SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December, 1999
Bonso Electronics International Inc.
------------------------------------
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Flat A-D, 8th Floor, Universal Industrial Centre, 23-25 Shan Mei Street,
Fo Tan, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
-------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
--- ---
[Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No X
--- ---
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BONSO ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Registrant)
Date: December 16, 1999 By: /s/ Henry F. Schlueter
----------------- --------------------------
Henry F. Schlueter, Assistant Secretary
BONSO ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AND MARCH 31, 1999
TO BE HELD JANUARY 10, 2000
Notice is hereby given that an Annual Meeting (the "Meeting") of the
Shareholders (the "Shareholders") of Bonso Electronics International Inc., a
British Virgin Islands corporation (the "Company"), will be held at 3:00 p.m.,
local time, on January 10, 2000, at the Denver Marriott City Center Hotel, 1701
California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, and any adjournments or postponements
thereof (the "Annual Meeting") for the following purposes:
1. To elect the following seven (7) persons to serve as directors of the
Corporation until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
thereafter until their successors shall have been elected and
qualified: Anthony So, Kim Wah Chung, Kam Sun Luk, Cathy, Kit Teng
Pang, Woo-Ping Fok, George O'Leary, and J. Stewart Jackson IV;
2. To approve an increase from 400,000 to 900,000 in the aggregate number
of options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be issued
under the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan;
4. To approve an increase from 100,000 to 600,000 in the aggregate number
of options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be issued
under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan;
and
5. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come
before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 1999,
shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments
thereof. All Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Anthony So, President
December 16, 1999
Denver, Colorado
IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND WISH YOUR SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK TO BE VOTED, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED
PROXY WHICH IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A RETURN
ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES IS ENCLOSED
FOR THAT PURPOSE.
<PAGE>
BONSO ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL INC.
Flat A-D, 8th Floor
Universal Industrial Centre
23-25 Shan Mei Street
Fo Tan, Shan Tin Town
N.T., Hong Kong
PROXY STATEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 16, 1999
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AND MARCH 31, 1999
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 10, 2000
GENERAL
-------
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the shareholders of Bonso
Electronics International Inc., a British Virgin Islands corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") from holders (the
"Shareholders") of outstanding shares of common stock, $.003 par value, of the
Company (the "Common Stock"), for use at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders
to be held at 3:00 p.m., local time, on January 10, 2000, at the Denver Marriott
City Center Hotel, 1701 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, and any
adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). This Proxy
Statement, Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the accompanying Proxy
Card are first being mailed to shareholders on or about December 20, 1999.
VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTE REQUIRED
-----------------------------------
Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 1999
(the "Record Date"), are entitled to notice of and to vote the shares of Common
Stock of the Company held by them on such date at the Meeting or any and all
adjournments thereof. As of the Record Date, 3,021,059 shares of Common Stock
were outstanding. There was no other class of voting securities outstanding at
that date.
Each share of Common Stock held by a Shareholder entitles such Shareholder
to one vote on each matter that is voted upon at the Meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one-third of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the
Meeting. Assuming that a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Meeting in person
or by proxy and entitled to vote will be required to approve each proposal to be
considered at the Meeting and to adopt the resolutions of the Shareholders
corresponding to each proposal.
Abstentions and broker "non-votes" will be counted toward determining the
presence of a quorum for the transaction of business; however, abstentions will
have the effect of a negative vote on the proposals being submitted. Abstentions
may be specified on all proposals. A broker "non-vote" will have no effect on
the outcome of any of the proposals.
If the accompanying proxy is properly signed and returned to the Company
and not revoked, it will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. Unless contrary instructions are given, the persons designated as proxy
holders in the accompanying Proxy will vote "FOR" each proposal to be considered
by the Shareholders at the Meeting or, if no such recommendation is given, in
their own discretion. The Company's executive officers and directors have
<PAGE>
advised the Company that they intend to vote their shares (including those
shares over which they hold voting power), representing approximately 38.68% of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, in favor of each of the proposals above.
Each Proxy granted by a Shareholder may be revoked by such Shareholder at any
time thereafter by writing to the Secretary of the Company prior to the Meeting,
or by execution and delivery of a subsequent Proxy or by attendance and voting
in person at the Meeting, except as to any matter or matters upon which, prior
to such revocation, a vote shall be been cast pursuant to the authority
conferred by such Proxy.
The cost of soliciting these Proxies, consisting of the printing, handling,
and mailing of the Proxy and related material, and the actual expense incurred
by brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries in forwarding proxy
materials to the beneficial owners of the shares of Common Stock, will be paid
by the Company.
