09 يونيو 2023 م
21 ذو القعدة 1444 هــ
English
المكتتبون
النسبة المئوية المساهم بها
عدد الأسهم
القيمة الإسمية (ر.ق)
حكومة دولة قطر
10%
3,600,000
36,000,000
الشركة المتحدة للتنمية ش.م.ق
45,9%
16,524,000
165,240,000
دريجنك انفايرومبتال آند مارين انجييريج ان في
44,1%
15,876,000
158,760,000
المجموع
100%
360,000,000
المبلغ المدفوع امتدادا 25%
9,000,000
الشركة المتحدة للتنمية
41,310,000
دريجنك انفايروميتال آند مارين انجينيرينج ان في
39,690,000
90,000,000
شاهد
الموثق
رئيس قسم التوثيق
الاسم:
الجنسية:
بطاقة شخصية رقم:
التوقيع:
Articles of Association 1. Interpretation In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires, each of the expressions that is listed below shall have the meaning set out opposite it:"Articles" These Articles of Association as they may be altered from time to time in accordance with their terms."Board" The Board of Directors for the time being of the Company."Business Day" Any day that is not a Friday or a Saturday on which banks are generally open for business in the State of Qatar."Company" Qatar Dredging Company QSC."Director" Any person for the time being appointed as a member of the Board pursuant to Article 18 of these Articles."Department" The Commercial Affairs Department of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce."Fair Price" The value of the relevant shares fixed in accordance with the provisions of Article 15.4.5."Government" The Government of the State of Qatar."Group" The Company and the Group Subsidiaries."Group Subsidiary" or "Group Subsidiaries" Those corporations which from time to time during the term of this Agreement are subsidiaries of the Company within the meaning ascribed thereto in the Companies Ordinance."Person" Any person, whether natural or juristic, and any partnership, unincorporated association, joint venture, official body or any other entity."Register" The register of Shareholders that the Company is obliged to maintain pursuant to Article 13 of these Articles."Shareholder" Any Person for the time being listed as a shareholder of the Company in the Register."Subscribers" Together, the original signatories to these Articles and each one of them a “Subscribers”.2. Incorporation The Company has been established as a Qatari joint stock company by the Subscribers pursuant to the provisions of Law No. 5 of 2002 and, in particular, Article 68 thereof and the terms of these Articles.3. NameThe name of the Company shall be "Qatar Dredging Company" QSC.4. Objectives of the Company (a) to execute contracts for marine construction such as:-(i) Dredging and clearing sea beds, river beds, waterways, harbours, etc;(ii) Reclamations and backfilling;(iii) Marine drilling from jack-ups;(iv) Soil treatment techniques and application of cleaning techniques on soils:(v) Silt, mud and sludge treatment techniques;(vi) Protection of submerged pipelines;(vii) Underwater erosion protection techniques and harbour bottom protection; and(viii) Salvage and wreck removaltogether referred to as the "Services"; and(b) to own and deal with movable and immovable property and leasehold interests in movable or immovable property;(c) to borrow money and enter into financial transactions of any kind and to give security for its obligations;(d) to indemnify any persons giving guarantees for the benefit of the Company;(e) to act as a holding company; and/or(f) to perform any other acts that are necessary for the implementation of the Services and that are not contrary to this Memorandum and Articles of Association or the laws of the State of Qatar.5. Principal OfficeThe principal office of the Company shall be located in Doha, State of Qatar. The Company may establish branches, agencies or offices of the Company in Qatar or abroad.6. Duration of the CompanyThe term of the Company shall commence on the date on which it is incorporated and end on the twenty fifth 25th anniversary of the date of incorporation or such other date as shall be approved by a resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Company in accordance with these Articles.7. Share Capital 7.1 The authorised share capital of the Company is three hundred and sixty million (360,000,000) Qatari Riyals and shall consist of thirty six million (36,000,000) shares with a nominal value of ten Qatari Riyals (Qr 10) each.7.2 The authorised share capital may be increased, reduced or modified by a resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles.8. Issuance of Shares 8.1 The Shares will be distributed as follows:
Shareholder
%Share Holding
No.of Shares
Nominal Value (QR)
Government of the Stat of Qatar
UDC
45.9%
16.524.000
165.240.000
DEME
44.1%
15.876.000
158.760.000
Total
36.000.000
360.000.000
8.2 The Shareholders have agreed to pay 25% of the nominal value of shares subscribed for, representing the sum of QR 90,000,000. This will be paid up in cash as follows:
Shareholders
% Shareh olding
Paid-Up Initial25% (QR)
Government of the State of Qatar
41.310.000
39.690.000
90.000.000
