000 | (17) | ||||||||||||
Middle East Operations, | 2005 | $ | 150,000 | 0 | 0 | 500,000 | (10) | |||||||
Director | 500,000 | (11) | ||||||||||||
2004 | $ | 110,000 | 0 | 0 | 50,000 | (5) | ||||||||
50,000 | (6) | |||||||||||||
25,000 | (7) | |||||||||||||
20,000 | (8) | |||||||||||||
30,000 | (9) | |||||||||||||
Tina Gilger | 2006 | $ | 95,000 | $ | 5,000 | 0 | 20,000 | (18) | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer(16) | 20,000 | (18) | ||||||||||||
10,000 | (19) | |||||||||||||
10,000 | (19) | |||||||||||||
2005 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
2004 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Patti L. W. McGlasson | 2006 | $ | 110,000 | 0 | 10,000 | 20,000 | (18) | |||||||
General Counsel, | 2005 | $ | 110,000 | $ | 10,000 | 5,000 | (13) | 20,000 | (18) | |||||
Secretary | 2004 | $ | 82,000 | 0 | 5,000 | (14) | 5,000 | (14) | ||||||
5,000 | (14) | |||||||||||||
20,000 | (8) | |||||||||||||
30,000 | (9) |
(1)
Other than as stated, no officers received any bonus or other annual compensation other than salaries during fiscal 2005 or any benefits other than those available to all other employees that are required to be disclosed. These amounts are not inclusive of automobile allowances, where applicable.
(2)
No officers received any long-term incentive plan (LTIP) payouts or other payouts during fiscal years 2006, 2005 or 2004.
(3)
All stock awards are shares of our Common Stock.
(4)
All securities underlying options are shares of our Common Stock. We have not granted any stock appreciation rights. No options were granted to the named executive officers in fiscal year 2006. Options are reflected in post-reverse split numbers. All options are currently exercisable or may be exercised within sixty (60) days of the date of this prospectus and are fully vested.
(5)
Includes options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock granted on January 1, 2004 at the exercise price of $2.21 per share. These options must be exercised within five years after the grant date.
(6)
Includes options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock granted on January 1, 2004 at the exercise price of $3.75 per share. These options must be exercised within five years after the grant date.
(7)
Includes options to purchase 12,500 shares of our common stock at $5.00 per share. These options must be exercised within five years after the grant date.
(8)
Includes options to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock at $2.65 per share. These options must be exercised within five years after the grant date.
(9)
Includes options to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock at $5.00 per share. These options must be exercised within five years after the grant date.
9
(10)
Includes options to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock granted on April 1, 2005 at the exercise price of $1.94 per share. 25% of these options vest each quarter beginning on the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Options must be exercised within five years after the grant date.
(11)
Includes options to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock granted on April 1, 2005 at the exercise price of $2.91 per share. 25% of these options vest each quarter beginning on the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
(12)
Mr. Ghauri salary is 139,483 British Pounds Sterling. The total in this table reflects a conversion rate of $0.4982 per pound sterling.
(13)
In May 2004, Ms. McGlasson received 5,000 shares of common stock as a performance bonus arising out of her services as counsel for the Company.
(14)
Includes options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of the lesser of the $2.30 or the market price of the shares on the date of exercise less $2.00.
(15)
Includes options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $3.00 per share.
(16)
Mr. Ghauri served the Company as Chief Financial Officer until July 2005 whereby Ms. Tina Gilger was then appointed to the position of CFO and has served in that capacity since.
(17)
Includes options to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $1.83 per share, and options to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $2.50 per share.
(18)
Includes options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $1.65 per share, and options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $2.25 per share.
(19)
Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $1.86 per share, and options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $2.79 per share.
Compensation of Directors
The Company may reimburse each director for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings or their position as a director. The Company compensates each non-management director for their time and efforts extended to the Company by granting 25,000 options to purchase shares of Rule 144 common stock from the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan at a strike price of $1.83, or the closing price of the Companys common stock on June 2, 2006; options to purchase 25,000 shares of Rule 144 common stock at a strike price of $2.50 per share from the Companys 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan. For those non-management board members, a fee of $10,000 per annum paid quarterly of which payment board members participated in a duly noticed meeting.