In order to assure that there is a quorum, it may be necessary for certain
officers, directors, regular employees and other representatives of the Company
to solicit Proxies by telephone or telegraph or in person. These persons will
receive no extra compensation for their services.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
---------------------
The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 1999, the beneficial
ownership of the Company's common stock by each person known by the Company to
own beneficially more than 5% of the common stock of the Company outstanding as
of that date and by the officers and directors of the Company as a group. Except
as otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly.
Person or Group Amount Owned
--------------- ----------------------------------
Shares of Options to Purchase Percent of
Common Stock Common Stock Class
------------ ------------ -----
Anthony So 1,168,421 567,000 47.1%
Officers and directors 1,168,421 1,021,000 52.9%
as a group (7 persons)
The above percentages are based on beneficial ownership of both shares of
common stock and options to purchase common stock which are immediately
exercisable. All of the shares beneficially owned by Mr. Anthony So are owned of
record by a corporation that is wholly owned by a trust of which Mr. So is the
sole beneficiary.
BOARD COMMITTEES
On October 1, 1994, the Board of Directors appointed, and has since
maintained, an Independent Audit Committee of the Company. The Committee was
established to (i) review and approve the scope of audit procedures employed by
the Company's independent auditors; (ii) review and approve the audit reports
rendered by the Company's independent auditors; (iii) approve the audit fee
charged by the independent auditors; (iv) report to the Board of Directors with
respect to such matters; (v) recommend the selection of independent auditors;
and (vi) discharge such other responsibilities as may be delegated to it from
time to time by the Board and to discharge such other reponsibilities as may be
delegated to it from time to time by the Board of Directors. Woo-Ping Fok and
George O'Leary, the independent directors of the Company, have served as the
members of the Independent Audit Committee from the date of its inception to the
present. The Audit Committee has not had any meetings; however, it is
anticipated that the Audit Committee will meet with the Company's auditors
during the next fiscal year in connection with the year end audit.
<PAGE>
On October 11, 1996, the Board of Directors appointed, and has since
maintained, a 1996 Stock Option Plan Committee which determines the persons to
be granted options under the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan, the number of
shares subject to each option, the exercise price of each option and the option
period, subject to the requirement that no option may be exercisable more than
10 years after the date of grant.
On October 11, 1996, the Board of Directors appointed, and has since
maintained, a 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan Committee which
administers the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information as to the compensation
paid to certain of the Company's executive officers and directors and for all
directors and executive officers as a group for the year ended March 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cash Non-Cash
Name of Individual Capacities in Which Served Compensation Compensation
- ------------------ -------------------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Anthony So President, Chief Executive Officer,
Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer, Chairman of the Board and
Director $346,153(1) $95,385(1)
Kim Wah Chung Director of Engineering and Research
and Development and Director $ 59,615(2) $53,974(2)
Kam Sun Luk Director of New Projects and Quality
Control and Director $ 86,539(3) $ 4,615(3)
Cathy Pang Director of Finance and Director $ 85,817(4) $ 4,577(4)
Henry F. Schlueter Assistant Secretary $ -- $ --
Woo Ping Fok Director $ -- $ --
George O'Leary Director $115,342(5) $ --
Cham Some So Director $ 13,000(6) $ --
All directors and
officers as a group (8 persons)(7) $706,466(7) $158,551
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
(1) Cash compensation consists of emoluments of $346,153. Non-cash compensation
consists of a $15,385 contribution to the Company's Provident Fund Plan and
the value of housing provided to Mr. So valued at $80,000 during fiscal
1999.
(2) Cash compensation consists of emoluments of $59,615. Non-cash compensation
consists of a $10,461 contribution to the Company's Provident Fund Plan,
life insurance of $5,051 and a housing allowance of $38,462.
(3) Cash compensation consists of emoluments of $86,539. Non-cash compensation
consists of a $4,615 contribution to the Company's Provident Fund Plan.
(4) Cash compensation consists of emoluments of $85,817. Non-cash compensation
consists of a $4,577 contribution to the Company's Provident Fund Plan.
(5) Consists of payments made pursuant to a sales commission arrangement with
the Company.
(6) Consists of $13,000 paid as a director's fee. Mr. Cham Some So resigned
from the Board of Directors as of April 30, 1998.
(7) Includes Mr. Cham Some So who resigned as a director as of April 30, 1998.
