UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 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 þ
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check
the appropriate box:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preliminary
Proxy Statement
|
|
o
|
|
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only
|
|
|
Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
|
|
|
(as
permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
|
|
Definitive
Additional Materials
|
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
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):
þ
|
|
No
fee required.
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
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):
|
|
|
|
|
|
4)
|
|
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
|
|
|
|
5)
|
|
Total
fee paid:
|
o
|
|
Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials:
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
Phone:
(818) 222-9195
Fax:
(818) 222-9197
March
1,
2006
To
Our
Stockholders:
On
behalf
of NetSol’s dedicated employees, strategic partners and valued customers, it is
my pleasure to share with you the accomplishments of the past year - a year
which will go down in NetSol’s history as a watershed year. It is our belief
that our tremendous success in 2005 is just the beginning and we are extremely
excited about NetSol’s outlook.
Our
business plan that was approved by the board of directors in 2004 included
significant capital investments. Accordingly, throughout 2004, the company
focused on capital - intellectual, technological and financial capital. We
invested in a sound infrastructure to support future growth. We invested in
building a seasoned team of professionals who could design, develop and
aggressively market a world class suite of software and services. As a result,
we more than doubled our revenues for fiscal 2005 and posted, for the first
time, net profit in Q1 2005 and have since then maintained a streak of profits
for the last six quarters consecutively. The demand for our offshore services
started to surge, brand awareness of NetSol improved on a global scale, sales
of
our flagship product, LeaseSoft, and related information technology ("IT").
The
dramatic top line growth was driven by new licensing agreements with
DaimlerChrysler and Toyota. We signed our first major contract with Toyota
Leasing Thailand for over $2.3 million - the largest contract in NetSol history.
In addition to strengthened relationships with some blue chip clients, we have
been experiencing an overall surge in demands for higher valued contracts
particularly in Asia Pacific markets. This is a testament of the global
acceptance and maturation of LeaseSoft into a sophisticated, top tier, asset
based leasing software suite.
The
significant influx of LeaseSoft license agreements and exponential growth in
our
services business resulted in a 116 percent increase in revenue for fiscal
2005.
Contributing to this dramatic growth was our wholly owned subsidiary, NetSol
Technologies(Pvt) Ltd. with its record revenue of $6.6 million.
NetSol
has become a premium Information Technology (“IT”) company in Pakistan as is
evidenced by the awards of Biggest IT Exporter by NCR and IT Pioneer by the
Pakistani IT Ministry in 2004-2005. Our domestic business in most of 2005
thrived both in the public and private sectors of Pakistan. Our name recognition
and good works has resulted in the respect and appreciation of the highest
level
of leadership and IT ministry. In March of 2005, we held an inauguration
ceremony for our new state-of-the-art facility for IT services and software
development, NetSol IT Village, in Lahore, Pakistan. During the ceremony,
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Aziz praised NetSol, its employees and its founders
for its contribution to the growth of the country's IT industry.
Along
with our significant organic growth, we made significant strides in growth
through acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. In February 2005,
we completed our acquisition of CQ Systems Ltd., located in Horsham, UK. The
acquisition of CQ Systems has been our most significant and successful
acquisition thus far. The acquisition has elevated NetSolCQ, the renamed and
combined UK company, to a new platform in the European markets. We acquired
a
matured IT company in our domain, with a healthy revenue stream, a profitable
business, high quality employees and customers across Europe. NetSolCQ signed
off a strategic alliance with Fiserv, a financial institution, to give NetSol
a
needed recognition in the finance and banking industry. NetSolCQ Systems is
now
effectively migrating some of its projects to the Company's development facility
in Lahore to improve both productivity and operating margins. NetSolCQ, has
been
transformed into an international organization offering an improved, innovative
range of high quality leasing and finance software solutions for its clients.
In
early
2005, NetSol forged a watershed joint venture (“JV”) alliance with a UK based
insurance processors The Innovation Group (TiG). TiG would create a brand new
revenue and profit stream for NetSol. Starting with five programmers in January
2005, the newly launched JV entity, known as ‘Extended Innovation’, which is
hosted at NetSol’s Lahore facility, now has over 60 programmers fully dedicated
to TiG customers worldwide. The revenue from this JV by far exceeded our own
internal estimates and exceeded over $2.0 million in the very first year. We
are
very excited by this JV and we expect this to become our biggest revenue
contributor in 2007 with steady net margins exceeding 50%.