Management board members shall not have any cash compensation.
The Audit Committee Chairman shall receive $15,000 per year, paid quarterly as earned upon completion of the term. The Compensation Committee Chair shall receive $12,000 per year, paid quarterly as earned as upon completion of the term. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair shall receive $9,000 per year, paid quarterly as earned, upon completion of the term. Each member of the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee shall receive $2,000 per member paid quarterly as earned for any meeting.
Employment Agreements
On March 1, 2007, the company entered into an amendment to the original January 1, 2004 employment agreement with Naeem Ghauri as our President of European Region. The terms of the amendment are materially the same as those of the 2004 agreement. The agreement is for a base term of three years, and continues thereafter on an at will basis until terminated by either NetSol or Mr. Ghauri. The agreement provides for a yearly salary of $225,000. The agreement also provides for such additional compensation as the Board of Directors determines is proper in recognition of Mr. Ghauris contributions and services to us. In addition, the agreement provides Mr. Ghauri with options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.21, 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $3.75 and 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.00. These options vest at the rate of 25% per quarter and are fully vested on December 31, 2004. These options expire on December 31, 2008. Mr. Ghauri also received options to purchase up to 20,000 shares at the exercise price of $2.65 per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares at the exercise price of $5.00 per share. These options vest immediately and are exercisable until March 25, 2009.
On March 1 2007, the company entered into an amendment to the original January 1, 2004, employment agreement with Najeeb Ghauri as Chief Executive Officer. The terms of the agreement are materially the same as
10
those for the 2004 agreement. The agreement is for a base term of three years, and continues thereafter on an at will basis until terminated by either NetSol or Mr. Ghauri. The agreement provides for a yearly salary of $275,000. The agreement also provides for such additional compensation as the Board of Directors determines is proper in recognition of Mr. Ghauris contributions and services to us. In addition, the agreement provides Mr. Ghauri with options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.21, 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $3.75 and 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.00. These options vest at the rate of 25% per quarter and are fully vested on December 31, 2004. These options expire on December 31, 2008. Mr. Ghauri also received options to purchase up to 20,000 shares at the exercise price of $2.65 per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares at the exercise price of $5.00 per share. These options vest immediately and are exercisable until March 25, 2009.
On March 1, 2007, the company entered into an amendment to the orginal January 1, 2004, employment agreement with Salim Ghauri as the President of NetSol Asia Pacific and Middle East region and Chief Executive Officer of our Pakistan subsidiary. The terms of the agreement are materially the same as those of the 2004 agreement. The agreement is for a base term of three years, and continues thereafter on an at will basis until terminated by either us or Mr. Ghauri. The agreement provides for a yearly salary of $175,000. The agreement also provides for such additional compensation as the Board of Directors determines is proper in recognition of Mr. Ghauris contributions and services to us. In addition, the agreement provides Mr. Ghauri with options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.21, 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $3.75 and 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.00. These options vest at the rate of 25% per quarter and are fully vested on December 31, 2004. These options expire on December 31, 2008. Mr. Ghauri also received options to purchase up to 20,000 shares at the exercise price of $2.65 per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares at the exercise price of $5.00 per share. These options vest immediately and are exercisable until March 25, 2009.
Effective January 1, 2004, we entered into an employment agreement with Patti L. W. McGlasson as legal counsel. The agreement was amended as of May 1, 2006 to provide for a yearly salary of $110,000. Ms. McGlasson also received options to purchase up to 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the lesser of $2.30 or the market price of the shares on the date of exercise less $2.00. These options vest at the rate of 25% per quarter and are exercisable until December 31, 2008. Effective March 26, 2004, Ms. McGlasson was elected to the position of Secretary. In connection with her role as Secretary, Ms. McGlasson received options to purchase up to 10,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share. These options vest at the rate of 25% per quarter and are exercisable until December 31, 2008. Ms. McGlasson also received options to purchase up to 20,000 shares at the exercise price of $2.65 per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares at the exercise price of $5.00 per share. These options vest immediately and are exercisable until March 25, 2009.