8.3 The balance of the authorized share capital will be paid up in cash by the Shareholders thereafter in such installments and at such times as the Board shall resolve.9. Rights Attaching to Shares9.1 Each share shall be indivisible and shall confer upon the holder the right to attend and vote at any General Assembly of the Shareholders in accordance with the terms of these Articles, to receive dividends and to share in the assets of the Company on any liquidation of it.9.2 The Company, may, by Ordinary Resolution of the General Assembly declare dividends, whether interim or final, in accordance with the recommendation of the Board and such dividends, if any, shall be distributed pro rata to the ownership of the relevant shares in the Company as shown in the Register on the date Upon which the dividend is declared.10. Liability for DebtsEach Shareholder shall only be liable for the value of the shares it holds and its liability shall not be increased.11. Shares Nominal The shares shall be nominal.12. Binding Nature Each Shareholder, by its ownership of any of the shares, shall be bound by these Articles and the duly adopted resolutions of the General Assembly. The Shareholders are also bound by a shareholders' agreement.13. Register of Shareholders The Board shall cause to be kept at the Company's head office a register of shareholders in which entry shall be made showing the name, nationality and address of each Shareholder, the number and class of shares it holds, their serial numbers, the amount paid up in respect of each share, the date of registration of such Shareholder and the date upon which any such shares were transferred. The Register shall be open for inspection by Shareholders during normal working hours. The Board may, but shall not be obliged, to file copies of the Register, or to give notice of any change in the Register, to the Department.14. Share Certificates Every Person whose name is entered as a Shareholder shall be entitled, without payment, to receive certificates for its shares. Each certificate shall be signed by two Directors and shall specify the class of share, the series and number of shares to which it relates together with the authorised share capital of the Company for the time being.15. Method of Transfer of Shares 15.1 Restrictions on Transfer. Except as expressly permitted in this Article 15, none of the Subscribers shall sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate any of its shares, or permit such shares to become subject to any lien without the consent of the other Subscribers. Any attempted sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation by any of the Subscribers of any or all of its shares that contravenes this Article 15.1 or any other provision of these Articles will be void and of no force or effect.15.2 Subscribers' Rights of First Refusal.15.2.1 Prior to any Subscriber (the "Seller”) making any transfer of shares (the “Offered Shares”) to any Person the Seller shall first give to the other Subscribers (the "Offerees") a notice in writing (a “transfer Notice") of the proposed transfer together with details of the proposed transferee the price per share and the terms of such transfer. A transfer Notice shall, except as hereinafter provided, be irrevocable.15.2. On receipt of the transfer Notice, the Offerees shall have the right to purchase all or part of the Offered Shares at the Fair Price. The Offerees shall exercise such right by giving written notice (an “Acceptance Notice") to the Seller within twenty one (21) days of receipt of the Transfer Notice.15.2.3 The Offerees shall, upon giving an Acceptance Notice, become bound to purchase at the Fair Price those of the Offered Shares that each of them has indicated that it intends to purchase in the Acceptance Notice. In the event that the aggregate of the Acceptance Notices received from the Offerees exceeds the number of the Offered Shares then each Acceptance Notice shall be deemed to be for that proportion of the Offered Shares that the relative Offeree's shareholding bears to the capital for the time being of the Company. Completion of the sale and purchase shall take place within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the Acceptance Notice.15.2.4 If the Offerees do not exercise their rights to purchase all of the Offered Shares under this Article 15.2, the Seller shall be entitled to transfer the remaining Offered Shares to the transferee specified in the Transfer Notice upon terms no more favourable than those offered to the Offerees; provided that such transfer shall be approved by a resolution of the General Assembly passed in accordance with Article 41.2(1) and completed within fourteen (14) days of the date of such resolution.15.3 Approvals; Statutory Rights etc.The Subscribers shall take, or shall cause to be taken, all action whatsoever that may be required to effect any transfer permitted by this Article 15 including, without limitation, the execution, attestation and registration in accordance with these Articles and applicable laws of Qatar of the requisite amendment to the Memorandum and Articles of Association evidencing such transfer, and a Subscriber ceasing to own shares shall deliver to the other Subscribers written resignations signed by each Director who was appointed to such office by such Subscriber.15.4 Conditions Applicable to Transferees.Completion of any permitted transfer of shares shall be subject to conditions that:15.4.1 the transferee shall have first entered into an agreement with the continuing Subscribers whereby it agrees to be bound (in terms reasonably satisfactory to the continuing Subscribers) by provisions corresponding to those provisions of these Articles and the Shareholders Agreement entered into between the Subscribers on March 2004 that are binding upon the transferring Subscriber;15.4.2 any indebtedness owing at the time to the Company from the transferring