As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2020.

Registration No. 333-           

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

  

FORM F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Cayman Islands   4953   Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

4F No. 1 Building, Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China
+86-0571-82651956

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Cogency Global Inc.

122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10168

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

With a Copy to:

 

William S. Rosenstadt, Esq.

Mengyi “Jason” Ye, Esq.

Yarona L. Yieh, Esq.

Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP
366 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017
212-588-0022

Benjamin A. Tan

Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP

1185 6th Avenue, 37th Floor

New York, NY 10036

212-930-9700

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: Promptly after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered   Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(1)
    Amount of
Registration
Fee(2)
 
Ordinary Shares, par value US$0.005 per share(3)   US$ 28,750,000     US$ 3,731.75  
Underwriters’ Warrants(4)     -       -  
Ordinary Shares underlying Underwriters’ Warrants   US$ 2,012,500     US$ 261.22  
Total   US$ 30,762,500     US$ 3,992.97  

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act. Includes the offering price attributable to                 additional ordinary shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act, based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.
(3) In accordance with Rule 416(a), we are also registering an indeterminate number of additional ordinary shares that shall be issuable pursuant to Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar transactions.
(4) We have agreed to issue to the Underwriter and to register herein warrants to purchase up to             ordinary shares (equal to seven per cent (7%) of the            ordinary shares sold in this offering, inclusive of the Underwriter Over-Allotment option to purchase an additional                 ordinary shares) and to also register herein such underlying ordinary shares. The warrants will be exercised at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing from the closing of the offering and expiring five (5) years from the effectiveness of the offering. The warrants are exercisable at a per share price of 100% of the offering price of the ordinary shares offered hereby. The Underwriter Warrant shall not be callable or cancellable.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell the securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting any offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 24, 2020

 

                            Ordinary Shares

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings Inc.

This is the initial public offering of our ordinary shares and we are offering                             ordinary shares, par value $0.005 per share. The offering price of our ordinary shares in this offering will be between US$                      and US$                    per share. Prior to the completion of this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. 

We plan to list our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “JZXN”. NASDAQ might not approve such application, and if our application is not approved, this offering cannot be completed. 

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any ordinary shares, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our ordinary shares in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 8 of this prospectus. 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under federal securities laws and, as such, will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary— Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Foreign Private Issuer” for additional information. 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. 

    PER SHARE     TOTAL (4)  
Initial public offering price(1)   $                $            
Underwriting discounts(2)   $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(3)   $       $    

 

(1) Initial public offering price per share is assumed as $            per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

(2) We have agreed to pay the underwriter a discount equal to (i) (7%) of the gross proceeds of the offering. We have agreed to sell to the Underwriter, on the applicable closing date of this offering, warrants in an amount equal to (7%) of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold by us in this offering (the “Underwriter’s Warrants”) (not including over-allotment shares). For a description of other terms of the Underwriter’s Warrants and a description of the other compensation to be received by the Underwriter, see “Underwriting” beginning on page 94.

 

(3) Excludes fees and expenses payable to the Underwriter. The total amount of Underwriter’s expenses related to this offering is set forth in the section entitled “Underwriting.”

 

(4) Assumes that the Underwriter does not exercise any portion of their over-allotment option.

 

We expect our total cash expenses payable to our underwriter, Boustead Securities, LLC (the “Underwriter”), for its reasonable non-accountable expenses and accountable expenses referenced above, exclusive of the above commissions to be $        .We estimate that the total expenses of this Offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting fees and commissions and Underwriter’s nonaccountable and accountable expenses, will be approximately $900,000.

This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. Boustead Securities, LLC, the Underwriter, is obligated to take and pay for all of the ordinary shares if any such ordinary shares are taken. We have granted the Underwriter an option for a period of 45 days after the closing of this offering to purchase up to 15% of the total number of our ordinary shares to be offered by us pursuant to this offering (excluding ordinary shares subject to this option), solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts. If the underwriters exercise their option in full, the total underwriting discounts payable will be $          based on an assumed offering price of $                     per ordinary share, and the total gross proceeds to us, before underwriting discounts and expenses, will be $                . If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to us on the applicable closing date. We will not be able to use such proceeds in China, however, until we complete capital contribution procedures that require prior approval from each of the respective local counterparts of China’s Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. See remittance procedures in the section titled “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page 27. 

The Underwriter expects to deliver the ordinary shares against payment as set forth under “Underwriting”, on or about                , 2020. 

 

Prospectus dated                    , 2020.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

  Page
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
   
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 7
   
RISK FACTORS 8
   
SPECIAL NOTES REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 25
   
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 26
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 27
   
DIVIDEND POLICY 28
   
CAPITALIZATION 29
   
DILUTION 30
   
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 31
   
BUSINESS 46
   
REGULATIONS 53
   
MANAGEMENT 62
   
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 67
   
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 68
   
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 69
   
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL 77
   
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 88
   
TAXATION 89
   
UNDERWRITING 94
   
EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING 97
   
LEGAL MATTERS 97
   
EXPERTS 97
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 97
   
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

i

 

 

About this Prospectus

 

We and the Underwriter have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you and which we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the ordinary shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. For the avoidance of doubt, no offer or invitation to subscribe for our ordinary shares is made to the public in the Cayman Islands. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of the date on the front cover of the prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

Other Pertinent Information

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to:

 

  “Affiliated Entities” are referred to our subsidiaries, Zhejiang Jiuzi, our VIE; and Shangli Jiuzi.
     
  “China” or the “PRC” are referred to the People’s Republic of China, excluding Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau for the purposes of this prospectus only;
     
  “Jiuzi HK” is referred to Jiuzi (HK) Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Hong Kong;
     
  “Jiuzi WFOE” is referred to Zhejiang Navalant New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly-owned by Jiuzi HK;
     
  “Ordinary shares” refer to the ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.005 per share;
     
  “Shangli Jiuzi” is referred to Shangli Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd., a PRC company and 59% owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi;
     
  “VIE” is referred to Zhejiang Jiuzi, our variable interest entity; 
     
  “VIE Agreements” are referred to a series of contractual arrangements, including the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement and the Share Pledge Agreement between Jiuzi WFOE and VIE;
     
  “we,” “us,” or “the Company” are referred to one or more of Jiuzi Holdings Inc., and its subsidiaries and VIE, as the case may be; 
     
  “Zhejiang Jiuzi” is referred to Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd., our VIE in the PRC.

 

Our business is conducted by Zhejiang Jiuzi, our VIE in the PRC, using Renminbi, or RMB, the official currency of China. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars. In this prospectus, we refer to assets, obligations, commitments and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements in United States dollars. These dollar references are based on the exchange rate of RMB to United States dollars (“$” or “US$”), determined as of a specific date or for a specific period. Changes in the exchange rate will affect the amount of our obligations and the value of our assets in terms of United States dollars which may result in an increase or decrease in the amount of our obligations (expressed in dollars) and the value of our assets, including accounts receivable (expressed in dollars).

 

ii

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our ordinary share, discussed under “Risk Factors,” before deciding whether to buy our ordinary share.

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and we conduct our business in China through our Affiliated Entities. Our investors will own shares in a holding company that does not directly own all of its operations in China. We wholly own our Hong Kong subsidiary, Jiuzi (HK) Limited. which in turn, wholly owns all of the share capital of Zhejiang Navalant New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in China (“WFOE”). Zhejiang Navalant New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd., through a series of contractual arrangements, manages and controls our operating entities, Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd. and its majority-owned subsidiary, Shangli Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd. The interests of the shareholders of our VIE entity, Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd., may conflict with yours.

 

We franchise and operate retail stores under brand name “Jiuzi”, which sell new energy vehicles, or NEVs, in third-fourth tier cities in China. Almost all of the NEVs we sell are battery-operated electric vehicles. We also sell a few plug-in electric vehicles upon demand from vehicle buyers. As of the date of this prospectus, we have 18 operating franchise stores and one company-owned store in China. The business relationship between Jiuzi and its independent franchisees is supported by adhering to standards and policies and is of fundamental importance to the overall performance and protection of the “Jiuzi” brand.

 

Primarily a franchisor, our franchising model enables an individual to be its own employer and maintain control over all employment-related matters, marketing and pricing decisions, while also benefiting from our Jiuzi brand, resources and operating system. In collaboration with franchisees, we are able to further develop and refine our operating standards, marketing concepts and product and pricing strategies.

 

Our revenues consist of (i) NEV sales in our company-owned store and NEV sales supplied to our franchisees; (ii) initial franchisee fees of RMB 4,000,000, or approximately US$575,500, for each franchise store, payable over time based on performance obligations of the parties, from our franchisees; and (iii) on-going royalties based on 10% percent of net incomes from our franchisees. These fees, along with operating rights, are stipulated in our franchise agreements.

 

We source NEVs through more than twenty NEV manufacturers, including BYD, Geely, and Chery, as well as battery/component manufacturers such as Beijing Zhongdian Boyu, Shenzhen Jishuchongke and Youbang Electronics which focus on manufacturing charging piles, and Guoxuan Gaoke, and Futesi in battery production. We are able to access more brands and obtain more competitive pricing to attract potential franchisees and to meet customer demands. On the capital side, we introduce franchisees to various capital platforms including Beijing Tianjiu Xingfu Control Group and Qinghua Qidi Zhixing, through which our franchisees and their vehicle buyers can obtain financing. Our business partners help us in providing a variety of products and extend our geographic reach.

 

Benefiting from favorable state policies subsidizing the NEV industry, China’s NEVs production started flourishing around 2015 and 2016, pursuant to the 2016-2020 New Energy Vehicle Promotion Fiscal Support Guidance and Notice regarding “the Thirteenth Five-year Plan” New Energy Vehicles Battery Infrastructure Support Policy. In 2016, China released a series of financial subsidy policies targeted at NEV production. We conducted market research in 2016 and eventually launched our business in 2017. We have built a full-scale modern business management operation, supported by our operations department and marketing department. We aim to build an online-offline operating system in which our headquarters effectively empowers our franchisees with our brand recognition, client source, financial support, operating and transportation assistance through the online platform. Our fully-developed supply chain will provide solid support for store location expansion. Our franchisees’ conformity to Jiuzi’s standards will help us in our business expansion and implementation of our growth strategy.

 

We plan to adopt an innovative one-stop vehicle sales model for our vehicle buyers, who is expected to have access to more brands, better services and more affordable pricing. Our current business model is focused on vehicle selection and purchase, which provide buyers with a multi-brand price comparison and test-driving experience. Through the online platform we are currently developing, we expect to provide a multi-dimensional service platform and one-stop experience covering online vehicle selection and purchase and off-line vehicle delivery and maintenance. Our app will provide potential buyers with information on various car brands and models, as well as services such as vehicle registration, appointments for maintenance and repairs, remote error diagnosis services, etc.

 

Our History and Corporate Structure

 

Jiuzi Holdings Inc. is a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on October 10, 2019. We conduct our business in China through our Affiliated Entities. The consolidation of our Company and our Affiliated Entities has been accounted for at historical cost and prepared on the basis as if the aforementioned transactions had become effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Under our memorandum of association, we are authorized to issue 10,000,000 ordinary shares of a single class, par value US$0.005 per ordinary share. As of the date hereof, there are a total of 1,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Shuibo Zhang, our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, is currently the beneficial owner of 79.50% of our outstanding ordinary shares, of which 100% are directly held by Jiuzi One Limited, an entity 100% owned by Mr. Zhang. In addition, Kezhen Li, our Director, is currently the beneficial ownership of 7% of our outstanding ordinary shares, of which 100% are directly held by Jiuzi Nine Limited, an entity 100% owned by Ms. LI. As a result, our directors and officers collectively own 86.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares and have controlling interest of our Company. Please see “Risk Factors- Since our Directors and Executive Officers will own at least                   % of our ordinary shares following the initial public offering, they will have the ability to elect directors and approve matters requiring shareholder approval by way of resolution of members.”

 

1

 

We expect that our directors and officers will own a majority of our ordinary shares following the offering and continue to be a controlled company pursuant to “controlled company” defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. Accordingly, we will be a controlled company under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and will rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors. Although we currently do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption under the Nasdaq listing rules, we could elect to rely on this exemption in the future. If we elect to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Our status as a controlled company could cause our ordinary shares to look less attractive to certain investors or otherwise harm our trading price. As a result, the investors will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Please see “Risk Factors - We will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq stock Market Rules and Nasdaq Capital Market rules if after this offering our insiders continue to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

Jiuzi HK was incorporated on October 25, 2019 under the law of Hong Kong SAR. Jiuzi HK is our wholly-owned subsidiary and is currently not engaging in any active business and merely acting as a holding company.

 

Jiuzi WFOE was incorporated on June 5, 2020 under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiuzi HK and a wholly foreign-owned entity under the PRC laws. The registered principal activity of the company is new energy vehicle retail, new energy vehicle component sales, new energy vehicle battery sales, vehicle audio equipment and electronics sales, vehicle ornament sales, technology service and development, marketing planning, vehicle rentals, etc. Jiuzi WFOE had entered into contractual arrangements with Zhejiang Jiuzi and its shareholders.

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi was incorporated on May 26, 2017 under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Its registered business scope includes wholesale and retail of NEVs and NEV components, vehicle maintenance products, technology development of NEVs, Marketing and consulting regarding NEV products, vehicle rentals, event organization, client services regarding vehicle registration, and online business technology.

 

Shangli Jiuzi was incorporated on May 10, 2018 under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Its registered business scope is to engage in retailing NEVs, NEV components, NEV batteries, NEV marketing, vehicle maintenance, used vehicle sales, and car rentals. Zhejiang Jiuzi is the beneficial owner of 59% equity interest of Shangli Jiuzi.

 

Contractual Arrangements between Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi

 

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership, neither we nor our subsidiaries own any direct equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi. Instead, we control and receive the economic benefits of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements. Jiuzi WFOE, Zhejiang Jiuzi and the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, on June 15, 2020. The VIE agreements are designed to provide Jiuzi WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Zhejiang Jiuzi, including absolute control rights and the rights to the assets, property and revenue of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders irrevocably granted Jiuzi WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive right to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, a portion or whole of the equity interests or assets in Zhejiang Jiuzi held by the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders. The purchase price is RMB 10 and subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

The agreement takes effect upon parties signing the agreement, and remains effective for 10 years, extendable upon Jiuzi WFOE or its designee’s discretion.

 

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Jiuzi WFOE, Jiuzi WFOE provides Zhejiang Jiuzi with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, business management and information. For services rendered to Zhejiang Jiuzi by Jiuzi WFOE under this agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee that shall be calculated based upon service hours and multiple hourly rates provided by Jiuzi WFOE. The service fee should approximately equal to Zhejiang Jiuzi’s net profit.

 

The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless earlier terminated upon written confirmation from both Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi before expiration. Otherwise, this agreement can only be extended by Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

 

2

 

Share Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between Jiuzi WFOE and certain shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi together holding 1,000,000 shares, or 100% of the equity interests, of Zhejiang Jiuzi (“Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders”), the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE to guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the terms of the Share Pledge Agreement, in the event that Zhejiang Jiuzi breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to dispose of dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interest.

 

The Share Pledge Agreement shall be effective until the full payment of the service fees under the Business Cooperation Agreement has been made and upon termination of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Business Cooperation Agreement.

 

The purposes of the Share Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, (2) ensure the shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interests without Jiuzi WFOE’s prior written consent and (3) provide Jiuzi WFOE control over Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Our Competitive Advantages

 

Competition in the automotive industry is intense and evolving. We believe the impact of new regulatory requirements for occupant safety and vehicle emissions, technological advances in powertrain and consumer electronic components, and shifting customer demands and expectations are causing the industry to evolve in the direction of electric-based vehicles. We believe our primary competitive advantages are:

 

  We entered the industry at a relatively early point and have gradually developed brand awareness through marketing and promotional events, and consumer acceptance due to our competitive pricing and large selections of NEVs in third-fourth tier cities. We received “2018 Zhejiang Business New Project” from Zhejiang Province Trade and Business Industry Association in 2018, and “Best Investment Potential” award from Leading Capital Summit for Mid to Small Business in 2019;

 

We have a large number of franchisees and strong customer demand, which add to our leverage over supply chains in terms of selections and pricing;
     
Our franchise stores have more space (5,000-12,000 square feet) compared to our competitors and we have a wide range of business partners, both of which help us provide better customer experiences; and

 

  The cost of launching a new franchisee is relatively low as compared to traditional 4S stores (4S refers to sales, service, spare parts and services), and it is easier to expand our franchise stores to cover geographical areas and lower the advertisement cost for our franchisees. The 4S model is a full-service approach that brings together sales, services, spare parts and surveys (customer feedback). 4S stores generate most of their profits from after-market services and require higher initial investment as compared to our franchise stores. In comparison to traditional 4S stores, our franchisees are also able to carry multiple brands of NEVs.

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

We aim to build an operating system in which the headquarters effectively empowers franchisees with our brand recognition, client source, financial support, operating and transportation assistance. Our growth strategies include the following:

 

Continue brand building and franchise stores expansion: We continue building our brand recognition through existing franchise stores and opening more new ones. Our focus is in China’s third-fourth-fifth-tier cities. Our franchisees in these small cities are expected to mainly serve as NEV outlets, where large quantities of fragmented transactions are conducted with NEVs sales to mostly consumers in towns, communities and neighborhoods through word of mouth.

 

Convert existing 4S stores to our franchise stores: Generally, 4S stores are operating under heavy financial pressures and regulatory burdens given their bigger size and less flexible business models. Many 4S stores suffer operating losses and some may even go out of business. We plan to enter into agreements with such struggling 4S stores, under which we will convert them into Jiuzi franchise stores.

 

Develop online-offline technology platform and sales channel: We are developing an online technology platform and planning to build an online-offline business model, as well as using data-driven technologies to deliver an improved shopping experience for consumers and an enhanced operational efficiency for suppliers.

 

  Establish display centers and distribution centers: In first- and second-tier cities, we plan to set up showrooms of high-end NEVs to convey a message of a green concept and new energy lifestyle. We are not planning to use a franchise model in these locations; instead, we will build our distribution centers by taking advantage of the cities’ well-established transportation infrastructure.

 

Reduce overall costs for our operations: In light of the intensive competition in the NEVs industry and COVID-19 outbreak, we intend to reduce our overall costs through better vehicles sourcing channel, in order to strengthen our short-term cash flows.

 

Strengthen our brand recognition through Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Life Club: We regularly arrange social activities among buyers and their families, including outdoor activities, movie nights, test driving events, vehicle owner cultural events, and charity events. We are devoted to enhancing member relations and active lifestyle, through which we promote NEVs and strengthen our brand recognition.

3

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

 

Recently, there is an ongoing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in China and has since spread rapidly globally. The pandemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and business facilities globally for the past few months. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Given the rapidly expanding nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because substantially all of our business operations and our workforce are concentrated in China, we believe there is a risk that our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be adversely affected. Potential impact to our results of operations will also depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 and the actions taken by government authorities and other entities to contain the COVID-19 or mitigate its impact, almost all of which are beyond our control.

 

The impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Our franchisees temporally closed their stores to adhere to the local government policy beginning from the end of January 2020 to March 2020, as required by relevant PRC regulatory authorities. Our office and Shangli Jiuzi store reopened in April 2020 and our franchisees are gradually re-opening their stores.

 

Our vehicle buyers could potentially be negatively impacted by the outbreak, which may reduce the demand of our products. As a result, our revenue and income may be negatively impacted in 2020.

 

We have suspended all in-person marketing and advertising activities and moved such activities online. We adopted online training programs to prepare our franchisees for combating future COVID-19 situations.

 

The situation may worsen if the COVID-19 outbreak continues. We will continue to closely monitor our operations throughout 2020.

 

The global stock markets have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant decline from the COVID-19 outbreak. It is possible that the price of our ordinary shares will decline significantly after the consummation of this offering, in which case, you may lose your investment.

 

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, the business disruption and the related financial impact related to the outbreak of and response to the coronavirus cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. For a detailed description of the risks associated with the novel coronavirus, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our business could be materially harmed by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Foreign Private Issuer 

 

As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012, and may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

 

  being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our filings with the SEC;
     
  not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;
     
  reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and
     
  exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our ordinary shares pursuant to this offering. However, if certain events occur before the end of such five-year period, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company before the end of such five-year period.

 

4

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and acknowledge such election is irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.

 

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies. For example:

 

  we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a U.S. domestic public company;
     
  for interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies;
     
  we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation;
     
  we are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information;
     
  we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and
     
  we are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction.

 

We intend to comply with the NASDAQ corporate governance rules applicable to foreign private issuers, which permit us to follow certain corporate governance rules that conform to the Cayman Islands requirements in lieu of many of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules applicable to U.S. companies. As a result, our corporate governance practices may differ from those you might otherwise expect from a U.S. company listed on NASDAQ.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive office is located at 4F No. 1 Building, Jinsha Lake Business Center, Economic Technology District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China 311103. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is +86-0571-82651956. Our registered agent in the Cayman Islands is Osiris International Cayman Limited. Our registered office and our registered agent’s office in the Cayman Islands are both located at Suite #4-210, Governors Square, 23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue, PO Box 32311, Grand Cayman KY1-1209, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc.

 

5

 

THE OFFERING 

 

Shares Offered                           ordinary shares (or                        ordinary shares assuming that the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)
     
Over-allotment Option   We have granted the underwriter an option exercisable up to 45 days after the closing of this offering to purchase up to an additional 15% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering on the same terms as the other ordinary shares being purchased by the underwriter from us.
     
Ordinary share outstanding prior to completion of this offering   1,000,000 ordinary shares
     
Ordinary share outstanding immediately after this offering                          ordinary shares (or                         ordinary shares assuming that the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)
     
Use of Proceeds   We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $                 , based on an initial public offering price of $                      per ordinary share and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and advisory fee and estimated offering expenses and assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for (1) marketing and “Jiuzi” brand building, (2) franchise store expansion and support, franchisee training, (3) development and launching of online-offline technology platform and (4) general working capital. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information.
     
Underwriter   Boustead Securities, LLC
     
Underwriters’ Warrants   We have agreed to sell to Boustead Securities, LLC, warrants (the “Underwriter’s Warrants”) to purchase up to a total of               ordinary shares (equal to (7)% of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold in the offering) at a price equal to 100% of the price of our ordinary shares offered hereby. The Underwriter will receive Underwriter’s Warrants if for the portion of the offering pursuant to the over-allotment option.
     
NASDAQ Trading symbol   We intend to list our ordinary shares on Nasdaq under the symbol “JZXN”. Our application could be rejected by Nasdaq, and this offering may not close until we have received Nasdaq’s approval for our application.
     
Transfer Agent    Transhare Corporation 
     
Risk Factors   Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. As an investor, you should be able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of, and elsewhere in, this prospectus before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares.
     
Lock-Up   We, our directors and executive officers, and our existing beneficial owners of 5% or more of our outstanding ordinary shares have agreed with the underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any ordinary shares for a period ending 180 days after the commencement of the trading of the ordinary shares. See “Underwriting” for more information.

 

6

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following tables set forth selected historical statements of operations and balance sheet data for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, which have been derived from our audited financial statements for those periods, and for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, which have been derived from our unaudited financial statement for those periods. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. You should read this data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” appearing elsewhere in the prospectus.

 

   

For the Fiscal Years Ended

October 31,

 
    2019     2018  
    US$
(audited)
    US$
(audited)
 
Statement of operation data:            
Revenues   $ 7,978,099     $ 4,305,523  
Cost of revenues     3,116,176       2,121,388  
Gross profits     4,861,923       2,184,135  
Selling and marketing expense     40,723       3,189  
General and administrative expenses     1,101,415       1,545,300  
Income taxes     540,782       135,397  
Net income     3,206,267       554,990  
Earnings per share, basic and diluted(1)     3.21       0.55  
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding(1)     3.21       0.55  
                 
Balance sheet data                
Current assets     6,083,641       5,604,872  
Total assets     7,066,067       7,639,701  
Total liabilities     2,410,970       6,284,312  
Total shareholders’ equity     4,655,097       1,355,389  

 

   

For the Six Months Ended

April 30,

 
    2020     2019  
    US$
(unaudited)
    US$
(unaudited)
 
Statement of operation data:            
Revenues   $ 1,277,236     $ 4,106,397  
Cost of revenues     791,213       1,671,393  
Gross profits     486,023       2,435,004  
Selling and marketing expense     18,127       17,221  
General and administrative expenses     512,780       519,676  
other income (loss) and expenses     17,089       25,730  
Income taxes     16       548,019  
Net income     (27,795 )     1,375,818  
Earnings per share, basic and diluted(1)     0.02       1.36  
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding(1)     0.02       1.36  
                 
Balance sheet data                
Current assets     5,222,694       5,966,876  
Total assets     7,104,518       8,037,284  
Total liabilities     2,451,149       5,200,857  
Total shareholders’ equity     4,653,369       2,836,427  

 

7

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our ordinary share involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our ordinary share, you should consider carefully the risks described below, together with all of the other information set forth in this prospectus, including the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected, which could cause the trading price of our ordinary share to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. The risks described below and in the documents referenced above are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business. You should only consider investing in our ordinary share if you can bear the risk of loss of your entire investment.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We rely on China’s automotive industry for our net revenues and future growth, the prospects of which are subject to many uncertainties, including government regulations and policies.

 

We rely on China’s automotive industry for our net revenues and future growth. We have greatly benefited from the rapid growth of China’s automotive industry during the past few years. However, the prospects of China’s automotive industry are subject to many uncertainties, including those relating to general economic conditions in China, the urbanization rate of China’s population and the cost of automobiles. In addition, government policies may have a considerable impact on the growth of the automotive industry in China. For example, in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality, a number of cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Harbin, and Hangzhou, have issued regulations to limit the number of new passenger car plates issued each year starting from 2010. In 2018, Beijing local government extended for another year existing restrictions on private vehicle use, which greatly reduced the number of automobiles on the road. On the bright side, both central and local governments in China have adopted a series of favorable policies targeted at new energy vehicle manufacturers. For example, on January 29, 2019, the Development and Reformation Commission released a national development plan that launched a new energy public transportation vehicle subsidy plan and reinforced the existing battery infrastructure development. On June 6, 2019, the Development and Reformation Commission released a proposal that eliminates restrictions on NEV purchase and use. Such regulatory developments, as well as other uncertainties, may affect the growth prospects of China’s automotive industry, and in turn reduce consumer demand for automobiles. If automakers, auto dealers or automotive service providers reduce their marketing expenditures as a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our business is substantially dependent on our collaboration with our suppliers, including automakers, auto dealers, and automotive service providers, and our agreements with them typically do not contain long-term contractual commitments.

 

Our business is substantially dependent on our collaboration with automakers, auto dealers and automotive service providers. We generally enter into letters of intent for the cooperation on sales and services with them without imposing any contractual obligations requiring them to maintain their relationships with us beyond the completion of each such event we organize or beyond the contractual term. Accordingly, there is no guarantee for future cooperation after the event and there is no assurance that we can maintain stable and long-term business relationships with any such automakers. Further, there is no written contract between us and the battery factories or 4S stores; there is no guarantee that the battery factories and 4S stores will continue their cooperative relationship with us, or we may suffer a loss if they do not honor the oral agreements/commitment with us. If a significant number of our industry vehicle buyers terminate or do not renew their agreements with us and we are not able to replace these business partners on commercial reasonable terms in a timely manner or at all, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

 

If we fail to attract and retain automobile consumers, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

In order to maintain and strengthen our leading market position and to attract industry vehicle buyers, we must continue to attract and retain consumers to our auto shows and other offline events. We must also innovate and introduce services and applications that improve consumers’ purchase experience. In addition, we must maintain and enhance our brand recognition among automobile consumers.

 

If we fail to enhance consumers’ ability to secure favorable purchase prices, offer a superior purchase experience or maintain and enhance our brand, we may not be able to attract and retain automobile consumers and thus fail to retain and attract our industry vehicle buyers, from whom we derive our net revenues, and our brand and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our business is subject to risks related to the overall automotive industry ecosystem, including consumer demand, consumption habits, global supply chain challenges and other macroeconomic issues.

 

Decreasing consumer demand could adversely affect the market for automobile purchases and, as a result, adversely affect our business. Consumer purchases of new and used automobiles generally decline during recessionary periods and other periods in which disposable income is adversely affected. Purchases of new and used automobiles are typically discretionary for consumers and have been, and may continue to be, affected by negative trends in the economy, including the rising cost of energy and gasoline, the limited availability and increasing cost of credit, reductions in business and consumer confidence, stock market volatility, and increased unemployment. Further, in recent years the automotive market has experienced rapid changes in technology and consumer demands. Self-driving technology, ride sharing, transportation networks, and other fundamental changes in transportation could impact consumer demand for the purchase of automobiles. A reduction in the number of automobiles purchased by consumers could adversely affect automakers and auto dealers and lead to a reduction in their spending on our services. In addition, our business may be negatively affected by challenges to the overall automotive industry ecosystem, including global supply chain challenges and other macroeconomic issues such as the recent trade tension between China and the United States. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

8

 

In addition, our business is focused on third- and fourth- tier cities mainly due to the increasing consumer demand of NEVs, lower initial investment costs, more affordable lease and less marketing costs. If there is a negative trend in the economy, consumer demand in third- and fourth- tier cities would be weakened and thereby adversely affect our operations and financial conditions.

 

Our future growth is dependent on the demand for, and upon consumers’ willingness to adopt electric vehicles.

 

Demand for automobile sales depends to a large extent on general, economic, political and social conditions in a given market and the introduction of new vehicles and technologies. As our business grows, economic conditions and trends will impact our business, prospects and operating results as well.

 

Demand for our electric vehicles may also be affected by factors directly impacting automobile price or the cost of purchasing and operating automobiles such as sales and financing incentives, prices of raw materials and parts and components, cost of fuel and governmental regulations, including tariffs, import regulation and other taxes. Volatility in demand may lead to lower vehicle unit sales, which may result in further downward price pressure and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

 

In addition, the demand for NEVs will highly depend upon the adoption by consumers of NEVs in general and electric vehicles in particular. The market for NEVs is still rapidly evolving, characterized by rapidly changing technologies, price and other competition, evolving government regulation and industry standards and changing consumer demands and behaviors.

 

Other factors that may influence the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, and specifically electric vehicles, include:

 

  perceptions about electric vehicle quality, safety, design, performance and cost, especially if adverse events or accidents occur that are linked to the quality or safety of electric vehicles, whether or not such vehicles are produced by us or other manufacturers, and the speed of the vehicles and battery performance;

 

  perceptions about vehicle safety in general, in particular safety issues that may be attributed to the use of advanced technology, including electric vehicle and regenerative braking systems, battery overheating issues and periodic maintenance requirements;

 

  the limited range over which electric vehicles may be driven on a single battery charge and the speed at which batteries can be recharged;

 

  the decline of an electric vehicle’s range resulting from deterioration over time in the battery’s ability to hold a charge;

 

  concerns about electric grid capacity and reliability as the increase in electricity load of NEVs may cause a gap in the area’s installed power supply capacity and transmission line capacity;

 

  the availability of NEVs, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which are still new compared to traditional gasoline vehicles and many vehicle manufacturers do not have the technology and/or experience to produce NEVs;

 

  improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine;

 

  the availability of service for electric vehicles;

 

  the environmental consciousness of consumers;

 

  access to charging stations, standardization of electric vehicle charging systems and consumers’ perceptions about convenience and cost to charge an electric vehicle;

 

  the availability of tax and other governmental incentives to purchase and operate electric vehicles or future regulation requiring increased use of nonpolluting vehicles;

 

  perceptions about and the actual cost of alternative fuel; and

 

  macroeconomic factors.

 

Any of the factors described above may cause current or potential vehicle buyers not to purchase NEVs. If the market for electric vehicles does not develop as we expect or develops more slowly than we expect, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be affected.

 

The unavailability, reduction or elimination of government and economic incentives or government policies which are favorable for electric vehicles and domestically produced vehicles could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

 

Our growth depends significantly on the availability and amounts of government subsidies, economic incentives and government policies that support the growth of NEVs generally and electric vehicles specifically.

 

9

 

On April 10, 2018, President Xi Jinping vowed to open China’s economy further and lower import tariffs on products including cars, in a speech during the Boao Forum. According to an announcement by the Chinese government, the tariff on imported passenger vehicles (other than those originating in the United States of America) will be reduced to 15% starting from July 1, 2018. As a result, our pricing advantage could be diminished. On June 28, 2018, the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC, and the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, promulgated the Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment, or the Negative List, effective on July 28, 2018, under which the limits on foreign ownership of auto manufacturers will be lifted by 2022 for internal combustion engines vehicles and in 2018 for NEVs. As a result, foreign electrical vehicles competitors, such as Tesla, could build wholly-owned facilities in China without the need for a domestic joint venture partner. These changes could increase our competition and reduce our pricing advantage.

 

Our vehicles also benefit from government policies including tariffs on imported cars. However, China’s central government has announced a phase-out schedule for the subsidies provided for purchasers of certain NEVs, which provides that the amount of subsidies provided for purchasers of certain NEVs in 2019 and 2020 will be reduced by 20% as compared to 2017 levels. Any reduction in national subsidies will also lower the maximum local subsidies that can be provided. Furthermore, China’s central government provides certain local governments with funds and subsidies to support the roll out of a charging infrastructure. See “Regulation—Favorable Government Policies on NEVs in the PRC.” These policies are subject to change and beyond our control. We cannot assure you that any changes would be favorable to our business. Furthermore, any reduction, elimination or discriminatory application of government subsidies and economic incentives because of policy changes, the reduced need for such subsidies and incentives due to the perceived success of electric vehicles, fiscal tightening or other factors may result in the diminished competitiveness of the alternative fuel vehicle industry generally or our electric vehicles in particular. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

 

We may fail to successfully grow or operate our franchise business as our franchisees may fail to operate the franchise stores effectively or we may be unable to maintain our relationships with our franchisees.

 

We generate our revenues through initial franchise fees and sales commissions. We expect our revenues to increase as we grow. We rely on our existing franchisees to open and operate new vehicle stores and our ability to attract new franchisees. Our franchisees are independent operators and are responsible for the profitability and financial viability of their franchisee stores. However, if our franchisees fail to operate their stores effectively or grow their operations, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Upon expiration of the franchise agreement, we may not be able to renew because it is subject to mutual agreement by both parties. If we fail to renew the franchise agreement, it may also adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may not be able to effectively monitor the operations of franchise stores.

 

Our franchisees are required to comply with our standardized operating procedures and requirements for the franchise stores. However, we may not be able to effectively monitor the operations of these stores as our franchisees may deviate from our standards and requirements. Moreover, we do not control the actions of their employees, including their salespersons. As a result, the quality of franchise stores operations may be adversely affected by any number of factors beyond our control.

 

While we ultimately can take action to terminate or choose not to renew existing franchise agreements with franchisees who do not comply with the terms and conditions stipulated by our franchise agreements, including standardized operating procedures, we may not be immediately aware or able to identify problems or take actions quickly enough to resolve these problems. This may lead to potential legal and regulatory non-compliance incidents. For instance, lack of the requisite permits and licenses to operate the franchise stores or a failure in registration of franchise agreements with PRC authorities may subject our franchisees to regulatory risks, which may significantly affect our brand, the results of operations of the franchise stores and in turn adversely and materially affect our financial condition.

 

We depend on certain key personnel and loss of these key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our success is, to a certain extent, attributable to the management, sales and marketing, and research and development expertise of key personnel. We depend upon the services of Mr. Shuibo Zhang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Qi Zhang, our Chief Operating Officer, and Ms. Kezhen Li, our Director, for the continued growth and operation of our Company, due to his industry experience, technical expertise, as well as his personal and business contacts in the PRC. Although we have no reason to believe that our directors and executive officers will discontinue their services with us or Zhejiang Jiuzi, the interruption or loss of his services would adversely affect our ability to effectively run our business and pursue our business strategy as well as our results of operations. We do not carry key man life insurance for any of our key personnel, nor do we foresee purchasing such insurance to protect against the loss of key personnel.

 

10

 

We may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to support our growth and if we are unable to retain or hire these personnel in the future, our ability to improve our products and implement our business objectives could be adversely affected.

 

We must attract, recruit and retain a sizeable workforce of technically competent employees. Competition for senior management and personnel in the PRC is intense and the pool of qualified candidates in the PRC is limited. We may not be able to retain the services of our senior executives or personnel, or attract and retain high-quality senior executives or personnel in the future. This failure could materially and adversely affect our future growth and financial condition.

 

If we fail to maintain and enhance our brand name recognition, we may face difficulty in attracting new franchisees and meeting customer demands.

 

Although our brand is well-respected in the NEV industry in China, we still believe that maintaining and enhancing our brand name recognition in a cost-effective manner is critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our current and future vehicles and services and is an important element in our effort to increase our customer base. Successful promotion of our brand name will depend largely on our marketing efforts and ability to provide reliable and quality products at competitive prices. Brand promotion activities may not necessarily yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we will incur in marketing activities. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand, or if we incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brand, we may fail to attract new vehicle buyers or retain our existing vehicle buyers, in which case our business, operating results and financial condition, would be materially adversely affected.

 

Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property.

 

Our success depends on our ability to obtain and maintain trademark protection for our brand name, in the PRC and in other countries. There is no assurance that any of our existing and future trademarks will be held valid and enforceable against third-party infringement or that our vehicles will not infringe any third-party patent or intellectual property. We have owned valid trademarks within PRC. Third parties may oppose our trademark applications or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In the event that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing these new brands. Further, our competitors may infringe our trademarks, or we may not have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.

 

Adverse publicity associated with our network marketing program, or those of similar companies, could harm our financial condition and operating results.

 

The results of our operations may be significantly affected by the public’s perception of our product and similar companies. This perception depends upon opinions concerning:

 

  the safety and quality of the vehicles we sell;

 

  the safety and quality of similar vehicles distributed by other companies; and

 

  our franchisees and sales forces.

 

Adverse publicity concerning any actual or purported failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding product claims and advertising, good manufacturing practices, or other aspects of our business, whether or not resulting in enforcement actions or the imposition of penalties, could have an adverse effect on our goodwill and could negatively affect our sales and ability to generate revenue.

 

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

 

We rely on contractual arrangements with our variable interest entity and its subsidiary in China for our business operations, which may not be as effective in providing operational control or enabling us to derive economic benefits as through ownership of controlling equity interests.

 

We rely on and expect to continue to rely on our wholly owned PRC subsidiary’s contractual arrangements with Zhejiang Jiuzi and its shareholders to operate our business. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over Zhejiang Jiuzi as ownership of controlling equity interests would be in providing us with control over, or enabling us to derive economic benefits from the operations of Zhejiang Jiuzi. Under the current contractual arrangements, as a legal matter, if Zhejiang Jiuzi or any of Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders fails to perform its, his or her respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies available under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective. For example, if Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi to us or our designated persons when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, we may have to take a legal action to compel them to fulfill their contractual obligations.

 

11

 

Our PRC counsel, Capital Equity Legal Group, will render an opinion that the ownership structure of the PRC entities does not violate PRC laws or regulations currently in effect, and that the contractual arrangements are valid, binding and enforceable, and do not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current PRC Laws, and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with such opinion.

 

If (i) the applicable PRC authorities invalidate these contractual arrangements for violation of PRC laws, rules and regulations, (ii) any variable interest entity or its shareholders terminate the contractual arrangements or (iii) any variable interest entity or its shareholders fail to perform its/his/her obligations under these contractual arrangements, our business operations in China would be materially and adversely affected, and the value of your shares would substantially decrease. Further, if we fail to renew these contractual arrangements upon their expiration, we would not be able to continue our business operations unless the then current PRC law allows us to directly operate businesses in China.

 

In addition, if any variable interest entity or all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of the variable interest entities undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business and our ability to generate revenues.

 

All of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our operating entities and we may be precluded from operating our business, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

The equity interests of Zhejiang Jiuzi are held by a total of five shareholders. Their interests may differ from the interests of our Company as a whole. They may breach, or cause Zhejiang Jiuzi to breach, or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements we have with Zhejiang Jiuzi, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control Zhejiang Jiuzi and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with Zhejiang Jiuzi to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our Company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

 

Currently, we do not have arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest the shareholders of our consolidated VIE may encounter, on one hand, and as a beneficial owner of our Company, on the other hand. We, however, could, at all times, exercise our option under the Exclusive Option Agreement to cause them to transfer all of their equity ownership in our consolidated VIE to a PRC entity or individual designated by us as permitted by the then applicable PRC laws. In addition, if such conflicts of interest arise, we could also, in the capacity of attorney-in-fact of the then existing shareholders of our consolidated VIE as provided under the power of attorney, directly appoint new directors of our consolidated VIE. We rely on the shareholders of our consolidated VIE to comply with PRC laws and regulations, which protect contracts and provide that directors and executive officers owe a duty of loyalty to our Company and require them to avoid conflicts of interest and not to take advantage of their positions for personal gains, and the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that directors have a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. However, the legal frameworks of China and the Cayman Islands do not provide guidance on resolving conflicts in the event of a conflict with another corporate governance regime. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and the shareholders of our consolidated VIE, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

 

Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIE owe/owes additional taxes, which could negatively affect our results of operations and the value of your investment.

 

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. The PRC enterprise income tax law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its related parties to the relevant tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation if they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm’s length principles. We may face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between our WFOE, our variable interest entity Zhejiang Jiuzi and the shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust Zhejiang Jiuzi’s income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by Zhejiang Jiuzi for PRC tax purposes, which could, in turn, increase their tax liabilities without reducing Jiuzi WFOE’s tax expenses. In addition, if Jiuzi WFOE requests the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders to transfer their equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi at nominal or no value pursuant to these contractual arrangements, such transfer could be viewed as a gift and subject Jiuzi WFOE to PRC income tax. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on Zhejiang Jiuzi for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if Zhejiang Jiuzi’s tax liabilities increase or if they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

 

12

 

If we exercise the option to acquire equity ownership of Zhejiang Jiuzi, the ownership transfer may subject us to certain limitation and substantial costs.

 

Pursuant to the contractual arrangements, Jiuzi WFOE has the exclusive right to purchase all or any part of the equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi from Zhejiang Jiuzi’s shareholders for a nominal price, unless the relevant government authorities or then applicable PRC laws request that a minimum price amount be used as the purchase price, in such case the purchase price shall be the lowest amount under such request. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders will be subject to PRC individual income tax on the difference between the equity transfer price and the then current registered capital of Zhejiang Jiuzi. Additionally, if such a transfer takes place, the competent tax authority may require Jiuzi WFOE to pay enterprise income tax for ownership transfer income with reference to the market value, in which case the amount of tax could be substantial.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

 

There are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities.

 

We conduct substantially all of our business operations in China, and a majority of our directors and senior management are based in China, which is an emerging market. The SEC, U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company directors and officers, in certain emerging markets, including China. Additionally, our public shareholders may have limited rights and few practical remedies in emerging markets where we operate, as shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including class action securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging markets, including China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, the regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States has not been efficient in the absence of a mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no foreign securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the competent PRC securities regulators and relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide the documents and materials relating to securities business activities to foreign securities regulators.

 

As a result, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

 

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investments in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies may delay or prevent us from using proceeds from this offering and/or future financing activities to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries.

 

As an offshore holding company with PRC subsidiaries, we may transfer funds to our Affiliate Entities or finance our operating entity by means of loans or capital contributions. Any capital contributions or loans that we, as an offshore entity, make to our Company’s PRC subsidiaries, including from the proceeds of this offering, are subject to PRC regulations. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprises, cannot exceed statutory limits based on the difference between the amount of our investments and registered capital in such subsidiaries, and shall be registered with China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), or its local counterparts. Furthermore, any capital increase contributions we make to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprises, shall be approved by China’s Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), or its local counterparts. We may not be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. If we fail to obtain such approvals or make such registration, our ability to make equity contributions or provide loans to our Company’s PRC subsidiaries or to fund their operations may be negatively affected, which may adversely affect their liquidity and ability to fund their working capital and expansion projects and meet their obligations and commitments. As a result, our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business may be negatively affected.

 

We must remit the offering proceeds to China before they may be used to benefit our business in China, and this process may take several months to complete.

 

The process for sending the proceeds from this offering back to China may take as long as six months after the closing of this offering. In utilizing the proceeds of this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds,” as an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries, we may make loans to our Affiliated Entities, or we may make additional capital contributions to our Affiliate Entities. Any loans to our Affiliated Entities are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans by us to our subsidiaries in China, which are foreign-invested enterprises, to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE.

 

To remit the proceeds of the offering, we must take the following steps:

 

  First, we will open a special foreign exchange account for capital account transactions. To open this account, we must submit to SAFE certain application forms, identity documents, transaction documents, form of foreign exchange registration of overseas investments of the domestic residents, and foreign exchange registration certificate of the invested company. As of the date of this prospectus, we have already opened a special foreign exchange account for capital account transactions.

 

  Second, we will remit the offering proceeds into this special foreign exchange account.

 

  Third, we will apply for settlement of the foreign exchange. In order to do so, we must submit to SAFE certain application forms, identity documents, payment order to a designated person, and a tax certificate.

 

13

 

The timing of the process is difficult to estimate because the efficiencies of different SAFE branches can vary significantly. Ordinarily the process takes several months but is required by law to be accomplished within 180 days of application.

 

We may also decide to finance our subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved by MOFCOM or its local counterpart. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions by us to our subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds of this offering and to capitalize our Chinese operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. If we fail to receive such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds of this offering and to capitalize our Chinese operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

 

Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our products and services and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.

 

Substantially all of our business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to economic, political and legal developments in China. Although the Chinese economy is no longer a planned economy, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over China’s economic growth through direct allocation of resources, monetary and tax policies, and a host of other government policies such as those that encourage or restrict investment in certain industries by foreign investors, control the exchange between RMB and foreign currencies, and regulate the growth of the general or specific market.

 

These government involvements have been instrumental in China’s significant growth in the past 30 years. In response to the recent global and Chinese economic downturn, the PRC government has adopted policy measures aimed at stimulating the economic growth in China. If the PRC government’s current or future policies fail to help the Chinese economy achieve further growth or if any aspect of the PRC government’s policies limits the growth of our industry or otherwise negatively affects our business, our growth rate or strategy, our results of operations could be adversely affected as a result.

 

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “Resident Enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.

 

China passed the Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and its implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.

 

On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation of China issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies, or the Notice, further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation to offshore entities controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate stamps, board and stockholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) all of its directors with voting rights or senior management reside in China. A resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC stockholders. Because substantially all of our operations and senior management are located within the PRC and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future, we may be considered a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes and therefore subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. However, it remains unclear as to whether the Notice is applicable to an offshore enterprise controlled by a Chinese natural person. Therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.

 

If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Currently, we do not have any non-China source income, as we conduct our sales in China. However, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules, dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would be deemed as “qualified investment income between resident enterprises” and therefore qualify as “tax-exempt income” pursuant to clause 26 of the EIT Law. Second, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which the dividends we pay with respect to our ordinary shares, or the gain our non-PRC shareholders may realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares, may be treated as PRC-sourced income and may therefore be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax. The EIT Law and its implementing regulations are, however, relatively new and ambiguities exist with respect to the interpretation and identification of PRC-sourced income, and the application and assessment of withholding taxes. If we are required under the EIT Law and its implementing regulations to withhold PRC income tax on dividends payable to our non-PRC shareholders, or if non-PRC stockholders are required to pay PRC income tax on gains on the transfer of their ordinary shares, our business could be negatively impacted and the value of your investment may be materially reduced. Further, if we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both China and such countries in which we have taxable income, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against such other taxes.

 

14

 

We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law.

 

In connection with this offering, we will become subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We are also subject to Chinese anti-corruption laws, which strictly prohibit the payment of bribes to government officials. We have operations agreements with third parties, and make sales in China, which may experience corruption. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of our franchisees and their employees, consultants or distributors, because these parties are not always subject to our control. Our franchisees are independent operators and are not subject to our control regarding to our FCPA practice.

 

Although we believe, to date, we have complied in all material respects with the provisions of the FCPA and Chinese anti-corruption law, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, franchisees or distributors of our franchisees may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption law may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

 

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

 

We conduct all of our business through our subsidiaries and variable interests entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries and variable interests entities are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

 

Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

 

In utilizing the proceeds of this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds,” as an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.

