Dear members, graduates, students and stakeholders

COVID-19 – Annual General Meetings (AGMs) pandemic concerns (update) (*latest link)

Following the communications of the Institute on 31 March 2020 and 1 April 2020 (relating to SFC/HKEX’s Joint Announcement (‘Joint Announcement’) relevant to the topic), please find the latest extension of the crowding Regulation through to 23 April 2020:  https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20202422e/egn2020242227.pdf. Please monitor subsequent changes to the Regulation which is effective for a maximum of 14 days. 

As noted under the Joint Announcement there are liberal exemptions to the crowding Regulation for general meetings that have to be held within specified period to be continued to be physically held. Also, as explained under the Joint Announcement, the applicable exemptions extend to Hong Kong and overseas incorporated companies.

The Institute once again reminds members and stakeholders that in arranging for physical meetings, precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, please consider the practical recommendations by the Institute of 31 March 2020, including the possibility to conduct a hybrid meeting for your upcoming AGM and/or General Meeting(s) and/or as planning for the future.

In the meantime, the Institute is grateful for the following sharing by the International President, Edith Shih FCG(CS, CGP) FCS(CS, CGP)(PE), and Institute President, Gillian Meller FCIS FCS as to the precautions to adopt for physical meetings:

AGM Circular, CK Hutchison Holdings Limited: https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/ckh/circulars/c227740-e_ckhutchison_cir2020.pdf

*AGM Circular, MTR Corporation: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0409/2020040900440.pdf

Yours sincerely
HKICS