To
further our position as a center of IT excellence, we were named an Oracle
Approved Education Centre. This strategic partnership with Oracle leverages
partner facility and instructor resources to deliver Oracle Education's core
curriculum to the marketplace. NetSol has now created a new division in alliance
with Oracle to bid collectively in major public sector projects in
Pakistan.
Another
significant milestone in 2005 was our Pakistan-based subsidiary, NetSol
Technologies, Ltd., being the first IT company to go public in Pakistan with
shares trading on the Karachi Stock Exchange Ready Board (KSE) on August 26,
2005, under the symbol 'NETSOL.' The listing of our subsidiary provided NetSol
with higher visibility and credibility in an emerging capital market and one
of
the fastest growing economies in the South East Asia. Our stock has performed
extremely well at KSE with a high of Rs. 56 in January 2006 in comparison with
the IPO price of Rs. 25.
During
2004, we announced to shareholders and the financial community a major goal
of
establishing a strong footprint in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Today, we are
already capturing market share in all three regions. Our latest contract with
DaimlerChrysler Auto Finance China is one of the largest LeaseSoft contracts
to
date, having been the first time we implemented the entire product suite
simultaneously. Additionally, the new Beijing, China, office is fully
operational and serving as a service delivery base for legacy systems migration,
information technology consultancy, and software engineering, from our resources
in India. With two new client projects already underway, the Asia Pacific region
promises to be one of the largest opportunities for our leasing and asset
management solutions. We plan on continued aggressive expansion in all of these
regions as we move forward in 2006.
Our
tremendous success to date is a direct reflection of our ability to continue
hiring the best and brightest in the industry. To advance the company’s mission
and remain competitive on a global scale, it is imperative that our employees
and board of directors have direct experience in building and managing global
finance, leasing and services. Throughout 2005, we continued to add exceptional
talent to our organization. Ms. Tina Gilger joined NetSol’s executive team as
our new Chief Financial Officer of the parent company. Graham Tarrant was
appointed to the newly created position of Chief Product Architect, and focuses
on driving the development of the next generation of the LeaseSoft product
family. We were also pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Soper to
our
board of directors. We also moved Paul Grace from CQ Systems to head our new
office in China. In addition to these industry veterans, we hired more than
100
engineering, marketing, sales, and technical services professionals during
the
year.
Let
us
briefly mention a serious natural disaster, the earthquake in October 2005
devastating Northern Pakistan which affected millions of people in a most rugged
terrain. Pakistan had never witnessed anything like this disaster that
contributed to loss of 100,000 lives with millions more displaced and homeless.
Fortunately, no one at any location of NetSol was hurt. Our main technology
campus was unaffected. But, there was a temporary disruption of normal business
activities causing some delays in our local business in Pakistan and that was
fully expected. Our caring employees in USA, UK and in Pakistan made generous
donations to earthquake President Relief Funds to help the victims of this
earthquake.
We
strongly encourage you to vote your proxies or attend the annual meeting of
stockholders on April 21, 2006 in New York City, New York. With the second
quarter of fiscal 2006 behind us, we are now seeing all business units across
the globe contributing to what was our sixth consecutive quarter of
profitability, remain confident in our guidance in excess of $19 million in
revenue and, expect to continue the profitability trend throughout fiscal 2006.
We
congratulate and thank each of our shareholders. Your loyalty, patience and
support have directly impacted our growth and success. You are now owners in
a
profitable, global software and IT services provider with record revenue growth,
marquee customers and strategic partners who are leaders in their markets.
January 2006 marked NetSol’s 10 year anniversary, and we believe our combination
of intellectual, financial, and technological capital will continue to drive
our
success moving forward.
We
thank
you again for your continued support and confidence in us.
Sincerely, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb
U.
Ghauri Chairman of the Board |
|
|
Naeem
U.
Ghauri CEO |
Dear
Shareholders:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of NetSol
Technologies, Inc. to be held on April 21, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. local time at
the
21 Club located at 21 West 52nd
Street,
New York, New York 10019. Their phone number is 1-800- 721-CLUB or (212)
582-7200.
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. Seven
directors are being nominated for elections and three new proposals are being
submitted for voting. Your board recommends that you vote in favor of each
of
the nominees and vote ‘For’ each of the proposals.
