ABC Ltd.
Mumbai — 400026.
Date
Dear Sirs,
US$ 125.00 Million Syndicated Term Loan
Mandate Letter
We, ABN AMRO Bank, Citigroup Global Markets Singapore Pte Ltd, State Bank of
India and Standard Chartered Bank (the “Mandated Lead Arrangers"), have
pleasure in submitting an indicative proposal setting out the terms and conditions
upon which we are willing to arrange a credit facility of US$ 125.00 Million (the
“Facility’) to be provided to ABC Ltd (the “Borrower’) for capital expenditure
Terms defined in the outline terms and conditions set out in the term sheet (the
“Term Sheet’) attached to this letter (the “Mandate Letter") shall have the same
meaning when used in this letter unless otherwise defined in this letter.
1. Appointment and Status
The Borrower appoints the Mandated Lead Arrangers to act exclusively as
arrangers of the Facility on the basis of the terms and conditions set out in this
letter and the Term Sheet.
The Borrower agrees not to appoint another institution in connection with the
arranging of the Facility or to award any institution any fees, title or role in
Connection with the Facility without the prior written consent of the Mandated Lead
Arrangers.
This Proposal Letter is a proposal to be used as a basis for continued discussions,
and does not constitute a commitment of the Banks to lend, arrange or syndicate a
financing or an agreement of the Banks to prepare, negotiate, execute or deliver
such a commitment. The delivery of a commitment would be subject, among other
things, to (i) the Banks’ satisfaction with the results of their due diligence and (ii)the obtaining of final internal credit approvals by the Banks' for their financing
under the Facility and (iii) the Banks’ satisfaction that other lenders would
participate in the Facility on the basis outlined in Annex |. The terms and conditions
of this Proposal, including the amounts, interest rates, repayment and fees, may be
modified or supplemented by the Banks’ in their sole discretion at any time and
from time to time during the course of their due diligence and credit approval
process or as a result of changed market conditions or otherwise. In issuing this
Proposal Letter, the Banks are relying on the accuracy of the information
previously furnished to them by or on behalf of you and your affiliates without
independent verification thereof
2. Scope & Conditions
The facility will he arrangsd on fully underwritten basis. In their capacity as
Manuated Lead Arrangers, the MLA's will:
(a) work with the Borrower to agree mutually acceptable terms and conditions
for the Facility, substantially in the form of the attached Term Sheet
(b) co-ordinate the drafting of the Facility Agreement and other related
documentation; and
(c) manage the syndication of the Facility in the international loan markets.
This indicative commitment to arrange is subject to:
(a) the terms and conditions set out below, and in the enclosed term sheet,
(b) there being no breach by the Borrower of the terms of this letter or the Term
Sheet;
(c) the Mandated Lead Arrangers satisfaction with the results of its due
diligence; and
(d) Final credit and underwriting approval by the Mandated Lead Arrangers.
The terms and conditions of this proposal, including the amounts, interest rates,
amortisation and fees, may be modified or supplemented by the Mandated Lead
Arrangers at their sole discretion at any time and fram time to time during the course
of its due diligence and credit approval process or as a result of changed market
conditions or otherwise.
3. Fees and Expenses
In consideration of the Mandated Lead Arrangers arranging the Facility (subject to
the terms of this letter), the Borrower agrees to pay the following fees:(a) Arrangement Fee: 1.3125 % flat on the Facility Amount, payable to the
Facility Agent for the account of the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the
participating banks on the earlier of (a) five business days after the Signing
Date or (b) the date of the first Advance under the Facility.
(b) Facility Agent’s Fee: US$ 7,500 per annum, payable annually in
advance.
(c) Security Agent’s Fee: To be decided in consultation with the Borrower.
The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Mandated Lead Arrangers for all costs and
expenses (including, but not limited to, legal fees, travel, accommodation, printing,
publicity, telephone and facsimile costs) incurred in connection with the Facility,
pursuant to the “Expenses” section of the Term Sheet, subject to a maximum of
US $ 30,000.
The above expense cap is exclusive of the cost of road shows to be held. Based
on the mutual consent of the Borrower and the Mandated Lead Arrangers, it would
be decided to hold road shows at Taipei / Singapore the expenses cap will be
increased by US$ 30,000 (exclusive of any travelling, accommodation and other
expenses incurred by the Borrower).
The Borrower agrees to reimburse such costs and expenses without set-off,
counterclaim or other declaration or withholding and upon presentation to it by the
Mandated Lead Arrangers of a statement of account. It must reimburse such costs
and expenses irrespective of whether or not the Facility Agreement is signed or
any drawing is made.