<PAGE>
The Company did not set aside or accrue any amounts to provide pension,
retirement or similar benefits for directors and officers for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1999, other than contributions to the Company's Provident Fund
Plan which aggregated $35,038 for officers and directors in 1999.
Except for Cham Some So, who was paid a director's fee of $13,000 during
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, directors do not receive any additional
monetary compensation for serving as directors of the Company. All directors are
reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with services as a
director.
COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO OPTIONS
TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
Outside, non-employee directors receive stock options pursuant to the 1996
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan and have been granted other options.
In August 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a 1996
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan which provides for the grant of
options to purchase an aggregate of not more than 100,000 shares of the
Company's common stock. The purpose of the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company by creating a
long-term mutuality of interests between the non-employee directors and the
stockholders of the Company, to provide an additional inducement for the
non-employee directors to remain with the Company and to provide a means through
which the Company may attract able persons to serve as directors of the Company.
The 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan is administered by a
committee appointed by the Board of Directors.
Under the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, on the third
business day following each annual meeting of the stockholders, each director
who is not then an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries will
automatically be granted a stock option to purchase 10,000 shares of common
stock. The exercise price of all options granted under the 1996 Non-Employee
Directors' Stock Option Plan will be equal to the fair market value of the
underlying shares on the date of grant, based on guidelines set forth in the
plan. The exercise price may be paid in cash, by the surrender of options, in
common stock, in other property, including the optionee's promissory note, or by
a combination of the above. The term of each option granted pursuant to the 1996
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan will be ten years from the date of
grant; however, no option may be exercised during the first six months of its
term. The term of an option granted pursuant to the 1996 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan may be reduced in the event that the optionee ceases to be a
director of the Company. No option granted pursuant to the plan will be
transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Employee directors may receive stock options pursuant to the Company's 1996
Stock Option Plan. In August 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted
the 1996 Stock Option Plan which provides for the grant of options to purchase
an aggregate of not more than 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The
purpose of the 1996 Stock Option Plan is to make options available to management
and employees of the Company in order to encourage them to secure or increase on
reasonable terms their stock ownership in the Company and to encourage them to
remain in the employ of the Company.
The 1996 Stock Option Plan is administered by a committee appointed by the
Board of Directors which determines the persons to be granted options under the
plan, the number of shares subject to each option, the exercise price of each
option and the option period, subject to the requirement that no option may be
exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant. The exercise price of an
option may be less than fair market value of the underlying shares of common
stock. No options granted under the plan will be transferable by the optionee
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each option will
be exercisable, during the lifetime of the optionee, only by the optionee.
<PAGE>
The exercise price of an option granted pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option
Plan may be paid in cash, by the surrender of options, in common stock, in other
property, including the optionee's promissory note, or by a combination of the
above.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Over the years, the Company has provided to and received from its officers
and directors cash advances. In October 1994, the Board of Directors adopted a
policy resolution prohibiting the Company from making any loan or advance of
money or property, or guaranteeing the obligation of any directors of the
Company, and limiting the Company's ability to make these loans, advances or
guarantees to officers of the Company or its subsidiaries unless a majority of
independent, disinterested outside directors determine that the loan, advance or
guarantee may reasonably be expected to benefit the Company. Further, all future
material affiliated transactions, loans and loan guarantees, if any, will be
made on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than those that are
generally available from unaffiliated third parties. The Company has neither
provided nor received any cash advances to it officers or directors since this
policy resolution was adopted.
It is common practice in Hong Kong, the location of the Company's principal
executive offices, to provide a housing allowance or living accommodations for
senior executives as part of their compensation. The Company provides Mr.
Anthony So with living accommodations consisting of a company-owned townhouse,
for which the Company paid a total purchase price of approximately $1,337,000.
the Company valued this benefit at $80,000 during the fiscal year ended March
31, 1999. The Company also provides Mr. Kim Wah Chung, its director of
engineering and research and development and a director of the Company, with a
housing allowance which amounted to $38,462 during the fiscal year ended March
31, 1999.
Mr. George O'Leary, a director of the Company, is paid a commission on
orders placed by customers which he obtains for the Company. The amount of the
commission is negotiated on a deal-by-deal basis, without a written agreement.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, Mr. O'Leary was paid an aggregate
of $354,835 in commissions and during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, he
was paid an aggregate of $115,342 in commissions.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF SEVEN (7) PERSONS
TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The Company's directors are elected annually to serve until the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and thereafter until their successors shall have been
elected and qualified. The number of directors presently authorized by the
Articles of Association of the Company shall be not less than one (1) nor more
than seven (7).