All of the above agreements provide for certain paid benefits such as employee benefit plans and medical care plans at such times as we may adopt them. The agreements also provide for reimbursement of reasonable business-related expenses and for two weeks of paid vacation. The agreements also provide for certain covenants concerning non-competition, non-disclosure, indemnity and assignment of intellectual property rights. NetSol currently has five incentive and nonstatutory stock option plans in force for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and two other plans from 1997 and 1999. The 1997 and 1999 Plans have been closed.
11
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
As of April 16, 2007, there were 18,948,987 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Further, as of April 16, 2007, there were 4,800 shares of Class A 7% Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. These preferred shares are entitled to vote a number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which the preferred shares may be converted. Accordingly, the preferred stockholders may vote on an equivalent basis to 2,877,909 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Companys Common Stock, its only class of outstanding voting securities as of April 16, 2007, by (i) each person who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock with the address of each such person, (ii) each of the Companys present directors and officers, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:
Name and Address | Number of | Percentage | |||
|
| ||||
Najeeb Ghauri(3) | 2,412,650 | 12.73 | % | ||
Naeem Ghauri(3) | 2,261,367 | 11.93 | % | ||
Salim Ghauri(3) | 2,377,416 | 12.55 | % | ||
Jim Moody(3) | 183,000 | * | |||
Eugen Beckert(3) | 178,900 | * | |||
Shahid Javed Burki(3) | 204,000 | * | |||
Derek Soper(3) | 243,000 | * | |||
Patti McGlasson(3) | 125,000 | * | |||
Tina Gilger(3) | 71,731 | * | |||
The Tail Wind Fund Ltd.(6)(7) | 1,875,950 | 9.90 | % | ||
All officers and directors as a group (nine persons) | 8,047,064 | 42.45 | % |
*
Less than one percent
(1)
Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.
(2)
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock relating to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of July 6, 2006 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Includes shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days as follows: Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, 1,874,227; Mr. Naeem Ghauri, 1,884,227; Mr. Salim Ghauri, 1,874,227; Mr. Jim Moody, 150,000; Mr. Eugen Beckert, 135,000; Mr. Shahid Burki, 150,000; Mr. Derek Soper, 200,000; Ms. Tina Gilger, 60,000; and Ms. Patti McGlasson, 100,000.
(3)
Address c/o NetSol Technologies, Inc. at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302.
(4)
Address: 605 Continental Trade Center, Khaybran-E-Iqbal, Karachi, Pakistan.
(5)
Shares issued and outstanding as of April 18, 2007 were 16,169,982.
(6)
Address: The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Bahamas) Ltd., Windermere House, 404 East Bay Street, P.O. Box SS-5539, Nassau, Bahamas. Tail Wind Advisory & Management Ltd., a UK corporation authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Great Britain (TWAM), is the investment manager for The Tail Wind Fund Ltd., and David Crook is the CEO and controlling shareholder of TWAM. Each of TWAM and David Crook expressly disclaims any equitable or beneficial ownership of the shares being referred to hereunder and held by The Tail Wind Fund Ltd.
(7)
Subject to the Ownership Limitation (defined below), The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (Tail Wind) would own a total of 2,500,001 shares of Common Stock, including 1,666,667 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock, and (ii) 833,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants
12
issued to Tail Wind on such date (Warrants). Tail Wind has received as payment of interest and dividends due under the preferred stock a total of 168,469 shares of common stock. In accordance with Rule 13d-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, because the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Reporting Persons Notes and Warrants are convertible and exercisable is limited, pursuant to the terms of such instruments, to that number of shares of Common Stock which would result in the Reporting Person having beneficial ownership of 9.9% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (the Ownership Limitation), Tail Wind Fund Ltd. disclaims beneficial ownership of any and all shares of Common Stock that would cause the Reporting Persons beneficial ownership to exceed the Ownership Limitation. In accordance with the Ownership Limitation, Tail Wind, based upon 18,948,987 shares of common stock outstanding, beneficially owns 2,688,470 shares of Common Stock and disclaims beneficial ownership of 792,520 shares of Common Stock.
Certain Relationships and Transactions
During fiscal year 2006, there were no material transactions between NetSol, any director or executive officer of the Company, or any security holder known to hold more than five percent (5%) of our common stock (a 5% Holder).