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,
Naeem
Ghauri
Chief
Executive Officer
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
NOTICE
OF
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
be
held April 21, 2006. To The Stockholders of NetSol Technologies,
Inc.:
The
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NetSol Technologies, Inc. (the "Company")
will
be held on April 21, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. local time at the 21 Club located at
21
West 52nd
Street,
New York, New York 10019. Their phone number is 1-800-721-CLUB or (212)
582-7200.
1. To
elect
directors, each to hold office for a term of one year ending in 2007 or when
their
successors are elected.
2. To
ratify the
appointment of Kabani & Company, Inc. as the Company’s independent
auditors
for fiscal year 2006.
3. To
ratify the
adoption of the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan.
4. 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 February 24, 2006, the record date and time fixed by the Board
of
Directors, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment
thereof.
By
order
of the Board of Directors
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
Salim
Ghauri
PRESIDENT
March
1,
2006
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 Company's Board of Directors of proxies
for use at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting")
to be held on April 21, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. local time at the 21 Club located
at
21 West 52nd
Street,
New York, New York 10019 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 2007
or
when their
successors are elected.
2.
To
ratify
the appointment of Kabani & Company, Inc. as the Company’s independent
auditors
for fiscal 2006.
3.
To
ratify
the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan.
4. 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 February 24, 2006, will
make solicitations of proxies. These materials are expected to be first mailed
to stockholders on or about March 21, 2006. 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 February 24, 2006 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:
-
send us
written notice, stating your desire to revoke your proxy, or
-
send us
a signed proxy that bears a later date than the one you intend to revoke,
or
-
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 Company's principal executive offices, 23901 Calabasas Road,
Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302, and at the Annual Meeting.
(Proposal
No. One)
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
INFORMATION
The
Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company is authorized to have up to
nine
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 Company's 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. All 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. Soper replaced Mr. Irfan Mustafa in mid-term. Mr.
Mustafa had to resign for personal reasons and not due to any disagreements
with
the Company or otherwise. Mr. Mustafa has chosen not to seek re-election for
this term.
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
|
Najeeb
U. Ghauri (51)
|
|
1997
|
|
Chairman,
Director
|
Naeem
Ghauri (48)
|
|
1999
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Director
|
Salim
Ghauri (50)
|
|
1999
|
|
President,
Director
|
Jim
Moody (68)
|
|
2001
|
|
Director
|
Eugen
Beckert (58)
|
|
2001
|
|
Director
|
Shahid
Burki (65)
|
|
2003
|
|
Director
|
Derek
Soper ( 67 )
|
|
2005
|
|
Director
|
NAJEEB
U.
GHAURI has been a Director of the Company since the inception of the Company
in
1997. Mr. Ghauri served as the Company’s CEO from 1999-2001 and as the Company’s
CFO from 2001-2005. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Board. During his
tenure as CEO, Mr. Ghauri was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations
of the Company, as well as the Company's 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 and the Company has benefited from
the
capital raised by Maxim Group. In August 2003, Mr. Ghauri was instrumental
in
maintaining the Company’s NASDAQ listing by facilitating the reverse split of
NetSol’s stock. Mr. Ghauri was also instrumental in the Company’s 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 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 Company’s current CEO. Mr. Ghauri has been a Director of the
Company since 1999. Mr. Ghauri took over the position of CEO in August 2001.
Mr.
Ghauri has been instrumental in the Company’s 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 as a result of Mr.
Ghauri’s 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 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. Ghauri's 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 CMM Level 4 assessed. In 2005, under Mr. Ghauri’s leadership, NetSol signed
its first major contract with Toyota Leasing Thailand for over $2.3 million.
Under Mr. Ghauri’s leadership, NetSol was awarded the biggest IT exporter NCR
award and IT pioneer in Pakistan in 2004-2005. The major aspect of this
appreciation was the industry wide recognition by noted professionals and
independent observers under Salim Ghauri’s visionary leadership, were conceived
and distributed by NCR Pakistan and adjudicated by Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder,
Pakistan’s 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.