Subscriber shall first have been settled in full;15.4.3 if, and insofar as, the transferring Subscriber requires the transferee to assume the obligations of the transferring Subscriber under any guarantees, indemnities or contracts relating to the business of the Company such assumption shall have first take place on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the continuing Subscribers;15.4.4 the transferring Shareholder acknowledges and agrees that, following completion of the transfer of the Offered Shares, it shall have no claim whatsoever in respect of any share of any accumulated profits attributable to the Offered Shares which have not at that time been paid by the Company as dividends or otherwise distributed to the Subscribers by the Company in accordance with these Articles; and15.4.5 The Shareholders will endeavour to agree between them a value for the Fair Price in respect of any proposed transfer. However, in the event that the Shareholders are unable to agree on a value within fourteen (14) days of being required to do so by notice in writing from any of the Shareholders then the Shareholders shall endeavour to agree the name of an expert to fix the Fair Price acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator. Such expert shall be a firm of chartered accountants or certified public accountants or equivalent of good repute that does not have an office in the State of Qatar. In the event that the Parties are unable to agree on such appointment within fourteen (14) days of being required to do so by notice in writing from any of the Shareholders then any of the Shareholders shall have the right by notice in writing to apply to the President for the time being of the International Chamber of Commerce to appoint the expert and each of the Shareholders agrees to be bound by such appointment and the finding of such expert. The costs of any such determination shall be fixed by the expert and paid by the party or parties against whom the expert at his complete discretion awards such costs.15.5 Rights on Transformation of the CompanyThe Company shall, at any time, whether within the first three years following incorporation or otherwise, have the right by a resolution of the General Assembly to that affect to offer its shares for subscription by the general public. Upon the adoption of such a resolution by the General Assembly, the Government shall have the right by notice in writing to require the continuing Subscribers to purchase the shares in the Company owned by the Government pro rata to their respective shareholdings in the Company [at the Fair Price before the transformation can take place. Nevertheless, in the event that this would result in DEME owing more than forty nine (49) percent of the capital of the Company, DEME shall only be obliged to purchase that proportion of the Government's shares which would result in DEME owning forty nine (49) percent of the capital of the Company and UDC will be obliged to purchase the balance.16. Restriction on Encumbrances The shares may not be pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated or otherwise charged or encumbered.Management of the Company 17. Powers of the Board Except for those matters required by these Articles to be determined by the Shareholders, the day to day management of the Company shall be undertaken by the Board. All matters arising for decision in the ordinary course of business shall be decided by the Board and the Board shall have the power to delegate all or any part of its powers in respect of the day-to-day management of the Company to the General Manager from time to time appointed by DEME with the approval of UDC (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) and to any Person as it shall see fit.18. Composition of the Board The Board shall consist of ten (10) members. The Government shall be entitled to nominate one (1) Director, UDC shall be entitled to appoint five (5) Directors and DEME shall be entitled to nominate four (4) Directors at least one of which shall be resident in Qatar on a full time basis at the cost of DEME. Directors shall not be required to hold any shares or other securities of the Company in order to qualify for office. The first Directors shall be appointed by the constitutive General Assembly of the Subscribers.19. Vacation of Office of DirectorThe office of Director shall be vacated:-(i) if he resigns;(ii) if the Subscriber that appointed him revokes his appointment; or(iii) on death.In each case the Subscriber that appointed such Director shall have the right to appoint a replacement. Each Subscriber agrees to indemnify the Company against any loss or expense incurred by the Company as a result of the replacement by the appointing Subscriber of any of its Directors. Each appointment or removal of a Director by a Subscriber shall be made by giving notice thereof in writing to the Company and the other Subscribers in accordance with these Articles and shall be effective upon the giving of such notice. The Company may, but shall not be obliged to, give notice of the Directors appointed from time to time to the Department.20. Alternate Directors Each Subscriber may appoint an alternate Director by notice in writing to the Company and may revoke such appointment at any time in the same manner, such notice to take effect on the date of it. Such alternate Director may attend, be counted in the quorum for, and vote