 

Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans by us to our subsidiaries in China, which are foreign invested entities (“FIEs”), to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE. On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Hui Fa [2015] No.19, a notice regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested company of foreign currency into RMB. The foreign exchange capital, for which the monetary contribution has been confirmed by the foreign exchange authorities (or for which the monetary contribution has been registered for account entry) in the capital account of a foreign-invested enterprise may be settled at a bank as required by the enterprise’s actual management needs. Foreign-invested enterprises with investment as their main business (including foreign-oriented companies, foreign-invested venture capital enterprises and foreign-invested equity investment enterprises) are allowed to, under the premise of authenticity and compliance of their domestic investment projects, carry out based on their actual investment scales direct settlement of foreign exchange capital or transfer the RMB funds in the foreign exchange settlement account for pending payment to the invested enterprises’ accounts.

 

On May 10, 2013, SAFE released Circular 21, which came into effect on May 13, 2013. According to Circular 21, SAFE has simplified the foreign exchange administration procedures with respect to the registration, account openings and conversions, settlements of FDI-related foreign exchange, as well as fund remittances.

 

Circular 21 may significantly limit our ability to convert, transfer and use the net proceeds from this offering and any offering of additional equity securities in China, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

 

We may also decide to finance our subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved by MOFCOM or its local counterpart, which usually takes no more than 30 working days to complete. We may not be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such approvals, we will not be able to capitalize our PRC operations, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

 

15

 

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

 

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, our income is primarily derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders.

 

We are a holding company and we rely on our subsidiaries for funding dividend payments, which are subject to restrictions under PRC laws.

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and we operate our core businesses through our VIE and its subsidiary in the PRC. Therefore, the availability of funds for us to pay dividends to our shareholders and to service our indebtedness depends upon dividends received from our VIE and its subsidiary If our VIE and its subsidiary incur debt or losses, their ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us may be impaired. As a result, our ability to pay dividends and to repay our indebtedness will be restricted. PRC laws require that dividends be paid only out of the after-tax profit of our PRC Affiliated Entities calculated according to PRC accounting principles, which differ in many aspects from generally accepted accounting principles in other jurisdictions. PRC laws also require enterprises established in the PRC to set aside part of their after-tax profits as statutory reserves. These statutory reserves are not available for distribution as cash dividends. In addition, restrictive covenants in bank credit facilities or other agreements that we or our Affiliated Entities may enter into in the future may also restrict the ability of our Affiliated Entities to pay dividends to us. These restrictions on the availability of our funding may impact our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and to service our indebtedness.

 

Our business may be materially and adversely affected if any of our PRC subsidiaries declare bankruptcy or become subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

 

The Enterprise Bankruptcy Law of the PRC, or the Bankruptcy Law, came into effect on June 1, 2007. The Bankruptcy Law provides that an enterprise will be liquidated if the enterprise fails to settle its debts as and when they fall due and if the enterprise’s assets are, or are demonstrably, insufficient to clear such debts.

 

Our PRC subsidiary holds certain assets that are important to our business operations. If our PRC subsidiary undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

According to SAFE’s Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies for Direct Investment, effective on 17 December 2012, and the Provisions for Administration of Foreign Exchange Relating to Inbound Direct Investment by Foreign Investors, effective May 13, 2013, if any of our PRC subsidiaries undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, prior approval from SAFE for remittance of foreign exchange to our shareholders abroad is no longer required, but we still need to conduct a registration process with the SAFE local branch. It is not clear whether “registration” is a mere formality or involves the kind of substantive review process undertaken by SAFE and its relevant branches in the past.

 

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

 

The Ministry of Commerce published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law in January 2015, or the 2015 FIL Draft, which expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of “actual control” in determining whether a company is considered a foreign-invested enterprise, or an FIE. Under the 2015 FIL Draft, VIEs that are controlled via contractual arrangement would also be deemed as foreign invested enterprises, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors.

 

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or the FIL, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020, repealing simultaneously the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the PRC on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises and the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Ventures, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. Pursuant to the FIL, foreign investment refers to any investment activity directly or indirectly carried out by foreign natural persons, enterprises, or other organizations, including investment in new construction project, establishment of foreign funded enterprise or increase of investment, merger and acquisition, and investment in any other way stipulated under laws, administrative regulations, or provisions of the State Council. Although the FIL has deleted the particular reference to the concept of “actual control” and contractual arrangements compared to the 2015 FIL Draft, there is still uncertainty regarding whether our VIE would be identified as a FIE in the future.

 

16

 

Even if our VIE were to be identified as a FIE in the future, we believe that our current business would not be adversely affected. However, if we were to engage in any business conduct involving third parties identified as prohibited or restricted on the Negative List, our VIE as well as its subsidiary may be subject to laws and regulations on foreign investment. In addition, our shareholders would also be prohibited or restricted to invest in certain sectors on the Negative List. However, even if our VIE were to be identified as a FIE, the validity of our contractual arrangements with Zhejiang Jiuzi and its shareholders as well as our corporate structure would not be adversely affected. We would still be able to receive benefits from our VIE in accordance with the contractual agreements. In addition, as the Chinese government has been updating the Negative List in recent years and reducing the sectors prohibited or restricted for foreign investment, it is probable in the future that, even if our VIE is identified as a FIE, it is still allowed to acquire or hold equity of enterprises in sectors currently prohibited or restricted for foreign investment.

 

Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

 

Changes in the value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, Euro and other foreign currencies are affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on our shares in U.S. dollar terms. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from our initial public offering into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on RMB amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of paying dividends on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. In addition, fluctuations of the RMB against other currencies may increase or decrease the cost of imports and exports, and thus affect the price-competitiveness of our products against products of foreign manufacturers or products relying on foreign inputs.

 

Since July 2005, the RMB is no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market.

 

Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

The currently effective PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law was first adopted on June 29, 2007 and later amended on December 28, 2012. The PRC Labor Contract Law has reinforced the protection of employees who, under the Labor Contract Law, have the right, among others, to have written employment contracts, to enter into employment contracts with no fixed term under certain circumstances, to receive overtime wages and to terminate or alter terms in labor contracts. Furthermore, the Labor Contract Law sets forth additional restrictions and increases the costs involved with dismissing employees. To the extent that we need to significantly reduce our workforce, the Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to do so in a timely and cost-effective manner, and our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, for employees whose employment contracts include noncompetition terms, the Labor Contract Law requires us to pay monthly compensation after such employment is terminated, which will increase our operating expenses.

 

We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our vehicle buyers by increasing the prices of our products and services, our financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

 

Part of our shareholders are not in compliance with the PRC’s regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents, and as a result, the shareholders may be subject to penalties if we are not able to remediate the non-compliance.

 

In July 2014, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or “Circular 37”. According to Circular 37, prior registration with the local SAFE branch is required for Chinese residents to contribute domestic assets or interests to offshore companies, known as SPVs. Circular 37 further requires amendment to a PRC resident’s registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the SPV, such as an increase or decrease in the capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division, or other material event. Further, foreign investment enterprises established by way of round-tripping shall complete the relevant foreign exchange registration formalities pursuant to the prevailing foreign exchange control provisions for direct investments by foreign investors, and disclose the relevant information such as actual controlling party of the shareholders truthfully.

 

17

 

Currently, two of our beneficial owners, who are PRC residents, have not completed the Circular 37 Registration. We have asked our shareholders who are Chinese residents to make the necessary applications and filings as required by Circular 37. We attempt to comply, and attempt to ensure that our shareholders who are subject to these rules comply, with the relevant requirements. We cannot, however, provide any assurances that all of our shareholders who are Chinese residents will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable registration or comply with other requirements required by Circular 37 or other related rules. The Chinese resident shareholders’ failure to comply with Circular 37 registration would not impose penalties on our Company, while it may result in restrictions being imposed on part of foreign exchange activities of the offshore special purpose vehicles, including restrictions on its ability to receive registered capital as well as additional capital from Chinese resident shareholders who fail to complete Circular 37 registration; and repatriation of profits and dividends derived from special purpose vehicles to China, by the Chinese resident shareholders who fail to complete Circular 37 registration, are also illegal. In addition, the failure of the Chinese resident shareholders to complete Circular 37 registration may subject each of the shareholders to fines less than RMB50,000. We cannot assure you that each of our Chinese resident shareholders will in the future complete the registration process as required by Circular 37.

 

We are not enrolled in the PRC’s employee’s housing funds program, and as a result, Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiary may be subject to future additional requirements should local government regulations on housing funds change.

 

Pursuant to the Social Security Law of the PRC, or the Social Security Law, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on October 28, 2010 and amended on December 29, 2018, employers shall pay the basic pension insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance for employees. We have been complying with local regulations regarding social security and employee insurance. We have not received any notification or warning from PRC authorities. We have not provided employees with housing funds. All our employees are located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, where local government imposes no mandatory requirements on employers to provide housing funds to employees. However, central government promulgated rules regarding employees housing funds. For example, in accordance with the Regulations on Management of Housing Provident Fund (the “Regulations of HPF”), which were promulgated by the PRC State Council on April 3, 1999, and last amended on March 24, 2002, employers must register at the designated administrative centers and open bank accounts for employees’ housing funds deposits. Employers and employees are also required to pay and deposit housing funds in an amount no less than 5% of the monthly average salary of each of the employees in the preceding year in full and on time. Zhejiang Jiuzi had not opened such bank accounts or deposited its employees’ housing funds. We believe that we are currently not in violation of the housing funds regulations as it is not mandatory in Hangzhou city. If in the future, local government adopts new rules requiring employers to provide housing funds to employees, we will be required to provide housing funds to our employees, failing which we may be subject to administrative and monetary penalties.

 

If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, this offering and our reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our ordinary shares, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.

 

Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on our Company, our business and this offering. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend the Company. This situation may be a major distraction to our management. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our Company and business operations will be severely hampered and your investment in our ordinary shares could be rendered worthless.

 

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests and exercising your rights as a stockholder since we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, and almost all of our officers and directors reside outside the U.S.

 

Although we are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we conduct substantially all of our operations in China. All of our current officers and almost all of our directors reside outside the U.S. and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the U.S. It may be difficult for you to conduct due diligence on the Company or such directors in your election of the directors and attend shareholders meeting if the meeting is held in China. We plan to have one shareholder meeting each year at a location to be determined, potentially in China. As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation doing business entirely or predominantly within the U.S.

 

18

 

Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by general economic conditions, natural catastrophic events, epidemics, public health crises, and a downturn in NEV purchase behavior.

 

Our operating results will be subject to fluctuations based on general economic conditions, in particular those conditions that impact the NEV industry. Deterioration in economic conditions could cause decreases in both volume and reduce and/or negatively impact our short-term ability to grow our revenues. Further, any decreased collectability of accounts receivable or early termination of agreements due to deterioration in economic conditions could negatively impact our results of operations.

 

Our business is subject to the impact of natural catastrophic events such as earthquakes, floods or power outages, political crises such as terrorism or war, and public health crises, such as disease outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics in the U.S. and global economies, our markets and business locations. Currently, the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) globally has resulted in increased travel restrictions and disruption and shutdown of businesses. Our franchisees may experience impacts from quarantines, market downturns and changes in customer behavior related to pandemic fears and impacts on the workforce if the virus becomes widespread in any of our markets. NEV sales is strongly influenced by changes in consumer behavior due to spread of pandemics, and therefore our industry is vulnerable to any pandemic event. Our vehicle buyers and franchisees may experience financial distress, file for bankruptcy protection, go out of business, or suffer disruptions in their business due to the coronavirus outbreak; as a result, our revenues may be impacted. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and will include emerging information concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions taken by governments and private businesses to attempt to contain the coronavirus, but is likely to result in a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition at least for the near term.

 

Similarly, natural disasters, wars (including the potential of war), terrorist activity (including threats of terrorist activity), social unrest and heightened travel security measures instituted in response, and travel-related accidents, as well as geopolitical uncertainty and international conflict, will affect travel volume and may in turn have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, we may not be adequately prepared in contingency planning or recovery capability in relation to a major incident or crisis, and as a result, our operational continuity may be adversely and materially affected, which in turn may harm our reputation.

 

Given the rapidly expanding nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because substantially all of our business operations and our workforce are concentrated in China, we believe there is a risk that our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be adversely affected.

 

Recently, there is an ongoing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in China and has since spread rapidly globally. The pandemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and business facilities globally for the past few months. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic. Given the rapidly expanding nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because substantially all of our business operations and our workforce are concentrated in China, we believe there is a risk that our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be adversely affected. Potential impact to our results of operations will also depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 and the actions taken by government authorities and other entities to contain the COVID-19 or mitigate its impact, almost all of which are beyond our control.

 

The impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Our franchisees temporally closed their stores to adhere to the local government policy beginning from the end of January 2020 to March 2020, as required by relevant PRC regulatory authorities. Our office and Shangli Jiuzi store have reopened in April 2020 and our franchisees are gradually opening their stores for operations.

 

Our vehicle buyers could potentially be negatively impacted by the outbreak, which may reduce the demand of our products. As a result, our revenue and income may be negatively impacted in 2020.

 

We have suspended all in-person marketing and advertising activities and moved such activities online. We adopted online training programs to prepare our franchisees for combating future COVID-19 situations.

 

The situation may worsen if the COVID-19 outbreak continues. We will continue to closely monitor our collections throughout 2020.

 

The global stock markets have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant decline from the COVID-19 outbreak. It is possible that the price of our ordinary shares will decline significantly after the consummation of this offering, in which case you may lose your investment.

 

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, the business disruption and the related financial impact related to the outbreak of and response to the coronavirus cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

 

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, proceeds from additional equity and debt financing and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures for the next 12 months. We may, however, need additional capital in the future to fund our continuing operations. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 10, 2020. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 include restrictions on travel, and quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. The COVID-19 and actions taken to mitigate it are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on our planned operations. Such events could result in the complete or partial closure of our offices or the operations of our franchisees which could impact our operations. In addition, it could impact economies and financial markets, resulting in an economic downturn that could impact our ability to raise capital or slow down potential business opportunities. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

19

 

Risks Related to the Offering and Our Ordinary Shares

 

The initial public offering price of our ordinary shares may not be indicative of the market price of our ordinary shares after this offering. In addition, an active, liquid and orderly trading market for our ordinary shares may not develop or be maintained, and our stock price may be volatile.

 

The following factors could affect our share price:

 

our operating and financial performance;

 

  quarterly variations in the rate of growth of our financial indicators, such as net income per share, net income and revenues;

 

  the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

  strategic actions by our competitors;

 

  changes in revenue or earnings estimates, or changes in recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage, by equity research analysts;

 

  speculation in the press or investment community;

 

  the failure of research analysts to cover our ordinary shares;

 

  sales of our ordinary shares by us or other shareholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;

 

  changes in accounting principles, policies, guidance, interpretations or standards;

 

  additions or departures of key management personnel;

 

  actions by our shareholders;

 

  domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance; and

 

  the realization of any risks described under this “Risk Factors” section.

 

The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our ordinary shares. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in very substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Since our Directors and Executive Officers will own at least         % of our ordinary shares following the initial public offering, they will have the ability to elect directors and approve matters requiring shareholder approval by way of resolution of members.

 

Mr. Shuibo Zhang, our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, is currently the beneficial owner of 79.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares, all of which are directly held by Jiuzi One Limited, an entity 100% owned by Mr. Zhang. In addition, Kezhen Li, our Director, is currently the beneficial ownership of 7% of our outstanding ordinary shares, of which 100% are directly held by Jiuzi Nine Limited, an entity 100% owned by Ms. LI. As a result, our directors and officers collectively own 86.5% of our outstanding ordinary. If we complete the initial public offering of our ordinary shares, excluding any ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriter, our directors and officers will have the right to vote          % of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Mr. Zhang will have the right to vote % of the outstanding ordinary shares and is expected to have the power to elect all directors and approve all matters requiring shareholder approval without the votes of any other shareholders. He is expected to have significant influence over a decision to enter into any corporate transaction and have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of shareholders, regardless of whether or not our other shareholders believe that such transaction is in our best interests. Such concentration of voting power could have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change of control or other business combination, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over the then- prevailing market price for their ordinary shares.

 

We will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq stock Market Rules and Nasdaq Capital Market rules if after this offering our insiders continue to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

Prior to the completion of this Offering, our directors and officers beneficially own a majority of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares. We expect to continue to be a controlled company pursuant to “controlled company” defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. Accordingly, the Company will be a controlled company under applicable Nasdaq listing standards. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and will rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors. Although we currently do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption under the Nasdaq listing rules, we could elect to rely on this exemption in the future. If we elected to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Our status as a controlled company could cause our ordinary shares to look less attractive to certain investors or otherwise harm our trading price. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements.

20

 

For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain reporting requirements, including those relating to accounting standards and disclosure about our executive compensation, that apply to other public companies.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the requirement to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We are currently utilizing or intend to utilize both of these exemptions. We have not made a decision whether to take advantage of any other exemptions available to emerging growth companies. We do not know if some investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result of our utilization of these or other exemptions. The result may be a less active trading market for our ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We prepare our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended October 31, 2019 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and International Accounting Standards and Interpretations as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union, which do not have separate provisions for publicly traded and private companies. However, in the event we convert to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) while we are still an “emerging growth company”, we may be able to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

 

We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (a) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (b) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (c) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the preceding three-year period or (d) the last day of our fiscal year containing the fifth anniversary of the date on which our shares become publicly traded in the United States.

 

If we fail to establish and maintain proper internal financial reporting controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

 

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we will be required to file a report by our management on our internal control over financial reporting, including an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. However, while we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The presence of material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting could result in financial statement errors which, in turn, could lead to errors in our financial reports and/or delays in our financial reporting, which could require us to restate our operating results. We might not identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal controls in connection with evaluating our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, we will need to expend significant resources and provide significant management oversight. Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific compliance training of our directors and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing accounting systems, take a significant period of time to complete and divert management’s attention from other business concerns. These changes may not, however, be effective in maintaining the adequacy of our internal control.

 

If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our operating results, the price of the ordinary shares could decline and we may be subject to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions. In addition, if we are unable to meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the ordinary shares may not be able to remain listed on Nasdaq.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to certain U.S. securities law disclosure requirements that apply to a domestic U.S. issuer, which may limit the information publicly available to our shareholders.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and therefore there may be less publicly available information about us than if we were a U.S. domestic issuer. For example, we are not subject to the proxy rules in the United States and disclosure with respect to our annual general meetings will be governed by Cayman Islands’ requirements. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder. Therefore, our shareholders may not know on a timely basis when our officers, directors and principal shareholders purchase or sell our ordinary shares.

 

21

 

Because we are a foreign private issuer and are exempt from certain NASDAQ corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, you will have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer.

 

The NASDAQ Listed Company Manual requires listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of its board members be independent. As a foreign private issuer, however, we are permitted to, and we may follow home country practice in lieu of the above requirements, or we may choose to comply with the above requirement within one year of listing. The corporate governance practice in our home country, the Cayman Islands, does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors. Thus, although a director must act in the best interests of the Company, it is possible that fewer board members will be exercising independent judgment and the level of board oversight on the management of our company may decrease as a result. In addition, the NASDAQ Listed Company Manual also requires U.S. domestic issuers to have a compensation committee, a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, and an audit committee with a minimum of three members. We, as a foreign private issuer, may not be subject to all these requirements. The NASDAQ Listed Company Manual may require shareholder approval for certain corporate matters, such as requiring that shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions to those plans, certain ordinary share issuances. We intend to comply with the requirements of the NASDAQ Listed Company Manual in determining whether shareholder approval is required on such matters and to appoint a nominating and corporate governance committee. However, we may consider following home country practice in lieu of the requirements under the NASDAQ Listed Company Manual with respect to certain corporate governance standards which may afford less protection to investors.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

 

As discussed above, we are a foreign private issuer, and therefore, we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and, accordingly, the next determination with respect to our status will be made on April 30, 2021. We would lose our foreign private issuer status if, for example, more than 50% of our ordinary share are directly or indirectly held by residents of the U.S. and we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to maintain our foreign private issuer status. If we lose our foreign private issuer status on this date, we will be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms beginning on October 31, 2021, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

In addition, we will lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements under the NASDAQ listing rules. As a U.S. listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, we will incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we will not incur as a foreign private issuer, and accounting, reporting and other expenses in order to maintain a listing on a U.S. securities exchange.

 

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.

 

As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the securities exchange on which we list, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Despite recent reforms made possible by the JOBS Act, compliance with these rules and regulations will nonetheless increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs and investor relations and public relations costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and operating results as well as proxy statements.

 

As a result of disclosure of information in this prospectus and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business, brand and reputation and results of operations.

 

We also expect that being a public company and these new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

 

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from our initial public offering and may not use them effectively.

 

To the extent (i) we raise more money than required for the purposes explained in the section titled “Use of Proceeds” or (ii) we determine that the proposed uses set forth in that section are no longer in the best interests of our Company, we cannot specify with any certainty the particular uses of such net proceeds that we will receive from our initial public offering. Our management will have broad discretion in the application of such net proceeds, including working capital, possible acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes, and we may spend or invest these proceeds in a way with which our shareholders disagree. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business and financial condition. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from our initial public offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

 

22

 

We have not paid dividends to our shareholders.

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our stock. We have been retaining funds for our business operation and expansion. We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions and future prospects and other factors the Board may deem relevant. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our ordinary shares if we are successfully listed and the market price of our ordinary shares increases.

 

The price of the ordinary shares and other terms of this offering have been determined by us along with our Underwriter.

 

If you purchase our ordinary shares in this offering, you will pay a price that was not established in a competitive market. Rather, you will pay a price that was determined by us along with our Underwriter. The offering price for our ordinary shares may bear no relationship to our assets, book value, historical results of operations or any other established criterion of value. The trading price, if any, of the ordinary shares that may prevail in any market that may develop in the future, for which there can be no assurance, may be higher or lower than the price you paid for our ordinary shares.

 

The obligation to disclose information publicly may put us at a disadvantage to competitors that are private companies.

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will be a public company in the United States. As a public company, we will be required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission upon the occurrence of matters that are material to our Company and shareholders. Although we may be able to attain confidential treatment of some of our developments, in some cases, we will need to disclose material agreements or results of financial operations that we would not be required to disclose if we were a private company. Our competitors may have access to this information, which would otherwise be confidential. This may give them advantages in competing with our Company. Similarly, as a U.S. public company, we will be governed by U.S. laws that our competitors, which are mostly private Chinese companies, are not required to follow. To the extent compliance with U.S. laws increases our expenses or decreases our competitiveness against such companies, our public company status could affect our results of operations.

 

Shares eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares if the shares are successfully listed on NASDAQ or other stock markets, as the future sale of a substantial amount of outstanding ordinary shares in the public marketplace could reduce the price of our ordinary shares.

 

The market price of our ordinary shares could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts of our shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of our ordinary shares. An aggregate of 1,000,000 ordinary shares will be outstanding before the consummation of this offering all of which, except those held by management, are or will be freely tradable immediately upon effectiveness of the registration statement which this prospectus form part of. All of the ordinary shares sold in the offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. The remaining ordinary shares will be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144. These ordinary shares may be sold without registration under the Securities Act to the extent permitted by Rule 144 or other exemptions under the Securities Act. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”

 

If you purchase our ordinary shares in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of your shares.

 

Investors purchasing our ordinary shares in this offering will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share. As a result, investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $ per share (or $ per share if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), representing the difference between our assumed initial public offering price of $ per share and our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of October 31, 2019. For more information on the dilution you may experience as a result of investing in this offering, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Dilution.”

 

A sale or perceived sale of a substantial number of shares of our ordinary share may cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline.

 

All of our executive officers and directors and all of our shareholders have agreed not to sell shares of our ordinary shares for a period of six months following this offering, subject to extension under specified circumstances. See “Lock-Up Agreements.” Ordinary shares subject to these lock-up agreements will become eligible for sale in the public market upon expiration of these lock-up agreements, subject to limitations imposed by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If our shareholders sell substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market, the market price of our ordinary shares could fall. Moreover, the perceived risk of this potential dilution could cause shareholders to attempt to sell their ordinary shares and investors to short our ordinary shares. These sales also may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

 

23

 

The laws of the Cayman Islands may not provide our shareholders with benefits comparable to those provided to shareholders of corporations incorporated in the United States.

 

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, by the Companies Law (Revised) of the Cayman Islands and by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law in the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands and from English common law. Decisions of the Privy Council (which is the final Court of Appeal for British overseas territories such as the Cayman Islands) are binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. Decisions of the English courts, and particularly the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal are generally of persuasive authority but are not binding in the courts of the Cayman Islands. Decisions of courts in other Commonwealth jurisdictions are similarly of persuasive but not binding authority. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws relative to the United States. Therefore, our public shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.

 

You may be unable to present proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by shareholders.

 

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. These rights, however, may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our articles of association allow our shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than 10% of our voting share capital in issue, to requisition a general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our directors are obliged to call such meeting. Advance notice of at least 7 days’ notice (exclusive of the day on which notice is served or deemed to be served, but inclusive of the day for which notice is given) is required for convening general meetings of our shareholders. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy.

 

Based on the Economic Substance Legislation of the Cayman Islands, it is anticipated that the Company will be subject to limited substance requirements applicable to a holding company.

 

The Cayman Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, have recently introduced legislation aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union (the “EU”) as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which attract profits without real economic activity. With effect from January 1, 2019, the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Law, 2018 (the “Substance Law”) came into force in the Cayman Islands introducing certain economic substance requirements for in-scope Cayman Islands entities which are engaged in certain “relevant activities,” which in the case of exempted companies incorporated before January 1, 2019, will apply in respect of financial years commencing July 1, 2019, onwards. On March 12, 2019, the EU, as part of this ongoing initiative, announced the results of its assessment of the 2018 implementation efforts by various countries under its review. Cayman Islands was not on the announced list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, but was referenced in the report (along with 33 other jurisdictions) as being among countries requiring adjustments to their legislation to meet EU concerns by December 31, 2019 to avoid being moved to the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions.

 

Based on the Substance Law currently and announced guidance in effect, it is anticipated that the Company will be subject to limited substance requirements applicable to a holding company. At present, it is unclear what the Company will be expected to do in order to satisfy these requirements, but to the extent we are required to increase our substance in Cayman Islands, it could result in additional costs, which we do not presently expect to be material. Although it is presently anticipated that the Substance Law (including the ongoing EU review of Cayman Islands’ implementation of such law), will have little material impact on us or our operations, as the legislation is new and remains subject to further clarification, adjustment, interpretation and EU review, it is not currently possible to ascertain the precise impact of these developments on the Company.

 

24

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions in this prospectus. These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and product and development programs. You must carefully consider any such statements and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements. These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

  future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenditures, cash balances and other financial items;

 

  our ability to execute our growth, and expansion, including our ability to meet our goals;

 

  current and future economic and political conditions;

 

  our ability to compete in an industry with low barriers to entry;

 

  our ability to continue to operate through our VIE structure;

 

  our capital requirements and our ability to raise any additional financing which we may require;

 

  our ability to attract clients, win primary agency sale bids, and further enhance our brand recognition; and

 

  our ability to hire and retain qualified management personnel and key employees in order to enable us to develop our business;

 

  our ability to retain the services of Mr. Shuibo Zhang, our chief executive officer; Mr. Qi Zhang, our chief operating officer, and Ms. Kezhen Li, our director;

 

  trends and competition in the advertising industry; and

 

  other assumptions described in this prospectus underlying or relating to any forward-looking statements.

 

We describe material risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our business, including our financial condition and results of operations, under “Risk Factors.” We base our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should be careful about relying on any forward-looking statements. Except as required under the federal securities laws, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

 

25

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability on October 10, 2019. We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provide significantly less protection for investors than the United States. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.

 

Substantially all of our assets are located in the PRC. In addition, all of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of the PRC and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.

 

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel with respect to the laws of the Cayman Islands, and Capital Equity Legal Group, our counsel with respect to PRC law, have advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands or the PRC against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has further advised us that there is currently no statutory enforcement or treaty between the United States and the Cayman Islands providing for enforcement of judgments. A judgment obtained in the United States, however, may be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination on the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment: (i) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; (iii) is final; (iv) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and (v) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or public policy of the Cayman Islands. Furthermore, it is uncertain that the Cayman Islands courts would enforce: (1) judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or other persons that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws; or (2) original actions brought against us or other persons predicated upon the Securities Act.  Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has informed us that there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law relating to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature.

 

Capital Equity Legal Group has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. Capital Equity Legal Group has advised us further that there are no treaties or other forms of reciprocity between China and the United States for the mutual recognition and enforcement of court judgments, thus making the recognition and enforcement of a U.S. court judgment in China difficult.

 

26

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of     ordinary share in this offering will be approximately $         , after deducting the underwriting discounts, estimated offering expenses payable by us and advising fees, based on the assumed initial public offering price of $       per ordinary share. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, we estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $        , after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

  

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows, and we have ordered the specific uses of proceeds in order of priority.

 

Description of Use   US$  
Marketing and “Jiuzi” brand building            
Franchise store expansion and support, franchisee training        
Development and launching of online-offline technology platform        
General working capital        
Total        

 

The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our shares for the benefit of all shareholders and obtain additional capital. We plan to use the net proceeds (not including proceeds from exercising over-allotment option) of this offering as follows:

 

  approximately 15% -20% of the net proceeds will be used for marketing and “Jiuzi” brand image enhancing; we will use a portion of proceeds to expand our market scale and strengthen Jiuzi brand recognition, including developing first/second-tier city show rooms and distribution centers, and hosting Jiuzi life club events;

 

  approximately 40% - 50% of the net proceeds will be used for new franchisee stores launching in third/fourth/fifth-tier cities, as well as to support and provide training to existing franchisees, and expand vehicle procurement and inventory;

 

  approximately 20% - 30% of the net proceeds will be used for developing online technology platform, including apps, which will allow our vehicle buyers to browse among different NEVs and place orders online; and
     
  the remainder proceeds will be used for general working capital purpose.

 

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and prevailing business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and prevailing business conditions evolve. Predicting the cost necessary to develop product candidates can be difficult and the amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering. We may also use the proceeds for potential acquisitions; however, our management has not yet determined the types of businesses that we will target or the terms of any potential acquisitions.

 

The net proceeds from this offering must be remitted to China before we will be able to use the funds to grow our business. The procedure to remit funds may take several months after completion of this offering, and we will be unable to use the offering proceeds in China until remittance is completed. See “Risk Factors” for further information.

 

27

 

DIVIDEND POLICY 

 

We intend to keep any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business. We do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future.

 

Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or share premium amount, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts due in the ordinary course of business.

 

If we determine to pay dividends on any of our ordinary share in the future, as a holding company, we will depend on receipt of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiary, Jiuzi HK.

 

Current PRC regulations permit our indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to Jiuzi HK only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

 

The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries and affiliates in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through the current contractual arrangements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.

 

Cash dividends, if any, on our ordinary share will be paid in U.S. dollars. Jiuzi HK may be considered a non-resident enterprise for tax purposes, so that any dividends WFOE pays to Jiuzi HK may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. See “Taxation—People’s Republic of China Enterprise Taxation.”

 

In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE, pursuant to contractual arrangements between them, and the distribution of such payments to Jiuzi HK as dividends from WFOE. Certain payments from Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE are subject to PRC taxes, including VAT, urban maintenance and construction tax, educational surcharges. In addition, if Zhejiang Jiuzi or its subsidiaries or branches incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

 

Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC project. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including without limitation that (a) the Hong Kong project must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong project must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC project during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends.

 

28

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of April 30, 2020 on:

 

  an actual basis; and

 

  a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of         ordinary shares in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $          per ordinary share after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

You should read this information together with our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the information set forth under the sections titled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data,” “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

    

    As of April 30, 2020  
    Actual    

Pro Forma

As

Adjusted (1) (2)

 
    US$     US$  
Shareholders’ Equity                       
Ordinary shares, $0.005 par value: 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding;            shares issued and outstanding pro forma                
Additional paid-in capital                
Statutory reserves                
Retained earnings                
Accumulated other comprehensive loss                
Noncontrolling interest                
                 
Total shareholders’ equity                
Total capitalization                

 

(1) Reflects the sale of ordinary shares in this offering (excluding any ordinary share that may be sold as a result of the Underwriter exercising its over-allotment option) at an assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma as adjusted information is illustrative only, and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Additional paid-in capital reflects the net proceeds we expect to receive, after deducting the underwriting discounts, estimated offering expenses payable by us and advisory fees. We estimate that such net proceeds will be approximately $      .

 

(2) Assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $     per ordinary share would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of total capitalization by $       , assuming that the number of ordinary shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. An increase (decrease) of 1 million in the number of ordinary shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of total capitalization by $      , assuming no change in the assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

29

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our ordinary shares in this offering, your interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ordinary share in this offering and the net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per ordinary share. As of April 30, 2020, we had a historical net tangible book value of $        , or $      per ordinary share. Our net tangible book value per share represents total tangible assets less total liabilities, all divided by the number of ordinary shares outstanding on April 30, 2020.

 

After giving effect to the sale of          ordinary shares in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $0.005 per ordinary share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value at April 30, 2020 would have been $        , or $        per ordinary share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $        per ordinary share to existing investors and immediate dilution of $       per ordinary share to new investors. The following table illustrates this dilution to new investors purchasing ordinary share in this offering:

 

   

Offering without

Over-allotment

Option

   

Offering with Full

Exercise

of Over-

allotment

Option

 
Assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share   $           $             
Net tangible book value per ordinary share as of April 30, 2020   $       $    
Increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to new investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering   $       $    
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering   $       $    
Dilution per ordinary share to new investors in this offering   $       $    

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per ordinary share would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of April 30, 2020 after this offering by approximately $          per ordinary share, and would increase (decrease) dilution to new investors by $          per ordinary share, assuming that the number of ordinary shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. An increase (decrease) of 1 million in the number of ordinary shares we are offering would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of April 30, 2020 after this offering by approximately $          per ordinary share, and would decrease (increase) dilution to new investors by approximately $          per ordinary share, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same, and after deducting the estimate underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma as adjusted information is illustrative only, and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

If the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share after the offering would be $         , the increase in net tangible book value per ordinary share to existing shareholders would be $         , and the immediate dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in this offering would be $         .

 

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of April 30, 2020, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share before deducting the estimated commissions to the underwriters and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

   

Ordinary Shares

purchased

    Total consideration    

Average

price per

Ordinary

 
    Number     Percent     Amount     Percent     Share  
    ($ in thousands)  
Existing shareholders (1)                        $               %   $          
New investors               %   $           %   $    
Total             100 %   $         100 %   $    

 

(1) Not including over-allotment shares.

 

The pro forma as adjusted information as discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ordinary shares and other terms of this offering determined at the pricing.

 

30

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read the following description of our results of operations and financial condition in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018 and unaudited financial statements for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Overview

 

We franchise and operate retail stores under brand name “Jiuzi”, which sell new energy vehicles, or NEVs, in third-fourth tier cities in China. Almost all of the NEVs we sell are battery-operated electric vehicles. We also sell a few plug-in electric vehicles on demand from vehicle buyers. As of the date of this prospectus, we have 18 operating franchise stores and one company-owned store in China. The business relationship between Jiuzi and its independent franchisees is supported by adhering to standards and policies and is of fundamental importance to the overall performance and protection of the “Jiuzi” brand.

 

Primarily a franchisor, our franchising model enables an individual to be its own employer and maintain control over all employment-related matters, marketing and pricing decisions, while also benefiting from our Jiuzi brand, resources and operating system. In collaboration with franchisees, we are able to further develop and refine our operating standards, marketing concepts and product and pricing strategies.

 

Our revenues consist of (i) NEV sales in our company-owned store and NEV sales supplied to our franchisees; (ii) initial franchisee fees of RMB 4,000,000, or approximately US$575,500, for each franchise store, payable over time based on performance obligations of the parties, from our franchisees; and (iii) on-going royalties based on 10% percent of net incomes from our franchisees. These fees, along with operating rights, are stipulated in our franchise agreements.

 

We source NEVs through more than twenty NEV manufacturers, including BYD, Geely, and Chery, as well as battery/component manufacturers such as Beijing Zhongdian Boyu, Shenzhen Jishuchongke and Youbang Electronics which focus on manufacturing charging piles, and Guoxuan Gaoke, and Futesi in battery production. We are able to access more brands and obtain more competitive pricing to attract potential franchisees and to meet customer demands. On the capital side, we introduce franchisees to various capital platforms including Beijing Tianjiu Xingfu Control Group and Qinghua Qidi Zhixing, through which our franchisees and their vehicle buyers can obtain financing. Our business partners help us in providing a variety of products and extend our geographic reach.

 

Benefiting from favorable state policies subsidizing the NEV industry, China’s NEV production started flourishing around 2015 and 2016, pursuant to the 2016-2020 New Energy Vehicle Promotion Fiscal Support Guidance and Notice regarding “the Thirteenth Five-year Plan” New Energy Vehicles Battery Infrastructure Support Policy. In 2016, China released a series of financial subsidy policies targeted at NEV production. We conducted market research in 2016 and eventually launched our business in 2017. We have built a full-scale modern business management operation, supported by our operations department and marketing department. We aim to build an online-offline operating system in which our headquarters effectively empowers our franchisees with our brand recognition, client source, financial support, operating and transportation assistance through the online platform. Our fully-developed supply chain will provide solid support for store location expansion. Our franchisees’ conformity to Jiuzi’s standards will help us in our business expansion and implementation of our growth strategy.

 

We plan to adopt an innovative one-stop vehicle sales model for our vehicle buyers, who are expected to have access to more brands, better services and more affordable pricing. Our current business model is focused on vehicle selection and purchases, which provides buyers with a multi-brand price comparison and test-driving experience. Through our online platform we are currently developing, we expect to provide a multi-dimensional service platform and one-stop experience covering online vehicle selection and purchases and off-line vehicle delivery and maintenance. Our app will provide potential buyers with information on various car brands and models, as well as the ability to make vehicle registrations, appointments for maintenance and repairs, and remote error diagnosis services, etc.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

 

Recently, there is an ongoing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in China and has since spread rapidly globally. The pandemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and business facilities globally for the past few months. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Given the rapidly expanding nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because substantially all of our business operations and our workforce are concentrated in China, we believe there is a risk that our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be adversely affected. Potential impact to our results of operations will also depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of COVID-19 and the actions taken by government authorities and other entities to contain COVID-19 or mitigate its impact, almost all of which are beyond our control.

 

The impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Our franchisees temporally closed their stores to adhere to the local government policy beginning from the end of January 2020 to March 2020. Our office and Shangli Jiuzi store have reopened in April 2020 and our franchisees have also gradually re-opened their stores for operations.
   
Our vehicle buyers could potentially be negatively impacted by the outbreak, which may reduce the demand of our products and services. As a result, our revenue and income may be negatively impacted in 2020.

 

31

 

We have suspended all in-person marketing and advertising activities and moved such activities online. We adopted online training programs to prepare our franchisees for combating COVID-19 situations.
   
The situation may worsen if the COVID-19 outbreak continues. We will continue to closely monitor our collections throughout 2020.
   
The global stock markets have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant decline from the COVID-19 outbreak. It is possible that the price of our ordinary shares will decline significantly after the consummation of this offering, in which case you may lose your investment.

 

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, the business disruption and the related financial impact related to the outbreak of and response to the coronavirus cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. For a detailed description of the risks associated with the novel coronavirus, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our business could be materially harmed by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”

 

Results of Operations

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

 

    For six months ended              
    April 30,     Changes  
    2020     2019     Amount     %  
Net revenue   $ 1,277,236     $ 4,106,397     $ (2,829,161 )     (68.90 )%
Cost of revenue     791,213       1,671,393       (880,180 )     (52.66 )%
Gross profit     486,023       2,435,004       (1,948,981 )     (80.04 )%
Selling, general and administrative expenses     37,697       68,218       (30,521 )     (44.74 )%
Income from operations     448,326       2,366,786       (1,918,460 )     (81.06 )%
Interest income (expense), net     0       0       0       0 %
Other income     17,089       25,730       (8,641.00 )     (33.58 )%
Income before income tax provision     465,415.00       2,392,516.00       (1,927,101 )     (80.55 )%
Provision for income taxes     116,353       598,129       (481,775 )     (80.55 )%
Net income     349,061       1,794,387       -1,445,325       -80.55 %

 

32

 

Net Revenue 

 

The following table lists the calculation methods of gross profit and gross profit margin of each type of revenue: 

 

   

For the six months ended

April 30,

    Changes  
    2020     2019     Amount     %  
New energy vehicle sales                                
Net revenue   $ 299,572       979,288       -679,716       -69.41 %
Cost of revenue     296,140       937,776       -641,636       -68.42 %
Gross profit   $ 3,432       41,511       -38,079       -91.73 %
Gross profit margin     1.15 %     4.24 %     (3.09 )%     (72.97 )%
                                 
Franchise initial fees                                
Net revenue   $ 977,663       3,257,447       -2,279,784       -69.99 %
Cost of revenue     84,895       833,867       -748,972       -89.82 %
Gross profit   $ 892,768       2,423,580       -1,530,812       -63.16 %
Gross profit margin     91.32 %     74.40 %     16.92 %     22.74 %
                                 
Franchisees’ royalties                                
Net revenue   $ 0       0       0.00          
Cost of revenue     0       0       0.00          
Gross profit   $ 0       0       0.00          
Gross profit margin                                
                                 
Total                                
Net revenue   $ 1,277,235       4,236,735       (2,959,500 )     (69.85 )%
Cost of revenue     381,035       1,771,643       (1,390,608 )     (78.49 )%
Gross profit   $ 896,200       2,465,091       (1,568,891 )     (63.64 )%
Gross profit margin     70.17 %     58.18 %     11.98 %     20.60 %

 

Our net revenues were $1,277,235 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 as compared to $4,236,735 in 2019, a decrease of $2,959,500, or 69.85%. The decrease was mostly due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

  

New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sales

 

Our NEVs sales include the sales of NEVs in our Shangli store and sales of NEVs to our franchisees. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, our NEVs sales decreased by $679,716 or 69.41%, from $979,288 for the six months ended April 30, 2019 to $299,572 for the six months ended April 30, 2020. The decrease was mostly due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. During this period, the Company and its franchisees temporary closed their stores to adhere to the local government policy for the period from end of January 2020 to March 2020. Our office and Shangli Jiuzi store reopened in April 2020 and our franchisees have also gradually re-opened their stores for operation. China’s auto sales rose as the country eased virus-related curbs and reopened for business, but overall auto sales are expected to drop for the year due to market conditions.

 

Cost of revenue was $296,140 for the six months ended April 30, 2020, a decrease of $641,636 or 68.42%, from $937,776 for the six months ended April 30, 2019 which resulted from the decline in sales for the period.

 

Gross profit and gross profit margin were $3,432 and 1.15% for the six months ended April 30, 2020 as compared to $41,511 and 4.24% for the same period in 2019, respectively. The decrease resulted from decline in sales price of the vehicles as the overall market price of NEV decreased.

 

33

 

Franchisees initial fees

 

The initial franchise fee revenue decreased by $2,279,784 or 69.99%%, from $3,257,447 for the six months ended April 30, 2019 to $977,663 for the six months ended April 30, 2020. Due to the pandemic, the Company was unable to recruit new franchisees and the Company could not prepare for the opening of new franchise stores. Such restrictions have caused the decline in franchise fee revenue for the period.

 

Cost of revenue was $84,895 for the six months ended April 30, 2020, a decrease of $748,972 or 89.82%, from $833,867 for the six months ended April 30, 2019.

 

Gross profit and gross profit margin were $892,768 and 91.3% for the six months ended April 30, 2020 as compared to $2,423,580 and 74.4% for the same period in 2019, respectively. The decrease resulted from reduced cost of revenues because the Company was only able to perform limited services during the period.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

We incurred selling, general and administrative expenses of $37,697for the six months ended April 30, 2020, as compared to $68,218for the six months ended April 30, 2019, a decrease of $30,521, or 44.74%. The decrease is due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. Due to the epidemic, our franchisees temporally closed their stores to adhere to the local government policy beginning from the end of January 2020 to March 2020. As a result, employees’ travel expenses, performance bonuses and basic social insurance have been reduced.

  

Interest Expenses

 

Interest charges and bank charges are mainly from bank transfer charges and deposit interest offset. Interest expense as of April 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $ 0 and $ 0, respectively. 

    

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Provision for income tax was $ 116,353.75 during the six months ended April 30, 2020, a decrease of $481,775.25 or 80.55%, as compared to $598,129 for the six months ended April 30, 2019. Under the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, companies are generally subject to income tax at a rate of 25%. The increase in provision for income taxes was mainly due to the increase in income before income tax provision which was $465,415. for the six months ended April 30, 2020 as compared to $ 2,392,516 for the six months ended April 30, 2019.

 

Net Income

 

Our net income decreased by $1,445,325.75 or 80.55%, to $349,061.25 for the six months ended April 30, 2020, from $1,794,387 for the six months ended April 30, 2019. Such change was the result of the combination of the changes as discussed above. 

 

34

 

For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

 

    For the years ended              
    October 31,     Changes  
    2019     2018     Amount     %  
Net revenue   $ 7,978,099     $ 4,305,523     $ 3,672,576       85.30 %
Cost of revenue     3,116,176       2,121,388       994,788       46.89 %
Gross profit     4,861,923       2,184,135       2,677,788       122.60 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses     1,142,138       1,548,489       (406,351 )     (26.24 )%
Income from operations     3,719,785       635,646       3,084,139       485.20 %
Interest income (expense), net     10,130       28,747       (18,617 )     (64.76 )%
Other income     17,134       25,994       (8,860 )     (34.08 )%
Income before income tax provision     3,747,049       690,387       3,056,662       442.75 %
Provision for income taxes     540,782       135,397       405,385       299.40 %
Net income     3,206,267       554,990       2,651,277       477.72 %
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     (33,790 )     (81,062 )     47,272       58.32 %
Net income attributable to Jiuzi International Holding Group Limited   $ 3,240,057       636,052     $ 2,604,005       409.40 %

 

Net Revenue

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s net revenues:

 

   

For the years ended

October 31,

             
    2019     2018     Changes  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
                                     
New energy vehicle sales   $ 1,343,515       17 %     1,016,912       24 %     326,603       32.12 %
Franchisees initial fees   $ 6,634,584       83 %     3,288,610       76 %     3,345,974       101.74 %
Franchisees’ royalties   $ -               -                          
Total   $ 7,978,099       100 %     4,305,523       100 %     3,672,576       85.30 %

 

Our net revenues were $7,978,099 for the year ended October 31, 2019 as compared to $4,305,523 in 2018, an increase of $3,672,576, or 85.30%. The increase was mostly due to the increase of franchisees initial fees.

 

35

 

New energy vehicle sales

 

Our NEVs sales include the sales of NEVs in our Shangli store and sales of NEVs to our franchisees. For the year ended October 31, 2019, our NEVs sales increased by $326,603, or 32.12%, from $1,016,912 for the year ended October 31, 2018 to approximately $1,343,515 for the year ended October 31, 2019. The increase in sales in this segment is due to the relatively operations period in fiscal year 2018 because our Shangli store only opened in the second half of that year.

 

Franchisees initial fees

 

The initial franchise fee revenue increased by $3,345,974, or 101.74%, from $3,288,610 for the year end October 31, 2018, to $6,634,584 for the year ended October 31, 2019. This was mainly a result of having more franchisees year over year.  