JIM
MOODY, was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2001 and was then elected
at
the annual meeting of shareholders in 2002-2004. Congressman Moody served the
United States Congress from 1983-1993 where he was a member of the Way &
Means, Transportation and Public Works committees. Congressman Moody also served
on the subcommittees of Health, Social Security, Infrastructure and Water
Resources. After his tenure with the U.S. Congress, he was appointed as the
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of International Fund for Agriculture
Development in Rome, Italy from 1995-1998 where he was responsible for
formulating and administering $50 million operating budget in support of $500
million loan program as well as managing a $2.2 billion reserve fund investment
portfolio. From 1998-2000, Congressman Moody served as the President and CEO
of
InterAction, a coalition of 165 U.S. based non-profit organizations in disaster
relief, refugee assistance and economic development located in Washington,
D.C.
From April 2000 to present, Congressman Moody serves as a Financial Advisor
to
Morgan Stanley in Alexandria, Virginia where he is responsible for bringing
institutional, business and high net-worth individual’s assets under management.
Congressman Moody also represents Morgan Stanley on the ATC Executive Board.
Congressman Moody received his B.A. from Haverford College; his M.P.A. from
Harvard University and his Ph.D. in Economics from U.C. Berkeley. Mr. Moody
is
the Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance committee.
EUGEN
BECKERT, was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2001 to fill a
vacancy and was then elected at the 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 is currently a Director for DaimlerChrysler and his office is now based
in Stuttgart, Germany. 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 had
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: China's 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 Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit
Committee.
DEREK
SOPER was appointed to the Board of Directors in April 2005 to fill a vacancy.
Mr. Soper has both established and managed many finance and leasing companies
around the world including Barclays Export and Finance Company in 1971 followed,
over the next ten years, by the acquisition and management of various entities
as part of Barclays' establishment of subsidiaries through Europe, North America
and South Africa. From 1981 to 1991, he was the director responsible for
leasing, tax based products and structured finance with Kleinwort Benson. In
1991, he founded AT&T Capital's Europe, acting as its Chairman until 1995.
During that time, thirteen subsidiary companies were established across Europe.
Following the establishment of the European business of AT&T Capital, he
moved to Hong Kong, as Chairman of the Asia Pacific Region, to establish the
company presence in that region of the world. Following retirement from AT&T
Capital in 1998, and after returning to the UK, he joined the Alta Group to
establish their presence in Europe. Mr. Soper sits on the Business Code of
Conduct Committee of the Finance and Leasing Association and is a past chairman
of the association. He is a fellow of the Institute of Directors and member
of
the Equipment Leasing Association of the USA and Leaseurope in Brussels. He
is
the author of the leasing textbook "The Leasing Handbook" published by McGraw
Hill. Mr. Soper attended Scarborough College in England. He is a member of
the
Compensation Committee.
Messrs.
Najeeb Ghauri, Salim Ghauri and Naeem Ghauri are brothers.
BOARD
MEETINGS AND BOARD COMMITTEES
During
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 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 Company’s 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 2005.
Audit
Committee.
The
Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Moody, Beckert and Burki, 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.
Moody
is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
The
Audit
Committee met four times during fiscal 2005. The Audit Committee was established
by the Board for the purpose of overseeing the Company’s accounting and
financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial
statements and reviewing the financial reports and other financial information
provided by the Company to any governmental body or the public and the Company’s
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 Company’s financial reporting
process, audits of the Company’s financial statements, and the Company’s
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 Company’s 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 Company’s independent auditors.
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of
NetSol’s 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 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) management’s 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 firm’s independence.
Based
on
the discussions above, the Audit Committee did recommend that the financial
statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for filing
with the Commission.
Compensation
Committee.
The
Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Burki, Beckert 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 2005
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 Company’s 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 Company’s
executive officers and succession planning for key members of the Company’s
management. The Compensation Committee’s 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,
Moody and Burki, 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 2005 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: Secretary, NetSol Technologies, Inc., 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072,
Calabasas, CA, 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 person’s 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
Company’s nominating committee recommends that a nominee for a position on the
Company’s Board of Directors meet the following minimum qualifications:
·
|
He
or she must be over 21 years of
age;
|
·
|
He
or she must be able to read and understand basic financial
statements;
|
·
|
he
or she must have experience in a position with a high degree of
responsibility in a business or other
organization;
|
·
|
He
or she must possess integrity and have high moral
character;
|
·
|
He
or she must be willing to apply sound, independent business judgment;
and
|
·
|
He
or she must have sufficient time to devote to the
Company.