at, meetings of the Board in the absence of the Director whom he represents. In addition, each Director may, if neither he nor such alternate Director is able to attend a meeting of the Board, appoint solely for that meeting a proxy who may attend, be counted in the quorum for, and vote at that meeting in his stead. The same individual may be a proxy for one or more Directors and if representing more than one Director shall be entitled to vote on behalf, and in the place, of each Director represented.21. Appointment of Chairman The Chairman of the Board shall be appointed by United Development Company from amongst its Directors.22. Board Meetings The Board shall meet together at such place, for the dispatch of such business, and shall adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it may decide. Additional meetings shall be convened at the direction of the Chairman.23. Notice of Meetings All meetings of the Board shall be convened by a notice from the Chairman or, in his absence by another UDC Director, such notice to be given to each Director at his address for service in the Company records not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the proposed date of such meeting stating the date, time and place of the meeting. The notice shall include:-(i) a list of the agenda items to be addressed at the meeting; and(ii) in respect of each agenda item, an indication of whether a resolution is to be proposed for adoption or other voting action is to be taken.24. Waiver of Notice A meeting of the Board shall, notwithstanding that it has been convened without notice or by a shorter notice than specified in Article 23, be deemed to have been convened if each Director who, or whose alternate, if applicable, is not present at such meeting shall have agreed in writing to the convening of such meeting without such notice or by such shorter notice.25. Quorum for Board Meeting25.1 The number of Directors required to constitute a quorum in respect of any matter to be considered and acted upon by the Board shall be three (3) present in person or by duly appointed alternate or proxy comprised of at least one Director appointed by each Subscriber.If a quorum is not present the meeting shall be adjourned to a rescheduled meeting of the Board to be held on the tenth (10th) Business Day thereafter (or such earlier date as the Directors may unanimously agree in writing) at the same time and place, and at such rescheduled meeting of the Board, the quorum shall be that number of Directors present at the adjourned meeting.25.2 Except for those matters contained in Article 25.3, resolutions of the Board shall be passed by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the Directors present or represented by alternate at the meeting at which the resolution is proposed.25.3 Any resolution of the Board to propose to the Shareholders any of the matters listed below shall not be adopted by the Board except by the approval of not less than seventy five (75) percent of the Directors present or represented at the meeting:-(a) create any fixed or floating charge, lien (other than a lien arising by operation of law) or other encumbrance over the whole or any part of the undertaking, property or assets of any member of the Group except for the purpose of securing the indebtedness of the Company and/or any Group Subsidiary to its bankers for sums borrowed in the ordinary and proper course of the business and not greater than USD 1,000,000 in aggregate for the Group;(b) borrow any sums in aggregate for the Group in excess of USD 1,000,000;(c) make any loan or advance or give any credit except to a Group Subsidiary or in the course of business;(d) sell, transfer, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of any material part of the undertaking, property and/or assets of the Company (if the value of it is exceeding USD 0.5 million) or a Group Subsidiary (or any interest therein) or contract so to do otherwise than in the ordinary course of business including the decision to exercise the buy-back obligation, as described in Clause 11 (4) of the Shareholders' agreement;(e) except as otherwise agreed under these Articles, issue or allot any unissued Shares for the time being or create or issue any new Shares:(f) issue any debentures or other securities convertible into Shares or debentures or any share warrants or any options in respect of Shares;(g) change the nature or the geographical area of the business carried out by any member of the Group, or change the price of any tender after this tender sum was defined by the General Manager appointed from time to time in accordance with Article 17;(h) commence, defend or settle any litigation, arbitration or other proceedings which are material in the context of the relevant company's business;(i) alter its fiscal year end from 31st December;(j) start a cooperation or subcontract with any other dredging company (or using another dredging company's equipment);(k) change the capital structure (including call for capital);(l) change the shareholder's structure;(m) dismiss and appoint key personnel.