 

Cost of Revenue

 

The following table lists the calculation methods of gross profit and gross profit margin of each type of revenue: 

 

   

For the years ended

October 31,

    Changes  
    2019     2018     Amount     %  
New energy vehicle sales                        
Net revenue   $ 1,343,515       1,016,912       326,603       32.12 %
Cost of revenue     1,346,436       1,054,636       291,800       27.67 %
Gross loss   $ (2,921 )     (37,724 )     34,803       -92.26 %
Gross loss margin     (0.22 )%     (3.71 )%     3.49 %     -94.14 %
                                 
Franchise initial fees                                
Net revenue   $ 6,634,584       3,288,610       3,345,974       101.74 %
Cost of revenue     1,769,740       1,066,752       702,988       65.90 %
Gross profit   $ 4,864,844       2,221,858       2,642,986       118.95 %
Gross profit margin     73.33 %     67.56 %     5.76 %     8.53 %
                                 
Franchisees’ royalties                                
Net revenue   $ -       -       -          
Cost of revenue     -       -       -          
Gross profit   $ -       -       -          
Gross profit margin     -       -       -          
                                 
Total                                
Net revenue   $ 7,978,099       4,305,523       3,672,576       85.30 %
Cost of revenue     3,116,176       2,121,388       994,788       46.89 %
Gross profit   $ 4,861,923       2,184,135       2,677,788       122.60 %
Gross profit margin     60.94 %     50.73 %     10.21 %     20.13 %

 

NEV Sales

 

Cost of revenue was $1,346,436 for the year ended October 31, 2019, an increase of $291,800, or 27.67%, from $1,054,636 for the year ended October 31, 2018, which was primarily attributable to the relatively short operations period of our Shangli store which only opened in the second half of fiscal year 2018.

 

Franchisees’ Initial Fees

 

Cost of revenue was $1,769,740 for the year ended October 31, 2019, an increase of $702,988, or 65.90%, from $1,066,752 for the year ended October 31, 2018. The growth of revenue cost is mainly related to recruiting more franchisees year over year and consequently our investment into the establishment and construction of these franchise stores.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

We incurred selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,142,138 for the year ended October 31, 2019, as compared to $1,548,489 for the year ended October 31, 2018, a decrease of $406,351, or 26.24%. The decrease is due to the recognition in 2018 of long-term deferred costs as a percentage of total costs.   

 

36

 

Interest Expenses

 

Interest charges and bank charges are mainly from bank transfer charges and deposit interest offset. Interest expense as of October 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $10,130 and $28,747, respectively. 

    

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Provision for income tax was $540,782 during the year ended October 31, 2019, an increase of $405,385, or 299.40%, as compared to $135,397 for the year ended October 31, 2018. Under the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, companies are generally subject to income tax at a rate of 25%. The increase in provision for income taxes was mainly due to the increase in income before income tax provision which was $3,747,049 for the year ended October 31, 2019 as compared to $690,387 for the year ended October 31, 2018.

 

Net Income

 

Our net income increased by $2,651,277, or 477.72%, to $3,206,267 for the year ended October 31, 2019, from $554,990 for the year ended October 31, 2018. Such change was the result of the combination of the changes as discussed above.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019

 

As of April 30, 2020, we had $105,342 in cash. The Company’s working capital and other capital needs mainly come from shareholders’ equity contribution and operating cash flow. Cash is needed to pay for inventory, wages, sales expenses, rent, income taxes, other operating expenses, and purchases to service debts.

 

Although the Company’s management believes that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the Company’s normal working capital requirements, its ability to service its current debt will depend on its future realization of its current assets for at least the next 12 months. Management took into account historical experience, the economy, trends in the automotive industry, the collectability of accounts receivable as of April 30, 2020, and the realization of inventory. Based on these considerations, the Company’s management believes that the Company has sufficient funds to meet its working capital requirements and debt obligations, as they will be due at least 12 months from the date of financial reporting. However, there is no guarantee that management’s plan will succeed. There are a number of factors that can arise and cause the company’s plans to fall short, such as demand for NEV vehicles, economic conditions, competitive pricing in the industry, and the continued support of banks and suppliers. If future cash flow from operations and other capital resources are insufficient to meet its liquidity needs, the Company may be forced to reduce or delay its anticipated expanding plans, sell assets, acquire additional debt or equity capital, or refinance all or part of its debt.

 

37

 

The following table summarizes the company’s cash flow data as of April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2019:

 

   

For the six months ended

April 30,

 
    2020     2019  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   $ (170,772 )   $ (1,125,102 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (12,536 )     (21,237 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (158,494 )     34,120  
Effect of exchange rate on cash     4,903       0  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   $ (341,802 )   $ (1,112,219 )

 

Operating Activities 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, accounts receivable and contractual liabilities, and is adjusted for the impact of changes in working capital. Net cash used in operations as of April 30, 2020 was approximately $170,772, representing a decrease of $954,330, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1,125,102 for the six months ended April 30, 2019. The Company had a net loss of $27,811 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 as compared to a net income of $1,375,818 for the same period in 2019. The Company had limited operations during the period in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the decrease in cash used in operations. Cash used in operations for the six months ended April 30, 2020 were affected by reduction of advances to suppliers and offset by an increase in deposits.

 

Investing Activities 

 

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $12,536 for the six months ended April 30, 2020, a decrease of $8,701, as compared to $21,237 net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended April 30, 2019. The Company has acquired fixed assets for the periods ended.

  

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $158,494 for the six months ended April 30, 2020, an increase of $124,374, or 364.52%, as compared to net cash provided by $34,120 for the six months ended April 30, 2019. The increase in cash used was due to repayment to related party for 2020 as compared to a capital injection by owner in 2019.

 

38

 

For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

As of October 31, 2019, we had $442,214 in cash. The Company’s working capital and other capital needs mainly come from shareholders’ equity contribution and operating cash flow. Cash is needed to pay for inventory, wages, sales expenses, rent, income taxes, other operating expenses, and purchases to service debts.

 

Although the Company’s management believes that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the Company’s normal working capital requirements, its ability to service its current debt will depend on its future realization of its current assets for at least the next 12 months. Management took into account historical experience, the economy, trends in the automotive industry, the collectability of accounts receivable as of October 31, 2019, and the realization of inventory. Based on these considerations, the Company’s management believes that the Company has sufficient funds to meet its working capital requirements and debt obligations, as they will be due at least 12 months from the date of financial reporting. However, there is no guarantee that management’s plan will succeed. There are a number of factors that can arise and cause the company’s plans to fall short, such as demand for NEV vehicles, economic conditions, competitive pricing in the industry, and the continued support of banks and suppliers. If future cash flow from operations and other capital resources are insufficient to meet its liquidity needs, the Company may be forced to reduce or delay its anticipated expanding plans, sell assets, acquire additional debt or equity capital, or refinance all or part of its debt.

 

The following table summarizes the company’s cash flow data as of October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018:

 

   

For the years ended

October 31

 
    2019     2018  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   $ (1,082,855 )   $

78,614

Net cash used in investing activities     (15,964 )     54,421
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     386,137       575,307  
Effect of exchange rate on cash     (5,315 )     (87,527 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   $ (706,915 )    $ 708,342  

 

Operating Activities 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, accounts receivable and contractual liabilities, and is adjusted for the impact of changes in working capital. Net cash used in operations as of October 31, 2019 was approximately $1,082,855, representing a decrease of $1,004,241, compared to net cash generated in operating activities of $78,614 for the year ended October 31, 2018. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was due to the significant deployment of cash to help the growth of the franchise stores as compared to the same period from the prior year.

 

Investing Activities 

 

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $10,197 for the year ended October 31, 2019, a decrease of $46,195, as compared to $54,421 net cash provided in investing activities for the year ended October 31, 2018. The decrease was mainly due to the purchase of fixed assets and the one-time nature of the refund of deposits in the prior year.

 

39

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $386,137 for the year ended October 31, 2019, a decrease of $189,170, or 32.88%, compared to $575,307 for the year ended October 31, 2018. The decrease is mainly due to the reduction of injection of capital by owner as compared to the prior period.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019

 

The Company has various operating leases for its corporate office and retail store.

 

Operating lease expenses were $22,425 and $30,296 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

The undiscounted future minimum lease payment schedule as follows:

 

For the six months ending April 30,      
2020     10,215  
2021     6,728  
2022     6,728  
Thereafter     2,242  
Total     51,724  

 

For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

The Company has various operating leases for its corporate office and retail store.

 

Operating lease expenses were $59,365 and $67,517 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The undiscounted future minimum lease payment schedule as follows:

 

For the years ending October 31,      
2020     41,472  
2021     6,642  
2022     6,642  
Thereafter     2,177  
Total     56,934  

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus, we have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to its shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 

40

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon its financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These principles require the Company’s management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, cash flow and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable, revenue recognition, inventory realization, impairment of long-lived assets and income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and the actual results, future financial statements will be affected.

 

The Company’s management believes that among their significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Registration Statement, the following accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, the Company’s management believes these are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate its financial condition and results of operations.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions. In particular, the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and the resulting adverse impacts to global economic conditions, as well as our operations, may impact future estimates including, but not limited to, our allowance for loan losses, inventory valuations, fair value measurements, asset impairment charges and discount rate assumptions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Amounts and percentages may not total due to rounding.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are recorded at the net value less estimates for expected credit losses. Management regularly reviews outstanding accounts and provides an allowance for doubtful accounts. When collection of the original invoice amounts is no longer probable, the Company will either partially or fully write-off the balance against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Loans Receivable

 

Loans receivable are recorded at origination at the fair value less estimates for expected credit losses. Management regularly reviews outstanding accounts and provides an allowance for credit losses. When collection of the original amounts is no longer probable, the Company will either partially or fully write-off the balance against the allowance for credit losses. 

 

41

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition (“ASC 606”), with final amendments issued in 2016. The underlying principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at the amount expected to be collected. ASC 606 creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contracts, which includes (1) identifying the contracts or agreements with a customer, (2) identifying our performance obligations in the contract or agreement, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the services it transfers to its clients. The Company has concluded that the new guidance did not require any significant change to its revenue recognition processes.

 

The Company’s revenues consist of sales of vehicle by the Company’s own corporate retail store to third party customers, sales of vehicle to franchisees as a supplier, and fees from retail stores operated by franchisees. Revenues from franchised stores include initial franchise fees and annual royalties based on a percent of net incomes.

 

The Company recognizes sales of vehicle revenues at the point in time when the Company has transferred physical possession of the goods to the customer and the customer has accepted the goods, therefore, indicating as control of the goods has been transferred to the customer. The transaction price is determined and allocated to the product prior to the transfer of the goods to the customer.

  

The initial franchise services include a series of performance obligations and an indefinite license to use the Company’s trademark. The series of performance obligations are specific services and deliverables that are set forth in the agreement and are billed and receivable as delivered and accepted by the franchisee. These services and deliverables may be customized and are not transferable to other third parties.

 

The royalty revenues are distinct from the initial franchise services. The Company recognizes royalty revenues only when the franchisee has generated positive annual net income, at which point the Company has the contractual right to request for payment of the royalty. The royalty is calculated as a percentage of the franchisees’ annual net income.

 

The Company estimates potential returns and records such estimates against its gross revenue to arrive at its reported net sales revenue. The Company has not experienced any sales returns.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories, which are primarily comprised of finished goods for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the first-in first-out method. The Company evaluates the need for reserves associated with obsolete, slow-moving and non-salable inventory by reviewing net realizable values on a periodic basis. Only defects products can be return to our suppliers.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are provided in accordance with ASC No. 740, Accounting for Income Taxes.  A deferred tax asset or liability is recorded for all temporary differences between financial and tax reporting and net operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change during the years of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information will examine each uncertain tax position. Although the Company believes the estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals.

 

Property and Equipment & Depreciation

 

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following periods:

 

Equipment   5 years
Furniture and fixtures   5 years
Motor vehicles   10 years

 

42

 

Impairment of Long-lived assets

 

The Company accounts for impairment of property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, which requires the Company to evaluate a long-lived asset for recoverability when there is event or circumstance that indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable (when carrying amount exceeds the gross, undiscounted cash flows from use and disposition) and is measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the asset’s (or asset group’s) fair value.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February of 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02) “Leases (Topic 842)”. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted.

 

For finance leases, a lessee is required to do the following:

 

Recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial position

 

Recognize interest on the lease liability separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset in the statement of comprehensive income

 

Classify repayments of the principal portion of the lease liability within financing activities and payments of interest on the lease liability and variable lease payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

For operating leases, a lessee is required to do the following:

 

Recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial position

 

Recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis

 

Classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

In July, 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11 (ASU 2018-11), which amends ASC 842 so that entities may elect not to recast their comparative periods in transition (the “Comparatives Under 840 Option”). ASU 2018-11 allows entities to change their date of initial application to the beginning of the period of adoption. In doing so, entities would:

 

Apply ASC 840 in the comparative periods.

 

Provide the disclosures required by ASC 840 for all periods that continue to be presented in accordance with ASC 840.

 

Recognize the effects of applying ASC 842 as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for the period of adoption.

 

In addition, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to ASU 2016-02 that address the transition methods available and clarify the guidance for lessor costs and other aspects of the new lease standard.

 

The management will review the accounting pronouncements and plan to adopt the new standard on November 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. The transition method expedient which allows entities to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result of electing this transition method, prior periods will not be restated. The adoption of this ASU will result in the recording of additional lease assets and liabilities each with no effect to opening balance of retained earnings as the Company.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2016-13) related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This pronouncement, along with subsequent ASUs issued to clarify certain provisions of ASU 2016-13, changes the impairment model for most financial assets and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. In developing the estimate for lifetime expected credit loss, entities must incorporate historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.

 

The management is currently evaluating the impact of this update to the consolidated financial statements. Management will evaluate if the current design for the allowance for loan loss methodology would comply with these new requirements.

 

43

 

 

In October 2018, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2018-17) related to related party guidance for variable interest entities. The amendments in this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The management does not expect it to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2019-12) related to simplifying the accounting for income taxes. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The management does not expect it to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. 

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Credit risk

 

Cash deposits with banks are held in financial institutions in China, which deposits are not federally insured. Accordingly, the Company has a concentration of credit risk related to the uninsured part of bank deposits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk.

 

Concentration

 

The Company has a concentration risk related to suppliers and customers. Failure to maintain existing relationships with the suppliers or customers to establish new relationships in the future could negatively affect the Company’s ability to obtain goods sold to customers in a price advantage and timely manner. If the Company is unable to obtain ample supply of goods from existing suppliers or alternative sources of supply, the Company may be unable to satisfy the orders from its customers, which could materially and adversely affect revenues.

 

The concentration on sales revenues generated by customers type comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30, 2020

   

April 30, 2019

 
Third party sales revenues     174,986       10 %     425,709       10 %
Related party sales revenues     124,586       13 %     553,578       13 %
Related party franchise revenues     977,663       77 %     3,257,447       77 %
Total     1,277,235       100 %     4,236,735       100 %

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31, 2019     October 31, 2018  
Third party sales revenues     839,743       11 %     192,241       4 %
Related party sales revenues     503,772       6 %     824,671       19 %
Related party franchise revenues     6,634,584       83 %     3,288,611       76 %
Total     7,978,099       100 %     4,305,523       100 %

 

44

 

The concentration of sales revenues generated by third-party customers comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
    April 30, 2020     April 30, 2019  
Customer A     22,745       13 %     -       - %
Customer B     18,701       11 %     -       - %
Customer C     18,671       11 %     -       - %
Customer D     -       - %     69,961       16 %
Customer E     -       - %     47,216       11  
Total     60,117       35 %     117,177       27 %

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31, 2019     October 31, 2018  
Customer A     -               45,850       24 %
Customer B     -               20,815       11 %
Customer C     -               34,632       18 %
Customer D     -               16,396       9 %
Customer E     102,940       12 %     -          
Customer F     79,740       9 %     -          
Customer G     53,864       6 %     -          
Total     236,544       27 %     117,692       62 %

 

45

 

BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We franchise and operate retail stores under brand name “Jiuzi”, which sell new energy vehicles, or NEVs, in third-fourth tier cities in China. Almost all of the NEVs we sell are battery-operated electric vehicles. We also sell a few plug-in electric vehicles on demand from vehicle buyers. As of the date of this prospectus, we have 18 operating franchise stores and one company-owned store in China. The business relationship between Jiuzi and its independent franchisees is supported by adhering to standards and policies and is of fundamental importance to the overall performance and protection of the “Jiuzi” brand.

 

Primarily a franchisor, our franchising model enables an individual to be its own employer and maintain control over all employment-related matters, marketing and pricing decisions, while also benefiting from our Jiuzi brand, resources and operating system. In collaboration with franchisees, we are able to further develop and refine our operating standards, marketing concepts and product and pricing strategies.

 

Our revenues consist of (i) NEVs sales in our company-owned store and NEVs sales supplied to our franchisees; (ii) initial franchisee fees of RMB 4,000,000, or approximately US$575,500, for each franchise store, payable over time based on performance obligations of the parties, from our franchisees; and (iii) on-going royalties based on 10% percent of net incomes from our franchisees. These fees, along with operating rights, are stipulated in our franchise agreements.

 

We source NEVs through more than twenty NEV manufacturers, including BYD, Geely, and Chery, as well as battery/component manufacturers such as Beijing Zhongdian Boyu, Shenzhen Jishuchongke and Youbang Electronics which focus on manufacturing charging piles, and Guoxuan Gaoke, and Futesi in battery production. We are able to access more brands and obtain more competitive pricing to attract potential franchisees and to meet customer demands. On the capital side, we introduce franchisees to various capital platforms including Beijing Tianjiu Xingfu Control Group and Qinghua Qidi Zhixing, through which our franchisees and their vehicle buyers can obtain financing. Our business partners help us in providing a variety of products and extend our geographic reach.

 

Benefiting from favorable state policies subsidizing the NEV industry, China’s NEVs production started flourishing around 2015 and 2016, pursuant to the 2016-2020 New Energy Vehicle Promotion Fiscal Support Guidance and Notice regarding “the Thirteenth Five-year Plan” New Energy Vehicles Battery Infrastructure Support Policy. In 2016, China released a series of financial subsidy policies targeted at NEV production. We conducted market research in 2016 and eventually launched our business in 2017. We have built a full-scale modern business management operation, supported by our operations department and marketing department. We aim to build an online-offline operating system in which our headquarters effectively empowers our franchisees with our brand recognition, client source, financial support, operating and transportation assistance through the online platform. Our fully-developed supply chain will provide solid support for store location expansion. Our franchisees’ conformity to Jiuzi’s standards will help us in our business expansion and implementation of our growth strategy.

 

We plan to adopt an innovative one-stop vehicle sales model for our vehicle buyers, who is expected to have access to more brands, better services and more affordable pricing. Our current business model is focused on vehicle selection and purchase, which provides buyers with multi-brand price comparison and test-driving experience. Through the online platform, we are currently developing, we expect to provide a multi-dimensional service platform and a one-stop experience covering online vehicle selection and purchase and off-line vehicle delivery and maintenance. Our app will provide potential buyers with information on various car brands and models, as well as services to register vehicles, make appointments for maintenance, repairs, and remote error diagnosis services, etc.

 

46

 

Our History and Corporate Structure

 

The following diagram illustrates the corporate structure of our subsidiaries and VIE:

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings Inc. is a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on October 10, 2019. We conduct our business in China through our Affiliated Entities. The consolidation of our Company and our Affiliated Entities has been accounted for at historical cost and prepared on the basis as if the aforementioned transactions had become effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Under our memorandum of association, we are authorized to issue 10,000,000 ordinary shares of a single class, par value US$0.005 per ordinary share. As of the date hereof, there are a total of 1,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Shuibo Zhang, our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, is currently the beneficial owner of 79.50% of our outstanding ordinary shares, of which 100% are directly held by Jiuzi One Limited, an entity 100% owned by Mr. Zhang. In addition, Kezhen Li, our Director, is currently the beneficial ownership of 7% of our outstanding ordinary shares, of which 100% are directly held by Jiuzi Nine Limited, an entity 100% owned by Ms. LI. As a result, our directors and officers collectively own 86.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares and have controlling interest of our Company.  Please see “Risk Factors- Since our Directors and Executive Officers will own at least      % of our ordinary shares following the initial public offering, they will have the ability to elect directors and approve matters requiring shareholder approval by way of resolution of members.”

 

Jiuzi HK was incorporated on October 25, 2019 under the law of Hong Kong SAR. Jiuzi HK is our wholly-owned subsidiary and is currently not engaging in any active business and merely acting as a holding company.

 

Jiuzi WFOE was incorporated on June 5, 2020 under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiuzi HK and a wholly foreign-owned entity under the PRC laws. The registered principal activity of the company is new energy vehicle retail, new energy vehicle component sales, new energy vehicle battery sales, vehicle audio equipment and electronics sales, vehicle ornament sales, technology service and development, marketing planning, vehicle rentals, etc. Jiuzi WFOE had entered into contractual arrangements with Zhejiang Jiuzi and its shareholders.

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi was incorporated on May 26, 2017 under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Its registered business scope includes wholesale and retail of NEVs and NEV components, vehicle maintenance products, technology development of NEVs, Marketing and consulting regarding NEV products, vehicle rentals, event organization, client services regarding vehicle registration, and online business technology. Its registered capital amount is approximately $304,893 (RMB 2,050,000).

  

Shangli Jiuzi was incorporated on May 10, 2018 under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Its registered business scope is to engage in retailing NEVs, NEV components, NEV batteries, NEV marketing, vehicle maintenance, used vehicle sales, and car rentals. Zhejiang Jiuzi is the beneficial owner of 59% equity interest of Shangli Jiuzi. Shangli Jiuzi’s registered capital amount is approximately $1,412,789 (RMB 10,000,000).

 

47

 

Contractual Arrangements between Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi

 

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership, neither we nor our subsidiaries own any direct equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi. Instead, we control and receive the economic benefits of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements. Jiuzi WFOE, Zhejiang Jiuzi and the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, on June 15, 2020. The VIE agreements are designed to provide Jiuzi WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Zhejiang Jiuzi, including absolute control rights and the rights to the assets, property and revenue of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi irrevocably granted Jiuzi WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive right to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, a portion or whole of the equity interests or assets in Zhejiang Jiuzi held by the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders. The purchase price is RMB 10 and subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

The agreement takes effect upon parties signing the agreement, and remains effective for 10 years, extendable upon Jiuzi WFOE or its designee’s discretion.

  

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Jiuzi WFOE, Jiuzi WFOE provides Zhejiang Jiuzi with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, business management and information. For services rendered to Zhejiang Jiuzi by Jiuzi WFOE under this agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee that shall be calculated based upon service hours and multiple hourly rates provided by Jiuzi WFOE. The service fee should approximately equal to Zhejiang Jiuzi’s net profit.

  

The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless earlier terminated upon written confirmation from both Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi before expiration. Otherwise, this agreement can only be extended by Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

  

Share Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between Jiuzi WFOE and certain shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi together holding 1,000,000 shares, or 100% of the equity interests, of Zhejiang Jiuzi (“Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders”), the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE to guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the terms of the Share Pledge Agreement, in the event that Zhejiang Jiuzi breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to dispose of dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interest.

 

The Share Pledge Agreement shall be effective until the full payment of the service fees under the Business Cooperation Agreement has been made and upon termination of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Business Cooperation Agreement.

 

The purposes of the Share Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, (2) ensure the shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interests without Jiuzi WFOE’s prior written consent and (3) provide Jiuzi WFOE control over Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Currently, two of our beneficial owners, who are PRC residents, have not completed the Circular 37 Registration. We have asked our shareholders who are Chinese residents to make the necessary applications and filings as required by Circular 37. However, we cannot assure you that each of our shareholders who are PRC residents will in the future complete the registration process as required by Circular 37. Shareholders of offshore SPV who are PRC residents and who have not completed their registrations in accordance with Circular 37 are subject to certain absolute restrictions, under which they cannot contribute any registered or additional capital to such SPV for offshore financing purposes. In addition, these shareholders cannot repatriate any profits and dividends from the SPV to China either. Please see “Risk Factors-Part of our shareholders are not in compliance with the PRC’s regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents, and as a result, the shareholders may be subject to penalties if we are not able to remediate the non-compliance.”

 

Shareholders who have completed the Circular 37 registration would not be adversely affected and are allowed to contribute assets into the offshore special purpose vehicle and repatriate profits and dividends from them. Since Jiuzi WFOE has completed its foreign exchange registration as a foreign investment enterprise, its ability to receive capital contribution, make distributions and pay dividends is not restricted.

 

48

 

Industry Overview

 

Growth Trends in China’s Automotive Industry

 

Currently China is the world’s largest automobile market as measured by sales volume. Driven by economic growth and increasing urbanization, the passenger vehicle industry has grown from sales of 19.0 million units in 2013 to 25.7 million units in 2017, representing an annual compound growth rate, or CAGR, of 7.8%, more than three times the global market’s CAGR of 2.5% for that period. According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s passenger vehicle sales volume is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2017 to 2022, reaching 33.1 million units in 2022, accounting for 37.4% of the global market as of 2022. (Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/02/19/chinas-passenger-electric-vehicle-sales-jumped-to-91000-in-january-suggesting-2-million-total-sales-in-2019/)

 

China recorded 91,175 passenger electric vehicle sales in January 2019, and around 96,000 when adding on commercial vehicles sales. (Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/02/19/chinas-passenger-electric-vehicle-sales-jumped-to-91000-in-january-suggesting-2-million-total-sales-in-2019/)

 

 

In the past 5 years, sales of NEVs in China have been increasing drastically, from 50,115 in 2014, to 176,378 in 2015, 322,833 in 2016, 547,564 in 2017 and 801,654 in 2018 (Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/02/24/china-ev-forecast-50-ev-market-share-by-2025-part-1/). Such fast growth was due to supportive governmental policy, better public acceptance of the concept of NEVs, and more developed battery station infrastructure. Among all above factors, governmental policy is crucial to the industry growth and to some extent determines consumers’ choice in this field. Without the price competitiveness made possible by governmental subsidies, NEV sales will likely drop. Meanwhile, competition from international NEV brands could also add difficulty to China’s local brands’ expansion.

 

Prospects for NEVs Franchising Business

 

Today, more and more consumers are shifting from traditional fuel-driven vehicles to NEVs. This provides a favorable market for NEV franchising businesses and franchisees. The current average price for mini electrical vehicle in China ranges between RMB 20,000 and 50,000 (approximately $3,000 to $7,000), which is much lower than regular fuel-driven vehicles. Most vehicle buyers of affordable NEVs live in third/fourth/fifth tier cities, where the average household income is relatively low.

 

Most dealerships in the country have been pursuing the 4S model, a full-service approach that brings together sales, service, spare parts and surveys (customer feedback). Traditional automobile 4S stores mainly operate single-brand vehicles, serving automobile manufacturers, selling vehicles for the manufacturers and collecting payments. Traditional 4S stores have a difficult time flourishing in third- and fourth- tier cities due to their higher initial investment costs, and it being more difficult to update or transform an existing 4S store’s operating system. The initial investment cost for 4S stores ranges between a few million RMB and several hundred million RMB, excluding land purchase or rental costs. Roughly 20% of the profit generated by 4S stores is from sales and the remaining 80% is from after-market services. Essentially, 4S stores are service-oriented. Most 4S stores charge higher prices for components compared to manufacturers, and charge higher service fees compared to regular vehicle after-sale service providers. As a result, car buyers tend not to choose 4S stores for after-sale services once their cars are out of the warranty period with 4S stores. To maintain their customers, traditional 4S stores have to raise marketing expenses and attract customers, and provide customers with the contacts of insurance companies, which usually charge higher premiums compared to what customers would have chosen. Therefore, 4S stores are becoming less and less of a cost-effective choice for car buyers at a time when consumers have more price transparency in the market. Additionally, 4S stores face more regulatory challenges from local governments, such as land use noncompliance. As a result, car manufacturers are shifting their business partners and finding smaller and flexible car retailers more favorable. (Source: https://auto.gasgoo.com/News/2019/04/12075107517I70098777C302.shtml).

 

49

 

Compared to a traditional 4S store, an NEV franchise store has the following advantages:

 

Multiple brands of NEVs: traditional automobile 4S stores mainly operate single-brand vehicles while our franchise stores provide multi-brands for consumers to choose from at competitive pricing;
Less vehicle costs: traditional automobile 4S stores are serving as the sales agent for the automobile manufacturers and generally required to purchase certain number of cars from the manufacturers directly. For our NEV franchise stores, Jiuzi will purchase the vehicles on behalf of the stores and distributed to each store based on market demand.
Less initial investment costs and operational costs: as of the above factors, the NEV franchise store will have less vehicle backlog and lower cash flow requirement, which result in less initial investment costs and operational costs.

 

This shift has brought opportunities to the NEV franchising business. In addition, compared to traditional fuel vehicles, sales of NEVs generate higher profit margins because NEVs are still considerably new in China and the pricing has more upside potential. NEV retailers generate more profit from after-sale services, which also face competition from professional car maintenance service providers. A mature NEV franchise can have franchisees located conveniently in major residential neighborhoods, where car buyers can easily access. The franchisees can also provide a full range of after-sale services. This business model requires much less initial investment, while providing more convenient and instant vehicle services to consumers. In the past, average car owners typically have fewer than two cars per household. This trend is changing rapidly as more households prefer to have multiple vehicles. As a result, car buyers have more diverse needs for their vehicles, and value the unique and easy shopping experience afforded by the supermarket sales model adopted by Jiuzi franchisees. (Source: https://auto.gasgoo.com/News/2019/04/12075107517I70098777C302.shtml)

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

We aim to build an operating system in which the headquarters effectively empowers franchisees with our brand recognition, client source, financial support, operating and transportation assistance. Our growth strategies include the following:

 

Continue brand building and franchise stores expansion

 

We continue building our brand recognition through existing franchise stores and opening new ones. Our focus is in China’s third-fourth-fifth tier cities. Our franchisees in these small cities are expected to mainly serve as NEVs outlets, where large quantities of fragmented transactions are conducted with NEVs sales to mostly consumers in towns, communities and neighborhoods through word of mouth. We have few competitors in these small cities in our size.  Our franchisees are expected to expand their customer base in these locations and enhance brand recognition in communities. We have been in discussion with existing and potential franchisees to roll out more franchise stores, depending on the market post COVID-19.  

 

Convert existing 4S stores to our franchise stores

 

Generally, 4S stores are operating under heavy financial pressures and regulatory burdens given their bigger size and less flexible business models. 4S stores are largely located in first-tier and second-tier cities, and have higher monthly operation cost. Many 4S stores suffer operating loss and some may even go out of business. We plan to enter into agreements with such struggling 4S stores, under which we will convert them into Jiuzi franchise stores. The initial franchise fees for the converted franchise stores will be lower than the fees for newly established franchise stores because these 4S stores already have their existing operations and store spaces.

 

Develop online-offline technology platform and sales channel

 

We are developing an online technology platform and planning to build an online-offline business model, as well as using data-driven technologies to deliver an improved shopping experience for consumers and an enhanced operational efficiency for suppliers. Our franchisees can utilize both online and offline channels to acquire consumers. Utilizing our future online platform, the vehicle buyers will have access to abundant vehicle information that is tailored to individual customer needs. Vehicle buyers can browse within the APP and place their order online.

 

Establish display centers and distribution centers

 

In first- and second-tier cities, we plan to set up showrooms of high-end NEVs to convey a message of living a green and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. We are not planning to use a franchise model in these locations; instead, we will build our own distribution centers by taking advantage of the cities’ well-established transportation infrastructure. We plan to have our distribution centers serving as the vehicle distribution centers to franchise stores in surrounding cities, as China’s current road transportation network is very developed, and logistics and transportation networks are relatively concentrated, which provides us with strong infrastructure support for the establishment of a distribution center. In addition, we plan to establish a data system to conduct regular statistical analysis on the brand, model, configuration, quantity, production data, invoices and even vehicle color of the vehicles in the distribution center. By monitoring the sales data of all surrounding stores, we can analyze the popular vehicles in the local area where each store is located, and thereby adjust the vehicle storage in the distribution center on a real-time basis. We expect potential vehicle buyers to see and try the vehicles in the showroom and then make their purchases online or by using our online platform. We will cooperate with logistic companies to transport vehicles from distribution centers to franchise stores in third- and fourth-tier cities.

 

Reduce overall costs for our operations

 

In light of the intensive competition in the NEVs industry and COVID-19 outbreak, we intend to reduce our overall costs through better vehicles sourcing channels, in order to strengthen our short-term cash flows. We plan to source more vehicles from 4S stores as compared to other suppliers such as NEVs manufacturers and battery/component factories, as 4S stores usually require smaller deposit payments for the vehicles and provide flexible return policy, while the other two sources require full payment for the vehicles and no return policy. 

 

Strengthen our brand recognition through Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Life Club

 

Our club members mainly consist of vehicle buyers and their families, as well as potential vehicle buyers who are interested in learning and buying NEVs. We regularly arrange social activities among buyers and their families, including outdoor activities, movie nights, test driving events, vehicle owner cultural events, and charity events. We are devoted to enhancing member relations and an active lifestyle, through which we promote NEVs and strengthen our brand recognition.

50

Franchise Arrangement and Business Model

 

The Company owns 1.25% of the shares in each of its franchise stores. Initially, the franchisees are established with the Company being a 51% owner solely for the purpose of allowing the franchisees to register their business names to include “Jiuzi” with the local business bureau. However, the Company had no having actual control over the management of franchisees other than conforming to the “Jiuzi” business model. The requirement has been changed over time and currently the franchisees are able to register their business names to include “Jiuzi” as long as the Company has some ownership interest (without any specific equity interest being specified) in the franchise business. The Company and the franchisees agreed to designate 1.25% of the equity interests in the franchisees to the Company. Such ownership interest entitles the Company’s right as a minority shareholder, including the right to inspect the franchisees’ books and records so that the Company can collect royalties as discussed below.

 

Under our franchise arrangement, the Company is responsible for interior renovation, décor and signs in the store location agreed to by the parties, providing training and assistance to franchisees in launching franchise stores. Franchisees are responsible for securing the lease on the land and building for the store location, operating and managing the business, providing capital to develop and open new stores. On average, it takes about ten months from entering into the franchise agreement, determining store location, completing renovations, and training new staff to eventually launching the franchise store. The size of our franchise stores ranges from 5,000 to 12,000 square feet.

 

The Company requires franchisees to meet rigorous standards, including operation procedures and customer services. The business relationship with franchisees is designed to facilitate consistency and quality at all of Jiuzi’s franchise stores.

 

The Company generally does not invest any capital other than payment of rent in the first year. Our revenue sources comprise (i) NEV sales in our Company-owned store and NEV sales supplied to our franchisees; (ii) initial franchise fees of RMB 4,000,000, or approximately US$575,500, for each franchise store, payable over time based on the performance obligations of the parties, from our franchisees and (iii) on-going royalties based on 10% percent of the net incomes from our franchisees. This structure enables us to generate significant and predictable levels of cash flow. As of October 31, 2019, 83% of our revenues was generated through initial franchisees’ fees while 17% was generated through NEV sales. We have not generated any revenue from the franchisees’ royalties.

 

We source NEVs through various automobile manufacturers, including BYD, Geely, and Chery, and battery/component factories such as Beijing Zhongdian Boyu, Shenzhen Jishuchongke, Guoxuan Gaoke, and Futesi, for vehicle supplies.  We are able to access more brands and obtain more affordable pricing to attract potential franchisees and to meet customer demands.  On the capital side, we introduce franchisees to various capital platforms including Beijing Tianjiu Xingfu Control Group and Qinghua Qidi Zhixing. We also partner with multiple established financial service providers, through which our vehicle buyers may receive financing services . The financing arrangement will be negotiated and stipulated between the borrower and the financial service provider. Our business partners help us in providing a comprehensive range of products, broad operating regions and full-scale services.

 

Geographically, our business is focused in third- and fourth-tier cities due to: (i) increased demand for NEVs because of their affordability, choice of vehicle selections and lower travel costs of NEVs as compared to traditional fuel vehicles; (ii) third- and fourth-tier cities vehicle buyers mostly using the NEVs to travel locally and battery recharging is convenient locally; (iii) the marketing and promotional costs are lower in third- and fourth-tier cities, and we can develop greater brand awareness in a shorter time; (iv) we being able to attract more franchisees as initial investment costs are lower as a result of more affordable leases and vehicles, lower overall costs in the construction of franchise stores, employee training and salaries in third- and fourth-tier cities; and (v) less competition in NEV sales in third- and fourth-tier cities compared to first- and second-tier cities, which are more established with traditional fuel vehicles and more well-known brands.

 

Supply Chain

 

We source vehicles through cooperation with various parties including manufacturers, battery factories and 4S stores, etc. and then distribute them to franchisees to meet local vehicle buyers’ demands. We enter into letter of intents, or LOIs, for cooperation on sales and services of NEVs with automobile manufacturers which become binding when we pay the deposit (usually between approximately US$7,000 to US$15,000). Under the LOI, we are permitted to sell the NEVs from such manufacturer in the permitted geographic area on a non-exclusive basis. We are committed to renovating the franchise stores and training the staff pursuant to such manufacturer’s standards and requirements. For the specific number of vehicles, brands and models, we will reach an oral agreement with such manufacturer based on market demand. We do not have written agreements with battery factories and 4S stores for the supply of NEVs.

 

We obtain vehicle ownership when we purchase NEVs from our suppliers, and subsequently place vehicles to our franchisees’ market channels. End vehicle buyers will be responsible for title transfer, insurance and financing, if applicable. When the vehicles are sold, the franchisees will pay back to us the costs for the vehicles. We generate a small amount of revenues through the sales of NEVs supplied to the Company’s franchisees.

 

NEV Manufacturers: Manufacturers usually provide the most favorable pricing. However, they usually require the purchase of a larger quantity of vehicles at a time. We cannot return unsold vehicles to manufacturers. We will source more vehicles from NEVs manufacturers in the future if we have more franchise stores and increased vehicle demand.

 

Battery/Component Factories: Battery or other component factories usually have NEVs in stock because NEVs manufacturers routinely enter into agreements with battery factories where battery factories supply batteries to NEVs manufacturers. Some NEVs manufacturers with temporary cashflow difficulties use NEVs as payments to battery factories. We purchase such NEVs from battery factories at favorable prices that are lower than prices offered by 4S stores. However, we will need to make full payment for vehicles procured through this source, and we do not have the option to return unsold vehicles to battery/component factories.

 

4S Stores: Traditional 4S stores have reputable quality vehicles and relatively friendly refund policies. We only need to pay security deposits for the vehicles, which is usually 30%-50% of the full price. Their return policy is usually more flexible and we can return the unsold vehicles to 4S stores. We source selected vehicles from 4S stores as they usually require a smaller advance and have flexible return policies. We are usually able to purchase the vehicles from the 4S stores at the base cost of the vehicles. In this case, our sales strategy is to sell at a price higher than the purchase price and slightly lower than the selling price at the 4S stores. Therefore, our pricing is still competitive to the 4S stores.

 

51

 

Marketing and Branding

 

We started our marketing efforts in third-fourth-fifth tier cities in China, where the NEV market is still relatively unexplored. We build our brand image by connecting the concept of NEVs to our brand name, focusing on a broad selection of brands and affordable pricing. We use online advertising platforms to promote our brand image, such as WeChat, Weibo and Tik Tok. We also partner with a variety of marketing companies including Qidizhixing and Tianjiuxingfu Holdings, who help us find the right platform for our marketing. To strengthen our brand recognition, we use a uniformed storefront image and set of store interior designs.

 

In addition, we promote our brand through our Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Life Club. Our club members mainly consist of vehicle buyers and their families as well as general public who are interested in NEVs. We regularly arrange social activities among members, including outdoor activities, movie nights, test driving event, vehicle owner cultural events and charity events, etc. We are devoted to enhancing member relations and promoting an active lifestyle, through which we strengthen our brand recognition. We also hold seminars for the public about the economic and environmental benefits of NEVs.

 

We value our brand reputation. Part of the sales in our Shangli store and franchisees’ stores are depending on word-of-mouth and referral from existing vehicle buyers. We have adopted a series of brand image maintenance approaches. We regularly dispatch training staff specializing in NEVs information to provide training to our franchisees on topics including NEVs performance and customer service experience. Franchisees will not be charged additional fees for the training services.

 

Competitive Advantages

 

Competition in the automotive industry is intense and evolving. We believe the impact of new regulatory requirements for occupant safety and vehicle emissions, technological advances in powertrain and consumer electronic components, and shifting customer demands and expectations are causing the industry to evolve in the direction of electric-based vehicles. We believe our primary competitive factors are:

 

  We entered the industry at a relatively early point and have gradually developed brand awareness through marketing and promotional events, and consumer acceptance due to our competitive pricing and large selections of NEVs in third-fourth tier cities. We received “2018 Zhejiang Business New Project” from Zhejiang Province Trade and Business Industry Association in 2018, and “Best Investment Potential” award from Leading Capital Summit for Mid to Small Business in 2019;

 

We have a large number of franchisees and strong customer demand, which add to our leverage over supply chains in terms of selections and pricing;
     
Our franchise stores have more space (5,000-12,000 square feet) compared to our competitors and we have a wide range of business partners, both of which help us provide better customer experiences; and

 

  The cost of launching a new franchisee is relatively low as compared to traditional 4S stores (4S refers to sales, service, spare parts and services), and it is easier to expand our franchise stores to cover geographical areas and lower the advertisement cost for our franchisees. The 4S model is a full-service approach that brings together sales, services, spare parts and surveys (customer feedback). 4S stores generate most of their profits from after-market services and require higher initial investment as compared to our franchise stores. In comparison to traditional 4S stores, our franchisees are also able to carry multiple brands of NEVs.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Our trademark “Jiuzi New Energy” was registered with China’s trademark Bureau on June 28, 2018 under international category 12 (vehicles, electrical vehicles etc.) and international category 37 (vehicle maintenance service, vehicle cleaning services etc.), and international category 39 (transportation, driver services, car rental, etc.). The trademark will be valid for ten years until June 27, 2028.

 

Employees

 

As of August 2020, we had 18 full-time employees. Our employees are not represented by a labor organization or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes. We are required under PRC law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time. As required by regulations in China and according to local government’s requirements, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by local governments. We pay social insurance for some of our employees, covering all five types of social insurance, including pension, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance.

 

Facilities

 

Our principal office is located at 3F-5F, No.1 Building, Jinsha Lake Business Center, 955 Tianchengdong Road, Xiasha Street, Economic Technology District, Hangzhou, China 311103. The office space is approximately 260 square meters and the lease for this facility is RMB 18,000, or US$2,550, per month, expiring in September 2021.

 

Our Shangli Jiuzi store is located at Building 5, Units 101-103, Yidu International Business Center, Yingbin Road, Shangli Town, Shangli County, Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. The store space is approximately 925 square meters. The lease for this facility is RMB 3,930, or US$560, per month. This lease started from March 1, 2019 and expires in February 2023.

 

52

 

REGULATIONS

 

This section sets forth a summary of the principal PRC laws and regulations relevant to our business and operations in China.

 

Regulations on Commercial Franchise

 

The commercial franchise in China are principally governed by the Regulation on the Administration of Commercial Franchises, which was adopted by the State Council on January 31, 2007, and became effective on May 1, 2007. Pursuant to the regulation, a franchisor engages in franchise activities shall have at least two direct sales stores, and have undertaken the business for more than a year, also known as “two stores, one year” rule. The regulation further stipulates that a franchisor shall, within 15 days after having concluded a franchise contract for the first time, report it to the commercial administrative department for archival filing. If a franchisor does not comply with the “two stores, one year” rule, the commercial administrative department shall order it to make a correction, confiscate its illegal proceeds, impose a fine of more than RMB 100,000 but less than RMB 500,000 on it, and make an announcement about it. In case a franchisor fails to put itself on the archives of the commercial administrative department according to Article 8 of this Regulation, the commercial administrative department shall order it to do so within a time limit, and impose a fine of more than RMB 10,000 but less than RMB 50,000 on it; and if it fails to do so within the time limit, it shall be fined more than RMB 50,000 but less than RMB 100,000, and an announcement shall also be made.

 

Regulations on Automobile Sales

 

Pursuant to the Administrative Measures on Automobile Sales promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM on April 5, 2017, which became effective on July 1, 2017, automobile suppliers and dealers are required to file with relevant authorities through the information system for the national automobile circulation operated by the competent commerce department within 90 days after the receipt of a business license. Where there is any change to the information concerned, automobile suppliers and dealers must update such information within 30 days after such change.

 

Regulations on the Recall of Defective Automobiles

 

On October 22, 2012, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Defective Automotive Product Recalls, which became effective on January 1, 2013. The product quality supervision department of the State Council is responsible for the supervision and administration of recalls of defective automotive products nationwide. Pursuant to the administrative provisions, manufacturers of automobile products are required to take measures to eliminate defects in products they sell. A manufacturer must recall all defective automobile products. Failure to recall such products may result in an order to recall the defective products from the quality supervisory authority of the State Council. If any operator conducting sales, leasing, or repair of vehicles discovers any defect in automobile products, it must cease to sell, lease or use the defective products and must assist manufacturers in the recall of those products. Manufacturers must recall their products through publicly available channels and publicly announce the defects. Manufacturers must take measures to eliminate or cure defects, including rectification, identification, modification, replacement or return of the products. Manufacturers that attempt to conceal defects or do not recall defective automobile products in accordance with relevant regulations will be subject to penalties, including fines, forfeiture of any income earned in violation of law and revocation of licenses.

 

Pursuant to the Implementation Rules on the Administrative Provisions on Defective Automotive Product Recalls which was promulgated by the QSIQ on November 27, 2015 and became effective on January 1, 2016, if a manufacturer is aware of any potential defect in its automobiles, it must investigate in a timely manner and report the results of such investigation to the QSIQ. Where any defect is found during the investigations, the manufacturer must cease to manufacture, sell, or import the relevant automobile products and recall such products in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

Regulations on Product Liability

 

Pursuant to the Product Quality Law of PRC promulgated on February 22, 1993 and amended on July 8, 2000 and August 27, 2009, it is prohibited from producing or selling products that do not meet applicable standards and requirements for safeguarding human health and ensuring human and property safety. Products must be free from unreasonable dangers threatening human and property safety. Where a defective product causes physical injury to a person or property damage, the aggrieved party may make a claim for compensation from the producer or the seller of the product. Producers and sellers of non-compliant products may be ordered to cease the production or sale of the products and could be subject to confiscation of the products and/or fines. Earnings from sales in contravention of such standards or requirements may also be confiscated, and in severe cases, an offender’s business license may be revoked.

 

Government Policies Relating to New Energy Vehicles in the PRC

 

Government Subsidies for Purchasers of NEVs

 

On April 22, 2015, the Ministry of Finance, or the MOF, the Ministry of Science and Technology, or the MOST, the MIIT and the NDRC jointly issued the Circular on the Financial Support Policies on the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles in 2016-2020, or the Financial Support Circular, which took effect on the same day. The Financial Support Circular provides that those who purchase NEVs specified in the Catalogue of Recommended New Energy Vehicle Models for Promotion and Application by the MIIT may obtain subsidies from the PRC national government. Pursuant to the Financial Support Circular, a purchaser may purchase a new energy vehicle from a seller by paying the original price minus the subsidy amount, and the seller may obtain the subsidy amount from the government after such new energy vehicle is sold to the purchaser.

 

53

 

On December 29, 2016, the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT and the NDRC jointly issued the Circular on Adjusting the Subsidy Policy for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles, or the Circular on Adjusting the Subsidy Policy, which took effect on January 1, 2017, to adjust the existing subsidy standards for purchasers of NEVs. The Circular on Adjusting the Subsidy Policy capped the local subsidies at 50% of the national subsidy amount, and further specified that national subsidies for purchasers purchasing certain NEVs (except for fuel cell vehicles) from 2019 to 2020 will be reduced by 20% as compared to 2017 subsidy standards.

 

The Circular on Adjusting and Improving the Subsidy Policies for the Promotion the Application of New Energy Vehicles, which was jointly promulgated by the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT and the NDRC on February 12, 2018 and became effective on the same day further adjusted and improved the existing national subsidy standards for purchasers of NEVs.

 

Following the issuance of the foregoing circulars and other relevant regulations, a number of local governments, including, among others, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Wuhan, have issued policies on local subsidies for purchasers of NEVs, and have adjusted the local subsidy standards annually according to the national subsidy standard. For example, on January 31, 2018, the Development and Reform Commission of Shanghai together with other six local authorities jointly issued the Implementation Rules on Encouraging the Purchase and Use of New Energy Vehicles in Shanghai, pursuant to which local governments may provide local subsidies equal to 50% of the national subsidy amount to the purchaser of qualified pure electric passenger vehicles.

 

According to the 2018 regulations, the pure electric vehicle subsidy amount is divided into "four gears" with a cruising range of 150 to 200 kilometers, 200 to 250 kilometers, 250 to 300 kilometers, 300 to 400 kilometers and above, except for vehicles under 150 kilometers. The subsidy amounts are respectively RMB 15,000, RMB 24,000, RMB 34,000 and RMB 45,000.