|
The
Company’s 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:
·
|
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;
|
·
|
whether
the potential nominee has experience and expertise that is relevant
to the
Company’s business, including any specialized business experience,
technical expertise, or other specialized skills, and whether the
potential nominee has knowledge regarding issues affecting the
Company;
|
·
|
Whether
the potential nominee is highly accomplished in his or her respective
field;
|
·
|
in
light of the relationship of the Company’s 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;
|
·
|
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;
|
·
|
whether
the potential nominee has high ethical character and a reputation
for
honesty, integrity, and sound business
judgment;
|
·
|
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
|
·
|
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 Company’s nominating
committee reviews and considers the incumbent director’s 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 November 22, 2005
(the
120th
calendar
day before the first anniversary of the date of the Company’s 2005 proxy
statement), any recommended nominee from a shareholder who beneficially owns
more than 5% of the Company’s stock or from a group of shareholders who
beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Company’s
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.
Code
of Ethics
The
Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s
employees, including but not limited to the Company’s chief executive officer
and principal financial and accounting officers and controller. The Company’s
Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s 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
Since
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
1999
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
President
|
|
|
1999
|
Tina
Gilger
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
2005
|
Patti
McGlasson
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
Secretary
and General Counsel
|
|
|
2004
|
The
Company’s 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, 2005. 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.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
Annual
Compensation(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Long
Term
Compensation
Awards (2)
Restricted
Stock Awards(3)
|
|
Securities
Underlying Options/
SARs
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb
U. Ghauri, Chairman, CFO (16), Director
|
|
2005
2004
2003
|
|
$250,000
$200,000
$120,000
|
|
-0-
-0-
-0-
|
|
-0-
-0-
-0-
|
|
500,000
(10)
500,000
(11)
50,000(5)
50,000(6)
25,000(7)
20,000(8)
30,000(9)
-0-
|
Naeem
Ghauri, CEO, Director
|
|
2005
2004
2003
|
|
$280,000
(12)
$207,900
$125,000
|
|
-0-
-0-
-0-
|
|
-0-
-0-
-0-
|
|
500,000
(10)
500,000
(11)
50,000(5)
50,000(6)
25,000(7)
20,000(8)
30,000(9)
-0-
|
Salim
Ghauri, President, Director
|
|
2005
2004
2003
|
|
$150,000
$110,000
$100,000
|
|
-0-
-0-
-0-
|
|
-0-
-0-
-0-
|
|
500,000
(10)
500,000
(11)
50,000(5)
50,000(6)
25,000(7)
20,000(8)
30,000(9)
-0-
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson, Secretary, General Corporate Counsel
|
|
2005
2004
|
|
$100,000
$82,000
|
|
$10,000
-0-
|
|
-0-
5,000(13)
|
|
-0-
5,000(14)
5,000(15)
20,000(8)
30,000(9)
|
(1)
|
Other
than stated, no officers received or will receive any bonus or other
annual compensation other than salaries during fiscal 2005, nor 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 or will receive any long-term incentive plan (LTIP)
payouts or other payouts during fiscal 2005, 2004 or 2003.
|
(3)
|
All
stock awards are shares of Common Stock of the Company.
|
(4)
|
All
securities underlying options are shares of Common Stock of the Company.
The Company has not granted any stock appreciation rights. No options
were
granted in the named executive officers in fiscal year 2003. 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
annual report.
|
(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.
|
(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. Options must be exercised
within five years after the grant date. The options vest 25% each
quarter
beginning on the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
|
(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. The options vest 25%
each
quarter beginning on the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Options must
be
exercised within five years after the date of
grant.
|
(12)
|
Mr.
Ghauri’s salary is 160,000 British Pounds Sterling. The total in this
table reflects a conversion rate of $1.75 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
$3.00 per share.
|
(16)
|
Mr.
Ghauri served the Company as its Chief Financial Officer until July
2005
whereby Ms. Tina Gilger was then appointed to the
position.
|
OPTION
EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS. The following table sets forth information concerning
each exercise of a stock option during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004
by
each of the Named Executives and the number and value of unexercised options
granted by the Company held by each of the Named Executives on June 30,
2005.