(n) the approval of the budgeted profit and loss account of the Company for the next fiscal year; and(o) the approval of new additional investments (vessels, auxiliary equipment, etc.).26. Resolution in WritingA resolution in writing signed by all of the Directors or their duly appointed alternates shall be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a Board meeting duly convened and held. Any such resolution may consist of separate documents, whether original or facsimile, in identical form and in aggregate signed by all of the Directors. Each signature shall be given personally by a Director or a duly appointed alternate Director. In the event that such resolution in writing does not contain within its text a statement of the date upon which it becomes effective, the resolution in it shall become effective upon the date upon which the last of the signatures of the Directors or alternate Directors was appended unless the context requires otherwise.27. Business not on AgendaNo resolution may be proposed to the Board at a meeting unless the matter is on the agenda for that meeting or at least one (1) Director appointed by each Subscriber, or the alternate or proxy of such Director, agrees that the resolution may be proposed.28. Board Minutes The Board shall cause minutes to be kept of all resolutions and proceedings of meetings of the Board and those attending such meetings. Such minutes shall be signed by the chairman of the relative meeting and made available to any Director or any Shareholder during normal business hours upon request in writing to the Company.29. Role of Chairman The Chairman shall represent the Company before the courts and third parties and shall have the right to sign for the Company provided that the relevant resolutions are in place.30. Secretary to the Board The Board shall appoint as Secretary to the Board that person nominated by DEME from time to time for such period and on such terms as the Board may decide and it may revoke such appointment. The Board shall fix the duties of the Secretary and the scope of his authority.31. Remuneration of Directors The Directors shall be paid such remuneration as may be fixed by the Shareholders in General Assembly.General Assembly32. Place of General AssemblyThe General Assembly, when properly constituted, shall represent all of the Shareholders. The meetings of the General Assembly shall not be convened in any place other than Doha at such venue as may be determined by the Board who may, but shall not be obliged to, give notice of a General Assembly to the Department or to publish notice of it in the national press and any such meeting shall be valid notwithstanding that no representative of the Department is present at such meeting.33. Right to Attend and VoteEvery Shareholder shall have the right to attend the General Assembly in person or by proxy appointed by notice in writing. It shall not be necessary that in order to be a proxy, any person must also be a Shareholder. Shareholders that are corporate bodies may be represented by their duly authorised representatives and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same power on behalf of the Shareholder he represents as that Shareholder could itself exercise. Each Shareholder shall have a number of votes equivalent to the number of shares that he holds.34. Ordinary General AssemblyAn Ordinary General Assembly shall be held each year not more than four (4) months from the end of the preceding financial year of the Company.35. Agenda of Ordinary General AssemblyThe Ordinary General Assembly shall consider the Board’s and Auditor's report and the balance sheet, cash flow statement and profit and loss account for the Company for the preceding financial year, determine the amount of the dividend to be distributed to Shareholders, fix the remuneration of the Directors, appoint the auditor for the period expiring at the end of the next Ordinary General Assembly and determine the auditor's remuneration. The Board may, but shall not be obliged to publish accounts of the Company, the auditor's report or a summary of the Directors' report or to file copies of such documents with the Department.36. Extraordinary General AssemblyAll matters to be referred to the Shareholders for their approval other than those mentioned in Article 35 shall be referred to an Extraordinary General Assembly.37. Notice of Meetings All meetings of the General Assembly shall be convened by a notice from the Chairman such notice to be given to each Shareholder at his address in the Register not less than twenty one (21) days prior to the proposed date of such meeting stating the date, time and place of the meeting. The notice shall include:-(i) a list of the agenda items to be addressed at the meeting; and(ii) in respect of each agenda item, any report, paper or other document relating to that item for consideration by the Shareholders together with a copy of any resolution to be proposed for adoption.A General Assembly shall, not withstanding that it is convened by shorter notice than that specified in this Article 37, be deemed to have been duly convened if so agreed in writing by each of the Shareholders or their representatives appointed pursuant to Article 33.38. Quorum for an Ordinary General AssemblyThe quorum for an Ordinary General Assembly shall be that number of Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy appointed pursuant to Article 33 holding more than sixty (60) percent of the issued shares. If a quorum is not present at the time appointed for an Ordinary General Assembly the meeting shall be adjourned to the same time and place on the first Business Day that falls not less than two (2) weeks thereafter when the Shareholders present personally or through representatives, shall