 

In 2019, the threshold for pure electric vehicles has been raised to 250 kilometers. Pure electric new energy vehicles with a cruising range between 250 and 400 kilometers can enjoy a subsidy of RMB 18,000; pure electric new energy vehicles with a cruising range of more than 400 kilometers can enjoy a subsidy of RMB 25,000. At the same time, the subsidy amount for plug-in hybrid models with a mileage of more than 50 kilometers in pure electric state has also been reduced from RMB 12,000 in 2018 to RMB 10,000. See https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_China_Nev_Subsidy_20190618.pdf.

 

On April 23, 2020, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the “Notice on Improving the Financial Subsidy Policy for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles,” extending the implementation period of the financial subsidy policy for the promotion and application of new energy vehicles to the end of 2022. In principle, the subsidy standard for 2020-2022 will be reduced by 10%, 20%, and 30% on the basis of the previous year and the threshold for pure electric vehicles has been raised to 300 kilometers. For example, in 2020, pure electric new energy vehicles with a cruising range between 300 and 400 kilometers can enjoy a subsidy of RMB 16,200; pure electric new energy vehicles with a cruising range of more than 400 kilometers can enjoy a subsidy of RMB 22,500. At the same time, the subsidy amount for plug-in hybrid models with a mileage of more than 50 kilometers in pure electric state can enjoy a subsidy of RMB 8,500. In addition, the annual subsidy limit is about 2 million vehicles. According to the latest “Report on the Implementation of China's Fiscal Policy in the First Half of 2020,” before the end of 2022, when subsidies have completely declined, subsidies for new energy vehicles will be steadily reduced, maintaining a certain impetus for the development of new energy vehicles. According to this policy, by 2022, the scale benefit of the new energy automobile industry and the comprehensive cost performance of products are expected to be further improved. The industry can gradually transition to market-oriented development without subsidy eventually.

 

On July 15, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on the Development of New Energy Vehicles to the Countryside, which jointly organize new energy vehicles to the countryside, in order to promote the promotion and application of new energy vehicles in rural areas, guide rural residents to upgrade their travel modes, and assist in the construction of beautiful villages and rural revitalization strategies.

 

We believe that the above policies have effectively promoted the development of the new energy vehicle industry. In particular, the new energy vehicles to the countryside policy jointly promoted by the three departments will effectively enhance the recognition and understanding of new energy vehicles by consumers in third- and fourth-tier cities.

 

Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax

 

On December 26, 2017, the MOF, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, the MIIT and the MOST jointly issued the Announcement on Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax for New Energy Vehicle, or the Announcement on Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax, pursuant to which, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, the vehicle purchase tax which is applicable for ICE vehicles is not imposed on purchases of qualified NEVs listed in the Catalogue of New Energy Vehicle Models Exempt from Vehicle Purchase Tax, or the Catalogue, issued by the MIIT. Such announcement provides that the policy on exemption of vehicle purchase tax is also applicable to NEVs added to the Catalogue prior to December 31, 2017.

 

On April 22, 2020, the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the “Announcement on Policies Concerning the Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax on New Energy Vehicles” to support the development of the new energy vehicle industry and promote automobile consumption. From January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022, the purchase of new energy vehicles will be exempted from vehicle purchase tax.

 

54

 

Non-imposition of Vehicle and Vessel Tax

 

The Preferential Vehicle and Vessel Tax Policies for Energy-saving and New Energy Vehicles and Vessels, which was jointly promulgated by the MOF, the SAT and MIIT on May 7, 2015, clarifies that pure electric passenger vehicles are not subject to vehicle and vessel tax.

 

New Energy Vehicle License Plate

 

In recent years, in order to control the number of motor vehicles on the road, certain local governments have issued restrictions on the issuance of vehicle license plates. These restrictions generally do not apply to the issuance of license plates for NEVs, which makes it easier for purchasers of NEVs to obtain automobile license plates. For example, pursuant to the Implementation Measures on Encouraging Purchase and Use of New Energy Vehicles in Shanghai, local authorities will issue new automobile license plates to qualified purchasers of NEVs without requiring such qualified purchasers to go through certain license-plate bidding processes and to pay license-plate purchase fees as compared with purchasers of ICE vehicles.

 

Policies Relating to Incentives for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

 

On January 11, 2016, the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT, the NDRC and the National Energy Administration, or the NEA, jointly promulgated the Circular on Incentive Policies on the Charging Infrastructures of New Energy Vehicles and Strengthening the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles during the 13th Five-year Plan Period, which became effective on January 1, 2016. Pursuant to such circular, the central finance department is expected to provide certain local governments with funds and subsidies for the construction and operation of charging facilities and other relevant charging infrastructure.

 

Certain local governments have also implemented incentive policies for the construction and operation of charging infrastructure. For example, pursuant to the Supporting Measures on Encouraging the Development of Charging Infrastructures of the Electric Vehicles in Shanghai, builders of certain non-self-use charging infrastructure may be eligible for subsidies for up to 30% of its investment cost, and the operator of certain non-self-use charging infrastructure may be eligible for subsidies calculated based on electricity output.

 

All the above incentives are expected to facilitate acceleration of development of public charging infrastructure, which will consequently offer more accessible and convenient EV charging solutions to purchasers of electric vehicles.

 

Policies Relating to Credits for New Electric Vehicles

 

On September 27, 2017, the MIIT, the MOF, the MOFCOM, the General Administration of Customs of PRC and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the PRC jointly promulgated the Measure for the Parallel Administration of the Corporate Average Fuel Consumption and New Energy Vehicle Credits of Passenger Vehicle Enterprises, or the Parallel Credits Measure, which took effect on April 1, 2018. Under the Parallel Credits Measure, among other requirements, each of the vehicle manufacturers and vehicle importers above a certain scale is required to maintain its NEVs credits, or the NEVs credits, above zero, regardless of whether NEVs or ICE vehicles are manufactured or imported by it, and NEVs credits can be earned only by manufacturing or importing NEVs. Therefore, NEVs manufacturers will enjoy preferences in obtaining and calculating of NEVs credits.

 

NEVs credits equal to the aggregate actual scores of a vehicle manufacturer or a vehicle importer minus its aggregate targeted scores. The targeted scores shall be the product obtained by multiplying annual production/import volume of fuel energy vehicles of a vehicle manufacturer or a vehicle importer by the NEVs credit ratio set by MIIT, while the actual scores are to be the product obtained by multiplying the score of each NEVs type by respective NEVs production/import volume. Excess positive NEVs credits are tradable and may be sold to other enterprises through a credit management system established by the MIIT. Negative NEVs credits can be offset by purchasing excess positive NEVs credits from other manufacturers or importers. As a manufacturer that will only manufacture NEVs, after we obtain our own manufacturing license, we will be able to earn NEVs credits by manufacturing NEVs through our future manufacturing plant on each vehicle manufactured, and may sell our excess positive NEVs credits to other vehicle manufacturers or importers.

 

55

 

Regulations on Consumer Rights Protection

 

Our business is subject to a variety of consumer protection laws, including the PRC Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law, as amended and effective as of March 15, 2014, which imposes stringent requirements and obligations on business operators. Failure to comply with these consumer protection laws could subject us to administrative sanctions, such as the issuance of a warning, confiscation of illegal income, imposition of fines, an order to cease business operations, revocation of business licenses, as well as potential civil or criminal liabilities.

 

Regulations on Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection

 

In November 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, promulgated the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or the Cyber Security Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017. The Cyber Security Law requires that a network operator, which includes, among others, internet information services providers, take technical measures and other necessary measures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and the compulsory requirements of the national and industrial standards to safeguard the safe and stable operation of its networks. We are subject to such requirements as we are operating website and mobile application and providing certain internet services mainly through our mobile application. The Cyber Security Law further requires internet information service providers to formulate contingency plans for network security incidents, report to the competent departments immediately upon the occurrence of any incident endangering cyber security and take corresponding remedial measures.

 

Internet information service providers are also required to maintain the integrity, confidentiality and availability of network data. The Cyber Security Law reaffirms the basic principles and requirements specified in other existing laws and regulations on personal data protection, such as the requirements on the collection, use, processing, storage and disclosure of personal data, and internet information service providers being required to take technical and other necessary measures to ensure the security of the personal information they have collected and prevent the personal information from being divulged, damaged or lost. Any violation of the Cyber Security Law may subject the internet information service provider to warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, cancellation of filings, shutdown of websites or criminal liabilities.

 

Regulations on Environmental Protection and Work Safety

 

Regulations on Environmental Protection

 

Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Law of the PRC promulgated by the SCNPC, on December 26, 1989, amended on April, 24, 2014 and effective on January 1, 2015, any entity which discharges or will discharge pollutants during course of operations or other activities must implement effective environmental protection safeguards and procedures to control and properly treat waste gas, waste water, waste residue, dust, malodorous gases, radioactive substances, noise vibrations, electromagnetic radiation and other hazards produced during such activities.

 

Environmental protection authorities impose various administrative penalties on persons or enterprises in violation of the Environmental Protection Law. Such penalties include warnings, fines, orders to rectify within the prescribed period, orders to cease construction, orders to restrict or suspend production, orders to make recovery, orders to disclose relevant information or make an announcement, imposition of administrative action against relevant responsible persons, and orders to shut down enterprises. Any person or entity that pollutes the environment resulting in damage could also be held liable under the Tort Law of the PRC. In addition, environmental organizations may also bring lawsuits against any entity that discharges pollutants detrimental to the public welfare.

 

Regulations on Work Safety

 

Under relevant construction safety laws and regulations, including the Work Safety Law of the PRC which was promulgated by the SCNPC on June 29, 2002, amended on August 27, 2009, August 31, 2014, and effective as of December 1, 2014, production and operating business entities must establish objectives and measures for work safety and improve the working environment and conditions for workers in a planned and systematic way. A work safety protection scheme must also be set up to implement the work safety job responsibility system. In addition, production and operating business entities must arrange work safety training and provide the employees with protective equipment that meets the national standards or industrial standards. Automobile and components manufacturers are subject to the aforementioned environment protection and work safety requirements.

 

56

 

PRC Laws and Regulations on Foreign Investment

 

Investment in the PRC by foreign investors and foreign-invested enterprises shall comply with the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (2017 Revision) (the “Catalogue”), which was last amended and issued by MOFCOM and NDRC on June 28, 2017 and became effective since July 28, 2017, and the Special Management Measures for Foreign Investment Access (2019 version), or the Negative List, which came into effect on July 30, 2019. The Catalogue and the Negative List contains specific provisions guiding market access for foreign capital and stipulates in detail the industry sectors grouped under the categories of encouraged industries, restricted industries and prohibited industries. Any industry not listed on the Negative List is a permitted industry unless otherwise prohibited or restricted by other PRC laws or regulations.

 

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or the Foreign Investment Law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020, repealing simultaneously the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the PRC on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises and the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Ventures. The Foreign Investment Law adopts the management system of pre-establishment national treatment and negative list for foreign investment. Policies in support of enterprises shall apply equally to foreign-funded enterprises according to laws and regulations. Foreign investment enterprises shall be guaranteed that they could equally participate in the setting of standards, and the compulsory standards formulated by the State shall be equally applied. Fair competition for foreign investment enterprises to participate in government procurement activities shall be protected. The Foreign Investment Law also stipulates the protection on intellectual property rights and trade secrets. The State also establishes information reporting system and national security review system according to the Foreign Investment Law.

  

PRC Laws and Regulations on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises

 

The establishment, operation and management of corporate entities in China are governed by the PRC Company Law, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on December 29, 1993 and became effective on July 1, 1994. It was last amended on October 26, 2018 and the amendments became effective on October 26, 2018. Under the PRC Company Law, companies are generally classified into two categories, namely, limited liability companies and joint stock limited companies. The PRC Company Law also applies to limited liability companies and joint stock limited companies with foreign investors. Where there are otherwise different provisions in any law on foreign investment, such provisions shall prevail.

 

The Law of the PRC on Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprises was promulgated and became effective on April 12, 1986, and was last amended and became effective on October 1, 2016. The Implementing Regulations of the PRC Law on Foreign-invested Enterprises were promulgated by the State Council on October 28, 1990. They were last amended on February 19, 2014 and the amendments became effective on March 1, 2014. The Provisional Measures on Administration of Filing for Establishment and Change of Foreign Investment Enterprises were promulgated by MOFCOM and became effective on October 8, 2016, and were last amended on July 20, 2017 with immediate effect. The above-mentioned laws form the legal framework for the PRC Government to regulate Foreign-invested Enterprises. These laws and regulations govern the establishment, modification, including changes to registered capital, shareholders, corporate form, merger and split, dissolution and termination of Foreign-invested Enterprises.

 

According to the above regulations, a Foreign-invested Enterprise should get approval by MOFCOM before its establishment and operation. Jiuzi WFOE is a Foreign-invested Enterprise since established, and has obtained the approval of the local administration of MOFCOM. Its establishment and operation are in compliance with the above-mentioned laws. Zhejiang Jiuzi is a PRC domestic company, and it is not subject to the record-filling or examination applicable to Foreign-invested Enterprises.

  

PRC Laws and Regulations on Trademarks

  

The Trademark Law of the PRC was adopted at the 24th meeting of the SCNPC on August 23, 1982. Three amendments were made on February 22, 1993, October 27, 2001 and August 30, 2013. The last amendment was implemented on May 1, 2014. The Regulations on the Implementation of the Trademark Law of the PRC were promulgated by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on August 3, 2002, which took effect on September 15, 2002. It was revised on April 29, 2014 and became effective as of May 1, 2014. According to the Trademark Law and the implementing regulations, a trademark which has been approved and registered by the trademark office is a registered trademark, including a trademark of goods, services, collective trademark and certification trademark. The trademark registrant shall enjoy the exclusive right to use the trademark and shall be protected by law. The trademark law also specifies the scope of registered trademarks, procedures for registration of trademarks and the rights and obligations of trademark owners. We are currently holding 9 registered trademarks in China and enjoy the corresponding rights.

 

57

 

PRC Laws and Regulations on Foreign Exchange

 

General Administration of Foreign Exchange

 

The principal regulation governing foreign currency exchange in the PRC is the Administrative Regulations of the PRC on Foreign Exchange (the “Foreign Exchange Regulations”), which were promulgated on January 29, 1996, became effective on April 1, 1996 and were last amended on August 5, 2008. Under these rules, Renminbi is generally freely convertible for payments of current account items, such as trade- and service-related foreign exchange transactions and dividend payments, but not freely convertible for capital account items, such as capital transfer, direct investment, investment in securities, derivative products or loans unless prior approval by competent authorities for the administration of foreign exchange is obtained. Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may purchase foreign exchange without the approval of SAFE to pay dividends by providing certain evidentiary documents, including board resolutions, tax certificates, or for trade- and services-related foreign exchange transactions, by providing commercial documents evidencing such transactions.

 

Registration of Foreign Investment Enterprises

 

Pursuant to the Notice of State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Promulgation of the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Control on Direct Investments in China by Foreign Investors promulgated by the SAFE, or the Notice, upon establishment of a foreign investment enterprise pursuant to the law, registration formalities shall be completed with the foreign exchange bureau. Upon completion of registration formalities by the entities involved in direct investments in China, the entities may open accounts for direct investments in China such as preliminary expense account, capital fund account and asset realization account, etc. with the bank based on the actual needs. Upon completion of such registration formalities, foreign investment enterprises could also conduct settlement when contributing foreign exchange funds, and remit funds overseas in the event of capital reduction, liquidation, advance recovery of investment, profit distribution, etc.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our WFOE has completed the foreign exchange registration formalities upon establishment. Subsequently, Jiuzi HK, the sole shareholder of WFOE, is able to contribute capital to or receive distributions and dividends from WFOE.

 

Circular No. 37 and Circular No. 13

 

Circular 37 was released by SAFE on July 4, 2014 and abolished Circular 75 which had been in effect since November 1, 2005. Pursuant to Circular 37, a PRC resident should apply to SAFE for foreign exchange registration of overseas investments before it makes any capital contribution to a special purpose vehicle, or SPV, using his or her legitimate domestic or offshore assets or interests. SPVs are offshore enterprises directly established or indirectly controlled by domestic residents for the purpose of investment and financing by utilizing domestic or offshore assets or interests they legally hold. Following any significant change in a registered offshore SPV, such as capital increase, reduction, equity transfer or swap, consolidation or division involving domestic resident individuals, the domestic individuals shall amend the registration with SAFE. Where an SPV intends to repatriate funds raised after completion of offshore financing to the PRC, it shall comply with relevant PRC regulations on foreign investment and foreign debt management. A foreign-invested enterprise established through return investment shall complete relevant foreign exchange registration formalities in accordance with the prevailing foreign exchange administration regulations on foreign direct investment and truthfully disclose information on the actual controller of its shareholders.

 

If any shareholder who is a PRC resident (as determined by Circular No. 37) holds any interest in our SPV and fails to fulfil the required foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE branches, capital contribution to the SPV by the shareholder failing to comply with Circular No.37, as well as the distribution of profits and dividends derived from the SPV to such shareholder may be prohibited. However, even if such shareholder fails to fulfil the required foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE branches, Jiuzi Holdings Inc. and Jiuzi HK are not restricted in their ability to contribute additional capital to WFOE. Since Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries are only controlled by WFOE through contractual arrangements, and since WFOE is not a shareholder of Zhejiang Jiuzi, neither Zhejiang Jiuzi nor any of its subsidiaries have any obligations to contribute capital to WFOE, nor have they any rights to receive distributions or dividends from WFOE. Only capital contributions to a special purpose vehicle by its shareholders failing to comply with Circular 37, as well as the repatriation of profits and dividends derived from such special purpose vehicle to China by its shareholders are limited. Our WFOE is not prohibited from distributing its profits and dividends to Jiuzi Holdings Inc. or Jiuzi HK or from carrying out other subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities because WFOE has completed the foreign exchange registration formalities as required upon its establishment. Where a domestic resident fails to complete relevant foreign exchange registration as required, fails to truthfully disclose information on the actual controller of the enterprise involved in the return investment or otherwise makes false statements, the foreign exchange administration authority may order them to take remedial actions, issue a warning, and impose a fine of less than RMB 300,000 on an institution or less than RMB 50,000 on an individual.

 

Circular 13 was issued by SAFE on February 13, 2015, and became effective on June 1, 2015. Pursuant to Circular 13, a domestic resident who makes a capital contribution to an SPV using his or her legitimate domestic or offshore assets or interests is no longer required to apply to SAFE for foreign exchange registration of his or her overseas investments. Instead, he or she shall register with a bank in the place where the assets or interests of the domestic enterprise in which he or she has interests are located if the domestic resident individually seeks to make a capital contribution to the SPV using his or her legitimate domestic assets or interests; or he or she shall register with a local bank at his or her permanent residence if the domestic resident individually seeks to make a capital contribution to the SPV using his or her legitimate offshore assets or interests.

 

58

 

As of the date of this prospectus, five shareholders of Jiuzi, whose shares account for 100% of the total shares of Jiuzi shareholders who have executed the VIE Agreements, have completed registrations in accordance with Circular 37. Two indirect beneficial owners of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc., who are PRC residents, have not completed the Circular 37 Registration. We have asked our shareholders who are Chinese residents to make the necessary applications and filings as required by Circular 37. The failure of our beneficial shareholders to comply with the registration procedures may subject each of our beneficial shareholders to fines of less than RMB 50,000 (approximately US$7,199). Shareholders of offshore SPV who are PRC residents and who have not completed their registrations in accordance with Circular 37 are subject to certain absolute restrictions, under which they cannot contribute any registered or additional capital to such SPV for offshore financing purposes. In addition, these shareholders cannot repatriate any profits and dividends from the SPV to China either.

 

Shareholders who have completed the Circular 37 registration would not be adversely affected and are allowed to contribute assets into the offshore special purpose vehicle and repatriate profits and dividends from them. Since our WFOE has completed its foreign exchange registration as a foreign investment enterprise, its ability to receive capital contribution, make distributions and pay dividends is not restricted.

 

Circular 19 and Circular 16

 

Circular 19 was promulgated by SAFE on March 30, 2015, and became effective on June 1, 2015. According to Circular 19, the foreign exchange capital in the capital account of foreign-invested enterprises, meaning the monetary contribution confirmed by the foreign exchange authorities or the monetary contribution registered for account entry through banks, shall be granted the benefits of Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement (“Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement”). With Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement, foreign capital in the capital account of a foreign-invested enterprise for which the rights and interests of monetary contribution have been confirmed by the local foreign exchange bureau, or for which book-entry registration of monetary contribution has been completed by the bank, can be settled at the bank based on the actual operational needs of the foreign-invested enterprise. The allowed Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement percentage of the foreign capital of a foreign-invested enterprise has been temporarily set to be 100%. The Renminbi converted from the foreign capital will be kept in a designated account and if a foreign-invested enterprise needs to make any further payment from such account, it will still need to provide supporting documents and to complete the review process with its bank.

 

Furthermore, Circular 19 stipulates that foreign-invested enterprises shall make bona fide use of their capital for their own needs within their business scopes. The capital of a foreign-invested enterprise and the Renminbi it obtained from foreign exchange settlement shall not be used for the following purposes:

  

  directly or indirectly used for expenses beyond its business scope or prohibited by relevant laws or regulations;

 

  directly or indirectly used for investment in securities unless otherwise provided by relevant laws or regulations;

 

  directly or indirectly used for entrusted loan in Renminbi (unless within its permitted scope of business), repayment of inter-company loans (including advances by a third party) or repayment of bank loans in Renminbi that have been sub-lent to a third party; or

 

  directly or indirectly used for expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for foreign-invested real estate enterprises).

 

Circular 16 was issued by SAFE on June 9, 2016. Pursuant to Circular 16, enterprises registered in the PRC may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis. Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange capital items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary basis applicable to all enterprises registered in the PRC. Circular 16 reiterates the principle that an enterprise’s Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated capital may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or purposes prohibited by PRC laws or regulations, and such converted Renminbi capital shall not be provided as loans to non-affiliated entities.

 

PRC Laws and Regulations on Taxation

 

Enterprise Income Tax

 

The Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “EIT Law”) was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on March 16, 2007 and became effective on January 1, 2008, and was later amended on February 24, 2017. The Implementation Rules of the EIT Law (the “Implementation Rules”) were promulgated by the State Council on December 6, 2007 and became effective on January 1, 2008. According to the EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, enterprises are divided into resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. Resident enterprises shall pay enterprise income tax on their incomes obtained in and outside the PRC at the rate of 25%. Non-resident enterprises setting up institutions in the PRC shall pay enterprise income tax on the incomes obtained by such institutions in and outside the PRC at the rate of 25%. Non-resident enterprises with no institutions in the PRC, and non-resident enterprises whose incomes having no substantial connection with their institutions in the PRC, shall pay enterprise income tax on their incomes obtained in the PRC at a reduced rate of 10%. 

 

59

 

The Arrangement between the PRC and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (the “Arrangement”) was promulgated by the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) on August 21, 2006 and came into effect on December 8, 2006. According to the Arrangement, a company incorporated in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at the lower rate of 5% on dividends it receives from a company incorporated in the PRC if it holds a 25% interest or more in the PRC company. The Notice on the Understanding and Identification of the Beneficial Owners in the Tax Treaty (the “Notice”) was promulgated by SAT and became effective on October 27, 2009. According to the Notice, a beneficial ownership analysis will be used based on a substance-over-form principle to determine whether or not to grant tax treaty benefits.

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries are resident enterprises and pay EIT tax at the rate of 25% in the PRC. It is more likely than not that the Company and its offshore subsidiary would be treated as a non-resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. Please see “Taxation - People’s Republic of China Enterprise Taxation”.

 

Value-added Tax

 

Pursuant to the Provisional Regulations on Value-added Tax of the PRC, or the VAT Regulations, which were promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993, took effect on January 1, 1994, and were amended on November 10, 2008, February 6, 2016, and November 19, 2017, respectively, and the Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulations on Value-added Tax of the PRC, which were promulgated by the MOF on December 25, 1993, and were amended on December 15, 2008, and October 28, 2011, respectively, entities and individuals that sell goods or labor services of processing, repair or replacement, sell services, intangible assets, or immovables, or import goods within the territory of the People’s Republic of China are taxpayers of value-added tax. The VAT rate is 17% for taxpayers selling goods, labor services, or tangible movable property leasing services or importing goods, except otherwise specified; 11% for taxpayers selling services of transportation, postal, basic telecommunications, construction and lease of immovable, selling immovable, transferring land use rights, selling and importing other specified goods including fertilizers; 6% for taxpayers selling services or intangible assets.

 

According to the Notice on the Adjustment to the Value-added Tax Rates issued by the SAT and the MOF on April 4, 2018, where taxpayers make VAT taxable sales or import goods, the applicable tax rates shall be adjusted from 17% to 16% and from 11% to 10%, respectively. Subsequently, the Notice on Policies for Deepening Reform of Value-added Tax was issued by the SAT, the MOF and the General Administration of Customs on March 30, 2019 and took effective on April 1, 2019, which further adjusted the applicable tax rate for taxpayers making VAT taxable sales or importing goods. The applicable tax rates shall be adjusted from 16% to 13% and from 10% to 9%, respectively.

  

Dividend Withholding Tax

 

The Enterprise Income Tax Law provides that since January 1, 2008, an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends declared to non-PRC resident investors that do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, or that have such establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC.

 

Pursuant to an Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Incomes (“Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement”) and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%. However, based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties (the “SAT Circular 81”) issued on February 20, 2009 by SAT, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment. According to the Circular on Several Questions regarding the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which was issued on February 3, 2018 by the SAT and took effect on April 1, 2018, when determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of his or her income in twelve months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on relevant incomes or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. This circular further provides that applicants who intend to prove his or her status of the “beneficial owner” shall submit the relevant documents to the relevant tax bureau according to the Announcement on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Non-Resident Taxpayers’ Enjoyment of the Treatment under Tax Agreements.

 

60

 

We have not commenced the application process for a Hong Kong tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority, and there is no assurance that we will be granted such a Hong Kong tax resident certificate. We have not filed required forms or materials with the relevant PRC tax authorities to prove that we should enjoy the 5% PRC withholding tax rate.

 

PRC Laws and Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare

 

Labor Law of the PRC

 

Pursuant to the Labor Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on July 5, 1994 with an effective date of January 1, 1995 and was last amended on August 27, 2009 and the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which was promulgated on June 29, 2007, became effective on January 1, 2008 and was last amended on December 28, 2012, with the amendments coming into effect on July 1, 2013, enterprises and institutions shall ensure the safety and hygiene of a workplace, strictly comply with applicable rules and standards on workplace safety and hygiene in China, and educate employees on such rules and standards. Furthermore, employers and employees shall enter into written employment contracts to establish their employment relationships. Employers are required to inform their employees about their job responsibilities, working conditions, occupational hazards, remuneration and other matters with which the employees may be concerned. Employers shall pay remuneration to employees on time and in full accordance with the commitments set forth in their employment contracts and with the relevant PRC laws and regulations. Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiary company have entered into written employment contracts with all the employees and performed their obligations under the relevant PRC laws and regulations.

 

Social Insurance and Housing Fund

 

Pursuant to the Social Insurance Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on October 28, 2010 and became effective on July 1, 2011, employers in the PRC shall provide their employees with welfare schemes covering basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, and occupational injury insurance. Zhejiang Jiuzi have been complying to local regulations regarding social security and employee insurance. We have not received any notification or warning from PRC authorities.

  

In accordance with the Regulations on Management of Housing Provident Fund, which were promulgated by the State Council on April 3, 1999 and last amended on March 24, 2002, employers must register at the designated administrative centers and open bank accounts for depositing employees’ housing funds. Employers and employees are also required to pay and deposit housing funds, with an amount no less than 5% of the monthly average salary of the employee in the preceding year in full and on time. Zhejiang Jiuzi has not provided employees with housing funds. All our employees are located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, where local government imposes no mandatory requirements on employers to provide housing funds to employees. We intend to provide the employees with housing funds if the local government requires it in the future.

 

61

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Executive Officers and Directors

 

Set forth below is information concerning our directors, director nominees, executive officers and other key employees.

 

Name   Age   Position(s)
Shuibo Zhang   34   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board 
Francis Zhang   40   Chief Financial Officer
Qi Zhang   27   Chief Operating Officer
Kezhen Li   54   Director
Richard Chen(1)(2)(3)*   41   Independent Director Nominee, Chair of Audit Committee
Junjun Ge(1)(2)(3)*    39   Independent Director Nominee, Chair of Compensation Committee
Jehn Ming Lim(1)(2)(3)*   39   Independent Director Nominee, Chair of Nomination Committee

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee
(3) Member of the Nominating Committee

 

* The individual consents to serve as a director upon the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Shuibo Zhang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

Mr. Shuibo Zhang has been our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since our incorporation. He has served as Chairman of the Board for Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. since May 2017. From April 2016 to May 2017, Mr. Zhang had served as Chairman of the Board for Shandong Ruixing New Energy Vehicles Company Limited. Mr. Zhang was an active investor in several emerging companies in China, such as Manhattan Restaurant Chain Company, Anhui Hengshenguang Electronics Technology Company, and Shandong Caozhou Culture Media Company in 2014 to 2015. He also serves as the Vice President of Shandong Chamber of Commerce.

 

Francis Zhang, Chief Financial Officer

 

Mr. Zhang has been our Chief Financial Officer since August 2020. He was the Executive Director of Shanghai Qianzhe Consulting Co., Ltd and was mainly responsible for overseas M&A projects, and follow-on investments and management of newly formed financial holding groups. Prior to that, he served as the Deputy General Manager of Tebon Innovation Capital Co., Ltd and was responsible for its business development and asset management. From May 2012 to May 2013, he was the Senior Manager of the Investment Department at Sanhua Holding Group, during which he was in charge of overseas M&A projects, new financial investments, and post-investment management. From May 2010 through May 2012, Mr. Zhang was the Investment & Asset Management Supervisor at China Calxon Group Co., Ltd.’s Capital Management Centre. He handled private placement of newly listed companies, took charge of other capital market financing access, and reviewed and appraised operating investment projects. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant Manager of the Investment Banking Department of KPMG Advisory (China) Limited from August 2006 to May 2010. He engaged in several auditing and financial advisory projects, which included public-listed companies and IPO projects. Mr. Zhang earned an MBA degree from the University of Birmingham in 2005, his Master of Science in Finance with honors from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2004, and his bachelor’s degree in Economy from Zhejiang University of Technology in 2003.

 

Qi Zhang, Chief Operating Officer 

 

Mr. Zhang has served as our Chief Operating Officer since May 2020, and is mainly responsible for executing the Company’s strategic plans, expanding the Company’s partnerships, strategic resource scheduling and matching, and implementing solutions for franchisees. From May 2017 to May 2020, he served as assistant to the chairman of Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd., and strategic director of the public relations department, responsible for marketing development. From May 2015 to April 2016, Mr. Zhang worked at Heze College and One Model Education and Training Co., Ltd. as a corporate training project manager, responsible for assisting in the formulation and implementation of corporate consulting programs for over twenty companies in the automotive industry, real estate industry and wine travel industry. Mr. Zhang graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Heze College in 2016.

 

Kezhen Li, Director

 

Ms. Li has served as our Director since November 2019 and has been the financial controller and a member of the board of directors of Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. since March 2019. From November 2017 to February 2019, she served as deputy general manager and financial controller of Hangzhou Jiandu Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd. From November 2011 to October 2017, she served as chief financial officer of Ningbo Tashan Cultural Industry and deputy general manager of Hangzhou Branch. Ms. Li was at the Weifang Branch of Bank of Communications from January 1996 to October 2011, serving as section chief and deputy general manager of the Information Technology Department, deputy general manager of the Personal Financial Business Department, director of the Financial Management Center, and president of Yuhe Road Sub-branch. She also worked at the Weifang Huaguang Group Phototypesetting Institute and Phototypesetting Equipment Factory from July 1988 to December 1995. Ms. Li graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the Department of Mathematics at Shandong University in 1988.

 

Richard Chen, Independent Director Nominee, Chair of Audit Committee

 

Mr. Chen served as the Chief Financial Officer of Fuqin Fintech Limited from February 2017 to January 2020. He was the partner of CLC LLP in USA from 2015 to 2017 and from 2020 onward. From 2008 to January 2015, Mr. Chen was the Senior Manager at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, Beijing office, where he was involved in many Chinese companies’ U.S. IPO processes. From 2003 to 2008, he was the Senior Tax Consultant at Grant Thornton LLP, Los Angeles office. Mr. Chen graduated from University of California Riverside with his bachelor’s degree in Business Economics in 2003. 

62

 

Junjun Ge, Independent Director Nominee, Chair of Compensation Committee

 

Mr. Ge has been the managing partner of Jiangsu Junjin law firm since December 2016 and the legal adviser of many listed companies, private investment funds and real estate enterprises in China. Mr. Ge has provided extensive legal services in the capital market, including private equity investments for start-ups, private placements, public offerings in China and abroad, corporate bond issuance for a number of overseas listed companies, securities compliance of listed companies, mergers and acquisitions, and overall legal services of real estate group projects. He has also acted as the legal adviser for domestic well-known private equity investment funds. Mr. Ge’s professional ability and professionalism are well received by clients. From 2005 to December 2016, Mr. Ge worked as an associate attorney in Jiangsu BeiSiTe Law Firm. In 2011, he was rated as one of the top ten lawyers in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. He served as a consultant to several government agencies such as Wuxi Municipal Government and Wuxi Binhu District Government. Mr. Ge graduated from Jiangsu University with Bachelor of Laws degree in 2005.

 

Jehn Ming Lim. Independent Director Nominee, Chair of Nomination Committee

 

Mr. Lim has over 15 years’ experience in providing financial accounting and advisory services to public and private companies in the United States. He has been the Chief Financial Officer of Kandi Technologies, Corp. since May 2020. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Takung Art Co., Ltd. from February 2019 to May 2020. From January 2013 to February 2019, he was the Managing Director of a U.S.-based financial consulting firm, Albeck Financial Services, and was mainly responsible for overseeing SEC reporting, GAAP technical consultation, financial statement audit preparation, due diligence and internal controls compliance services. He has overseen and completed more than 10 public listing applications for U.S. listed companies in China (through Forms S-1 and F-1, SPAC and Form 10 reverse merger transactions), and managed multiple projects for U.S. GAAP consulting, SOX 404, pre-audit process, SEC financial reporting, development of financial forecasting models, and due diligence for IPO and M&A transactions. He also has extensive experience in auditing private and public companies in his stints as audit manager and senior auditor of two regional accounting firms in the United States from October 2008 through December 2012 and from September 2006 through October 2008, respectively and as an auditor at Ernst & Young in the United States from September 2004 through to July 2006. Mr. Lim graduated with High Honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics.

 

None of the events listed in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K has occurred during the past ten years that is material to the evaluation of the ability or integrity of any of our directors, director nominees or executive officers. 

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships among any of our directors, director nominees or executive officers as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K.

 

Terms of Directors and Executive Officers

 

Our directors may be elected by a resolution of our board of directors, or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they are removed from office by ordinary resolution of the shareholders. A director will cease to be a director if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind, (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company, or (iv) without special leave of absence from our board, is absent from three consecutive board meetings and our directors resolve that his office be vacated.

 

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.

 

Board of Directors and Board Committees

 

We expect our board of directors to consist of five directors, three of whom will be independent as such term is defined by the Nasdaq Capital Market. We have determined that Richard Chen, Jehn Ming Lim and Junjun Ge satisfy the “independence” requirements under NASDAQ Rule 5605. We expect that all current directors will continue to serve after this offering.

 

The directors will be up for re-election at our annual general meeting of shareholders.

 

A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of our directors. A director may vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party.

 

63

 

Board Committees

 

We have established three committees under the board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating committee, and adopted a charter for each of the three committees, effective upon the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Copies of our committee charters will be posted on our corporate investor relations website prior to our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

 

Audit Committee. Our audit committee will consist of Richard Chen, Junjun Ge and Jehn Ming Lim upon the effectiveness of their appointments. Richard Chen will be the chair of our audit committee. The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

  reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

  discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

  reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

 

  reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;

 

  meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and

 

  monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

Compensation Committee.  Our compensation committee will consist of Junjun Ge, Jehn Ming Lim and Richard Chen upon the effectiveness of their appointments. Junjun Ge will be the chair of our compensation committee. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers;

 

  reviewing and recommending to the shareholders for determination with respect to the compensation of our directors;

 

  reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and

 

  selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management.

 

Nominating Committee.  Our nominating committee will consist of Jehn Ming Lim, Richard Chen and Junjun Ge upon the effectiveness of their appointments. Jehn Ming Lim will be the chair of our nominating committee. The nominating committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board;

 

  reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;

 

  making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and

 

  advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken.

 

64

 

Duties of Directors

 

Under Cayman Islands law, all of our directors owe three types of duties to us: (i) statutory duties, (ii) fiduciary duties, and (iii) common law duties. The Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands imposes a number of statutory duties on a director. A Cayman Islands director’s fiduciary duties are not codified, however the courts of the Cayman Islands have held that a director owes the following fiduciary duties: (a) a duty to act in what the director bona fide considers to be in the best interests of the company, (b) a duty to exercise their powers for the purposes they were conferred, (c) a duty to avoid fettering his or her discretion in the future and (d) a duty to avoid conflicts of interest and of duty. The common law duties owed by a director are those to act with skill, care and diligence that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and, also, to act with the skill, care and diligence in keeping with a standard of care commensurate with any particular skill they have which enables them to meet a higher standard than a director without those skills. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by any of our directors is breached. You should refer to “Description of Share Capital and Governing Documents — Differences in Corporate Law” for additional information on our standard of corporate governance under Cayman Islands law.

 

Interested Transactions

 

A director may vote, attend a board meeting or sign a document on our behalf with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested. A director must promptly disclose the interest to all other directors after becoming aware of the fact that he or she is interested in a transaction we have entered into or are to enter into. A general notice or disclosure to the board or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the board or any committee of the board that a director is a shareholder, director, officer or trustee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company will be sufficient disclosure, and, after such general notice, it will not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.

  

Controlled Company

 

We expect to continue to be a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, as a result, qualify for and intend to continue to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Our directors and officers collectively own 86.5% of our ordinary shares and will own at least % of our ordinary shares following the Offering. Such concentration of voting power could have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change of control or other business combination, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over the then-prevailing market price for their ordinary shares. We expect us continue to be a controlled company upon the completion of this offering. Under the Nasdaq listing Rule 5615(c)(1), a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirement that a majority of our directors to be independent, as defined in The NASDAQ Stock Market rules, and the requirement that our compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees consist entirely of independent directors. If we elected to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. See Risk Factors — We will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq stock Market Rules if after this offering our insiders continue to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

65

 

Remuneration and Borrowing

 

The directors may receive such remuneration as our board of directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors or committees of our board of directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The compensation committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

 

Qualification

 

There are no membership qualifications for directors. Further, there are no share ownership qualifications for directors unless so fixed by us in a general meeting. There are no other arrangements or understandings pursuant to which our directors are selected or nominated.

 

Director Compensation

 

All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which their respective class of directors is re-elected and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Employee directors do not receive any compensation for their services. Non-employee directors are entitled to receive an as-yet undetermined cash fee for serving as directors and may receive option grants from our company. In addition, non-employee directors are entitled to receive compensation for their actual travel expenses for each Board of Directors meeting attended.

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or officers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors, nor has any been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Related Party Transactions,” our directors and officers have not been involved in any transactions with us or any of our affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is applicable to all of our directors, executive officers and employees. Copy of the code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on our corporate investor relations website prior to our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

66

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, earned by or paid to our chief executive officer and principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our other most highly compensated executive officers whose total compensation exceeded US$100,000 (the “named executive officers”).

 

Name and Principal Position   Year    

Salary

(US$)

   

Bonus

(US$)

   

Stock

Awards

(US$)

   

Option

Awards

(US$)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

   

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

    Other    

Total

(US$)

 
                                                       
Shuibo Zhang,
    2019     $ 25,034       -       -       -          -           -       -     $ 25,034  
CEO     2018     $ 21,935       -       -       -       -       -       -     $ 21,935  
Francis Zhang,     2019     $ -       -       -       -       -       -       -     $ -  
CFO     2018     $ -       -       -       -       -       -       -     $ -  
Qi Zhang,    

2019

    $

18,565

      -       -       -       -       -       -     $

18,565

 
COO     2018     $

13,400

      -       -       -       -       -       -     $

13,400

 

Agreements with Named Executive Officers

 

On May 27, 2017, Zhejiang Jiuzi entered into an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shuibo Zhang, for a term of five years. Mr. Zhang is entitled to an annual base salary of RMB 120,000 (or approximately US$17,335) and discretionary bonus. The termination of this agreement is subject to PRC Labor Law and PRC Labor Contract Law.

 

On May 26, 2020, Zhejiang Jiuzi entered into an employment agreement with our Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Qi Zhang, for a term of three years. Mr. Zhang is entitled to an annual base salary of RMB 120,000 (or approximately US$17,335) and discretionary bonus. The termination of this agreement is subject to PRC Labor Law and PRC Labor Contract Law.

 

On August 18, 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with our Chief Financial Officer, Francis Zhang, effective as of August 1, 2020, for a term of three years. Mr. Zhang is entitled to an annual base salary of US$120,000 and discretionary bonus.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

On November 1, 2019, we entered into a director agreement with our Director, Ms. Kezhen Li, for a term of three years. Ms. Li will not receive any compensation for her position as a Director of the Company. Separately, on March 14, 2019, she entered into an employment agreement with Zhejiang Jiuzi as its financial controller, for a term of three years. Ms. Li is entitled to an annual base salary of RMB 96,000 (or approximately US$13,870) and discretionary bonus. The termination of both agreements is subject to PRC Labor Law and PRC Labor Contract Law.

 

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, we did not compensate our directors for their services other than to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors, except that Ms. Kezhen Li received approximately US$8,800 for her position as the financial controller of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Upon completion of this offering, we plan to pay each of our independent director nominees Richard Chen, Junjun Ge and Jehn Ming Lim with an annual compensation of US$30,000. We have entered into director offer letters with each of our independent director nominees. We will also reimburse all directors for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their services provided in such capacity.

 

67

 

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our ordinary share as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the ordinary share offered in this offering for

 

  each of our directors and executive officers who beneficially owns our ordinary share; and
     
  each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our ordinary share.

 

Beneficial ownership includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Except as indicated below, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary share shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership of each listed person prior to the completion of this offering is based on (i) 1,000,000 ordinary share issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and (ii) ordinary share underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus. Percentage of beneficial ownership of each listed person after this offering includes (i) ordinary share outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering and (ii) ordinary share underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus, but excludes any shares issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option.

 

Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer or beneficial owner of 5% or more of our ordinary share.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally requires that such person have voting or investment power with respect to securities. In computing the number of ordinary share beneficially owned by a person listed below and the percentage ownership of such person, ordinary share underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, or as required by applicable community property laws, all persons listed have sole voting and investment power for all ordinary share shown as beneficially owned by them. As of the date of the prospectus, we have 7 shareholders of record, none of which are located in the United States.