AGGREGATED
OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
Name
|
|
Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
Value
Realized (1)($)
|
|
Number
of Unexercised Options/SARs at fiscal year end (##)Exercisable (2)
/
Unexercisable
|
|
Value
of unexercised in the money at fiscal year end ($) Exercisable (2)
/
Unexercisable
|
Najeeb
Ghauri CFO (3), Director, Chairman
|
|
20,000
|
|
$0.00
|
|
650,000/750,000
|
|
$0/0
|
Salim
Ghauri, President, Director
|
|
7,500
|
|
$0.00
|
|
650,000/750,000
|
|
$0/0
|
Naeem
Ghauri, CEO, Director
|
|
2,770
|
|
$0.00
|
|
610,000/750,000
|
|
$0/0
|
Patti
McGlasson, Secretary, General Corporate Counsel
|
|
10,000
|
|
$0.00
|
|
60,000/0.00
|
|
$0/0
|
(1) |
The
closing price of the stock at the June 30, 2005, Fiscal Year End
was
$1.88.
|
(2) |
All
options are currently exercisable.
|
(3) |
Mr.
Ghauri served the Company as Chief Financial Officer until July 2005
whereby Ms. Tina Gilger was then appointed to the
position.
|
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 20,000 options to purchase shares of Rule
144 common stock at a strike price of $1.93; options to purchase 25,000 shares
of Rule 144 common stock at a strike price of $2.89 per share which is 50%
of
the closing price of the Company’s common stock on July 15, 2005. For those
non-management board members, a fee of $5,000 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,
and
5,000 shares of restricted common stock issuabe upon completion of 2006-7 term.
The Compensation Committee Chair shall receive $12,000 per year, paid quarterly
as earned, and 5,000 shares of common stock to be delivered and earned upon
completion of the term. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair
shall be receive $9,000 per year, paid quarterly as earned, and a 5,000 shares
of restricted common stock issuable upon completion of the 2006-7 term. Each
member of the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compensation
Committee shall receive $1,250 per meeting whether held in person or
telephonically.
Employment
Agreements.
Effective
January 1, 2004, we entered into an employment agreement with Naeem Ghauri
as
our Chief Executive Officer. 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 £110,000 (pounds
sterling). The agreement also provides for such additional compensation as
the
Board of Directors determines is proper in recognition of Mr. Ghauri's
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 Najeeb Ghauri
as
Chief Financial Officer. 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 $200,000. The
agreement also provides for such additional compensation as the Board of
Directors determines is proper in recognition of Mr. Ghauri's 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 Salim Ghauri
as
the President of NetSol and Chief Executive Officer of our Pakistan subsidiary.
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 $110,000. The agreement also provides for such
additional compensation as the Board of Directors determines is proper in
recognition of Mr. Ghauri's 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, 2005 to
provide for a yearly salary of $100,000. 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 three incentive and
nonstatutory stock option plans in force for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and
two
other plans from 1997 and 1999. No options have been issued under the 1997
and
1999 plans in the past two fiscal years.
THE
2005
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The
2005
Incentive and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan provides for the grant of stock
options to nonemployee directors of the Company without any action on the part
of the Board of Directors, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the 2004
Stock Option Plan. The exercise price of such options shall be equal to 100
percent of the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to the option
on
the date on which such options are granted. Each option shall be subject to
the
other provisions of the 2005 Incentive and Nonstatutory Stock Option
Plan.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock, its only class of outstanding voting
securities as of February 6, 2006, 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 Company's present directors
and officers, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:
|
|
|
|
Percentage
Beneficially owned(5)
|
Najeeb
Ghauri (3)
|
|
1,162,650
|
|
7.72%
|
Naeem
Ghauri (3)
|
|
1,011,367
|
|
6.72%
|
Salim
Ghauri (3)
|
|
1,127,416
|
|
7.49%
|
Jim
Moody (3)
|
|
98,000
|
|
*
|
Eugen
Beckert (3)
|
|
89,000
|
|
*
|
Shahid
Javed Burki (4)
|
|
100,000
|
|
*
|
Derek
Soper
|
|
100,000
|
|
*
|
Patti
McGlasson (4)
|
|
77,500
|
|
*
|
Tina
Gilger
|
|
11,731
|
|
*
|
Aqeel
Karim Dhedhi (4)
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
6.64%
|
*
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 February 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, 1,300,000; Mr. Naeem Ghauri, 1,310,000; Mr. Salim
Ghauri, 1,320,000; Mr. Jim Moody, 120,000; Mr. Eugen Beckert, 190,000; Mr.
Shahid Burki, 100,000; Mr. Derek Soper, 50,000; Ms. Tina Gilger, 20,000; and
Ms.
Patti McGlasson, 52,500.
(3)
Shares
issued and outstanding as of February 6, 2006 were 15,057,045.