constitute a quorum.39. Ordinary General ResolutionsResolutions to be adopted at an Ordinary General Assembly shall be passed by a simple majority of the votes of the Shareholders present or represented at the meeting.40. Quorum for an Extraordinary General Assembly The quorum for an Extraordinary General Assembly shall be that number of Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy appointed pursuant to Article 33 holding not less than seventy five (75) percent of the issued shares. If a quorum is not present at the time appointed for an Extraordinary General Assembly the meeting shall be adjourned to the same time and place on the tenth (10th) Business Day thereafter when the Shareholders present personally or through representatives, shall constitute a quorum.41. Extraordinary Resolutions 41.1 Except for any resolution in respect of any of the matters listed in Article 41.2, any resolutions to be adopted at an Extraordinary General Assembly shall be passed by a majority of two thirds (2/3) of the votes of the Shareholders present or represented at the meeting.41.2 Without prejudice to the authority of the Board in Article 25.3, any resolution proposed to an Extraordinary General Assembly in respect of any of the matters listed below shall not be passed except by a majority of seventy five (75) percent of the Shareholders present or represented at the meeting:-(a) create any fixed or floating charge, lien (other than a lien arising by operation of law) or other encumbrance over the whole or any part of the undertaking, property or assets of any member of the Group except for the purpose of securing the indebtedness of the Company and/or any Group Subsidiary to its bankers for sums borrowed in the ordinary and proper course of the business and not greater than USD 1,000,000 in aggregate for the Group;(b) borrow any sums in aggregate for the Group in excess of USD 1,000,000;(c) make any loan or advance or give any credit except to a Group Subsidiary or in the course of business;(d) sell, transfer, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of any material part of the undertaking, property and/or assets of the Company (if the value of it is exceeding USD 0.5 million) or a Group Subsidiary (or any interest therein) or contract so to do otherwise than in the ordinary course of business including the decision to exercise the buy-back obligation, as described in Clause 11 (4) of the Shareholders' agreement;(e) except as otherwise agreed under these Articles, issue or allot any unissued Shares for the time being or create or issue any new Shares;(t) issue any debentures or other securities convertible into Shares or debentures or any share warrants or any options in respect of Shares;(g) change the nature or the geographical area of the business carried out by any member of the Group, or change the price of any tender after this tender sum was defined by the General Manager appointed from time to time in accordance with Article 17,(h) commence, defend or settle any litigation, arbitration or other proceedings which are material in the context of the relevant company’s business;(i) alter its fiscal year end from 31st December;(j) start a cooperation or subcontract with any other dredging company (or using another dredging company's equipment);(k) change the capital structure (including call for capital);(l) change the shareholder's structure;(m) dismiss and appoint key personnel.(n) the approval of the budgeted profit and loss account of the Company for the next fiscal year; and (o) the approval of new additional investments (vessels, auxiliary equipment, etc.).42. Exclusion of matters not on AgendaA General Assembly shall not consider matters other than those on the agenda for the meeting unless all of the Shareholders agree.43. Resolutions BindingThe Board shall cause minutes to be kept of all resolutions and proceedings of the General Assembly. Such minutes shall be signed by the chairman of the relative meeting and made available to each Shareholder and Director during normal business hours on written request to the Company. A resolution of the General Assembly passed in accordance with these Articles and recorded in such minutes shall be binding on the Shareholders including those who did not vote in favour of such resolution. The Board may, but shall not be obliged to, file copies of any resolutions of the General Assembly with the Department.44. Resolutions in writingA resolution in writing signed by each of the Shareholders shall be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a General Assembly duly convened and held. Any such resolution shall be entered in the Company's minute book signed by each of the Shareholders and may consist of separate documents, whether original or facsimile, in identical form in aggregate signed by all of the Shareholders. Each signature may be given personally or by representative appointed pursuant to Article 33. If any resolution adopted in writing does not provide for the date upon which it shall take effect then it shall be deemed to take effect from the date upon which the last of the signatures of the Shareholders is appended to it unless the context requires otherwise.Auditing45. AuditorThe auditor of the Company shall be a reputable internationally recognised firm of independent accountants registered to do business in the State of Qatar. The auditor shall be recommended by the Board and