 

    Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
Prior to this Offering
    Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
After this Offering
 
    Number     Percent     Number     Percent  
Directors and Executive Officers:                        
Shuibo Zhang (1)     795,000       79.50 %     795,000                 %
Francis Zhang     -       -       -       -  
Qi Zhang     -       -       -       -  
Kezhen Li (2)     70,000       7.00 %     70,000         %
Richard Chen (3)     -       -       -       -  
Junjun Ge (3)     -       -       -       -  
Jehn Ming Lim (3)     -       -       -       -  
All directors and executive officers as a group (3 persons)     865,000       86.50 %     865,000         %
                                 
5% Shareholders:                                
Jiuzi One Limited (1)     795,000       79.50 %     795,000         %
Jiuzi Nine Limited (2)     70,000       7.00 %     70,000         %

 

 

(1) Through Jiuzi One Limited which is controlled by Mr. Zhang.
(2) Through Jiuzi Nine Limited which is controlled by Kezhen Li.
  (3) The individual is a director nominee and consents to be a director upon the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

68

 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The franchisees were incorporated with the Company shown as a 51.0% owner. The intent of showing such an ownership percentage was to enable the franchisees to register their respective individual business name to include the words “Jiuzi” with the local business bureau. Subsequent to the successful registration by the franchisees, the Company decreased its ownership interest in these franchisees to 1.25%. The Company’s equity interest of 51.0% and 1.25% were symbolic in nature. The Company did not and does not have power to direct the use of the franchisee’s assets and the fulfillment of their obligations. The Company did not contribute any permanent equity capital in these franchisees and if these franchisees were to incur substantial losses and accumulate significant liabilities, the Company is not obligated to absorb such losses on behalf of the franchisees. Accordingly, the management has determined that the financial positions and results of operations of these franchisees should not be included as part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounts receivable from related franchisees comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Pingxiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     59,534       104,677  
Yichun Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     194,178       138,758  
Puyang Guozheng New Energy Vehicle Sales Co., Ltd     48,787       99,363  
Wanzai Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     129,832       129,851  
Xinyu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     293,488       243,452  
Liuyang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     125,852       110,604  
Yudu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     42,934       25,220  
Gao’an Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     25,989       39,315  
Jiujiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     42,953       21,738  
Pingjiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     35,434       800  
Quanzhou Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     18,143       -  
Loudi Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     73,755       -  
Guangzhou Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd     4,409       -  
Dongming Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     47,272       -  
Yulin Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     21,100       -  
Total     1,163,660       913,778  

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Pingxiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     95,527       59,534  
Yichun Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     279,070       194,178  
Puyang Guozheng New Energy Vehicle Sales Co., Ltd     49,032       48,787  
Wanzai Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     137,960       129,832  
Xinyu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     294,977       293,488  
Liuyang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     126,486       125,852  
Yudu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     43,150       42,934  
Gao’an Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     35,194       25,989  
Jiujiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     49,952       42,953  
Pingjiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     35,613       35,434  
Quanzhou Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     18,234       18,143  
Loudi Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     77,936       73,755  
Guangzhou Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd     4,431       4,409  
Dongming Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     47,510       47,272  
Yulin Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     21,208       21,100  
Total     1,316,280       1,163,660  

 

Accounts receivables above derived from sales of vehicles supplied to the Company’s franchisees. Sales revenues from related parties’ franchisees were $574,592 and $824,671 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

Accounts receivables above are derived from sales of vehicles sold to the Company’s franchisees. Sales revenues from related parties’ franchisees were $124,586 and $553,578 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

The Company has sold 98 and 194 of vehicles to its franchisees for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The Company has collected $584,148 and $1,313,088 in accounts receivables from its franchisees for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

69

Loan to related franchisees is comprised of the following:

 

    October 31, 2019     October 31, 2018  
    Gross     Discount     Net     Gross     Discount     Net  
Jiangsu Changshu   $ 292,882     $ 24,765     $ 268,117     $ 217,064     $ 18,354     $ 198,710  
Shandong Dongming     133,409       11,280       122,129       175,072       14,804       160,268  
Jiangxi Gao’an     297,694       25,172       272,522       277,162       23,436       253,726  
Hunan Huaihua     119,958       10,143       109,815       -       -       -  
Jiangxi Jiujiang     224,668       18,998       205,670       353,287       29,873       323,414  
Hunan Liuyang     264,042       22,326       241,716       188,083       15,904       172,179  
Hunan Loudi     298,042       25,201       272,841       238,060       20,129       217,931  
Hunan Pingjiang     284,382       24,047       260,335       294,775       24,925       269,850  
Jiangxi Pingxiang     253,726       21,454       232,272       334,667       28,298       306,369  
Henan Puyang     360,188       30,456       329,732       239,484       20,250       219,234  
Fujian Quanzhou     289,465       24,476       264,989       248,008       20,971       227,037  
Jiangxi Wanzai     143,538       12,138       131,400       186,434       15,764       170,670  
Jiangxi Xinyu     241,217       20,397       220,820       206,045       17,422       188,623  
Jiangxi Yichun     474,762       40,144       434,618       525,491       44,434       481,057  
Jiangxi Yudu     199,374       16,858       182,516       267,109       22,586       244,523  
Guangxi Rongxian     266,247       22,513       243,734       172,529       14,589       157,940  
Guangdong Zengcheng     410,378       34,701       375,677       346,686       29,314       317,372  
Jiangxi Shanggao     46,047       3,893       42,154       31,469       2,661       28,808  
Shandong Heze     5,724       484       5,240       2,597       220       2,377  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     17,937       1,517       16,420       16,759       1,417       15,342  
Anhui Fuyang     28,406       2,402       26,004       77,260       6,533       70,727  
Hunan Liling     4,224       357       3,867       4,322       365       3,957  
Hunan Zhuzhou     4,302       364       3,938       24,578       2,078       22,500  
Hunan Changsha     4,279       361       3,918       21,404       1,810       19,594  
Guangxi Guilin     4,564       386       4,178       -       -       -  
Hunan Xiangtan     25,593       2,164       23,429       12,854       1,087       11,767  
Hunan Chenzhou     80,045       6,769       73,276       49,545       4,190       45,355  
Jiangxi Ji’an     10,136       857       9,279       15,450       1,307       14,143  
Guangxi Nanning     2,615       222       2,393       12,854       1,087       11,767  
Hunan Leiyang     5,675       480       5,195       -       -       -  
Guangxi Liuzhou     10,565       894       9,671       -       -       -  
Hunan Ningxiang     4,339       367       3,972       -       -       -  
Guangdong Dongguan Changping     23,538       1,990       21,548       -       -       -  
Hunan Changsha County     14,791       -       14,791       -       -       -  
Henan Zhengzhou     4,564       386       4,178       -       -       -  
Guangdong Dongguan Nancheng     6,395       541       5,854       -       -       -  
Anhui Huaibei     7,761       656       7,105       -       -       -  
Guangdong Humen     1,042       88       954       -       -       -  
Guizhou Zunyi     3,888       329       3,559       -       -       -  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     8,452       -       8,452       -       -       -  
Henan Xinxiang     2,536       215       2,321       2,018       171       1,847  
Henan Anyang     4,948       419       4,529       3,909       331       3,578  
Jiangxi Nanchang     8,481       717       7,764       18,648       1,577       17,071  
Zhejiang Lishui     2,792       -       2,792       -       -       -  
Jiangxi Tonggu     (194 )     -       (194 )     -       -       -  
Total   $ 4,897,417     $ 411,927     $ 4,485,490     $ 4,563,623     $ 385,887     $ 4,177,736  

 

70

 

    April 30,2020     October 31,2019  
    Gross     Discount     Net     Gross     Discount     Net  
Jiangsu Changshu   $ 298,602       38,097       260,505     $ 292,882     $ 24,765     $ 268,117  
Shandong Dongming     114,785       24,189       90,596       133,409       11,280       122,129  
Jiangxi Gao’an     303,439       35,994       267,445       297,694       25,172       272,522  
Hunan Huaihua     258,018       26,871       231,147       119,958       10,143       109,815  
Jiangxi Jiujiang     303,717       38,346       265,371       224,668       18,998       205,670  
Hunan Liuyang     304,629       42,376       262,253       264,042       22,326       241,716  
Hunan Loudi     316,332       52,257       264,075       298,042       25,201       272,841  
Hunan Pingjiang     306,312       36,726       269,586       284,382       24,047       260,335  
Jiangxi Pingxiang     328,761       44,630       284,131       253,726       21,454       232,272  
Henan Puyang     366,700       63,605       303,095       360,188       30,456       329,732  
Fujian Quanzhou     333,506       43,077       290,429       289,465       24,476       264,989  
Jiangxi Wanzai     (22,227 )     33,122       -55,349       143,538       12,138       131,400  
Jiangxi Xinyu     258,315       32,730       225,585       241,217       20,397       220,820  
Jiangxi Yichun     356,390       68,564       287,826       474,762       40,144       434,618  
Jiangxi Yudu     205,077       32,482       172,595       199,374       16,858       182,516  
Guangxi Rongxian     264,755       29,614       235,141       266,247       22,513       243,734  
Guangdong Zengcheng     455,848       69,087       386,761       410,378       34,701       375,677  
Jiangxi Shanggao     43,716       8,476       35,240       46,047       3,893       42,154  
Shandong Heze     13,661       3,360       10,301       5,724       484       5,240  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     24,171       5,342       18,829       17,937       1,517       16,420  
Anhui Fuyang     28,549       6,714       21,835       28,406       2,402       26,004  
Hunan Liling     4,246       1,068       3,178       4,224       357       3,867  
Hunan Zhuzhou     7,778       4,018       3,760       4,302       364       3,938  
Hunan Changsha     3,225       2,315       910       4,279       361       3,918  
Guangxi Guilin     1,345       2,514       (1,169 )     4,564       386       4,178  
Hunan Xiangtan     38,945       3,941       35,004       25,593       2,164       23,429  
Hunan Chenzhou     125,654       16,565       109,089       80,045       6,769       73,276  
Jiangxi Ji’an     10,187       2,034       8,153       10,136       857       9,279  
Guangxi Nanning     22,051       5,909       16,142       2,615       222       2,393  
Hunan Leiyang     35,810       6,994       28,816       5,675       480       5,195  
Guangxi Liuzhou     8,523       1,975       6,548       10,565       894       9,671  
Hunan Ningxiang     4,360       1,077       3,283       4,339       367       3,972  
Guangdong Dongguan Changping     61,149       9,338       51,811       23,538       1,990       21,548  
Hunan Changsha County     48,686       5,028       43,658       14,791       -       14,791  
Henan Zhengzhou     1,345       1,077       268       4,564       386       4,178  
Guangdong Dongguan Nancheng     6,427       1,257       5,170       6,395       541       5,854  
Anhui Huaibei     3,270       3,232       38       7,761       656       7,105  
Guangdong Humen     1,586       1,616       (30 )     1,042       88       954  
Guizhou Zunyi     30,862       4,848       26,014       3,888       329       3,559  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     12,770       1,796       10,974       8,452       -       8,452  
Henan Xinxiang     2,548       215       2,333       2,536       215       2,321  
Henan Anyang     4,972       420       4,552       4,948       419       4,529  
Jiangxi Nanchang     8,524       1,678       6,846       8,481       717       7,764  
Zhejiang Lishui     2,806       237       2,569       2,792       -       2,792  
Jiangxi Tonggu     (195 )     -       (195 )     (194 )     -       (194  
Guangxi Yulin     62,838       10,178       52,660       -       -       -  
Jiangxi Shangrao     11,241       1,257       9,984       -       -       -  
Hubei Macheng     14,893       1,975       12,918       -       -       -  
Hunan Chenzhou Yongxing     12,741       1,436       11,305       -       -       -  
Hunan Hengyang     8,565       1,257       7,308       -       -       -  
Anhui Haozhou     8,494       718       7,776       -       -       -  
Anhui Suzhou     2,548       718       1,830       -       -       -  
Anhui Bangbu     12,741       1,077       11,664       -       -       -  
Hunan Xiangxiang     4,247       359       3,888       -       -       -  
Fujian Fuzhou     6,399       1,257       5,142       -       -       -  
Hunan Changsha Furong     4,275       1,077       3,198       -       -       -  
Hainan Sanya     6,797       2,892       3,905       -       -       -  
Total   $ 5,465,709       839,012       4,626,697     $ 4,897,417     $ 411,927     $ 4,485,490  

 

71

 

The advances paid above are derived from funds advanced to the Company’s franchisees as working capital to support its operations. Such advances are due within 18 months.

 

Management has determined that the 18-month borrowing rate most appropriately capture the financing cost for these loans. Given that the loans are in the forms of credit lines to the franchisees that may have varying balances over time, as a practical expedient, management has elected to the expense the interest as a cost of revenue at inception rather than amortize over time.

 

The amount charged were $382,084 and $35,212 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The amount charged were $61,227 and $178,287 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

The Company has advanced $3,586,357 and $2,768,402 to its franchisees for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The Company has received repayments of $2,252,132 and $684,964 from its franchisees for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

Other receivables from related parties comprised of the following: 

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang         45,370  
Mr. Qi Zhang     34,104       43,667  
Total     34,104       89,037  

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang     84,476       -  
Mr. Qi Zhang     19,399       34,104  
Total     103,876       34,104  

 

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $nil and $45,370, respectively, from Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and office. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing.

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $84,476 and $nil, respectively, from Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and office. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing.

 

72

 

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $34,104 and $43,667, respectively, from Mr. Qi Zhang, the vice president of marketing department. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing and due on demand without a specified maturity date.

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $19,399 and $34,104, respectively, from Mr. Qi Zhang, the vice president of marketing department. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing and due on demand without a specified maturity date.

 

Accounts payable to related parties’ franchisees comprised of the following: 

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Jiangxi Yichun   -     6,341  
Hunan Liuyang     11,551       4,064  
Total     11,551       10,405  

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Hunan Liuyang     23,741       11,551  
Jiangxi Wanzai     7,297          
Total     31,669       11,551  

 

Accounts payable above derived from vehicles purchased as inventory on a needed basis from the Company’s franchisees. Apart from the amount payable to related parties, the Company has $2,148 wage payable.

 

Contract liability – related party comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Deferred revenues     622,887       5,592,662  
Potential franchisees     180,730       173,714  
Total, net     803,617       5,766,376  

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Deferred revenues     687,422       622,887  
Potential franchisees     242,863       180,730  
Total, net     930,285       803,617  

 

73

  

Deferred revenues from related franchisees comprised of the following

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Jiangxi Yichun     -       399,931  
Henan Puyang     -       5,051  
Jiangxi Wanzai     -       115,295  
Jiangxi Shanggao     168,470       160,405  
Shandong Heze     141       144  
Jiangxi Gao’an     -       115,295  
Guangdong Zengcheng     -       468,387  
Hunan Liuyang     -       115,295  
Jiangxi Jiujiang     -       171,820  
Jiangxi Pingxiang     -       135,450  
Jiangxi Xinyu     -       115,295  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     5,634       26,230  
Jiangxi Yudu     -       380,331  
Jiangsu Changshu     -       249,905  
Anhui Fuyang     -       310,577  
Hunan Loudi     -       415,813  
Shandong Dongming     -       349,972  
Hunan Zhuzhou     1,690       93,966  
Hunan Pingjiang     -       557,929  
Guangxi Rongxian     -       363,260  
Guangxi Guilin     2,958       34,589  
Hunan Chenzhou     132,057       164,296  
Fujian Quanzhou     -       568,160  
Jiangxi Ji’an     3,099       64,854  
Guangxi Nanning     42,258       64,854  
Hunan Leiyang     704       -  
Hunan Huaihua     98,603       -  
Dongguan Changping     38,737       -  
Dongguan Humen     19,439       -  
Guizhou Zunyi     1,690       -  
Hunan Changsha     37,328       72,059  
Hunan Xiangtan     5,352       59,088  
Guangxi Liuhou     3,521       14,411  
Dongguan Nancheng     5,355       -  
Anhui Huaibei     4,579       -  
Hunan Hengyang     8,592       -  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     42,680       -  
Total     622,887       5,592,662  

 

74

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Jiangxi Shanggao     151,621       168,470  
Shandong Heze     -       141  
Jiangxi Gao’an     -       -  
Guangdong Zengcheng     12,458       -  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     2,651       5,634  
Hunan Zhuzhou     -       1,690  
Guangxi Rongxian             -  
Guangxi Guilin             2,958  
Hunan Chenzhou     97,683       132,057  
Fujian Quanzhou             -  
Jiangxi Ji’an     3,114       3,099  
Guangxi Nanning     60,875       42,258  
Hunan Leiyang     256       704  
Hunan Huaihua     49,549       98,603  
Dongguan Changping     84,032       38,737  
Dongguan Humen     19,536       19,439  
Guizhou Zunyi     46,435       1,690  
Hunan Changsha     3,256       37,328  
Hunan Xiangtan     12,458       5,352  
Guangxi Liuhou     3,539       3,521  
Dongguan Nancheng     5,739       5,355  
Anhui Huaibei     12,387       4,579  
Hunan Hengyang     15,006       8,592  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     4,954       42,680  
Hunanchangsha     97,991       -  
Hubei Macheng     3,882       -  
Total     687,422       622,887  

 

The deferred revenues above derived from franchise fees payments received in advance for services which have not yet been performed.

  

Advances from related parties franchisees comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Henan Xinxiang     7,043       7,205  
Henan Anyang     14,086       14,412  
Jiangxi Nanchang     -       57,792  
Hunan Liling     20,284       20,753  
Henan Wenxian     70       72  
Jiangxi Leping     -       1,441  
Hainan Haikou     21,129       21,618  
Anhui Hefei     -       7,206  
Zhejiang Lishui     21,835       14,412  
Hunan Miluo     4,226       -  
Guangzhou Panyu     9,860       -  
Hunan Yiyang     1,409       -  
Hainan Sanya     21,833       -  
Fujian Xiamen     704       -  
Hunan Wangcheng     845       -  
Hunan Xiangxiang     28,172       -  
Guizhou Huishui     -       28,803  
Anhui Suzhou     70       -  
Guangxi Baise     704       -  
Hunan Zhangjiajie     7,043       -  
Jiangxi Yichun Yifeng     14,086       -  
Guangdong Maoming     7,043       -  
Anhui Suzhou Dangshan     288       -  
Total     180,730       173,714  

 

75

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Henan Xinxiang     7,078       7,043  
Henan Anyang     14,157       14,086  
Jiangxi Nanchang     -       -  
Hunan Liling     49,124       20,284  
Henan Wenxian     -       70  
Hainan Haikou     21,235       21,129  
Anhui Hefei     -       -  
Zhejiang Lishui     21,943       21,835  
Hunan Miluo     4,247       4,226  
Guangzhou Panyu     7,078       9,860  
Hunan Yiyang     -       1,409  
Hainan Sanya     1,415       21,833  
Fujian Xiamen     707       704  
Hunan Wangcheng     849       845  
Hunan Xiangxiang     -       28,172  
Guizhou Huishui     35,392       -  
Anhui Suzhou     -       70  
Guangxi Baise     5,662       704  
Hunan Zhangjiajie     7,149       7,043  
Jiangxi Yichun Yifeng     14,157       14,086  
Guangdong Maoming     --       7,043  
Hunan yueyang     7,078       -  
Anhui Haozhou     21,235       -  
Fujian Fuzhou     9,909       -  
Anhui Suixi     7,078       -  
Total     242,863       180,730  

 

The advances received above derived from earnest money collected from potential franchisees.

 

Related party payables comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang     156,454       -  
Total     156,454            -  

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang          -       156,454  
Total     -       156,454  

 

The Company has an outstanding payable of 156,454 as of October 31, 2019 to Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and officer where he advanced working capital to support the Company’s operations. There was no formal written commitment for continued support by Mr. Zhang. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and non-interest bearing.

 

76

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

A copy of our memorandum and articles of association is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (and which is referred to in this section as, respectively, the “memorandum” and the “articles”).

 

We were incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, or the “Cayman Islands Companies Law,” on October 10, 2019. A Cayman Islands exempted company:

 

  is a company that conducts its business mainly outside the Cayman Islands;
     
  is prohibited from trading in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the exempted company carried on outside the Cayman Islands (and for this purpose can effect and conclude contracts in the Cayman Islands and exercise in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands);
     
  does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
     
  does not have to make its register of members open to inspection by shareholders of that company;
     
  may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation;
     
  may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
     
  may register as a limited duration company; and
     
  may register as a segregated portfolio company.

 

Assuming that we obtain the requisite shareholder approval, we will adopt our post-offering memorandum and articles of association which will become effective and replace our current memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. We will include summaries of material provisions of our post-offering memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our share capital. 

 

Ordinary Share

 

All of our issued and outstanding ordinary share are fully paid and non-assessable. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form, and are issued when registered in our register of members. Unless the Board of Directors determine otherwise, each holder of our ordinary share will not receive a certificate in respect of such ordinary share. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary share. We may not issue shares or warrants to bearer.

 

Our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 10,000,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.005 per share. Subject to the provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Law and our articles regarding redemption and purchase of the shares, the directors have general and unconditional authority to allot (with or without confirming rights of renunciation), grant options over or otherwise deal with any unissued shares to such persons, at such times and on such terms and conditions as they may decide. Such authority could be exercised by the directors to allot shares which carry rights and privileges that are preferential to the rights attaching to ordinary share. No share may be issued at a discount except in accordance with the provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Law. The directors may refuse to accept any application for shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason.

 

At the completion of this offering assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, there will be ordinary share issued and outstanding. Shares sold in this offering will be delivered against payment from the underwriters upon the closing of the offering in New York, New York, on or about                 , 2020.

  

Dividends

 

Subject to the provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Law and any rights attaching to any class or classes of shares under and in accordance with the Articles:

 

(a) the directors may declare dividends or distributions out of our funds which are lawfully available for that purpose; and

 

(b) the Company’s shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends but no such dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the directors.

 

Subject to the requirements of the Cayman Islands Companies Law regarding the application of a company’s share premium account and with the sanction of an ordinary resolution, dividends may also be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which our board of directors determine is no longer needed. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. The directors when paying dividends to shareholders may make such payment either in cash or in specie.

 

Unless provided by the rights attached to a share, no dividend shall bear interest. 

77

 

Voting Rights

 

Subject to any rights or restrictions as to voting attached to any shares, unless any share carries special voting rights, on a show of hands every shareholder who is present in person and every person representing a shareholder by proxy shall have one vote. On a poll, every shareholder who is present in person and every person representing a shareholder by proxy shall have one vote for each share of which he or the person represented by proxy is the holder. In addition, all shareholders holding shares of a particular class are entitled to vote at a meeting of the holders of that class of shares. Votes may be given either personally or by proxy.

 

Variation of Rights of Shares

 

Whenever our capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class of share (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied either with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the holders of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of shares of that class.

 

Unless the terms on which a class of shares was issued state otherwise, the rights conferred on the shareholder holding shares of any class shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with the existing shares of that class or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.

 

Alteration of Share Capital

 

Subject to the Cayman Islands Companies Law, our shareholders may, by ordinary resolution:

 

(a) increase our share capital by new shares of the amount fixed by that ordinary resolution and with the attached rights, priorities and privileges set out in that ordinary resolution;

 

(b) consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares;

 

(c) convert all or any of our paid up shares into stock, and reconvert that stock into paid up shares of any denomination;

 

(d) sub-divide our shares or any of them into shares of an amount smaller than that fixed, so, however, that in the sub-division, the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; and

 

(e) cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of that ordinary resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares without nominal par value, diminish the number of shares into which our capital is divided.

 

Subject to the Cayman Islands Companies Law and to any rights for the time being conferred on the shareholders holding a particular class of shares, our shareholders may, by special resolution, reduce its share capital in any way.

 

Calls on Shares and Forfeiture

 

Subject to the terms of allotment, the directors may make calls on the shareholders in respect of any monies unpaid on their shares including any premium and each shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least 14 clear days’ notice specifying when and where payment is to be made), pay to us the amount called on his shares. Shareholders registered as the joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of the share. If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the person from whom it is due and payable shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at the rate fixed by the terms of allotment of the share or in the notice of the call or if no rate is fixed, at the rate of 6 percent per annum. The directors may, at their discretion, waive payment of the interest wholly or in part.

 

We have a first and paramount lien on all shares (whether fully paid up or not) registered in the name of a shareholder (whether solely or jointly with others). The lien is for all monies payable to us by the shareholder or the shareholder’s estate:

 

(a) either alone or jointly with any other person, whether or not that other person is a shareholder; and

 

(b) whether or not those monies are presently payable.

 

At any time the directors may declare any share to be wholly or partly exempt from the lien on shares provisions of the articles.

 

We may sell, in such manner as the directors may determine, any share on which the sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, if due notice that such sum is payable has been given (as prescribed by the articles) and, within 14 days of the date on which the notice is deemed to be given under the articles, such notice has not been complied with.

 

78

 

Unclaimed Dividend

 

A dividend that remains unclaimed for a period of six years after it became due for payment shall be forfeited to, and shall cease to remain owing by, the company.

 

Forfeiture or Surrender of Shares

 

If a shareholder fails to pay any call the directors may give to such shareholder not less than 14 clear days’ notice requiring payment and specifying the amount unpaid including any interest which may have accrued, any expenses which have been incurred by us due to that person’s default and the place where payment is to be made. The notice shall also contain a warning that if the notice is not complied with, the shares in respect of which the call is made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

If such notice is not complied with, the directors may, before the payment required by the notice has been received, resolve that any share the subject of that notice be forfeited (which forfeiture shall include all dividends or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited share and not paid before such forfeiture).

 

A forfeited share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the directors determine and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the directors think fit.

 

A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a shareholder in respect of the forfeited shares, but shall, notwithstanding such forfeit, remain liable to pay to us all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to us in respect of the shares, together with all expenses and interest from the date of forfeiture or surrender until payment, but his liability shall cease if and when we receive payment in full of the unpaid amount.

 

A declaration, whether statutory or under oath, made by a director or the secretary shall be conclusive evidence that the person making the declaration is a director or secretary of us and that the particular shares have been forfeited or surrendered on a particular date.

 

Subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer, if necessary, the declaration shall constitute good title to the shares.

 

Share Premium Account

 

The directors shall establish a share premium account and shall carry the credit of such account from time to time to a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share or capital contributed or such other amounts required by the Cayman Islands Companies Law.

 

Redemption and Purchase of Own Shares

 

Subject to the Cayman Islands Companies Law and any rights for the time being conferred on the shareholders holding a particular class of shares, we may by our directors:

 

  (a) issue shares that are to be redeemed or liable to be redeemed, at our option or the shareholder holding those redeemable shares, on the terms and in the manner its directors determine before the issue of those shares;
     
  (b) with the consent by special resolution of the shareholders holding shares of a particular class, vary the rights attaching to that class of shares so as to provide that those shares are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at our option on the terms and in the manner which the directors determine at the time of such variation; and
     
  (c) purchase all or any of our own shares of any class including any redeemable shares on the terms and in the manner which the directors determine at the time of such purchase.

 

We may make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own shares in any manner authorized by the Cayman Islands Companies Law, including out of any combination of capital, our profits and the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares.

 

When making a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of shares, the directors may make the payment in cash or in specie (or partly in one and partly in the other) if so authorized by the terms of the allotment of those shares or by the terms applying to those shares, or otherwise by agreement with the shareholder holding those shares.

 

79

 

Transfer of Shares

 

Provided that a transfer of ordinary share complies with applicable rules of the Nasdaq, a shareholder may transfer ordinary share to another person by completing an instrument of transfer in a common form or in a form prescribed by Nasdaq or in any other form approved by the directors, executed:

 

  (a) where the ordinary share are fully paid, by or on behalf of that shareholder; and

 

  (b) where the ordinary share are partly paid, by or on behalf of that shareholder and the transferee.

 

The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of an ordinary share until the name of the transferee is entered into the register of members of the Company.

 

Where the ordinary share in question are not listed on or subject to the rules of Nasdaq, our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share that has not been fully paid up or is subject to a company lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of such ordinary share unless:

 

  (a) the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary share to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
     
  (b) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary share;
     
  (c) the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
     
  (d) the ordinary share transferred is fully paid and free of any lien in favor of us;
     
  (e) any fee related to the transfer has been paid to us; and
     
  (f) the transfer is not to more than four joint holders.

 

If our directors refuse to register a transfer, they are required, within one month after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, to send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

 

The registration of transfers may, on 14 calendar days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and our register of members closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine. The registration of transfers, however, may not be suspended, and the register may not be closed, for more than 30 calendar days in any year.

 

Inspection of Books and Records

 

Holders of our ordinary share will have no general right under the Cayman Islands Companies Law to inspect or obtain copies of our register of members or our corporate records (other than copies of our memorandum and articles of association and register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed by our shareholders).  Under Cayman Islands law, the names of our current directors can be obtained from a search conducted at the Registrar of Companies.

 

General Meetings

 

As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obligated by the Cayman Islands Companies Law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings; accordingly, we may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as an annual general meeting. Any annual general meeting held shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our board of directors. All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.

 

The directors may convene general meetings whenever they think fit. General meetings shall also be convened on the written requisition of one or more of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at our general meetings who (together) hold not less than 10 percent of the rights to vote at such general meeting in accordance with the notice provisions in the articles, specifying the purpose of the meeting and signed by each of the shareholders making the requisition. If the directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than 21 clear days’ after the date of receipt of the written requisition, those shareholders who requested the meeting may convene the general meeting themselves 45 days after the date of such deposit of requisitions in which case reasonable expenses incurred by them as a result of the directors failing to convene a meeting shall be reimbursed by us.

 

At least 7 days’ notice (exclusive of the day on which notice is served or deemed to be served, but inclusive of the day for which notice is given) of general meeting shall be given to shareholders entitled to attend and vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of that business. In addition, if a resolution is proposed as a special resolution, the text of that resolution shall be given to all shareholders. Notice of every general meeting shall also be given to the directors and our auditors.

 

Subject to the Cayman Islands Companies Law and with the consent of the shareholders who, individually or collectively, hold at least seventy-five percent of the voting rights of all those who have a right to vote at a general meeting, a general meeting may be convened on shorter notice.

 

A quorum shall consist of the presence (whether in person or represented by proxy) of one or more shareholders.

 

80

 

If, within half an hour from the time appointed for the general meeting, or at any time during the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of shareholders, shall be cancelled. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same time and place seven days or to such other time or place as is determined by the directors.

 

The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present, adjourn the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned for seven days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with the articles.

 

At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before, or on, the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman of the meeting or by at least two shareholders having the right to vote on the resolutions or one or more shareholders present. Unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman as to the result of a resolution and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting, shall be conclusive evidence of the outcome of a show of hands, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of, or against, that resolution.

 

If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

Directors

 

We may by ordinary resolution, from time to time, fix the maximum and minimum number of directors to be appointed. Under the Articles, we are required to have a minimum of one director and the maximum number of Directors shall be unlimited.

 

A director may be appointed by ordinary resolution or by the directors. Any appointment may be to fill a vacancy or as an additional director.

 

Unless the remuneration of the directors is determined by the shareholders by ordinary resolution, the directors shall be entitled to such remuneration as the directors may determine.

 

The shareholding qualification for directors may be fixed by our shareholders by ordinary resolution and unless and until so fixed no share qualification shall be required.

 

Unless removed or re-appointed, each director shall be appointed for a term expiring at the next-following annual general meeting, if one is held. At any annual general meeting held, our directors will be elected by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. At each annual general meeting, each director so elected shall hold office for a one-year term and until the election of their respective successors in office or removed.

 

A director may be removed by ordinary resolution.

 

A director may at any time resign or retire from office by giving us notice in writing. Unless the notice specifies a different date, the director shall be deemed to have resigned on the date that the notice is delivered to us.

 

Subject to the provisions of the articles, the office of a director may be terminated forthwith if:

 

  (a) he is prohibited by the law of the Cayman Islands from acting as a director;
     
  (b) he is made bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his creditors generally;
     
  (c) he resigns his office by notice to us;
     
  (d) he only held office as a director for a fixed term and such term expires;
     
  (e) in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner by whom he is being treated he becomes physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director;
     
  (f) he is given notice by the majority of the other directors (not being less than two in number) to vacate office (without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any agreement relating to the provision of the services of such director);
     
  (g) he is made subject to any law relating to mental health or incompetence, whether by court order or otherwise; or
     
  (h) without the consent of the other directors, he is absent from meetings of directors for continuous period of six months.

 

Each of the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee shall consist of at least three directors and the majority of the committee members shall be independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules. The audit committee shall consist of at least three directors, all of whom shall be independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules and will meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3 or Rule 10C-1 of the Exchange Act.

 

81

 

Powers and Duties of Directors

 

Subject to the provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles, our business shall be managed by the directors, who may exercise all our powers. No prior act of the directors shall be invalidated by any subsequent alteration of our amended and restated memorandum or articles of association. However, to the extent allowed by the Cayman Islands Companies Law, shareholders may by special resolution validate any prior or future act of the directors which would otherwise be in breach of their duties.

 

The directors may delegate any of their powers to any committee consisting of one or more persons who need not be shareholders and may include non-directors so long as the majority of those persons are directors; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the directors. Upon the initial closing of this offering, our board of directors will have established an audit committee, compensation committee, and nomination and corporate governance committee.

 

The board of directors may establish any local or divisional board of directors or agency and delegate to it its powers and authorities (with power to sub-delegate) for managing any of our affairs whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere and may appoint any persons to be members of a local or divisional board of directors, or to be managers or agents, and may fix their remuneration.

 

The directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney or in any other manner they determine appoint any person, either generally or in respect of any specific matter, to be our agent with or without authority for that person to delegate all or any of that person’s powers.

 

The directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney or in any other manner they determine appoint any person, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the directors, to be our attorney or our authorized signatory and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit. The powers, authorities and discretions, however, must not exceed those vested in, or exercisable, by the directors under the articles.

 

The board of directors may remove any person so appointed and may revoke or vary the delegation.

 

The directors may exercise all of our powers to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets both present and future and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures and other securities whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of ours or our parent undertaking (if any) or any subsidiary undertaking of us or of any third party.

 

A director shall not, as a director, vote in respect of any contract, transaction, arrangement or proposal in which he has an interest which (together with any interest of any person connected with him) is a material interest (otherwise then by virtue of his interests, direct or indirect, in shares or debentures or other securities of, or otherwise in or through, us) and if he shall do so his vote shall not be counted, nor in relation thereto shall he be counted in the quorum present at the meeting, but (in the absence of some other material interest than is mentioned below) none of these prohibitions shall apply to:

 

(a) the giving of any security, guarantee or indemnity in respect of:

 

(i) money lent or obligations incurred by him or by any other person for our benefit or any of our subsidiaries; or

 

(ii) a debt or obligation of ours or any of our subsidiaries for which the director himself has assumed responsibility in whole or in part and whether alone or jointly with others under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;

 

(b) where we or any of our subsidiaries is offering securities in which offer the director is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which the director is to or may participate;

 

(c) any contract, transaction, arrangement or proposal affecting any other body corporate in which he is interested, directly or indirectly and whether as an officer, shareholder, creditor or otherwise howsoever, provided that he (together with persons connected with him) does not to his knowledge hold an interest representing one percent or more of any class of the equity share capital of such body corporate (or of any third body corporate through which his interest is derived) or of the voting rights available to shareholders of the relevant body corporate;

 

(d) any act or thing done or to be done in respect of any arrangement for the benefit of the employees of us or any of our subsidiaries under which he is not accorded as a director any privilege or advantage not generally accorded to the employees to whom such arrangement relates; or

 

(e) any matter connected with the purchase or maintenance for any director of insurance against any liability or (to the extent permitted by the Cayman Islands Companies Law) indemnities in favor of directors, the funding of expenditure by one or more directors in defending proceedings against him or them or the doing of anything to enable such director or directors to avoid incurring such expenditure.

 

A director may, as a director, vote (and be counted in the quorum) in respect of any contract, transaction, arrangement or proposal in which he has an interest which is not a material interest or as described above.

 

82

 

Capitalization of Profits

 

The directors may resolve to capitalize:

 

(a) any part of our profits not required for paying any preferential dividend (whether or not those profits are available for distribution); or

 

(b) any sum standing to the credit of our share premium account or capital redemption reserve, if any.

 

The amount resolved to be capitalized must be appropriated to the shareholders who would have been entitled to it had it been distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

If we are wound up, the shareholders may, subject to the articles and any other sanction required by the Cayman Islands Companies Law, pass a special resolution allowing the liquidator to do either or both of the following:

 

(a) to divide in specie among the shareholders the whole or any part of our assets and, for that purpose, to value any assets and to determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders; and

 

(b) to vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees for the benefit of shareholders and those liable to contribute to the winding up.

 

The directors have the authority to present a petition for our winding up to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on our behalf without the sanction of a resolution passed at a general meeting.

 

Register of Members

 

Under the Cayman Islands Companies Law, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:

 

  the names and addresses of our shareholders, together with a statement of the shares held by each shareholder, such statement shall confirm (i) the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each shareholder; (ii) the number and category of shares held by each member, and (iii) whether each relevant category of shares held by a member carries voting rights under the articles of association of the company, and if so, whether such voting rights are conditional;
     
  the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a shareholder; and
     
  the date on which any person ceased to be a shareholder.

 

Under the Cayman Islands Companies Law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (that is, the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a shareholder registered in the register of members is deemed as a matter of the Cayman Islands Companies Law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the completion of this offering, the register of members will be immediately updated to record and give effect to the issuance of shares by us to the custodian or its nominee. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.

 

If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a shareholder of our company, the person or shareholder aggrieved (or any shareholder of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The Cayman Islands Companies Law is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England and Wales but does not follow recent United Kingdom statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Cayman Islands Companies Law and the current Companies Act of England and Wales. In addition, the Cayman Islands Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Law applicable to us and the comparable laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware in the United States.

 

83

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

 

The Cayman Islands Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The plan must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the shareholders and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

 

A merger between a Cayman Islands parent company and its Cayman Islands subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders. For this purpose a subsidiary is a company of which at least 90% of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.

 

The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.

 

Except in certain limited circumstances, a dissenting shareholder of a Cayman Islands constituent company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his or her shares upon dissenting from a merger or consolidation. The exercise of such dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, except for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.

 

In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must, in addition, represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

(a) the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

 

(b) the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

(c) the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

(d) the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Cayman Islands Companies Law.

 

When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

 

If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or if a takeover offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

 

Shareholders’ Suits

 

In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company and as a general rule, a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English law authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge:

 

(a) an act which is illegal or ultra vires with respect to the company and is therefore incapable of ratification by the shareholders;

 

(b) an act which, although not ultra vires, requires authorization by a qualified (or special) majority (that is, more than a simple majority) which has not been obtained; and

 

(c) an act which constitutes a “fraud on the minority” where the wrongdoers are themselves in control of the company.

 

84

 

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

 

The Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated articles of association provide to the extent permitted by law, we shall indemnify each existing or former secretary, director (including alternate director), and any of our other officers (including an investment adviser or an administrator or liquidator) and their personal representatives against:

 

(a) all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer in or about the conduct of our business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary’s or officer’s duties, powers, authorities or discretions; and

 

(b) without limitation to paragraph (a) above, all costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings (whether threatened, pending or completed) concerning us or our affairs in any court or tribunal, whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

No such existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer, however, shall be indemnified in respect of any matter arising out of his own dishonesty.

 

To the extent permitted by law, we may make a payment, or agree to make a payment, whether by way of advance, loan or otherwise, for any legal costs incurred by an existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or any of our officers in respect of any matter identified in above on condition that the director (including alternate director), secretary or officer must repay the amount paid by us to the extent that it is ultimately found not liable to indemnify the director (including alternate director), the secretary or that officer for those legal costs.

 

This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that will provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our articles.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions in Our Articles

 

Some provisions of our articles may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue shares at such times and on such terms and conditions as the board of directors may decide without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

 

Under the Cayman Companies Law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our articles for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company and for a proper purpose.

  

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties

 

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

 

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director owes three types of duties to the company: (i) statutory duties, (ii) fiduciary duties, and (iii) common law duties. The Cayman Companies Law imposes a number of statutory duties on a director. A Cayman Islands director’s fiduciary duties are not codified, however the courts of the Cayman Islands have held that a director owes the following fiduciary duties (a) a duty to act in what the director bona fide considers to be in the best interests of the company, (b) a duty to exercise their powers for the purposes they were conferred, (c) a duty to avoid fettering his or her discretion in the future and (d) a duty to avoid conflicts of interest and of duty. The common law duties owed by a director are those to act with skill, care and diligence that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and, also, to act with the skill, care and diligence in keeping with a standard of care commensurate with any particular skill they have which enables them to meet a higher standard than a director without those skills. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by any of our directors is breached.’

 

85

 

Shareholder Proposals

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. The Delaware General Corporation Law does not provide shareholders an express right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, but in keeping with common law, Delaware corporations generally afford shareholders an opportunity to make proposals and nominations provided that they comply with the notice provisions in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

 

The Cayman Islands Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our articles provide that general meetings shall be convened on the written requisition of one or more of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at our general meetings who (together) hold not less than 10 percent of the rights to vote at such general meeting in accordance with the notice provisions in the articles, specifying the purpose of the meeting and signed by each of the shareholders making the requisition. If the directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than twenty-one clear days’ after the date of receipt of the written requisition, those shareholders who requested the meeting may convene the general meeting themselves within three months after the end of such period of twenty-one clear days in which case reasonable expenses incurred by them as a result of the directors failing to convene a meeting shall be reimbursed by us. Our articles provide no other right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obligated by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. However, our corporate governance guidelines require us to call such meetings every year.

 

Cumulative Voting

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under the Cayman Companies Law, our articles do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

  

Removal of Directors

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Subject to the provisions of our articles (which include the removal of a director by ordinary resolution), the office of a director may be terminated forthwith if (a) he is prohibited by the laws of the Cayman Islands from acting as a director, (b) he is made bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his creditors generally, (c) he resigns his office by notice to us, (d) he only held office as a director for a fixed term and such term expires, (e) in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner by whom he is being treated he becomes physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director, (f) he is given notice by the majority of the other directors (not being less than two in number) to vacate office (without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any agreement relating to the provision of the services of such director), (g) he is made subject to any law relating to mental health or incompetence, whether by court order or otherwise, or (h) without the consent of the other directors, he is absent from meetings of directors for continuous period of six months.

 

Transactions with Interested Shareholders

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws that is approved by its shareholders, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock or who or which is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and owned 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

 

86

 

The Cayman Islands Companies Law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although the Cayman Islands Companies Law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, under Cayman Islands law such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

 

Dissolution; Winding Up

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board of directors.

 

Under the Cayman Islands Companies Law and our articles, the Company may be wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders, or if the winding up is initiated by our board of directors, by either a special resolution of our members or, if our company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of our members. In addition, a company may be wound up by an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.

 

Variation of Rights of Shares

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Cayman Islands Companies Law and our articles, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, the rights attaching to any class of share (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied either with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the holders of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of shares of that class.

 

Amendment of Governing Documents

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may be amended only if adopted and declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, and the bylaws may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and may, if so provided in the certificate of incorporation, also be amended by the board of directors. Under the Cayman Islands Companies Law, our articles may only be amended by special resolution of our shareholders.

 

Anti-money Laundering—Cayman Islands

 

In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, we may be required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.

 

We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.

 

We also reserve the right to refuse to make any redemption payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of redemption proceeds to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

If any person resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reason for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or is involved with terrorism or terrorist property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business in the regulated sector, or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) a nominated officer (appointed in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Law (Revised) of the Cayman Islands) or the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Law (Revised), if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering or (ii) to a police constable or a nominated officer (pursuant to the Terrorism Law (Revised) of the Cayman Islands) or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Law (Revised), if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and terrorist property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.

 

Listing

 

We plan to list the ordinary share on Nasdaq under the symbol “JZXN”. Although our application could be rejected by Nasdaq, this offering may not close until we have received Nasdaq’s approval for our application.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the ordinary share is Transhare Corporation.

87

 

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Before this offering, there has not been a public market for our ordinary shares, and while we plan to list our ordinary shares on Nasdaq, we cannot assure you that a significant public market for the ordinary shares will develop or be sustained after this offering. Future sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public markets after this offering, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. As described below, only a limited number of our ordinary shares currently outstanding will be available for sale immediately after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, after these restrictions lapse, future sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary share, including ordinary share issued upon exercise of outstanding options, in the public market in the United States, or the possibility of such sales, could negatively affect the market price in the United States of our ordinary share and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

 

Upon the closing of the offering, we will have outstanding ordinary share, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Of that amount, ordinary share will be publicly held by investors participating in this offering, and ordinary share will be held by our existing shareholders, some of whom may be our “affiliates” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. As defined in Rule 144, an “affiliate” of an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the issuer.

 

All of the ordinary share sold in the offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our “affiliates” in the United States without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Ordinary shares purchased by one of our “affiliates” may not be resold, except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from registration, including an exemption under Rule 144 under the Securities Act described below.

 

The ordinary share held by existing shareholders are, and any ordinary share issuable upon exercise of options outstanding following the completion of this offering will be, “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities may be sold in the United States only if they are registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. These rules are described below.

 

Rule 144

 

All of our ordinary share outstanding prior to the completion of this offering are “restricted securities” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement such as those provided by Rule 144 and Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for more than six months would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliate who has beneficially owned restricted securities for at least one year from the later of the date these shares were acquired from us or from our affiliate would be entitled to freely sell those shares.

 

A person who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned “restricted securities” for at least six months would be entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares that is not more than the greater of:

 

  1% of the number of ordinary share then outstanding, in the form of ordinary share or otherwise, which will equal approximately shares immediately after this offering; or
     
  the average weekly trading volume of the ordinary share on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

 

Rule 701

 

In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement relating to compensation is eligible to resell such ordinary shares 90 days after we became a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.

 

Regulation S

 

Regulation S provides generally that sales made in offshore transactions are not subject to the registration or prospectus-delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

88

 

TAXATION

 

People’s Republic of China Enterprise Taxation

 

Unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, this section is the opinion of Capital Equity Legal Group, our PRC counsel, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of People’s Republic of China Enterprise Taxation below.

 

The following brief description of Chinese enterprise laws is designed to highlight the enterprise-level taxation on our earnings, which will affect the amount of dividends, if any, we are ultimately able to pay to our shareholders. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

We are an exempted holding company incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liability and we gain income by way of dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries. The EIT Law and its implementation rules provide that China-sourced income of foreign enterprises, such as dividends paid by a PRC subsidiary to its equity holders that are non-resident enterprises, will normally be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10%, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a preferential tax rate or a tax exemption.

 

Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with a “de facto management body” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” which means that it is treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. Although the implementation rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management body” as a managing body that actually, comprehensively manage and control the production and operation, staff, accounting, property and other aspects of an enterprise, the only official guidance for this definition currently available is set forth in SAT Notice 82, which provides guidance on the determination of the tax residence status of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, defined as an enterprise that is incorporated under the laws of a foreign country or territory and that has a PRC enterprise or enterprise group as its primary controlling shareholder. Although Jiuzi does not have a PRC enterprise or enterprise group as our primary controlling shareholder and is therefore not a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise within the meaning of SAT Notice 82, in the absence of guidance specifically applicable to us, we have applied the guidance set forth in SAT Notice 82 to evaluate the tax residence status of Jiuzi and its subsidiaries organized outside the PRC.

 

According to SAT Notice 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having a “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria are met: (i) the places where senior management and senior management departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management of the enterprise perform their duties are mainly located within the territory of China; (ii) financial decisions (such as money borrowing, lending, financing and financial risk management) and personnel decisions (such as appointment, dismissal and salary and wages) are decided or need to be decided by organizations or persons located within the territory of China; (iii) main property, accounting books, corporate seal, the board of directors and files of the minutes of shareholders’ meetings of the enterprise are located or preserved within the territory of China; and (iv) one half  (or more) of the directors or senior management staff having the right to vote habitually reside within the territory of China.

 

Currently, we are not aware of any offshore holding companies with a corporate structure similar to ours that has been deemed a PRC “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities. Accordingly, we believe that Jiuzi and its offshore subsidiaries should not be treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes if the criteria for “de facto management body” as set forth in SAT Notice 82 were deemed applicable to us. However, as the tax residency status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body” as applicable to our offshore entities, we will continue to monitor our tax status.

 

The implementation rules of the EIT Law provide that, (i) if the enterprise that distributes dividends is domiciled in the PRC or (ii) if gains are realized from transferring equity interests of enterprises domiciled in the PRC, then such dividends or gains are treated as China-sourced income. It is not clear how “domicile” may be interpreted under the EIT Law, and it may be interpreted as the jurisdiction where the enterprise is a tax resident. Therefore, if we are considered as a PRC tax resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders which are non-resident enterprises as well as gains realized by such shareholders from the transfer of our shares may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result become subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. We are unable to provide a “will” opinion because Capital Equity Legal Group, our PRC counsel, believes that it is more likely than not that the Company and its offshore subsidiaries would be treated as a non-resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes because we are not aware of any offshore holding companies with a corporate structure similar to ours that has been deemed a PRC “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities as of the date of the prospectus. Therefore, we believe that it is possible but highly unlikely that the income received by our overseas shareholders will be regarded as China-sourced income.

  

See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” — Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

 

89

 

Our company pays an EIT rate of 25% for WFOE and its subsidiaries. The EIT is calculated based on the entity’s global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary share, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. It is unclear whether our non-PRC individual shareholders would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such non-PRC individual shareholders in the event we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise. If any PRC tax were to apply to dividends or gains realized by non-PRC individuals, it would generally apply at a rate of 20% unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. However, it is also unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of the Company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that the Company is treated as a PRC resident enterprise. There is no guidance from the PRC government to indicate whether or not any tax treaties between the PRC and other countries would apply in circumstances where a non-PRC company was deemed to be a PRC tax resident, and thus there is no basis for expecting how tax treaty between the PRC and other countries may impact non-resident enterprises.

 

Hong Kong Taxation

 

Entities incorporated in Hong Kong are subject to profits tax in Hong Kong at the rate of 16.5% for each of the years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Cayman Islands Taxation

 

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to the Company levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

 

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares, as the case may be, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation

 

WE URGE POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES.

 

The following does not address the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:

 

  banks;
     
  financial institutions;
     
  insurance companies;
     
  regulated investment companies;
     
  advertising investment trusts;
     
  broker-dealers;
     
  persons that elect to mark their securities to market;
     
  U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.;
     
  governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
     
  tax-exempt entities;
     
  persons liable for alternative minimum tax;
     
  persons holding our ordinary share as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;
     
  persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting power or value (including by reason of owning our ordinary share);
     
  persons who acquired our ordinary share pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;

 

90

 

  persons holding our ordinary share through partnerships or other pass-through entities;
     
  beneficiaries of a Trust holding our ordinary share; or
     
  persons holding our ordinary share through a Trust.

 

The discussion set forth below is addressed only to U.S. Holders that purchase ordinary share in this offering. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the U.S. federal income tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary share.

  

Material Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders of Our ordinary share

 

The following sets forth the material U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the ownership and disposition of our ordinary share. It is directed to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of our ordinary share and is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This description does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to ownership and disposition of our ordinary share or U.S. tax laws, other than the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as the tax consequences under non-U.S. tax laws, state, local and other tax laws.

 

The following brief description applies only to U.S. Holders (defined below) that hold ordinary share as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This brief description is based on the federal income tax laws of the United States in effect as of the date of this prospectus and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this prospectus, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.

 

The brief description below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are a beneficial owner of ordinary share and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,

 

  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
     
  a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
     
  an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
     
  a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our ordinary share

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) rules (defined below) discussed below, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the ordinary share (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). With respect to corporate U.S. Holders, the dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

 

With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income, provided that (1) the ordinary share are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefits of an approved qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a PFIC (defined below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Because there is no income tax treaty between the United States and the Cayman Islands, clause (1) above can be satisfied only if the ordinary share are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, ordinary share are considered for purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently include the NASDAQ. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ordinary share, including the effects of any change in law after the date of this prospectus.

 

Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to our ordinary share will constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.”

 

To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ordinary share, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

  

91

 

Taxation of Dispositions of ordinary share

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ordinary share. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the ordinary share for more than one year, you will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be treated as United States source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”)

 

A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code, for any taxable year if either:

 

  at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income; or
     
  at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).

 

Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock. In determining the value and composition of our assets for purposes of the PFIC asset test, (1) the cash we raise in this offering will generally be considered to be held for the production of passive income and (2) the value of our assets must be determined based on the market value of our ordinary share from time to time, which could cause the value of our non-passive assets to be less than 50% of the value of all of our assets (including the cash raised in this offering) on any particular quarterly testing date for purposes of the asset test. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we intend to treat our VIE (including any subsidiaries) as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we treat it that way, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entity but also because we are entitled to substantially all of its economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate its results of operations in our consolidated financial statements.

 

Assuming that we are the owner of our VIE (including its subsidiaries) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based on our operations and the composition of our assets we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC under the current PFIC rules. However, we must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC, and there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. Depending on the amount of cash we raise in this offering, together with any other assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our current taxable year or for any subsequent taxable year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets held for the production of passive income. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we are treating Zhejiang Jiuzi as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we control their management decisions, but also because we are entitled to the economic benefits associated with Zhejiang Jiuzi, and as a result, we are treating Zhejiang Jiuzi as our wholly-owned subsidiary for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are not treated as owning Zhejiang Jiuzi for United States federal income tax purposes, we would likely be treated as a PFIC. In addition, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of our ordinary share and because cash is generally considered to be an asset held for the production of passive income, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our ordinary share and the amount of cash we raise in this offering.