13
Proposal No. Two
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2007-08
(Item 2 on your Proxy Card)
The Audit Committee along with the Board of Directors has appointed Kabani & Company, Inc. (Kabani) as independent auditors of the Company with respect to its operations for fiscal year 2007-08, and has further directed that management submit such appointment for ratification by the holders of the Common Stock at the annual meeting of Stockholders. In taking this action, the members of the Audit Committee along with the Board considered carefully Kabanis reputation in providing accounting services to other public and private companies in the software and retail industries, its independence with respect to the services to be performed, its general reputation for adherence to professional auditing standards and the performance of Kabani during the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002 through current.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Kabani as the Companys independent auditors is not required by the Companys Bylaws or otherwise. The Board, however, is submitting the selection of Kabani to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. Therefore, there will be present at the Annual Meeting a proposal for the ratification of this appointment, which the Board of Directors believes is advisable and in the best interests of the stockholders. If the appointment of Kabani is not ratified, the Board of Directors will consider the matter of the appointment of independent public accountants.
Audit Fees
Kabani & Co. audited the Companys financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005. The aggregate fees billed by Kabani & Co. for the annual audit and review of financial statements included in the Companys Form 10-KSB or services that are normally provided by Kabani & Company that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the year ended June 30, 2005 was $41,500, and for the year ended June 30, 2006 was $135,500.
Audit Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Kabani & Co. during fiscal 2006 including assurance and related audit services not covered in the preceding paragraph was $46,500. These Audit Related Fees were primarily for services in connection with the review of quarterly financial statements and the Companys filing of a Registration Statement and amendments thereto on Form SB-2, the Companys filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8, the audit of Silicon Space, Inc. For 2006, the aggregate fees billed by Kabani & Company including assurance and related audit services not covered in the preceding paragraph was $31,500. These Audit Related Fees were primarily for services in connection with the review of quarterly financial statements and the Companys filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8.
Tax Fees
Tax fees for fiscal year 2006 were $21,500 and consisted of the preparation of the Companys federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Tax fees for fiscal year 2005 were $14,000 and consisted of preparation of the Companys federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years 2001, 2002 and 2003.
All Other Fees
There were no other fees billed by Kabani & Co. or services rendered to NetSol during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, other than as described above.
Pre-Approval Procedures
The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors are responsible for the engagement of the independent auditors and for approving, in advance, all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee maintains a policy for the engagement of the independent auditors that is intended to maintain the independent auditors independence from NetSol. In adopting the policy, the Audit Committee considered the various services that the independent auditors have historically performed or may be needed to perform in the future. The policy, which is to be reviewed and re-adopted at least annually by the Audit Committee:
14
(i)
Approves the performance by the independent auditors of certain types of service (principally audit-related and tax), subject to restrictions in some cases, based on the Committees determination that this would not be likely to impair the independent auditors independence from NetSol;
(ii)
Requires that management obtain the specific prior approval of the Audit Committee for each engagement of the independent auditors to perform other types of permitted services; and
(iii)
Prohibits the performance by the independent auditors of certain types of services due to the likelihood that their independence would be impaired.
Any approval required under the policy must be given by the Audit Committee, by the Chairman of the Committee in office at the time, or by any other Committee member to whom the Committee has delegated that authority. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibilities to approve services performed by the independent auditors to any member of management.
The standard applied by the Audit Committee in determining whether to grant approval of an engagement of the independent auditors is whether the services to be performed, the compensation to be paid therefore and other related factors are consistent with the independent auditors independence under guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable professional standards. Relevant considerations include, but are not limited to, whether the work product is likely to be subject to, or implicated in, audit procedures during the audit of NetSols financial statements; whether the independent auditors would be functioning in the role of management or in an advocacy role; whether performance of the service by the independent auditors would enhance NetSols ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality; whether performance of the service by the independent auditors would increase efficiency because of their familiarity with NetSols business, personnel, culture, systems, risk profile and other factors; and whether the amount of fees involved, or the proportion of the total fees payable to the independent auditors in the period that is for tax and other non-audit services, would tend to reduce the independent auditors ability to exercise independent judgment in performing the audit.