Unless otherwise directed by shareholders, the proxy holder will vote all
shares represented by proxies held by them for the election of the following
nominees, all of whom are now members and constitute the Company's Board of
Directors. The Company is advised that all nominees have indicated their
availability and willingness to serve if elected. In the event that any nominee
becomes unavailable or unable to serve as a director of the Company prior to the
voting, the proxy holder will vote for a substitute nominee in the exercise of
his best judgment.
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES
ANTHONY SO is the founder of the Company. He has been president, chairman
of the Board of Directors and treasurer of the Company since its inception and
has been secretary of the Company since July 1991. Mr. So received his BSE
degree in civil engineering from National Taiwan University in 1967 and a
masters degree in business administration from the Hong Kong campus of the
University of Hull, Hull, England in 1994. Mr. So has been chairman of the Hong
Kong GO Association since 1986, and also served as chairman of the Alumni
Association of National Taiwan University for the 1993-1994 academic year. Mr.
So has served as a trustee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Asia
College since 1994.
KIM WAH CHUNG has been a director of the Company since September 21, 1994.
Mr. Chung has been employed by the Company since 1981 and currently holds the
position of director of engineering and research and development. Mr. Chung is
responsible for all research projects and product development of the Company.
Mr. Chung's entire engineering career has been spent with the Company, and he
has been involved with every major product development made by the Company. Mr.
Chung was graduated with honors in 1981 from the Chinese University of Hong Kong
with a bachelor of science degree in electronics.
KAM SUN LUK was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company on
September 21, 1994 and has been employed by the Company as director of new
projects and quality control since October 1993. Mr. Luk obtained his bachelors
degree in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University in 1968. Mr.
Luk is also a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers United Kingdom and
a chartered engineer in electrical engineering. Mr. Luk was employed by
Semiconductor Devices Ltd. of Hong Kong in a variety of positions between 1970
and 1992 when he joined the Company, including serving as Semiconductor Devices'
general manager and senior vice president.
CATHY, KIT TENG PANG has been a director of the Company since January 1,
1998. Ms. Pang was first employed by the Company as financial controller in
December 1996 and was promoted to director of finance on January 1, 1998. Ms.
Pang was employed as an auditor in an international audit firm from 1987 to
1991, at which time she joined a Hong Kong Listed company in the field of
magnetic industry as assistant financial controller. From 1994 until she joined
the Company in 1996, she was employed as deputy chief accountant in a management
and property development company in Hong Kong and China. Ms. Pang has a bachelor
of business administration degree from York University in Toronto, Canada. She
is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and of the
Hong Kong Society of Accountants.
HENRY F. SCHLUETER has served as assistant secretary of the Company since
October 6, 1988. Since 1992, Mr. Schlueter has been the managing director of
Schlueter & Associates, P.C., a law firm, practicing in the areas of securities,
mergers and acquisitions, finance and corporate law. From 1989 to 1991, prior to
establishing Schlueter & Associates, P.C., Mr. Schlueter was a partner in the
Denver, Colorado office of Kutak Rock (formerly Kutak, Rock & Campbell), and
from 1984 to 1989, he was a partner in the Denver office of Nelson & Harding.
Mr. Schlueter is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, the Colorado Society of CPA's, the Colorado and Denver Bar
Associations and the Wyoming State Bar. Mr. Schlueter received his law degree
from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1978.
WOO-PING FOK was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company on
September 21, 1994. Mr. Fok and his firm, Wong & Fok, Solicitors (and its
predecessor firm), have served as Hong Kong counsel to the Company since 1993.
Mr. Fok was admitted to the Canadian Bar as a Barrister & Solicitor in December
1987 and was a partner in the law firm of Woo & Fok, a Canadian law firm with
its head office in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In 1991, Mr. Fok was qualified to
practice as a Solicitor of England & Wales, a Solicitor of Hong Kong and a
Barrister & Solicitor of Australian Capital Territory. Mr. Fok practices law in
Hong Kong and is a partner with Wong & Fok, Solicitors. Mr. Fok's major areas of
practice include conveyancing or real property law, corporations and business
law, commercial transactions and international trade with a special emphasis in
China trade matters.