 

Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the ordinary share may cause us to become a PFIC. In addition, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects and the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this offering. We are under no obligation to take steps to reduce the risk of our being classified as a PFIC, and as stated above, the determination of the value of our assets will depend upon material facts (including the market price of our ordinary share from time to time and the amount of cash we raise in this offering) that may not be within our control. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold ordinary share, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold ordinary share. However, if we cease to be a PFIC and you did not previously make a timely “mark-to-market” election as described below, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “purging election” (as described below) with respect to the ordinary share.

  

If we are a PFIC for your taxable year(s) during which you hold ordinary share, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ordinary share, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ordinary share will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:

 

  the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ordinary share;

 

  the amount allocated to your current taxable year, and any amount allocated to any of your taxable year(s) prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and
     
  the amount allocated to each of your other taxable year(s) will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

 

92

 

The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ordinary share cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ordinary share as capital assets.

 

A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the US Internal Revenue Code for such stock to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you make a mark-to-market election for first taxable year which you hold (or are deemed to hold) ordinary share and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, you will include in your income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary share as of the close of such taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ordinary share, which excess will be treated as ordinary income and not capital gain. You are allowed an ordinary loss for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ordinary share over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, such ordinary loss is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ordinary share included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ordinary share, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ordinary share, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ordinary share. Your basis in the ordinary share will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed above under “— Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our ordinary share” generally would not apply.

 

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), including the NASDAQ. If the ordinary shares are regularly traded on the Nasdaq and if you are a holder of ordinary shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.

 

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election under Section 1295(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits for the taxable year. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold ordinary share in any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 in each such year and provide certain annual information regarding such ordinary share, including regarding distributions received on the ordinary share and any gain realized on the disposition of the ordinary share.

 

If you do not make a timely “mark-to-market” election (as described above), and if we were a PFIC at any time during the period you hold our ordinary share, then such ordinary share will continue to be treated as stock of a PFIC with respect to you even if we cease to be a PFIC in a future year, unless you make a “purging election” for the year we cease to be a PFIC. A “purging election” creates a deemed sale of such ordinary share at their fair market value on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, you will have a new basis (equal to the fair market value of the ordinary share on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC) and holding period (which new holding period will begin the day after such last day) in your ordinary share for tax purposes.

 

You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our ordinary share and the elections discussed above.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary share and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ordinary share may be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding under Section 3406 of the US Internal Revenue Code with at a current flat rate of 24%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information. We do not intend to withhold taxes for individual shareholders. However, transactions effected through certain brokers or other intermediaries may be subject to withholding taxes (including backup withholding), and such brokers or intermediaries may be required by law to withhold such taxes.

 

Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, certain U.S. Holders are required to report information relating to our ordinary share, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for ordinary share held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions), by attaching a complete Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each year in which they hold ordinary share.

 

93

 

UNDERWRITING

 

In connection with this offering, we will enter into an underwriting agreement with Boustead Securities, LLC, as representative of the Underwriters, or the Representative, in this offering. The Representative may retain other brokers or dealers to act as a sub-agents or selected dealers on their behalf in connection with this offering. The Underwriters have agreed to purchase from us, on a firm commitment basis, the number of ordinary shares set forth opposite its name below, at the offering price less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus:

 

Name of Underwriter   Number of Ordinary Shares
Boustead Securities, LLC    

 

The Underwriter is committed to purchase all the ordinary shares offered by this prospectus if it purchases any ordinary shares. The Underwriter is not obligated to purchase the ordinary shares covered by the Underwriter’s Over-Allotment option to purchase ordinary shares as described below. The Underwriter is offering the ordinary shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the Underwriter of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The Underwriters reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

Over-Allotment Option

 

We have granted to the Underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of additional ordinary shares (equal to % of the number of ordinary shares sold in the offering), at the offering price per ordinary shares less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Underwriter may exercise this option for 45 days from the date of closing of this offering solely to cover sales of ordinary shares by the Underwriter in excess of the total number of ordinary shares set forth in the table above. If any of the additional ordinary shares are purchased, the Underwriter will offer the additional ordinary shares at $  per ordinary share, the offering price of each ordinary share.

 

Fees, Commissions and Expense Reimbursement

 

We will pay the Underwriter a fee/commission equivalent to seven percent (7%) of the gross proceeds of this offering. The Underwriter proposes initially to offer the ordinary shares to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at those prices less the aforesaid fee (“underwriting discount”) set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. If all of the ordinary shares offered by us are not sold at the offering price, the Underwriter may change the offering price and other selling terms by means of a supplement to this prospectus

 

The following table shows the underwriting fees/commission payable to the Underwriting with this offering:

 

    Per
Ordinary
Share
    Total
Without
Over-
Allotment
Option
    Total With
Full Over-
Allotment
Option
 
Public offering price   $     $     $  
Underwriting fees and commissions (7%)(1)   $                   $                  $               
Proceeds, before expenses, to us   $     $       $    
Non-accountable expense allowance (1%)   $     $       $    

 

(1) The fees do not include the Underwriter Warrants or expense reimbursement as described below.

 

In addition to the cash commission, we will also reimburse the Underwriter for its non-accountable expenses of one per cent (1%) of the gross proceeds of the offering and accountable out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $300,000. Such accountable out-of-pocket expenses include no more than $150,000 in Underwriter’s legal counsel fees, due diligence and other like expenses not to exceed $75,000 and road show, travel, on-boarding fees and other reasonable out-of-pocket accountable expenses not to exceed $75,000, background checks expenses not to exceed $6,000, and DTC eligibility fees and expenses not to exceed $17,500. We have paid to Boustead $75,000 in accountable expenses as of the date hereof, which will be refundable to us to the extent actually not incurred by the Underwriter in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(C).

 

We estimate that the total expenses payable by us in connection with the offering, other than the underwriting fees and commissions, will be approximately $900,000.

 

We have agreed to issue to the Underwriter and to register herein warrants to purchase up to ordinary shares (equal to seven per cent (7%) of the ordinary shares sold in this offering, inclusive of the Underwriter Over-Allotment option to purchase an additional ordinary shares) and to also register herein such underlying ordinary shares. The warrants will be exercised at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing from the closing of the offering and expiring five (5) years from the effectiveness of the offering. The warrants are exercisable at a per share price of 100% of the offering price of the ordinary shares offered hereby. The Underwriter Warrant shall not be callable or cancellable.

 

94

 

The Underwriter Warrants may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the offering, of which this prospectus forms a part (in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110), except that they may be assigned, in whole or in part, to any successor, officer, manager, member, or partner of the Underwriter, and to members of the syndicate or selling group and their respective officers, managers, members or partners. The Underwriter Warrants may be exercised as to all or a lesser number of shares, will provide for cashless exercise and will contain provisions for immediate “piggyback” registration rights at our expense for a period of five years from the date of effectiveness of the offering. We have registered the Underwriter the ordinary shares underlying the Underwriter Warrants in this offering.

 

The Underwriter intends to offer our ordinary shares to their retail customers only in states in which we are permitted to offer our ordinary shares. We have relied on an exemption to the blue sky registration requirements afforded to “covered securities.” Securities listed on a National Securities Exchange are “covered securities.” If we were unable to meet a National Securities Exchange listing standards, then we would be unable to rely on the covered securities exemption to blue sky registration requirements and we would need to register the offering in each state in which we planned to sell shares. Consequently, we will not complete this offering unless we meet a National Securities Exchange’s listing requirements and our application to list on the exchange is approved.

 

The foregoing does not purport to be a complete statement of the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and subscription agreement. A form of the underwriting agreement is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

Until twenty-four (24) months from the closing of this public offering, the Underwriter shall have a right of first refusal to act as lead or managing underwriter, exclusive or joint financial advisor or in any other similar capacity, on the representative’s customary terms and conditions, in the event we pursue a registered, underwritten public offering of securities (in addition to this offering), a public or private offering of securities (debt or equity), a merger, acquisition of another company or business, change of control, sale of substantially all assets, business combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction (regardless of whether we would be considered an acquiring party, a selling party or neither in such transaction). In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(E)(i), such right of first refusal shall not have a duration of more than three years from the date of commencement of sales of the public offering or the termination date of the engagement between the us and the Underwriter

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

We have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the underwriting agreement, we will not, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, from the date of execution of the underwriting agreement and continuing for a period of 12 months from the date on which the trading of the ordinary shares on a National Securities Exchange commences, (i) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or any such other securities.

 

Our officers, directors, and all existing shareholders agree not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any ordinary shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares for a period of up to 12 months after the date of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the Underwriter without the prior written consent of the Underwriter.

 

The Underwriter may in its sole discretion and at any time without notice release some or all of the ordinary shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. When determining whether or not to release shares from the lock-up agreements, the Underwriter will consider, among other factors, the security holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.

 

Price Stabilization

 

The Underwriter will be required to comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of capital stock by the Underwriter acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the Underwriter:

 

  may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and
     
  may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.

 

95

 

Determination of Offering Price

 

The public offering price of the ordinary shares we are offering was determined by us in consultation with the Underwriter based on discussions with potential investors in light of the history and prospects of our Company, the stage of development of our business, our business plans for the future and the extent to which they have been implemented, an assessment of our management, the public stock price for similar companies, general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering and such other factors as were deemed relevant.

 

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities.

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be delivered to potential investors by the Underwriter. The prospectus in electronic format will be identical to the paper version of such prospectus. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Underwriter’ website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the Underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.

 

Foreign Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of our Ordinary Shares

 

We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of our ordinary shares outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. People outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to this offering of our ordinary shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against liabilities relating to the offering arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and to contribute to payments that the Underwriter may be required to make for these liabilities. We have been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, indemnification of liabilities under the Securities Act is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is therefore, unenforceable.

 

Application for NYSE American/Nasdaq Listing

 

We have applied to have our ordinary shares approved for listing/quotation on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “JZXN.” We will not consummate and close this offering without a listing approval letter from Nasdaq Capital Market. Our receipt of a listing approval letter is not the same as an actual listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The listing approval letter will serve only to confirm that, if we sell a number of ordinary shares in this offering sufficient to satisfy applicable listing criteria, our ordinary shares will in fact be listed.

 

If the application is approved, trading of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market will begin within five days following the closing of this offering. If our ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be subject to continued listing requirements and corporate governance standards. We expect these new rules and regulations to significantly increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs.

 

96

 

EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING

 

Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and advisory fees, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee, and the Nasdaq listing fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee   $ 4,000  
Nasdaq Listing Fee   $ 5,000  
FINRA   $ 5,115  
Legal Fees and Expenses   $ 515,000  
Accounting Fees and Expenses   $ 300,000  
Printing and Engraving Expenses   $ 10,000  
Miscellaneous Expenses   $ 60,885  
Total Expenses   $ 900,000  

 

These expenses will be borne by us. Underwriting discounts will be borne by us in proportion to the numbers of ordinary share sold in the offering. 

  

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the ordinary share offered in this offering and certain other legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law. Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP is acting as counsel to our company regarding U.S. securities law matters. Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Capital Equity Legal Group. Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP may rely upon Capital Equity Legal Group with respect to matters governed by PRC law.  Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP is acting as counsel to the Underwriters.

 

EXPERTS

  

The consolidated financial statements for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, included in this Registration Statement have been so included in reliance on the report of WWC, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm in auditing and accounting. The office of WWC, P.C. is located at 2010 Pioneer Court, San Mateo, CA 94403. 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and schedules under the Securities Act, covering the ordinary share offered by this prospectus. You should refer to our registration statements and their exhibits and schedules if you would like to find out more about us and about the ordinary share. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Since the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents.

 

Immediately upon the completion of this offering, we will be subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders under the federal proxy rules contained in Sections 14(a), (b) and (c) of the Exchange Act, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

The registration statements, reports and other information so filed can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. The information on that website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

No dealers, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

 

Financial Statements

 

October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Financial Statements

 

Table of Contents Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-3
   
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income F-4
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity F-5
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-6
   
Notes to the Financial Statements F-7 – F-24

 

F-1

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To: The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") as of October 31, 2019 and 20 I 8 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended October 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended October 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ WWC, P.C.

WWC, P.C.

Certified Public Accountants

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since October 9, 2019.

 

San Mateo, California

July 7, 2020

 

 

F-2

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

    2019     2018  
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 442,214     $ 217,672  
Restricted cash     -       936,771  
Accounts receivable     48,196       24,118  
Accounts receivable – related party     1,121,407       882,839  
Inventories     209,497       257,845  
Advances to suppliers     602,312       1,063,605  
Loans receivable from related parties, net     3,417,663       2,083,438  
Other receivables and other current assets     208,248       49,547  
Total current assets     6,049,537       5,515,835  
Non-current asset                
Property, plant and equipment, net     90,081       93,648  
Intangible asset, net     15,495       -  
Other non-current assets     2,657       15,483  
Loans receivable from related parties, net     874,193       1,925,698  
Related party receivable     34,104       89,037  
Total non-current assets     1,016,530       2,123,866  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 7,066,067     $ 7,639,701  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                 
Current liabilities                
Accruals and other payables   $ 56,828     $ 71,426  
Accounts payable – related party     11,551       10,405  
Accounts payable     -       2,148  
Taxes payable     1,280,517       324,686  
Contract liability     102,003       109,271  
Contract liability – related party     803,617       5,766,376  
Related party payable     156,454       -  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   $ 2,410,970     $ 6,284,312  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                
                 
Shareholders’ equity                
Ordinary shares (10,000,000 shares authorized, par value $0.005, 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2019 and 2018)   $ 5,000     $ 5,000  
Additional paid in capital     299,893       74,947  
Statutory reserve     426,414       97,508  
Retained earnings     3,669,892       758,741  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (206,729 )     (90,292 )
Total equity attributable to Jiuzi     4,194,470       845,904  
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests     460,627       509,485  
Total Stockholders’ equity   $ 4,655,097     $ 1,355,389  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 7,066,067     $ 7,639,701  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-3

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

    2019     2018  
Revenues, net   $ 839,744     $ 192,241  
Revenues – related party, net     7,138,355       4,113,282  
Total Revenues     7,978,099       4,305,523  
                 
Cost of revenues     857,097       229,740  
Cost of revenues – related party     2,259,079       1,891,648  
Total cost of revenues     3,116,176       2,121,388  
                 
Gross profit     4,861,923       2,184,135  
                 
Selling and marketing expense     40,723       3,189  
General and administrative expenses     1,101,415       1,545,300  
Operating income   3,719,785       635,646  
                 
Non-operating income (expense) items:                
Other income (expense), net     17,134       25,994  
Interest income     11,895       29,842  
Interest expense     (1,765 )     (1,095 )
      27,264       54,741  
                 
Earnings before tax     3,747,049       690,387  
                 
Income tax     540,782       135,397  
                 
Net income     3,206,267       554,990  
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest     (33,790 )     (81,062 )
Net income attributable to Jiuzi   $ 3,240,057     $ 636,052  
                 
Earnings per share                
Basic   $ 3.21     $ 0.55  
Diluted   $ 3.21     $ 0.55  
                 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding                
Basic     1,000,000       1,000,000  
Diluted     1,000,000       1,000,000  

 

    2019     2018  
Net income   $ 3,206,267     $ 554,990  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Foreign currency translation loss     (116,437 )     (90,406 )
Total comprehensive income   $ 3,089,830     $ 464,584  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-4

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

                                  Accumulated     Equity              
    Ordinary shares      Additional                 Other     attributable     Non-        
    No. of     Par    

Paid in

    Statutory     Retained     Comprehensive     to     Controlling     Total  
    Shares     Value     Capital     Reserves     Earnings    

Loss

    Jiuzi     interest     Equity  
                                                       
Balance, November 1, 2017     1,000,000       5,000       90,187       22,020       198,177       114       315,498       -       315,498  
(Distribution) / Contribution in capital     -       -       (15,240 )     -       -       -       (15,240 )     590,547       575,307  
Net income     -       -       -       -       636,052       -       636,052       (81,062 )     554,990  
Appropriations to statutory reserves     -       -       -       75,488       (75,488 )     -       -       -       -  
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       (90,406 )     (90,406 )     -       (90,406 )
Balance, October 31, 2018     1,000,000       5,000       74,947       97,508       758,741       (90,292 )     845,904       509,485       1,355,389  
                                                                         
Balance, November 1, 2018     1,000,000       5,000       74,947       97,508       758,741       (90,292 )     845,904       509,485       1,355,389  
Contribution in capital     -       -       224,946       -       -       -       224,946       -       224,946  
Net income     -       -       -       -       3,240,057       -       3,240,057       (33,790 )     3,206,267  
Appropriations to statutory reserves     -       -       -       328,906       (328,906 )     -       -       -       -  
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       (116,437 )     (116,437 )     (15,068 )     (131,505 )
Balance, October 31, 2019     1,000,000       5,000       299,893       426,414       3,669,892       (206,729 )     4,194,470       460,627       4,655,097  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-5

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018

 

    2019     2018  
             
Cash flows from operating activities            
Net income   $ 3,206,267     $ 554,990  
Depreciation and amortization     8,582       3,134  
Provision for doubtful accounts     32,717       12,377  
Provision for credit losses     61,277       178,287  
Imputed interest expense     35,812       408,058  
Changes in assets and liabilities                
Increase in accounts receivable     (25,367 )     (25,504 )
Increase in accounts receivable – related party     (299,062 )     (945,940 )
Decrease (Increase) in inventories     104,986       (171,991 )
Increase in loans to related parties     (37,917 )     (4,260,642 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets     (164,659 )     450,003  
(Decrease) increase in accrued and other liabilities     (15,540 )     77,801  
Increase in accounts payable – related party     1,422       11,003  
Increase in taxes payable     992,328       315,761  
(Decrease) increase in contract liability     (4,945 )     115,550  
(Decrease) increase in contract liability – related party     (4,978,756 )     3,355,727  
Net cash (used in) generated by operating activities     (1,082,855 )     78,614  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities                
Purchase of fixed assets     (7,087 )     (61,703 )
Purchase of intangible assets     (15,964 )     -  
Refund of security deposits     12,854       116,124  
Net cash (used in) generated by investing activities     (10,197 )     54,421  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities                
Proceeds from owner’s injection of capital     224,946       575,307  
Proceeds from related party     161,191       -  
Net cash provided by financing activities     386,137       575,307  
                 
Net (decrease) increase of cash and cash equivalents     (706,915 )     708,342  
                 
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents     (5,314 )     (87,528 )
                 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period     1,154,443       533,629  
                 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period   $ 442,214     $ 1,154,443  
                 
Supplementary cash flow information:                
Interest received   $ 11,895     $ 29,842  
Interest paid   $ 1,765     $ 1,095  
Income taxes paid   $ -     $ -  

  

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-6

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (“Company” or “Jiuzi”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on October 10, 2019. The Company in an investment holding company; its primary operations are conducted through subsidiaries and variable interest entities as described below.

 

Jiuzi (HK) Limited (“Jiuzi HK”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on October 25, 2019. It is wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

Zhejiang Navalant New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. (“Jiuzi WFOE”) was incorporated on June 5, 2020 as wholly foreign owned entity in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Jiuzi WFOE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jiuzi HK.

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi (“Zhejiang Jiuzi”) was incorporated on May 26, 2017 in the PRC. Zhejiang Jiuzi’s scope of business includes the sale of new energy vehicles (“NEVs”) and NEV components and parts, and the related development of products and services for the NEV industry. Zhejiang Jiuzi generates revenues by both selling NEVs and NEV components and parts to Jiuzi branded licensed NEV dealerships, and by rendering professional services to new Jiuzi NEV dealerships, such as initial setup, NEV product procurement services, and specialized marketing campaigns. The Zhejiang Jiuzi also provides short term financing solutions to the new Jiuzi NEV dealerships for the procurement of NEVs.

 

Shangli Jiuzi was incorporated on May 10, 2018 in the PRC. Its scope of business is similar to Zhejiang Jiuzi. Zhejiang Jiuzi owns 59.0% equity interest in Shangli Jiuzi, and the remaining 41% equity interest is owned by unrelated third-party investors; as such Shangli Jiuzi is accounted as a subsidiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Contractual Arrangements between Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi

 

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership, the Company and its subsidiaries do not own any direct equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi. Instead, the Company and its subsidiaries control and receive the economic benefits of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements.

 

Jiuzi WFOE, Zhejiang Jiuzi and the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, 1) Exclusive Option Agreement, 2) Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, and 3) Share Pledge Agreement, known as VIE Agreements, on June 15, 2020. The VIE agreements are designed to provide Jiuzi WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Zhejiang Jiuzi, including absolute control rights and the rights to the assets, property and revenue of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders irrevocably granted Jiuzi WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive right to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, a portion or whole of the equity interests or assets in Zhejiang Jiuzi held by the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders. The purchase price is RMB 10 and subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

The agreement takes effect upon parties signing the agreement, and remains effective for 10 years, extendable upon Jiuzi WFOE or its designee’s discretion.

 

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Jiuzi WFOE, Jiuzi WFOE provides Zhejiang Jiuzi with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, business management and information. For services rendered to Zhejiang Jiuzi by Jiuzi WFOE under this agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee that shall be calculated based upon service hours and multiple hourly rates provided by Jiuzi WFOE. The service fee should approximately equal to Zhejiang Jiuzi’s net profit.

 

The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless earlier terminated upon written confirmation from both Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi before expiration. Otherwise, this agreement can only be extended by Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

 

F-7

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Share Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between Jiuzi WFOE and certain shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi together holding 1,000,000 shares, or 100% of the equity interests, of Zhejiang Jiuzi (“Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders”), the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE to guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the terms of the Share Pledge Agreement, in the event that Zhejiang Jiuzi breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to dispose of dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interest.

 

The Share Pledge Agreement shall be effective until the full payment of the service fees under the Business Cooperation Agreement has been made and upon termination of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Business Cooperation Agreement.

 

The purposes of the Share Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, (2) ensure the shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interests without Jiuzi WFOE’s prior written consent and (3) provide Jiuzi WFOE control over Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

The Company has concluded that the Company is the primary beneficiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries, and should consolidate financial statements. The Company is the primary beneficiary based on the VIE Agreements that each equity holder of Zhejiang Jiuzi pledged their rights as a shareholder of Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE. These rights include, but are not limited to, voting on all matters of Zhejiang Jiuzi requiring shareholder approval, disposing of all or part of the shareholder’s equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi, oversee and review Zhejiang Jiuzi’s operation and financial information. As such, the Company, through Jiuzi WFOE, is deemed to hold all of the voting equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries.

 

For the periods presented, the Company has not provided any financial or other support to either Zhejiang Jiuzi or its subsidiaries. However, pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, the Company may provide complete technical support, consulting services and other services during the term of the VIE agreements. Though not explicit in the VIE agreements, the Company may provide financial support to Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries to meet its working capital requirements and capitalization purposes. The terms of the VIE Agreements and the Company’s plan of financial support to the VIEs were considered in determining that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Accordingly, the financial statements of the VIEs are consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Based on the foregoing VIE Agreements, Jiuzi WFOE has effective control of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries, which enables Jiuzi WFOE to receive all of their expected residual returns and absorb the expected losses of the VIE and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Company consolidates the accounts of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries for the periods presented herein, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 810-10, Consolidation.

 

 

F-8

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary. Significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions. In particular, the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and the resulting adverse impacts to global economic conditions, as well as our operations, may impact future estimates including, but not limited to, our allowance for loan losses, inventory valuations, fair value measurements, asset impairment charges and discount rate assumptions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Amounts and percentages may not total due to rounding.

 

Functional and presentation currency

 

The functional currency of the Company is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates which is Chinese Yuan (“RMB”).

 

Transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. At the end of each reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the end of the reporting periods. Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items and on translation of monetary items at period-end are included in income statement of the period.

 

For the purpose of presenting these financial statements, the Company’s assets and liabilities are expressed in US$ at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, stockholder’s equity accounts are translated at historical rates, and income and expense items are translated at the weighted average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholder’s equity section of the balance sheets.

 

Exchange rate used for the translation as follows:

 

US$ to RMB

 

    Period End     Average  
October 31, 2019     7.0992       6.8905  
October 31, 2018     6.9387       6.5617  

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

The Company adopted ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosures requirements for fair value measures. Current assets and current liabilities qualified as financial instruments and management believes their carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and if applicable, their current interest rate is equivalent to interest rates currently available.  The three levels are defined as follow:

 

  Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

  Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

  Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

 

As of the balance sheet date, the estimated fair values of the financial instruments approximated their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates the hierarchy disclosures each year.

 

F-9

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Related parties

 

The Company adopted ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

Cash and Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are recorded at the net value less estimates for expected credit losses. Management regularly reviews outstanding accounts and provides an allowance for doubtful accounts. When collection of the original invoice amounts is no longer probable, the Company will either partially or fully write-off the balance against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Loans Receivable

 

Loans receivable are recorded at origination at the fair value less estimates for expected credit losses. Management regularly reviews outstanding accounts and provides an allowance for credit losses. When collection of the original amounts is no longer probable, the Company will either partially or fully write-off the balance against the allowance for credit losses.

  

Revenue Recognition

 

In 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition (“ASC 606”), with final amendments issued in 2016. The underlying principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at the amount expected to be collected. ASC 606 creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contracts, which includes (1) identifying the contracts or agreements with a customer, (2) identifying our performance obligations in the contract or agreement, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the services it transfers to its clients. The Company has concluded that the new guidance did not require any significant change to its revenue recognition processes.

 

The Company’s revenues consist of sales of vehicle by the Company’s own corporate retail store to third party customers, sales of vehicle to franchisees as a supplier, and fees from retail stores operated by franchisees. Revenues from franchised stores include initial franchise fees and annual royalties based on a percent of net incomes.

 

The Company recognizes sales of vehicle revenues at the point in time when the Company has transferred physical possession of the goods to the customer and the customer has accepted the goods, therefore, indicating as control of the goods has been transferred to the customer. The transaction price is determined and allocated to the product prior to the transfer of the goods to the customer.

  

The initial franchise services include a series of performance obligations and an in indefinite license to use the Company’s trademark. The series of performance obligations are specific services and deliverables that are set forth in the agreement and are billed and receivable as delivered and accepted by the franchisee. These services and deliverables may be customized and are not transferable to other third parties.

 

The royalty revenues are distinct from the initial franchise services. The Company recognizes royalty revenues only when the franchisee has generated positive annual net income, at which point the Company has the contractual right to request for payment of the royalty. The royalty is calculated as a percentage of the franchisees’ annual net income.

 

The Company estimates potential returns and records such estimates against its gross revenue to arrive at its reported net sales revenue. The Company has not experienced any sales returns.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories, which are primarily comprised of finished goods for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the first-in first-out method. The Company evaluates the need for reserves associated with obsolete, slow-moving and non-salable inventory by reviewing net realizable values on a periodic basis. Only defects products can be return to our suppliers.

 

F-10

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Advertising

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred and includes it in selling expenses. The Company recorded $109,984 and $48,988 of advertising and promotional expenses for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are provided in accordance with ASC No. 740, Accounting for Income Taxes.  A deferred tax asset or liability is recorded for all temporary differences between financial and tax reporting and net operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change during the years of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information will examine each uncertain tax position. Although the Company believes the estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals.

 

Property and Equipment & Depreciation

 

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following periods:

 

Equipment 5 years
Furniture and fixtures 5 years
Motor vehicles 10 years

 

Intangible Assets & Amortization

 

Intangible assets are stated at historical cost net of accumulated amortization. Software are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software which is 3 years.

 

Impairment of Long-lived assets

 

The Company accounts for impairment of property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, which requires the Company to evaluate a long-lived asset for recoverability when there is event or circumstance that indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable (when carrying amount exceeds the gross, undiscounted cash flows from use and disposition) and is measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the asset’s (or asset group’s) fair value.

 

F-11

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February of 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02) “Leases (Topic 842)”. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted.

 

For finance leases, a lessee is required to do the following:

 

Recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial position

 

Recognize interest on the lease liability separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset in the statement of comprehensive income

 

Classify repayments of the principal portion of the lease liability within financing activities and payments of interest on the lease liability and variable lease payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

For operating leases, a lessee is required to do the following:

 

Recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial position

 

Recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis

 

Classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11 (ASU 2018-11), which amends ASC 842 so that entities may elect not to recast their comparative periods in transition (the “Comparatives Under 840 Option”). ASU 2018-11 allows entities to change their date of initial application to the beginning of the period of adoption. In doing so, entities would:

 

Apply ASC 840 in the comparative periods.

 

Provide the disclosures required by ASC 840 for all periods that continue to be presented in accordance with ASC 840.

 

Recognize the effects of applying ASC 842 as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for the period of adoption.

 

In addition, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to ASU 2016-02 that address the transition methods available and clarify the guidance for lessor costs and other aspects of the new lease standard.

 

The management will review the accounting pronouncements and plan to adopt the new standard on November 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. The transition method expedient which allows entities to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result of electing this transition method, prior periods will not be restated. The adoption of this ASU will result in the recording of additional lease assets and liabilities each with no effect to opening balance of retained earnings as the Company.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2016-13) related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This pronouncement, along with subsequent ASUs issued to clarify certain provisions of ASU 2016-13, changes the impairment model for most financial assets and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. In developing the estimate for lifetime expected credit loss, entities must incorporate historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.

 

The management is currently evaluating the impact of this update to the consolidated financial statements. Management will evaluate if the current design for the allowance for loan loss methodology would comply with these new requirements.

 

In October 2018, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2018-17) related to related party guidance for variable interest entities. The amendments in this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The management does not expect it to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2019-12) related to simplifying the accounting for income taxes. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The management does not expect it to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-12

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

NOTE 3 – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER CONSOLIDATION MATTERS

 

On June 15, 2020, Jiuzi WFOE, Zhejiang Jiuzi and the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders. The key terms of these VIE Agreements are summarized in “Note 1 - Organization and Principal Activities” above.

 

VIE is an entity that has either a total equity investment that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, such as through voting rights, right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity or obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity. The variable interest holder, if any, that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. Jiuzi WFOE is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and be the primary beneficiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries, because it has both of the following characteristics:

 

1. power to direct activities of Zhejiang Jiuzi that most significantly impact its economic performance, and

 

2. obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to Zhejiang Jiuzi or right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

In addition, as all of these VIE agreements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could further limit the Company’s ability to enforce these VIE agreements. Furthermore, these contracts may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such contracts contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event the Company is unable to enforce these VIE Agreements, it may not be able to exert effective control over Zhejiang Jiuzi and its ability to conduct its business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

All of the Company’s main current operations are conducted through Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries. Current regulations in China permit Zhejiang Jiuzi to pay dividends to the Company only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with their articles of association and PRC accounting standards and regulations. The ability of Zhejiang Jiuzi to make dividends and other payments to the Company may be restricted by factors including changes in applicable foreign exchange and other laws and regulations.

 

Risks of variable interest entity structure

 

In the opinion of management, (i) the corporate structure of the Company is in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the VIE Arrangements are valid and binding, and do not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the business operations of WFOE and the VIE are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects.

 

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view to the foregoing opinion of its management. If the current corporate structure of the Company or the VIE Arrangements is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the Company may be required to restructure its corporate structure and operations in the PRC to comply with changing and new PRC laws and regulations. In the opinion of management, the likelihood of loss in respect of the Company’s current corporate structure or the VIE Arrangements is remote based on current facts and circumstances.

 

F-13

 

 

The following financial information of the VIEs in the PRC are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Cash and cash equivalents     442,214       217,672  
Restricted cash     -       936,771  
Accounts receivables     48,196       24,118  
Accounts receivables – related parties     1,121,407       882,839  
Loans receivable from related parties, current portion     3,417,663       2,083,438  
Other current assets     1,020,057       1,379,997  
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets     105,576       93,648  
Loans receivable from related parties     874,193       1,925,698  
Other non-current assets     36,761       104,520  
Total assets of VIE     7,066,067       7,639,701  
                 
Accruals and other payables     326,836       191,102  
Taxes payable     1,280,517       324,686  
Contract liability – related party     803,617       5,766,376  
Total liabilities of VIE     2,410,970       6,282,164  

 

    For the years ended  
    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Revenues     7,978,099       4,305,523  
Net income     3,206,267    

554,990

 
Net cash (used in) generated by operating activities     (1,082,855 )     78,614  
Net cash (used in) generated by investing activities     (10,197 )     54,121  
Net cash provided by financing activities     386,137       575,307  

 

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the VIEs have not incurred any amount due from non-VIE subsidiaries of the Company.

 

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the VIEs have not incurred any amount due to non-VIE subsidiaries of the Company.

 

All material related party transactions are disclosed in Note 9, or elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements. For the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, the VIES have not entered into any transaction with other subsidiaries that are not VIEs. If and when such transaction incurs, such transaction would be eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Under the contractual arrangements with the VIEs, the Company has the power to direct activities of the VIEs and can have assets transferred out of the VIEs under its control. Therefore, the Company considers that there is no asset in any of the VIEs that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs, except for registered capital and PRC statutory reserves. As all VIEs are incorporated as limited liability companies under the Company Law of the PRC, creditors of the VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company for any of the liabilities of the VIEs.

 

The Company and its directly and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries, Jiuzi (HK) and Jiuzi WFOE do not have any substantial assets or liabilities or result of operations. They were incorporated for the purpose of providing a tax efficient structure for the Zhejiang Jiuzi to raise additional capital for its development.

 

F-14

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

NOTE 4 – INVENTORY

 

Inventory, net comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Finished goods     209,497       257,845  
Total, net     209,497       257,845  

 

Inventory write-down expense was $nil and $nil for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES

 

Accounts receivables, net is comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Accounts receivables     48,916       24,118  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     -       -  
Total, net     48,916       24,118  

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Accounts receivables-related parties     1,163,660       913,778  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     (42,253 )     (30,939 )
Total, net     1,121,407       882,839  

 

The following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Balance at beginning of year     30,939       -  
Provision     12,013       30,939  
Charge-offs     -       -  
Recoveries     -       -  
Effect of translation adjustment     (699 )     -  
Balance at end of year     42,253       30,939  

 

Bad debt expense was $12,377 and $32,717 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

NOTE 6 – LOANS RECEIVABLES

 

Loans receivables include amounts due from related franchisees and are presented net of imputed interest and an allowance for estimated loan losses. The loans are provided in the form of credit line to related franchisee to support their operations. These loans are unsecured with a due date of 18 months upon initial drawing.

 

Management has determined that the 18-month borrowing rate most appropriately capture the financing cost for these loans. Given that the loans are in the forms of credit lines to the franchisees that may have varying balances over time, as a practical expedient, management has elected to the expense the interest as a cost of revenue at inception rather than amortize over time.

 

The amounts charged were $382,084 and $35,212 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

F-15

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

The allowance for loan losses represents an estimate of the amount of net losses inherent in our portfolio of managed receivables as of the applicable reporting date and expected to become evident during the following 12 months.

 

Each lending request is evaluated by considering the borrower’s financial condition. The Company uses a proprietary model to assign each franchisee a risk rating. This model uses historical franchisee performance data to identify key factors about a franchisee that are considered most significant in predicting a franchisee’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The Company also considers numerous other financial and qualitative factors of the franchisee’s operations, including capitalization and leverage, liquidity and cash flow, profitability, and credit history with the Company and other creditors.

 

The Company also consider recent trends in delinquencies and defaults, recovery rates and the economic environment in assessing the models used in estimating the allowance for loan losses, and may adjust the allowance for loan losses to reflect factors that may not be captured in the models. In addition, the Company periodically consider whether the use of additional metrics would result in improved model performance and revise the models when appropriate. The provision for loan losses is the periodic expense of maintaining an adequate allowance.

 

An account is considered delinquent when the related franchisee fails to make a substantial portion of a scheduled payment 3 months after the due date. For purposes of determining impairment, loans are evaluated collectively, as they represent a large group of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, and therefore, are not individually evaluated for impairment.

 

As these loans are non-interest bearing, the Company recorded a discount to the face amount using an imputed interest rate of 8.46% to reflect the fair value of the loan at origination. The imputed interest rate reflects the borrowing rate in the market under similar terms and duration. Direct costs associated with loan originations are not considered material, and thus, are expensed as incurred.

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Loan to related franchisees, gross     4,897,417       4,563,623  
Discount based on imputed interest rate of 8.46%     (411,927 )     (385,887 )
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount     4,485,490       4,177,736  

  

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount     4,485,490       4,177,736  
Provision for credit losses     (193,634 )     (168,600 )
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount and allowance     4,291,856       4,009,136  

 

The following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for credit loss:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Balance at beginning of year     168,600       -  
Provision     52,889       168,600  
Charge-offs     -       -  
Recoveries     (23,172 )     -  
Effect of translation adjustment     (4,683 )     -  
Balance at end of year     193,634       168,600  

 

Credit loss was $61,227 and $178,287 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The following is a summary of current and non-current loan receivables, net of allowance for credit losses:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount and allowances, current     3,417,663       2,083,438  
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount and allowances, non-current     874,193       1,925,698  
      4,291,856       4,009,136  

 

Credit Quality

 

The Company extends credit to related franchisees primarily in the form of lines of credit to purchase vehicles and support their daily operations. Each of the franchisees are assigned to one of nine groups according to risk ratings with Group 1 demonstrating the strongest financial metrics, including performance and repayment ability and Group IX demonstrating the weakest financial metrics.

 

F-16

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Generally, the company suspends credit lines and does not extend further funding to franchisee who are unable to repay the balance within 3 months after the 18-month deadline.

 

The Company regularly reviews the model to confirm the continued business significance and statistical predictability of the model and may make updates to improve the performance of the model. In addition, the Company regularly audits the related franchisee’s inventory and sales records to verify the franchisee’s performance. Based on the results of monitoring the franchisee’s performance, including daily payment verifications and monthly analysis of the franchisee’s financial statements, payoffs, aged inventory, over credit line and delinquency reports, the Company can adjust the franchisee’s risk rating, if necessary.

 

The credit quality of the loans receivables is evaluated based on our internal risk rating analysis. A franchisee has the same risk rating for its entire financing regardless of the type and timing of financing.

 

The credit quality analysis of franchisee loan receivables at October 31 was as follows:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Franchisee Financing:                
Group I     40,455       -  
Group II     -       172,179  
Group III     122,129       -  
Group IV     313,916       1,328,428  
Group V     1,144,212       1,303,498  
Group VI     2,478,829       1,104,798  
Group VII     109,815       -  
Group VIII     202,858       223,478  
Group IX     73,276       45,355  
Balance at end of year     4,485,490       4,177,736  

 

NOTE 7 – PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment, net comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
At Cost:            
Equipment     37,605       27,807  
Motor vehicles     29,796       52,387  
Leasehold Improvement     27,924       10,297  
Furniture and fixtures     7,516       7,690  
      102,841       98,181  
                 
Less: Accumulated depreciation     12,760       4,533  
Total, net     90,081       93,648  

 

Depreciation expenses was $8,582 and $3,134 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

NOTE 8 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets, net comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
At Cost:            
Financial software     15,495            -  
      15,495       -  
Less: Accumulated Amortization     -       -  
Total, net     15,495       -  

 

Amortization expenses was $nil and $nil for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

F-17

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The franchisees were setup with the Company being a 51% owner so as to allow the franchisees to register its business name to include “Jiuzi” with the local business bureau. The Company has changed its ownership in these franchisees to 1.25% subsequently. The Company being a 51% or 1.25% owner of any franchisee equity interest does not have any controlling financial interest or possess any voting rights over the franchisees. The Company does not have any power to direct the activities of the franchisee that would most significantly impact the franchisees’ economic performance nor the Company is obligated to absorb losses of the franchisee that could potentially be significant to the franchisee nor the right to receive benefits from any franchisee that could potentially be significant to the franchisee. Further, the Company has not contributed any capital in these franchises; therefore, no investment is recognized and carried on the Company’s financial statements. Accordingly, the Company does not consolidate these entities nor account these entities as cost or equity investments in its financial statements.

 

Accounts receivable from related franchisees comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Pingxiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     59,534       104,677  
Yichun Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     194,178       138,758  
Puyang Guozheng New Energy Vehicle Sales Co., Ltd     48,787       99,363  
Wanzai Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     129,832       129,851  
Xinyu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     293,488       243,452  
Liuyang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     125,852       110,604  
Yudu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     42,934       25,220  
Gao’an Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     25,989       39,315  
Jiujiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     42,953       21,738  
Pingjiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     35,434       800  
Quanzhou Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     18,143       -  
Loudi Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     73,755       -  
Guangzhou Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd     4,409       -  
Dongming Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     47,272       -  
Yulin Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     21,100       -  
Total     1,163,660       913,778  

 

Accounts receivables above derived from sales of vehicles supplied to the Company’s franchisees. Sales revenues from related parties’ franchisees were $574,592 and $824,671 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

F-18

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Loan to related franchisees is comprised of the following (see note 6 for details): 

 

    October 31, 2019     October 31, 2018  
    Gross     Discount     Net     Gross     Discount     Net  
Jiangsu Changshu   $ 292,882     $ 24,765     $ 268,117     $ 217,064     $ 18,354     $ 198,710  
Shandong Dongming     133,409       11,280       122,129       175,072       14,804       160,268  
Jiangxi Gao’an     297,694       25,172       272,522       277,162       23,436       253,726  
Hunan Huaihua     119,958       10,143       109,815       -       -       -  
Jiangxi Jiujiang     224,668       18,998       205,670       353,287       29,873       323,414  
Hunan Liuyang     264,042       22,326       241,716       188,083       15,904       172,179  
Hunan Loudi     298,042       25,201       272,841       238,060       20,129       217,931  
Hunan Pingjiang     284,382       24,047       260,335       294,775       24,925       269,850  
Jiangxi Pingxiang     253,726       21,454       232,272       334,667       28,298       306,369  
Henan Puyang     360,188       30,456       329,732       239,484       20,250       219,234  
Fujian Quanzhou     289,465       24,476       264,989       248,008       20,971       227,037  
Jiangxi Wanzai     143,538       12,138       131,400       186,434       15,764       170,670  
Jiangxi Xinyu     241,217       20,397       220,820       206,045       17,422       188,623  
Jiangxi Yichun     474,762       40,144       434,618       525,491       44,434       481,057  
Jiangxi Yudu     199,374       16,858       182,516       267,109       22,586       244,523  
Guangxi Rongxian     266,247       22,513       243,734       172,529       14,589       157,940  
Guangdong Zengcheng     410,378       34,701       375,677       346,686       29,314       317,372  
Jiangxi Shanggao     46,047       3,893       42,154       31,469       2,661       28,808  
Shandong Heze     5,724       484       5,240       2,597       220       2,377  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     17,937       1,517       16,420       16,759       1,417       15,342  
Anhui Fuyang     28,406       2,402       26,004       77,260       6,533       70,727  
Hunan Liling     4,224       357       3,867       4,322       365       3,957  
Hunan Zhuzhou     4,302       364       3,938       24,578       2,078       22,500  
Hunan Changsha     4,279       361       3,918       21,404       1,810       19,594  
Guangxi Guilin     4,564       386       4,178       -       -       -  
Hunan Xiangtan     25,593       2,164       23,429       12,854       1,087       11,767  
Hunan Chenzhou     80,045       6,769       73,276       49,545       4,190       45,355  
Jiangxi Ji’an     10,136       857       9,279       15,450       1,307       14,143  
Guangxi Nanning     2,615       222       2,393       12,854       1,087       11,767  
Hunan Leiyang     5,675       480       5,195       -       -       -  
Guangxi Liuzhou     10,565       894       9,671       -       -       -  
Hunan Ningxiang     4,339       367       3,972       -       -       -  
Guangdong Dongguan Changping     23,538       1,990       21,548       -       -       -  
Hunan Changsha County     14,791       -       14,791       -       -       -  
Henan Zhengzhou     4,564       386       4,178       -       -       -  
Guangdong Dongguan Nancheng     6,395       541       5,854       -       -       -  
Anhui Huaibei     7,761       656       7,105       -       -       -  
Guangdong Humen     1,042       88       954       -       -          
Guizhou Zunyi     3,888       329       3,559       -       -       -  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     8,452       -       8,452       -       -       -  
Henan Xinxiang     2,536       215       2,321       2,018       171       1,847  
Henan Anyang     4,948       419       4,529       3,909       331       3,578  
Jiangxi Nanchang     8,481       717       7,764       18,648       1,577       17,071  
Zhejiang Lishui     2,792       -       2,792       -       -       -  
Jiangxi Tonggu     (194 )     -       (194 )     -       -       -  
Total   $ 4,897,417     $ 411,927     $ 4,485,490     $ 4,563,623     $ 385,887     $ 4,177,736  

  

F-19

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

The advances paid above are derived from funds advanced to the Company’s franchisees as working capital to support its operations. Such advances are due within 18 months.

 

Other receivables from related parties comprised of the following: 

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang     -       45,370  
Mr. Qi Zhang     34,104       43,667  
Total     34,104       89,037  

 

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $nil and $45,370, respectively, from Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and office. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing.

  

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $34,104 and $43,667, respectively, from Mr. Qi Zhang, the vice president of marketing department. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing and due on demand without a specified maturity date.

 

Accounts payable to related parties’ franchisees comprised of the following: 

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Jiangxi Yichun     -       6,341  
Hunan Liuyang     11,551       4,064  
Total     11,551       10,405  

 

Accounts payable above derived from vehicles purchased as inventory on a needed basis from the Company’s franchisees.

 

Contract liability – related party comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Deferred revenues     622,887       5,592,662  
Potential franchisees     180,730       173,714  
Total, net     803,617       5,766,376  

 

F-20

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Deferred revenues from related franchisees comprised of the following

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Jiangxi Yichun     -       399,931  
Henan Puyang     -       5,051  
Jiangxi Wanzai     -       115,295  
Jiangxi Shanggao     168,470       160,405  
Shandong Heze     141       144  
Jiangxi Gao’an     -       115,295  
Guangdong Zengcheng     -       468,387  
Hunan Liuyang     -       115,295  
Jiangxi Jiujiang     -       171,820  
Jiangxi Pingxiang     -       135,450  
Jiangxi Xinyu     -       115,295  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     5,634       26,230  
Jiangxi Yudu     -       380,331  
Jiangsu Changshu     -       249,905  
Anhui Fuyang     -       310,577  
Hunan Loudi     -       415,813  
Shandong Dongming     -       349,972  
Hunan Zhuzhou     1,690       93,966  
Hunan Pingjiang     -       557,929  
Guangxi Rongxian     -       363,260  
Guangxi Guilin     2,958       34,589  
Hunan Chenzhou     132,057       164,296  
Fujian Quanzhou     -       568,160  
Jiangxi Ji’an     3,099       64,854  
Guangxi Nanning     42,258       64,854  
Hunan Leiyang     704       -  
Hunan Huaihua     98,603       -  
Dongguan Changping     38,737       -  
Dongguan Humen     19,439       -  
Guizhou Zunyi     1,690       -  
Hunan Changsha     37,328       72,059  
Hunan Xiangtan     5,352       59,088  
Guangxi Liuhou     3,521       14,411  
Dongguan Nancheng     5,355       -  
Anhui Huaibei     4,579       -  
Hunan Hengyang     8,592       -  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     42,680       -  
Total     622,887       5,592,662  

 

The deferred revenues above derived from franchise fees payments received in advance for services which have not yet been performed.

 

F-21

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

Advances from related parties franchisees comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Henan Xinxiang     7,043       7,205  
Henan Anyang     14,086       14,412  
Jiangxi Nanchang     -       57,792  
Hunan Liling     20,284       20,753  
Henan Wenxian     70       72  
Jiangxi Leping     -       1,441  
Hainan Haikou     21,129       21,618  
Anhui Hefei     -       7,206  
Zhejiang Lishui     21,835       14,412  
Hunan Miluo     4,226       -  
Guangzhou Panyu     9,860       -  
Hunan Yiyang     1,409       -  
Hainan Sanya     21,833       -  
Fujian Xiamen     704       -  
Hunan Wangcheng     845       -  
Hunan Xiangxiang     28,172       -  
Guizhou Huishui     -       28,803  
Anhui Suzhou     70       -  
Guangxi Baise     704       -  
Hunan Zhangjiajie     7,043       -  
Jiangxi Yichun Yifeng     14,086       -  
Guangdong Maoming     7,043       -  
Anhui Suzhou Dangshan     288       -  
Total     180,730       173,714  

 

The advances received above derived from earnest money collected from potential franchisees.