appointed by the General Assembly. The auditor shall have full access to the Company's books and records. The auditor shall provide the Company and the shareholders with a report on the Company's accounts within ninety (90) days from the end of the financial year to which it relates. The auditor shall attend the Ordinary General Assembly and give his report in relation to the accounts of the Company laid before such Ordinary General Assembly.46. Financial YearThe Company's first financial year shall commence on the date of its incorporation and shall end on December 31st of the following year. Thereafter, the financial year shall commence on 1st January and end on 31st December of each subsequent year.47. Books of AccountThe Board shall cause to be kept and maintained proper books of accounts and records that shall give a true and fair view of the Company's affairs and transactions.48. Access to books of AccountThe books of account of the Company shall be kept at its head office. The shareholders and their respective auditors and the Directors shall have full access to such books of account and to all records of the Company at all reasonable times.49. Accounting Principles The accounting principles to be adopted by the Company shall be consistent with internationally accepted accounting principles utilising the accrual method.50. Presentation of AccountsThe Board shall, at the end of each financial year, cause to be prepared profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, cash flow statements, accounts and reports relating to the financial status and the affairs of the Company during the immediately preceding financial year and a report of the Company’s auditor thereon and shall cause the same to be laid before each Ordinary General Assembly within four (4) months of the end of the relevant financial year and shall distribute such accounts and report to each of the Shareholders with the notice convening the Ordinary General Assembly.Winding up of the Company51. Winding upThe Company shall be wound up upon the occurrence of any of the following events:-(i) the expiry of the period fixed for the duration of the Company including any extension thereof approved pursuant to Article 5 of the Memorandum of Association;(ii) the issue of an order of any court of competent jurisdiction dissolving the Company; or(iii) the adoption of a resolution winding up the Company by the requisite vote at an Extraordinary General Assembly.Any resolution of an Extraordinary General Assembly to wind up the Company shall appoint and define the powers of the liquidator and specify the manner of liquidation. The authority of the Board shall cease upon the appointment of the liquidator specified in such resolution becoming effective.52. Continuation of General AssemblyThe authority of a General Assembly shall remain until the Company is dissolved.Miscellaneous53. Directors’ IndemnityEach Director of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all losses and liabilities that he may incur as a result of or in connection with the carrying out of his duties as a director and no Director shall be liable for any loss or damage sustained by the Company as a result of the carrying out by him of his duties as a director unless such loss or damage arose as a direct result of his fraud, gross mistake or unlawful act. 54. Notices All notices and other communications given, or to be made, under these Articles shall be in writing in the English language and shall be deemed to have been properly given or made if (a) personally delivered to an authorised representative of the person to whom addressed, (b) sent by prepaid registered post (return receipt requested), or (c) transmitted by facsimile with confirmation of receipt, in the case of each Subscriber at his address for service set out below (or such other address as the Company may have been notified for the purposes hereof):-To the Government of the State of Qatar:- The Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and InvestmentP.O Box 23244Doha, Qatar Fax No.: +974 4432091For the attention of:- Dr. Hussain Al-AbdullahTo United Development Company QSCP.O Box 7256Doha, QatarFax No.: +974 4355 219For the attention of: Khalil B. SholyTo Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering N.V.Haven 1025,Scheldedijk 30,B-2070 Zwinjdrecht,BelgiumFax No.: +32 32 50 56 50For the attention of. Marc StordiauTo the CompanyQatar Dredging Company QSCP.O BoxDoha, Qatar Fax No.: +974For the attention of:and in the case of each other Shareholder at the address entered in the Register. Notices and all other communications given, made or served in accordance with this Article 54 shall be effective (a) on receipt by the authorised representative of the addressee if personally delivered. (b) four (4) days after the date of the receipt issued by the postal authority if posted, or (c) on the date and time shown on the confirmation of delivery if delivered by facsimile.Signed for and on behalf afTHE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATARRepresented byThe Supreme Council Economic Affairs and InvestmentBy: ________________ Name: _____________title: ________________ Signed for and on behalf ofUNITED DEVELPMMENT COMPANY QSC By: __________________Name: _______________Title: _________________ Signed for and on behalf ofDREDDING ENVIRONMENTAL AND MARINE ENGINEERING N.V.By: _______________ Name: _____________Title: _______________