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of Common Stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote, present or represented at the Annual Meeting, a quorum being present, is required for the adoption of this proposal. Broker nonvotes with respect to this matter will be treated as neither a vote for nor a vote against the matter, although they will be counted in determining if a quorum is present. However, abstentions will be considered in determining the number of votes required to attain a majority of the shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. Accordingly, an abstention from voting by a stockholder present in person or by proxy at the meeting has the same legal effect as a vote against the matter because it represents a share present or represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, thereby increasing the number of affirmative votes required to approve this proposal.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY, INC. AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2007.
15
Deadline for Submission of Stockholder Proposals for Fiscal 2007
The Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit stockholders of the Company, after notice to the Company, to present proposals for stockholder action in the Companys proxy statement where such proposals are consistent with applicable law, pertain to matters appropriate for stockholder action and are not properly omitted by Company action in accordance with the proxy rules published by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Companys 2007 annual meeting of stockholders is expected to be held on or about December 1, 2007 and proxy materials in connection with that meeting are expected to be mailed on or about November 1, 2007. The Company must receive stockholder proposals prepared in accordance with the proxy rules between September 1, 2007 and October 1, 2007.
Filings Under Section 16(a)
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys directors and officers, and persons holding ten percent or more of a registered class of the Companys equity securities, to file reports regarding their ownership and regarding their acquisitions and dispositions of the Companys equity securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish the Company with copies of any Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on copies of such forms furnished as provided above, or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of its Common Stock were complied with.
Voting Procedures
Tabulation of the Votes: The votes cast by proxy will be tabulated by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Effect of an Abstention and Broker Non-Votes: A shareholder who abstains from voting on any of or all of the proposals will be included in the number of shareholders present at the meeting for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted either in favor of or against the election of the nominees or other proposals. Under the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, brokers holding stock for the accounts of their clients who have not been given specific voting instructions as to a matter by their clients may vote their clients proxies in their own discretion.
Auditors
Representatives of Kabani & Company, Inc., independent accountants for the Company for fiscal 2007-08 will be present at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
A copy of NetSols Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2006 which has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act will be furnished to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement. Copies of the Annual Report are available without charge to each shareholder, upon written request to the Investor Relations department at our principal offices at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 or from the Internet on SECs Edgar database at www.sec.gov.
Other Matters
The Board of Directors of the Company does not intend to present any business at the Annual Meeting other than the matters specifically set forth in this Proxy Statement and knows of no other business to come before the Annual Meeting. However, on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting by the Board or by others, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.
16
It is important that your shares are represented and voted at the Annual Meeting, whether or not you plan to attend. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you sign, date and mail your Proxy in the enclosed envelope as promptly as possible.
Dated: April 20, 2007 | |
Calabasas, California |
|
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
| Najeeb Ghauri |
Chairman and CEO |
17
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Najeeb Ghauri, with full power of substitution, as his or her Proxy to represent and vote, as designated below, all of the shares of the Common Stock of NetSol Technologies, Inc., registered in the name of the undersigned on April 20, 2007 with the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Companys headquarters located at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 at 10:00 A.M. local time, on June 4, 2007 and at any adjournment thereof, hereby revokes any proxy or proxies previously given.
1.
Election of Directors:
FOR all nominees listed below ¨ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY ¨
(except as marked to the contrary to vote for all below)
(To WITHHOLD authority to vote for any individual nominee strike a line through the nominees name below)
Najeeb Ghauri |
| Naeem Ghauri |
| Salim Ghauri |
| |
Shahid Burki | Eugen Beckert | Mark Caton | Alexander Shakow |
| ¨ For |
| ¨ Against |
| ¨ Abstain |
|
2.
Proposal to ratify the appointment of Kabani & Company, Inc. as the Companys independent auditors for fiscal 2007-08.
| ¨ For |
| ¨ Against |
| ¨ Abstain |
|
Discretionary authority is hereby granted with respect to such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND, FOR PROPOSAL #2, AND IN THE PROXYS DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
| Dated: |
|
| , 2007 |
|
(Signature) | |||||
(Second signature) | |||||
PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as your name appears on your Stock Certificate, indicating where appropriate, official position or representative capacity. |