(4)
Address
c/o NetSol Technologies, Inc. at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas,
CA
91302.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS
During
fiscal year 2005, 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”).
(Proposal
No. Two)
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2005
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 2005, 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 Kabani’s 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 Company's
consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002 through current.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Kabani as the Company's independent auditors
is
not required by the Company's 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 Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended
June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004. The aggregate fees billed by
Kabani & Co. for the annual audit and review of financial statements
included in the Company’s 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,
2004 was $40,000, and for the year ended June 30, 2005 was $41,500.
Audit
Related Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by Kabani & Co. during fiscal 2005 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 Company’s filing of a
Registration Statement and amendments thereto on Form SB-2. The aggregate
fees billed by Kabani & Company during fiscal 2004 including assurance and
related audit services not covered in the preceding paragraph was $37,750.
These
“Audit Related Fees” were primarily for services in connection with the
Company’s filing of a Registration Statement on Form SB-2.
Tax
Service Fees
Tax
fees
for fiscal year 2004 were $22,000 and consisted of the preparation of the
Company’s federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years 2001, 2002, and
2003. Tax fees for fiscal year 2005 were $14,000 and consisted of preparation
of
the Company’s federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years 2004.
All
Other Fees
There
were no other fees billed by Kabani & Co for services rendered to NetSol
during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, 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 auditor’s 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:
|
(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 Committee’s 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 NetSol’s 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 NetSol’s
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 NetSol’s 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 COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL
2006.
(Proposal
No. Three)
PROPOSED
ADOPTION OF THE 2005 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
At
the
Annual Meeting there will be submitted to stockholders a proposal to adopt
the
2005 Employee Stock Option Plan (the "2005 Plan"). Adoption of the 2005 Plan
is
subject to the approval of a majority of the shares of the Company's common
stock, which are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. The following summary of the principal features of the
amendments to the Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the
Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting the Company directly or
from
the
Internet at WWW.SEC.GOV from the SEC's Edgar database under the Company’s DEF14A
submission.
Purpose
The
2005
Plan is intended to increase incentive and to encourage stock ownership on
the
part of (1) employees of the Company and its affiliates, (2) consultants who
provide significant services to the Company and its affiliates ("consultants"),
and (3) directors of the Company who are employees of neither the Company nor
any affiliate ("nonemployee directors"). The 2005 Plan also is intended to
further the growth and profitability of the Company.
General
The
2005
Plan permits the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock awards, performance units and performance shares (collectively,
"Awards") to eligible participants. The total number of shares of the Company's
common stock available for Awards to be granted under the 2005 Plan will consist
of the 5,000,000 shares. If an Award expires or is canceled without having
been
fully exercised or vested, the unvested or canceled shares generally will be
available again for grants of Awards.
Administration
of the 2005 Plan
The
2005
Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors (the "Committee") along with the management. Subject to the terms
of
the 2005 Plan, the Committee has the discretion to determine the key employees
and consultants who shall be granted Awards, the terms and conditions of such
Awards, and to construe and interpret the 2005 Plan. The Committee also is
responsible for making adjustments in Awards, the shares available for Awards,
and the numerical limitations for Awards (including as to nonemployee directors)
to reflect any transactions such as stock splits or stock dividends. The
Committee may delegate its authority to a separate committee appointed by the
Committee, but only the Committee can make Awards to participants who are
executive officers of the Company. The Board of Directors may amend or terminate
the 2005 Plan at any time and for any reason, but as required under Rule 16b-3,
certain material amendments to the 2004 Plan must be approved by
stockholders.
Eligibility
to Receive Awards
Employees
and consultants of the Company and its affiliates (i.e., any corporation or
other entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
Company) are eligible to be selected to receive one or more Awards. The Company
and its affiliates currently have approximately 320 employees. The actual number
of employees and consultants who will receive Awards under the 2005 Plan cannot
be determined because eligibility for participation in the Plan is in the
discretion of the Committee. The 2005 Plan also permits nonemployee directors
to
elect to receive all or part of their annual retainer in shares of the Company's
common stock, and provides for the automatic grant of stock options to
nonemployee directors. Nonemployee directors are not eligible for any of the
other Awards available under the 2005 Plan.