<PAGE>
GEORGE O'LEARY has been a director of the Company since January 1997. From
November 1994 to the present time, Mr. O'Leary has been president of Pacific Rim
Products, Newport Beach, California, a trading company that provides offshore
sourcing alternatives to U.S. based electronics companies. For eight years prior
to 1994, Mr. O'Leary was president, CEO and a director of Micro General
Corporation, Santa Ana, California, a manufacturer and distributor of mechanical
and electronic scale products. For eight years prior to that, Mr. O'Leary was
vice president and general manager of Lanier Business Products, Atlanta,
Georgia, a manufacturer and distributor of office products. Mr. O'Leary has a
bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts.
J. STEWART JACKSON, IV has been nominated by the Board of Directors to
serve as a new director of the Company. From 1962 until its merger with Republic
Industries in 1996, Mr. Jackson served in various management capacities,
including President, of Denver Burglar Alarm Co., Inc., a business founded by
his family. In addition, in the mid-1960's Mr. Jackson founded Denver Burlar
Alarm Products, a separate company which invented, patented, manufactured,
distributed, and installed contained ionization smoke detectors and which was
later sold to a conglomerate manufacturer. After the merger of Denver Burglar
Alarm Co., Inc., Mr. Jackson founded Jackson Burglar Alarm Co., Inc., of which
he is currently President. Mr. Jackson served on the advisory Board of Directors
for Underwriter's Laboratories for burglar and fire alarm systems for 25 years
and has been an officer in the Central Station Protection Association, which,
along with the National Burglar Alarm Association, was formed by his family in
the late 1940's. Mr. Jackson graduated from the University of Colorado in 1962
with a degree in Business Management and Engineering.
At the present time no family relationship exists among any of the named
directors and executive officers; however, Mr. Cham Some So, who served as a
director until his resignation on April 30, 1998, is the father of Anthony So.
No arrangement or understanding exists between any of these directors or
officers and any other persons pursuant to which any director or executive
officer was elected as a director or executive officer of the Company. The
directors of the Company are elected annually and serve until their successors
take office or until their death, resignation or removal. The executive officers
serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Board Recommendation
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the seven nominees
for directors of the Company.
PROPOSAL 2
INCREASE IN AGGREGATE NUMBER OF OPTIONS
ISSUABLE UNDER 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
To approve an increase from 400,000 to 900,000 in the aggregate number of
options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be issued under the
Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan.
In August 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 1996
Stock Option Plan of the Company, which provides for the grant of options to
purchase an aggregate of not more than 400,000 shares of the Company's common
stock. The purpose of the 1996 Stock Option Plan is to make options available to
management and employees of the Company in order to encourage them to secure or
increase on reasonable terms their stock ownership in the Company and to
encourage them to remain in the employ of the Company.
<PAGE>
The 1996 Stock Option Plan is administered by a committee appointed by the
Board of Directors which determines the persons to be granted options under the
plan, the number of shares subject to each option, the exercise price of each
option and the option period, subject to the requirement that no option may be
exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant. The exercise price of an
option may be less than fair market value of the underlying shares of common
stock. No options granted under the plan will be transferable by the optionee
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each option will
be exercisable, during the lifetime of the optionee, only by the optionee.
The exercise price of an option granted pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option
Plan may be paid in cash, by the surrender of options, in common stock, in other
property, including the optionee's promissory note, or by a combination of the
above.
All of the 400,000 stock options authorized to be issued under the 1996
Stock Option Plan have been granted to employees. The Board of Directors
believes it to be in the best interests of the Corporation for the aggregate
number of options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company under the
1996 Stock Option Plan to be increased from its current total of 400,000 to
900,000. This will permit the Company to continue to grant stock options to its
employees in order to encourage them to secure or increase on reasonable terms
their stock ownership in the Company and to encourage them to remain in the
employ of the Company, thereby achieving the purpose of the 1996 Stock Option
Plan.
Unless otherwise directed by shareholders, the proxy holders will vote all
shares represented by proxies held by them to approve an increase from 400,000
to 900,000 in the aggregate number of options to purchase common stock of the
Company which may be issued under the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan.
Board Recommendation
The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of an increase from 400,000 to
900,000 in the aggregate number of options to purchase common stock of the
Company which may be issued under the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan.