4. Syndication
The Borrower undertakes to assist the Mandated Lead Arrangers in effecting the
syndication of the Facility (“Syndication”) for a period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the completion of Syndication to the satisfaction of the
Mandated Lead Arrangers (such date to be determined by the Mandated Lead
Arrangers and advised to the Borrower) (the “Syndication Date"). This assistance
shall include:
(a) providing such information by the Borrower as may be reasonably
required by the Mandated Lead Arrangers in connection with Syndication,
including any information reasonably required for the preparation of the
Information Memorandum referred to at paragraph 5 below;
(b) making available the senior management of the Borrower for the purposes
of making presentations to, and/or holding meetings with, proposed new
lenders at such times as may be mutually agreed within the agreed
timetable for Syndication;(c) making introductions to banks with whom the Borrower has a relationship,
and
(d) agreeing to make such minor amendments to the Facility Agreement as
may be reasonably requested by the proposed new banks and as agreed
to by the Mandated Lead Arrangers (in consultation with the Borrower).
However, nothing in this paragraph shall require the Borrower to agree to
any amendment that would materially prejudice it in any way
5. Information Memorandum
The Mandated Lead Arrangers will be pleased to assist in the preparation and
distribution of an Information Memorandum to be provided to prospective lenders.
The Information Memorandum will need to contain all relevant information about
the Borrower and the use to which the proceeds of the Facility will be applied. The
final version of the Information Memorandum and any additional or supporting
information to be provided to prospective lenders will be approved by the Borrower
prior to distribution.
The Borrower will be responsible for the accuracy of the contents of the
Information Memorandum and agree to make a representation in the Facility
Agreement and, if necessary, provide a separate letter of acknowledgement
concerning the accuracy of the Information Memorandum to the Mandated Lead
Arrangers and to the participants in the Facility.
6. Clear Market
Upon award of the mandate to arrange the Facility, the Borrower any of its affiliates
and / or subsidiaries undertakes that it has not, and will not, enter or mandate
anyone to enter the international debt markets for any kind of loan, guarantee, note
or bond issue in which it is borrower / debtor or guarantor (including foreign
currency bilateral agreements) without prior written permission of the Mandated
Lead Arrangers until signing of the Facility.
T Material Adverse Change
This offer is subject to: In the sole opinion of any of the Mandated Lead Arranger,
the absence of (a) any material adverse change having occurred in any of the
business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or
prospects of the Borrower and its holding companies and subsidiaries since 31st
March 2008, including downgrade of its credit rating; (b) any circumstance, change
or condition (including the continuation of an existing condition) in the international
or domestic commercial bank, loan syndication, financial or capital markets,
political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls
generally that, in the sole opinion of the Mandated Lead Arranger, would materially
affect syndication and conclusion of the Facility; and (c) any material adversechange having occurred in India (or in the financial markets in India) in which the
Borrower and / or its principal assets are located or in the market for loans to and
debt securities of the Republic of India, including downgrade of country rating of
the Republic of India.
8. Market Conditions
The Mandated Lead Arrangers have the right at anytime to change any or all the
terms, structure, tenor, amount and pricing of the Facility if such changes are
advisable in the Mandated Lead Arrangers judgement to ensure a successful
syndication of the Facility as determined by the Mandated Lead Arrangers. If the
Mandated Lead Arrangers determine such changes are necessary, the Mandated
Lead Arrangers will consult with the Borrower for a period of up to 5 business days
about such changes. If the Borrower does not accept such changes after such
period, the Banks’ will be entitled to terminate their commitment or accelerate the
Facility. The Borrower will remain responsible to reimburse expenses incurred if
any to the Mandated Lead Arrangers.
9. Confidentiality
This proposal and arranging commitment is intended for the Borrower's exclusive
use and is made on the express understanding that the terms and conditions in
this letter and the Term Sheet will be treated as strictly confidential and may not be
relied upon by any other person. The Borrower may not disclose this letter or the
Term Sheet to any other person without the Mandated Lead Arrangers’ prior
written consent, except that a copy may be disclosed to (i) the professional
advisers. of the Borrower advising in relation to the Facility or (ii) any other person
as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.
10. Publicity
The Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Borrower agree that they will not make, or
permit or procure any other person to make, any announcement or disclosure of
any details of the transaction contemplated hereby without first obtaining the prior
written consent of the other parties hereto (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed).
11, Indemnity
The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Mandated Lead
Arrangers (and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents) (each an
“Indemnified Person") against any loss, liability, cost or expense incurred in
respect of the Facility (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to
such Indemnified Person) (except to the extent resulting directly fram the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnified Person).412. Miscellaneous
This letter may be signed in a number of counterparts. This has the same effect as
if the signatories on the counterparts were on a single copy of the letter.
13 Governing Law
This letter and all claims arising in connection with it are governed by, and are to
be construed in accordance with, English Law. The Security however be covered
under Indian Law.
44. Submission to Jurisdiction
For the Mandated Lead Arrangers’ benefit, the Borrower irrevocably submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian courts for the purpose of hearing and
determining any dispute arising out of this letter.
Please sign and return the enclosed copy of this letter on or before Date......
failing which this indicative arranging offer will lapse unless it has been extended in
writing by the Mandated Lead Arrangers. We look forward to working with you on
this transaction.
Yours faithfully,
The Mandated Lead Arrangers
For and on behalf of
ABN AMRO Bank Citigroup Global Markets Singapore Pte Ltd
Siate Bank of India Standard Chartered Bank
The Borrower
We agree to the terms set out above.
Countersigned by the Borrower
Name:
Designation Date