Options
The
Committee may grant nonqualified stock options and/or incentive stock options
(which are entitled to favorable tax treatment). The number of shares covered
by
each option will be determined by the Committee. The price of the shares of
the
Company's common stock subject to each option is set by the Committee. In
addition, the exercise price of an incentive stock option must be at least
100%
of fair market value on the grant date (110% of fair market value if the
participant owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries).
The
exercise price of each option must be paid in full at the time of exercise.
The
Committee also may permit payment through the tender of shares of the Company's
common stock already owned by the participant, or by any other means, which
the
Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan's purpose. Any taxes
required to be withheld must be paid by the participant at the time of exercise.
If the exercise price of an option is paid in shares, the Committee may provide
that the participant will receive a new option covering a number of shares
equal
to the number of shares tendered to exercise the previously granted option
(including shares used for tax withholding). The terms and conditions of the
new
option generally will be similar to the terms and conditions applicable to
the
exercised option, except that the new option will have an exercise price
determined on the date of its grant.
Options
become exercisable and terminate at the times and on the terms established
by
the Committee, but options generally may not expire later than 10 years after
the date of grant.
Restricted
Stock Awards
Restricted
stock awards are shares of the Company's common stock, which vest in accordance
with terms established by the Committee in its discretion. For example, the
Committee may provide that restricted stock will vest only if one or more
performance goals are satisfied and/or only if the participant remains employed
with the Company for a specified period of time. Any performance measures may
be
applied on a Company-wide or an individual business unit basis, as deemed
appropriate in light of the participant's specific
responsibilities.
Nonemployee
Director Options and Stock
All
options granted to nonemployee directors normally will expire ten years after
the date of grant. If a director terminates service on the Board prior to an
option's normal expiration date, an option may terminate sooner than its normal
expiration date, depending upon the reason for the termination. An option will
terminate thirty days after termination of service for any reason other than
death, disability or retirement (but not later than the original maximum term
of
the option).
Nontransferability
of Options
Awards
granted under the 2005 Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned,
or
otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the applicable
laws of descent and distribution.
Grant
of Awards under 2005 Plan
At
this
time, NetSol does not have any current plans, proposals or arrangements to
grant
any awards or options written or otherwise under the 2005 Employee Stock Option
Plan.
Required
Vote
The
adoption of the 2005 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares represented and voting, in person or by proxy, at the Annual
Meeting.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE
ADOPTION OF THE 2005 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN.
DEADLINE
FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL 2006
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
Company's 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 Company's 2007 annual meeting of
stockholders is expected to be held on or about March 17, 2007 and proxy
materials in connection with that meeting are expected to be mailed on or about
February 20, 2007. The Company must receive stockholder proposals prepared
in
accordance with the proxy rules between December 12, 2006 and January 2,
2007.
FILINGS
UNDER SECTION 16(A)
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and officers, and
persons holding ten percent or more of a registered class of the Company's
equity securities, to file reports regarding their ownership and regarding
their
acquisitions and dispositions of the Company's 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, 2005, 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, except as follows: Mr. Burki
filed his Form 5 on August 19, 2005 and Mr. Beckert filed his Form 5 on
September 1, 2005.
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
client’s proxies in their own discretion.
Auditors
Representatives
of Kabani & Company, Inc., independent accountants for the Company for
fiscal 2005 and the current fiscal year will be present at the annual meeting,
will have an opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
A
copy of
NetSol’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2005
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 SEC’s 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.
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:
March 1, 2006
Calabasas,
California
|
|
BY
ORDER OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
Najeeb Ghauri |
|
Chairman
|
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned hereby appoints Naeem 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 February 24, 2006 with the powers the undersigned would possess
if personally present at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
at
the 21 Club located at 21 West 52nd
St., New
York, NY 10019 at 11:30 A.M. local time, on April 21, 2006 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
nominee's name below)
Najeeb
Ghauri
Naeem Ghauri
Salim
Ghauri
Jim Moody
Shahid
Burki
Eugen Beckert Derek
Soper
/
/
For / /
Against / /
Abstain
2.
Proposal to ratify the appointment of Kabani & Company, Inc. as the
Company's
independent auditors for fiscal 2006.
/
/
For / /
Against / /
Abstain
3.
Proposal to ratify the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan.
/
/
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, #3 , AND IN THE PROXY'S DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS TO COME
BEFORE THE MEETING.
Dated:__________________________
, 2006
______________________________________
(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.
List
of Exhibits
1.1 |
NetSol
Technologies, Inc. 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan
|