 

Related party payables comprised of the following:

 

    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 

Mr. Shuibo Zhang

    156,454              -  
Total     156,454       -  

 

The Company has an outstanding payable of 156,454 to Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and officer where he advanced working capital to support the Company’s operations. There was no formal written commitment for continued support by Mr. Zhang. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and non-interest bearing.

 

NOTE 10 – LEASES

 

The Company has various operating leases for its corporate office and retail store.

 

Operating lease expenses were $59,365 and $67,517 for the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The undiscounted future minimum lease payment schedule as follows:

 

For the years ending October 31,      
2020     41,472  
2021     6,642  
2022     6,642  
Thereafter     2,177  
Total     56,933  

 

F-22

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

NOTE 11 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

As of October 31, 2019 and 2018, the company has 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding.

 

NOTE 12 – SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company believes that it operates in two business segments which comprised of sales of NEVs and franchise services; and it operates in one geographical location China. The Company disaggregates its revenue into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

 

Sales of goods revenues comprised of sales of vehicles to third party customers and to the franchisees. Franchise services revenues comprised of initial fees and ongoing royalties from the franchisees. Under the franchise arrangement, franchisees are granted the right to operate retail store using the Company’s Jiuzi brand and system.

 

Sales revenues comprised of the following:

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 

NEVs sales

    1,343,515       17 %     1,016,913       24 %
Franchisees service revenues     6,634,584       83 %     3,288,610       76 %
Total     7,978,099       100 %     4,305,523       100 %

 

Direct costs comprised of the following:

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 

NEVs sales

    1,346,436       43 %     1,054,636       50 %
Franchisees service revenues     1,769,740       57 %     1,066,752       50 %
Total     3,116,176       100 %     2,121,388       100 %

 

Gross profit (loss) comprised of the following:

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
NEVs sales     (2,921 )     0 %     (37,723 )     -2 %
Franchisees service revenues     4,864,844       100 %     2,221,858       102 %
Total     4,861,923       -       2,184,135       -  

  

NOTE 13 – INCOME TAX

 

The Company is subject to profits tax rate at 25% for income generated for its operation in China and net operating losses can be carried forward for no longer than five years starting from the year subsequent to the year in which the loss was incurred.

 

The Company has net operating loss carryforward of $287,422 as of October 31, 2019 which will expire starting year 2023. The deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance as in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

F-23

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

The net taxable income (losses) before income taxes and its provision for income taxes comprised of the following:

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Income attributed to China     3,747,049       690,387  
PRC statutory tax rate     25 %     25 %
Tax expense     936,762       172,597  
Valuation allowance     (395,980 )     (37,200 )
Tax expense, net     540,782       135,397  

  

NOTE 14 – CONCENTRATIONS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

Credit risk

 

Cash deposits with banks are held in financial institutions in China, which deposits are not federally insured. Accordingly, the Company has a concentration of credit risk related to the uninsured part of bank deposits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk.

 

Concentration

 

The Company has a concentration risk related to suppliers and customers. Failure to maintain existing relationships with the suppliers or customers to establish new relationships in the future could negatively affect the Company’s ability to obtain goods sold to customers in a price advantage and timely manner. If the Company is unable to obtain ample supply of goods from existing suppliers or alternative sources of supply, the Company may be unable to satisfy the orders from its customers, which could materially and adversely affect revenues.

 

The concentration on sales revenues generated by customers type comprised of the following:

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31,
2019
    October 31,
2018
 
Third party sales revenues     839,744       11 %     192,241       4 %
Related party sales revenues     503,771       6 %     824,671       19 %
Related party franchise revenues     6,634,584       83 %     3,288,611       76 %
Total     7,978,099       100 %     4,305,523       100 %

 

The concentration of sales revenues generated by third-party customers comprised of the following:

 

    Years Ended  
    October 31,   October 31,  
    2019   2018  
Customer A     -               45,850       24 %
Customer B     -               20,815       11 %
Customer C     -               34,632       18 %
Customer D     -               16,396       8 %
Customer E     102,940       12 %     -          
Customer F     79,740       9 %     -          
Customer G     53,864       7 %     -          
Total     236,544       28 %     117,692       61 %

 

NOTE 15 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company evaluates subsequent events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based on this evaluation, the Company concluded that subsequent to the date the financial statements were available to be issued, there was no subsequent event that would require disclosure to or adjustment to the financial statements other than the ones disclosed above.

 

F-24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

 

Financial Statements

 

April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-25

 

  

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Financial Statements

 

Table of Contents Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-27
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) F-28
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) F-29
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) F-30
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) F-31
   
Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited) F-32 – F-50

 

F-26

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To: The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Results of Review of Interim Financial Information

 

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2020, and the related condensed statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the six month periods ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, and the statements of cash flows for the six months periods then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the interim financial statements). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of October 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related statements of income and comprehensive income, retained earnings, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated July 7, 2020, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed balance sheet as of October 31, 2019, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 

Basis for Review Results

 

These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

/s/ WWC, P.C.

WWC, P.C.

Certified Public Accountants

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since October 9, 2019.

 

San Mateo, California

August 25, 2020

 

F-27

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019

(Unaudited)

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 105,342     $ 442,214  
Restricted cash     -       -  
Accounts receivable     54,271       48,196  
Accounts receivable – related party     1,271,395       1,121,407  
Inventories     146,962       209,497  
Advances to suppliers     615,337       602,312  
Loans receivable from related parties, net     2,652,588       3,417,663  
Other receivables and other current assets     270,491       208,248  
Total current assets     5,116,386       6,049,537  
Non-current asset                
Property, plant and equipment, net     93,838       90,081  
Intangible asset, net     15,573       15,495  
Other non-current assets     5,563       2,657  
Loans receivable from related parties, net     1,766,850       874,193  
Related party receivable     103,876       34,104  
Total non-current assets     1,985,700       1,016,530  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 7,102,086     $ 7,066,067  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                 
Current liabilities                
Accounts and other payables   $ 57,542     $ 56,828  
Accounts payable – related party     31,669       11,551  
Taxes payable     1,343,609       1,280,517  
Contract liability     88,043       102,003  
Contract liability – related party     930,285       803,617  
Related party payable     -       156,454  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   $ 2,451,148     $ 2,410,970  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                
                 
Shareholders’ equity                
Ordinary shares (10,000,000 shares authorized, par value $0.005, 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019)   $ 5,000     $ 5,000  
Additional paid in capital     299,893       299,893  
Statutory reserve     426,414       426,414  
Retained earnings     3,652,860       3,669,892  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (183,077 )     (206,729 )
Total equity attributable to Jiuzi     4,201,090       4,194,470  
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests     449,848       460,627  
Total Stockholders’ equity   $ 4,650,938     $ 4,655,097  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 7,102,086     $ 7,066,067  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-28

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

 

    April 30,
2020
    April 30,
2019
 
Revenues, net   $ 174,986     $ 244,365  
Revenues – related party, net     1,102,250       3,862,032  
Total Revenues     1,277,236       4,106,397  
                 
Cost of revenues     154,171       281,493  
Cost of revenues – related party     637,042       1,389,900  
Total cost of revenues     791,213       1,671,393  
                 
Gross profit     486,023       2,435,004  
                 
Selling and marketing expense     18,127       17,221  
General and administrative expenses     512,780       519,676  
Operating (loss) income     (44,884 )     1,898,107  
                 
Non-operating income (expense) items:                
Other income (expense), net     18,554       14,875  
Interest income     -       11,243  
Interest expense     (1,465 )     (388 )
      17,089       25,730  
                 
(Loss) Earnings before tax     (27,795 )     1,923,837  
                 
Income tax     16       548,019  
                 
Net (loss) income     (27,811 )     1,375,818  
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest     (10,779 )     (11,689 )
Net (loss) income attributable to Jiuzi   $ (17,032 )   $ 1,387,507  
                 
(Loss) Earnings per share                
Basic   $ (0.02 )   $ 1.39  
Diluted   $ (0.02 )   $ 1.39  
                 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding                
Basic     1,000,000       1,000,000  
Diluted     1,000,000       1,000,000  

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

April 30,

2019

 
Net (loss) income   $ (27,811 )   $ 1,375,818  
                 
Other comprehensive income:                
Foreign currency translation income     23,652       209  
Total comprehensive (loss) income   $ (4,162 )   $ 1,376,027  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-29

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

 

                                  Accumulated     Equity              
    Ordinary shares     Additional                 Other     attributable     Non-        
    No. of     Par     Paid in     Statutory     Retained     Comprehensive     to     Controlling     Total  
    Shares     Value     Capital     Reserves     Earnings     Loss     Jiuzi     interest     Equity  
                                                       
Balance, November 1, 2018     1,000,000       5,000       74,947       97,508       198,177       114       315,498       -       315,498  
(Distribution) / Contribution in capital     -       -       -     -       -       -       -       -       -  
Net income     -       -       -       -       1,387,507       -       1,387,507       (11,689 )     1,375,818  
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       209 )     209       -       209  
Balance, April 30, 2019     1,000,000       5,000       74,947       97,508       1,585,684       323       1,703,214       (11,689 )     1,691,525  
                                                                         
Balance, November 1, 2019     1,000,000       5,000       299,893       426,414       3,669,892       (206,729 )     4,194,470       460,627       4,655,097  
Contribution in capital     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       (17,032 )     -       (17,032 )     (10,779 )     (27,811 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       23,652       23,652       -       23,652  
Balance, April 30, 2020     1,000,000       5,000       299,893       426,414       3,652,860       (183,077 )     4,201,090       449,848       4,650,938  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-30

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

 

    April 30,
2020
    April 30,
2019
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities            
Net income   $ (27,811 )   $ 1,375,818  
Depreciation and amortization     7,991       7,176  
Changes in assets and liabilities                
Increase in accounts receivable     (4,667 )     (57,974 )
Increase in accounts receivable – related party     (207,179 )     (208,358 )
Decrease (Increase) in inventories     64,107       (43,663 )
Increase in loans to related parties     (70,155 )     -  
(Increase) decrease in other assets     (130,647 )     2,010  
Decrease in accrued and other liabilities     (329 )     (1,979 )
Increase in accounts payable – related party     20,220       13,722  
Increase in taxes payable     57,102       743,565  
(Decrease) increase in contract liability     (3,006 )     92,188  
Increase (Decrease) in contract liability – related party     123,602       (3,047,607 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (170,772 )     (1,125,102 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities                
Purchase of fixed assets     (12,536 )     (5,725 )
Purchase of intangible assets     -       (15,512 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (12,536 )     (21,237 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities                
Proceeds from owner’s injection of capital     -       102,948  
Repayment to related party     (158,494 )     (68,828 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities     (158,494 )     34,120  
                 
Net decrease of cash and cash equivalents     (341,802 )     (1,112,219 )
                 
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents     4,930       (6,130 )
                 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period     442,214       1,154,443  
                 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period   $ 105,342     $ 36,094  
                 
Supplementary cash flow information:                
Interest received   $ -     $ 11,243  
Interest paid   $ 1,465     $ 388  
Income taxes paid   $ -     $ -  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-31

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (“Company” or “Jiuzi”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on October 10, 2019. The Company in an investment holding company; its primary operations are conducted through subsidiaries and variable interest entities as described below.

 

Jiuzi (HK) Limited (“Jiuzi HK”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on October 25, 2019. It is wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

Zhejiang Navalant New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. (“Jiuzi WFOE”) was incorporated on June 5, 2020 as wholly foreign owned entity in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Jiuzi WFOE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jiuzi HK.

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi (“Zhejiang Jiuzi”) was incorporated on May 26, 2017 in the PRC. Zhejiang Jiuzi’s scope of business includes the sale of new energy vehicles (“NEVs”) and NEV components and parts, and the related development of products and services for the NEV industry. Zhejiang Jiuzi generates revenues by both selling NEVs and NEV components and parts to Jiuzi branded licensed NEV dealerships, and by rendering professional services to new Jiuzi NEV dealerships, such as initial setup, NEV product procurement services, and specialized marketing campaigns. The Zhejiang Jiuzi also provides short term financing solutions to the new Jiuzi NEV dealerships for the procurement of NEVs.

 

Shangli Jiuzi was incorporated on May 10, 2018 in the PRC. Its scope of business is similar to Zhejiang Jiuzi. Zhejiang Jiuzi owns 59.0% equity interest in Shangli Jiuzi, and the remaining 41% equity interest is owned by unrelated third-party investors; as such Shangli Jiuzi is accounted as a subsidiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Contractual Arrangements between Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi

 

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership, the Company and its subsidiaries do not own any direct equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi. Instead, the Company and its subsidiaries control and receive the economic benefits of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements.

 

Jiuzi WFOE, Zhejiang Jiuzi and the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, 1) Exclusive Option Agreement, 2) Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, and 3) Share Pledge Agreement, known as VIE Agreements, on June 15, 2020. The VIE agreements are designed to provide Jiuzi WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Zhejiang Jiuzi, including absolute control rights and the rights to the assets, property and revenue of Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders irrevocably granted Jiuzi WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive right to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, a portion or whole of the equity interests or assets in Zhejiang Jiuzi held by the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders. The purchase price is RMB 10 and subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

The agreement takes effect upon parties signing the agreement, and remains effective for 10 years, extendable upon Jiuzi WFOE or its designee’s discretion.

 

F-32

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Jiuzi WFOE, Jiuzi WFOE provides Zhejiang Jiuzi with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, business management and information. For services rendered to Zhejiang Jiuzi by Jiuzi WFOE under this agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee that shall be calculated based upon service hours and multiple hourly rates provided by Jiuzi WFOE. The service fee should approximately equal to Zhejiang Jiuzi’s net profit.

 

The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless earlier terminated upon written confirmation from both Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi before expiration. Otherwise, this agreement can only be extended by Jiuzi WFOE and Zhejiang Jiuzi does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

 

Share Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between Jiuzi WFOE and certain shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi together holding 1,000,000 shares, or 100% of the equity interests, of Zhejiang Jiuzi (“Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders”), the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE to guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the terms of the Share Pledge Agreement, in the event that Zhejiang Jiuzi breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to dispose of dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, Jiuzi WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interest.

 

The Share Pledge Agreement shall be effective until the full payment of the service fees under the Business Cooperation Agreement has been made and upon termination of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Business Cooperation Agreement.

 

The purposes of the Share Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Zhejiang Jiuzi’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, (2) ensure the shareholders of Zhejiang Jiuzi do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice Jiuzi WFOE’s interests without Jiuzi WFOE’s prior written consent and (3) provide Jiuzi WFOE control over Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

The Company has concluded that the Company is the primary beneficiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries, and should consolidate financial statements. The Company is the primary beneficiary based on the VIE Agreements that each equity holder of Zhejiang Jiuzi pledged their rights as a shareholder of Zhejiang Jiuzi to Jiuzi WFOE. These rights include, but are not limited to, voting on all matters of Zhejiang Jiuzi requiring shareholder approval, disposing of all or part of the shareholder’s equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi, oversee and review Zhejiang Jiuzi’s operation and financial information. As such, the Company, through Jiuzi WFOE, is deemed to hold all of the voting equity interest in Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries.

 

For the periods presented, the Company has not provided any financial or other support to either Zhejiang Jiuzi or its subsidiaries. However, pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, the Company may provide complete technical support, consulting services and other services during the term of the VIE agreements. Though not explicit in the VIE agreements, the Company may provide financial support to Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries to meet its working capital requirements and capitalization purposes. The terms of the VIE Agreements and the Company’s plan of financial support to the VIEs were considered in determining that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Accordingly, the financial statements of the VIEs are consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Based on the foregoing VIE Agreements, Jiuzi WFOE has effective control of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries, which enables Jiuzi WFOE to receive all of their expected residual returns and absorb the expected losses of the VIE and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Company consolidates the accounts of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries for the periods presented herein, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 810-10, Consolidation.

 

F-33

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary. Significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

F-34

 

  

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions. In particular, the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and the resulting adverse impacts to global economic conditions, as well as our operations, may impact future estimates including, but not limited to, our allowance for loan losses, inventory valuations, fair value measurements, asset impairment charges and discount rate assumptions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Amounts and percentages may not total due to rounding.

 

Functional and presentation currency

 

The functional currency of the Company is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates which is Chinese Yuan (“RMB”).

 

Transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. At the end of each reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the end of the reporting periods. Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items and on translation of monetary items at period-end are included in income statement of the period.

 

For the purpose of presenting these financial statements, the Company’s assets and liabilities are expressed in US$ at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, stockholder’s equity accounts are translated at historical rates, and income and expense items are translated at the weighted average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholder’s equity section of the balance sheets.

 

Exchange rate used for the translation as follows:

 

US$ to RMB

 

    Period End     Average  
April 30, 2020     7.06362       7.00778  
April 30, 2019     6.86566       6.79953  
October 31, 2019     7.0992       6.8905  
October 31, 2018     6.9387       6.5617  

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

The Company adopted ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosures requirements for fair value measures. Current assets and current liabilities qualified as financial instruments and management believes their carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and if applicable, their current interest rate is equivalent to interest rates currently available.  The three levels are defined as follow:

 

  Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

  Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

  Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

 

As of the balance sheet date, the estimated fair values of the financial instruments approximated their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates the hierarchy disclosures each year.

 

F-35

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Related parties

 

The Company adopted ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

Cash and Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are recorded at the net value less estimates for expected credit losses. Management regularly reviews outstanding accounts and provides an allowance for doubtful accounts. When collection of the original invoice amounts is no longer probable, the Company will either partially or fully write-off the balance against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Loans Receivable

 

Loans receivable are recorded at origination at the fair value less estimates for expected credit losses. Management regularly reviews outstanding accounts and provides an allowance for credit losses. When collection of the original amounts is no longer probable, the Company will either partially or fully write-off the balance against the allowance for credit losses.

  

Revenue Recognition

 

In 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition (“ASC 606”), with final amendments issued in 2016. The underlying principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at the amount expected to be collected. ASC 606 creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contracts, which includes (1) identifying the contracts or agreements with a customer, (2) identifying our performance obligations in the contract or agreement, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the services it transfers to its clients. The Company has concluded that the new guidance did not require any significant change to its revenue recognition processes.

 

The Company’s revenues consist of sales of vehicle by the Company’s own corporate retail store to third party customers, sales of vehicle to franchisees as a supplier, and fees from retail stores operated by franchisees. Revenues from franchised stores include initial franchise fees and annual royalties based on a percent of net incomes.

 

The Company recognizes sales of vehicle revenues at the point in time when the Company has transferred physical possession of the good to the customer and the customer has accepted the goods, therefore, indicating as control of the goods has been transferred to the customer. The transaction price is determined and allocated to the product prior to the transfer of the goods to the customer.

 

The initial franchise services include a series of performance obligations and an in indefinite license to use the Company’s trademark. The series of performance obligations are specific services and deliverables that are set forth in the agreement and are billed and receivable as delivered and accepted by the franchisee. These services and deliverables may be customized and are not transferable to other third parties.

 

The royalty revenues are distinct from the initial franchise services. The Company recognizes royalty revenues only when the franchisee has generated positive annual net income, at which point the Company has the contractual right to request for payment of the royalty. The royalty is calculated as a percentage of the franchisees’ annual net income.

 

The Company estimates potential returns and records such estimates against its gross revenue to arrive at its reported net sales revenue. The Company has not experienced any sales returns.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories, which are primarily comprised of finished goods for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the first-in first-out method. The Company evaluates the need for reserves associated with obsolete, slow-moving and non-salable inventory by reviewing net realizable values on a periodic basis. Only defects products can be return to our suppliers.

 

F-36

 

  

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

  

Advertising

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred and includes it in selling expenses. The Company recorded $nil and $nil of advertising and promotional expenses for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2019, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are provided in accordance with ASC No. 740, Accounting for Income Taxes.  A deferred tax asset or liability is recorded for all temporary differences between financial and tax reporting and net operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change during the years of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information will examine each uncertain tax position. Although the Company believes the estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals.

 

Property and Equipment & Depreciation

 

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following periods:

 

Equipment     5 years  
Furniture and fixtures     5 years  
Motor vehicles     10 years  

 

Intangible Assets & Amortization

 

Intangible assets are stated at historical cost net of accumulated amortization. Software are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software which is 3 years.

 

Impairment of Long-lived assets

 

The Company accounts for impairment of property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, which requires the Company to evaluate a long-lived asset for recoverability when there is event or circumstance that indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable (when carrying amount exceeds the gross, undiscounted cash flows from use and disposition) and is measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the asset’s (or asset group’s) fair value.

 

Leases

 

On November 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, including certain transitional guidance and subsequent amendments within ASU 2018-01, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11, ASU 2018-20 and ASU 2019-01 (collectively, including ASU 2016-02, “ASC 842”).

 

ASC 842 supersedes the lease requirements in ASC 840 “Leases”, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and finance lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. Leases that transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks incidental to the ownership of assets are accounted for as finance leases as if there was an acquisition of an asset and incurrence of an obligation at the inception of the lease. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases. The Company has no significant finance leases.

 

The Company adopted the new lease standard using the modified retrospective method by applying the new lease standard to all leases existing as of November 1, 2019, the date of initial application, and no adjustments were made to the comparative periods. Upon the initial application of ASC 842 on November 1, 2019, there was no outstanding lease identified as operating lease right-of-use assets as all outstanding lease had a term of less than one year. Therefore, no adjustment was made on November 1, 2019. Further, no adjustments was made to the comparative periods.

 

F-37

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed the Company to carry forward previous lease classification, the assessment on whether a contract was or contained a lease, and the initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to November 1, 2019. Adoption of the new standard did not result in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of November 1, 2019. The adoption of the new lease standard does not have any significant impact on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and cash flows and there was no adjustment to the beginning retained earnings on November 1, 2019.

 

Under ASC 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are initially recognized based on the present value of future lease payments at lease commencement. The operating lease right-of-use asset also includes any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and the initial direct costs incurred by the lessee and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. As the interest rates implicit in most of the leases are not readily determinable, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rates based on the information available at lease commencement to determine the present value of the future lease payments. Operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2016-13) related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This pronouncement, along with subsequent ASUs issued to clarify certain provisions of ASU 2016-13, changes the impairment model for most financial assets and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. In developing the estimate for lifetime expected credit loss, entities must incorporate historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.

 

The management is currently evaluating the impact of this update to the consolidated financial statements. Management will evaluate if the current design for the allowance for loan loss methodology would comply with these new requirements.

 

In October 2018, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2018-17) related to related party guidance for variable interest entities. The amendments in this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The management does not expect it to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2019-12) related to simplifying the accounting for income taxes. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The management does not expect it to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-38

 

  

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER CONSOLIDATION MATTERS

 

On June 15, 2020, Jiuzi WFOE, Zhejiang Jiuzi and the Zhejiang Jiuzi Shareholders. The key terms of these VIE Agreements are summarized in “Note 1 - Organization and Principal Activities” above.

 

VIE is an entity that has either a total equity investment that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, such as through voting rights, right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity or obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity. The variable interest holder, if any, that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. Jiuzi WFOE is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and be the primary beneficiary of Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries, because it has both of the following characteristics:

 

  1. power to direct activities of Zhejiang Jiuzi that most significantly impact its economic performance, and
     
  2. obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to Zhejiang Jiuzi or right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to Zhejiang Jiuzi.

 

In addition, as all of these VIE agreements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could further limit the Company’s ability to enforce these VIE agreements. Furthermore, these contracts may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such contracts contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event the Company is unable to enforce these VIE Agreements, it may not be able to exert effective control over Zhejiang Jiuzi and its ability to conduct its business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

All of the Company’s main current operations are conducted through Zhejiang Jiuzi and its subsidiaries. Current regulations in China permit Zhejiang Jiuzi to pay dividends to the Company only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with their articles of association and PRC accounting standards and regulations. The ability of Zhejiang Jiuzi to make dividends and other payments to the Company may be restricted by factors including changes in applicable foreign exchange and other laws and regulations.

 

Risks of variable interest entity structure

 

In the opinion of management, (i) the corporate structure of the Company is in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the VIE Arrangements are valid and binding, and do not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the business operations of WFOE and the VIE are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects.

 

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view to the foregoing opinion of its management. If the current corporate structure of the Company or the VIE Arrangements is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the Company may be required to restructure its corporate structure and operations in the PRC to comply with changing and new PRC laws and regulations. In the opinion of management, the likelihood of loss in respect of the Company’s current corporate structure or the VIE Arrangements is remote based on current facts and circumstances.

 

F-39

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The following financial information of the VIEs in the PRC are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019 and for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Cash and cash equivalents     105,342       442,214  
Accounts receivables     54,271       48,196  
Accounts receivables – related parties     1,271,395       1,121,407  
Loans receivable from related parties, current portion     2,652,588       3,417,663  
Other current assets     1,032,790       1,020,057  
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets     109,411       105,576  
Loans receivable from related parties     1,766,850       874,193  
Other non-current assets     109,439       36,761  
Total assets of VIE     7,102,086       7,066,067  
                 
Accruals and other payables     177,255       326,836  
Taxes payable     1,343,609       1,280,517  
Contract liability – related party     930,285       803,617  
Total liabilities of VIE     2,451,149       2,410,970  

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30,

2020

   

April 30,

2019

 
Revenues     1,277,236       4,106,397  
Net (loss) income     (27,811 )     1,375,818  
Net cash used in operating activities     (170,772 )     (1,125,102 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (12,536 )     (21,237 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities     (158,494 )     34,120  

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the VIEs have not incurred any amount due from non-VIE subsidiaries of the Company.

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the VIEs have not incurred any amount due to non-VIE subsidiaries of the Company.

 

All material related party transactions are disclosed in Note 9, or elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements. For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, the VIEs have not entered into any transaction with other subsidiaries that are not VIEs. If and when such transaction incurs, such transaction would be eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Under the contractual arrangements with the VIEs, the Company has the power to direct activities of the VIEs and can have assets transferred out of the VIEs under its control. Therefore, the Company considers that there is no asset in any of the VIEs that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs, except for registered capital and PRC statutory reserves. As all VIEs are incorporated as limited liability companies under the Company Law of the PRC, creditors of the VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company for any of the liabilities of the VIEs.

 

The Company and its directly and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries, Jiuzi (HK) and Jiuzi WFOE do not have any substantial assets or liabilities or result of operations. They were incorporated for the purpose of providing a tax efficient structure for the Zhejiang Jiuzi to raise additional capital for its development.

 

NOTE 4 – INVENTORY

 

Inventory, net comprised of the following:

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Finished goods     146,962       209,497  
Total, net     146,962       209,497  

 

Inventory write-down expense was $nil and $nil for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

F-40

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES

 

Accounts receivables, net is comprised of the following:

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Accounts receivables     54,271       48,916  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     -       -  
Total, net     54,271       48,916  

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Accounts receivables-related parties     1,316,280       1,163,660  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     (44,885 )     (42,253 )
Total, net     1,271,395       1,121,407  

 

The following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Balance at beginning of year     42,253       30,939  
Provision     2,632       12,013  
Charge-offs     -       -  
Recoveries     -       -  
Effect of translation adjustment     -       (699 )
Balance at end of year     44,885       42,253  

 

Bad debt expense was $2,632 and $12,032 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

NOTE 6 – LOANS RECEIVABLES

 

Loans receivables include amounts due from related franchisees and are presented net of imputed interest and an allowance for estimated loan losses. The loans are provided in the form of a credit line to related franchisee to support their operations. These loans are unsecured with a due date of 18 months upon initial drawing. Management has determined that the 18-month borrowing rate most appropriately capture the financing cost for these loans. Given that the loans are in the forms of credit lines to the franchisees that may have varying balances over time, as a practical expedient, management has elected to the expense the interest as a cost of revenue at inception rather than amortize over time.

 

The amounts charged to cost of revenues were $425,787 and $0 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

F-41

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The allowance for loan losses represents an estimate of the amount of net losses inherent in our portfolio of managed receivables as of the applicable reporting date and expected to become evident during the following 12 months.

 

Each lending request is evaluated by considering the borrower’s financial condition. The Company uses a proprietary model to assign each franchisee a risk rating. This model uses historical franchisee performance data to identify key factors about a franchisee that are considered most significant in predicting a franchisees ability to meet its financial obligations. The Company also considers numerous other financial and qualitative factors of the franchisee’s operations, including capitalization and leverage, liquidity and cash flow, profitability, and credit history with the Company and other creditors.

 

The Company also considers recent trends in delinquencies and defaults, recovery rates and the economic environment in assessing the models used in estimating the allowance for loan losses, and may adjust the allowance for loan losses to reflect factors that may not be captured in the models. In addition, the Company periodically consider whether the use of additional metrics would result in improved model performance and revise the models when appropriate. The provision for loan losses is the periodic expense of maintaining an adequate allowance.

 

An account is considered delinquent when the related franchisee fails to make a substantial portion of a scheduled payment 3 months after the due date. For purposes of determining impairment, loans are evaluated collectively, as they represent a large group of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, and therefore, are not individually evaluated for impairment.

 

As these loans are non-interest bearing, the Company recorded a discount to the face amount using an imputed interest rate of 8.46% to reflect the fair value of the loan at origination. The imputed interest rate reflects the borrowing rate in the market under similar terms and duration. Direct costs associated with loan originations are not considered material, and thus, are expensed as incurred.

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Loan to related franchisees, gross     5,465,709       4,897,417  
Discount based on imputed interest rate of 8.46%    

(839,012

)     (411,927 )
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount     4,626,697       4,485,490  

  

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount     4,626,697       4,485,490  
Provision for credit losses     (207,259 )     (193,634 )
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount and allowance     4,419,438       4,291,856  

 

The following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for credit loss:

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Balance at beginning of year     193,634       168,600  
Provision     19,870       52,889  
Charge-offs     -       -  
Recoveries     (7,219 )     (23,172 )
Effect of translation adjustment     974       (4,683 )
Balance at end of year     207,259       193,634  

 

Credit loss was $61,227 and $178,287 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

The following is a summary of current and non-current loan receivables, net of allowance for credit losses:

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount and allowances, current     2,652,588       3,417,663  
Loan to related franchisees, net of discount and allowances, non-current     1,766,850       874,193  
      4,419,438       4,291,856  

 

Credit Quality

 

The Company extends credit to related franchisees primarily in the form of lines of credit to purchase vehicles and support their daily operations. Each of the franchisees are assigned to one of nine groups according to risk ratings with Group 1 demonstrating the strongest financial metrics, including performance and repayment ability and Group IX demonstrating the weakest financial metrics.

 

F-42

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Generally, the Company suspends credit lines and does not extend further funding to franchisee who are unable to repay the balances within 3 months after the 18-month deadline.

 

The Company regularly reviews the model to confirm the continued business significance and statistical predictability of the model and may make updates to improve the performance of the model. In addition, the Company regularly audits the related franchisee’s inventory and sales records to verify the franchisee’s performance. Based on the results of monitoring the franchisee’s performance, including daily payment verifications and monthly analysis of the franchisee’s financial statements, payoffs, aged inventory, over credit line and delinquency reports, the Company can adjust the franchisee’s risk rating, if necessary.

 

The credit quality of the loans receivables is evaluated based on our internal risk rating analysis. A franchisee has the same risk rating for its entire financing regardless of the type and timing of financing.

 

The credit quality analysis of franchisee loan receivables at April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

    April 30,
2020
    October 31,
2019
 
Franchisee Financing:            
Group I     -       40,455  
Group II     -       -  
Group III     103,447       122,129  
Group IV     467,148       -  
Group V     184,840       313,916  
Group VI     113,649       -  
Group VII     765,977       1,144,212  
Group VIII     2,991,636       2,478,829  
Group IX     -       109,815  
Group X     -       202,858  
Group XI     -       73,276  
Balance at end of year     4,626,697       4,485,490  

 

NOTE 7 – PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment, net comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
At Cost:            
Equipment     38,650       37,605  
Motor vehicles     48,038       29,796  
Leasehold Improvement     19,269       27,924  
Furniture and fixtures     9,836       7,516  
      115,795       102,841  
                 
Less: Accumulated depreciation     21,957       12,760  
Total, net     93,838       90,081  

 

Depreciation expenses was $9,137 and $8,582 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

NOTE 8 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets, net comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
At Cost:            
Financial software     15,573       15,495  
      15,573       15,495  
Less: Accumulated Amortization     -       -  
Total, net     15,573       15,495  

 

Amortization expenses was $nil and $nil for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

F-43

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The franchisees were incorporated with the Company shown as a 51.0% owner. The intent of showing such an ownership percentage was to enable the franchisees to register their respective individual business name to include the words “Jiuzi” with the local business bureau. Subsequent to the successful registration by the franchisees, the Company decreased its ownership interest in these franchisees to 1.25%. The Company’s equity interest of 51.0% and 1.25% were symbolic in nature. The Company did not and does not have power to direct the use of the franchisee’s assets and the fulfillment of their obligations. The Company did not contribute any permanent equity capital in these franchisees and if these franchisees were to incur substantial losses and accumulate significant liabilities, the Company is not obligated to absorb such losses on behalf of the franchisees. Accordingly, the management has determined that the financial positions and results of operations of these franchisees should not be included as part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounts receivable from related franchisees comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Pingxiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     95,527       59,534  
Yichun Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     279,070       194,178  
Puyang Guozheng New Energy Vehicle Sales Co., Ltd     49,032       48,787  
Wanzai Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     137,960       129,832  
Xinyu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     294,977       293,488  
Liuyang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     126,486       125,852  
Yudu Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     43,150       42,934  
Gao’an Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     35,194       25,989  
Jiujiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     49,952       42,953  
Pingjiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     35,613       35,434  
Quanzhou Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     18,234       18,143  
Loudi Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     77,936       73,755  
Guangzhou Jiuzi New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd     4,431       4,409  
Dongming Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     47,510       47,272  
Yulin Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd     21,208       21,100  
Total     1,316,280       1,163,660  

 

Accounts receivables above are derived from sales of vehicles sold to the Company’s franchisees. Sales revenues from related parties’ franchisees were $124,586 and $553,578 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

F-44

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Loan to related franchisees is comprised of the following (see note 6 for details): 

 

    April 30,2020     October 31,2019  
    Gross     Discount     Net     Gross     Discount     Net  
Jiangsu Changshu   $ 298,602       38,097       260,505     $ 292,882     $ 24,765     $ 268,117  
Shandong Dongming     114,785       24,189       90,596       133,409       11,280       122,129  
Jiangxi Gao’an     303,439       35,994       267,445       297,694       25,172       272,522  
Hunan Huaihua     258,018       26,871       231,147       119,958       10,143       109,815  
Jiangxi Jiujiang     303,717       38,346       265,371       224,668       18,998       205,670  
Hunan Liuyang     304,629       42,376       262,253       264,042       22,326       241,716  
Hunan Loudi     316,332       52,257       264,075       298,042       25,201       272,841  
Hunan Pingjiang     306,312       36,726       269,586       284,382       24,047       260,335  
Jiangxi Pingxiang     328,761       44,630       284,131       253,726       21,454       232,272  
Henan Puyang     366,700       63,605       303,095       360,188       30,456       329,732  
Fujian Quanzhou     333,506       43,077       290,429       289,465       24,476       264,989  
Jiangxi Wanzai     (22,227 )     33,122       -55,349       143,538       12,138       131,400  
Jiangxi Xinyu     258,315       32,730       225,585       241,217       20,397       220,820  
Jiangxi Yichun     356,390       68,564       287,826       474,762       40,144       434,618  
Jiangxi Yudu     205,077       32,482       172,595       199,374       16,858       182,516  
Guangxi Rongxian     264,755       29,614       235,141       266,247       22,513       243,734  
Guangdong Zengcheng     455,848       69,087       386,761       410,378       34,701       375,677  
Jiangxi Shanggao     43,716       8,476       35,240       46,047       3,893       42,154  
Shandong Heze     13,661       3,360       10,301       5,724       484       5,240  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     24,171       5,342       18,829       17,937       1,517       16,420  
Anhui Fuyang     28,549       6,714       21,835       28,406       2,402       26,004  
Hunan Liling     4,246       1,068       3,178       4,224       357       3,867  
Hunan Zhuzhou     7,778       4,018       3,760       4,302       364       3,938  
Hunan Changsha     3,225       2,315       910       4,279       361       3,918  
Guangxi Guilin     1,345       2,514       (1,169 )     4,564       386       4,178  
Hunan Xiangtan     38,945       3,941       35,004       25,593       2,164       23,429  
Hunan Chenzhou     125,654       16,565       109,089       80,045       6,769       73,276  
Jiangxi Ji’an     10,187       2,034       8,153       10,136       857       9,279  
Guangxi Nanning     22,051       5,909       16,142       2,615       222       2,393  
Hunan Leiyang     35,810       6,994       28,816       5,675       480       5,195  
Guangxi Liuzhou     8,523       1,975       6,548       10,565       894       9,671  
Hunan Ningxiang     4,360       1,077       3,283       4,339       367       3,972  
Guangdong Dongguan Changping     61,149       9,338       51,811       23,538       1,990       21,548  
Hunan Changsha County     48,686       5,028       43,658       14,791       -       14,791  
Henan Zhengzhou     1,345       1,077       268       4,564       386       4,178  
Guangdong Dongguan Nancheng     6,427       1,257       5,170       6,395       541       5,854  
Anhui Huaibei     3,270       3,232       38       7,761       656       7,105  
Guangdong Humen     1,586       1,616       (30 )     1,042       88       954  
Guizhou Zunyi     30,862       4,848       26,014       3,888       329       3,559  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     12,770       1,796       10,974       8,452       -       8,452  
Henan Xinxiang     2,548       215       2,333       2,536       215       2,321  
Henan Anyang     4,972       420       4,552       4,948       419       4,529  
Jiangxi Nanchang     8,524       1,678       6,846       8,481       717       7,764  
Zhejiang Lishui     2,806       237       2,569       2,792       -       2,792  
Jiangxi Tonggu     (195 )     -       (195 )     (194 )     -       (194  
Guangxi Yulin     62,838       10,178       52,660       -       -       -  
Jiangxi Shangrao     11,241       1,257       9,984       -       -       -  
Hubei Macheng     14,893       1,975       12,918       -       -       -  
Hunan Chenzhou Yongxing     12,741       1,436       11,305       -       -       -  
Hunan Hengyang     8,565       1,257       7,308       -       -       -  
Anhui Haozhou     8,494       718       7,776       -       -       -  
Anhui Suzhou     2,548       718       1,830       -       -       -  
Anhui Bangbu     12,741       1,077       11,664       -       -       -  
Hunan Xiangxiang     4,247       359       3,888       -       -       -  
Fujian Fuzhou     6,399       1,257       5,142       -       -       -  
Hunan Changsha Furong     4,275       1,077       3,198       -       -       -  
Hainan Sanya     6,797       2,892       3,905       -       -       -  
Total   $ 5,465,709       839,012       4,626,697     $ 4,897,417     $ 411,927     $ 4,485,490  

 

F-45

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The advances paid above derived from funds advanced to the Company’s franchisees as working capital to support its operations. Such advances are due within 18 months.

 

Other receivables from related parties comprised of the following: 

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang     84,476                 -  
Mr. Qi Zhang     19,399       34,104  
Total     103,876       34,104  

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $84,476 and $nil, respectively, from Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and office. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing.

  

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company has an outstanding receivable of $19,399 and $34,104, respectively, from Mr. Qi Zhang, the vice president of marketing department. The amount was advanced to Mr. Zhang for business purpose. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and are non-interest bearing and due on demand without a specified maturity date.

 

Accounts payable to related parties’ franchisees comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Jiangxi Yichun     -       -  
Hunan Liuyang     23,741       11,551  
Jiangxi Wanzai     7,297          
Total     31,669       11,551  

 

Accounts payable above derived from vehicles purchased as inventory on a needed basis from the Company’s franchisees.

 

Contract liability – related party comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Deferred revenues     687,422       622,887  
Potential franchisees     242,863       180,730  
Total, net     930,285       803,617  

 

F-46

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Deferred revenues from related franchisees comprised of the following

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Jiangxi Shanggao     151,621       168,470  
Shandong Heze     -       141  
Jiangxi Gao’an     -       -  
Guangdong Zengcheng     12,458       -  
Jiangxi Ganzhou     2,651       5,634  
Hunan Zhuzhou     -       1,690  
Guangxi Rongxian             -  
Guangxi Guilin             2,958  
Hunan Chenzhou     97,683       132,057  
Fujian Quanzhou             -  
Jiangxi Ji’an     3,114       3,099  
Guangxi Nanning     60,875       42,258  
Hunan Leiyang     256       704  
Hunan Huaihua     49,549       98,603  
Dongguan Changping     84,032       38,737  
Dongguan Humen     19,536       19,439  
Guizhou Zunyi     46,435       1,690  
Hunan Changsha     3,256       37,328  
Hunan Xiangtan     12,458       5,352  
Guangxi Liuhou     3,539       3,521  
Dongguan Nancheng     5,739       5,355  
Anhui Huaibei     12,387       4,579  
Hunan Hengyang     15,006       8,592  
Jiangsu Xuzhou     4,954       42,680  
Hunanchangsha     97,991       -  
Hubei Macheng     3,882       -  
Total     687,422       622,887  

 

The deferred revenues above derived from franchise fees payments received in advance for services which have not yet been performed.

 

F-47

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Advances from related parties’ franchisees comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Henan Xinxiang     7,078       7,043  
Henan Anyang     14,157       14,086  
Jiangxi Nanchang     -       -  
Hunan Liling     49,124       20,284  
Henan Wenxian     -       70  
Hainan Haikou     21,235       21,129  
Anhui Hefei     -       -  
Zhejiang Lishui     21,943       21,835  
Hunan Miluo     4,247       4,226  
Guangzhou Panyu     7,078       9,860  
Hunan Yiyang     -       1,409  
Hainan Sanya     1,415       21,833  
Fujian Xiamen     707       704  
Hunan Wangcheng     849       845  
Hunan Xiangxiang     -       28,172  
Guizhou Huishui     35,392       -  
Anhui Suzhou     -       70  
Guangxi Baise     5,662       704  
Hunan Zhangjiajie     7,149       7,043  
Jiangxi Yichun Yifeng     14,157       14,086  
Guangdong Maoming     --       7,043  
Hunan Yueyang     7,078       -  
Anhui Haozhou     21,235       -  
Fujian Fuzhou     9,909       -  
Anhui Suixi     7,078       -  
Total     242,863       180,730  

 

The advances received above derived from earnest money collected from potential franchisees.

 

Related party payables comprised of the following:

 

   

April 30,

2020

   

October 31,

2019

 
Mr. Shuibo Zhang              -       156,454  
Total     -       156,454  

 

As of October 31, 2019, the Company has an outstanding payable of 156,454 to Mr. Shuibo Zhang, the Company’s shareholder, director, and officer where he advanced working capital to support the Company’s operations. There was no formal written commitment for continued support by Mr. Zhang. The advances were considered due on demand in nature and have not been formalized by a promissory note and non-interest bearing.

 

NOTE 10 – LEASES

 

The Company has various operating leases for its corporate office and retail store.

 

Operating lease expenses were $22,425 and $30,296 for the six months ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the outstanding operating leases are below the Company’s threshold for capitalizing assets. As such, no right of use assets and liabilities were recognized under ASU 842.

 

The undiscounted future minimum lease payment schedule as follows:

 

For the six months ending April 30, 2020,      
2020 (six months from May 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020)     10,215  
2021     6,728  
2022     6,728  
Thereafter     2,242  
Total     51,724  

 

F-48

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 11 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

As of April 30, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the company has 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding.

 

NOTE 12 – SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company believes that it operates in two business segments which comprised of sales of NEVs and franchise services; and it operates in one geographical location China. The Company disaggregates its revenue into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

 

Sales of goods revenues comprised of sales of vehicles to third party customers and to the franchisees. Franchise services revenues comprised of initial fees and ongoing royalties from the franchisees. Under the franchise arrangement, franchisees are granted the right to operate retail store using the Company’s Jiuzi brand and system.

 

Sales revenues comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30,

2020

   

April 30,

2019

 
NEVs sales     299,572       23 %     979,288       23 %
Franchisees service revenues     977,663       77 %     3,257,447       77 %
Total     1,277,235       100 %     4,236,735       100 %

 

Direct costs comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30,

2020

   

April 30,

2019

 
NEVs sales     296,140       59 %     937,776       46 %
Franchisees service revenues     84,895       41 %     833,867       54 %
Total     381,035       100 %     1,771,644       100 %

 

Gross profit (loss) comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30,

2020

   

April 30,

2019

 
NEVs sales     3,432       0 %     41,511       0 %
Franchisees service revenues     892,768       100 %     2,423,580       100 %
Total     896,200       100 %     2,465,092       100 %

 

NOTE 13 – INCOME TAX

 

The Company is subject to profits tax rate at 25% for income generated for its operation in China and net operating losses can be carried forward for no longer than five years starting from the year subsequent to the year in which the loss was incurred.

 

The Company has net operating loss carryforward of $287,422 as of October 31, 2019 which will expire starting year 2023. The deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance as in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

F-49

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The net taxable income (losses) before income taxes and its provision for income taxes comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30,

2020

    April 30,
2019
 
Income attributed to China     (27,795 )     1,923,837  
PRC statutory tax rate     25 %     25 %
Tax expense     (6,949 )     480,959  
Valuation allowance     6,949       67,060  
Miscellaneous     16       -  
Tax expense, net     16       548,019  

 

NOTE 14 – CONCENTRATIONS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

Credit risk

 

Cash deposits with banks are held in financial institutions in China, which deposits are not federally insured. Accordingly, the Company has a concentration of credit risk related to the uninsured part of bank deposits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk.

 

Concentration

 

The Company has a concentration risk related to suppliers and customers. Failure to maintain existing relationships with the suppliers or customers to establish new relationships in the future could negatively affect the Company’s ability to obtain goods sold to customers in a price advantage and timely manner. If the Company is unable to obtain ample supply of goods from existing suppliers or alternative sources of supply, the Company may be unable to satisfy the orders from its customers, which could materially and adversely affect revenues.

 

The concentration on sales revenues generated by customers type comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
   

April 30,

2020

   

April 30,

2019

 
Third party sales revenues     174,986       10 %     425,709       10 %
Related party sales revenues     124,586       13 %     553,578       13 %
Related party franchise revenues     977,663       77 %     3,257,447       77 %
Total     1,277,235       100 %     4,236,735       100 %

 

The concentration of sales revenues generated by third-party customers comprised of the following:

 

    Six Months Ended  
    April 30,     April 30,  
    2020     2019  
Customer A     22,745       13 %             -               - %
Customer B     18,701       11 %     -       - %
Customer C     18,671       11 %     -       - %
Customer D     -       - %     69,961       16 %
Customer E     -       - %     47,216       11  
Total     60,117       35 %     117,177       27 %

 

NOTE 15 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company evaluates subsequent events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based on this evaluation, the Company concluded that subsequent to the date the financial statements were available to be issued, there was no subsequent event that would require disclosure to or adjustment to the financial statements other than the ones disclosed above.

 

F-50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  ordinary share

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings Inc.

 

 

 

Boustead Securities, LLC

 

                     , 2020

 

 

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. 

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated articles of association, which will become effective upon completion of this offering, provide to the extent permitted by law, we shall indemnify each existing or former secretary, director (including alternate director), and any of our other officers (including an investment adviser or an administrator or liquidator) and their personal representatives against:

 

(a) all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by the existing or former secretary or officer in or about the conduct of our business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of the existing or former secretary’s or officer’s duties, powers, authorities or discretions; and

 

(b) without limitation to paragraph (a) above, all costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by the existing or former secretary or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings (whether threatened, pending or completed) concerning us or our affairs in any court or tribunal, whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

No such existing or former secretary or officer, however, shall be indemnified in respect of any matter arising out of his own dishonesty.

 

To the extent permitted by law, we may make a payment, or agree to make a payment, whether by way of advance, loan or otherwise, for any legal costs incurred by an existing or former secretary or any of our officers in respect of any matter identified in above on condition that the secretary or officer must repay the amount paid by us to the extent that it is ultimately found not liable to indemnify the secretary or that officer for those legal costs.