PROPOSAL 3
INCREASE IN AGGREGATE NUMBER
OF OPTIONS ISSUABLE UNDER
1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
To approve an increase from 100,000 to 600,000 in the aggregate number of
options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be issued under the
Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
In August 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a 1996
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan which provides for the grant of
options to purchase an aggregate of not more than 100,000 shares of the
Company's common stock. The purpose of the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Plan is
to promote the long-term success of the Company by creating a long-term
mutuality of interests between the non-employee directors and the stockholders
of the Company, to provide an additional inducement for the non-employee
directors to remain with the Company and to provide a means through which the
Company may attract able persons to serve as directors of the Company. The 1996
Non-Employee Directors' Plan is administered by a committee appointed by the
Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
Under the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Plan, on the third business day
following each annual meeting of the stockholders, each director who is not then
an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries will automatically be
granted a stock option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock. The exercise
price of all options granted under the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Plan will be
equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant,
based on guidelines set forth in the plan. The exercise price may be paid in
cash, by the surrender of options, in common stock, in other property, including
the optionee's promissory note, or by a combination of the above. The term of
each option granted pursuant to the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Plan will be
ten years from the date of grant; however, no option may be exercised during the
first six months of its term. The term of an option granted pursuant to the 1996
Non-Employee Directors' Plan may be reduced in the event that the optionee
ceases to be a director of the Company. No option granted pursuant to the plan
will be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.
Seventy thousand of the 100,000 stock options authorized to be issued under
the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan have been granted as provided
under that Plan. The Board of Directors believes it to be in the best interests
of the Corporation for the aggregate number of options to purchase shares of
common stock of the Company under the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option
Plan to be increased from its current total of 100,000 to 600,000. This will
permit the Company to continue to grant stock options to its directors who are
not employees of the Company in order to promote the long-term success of the
Company by creating a long-term mutuality of interests between the non-employee
directors and the stockholders of the Company, to provide an additional
inducement for the non-employee directors to remain with the Company and to
provide a means through which the Company may attract able persons to serve as
directors of the Company, thereby achieving the purpose of the 1996 Stock Option
Plan.
Unless otherwise directed by shareholders, the proxy holders will vote all
shares represented by proxies held by them to approve an increase from 100,000
to 600,000 as the aggregate number of options to purchase common stock of the
Company which may be issued under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan.
Board Recommendation
The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of an increase from 100,000 to
600,000 in the aggregate number of options to purchase common stock of the
Company which may be issued under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan.
<PAGE>
GENERAL
Other Matters
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters that are to be
presented at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders other than those stated in the
Notice of Annual Meeting and referred to in this Proxy Statement. If any other
matters should properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that the proxies
in the accompanying form will be voted as the persons named therein may
determine in their discretion.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Anthony So, President
<PAGE>
BONSO ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JANUARY 10, 2000
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned shareholder of Bonso Electronics International Inc., a
British Virgin Islands corporation (the "Company"), acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, dated December 16,
1999, and hereby appoints Anthony So and Henry F. Schlueter, or either of them,
each with the power of substitution, as Attorneys and Proxies to represent and
vote all shares of Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned would be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any proxy or proxies heretofore given and
ratifying and confirming all that said Attorneys and Proxies may do or cause to
be done by virtue thereof with respect to the following matters:
1. Election of each of the following seven (7) persons to serve as
directors of the Corporation until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and thereafter until their successors shall have been
elected and qualified:
Anthony So
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
Kim Wah Chung
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
Kam Sun Luk
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
Cathy, Kit Teng Pang
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
Woo-Ping Fok
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
George O'Leary
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
J. Stewart Jackson IV
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
2. Approval of an increase from 400,000 to 900,000 in the aggregate
number of options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be
issued under the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan.
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
3. Approval of an increase from 100,000 to 600,000 in the aggregate
number of options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be
issued under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option
Plan.
FOR /___/ AGAINST /___/ ABSTAIN /___/
4. To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
<PAGE>
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. If no direction
is indicated, the Proxy will be voted FOR the election of each of the nominees
listed above to the Board of Directors and FOR the proposals to approve an
increase from 400,000 to 900,000 in the aggregate number of options to purchase
common stock of the Company which may be issued under the Company's 1996 Stock
Option Plan and to approve an increase from 100,000 to 600,000 in the aggregate
number of options to purchase common stock of the Company which may be issued
under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
Dated:____________________, _________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
[LABEL]
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as it
appears hereon. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the joint tenancy
must sign. When a proxy is given by a corporation, it should be signed by an
authorized officer and the corporate seal affixed. No postage is required if
returned in the enclosed envelope and mailed in the United States.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY IMMEDIATELY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ON THE LABEL ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY. WHEN
SHARES ARE HELD BY JOINT TENANTS, BOTH SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY,
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE, OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH.
IF A CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATE NAME BY PRESIDENT OR OTHER
AUTHORIZED PERSON. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL PARTNERSHIP NAME BY
AUTHORIZED PERSON.