 

The Underwriting Agreement, the form of which has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors. 

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

ITEM 7. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

 

During the past three years, we have issued the following securities. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 of Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.

 

On October 10, 2019, we issued 1,000,000 ordinary shares to six shareholders in connection with the incorporation of the Company. The transactions were not registered under the Securities Act in reliance on an exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder as a transaction by the Company not involving any public offering.

 

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-4 of this registration statement.

 

  (b) Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.

 

II-1

 

 

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

(4) For the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

II-2

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hangzhou, on August 25, 2020.

 

  Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Shuibo Zhang
    Shuibo Zhang
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
     
/s/ Shuibo Zhang   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Director   August 25, 2020
Name: Shuibo Zhang   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Francis Zhang   Chief Financial Officer   August 25, 2020
Name: Francis Zhang   (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)    
         
/s/ Qi Zhang   Chief Operating Officer   August 25, 2020
Name: Qi Zhang        
         
/s/ Kezhen Li   Director   August 25, 2020
Name: Kezhen Li        

 

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

 

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of America, has signed this registration statement thereto in New York, NY on August 25, 2020.

 

  Cogency Global Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Colleen A. De Vries
  Name: 
Title:
Colleen A. De Vries
Senior Vice President

 

II-3

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
1.1**   Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1*   Memorandum and Articles of Association
4.1**   Specimen Certificate for ordinary share
5.1**   Opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP regarding the validity of the ordinary share being registered
8.1**   Opinion of Capital Equity Legal Group regarding certain PRC tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.1)
8.2**   Opinion of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP regarding certain U.S federal tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.2)
10.1*   Share Pledge Agreement
10.2*   Exclusive Option Agreement
10.3*   Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement
10.4*   Employment Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Shuibo Zhang
10.5*   Employment Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Qi Zhang
10.6*   Employment Agreement between Zhejiang Jiuzi and Kezhen Li
10.7   Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Francis Zhang
10.8*   Director Agreement between the Registrant and Kezhen Li
10.9   Director Offer Letter between the Registrant and Richard Chen
10.10   Director Offer Letter between the Registrant and Junjun Ge
10.11   Director Offer Letter between the Registrant and Jehn Ming Lim
10.12   Form of Letter of Intent for Cooperation on Sales and Services of NEVs
14.1   Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant
21.1*   List of Subsidiaries
23.1   Consent of WWC, P.C.
23.2**   Consent of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3**   Consent of Capital Equity Legal Group (included in Exhibit 8.1 and 99.1)
23.4**   Consent of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP (included in Exhibit 8.2 and 99.2)
99.1**   Opinion of Capital Equity Legal Group, regarding certain PRC law matters and the validity of the VIE Agreements
99.2**   Opinion of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP regarding certain U.S federal tax matters
99.3   Audit Committee Charter
99.4   Compensation Committee Charter
99.5   Nomination Committee Charter

 

* Previously filed.

 

** To be filed by amendment.

 

 

II-4

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “AGREEMENT”) is made and entered into on August 18, 2020 by and between Francis Zhang (the “EXECUTIVE”) and Jiuzi Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the “COMPANY”).

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since August 1, 2020 (the “EFFECTIVE DATE”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to memorialize the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company starting on the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and representations contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Article I. Employment; Responsibilities; Compensation

 

Section 1.01 Employment. Subject to ARTICLE 3, the Company hereby agrees to employ Executive and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, in accordance with this Agreement, for the period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending on July 31, 2023 (the “TERM”).

 

Section 1.02 Responsibilities; Loyalty

 

(a) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Executive is employed in the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and shall perform the functions and responsibilities of that position. Additional or different duties may be assigned by the Company from time to time. Executive’s position, job descriptions, duties and responsibilities maybe modified from time to time in the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(b) Executive shall devote the whole of Executive’s professional time, attention and energies to the performance of Executive’s work. Executive agrees to comply with all policies of the Company, if any, in effect from time to time, and to comply with all laws, rules and regulations, including those applicable to the Company.

 

Section 1.03 Compensation. As consideration for the services and covenants described in this Agreement, the Company agrees to compensate Executive in the following manner:

 

(a) Commencing on August 1, 2020 and for three consecutive fiscal years during the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will receive a compensation of $120,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis, payable on a monthly basis.

 

(b) The Company reserves to itself, or its designated administrators, exclusive authority and discretion to determine all issues of eligibility, interpretation and administration of any Company benefit plan or policy. The Company’s employee benefits, and policies related thereto, are subject to termination, modification or limitation at the Company’s sole discretion.

 

 

 

 

(c) Payment of all compensation to Executive shall be made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, applicable state or federal law, and applicable Company policies in effect from time to time, including normal payroll practices, and shall be subject to all applicable withholdings and taxes.

 

Section 1.04 Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all business expenses that are reasonable and necessary and incurred by Executive while performing his duties under this Agreement, upon presentation of expense statements, receipts and/or vouchers or such other information and documentation as the Company may reasonably require.

 

Article II.  Confidential Information; Post-Employment Obligations; Company Property

 

Section 2.01 Company Property. As used in this Article II, the term the “Company” refers to the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All written materials, records, data and other documents relating to Company business, products or services prepared or possessed by Executive during Executive’s employment by the Company are the Company’s property. All information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries and inventions that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by Executive individually or in conjunction with others during Executive’s employment (whether during business hours and whether on Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to Company business, products or services are the Company’s sole and exclusive property. All memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, drawings, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, maps and all other documents, data or materials of any type embodying such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries and inventions are Company property. At the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall return all of the Company’s documents, data or other Company property to the Company.

 

Section 2.02 Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure.

 

(a) Executive acknowledges that the business of the Company is highly competitive and that the Company will provide Executive with access to Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that this Confidential Information constitutes a valuable, special and unique asset used by the Company in its business to obtain a competitive advantage over competitors. Executive further acknowledges that protection of such Confidential Information against unauthorized disclosure and use is of critical importance to the Company in maintaining its competitive position. Executive agrees that Executive will not, at any time during or after Executive’s employment with the Company, make any unauthorized disclosure of any Confidential Information of the Company, or make any use thereof, except in the carrying out of Executive’s employment responsibilities to the Company. Executive also agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of third party Confidential Information to the same extent, and on the same basis, as the Company’s Confidential Information.

 

(b) For purposes hereof, “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION” includes all non-public information regarding the Company’s business operations and methods, existing and proposed investments and investment strategies, seismic, well-log and other geologic and oil and gas operating and exploratory data, financial performance, compensation arrangements and amounts (whether relating to the Company or to any of its employees), contractual relationships, business partners and relationships (including customers and suppliers), strategies, business plans and other confidential information that is used in the operation, technology and business dealings of the Company, regardless of the medium in which any of the foregoing information is contained, so long as such information is actually confidential and proprietary to the Company.

 

2

 

 

Section 2.03 Non-Competition Obligations.

 

(a) Executive acknowledges and agrees that as an employee and representative of the Company, Executive will be responsible for building and maintaining business relationships and goodwill with current and future operating partners, investors, partners and prospects on a personal level. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this responsibility creates a special relationship of trust and confidence between the Company, Executive and these persons or entities. Executive also acknowledges that this creates a high risk and opportunity for Executive to misappropriate these relationships and the goodwill existing between the Company and such persons. Executive acknowledges and agrees that it is fair and reasonable for the Company to take steps to protect itself from the risk of such misappropriation.

 

(b) Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in exchange for his agreement in SECTION 2.03(c) below, he will receive substantial, valuable consideration from the Company upon the execution of this Agreement and during the course of this Agreement, including, (i) Confidential Information and access to Confidential Information, (ii) compensation and other benefits and (c) access to the Company’s prospects.

 

(c) During the Non-Compete Term and provided that the Company has made all severance payments provided for herein (to the extent applicable), Executive will not, directly or indirectly, provide the same or substantially the same services that he provides to the Company to any Business Enterprise in the Market Area (as defined below) without prior written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld. This includes working as an agent, consultant, employee, officer, director, partner or independent contractor or being a shareholder, member, joint venturer or equity owner in, any such Business Enterprise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing shall not restrict Executive from holding up to 5% of the voting power or equity of one or more Business Enterprises.

 

(d) For purposes of hereof:

 

(i) “BUSINESS ENTERPRISE” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, joint venture or other business association or entity (other than the Company) engaged in the business of publishing national and regional publications and development of technology that serves the needs of online and print publishers and their advertisers in the Market Area;

 

(ii) “MARKET AREA” means: (1) New York County, New York, and (3) any geographic area in which the Company is conducting any material amount publishing or development of technology during the Term, and for which he has material responsibilities or about which he has material Confidential Information; and

 

3

 

 

(iii) “NON-COMPETE TERM” means in the case of termination for any reason, the period from the Effective Date to the date ending 2 years following the date of termination.

 

Section 2.04 Non-Solicitation of Executives. During the Non-Compete Term, Executive will not, either directly or indirectly, call on, solicit or induce any other executive or officer of the Company or its affiliates with whom Executive had contact, knowledge of, or association with in the course of employment with the Company to terminate his employment, and will not assist any other person or entity in such a solicitation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to soliciting any executive or officer whose employment was terminated by the Company or its affiliates, or general solicitations for employment not targeted at current officers or employees of the Company or its affiliates, the foregoing restriction shall not apply.

 

Article III.  Termination of Employment

 

Section 3.01 Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Executive’s employment with the Company shall be terminated (i) immediately upon the death of Executive without further action by the Company, (ii) upon Executive’s Permanent Disability without further action by the Company, (iii) by the Company for Cause, (iv) by Executive without Good Reason, (v) by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, including by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control, provided that, in the case of clause (v), the terminating party must give at least 30 days’ advance written notice of such termination. For purposes of this ARTICLE III, “date of termination” means the date of Executive’s death, the date of Executive’s Permanent Disability, or the date of Executive’s separation from service with the Company, as applicable.

 

(b) For purposes hereof:

 

(i) “CAUSE” shall include (A) continued failure by Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties and responsibilities (other than a failure resulting from Permanent Disability) that is materially injurious to the Company and that remains uncorrected for 10 days after receipt of appropriate written notice from the Board; (B) engagement in willful, reckless or grossly negligent misconduct that is materially injurious to Company or any of its affiliates, monetarily or otherwise; (C) except as provided by (D), the indictment of Executive with a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony; (D) the indictment of Executive for an act of criminal fraud, misappropriation or personal dishonesty; or (E) a material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement that is materially injurious to the Company and that remains uncorrected for 10 days following written notice of such breach by the Company to Executive identifying the provision of this Agreement that Company determined has been breached. For purposes of (C) and (D), if the criminal charge is subsequently dismissed with prejudice or the Executive is acquitted at trial or on appeal then the Executive will be deemed to have been terminated without Cause.

 

(ii) “CHANGE OF CONTROL” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events that occurs after the Effective Date:

 

4

 

 

1) Any “person” (as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “EXCHANGE ACT”)) becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company; provided that a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of a transaction in which the Company becomes a subsidiary of another corporation and in which the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, will beneficially own, immediately after the transaction, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the parent corporation would be entitled in the election of directors; or

 

2) The consummation of (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors, (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (C) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

(iii) “GOOD REASON” shall mean one or more of the following conditions arising not more than six months before Executive’s termination date without Executive’s consent: (A) a material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; (B) assignment by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to Executive of any duties that materially and adversely alter the nature or status of Executive’s position, job descriptions, duties, title or responsibilities from those of a President and Chief Executive Officer, or eligibility for Company compensation plans; (C) requirement by the Company for Executive to relocate to a primary place of business which is more than [50] miles away from the Executive’s primary place of business as of the Effective Date of this Agreement; or (D) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary in effect at the relevant time. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Good Reason will exist only if Executive provides notice to the Company of the existence of the condition otherwise constituting Good Reason within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition, and the Company fails to remedy the condition on or before the 30th day following its receipt of such notice.

 

(iv) “PERMANENT DISABILITY” shall mean Executive’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. Executive will be deemed permanently disabled if determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or if determined to be disabled in accordance with a disability insurance program that applies a definition of disability that complies with the requirements of this paragraph.

 

(c) If Executive’s employment is terminated under any of the foregoing circumstances, all future compensation to which Executive is otherwise entitled and all future benefits for which Executive is eligible, other than those already earned but which is unpaid, shall cease and terminate as of the date of termination, except as specifically provided in this ARTICLE III.

 

5

 

 

Article IV.  Miscellaneous

 

Section 4.01 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally, mailed by certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent by overnight delivery service, or electronic mail, or facsimile transmission.

 

Section 4.02 Severability and Reformation. If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed severable. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be reformed by limiting and reducing it to the minimum extent necessary, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

 

Section 4.03 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of Executive and the permitted assigns and successors of the Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession) or by the Company, except that the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise), if such successor expressly agrees to assume the obligations of the Company hereunder.

 

Section 4.04 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by writing signed by Executive and by the Company.

 

Section 4.05 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND GOVERNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO RULES RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

Section 4.06 Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in NEW YORK in connection with any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and waives any objection to venue in NEW YORK. In addition, each of the parties hereto hereby waives trial by jury in connection with any claim or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.07 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement or understanding, written or oral, between the Company or any affiliate of the Company and Executive with respect to such subject matter, including the Employment Agreement.

 

Section 4.08 Counterparts; No Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original. For purposes of determining whether a party has signed this Agreement or any document contemplated hereby or any amendment or waiver hereof, only a handwritten signature on a paper document or a facsimile transmission of a handwritten original signature will constitute a signature, notwithstanding any law relating to or enabling the creation, execution or delivery of any contract or signature by electronic means.

 

Section 4.09 Construction. The headings and captions of this Agreement are provided for convenience only and are intended to have no effect in construing or interpreting this Agreement. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed in accordance to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against the Company or Executive. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.”

 

[signature page follows]

 

6

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first written above:

 

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

   
  /s/ Shuibo Zhang
  Name: Shuibo Zhang
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
 

 

Executive

   
  /s/ Francis Zhang
  Francis Zhang

 

 

7

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

 

August 18, 2020

 

Re: Director Offer Letter – Richard Chen

 

Dear Mr. Chen:

 

JIUZI HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Company” or “we”), is pleased to offer you a position as a Director of the Company.  We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your participation as a Director in the Company. Should you choose to accept this position as a Director, this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Your appointment shall also be subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and/or Nomination and Compensation Committees and shall begin upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

1. Term.  This Agreement is effective upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market for a term of three years. Your term as a Director shall continue subject to the provisions in Section 9 below or until your successor is duly elected and qualified.  The position shall be up for re-appointment every year by the board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and upon re-appointment, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2. Services.  You shall render customary services as a Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, and member of the Compensation Committee and Nomination Committee (hereinafter, your “Duties”). During the term of this Agreement, you may attend and participate at each meeting regarding the business and operation issues of the Company as regularly or specially called, via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the members of the Board and committee (if any) regularly and as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence.

 

3. Services for Others.  You shall be free to represent or perform services for other persons during the term of this Agreement.  

 

4. Compensation.  As compensation for your services to the Company, you will receive upon execution of this Agreement a compensation of $30,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis, payable on a quarterly basis.

 

 

 

 

You shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties (including travel expenses for in-person meetings).

 

5. D&O Insurance Policy. During the term under this Agreement, the Company shall include you as an insured under its officers and directors insurance policy, if available.

 

6. No Assignment.  Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

7. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure.  In consideration of your access to certain Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company, in connection with your business relationship with the Company, you hereby represent and agree as follows:

 

a. Definition.  For purposes of this Agreement the term “Confidential Information” means: (i) any information which the Company possesses that has been created, discovered or developed by or for the Company, and which has or could have commercial value or utility in the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) any information which is related to the business of the Company and is generally not known by non-Company personnel; and (iii) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets and any information concerning products, processes, formulas, designs, inventions (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, and whether or not reduced to practice), discoveries, concepts, ideas, improvements, techniques, methods, research, development and test results, specifications, data, know-how, software, formats, marketing plans, and analyses, business plans and analyses, strategies, forecasts, customer and supplier identities, characteristics and agreements.

 

b. Exclusions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include: (i) any information which becomes generally available or is readily available to the public other than as a result of a breach of the confidentiality portions of this Agreement, or any other agreement requiring confidentiality between the Company and you; (ii) information received from a third party in rightful possession of such information who is not restricted from disclosing such information; (iii) information known by you prior to receipt of such information from the Company, which prior knowledge can be documented and (iv) information you are required to disclose pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order or decree, or request by other regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law; provided, however, that you shall first have given prior written notice to the Company and made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information not be disclosed.

 

c. Documents. You agree that, without the express written consent of the Company, you will not remove from the Company's premises, any notes, formulas, programs, data, records, machines or any other documents or items which in any manner contain or constitute Confidential Information, nor will you make reproductions or copies of same.  You shall promptly return any such documents or items, along with any reproductions or copies to the Company upon the Company's demand, upon termination of this Agreement, or upon your termination or Resignation (as defined in Section 9 herein).

 

2

 

 

d. Confidentiality.  You agree that you will hold in trust and confidence all Confidential Information and will not disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information or anything relating to such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company.  You further agree that you will not use any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company, and that the provisions of this paragraph (d) shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may disclose Confidential Information to your legal counsel and accounting advisors who have a need to know such information for accounting or tax purposes and who agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph (d).

 

e. Ownership.  You agree that the Company shall own all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designations, designs, know-how, ideas and information made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by you during the term of this Agreement and that arise out of your Duties (collectively, “Inventions”) and you will promptly disclose and provide all Inventions to the Company. You agree to assist the Company, at its expense, to further evidence, record and perfect such assignments, and to perfect, obtain, maintain, enforce, and defend any rights assigned.

 

8.  Non-Solicitation.   During the term of your appointment, you shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company with whom you have had contact due to your appointment.

 

9.  Termination and Resignation.  Your services as a Director may be terminated for any or no reason by the determination of the Board. You may also terminate your services as a Director for any or no reason by delivering your written notice of resignation to the Company (“Resignation”), and such Resignation shall be effective upon the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt of the notice of resignation by the Company. Upon the effective date of the termination or Resignation, your right to compensation hereunder will terminate subject to the Company's obligations to pay you any compensation that you have already earned and to reimburse you for approved expenses already incurred in connection with your performance of your Duties as of the effective date of such termination or Resignation.

 

10. Governing Law; Arbitration.    All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the State of New York. All disputes with respect to this Agreement, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination thereof or any dispute regarding non-contractual obligations arising out of or relating to it shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association at its New York office in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The law of this arbitration clause shall be New York law. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York. The number of arbitrators shall be one. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.

 

3

 

 

11. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts.  This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof.  Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto.  Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement.  The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.

 

12. Indemnification.  The Company shall, to the maximum extent provided under applicable law, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, settlements and other legally permissible amounts (“Losses”), incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of, or related to, your performance of your Duties, other than any such Losses incurred as a result of your gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Company shall advance to you any expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.  Such costs and expenses incurred by you in defense of any such proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding promptly upon receipt by the Company of (a) written request for payment; (b) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (c) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on your behalf to repay the amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to any non-appealable judgment or settlement that you are not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. 

 

13. Acknowledgement.   You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.

 

4

 

 

The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.

 

  Sincerely,
     
  JIUZI HOLDING, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Shuibo Zhang 
   

Shuibo Zhang

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
   
/s/ Richard Chen   
Richard Chen
Address:
 
Phone Number:
Email:

 

 

5

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

 

August 18, 2020

 

Re: Director Offer Letter – Junjun Ge

 

Dear Mr. Ge:

 

JIUZI HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Company” or “we”), is pleased to offer you a position as a Director of the Company.  We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your participation as a Director in the Company. Should you choose to accept this position as a Director, this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Your appointment shall also be subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and/or Nomination and Compensation Committees and shall begin upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

1. Term.  This Agreement is effective upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market for a term of three years. Your term as a Director shall continue subject to the provisions in Section 9 below or until your successor is duly elected and qualified.  The position shall be up for re-appointment every year by the board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and upon re-appointment, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2. Services.  You shall render customary services as a Director, Chair of the Compensation Committee, and member of the Audit Committee and Nomination Committee (hereinafter, your “Duties”). During the term of this Agreement, you may attend and participate at each meeting regarding the business and operation issues of the Company as regularly or specially called, via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the members of the Board and committee (if any) regularly and as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence.

 

3. Services for Others.  You shall be free to represent or perform services for other persons during the term of this Agreement.  

 

4. Compensation.  As compensation for your services to the Company, you will receive upon execution of this Agreement a compensation of $30,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis, payable on a quarterly basis.

 

 

 

 

You shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties (including travel expenses for in-person meetings).

 

5. D&O Insurance Policy. During the term under this Agreement, the Company shall include you as an insured under its officers and directors insurance policy, if available.

 

6. No Assignment.  Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

7. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure.  In consideration of your access to certain Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company, in connection with your business relationship with the Company, you hereby represent and agree as follows:

 

a. Definition.  For purposes of this Agreement the term “Confidential Information” means: (i) any information which the Company possesses that has been created, discovered or developed by or for the Company, and which has or could have commercial value or utility in the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) any information which is related to the business of the Company and is generally not known by non-Company personnel; and (iii) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets and any information concerning products, processes, formulas, designs, inventions (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, and whether or not reduced to practice), discoveries, concepts, ideas, improvements, techniques, methods, research, development and test results, specifications, data, know-how, software, formats, marketing plans, and analyses, business plans and analyses, strategies, forecasts, customer and supplier identities, characteristics and agreements.

 

b. Exclusions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include: (i) any information which becomes generally available or is readily available to the public other than as a result of a breach of the confidentiality portions of this Agreement, or any other agreement requiring confidentiality between the Company and you; (ii) information received from a third party in rightful possession of such information who is not restricted from disclosing such information; (iii) information known by you prior to receipt of such information from the Company, which prior knowledge can be documented and (iv) information you are required to disclose pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order or decree, or request by other regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law; provided, however, that you shall first have given prior written notice to the Company and made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information not be disclosed.

 

c. Documents. You agree that, without the express written consent of the Company, you will not remove from the Company's premises, any notes, formulas, programs, data, records, machines or any other documents or items which in any manner contain or constitute Confidential Information, nor will you make reproductions or copies of same.  You shall promptly return any such documents or items, along with any reproductions or copies to the Company upon the Company's demand, upon termination of this Agreement, or upon your termination or Resignation (as defined in Section 9 herein).

 

2

 

 

d. Confidentiality.  You agree that you will hold in trust and confidence all Confidential Information and will not disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information or anything relating to such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company.  You further agree that you will not use any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company, and that the provisions of this paragraph (d) shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may disclose Confidential Information to your legal counsel and accounting advisors who have a need to know such information for accounting or tax purposes and who agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph (d).

 

e. Ownership.  You agree that the Company shall own all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designations, designs, know-how, ideas and information made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by you during the term of this Agreement and that arise out of your Duties (collectively, “Inventions”) and you will promptly disclose and provide all Inventions to the Company. You agree to assist the Company, at its expense, to further evidence, record and perfect such assignments, and to perfect, obtain, maintain, enforce, and defend any rights assigned.

 

8.  Non-Solicitation.   During the term of your appointment, you shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company with whom you have had contact due to your appointment.

 

9.  Termination and Resignation.  Your services as a Director may be terminated for any or no reason by the determination of the Board. You may also terminate your services as a Director for any or no reason by delivering your written notice of resignation to the Company (“Resignation”), and such Resignation shall be effective upon the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt of the notice of resignation by the Company. Upon the effective date of the termination or Resignation, your right to compensation hereunder will terminate subject to the Company's obligations to pay you any compensation that you have already earned and to reimburse you for approved expenses already incurred in connection with your performance of your Duties as of the effective date of such termination or Resignation.

 

10. Governing Law; Arbitration.    All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the State of New York. All disputes with respect to this Agreement, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination thereof or any dispute regarding non-contractual obligations arising out of or relating to it shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association at its New York office in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The law of this arbitration clause shall be New York law. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York. The number of arbitrators shall be one. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.

 

3

 

 

11. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts.  This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof.  Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto.  Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement.  The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.

 

12. Indemnification.  The Company shall, to the maximum extent provided under applicable law, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, settlements and other legally permissible amounts (“Losses”), incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of, or related to, your performance of your Duties, other than any such Losses incurred as a result of your gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Company shall advance to you any expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.  Such costs and expenses incurred by you in defense of any such proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding promptly upon receipt by the Company of (a) written request for payment; (b) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (c) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on your behalf to repay the amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to any non-appealable judgment or settlement that you are not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. 

 

13. Acknowledgement.   You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.

 

4

 

 

The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.

 

  Sincerely,
     
  JIUZI HOLDING, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Shuibo Zhang 
   

Shuibo Zhang

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
   
/s/ Junjun Ge   

Junjun Ge

Address:

 

Phone Number:

Email:
 

 

5

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

 

August 18, 2020

 

 

Re: Director Offer Letter – Jehn Ming Lim

 

Dear Mr. Lim:

 

JIUZI HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Company” or “we”), is pleased to offer you a position as a Director of the Company.  We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your participation as a Director in the Company. Should you choose to accept this position as a Director, this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Your appointment shall also be subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and/or Nomination and Compensation Committees and shall begin upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

1. Term.  This Agreement is effective upon Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market for a term of three years. Your term as a Director shall continue subject to the provisions in Section 9 below or until your successor is duly elected and qualified.  The position shall be up for re-appointment every year by the board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and upon re-appointment, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2. Services.  You shall render customary services as a Director, Chair of the Nomination Committee, and member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee (hereinafter, your “Duties”). During the term of this Agreement, you may attend and participate at each meeting regarding the business and operation issues of the Company as regularly or specially called, via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the members of the Board and committee (if any) regularly and as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence.

 

3. Services for Others.  You shall be free to represent or perform services for other persons during the term of this Agreement.  

 

4. Compensation.  As compensation for your services to the Company, you will receive upon execution of this Agreement a compensation of $30,000 for each calendar year of service under this Agreement on a pro-rated basis, payable on a quarterly basis.

 

1

 

  

You shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties (including travel expenses for in-person meetings).

 

5. D&O Insurance Policy. During the term under this Agreement, the Company shall include you as an insured under its officers and directors insurance policy, if available.

 

6. No Assignment.  Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

7. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure.  In consideration of your access to certain Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company, in connection with your business relationship with the Company, you hereby represent and agree as follows:

 

a. Definition.  For purposes of this Agreement the term “Confidential Information” means: (i) any information which the Company possesses that has been created, discovered or developed by or for the Company, and which has or could have commercial value or utility in the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) any information which is related to the business of the Company and is generally not known by non-Company personnel; and (iii) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets and any information concerning products, processes, formulas, designs, inventions (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, and whether or not reduced to practice), discoveries, concepts, ideas, improvements, techniques, methods, research, development and test results, specifications, data, know-how, software, formats, marketing plans, and analyses, business plans and analyses, strategies, forecasts, customer and supplier identities, characteristics and agreements.

 

b. Exclusions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include: (i) any information which becomes generally available or is readily available to the public other than as a result of a breach of the confidentiality portions of this Agreement, or any other agreement requiring confidentiality between the Company and you; (ii) information received from a third party in rightful possession of such information who is not restricted from disclosing such information; (iii) information known by you prior to receipt of such information from the Company, which prior knowledge can be documented and (iv) information you are required to disclose pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order or decree, or request by other regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law; provided, however, that you shall first have given prior written notice to the Company and made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information not be disclosed.

 

c. Documents. You agree that, without the express written consent of the Company, you will not remove from the Company’s premises, any notes, formulas, programs, data, records, machines or any other documents or items which in any manner contain or constitute Confidential Information, nor will you make reproductions or copies of same.  You shall promptly return any such documents or items, along with any reproductions or copies to the Company upon the Company’s demand, upon termination of this Agreement, or upon your termination or Resignation (as defined in Section 9 herein).

 

2

 

  

d. Confidentiality.  You agree that you will hold in trust and confidence all Confidential Information and will not disclose to others, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information or anything relating to such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company.  You further agree that you will not use any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the course of your business relationship with the Company, and that the provisions of this paragraph (d) shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may disclose Confidential Information to your legal counsel and accounting advisors who have a need to know such information for accounting or tax purposes and who agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph (d).

 

e. Ownership.  You agree that the Company shall own all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designations, designs, know-how, ideas and information made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by you during the term of this Agreement and that arise out of your Duties (collectively, “Inventions”) and you will promptly disclose and provide all Inventions to the Company. You agree to assist the Company, at its expense, to further evidence, record and perfect such assignments, and to perfect, obtain, maintain, enforce, and defend any rights assigned.

 

8. Non-Solicitation.   During the term of your appointment, you shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company with whom you have had contact due to your appointment.

 

9. Termination and Resignation.  Your services as a Director may be terminated for any or no reason by the determination of the Board. You may also terminate your services as a Director for any or no reason by delivering your written notice of resignation to the Company (“Resignation”), and such Resignation shall be effective upon the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt of the notice of resignation by the Company. Upon the effective date of the termination or Resignation, your right to compensation hereunder will terminate subject to the Company’s obligations to pay you any compensation that you have already earned and to reimburse you for approved expenses already incurred in connection with your performance of your Duties as of the effective date of such termination or Resignation.

 

10. Governing Law; Arbitration.    All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the State of New York. All disputes with respect to this Agreement, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination thereof or any dispute regarding non-contractual obligations arising out of or relating to it shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association at its New York office in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The law of this arbitration clause shall be New York law. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York. The number of arbitrators shall be one. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.

 

3

 

  

11. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts.  This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof.  Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto.  Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement.  The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.

 

12. Indemnification.  The Company shall, to the maximum extent provided under applicable law, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, settlements and other legally permissible amounts (“Losses”), incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of, or related to, your performance of your Duties, other than any such Losses incurred as a result of your gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Company shall advance to you any expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.  Such costs and expenses incurred by you in defense of any such proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding promptly upon receipt by the Company of (a) written request for payment; (b) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (c) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on your behalf to repay the amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to any non-appealable judgment or settlement that you are not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. 

 

13. Acknowledgement.   You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.

 

4

 

  

The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.

 

  Sincerely,
     
  JIUZI HOLDING, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Shuibo Zhng
   

Shuibo Zhang

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
   
/s/ Jehn Ming Lim   

Jehn Ming Lim

Address:

 

Phone Number:

Email:

 

 

5

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract No. :

 

Letter of Intent for Cooperation on Sales and service of New energy Vehicles

 

Party A: _______________________

 

with

 

Party B: Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., LTD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter of Intent for Cooperation on Sales and service of New energy Vehicles

 

The Letter of Intent on Sales and Services of New Energy Vehicles (hereinafter referred to as the “Letter of Intent”) is signed by the following parties in _________, _____________ Province, China on ___________:

 

_____________ (hereinafter referred to as “Party A”) is a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and its legal representative is

 

Address: ____________________________________;

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Automobile Co., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as “Party B”) is a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and its legal representative is Mr. Zhang Shuibo.

 

Address is located at 401, Building 1, Jinsha Lake Business Center, Hangzhou Economic Development Zone, Zhejiang Province, Zip code: 310000 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”).

 

1 Purpose of this Letter of Intent

 

1.1 Whereas Party B wishes to become a sales service provider of Party A and agrees to build a business site and related facilities (hereinafter referred to as the business site) for the sale and service of New Energy Vehicles as required by Party A, the parties have reached a preliminary intention on matters related to the establishment of the sales and service cooperation relationship.

 

1.2 This LOI (Letter of Intent) explains the following:

 

1.2.1 Requirements that Must be met before Party B becomes a sales service provider of Party A and signs the [Brand] New Energy Automobile Temporary License Sales and Service Agreement or The [Brand] New Energy Automobile License Sales and Service Contract (collectively, the “License Contract”) with Party A;

 

1.2.2 Construction work to be done by Party B after signing this Letter of Intent.

 

2. Intended products and intended area

 

2.1 If Party B becomes party A’s sales service provider, Party A intends to license The [Brand] New Energy model to be operated by Party B

 

(hereinafter referred to as “Intended Model”, the specific business model shall be subject to the notice given by Party A in writing).

 

2.2 Party A may adjust the intended models and varieties licensed to Be sold by Party B according to market development or changes in its own business strategy.

 

2.3 If Party B becomes party A’s sales service provider, Party A intends to license Party B to operate in __________, _______ Province (hereinafter referred to as the Intended Area).

 

2

 

 

2.4 The intended models and intended areas licensed by Party A to Party B are neither exclusive nor Excludability.

 

2.5 For the purpose of maintaining or expanding market opportunities, Party A may change party B’s intended territory according to Party B’s business conditions.

 

3.Address of business premises

 

3.1 Party B, as the sales service provider of Party A, shall establish the address of the business site, which shall be confirmed by both parties and described as follows:

  

1. [Address]

 

2. [Address]

 

3.2 If Party B intends to conduct the transitional business, the address of party B’s transitional business site shall be, with the consent of Party A:

 

3.3 If the address of the above business site (including the transition business site) confirmed by both parties needs to be changed due to special reasons, Party B shall

 

A written change application report shall be submitted to Party A 10 days before the actual change is made, stating that the address needs to be changed

 

Reasons, and provide the documents and other necessary materials issued by the relevant competent authorities. Upon party A’s verification and consent,

 

Party B may choose a new site within the intended area permitted by Party A. Party B shall report to Party A in writing and get the new address from Party A and

 

Written confirmation from Party A.

 

4 Representations and Warranties

 

4.1 Party B warrants to Party A that:

 

4.1.1 The original business license, tax registration and other official permission documents presented by Party B to Party A for the purpose of signing this LoI;

 

As well as the “[Brand] New Energy Vehicle Regional Distribution Application Report” and other relevant documents submitted to Party A, in this Letter of Intent

 

It shall be true, valid and accurate at the time of signing;

 

4.1.2 If the Parties enter into a license contract thereafter, except that Party B has submitted the modified documents to Party A

 

The document is also true, valid and accurate.

 

4.2 Party B warrants to Party A that it has the legal qualification, license and conditions for signing this Letter of Intent.

 

4.3 Party B warrants to Party A that party B shall complete the legal procedures required for the construction of the business site within/within days from the signing date of this Letter of Intent

 

The relevant procedures of land use and construction permit; If Party B changes the address of its business premises and party A confirms the change, it shall also apply to the new address

 

3

 

 

Within/within days upon party A’s confirmation, party A shall complete the relevant procedures for the legal use of land and the permitted construction of the construction site.

 

If Party B fails to complete the above procedures on time, Party A has the right to terminate this LOI.

 

4.4 Upon signing this Letter of Intent, Party B shall present to Party A its original valid business license. If Party B actually pays the registration

 

If the capital is less than TWO million YUAN, Party B must pay the registered capital within/within days from the signing date of this Letter of Intent

 

Less than TWO million YUAN and the original amended business license of enterprise legal person shall be submitted to Party A. Otherwise, Party A has the right to

 

Termination of this LoI.

 

4.5 In order to ensure that the construction of the business site is completed in accordance with the standards on schedule (see below), Party B undertakes to own the business site within the term of validity of the letter of intent

 

Total working capital of not less than 5 million RMB.

 

5 Construction

 

5.1 After Party A receives all the legal and valid documents and materials required for the land and/or construction of the business site to be constructed and provided by Party B,

 

Party A shall provide Party B with the Construction Drawing of [Brand] New Energy Automobile License Sales Service Store and the decoration design of [Brand] New Energy Store

 

The standard plan and related materials shall clarify the standards and requirements of the construction and image of the business site.

 

Party B shall receive the construction Drawing of [Brand] New Energy Automobile License Sales Service Store provided by Party A as mentioned above.

 

4

 

 

Within/within days after the decoration design Standard Drawing and relevant materials of New Energy Vehicle Store, a detailed and feasible project schedule shall be drawn up and submitted to Party A for the construction work. After party A’s written confirmation, it shall be delivered to the construction unit for construction.

 

5.3 party b’s management place of civil engineering must be signed in this letter of intent/months from the date of the construction, and all relevant and necessary equipment and spare parts for the construction of the installation, procurement work, must be in / / before the end of all completed and installed, and through party a’s written acceptance confirmation, otherwise, party a shall have the right to terminate this letter of intent.

 

5.4 Party B shall timely inform Party A of the construction progress and party B’s acceptance in writing in the form required by Party A, and accept Party A’s supervision. To this end, the parties confirm the following contacts for the construction schedule:

 

Contact the responsible party

 

 

The contact
The name position Office phone fax email  
Party a            
Party b            

 

5.5 Party B shall construct the business site in strict accordance with Party A’s standards and requirements, and bear the relevant design, development, construction and other expenses by itself.

 

6 Class standards

 

6.1 The parties agree that the business premises constructed by Party B shall conform to party A’s C-level store standards; If the transition operation is required, the transition operation site of Party B shall meet the standards of direct-sale stores or urban exhibition halls stipulated by Party A in its management documents.

 

6.2 If the business site constructed by Party B fails to meet the above standards agreed upon by both parties during Party A’s acceptance and confirmation, Party A shall have the right to terminate this LETTER of Intent without bearing any economic and/or other responsibilities.

 

5

 

 

6.3 standard

 

classification First-tier cities and municipalities directly under the Central Government Prefecture level County-level cities
A grade Class B Class C
standard Street facing width (m) P 24 20 or more 15
Store height (m) 24 4 3 or higher
Total area (m) 700 P 550 P 360
Exhibition Hall Area (M2) 360 280 160
Office Area (M) P 100 P 70 40 or higher

Service always

area (m)

Repair shop (excluding parts warehouse) P 170 P 130 100
The reception area 20 or more 20 or more 20
User lounge 20 or more 20 or more 20 or more
Spare parts warehouse (including old parts warehouse) 30 30 or higher 20 or more
A combined P 240 200 P 160
Store Investment (ten thousand) 150 120 70
Working Capital (ten thousand) 300 200 100
Security deposit (ten thousand) Daily margin 20 20 16
Construction deposit 20 20 16
requirements Number of vehicles (sets) 6 5 4 or higher
Sales staff (person) 6 4 3
Service personnel (person) 3 or higher 2 or more 1 or more
  Monthly Minimum vehicle inventory (unit) 45 30 15
Monthly minimum spare parts inventory (ten thousand) 8 6 3
Annual Target volume (Taiwan) 500 360 200
Store location Traditional business district, car street, motor city, bustling area, etc
After qualification More than three
                   

7 Construction Deposit

 

7.1 Party B shall, within 7 working days after the signing of this Letter of Intent, pay Party A a construction deposit of ________ YUAN. On the expiration date,

 

If Party A does not receive the payment, this LoI shall not become effective.

 

Beneficiary:

 

Bank of deposit:

 

Account number:

 

Note: Please be sure to write “Deposit” in the remarks information column when making remittance.

 

7.2 Return of construction deposit:

 

If the construction of Party B’s business site passes the acceptance confirmation of Party A as scheduled and Party Z and Party A sign the license contract, Party A shall be responsible for the construction of party B’s business site

 

According to the amount of performance bond stipulated in the license contract, party B shall convert such part of the construction bond under the license contract

 

Performance bond, if any, will be converted into payment.

 

6

 

 

7.3 Unless agreed in writing by Party A, the actual construction schedule of Party B is inconsistent with the construction schedule determined by both parties:

 

7.3.1 If party A’s acceptance and confirmation of the business site is delayed for more than 30 days, Party A shall deduct 20,000 YUAN as construction deposit;

 

7.3.2 If party A delays the final acceptance confirmation of the business site for more than 60 days, Party A shall deduct ________ yuan as construction deposit

 

Yuan and have the right to terminate this Letter of intent;

 

7.3.3 If party A delays the final acceptance confirmation of the business site for more than 90 days, Party A shall have the right to terminate this agreement immediately

 

And have the right to deduct all the construction deposit.

 

8 Acceptance Confirmation

 

8.1 Upon receipt of party B’s written notice that the construction project of the business site is completed on time or in advance, Party A shall press the “[Brand] New Energy Automobile”

 

Construction Drawing of licensed Sales service shop, Standard Drawing of Decoration and Design of [Brand] New Energy Automobile Shop and related materials

 

The stipulated standards and requirements for the construction and image of the business site, and the acceptance and confirmation of the business site and related equipment.

 

8.2 If the acceptance confirmation fails, Party B shall, as required by Party A, make corrections to the business premises and relevant equipment

 

Party A shall conduct the second acceptance confirmation within 7 days after the acceptance confirmation is not passed or within the extended period agreed by both parties.

 

If Party B fails to pass Party A’s second acceptance confirmation as scheduled, Party A shall have the right to terminate this LOI without undertaking to do so

 

Any economic and/or other responsibilities.

 

7

 

 

8.3 Party B shall only do so after all the work required by this Letter of Intent has been confirmed qualified by Party A’s acceptance inspection and a license contract has been signed with Party A

 

Party A can officially start business as a licensed sales service provider and operate the licensed relevant business; If Party B completes the construction ahead of schedule

 

Party B may start business ahead of schedule if the work is set up, approved by Party A’s acceptance inspection and both parties sign a license contract.

 

The acceptance confirmation of Party A stated in this Letter of Intent does not change Party B’s status as the contractor of the business site construction and the construction contract.

 

The relationship of rights and obligations between bits. Party B shall bear the relevant legal obligations and liabilities for the construction of the business site.

 

9.1 Party B shall, prior to its official opening as a licensed sales service provider with the permission of Party A, recruit for the positions set up according to Party A’s plan

 

The employees to be engaged in the sales of the intended model and related services shall be organized according to Party A’s requirements and plans

 

Participate in party A’s relevant training.

 

9.2 Party A shall be responsible for the development of training courses, the training of teachers for teaching and the provision of relevant teaching materials.

 

9.3 Party B shall bear the training expenses specified by Party A and the transportation, accommodation and other expenses of the trainees.

 

9.4 Party B’s employees who attend Party A’s relevant training shall report to Party A for record. Any change shall be approved by Party A.

 

Conditions for signing a licensing contract

 

10.1 Once Party B meets all the following conditions, the Parties may sign the license Contract:

 

10.1.1 Party B’s construction related to the business site, installation and procurement of necessary equipment and spare parts shall be regulated by Party A.

 

8

 

 

The project shall be completed on time or ahead of schedule within the specified period and shall be qualified upon acceptance inspection by Party A;

 

10.1.2 As party A’s sales service provider, Party B must be an independent legal person with an independent financial system and organization machine

 

Construction, business sites and facilities, a certain number of staff meeting the business requirements and the corresponding management bodies

 

Department;

 

10.1.3 Party B has independently obtained the business license and government license necessary for business operation, including but not limited to auto repair

 

The business license of the automobile maintenance industry approved by the administrative authority of the trade;

 

10.1.4 The paid-in registered capital of Party B shall not be less than TWO million yuan, and party B has maintained the establishment and operation of the company as the sales permitted by Party A

 

The capital required by the service provider shall be qualified to make full use of the capital, and the total amount shall not be less than 500

 

Working capital of ten thousand yuan;

 

10.1.5 Upon Party A’s confirmation, all relevant employees of Party B have successfully completed the training as required by Party A;

 

10.1.6 The official documents submitted by Party B to Party A in accordance with Article 4.1 when signing this LoI are still true, valid and valid

 

Accurate. If there is any change, it shall present and submit the corresponding document for the change.

 

10.1.7 The term of validity of Party B’s enterprise business license and the term of validity of the legal use of land and business premises shall be not low at that time In five years.

 

9

 

 

10.2 If Party B deems it necessary to invest in the establishment of a new company and determines that a licensing contract shall be entered into between The New Company and Party A, Party B shall submit a written application to Party A. Party B and the New Company shall satisfy all the following conditions and the new Company shall enter into a licensing contract with Party A only upon Written consent of Party A:

 

10.2.1 The investment proportion of Party B or its controlling shareholders in the New Company shall not be less than 51% of the registered capital of the New Company, and shall be in the

 

After the new company is registered, it shall provide Party A with the authoritative and legally effective certification materials of the registered capital composition;

 

10.2.2 The New Company shall meet all the conditions required for the signing of the licensing contract and shall perform all the requirements made by Party B to Party A

 

Party B shall supervise and guarantee the new company and meet the relevant requirements set forth in this Letter of Intent

 

The Performance of the foregoing conditions, commitments and requirements by the Division.

 

10.2.3 Party B undertakes that the right to obtain land and business premises from a third party shall be transferred to the business premises constructed by the new Company

 

Lawfully used by the new company; If the New Company signs a license contract with Party A, Party B shall comply with the license contract

 

The amount of the performance bond of party B shall be converted into the performance bond of the New Company with respect to the license contract, e.g

 

Any balance will be converted into the payment for the new company.

 

10.3 If Party B completes the construction and decoration of the exhibition hall and maintenance workshop of the business site according to Party A’s standards and passes party A’s preliminary acceptance review,

 

Part of the exhibition hall reaches the state of marketable, part of the service station reaches the state of repairable; Or if Party B’s business site construction week

 

However, the exhibition hall and service station of the transition store shall be built at least as required by Party A

 

For the special market, Party A may, according to the local conditions and the opinions of Party A’s region, give the standard

 

In case of concession, Party B is permitted to sell the products distributed by Party A temporarily. Both parties enter into a license contract.

 

10.4 Franchise Qualification

 

10.4.1 Submission materials: business license, articles of association, bank opening license, and general taxpayer qualification certificate plus copies

 

Official seal: Completion Date: ____________.

 

10.4.2 Party B shall provide Party A with class Iii or above maintenance qualifications. Submitted materials: Road transport business license; After the

 

Time: Before ___________.

 

Trademarks and names

 

10

 

 

11.1 If this LoI is invalidated or terminated prior to the execution of the license Contract, whether or not notified by Party A, it shall be deemed relevant to Party A

 

Party B shall immediately stop the display and/or use of Party A’s trademarks and logos which are permitted to be displayed and/or used by Party B in the documents and shall cease to use such trademarks and/or logos from party B

 

For the removal of all trademarks and marks of Party A in party B’s buildings and business premises. Party B shall also compensate Party A for its request to Party B.

 

Party A shall indemnify Party A for all expenses and other related expenses incurred in complying with this Clause.

 

11.2 Without the written permission of Party A, Party B shall not register or use the above trademarks and marks as well as the names of party A’s vehicle models

 

In the enterprise name of Party B, whether the registration or use is direct or indirect, in whole or in part, no matter

 

Is it registered or used separately, or in conjunction with other terms or identifiers? The same prohibition applies

 

A mark or symbol in the form of graphics or pinyin, as long as it represents the above trademark, logo and the name of each vehicle of Party A

 

Party B shall not register in its own name, regardless of whether there is any difference. Party b shall also

 

The above trademarks, logos and the names of party A’s vehicles shall not be registered in whole or in part as their own Internet domain names.

 

11.3 Party B agrees that if its registered Internet domain name conflicts with the interests of Party A, Party B shall comply with The requirements of Party A

 

Assign or revoke this domain name from Party A.

 

12 exclusive

 

During the term of this Letter of Intent, Without prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall not construct the business premises,

 

Sites and facilities are used to provide sales for other automotive brand products and/or to conduct this bibliography with other economic entities

 

Negotiation with or signing any agreement with them.

 

13 a secret

 

13.1 Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall not disclose or disclose in any form the existence or content of this LoI

 

Propaganda.

 

13.2 Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and its employees shall not provide any documents and documents provided to Party B by Party A or its agents

 

The materials are disclosed to any third party, but Party B provides its premises to the contractor that builds and provides the services for its premises

 

Except in the case of information that must be known, Party B shall warrant that its contractor agrees in writing to comply with the above confidentiality provisions and shall maintain

 

All relevant documents and materials provided to the Contractor shall be recalled and properly secured within 30 days after the acceptance of works at the business site Tube.

 

13.3 After the expiration or termination of this LOI, the covenants set forth in this Section shall continue even if no licensing contract has been entered into between the Parties

 

In full force and effect, and Party B warrants that it will provide Party A and/or its agents with all information and information related to this Letter of Intent The copy shall be returned to Party A.

 

11

 

 

13.4 Party A shall keep confidential the relevant documents and materials provided by Party B.

 

14 risks and expenses

 

14.1 Both parties agree that, prior to the signing of the license Contract, neither party shall sell or sell the intended models or other Models of Party A

 

The Service makes any legally binding commitments to the other party. However, the provisions of this LoI are relevant before the signing of the license

 

The relevant obligations and liabilities to be assumed before the contract shall be legally binding on both parties.

 

14.2 For the sake of clarity, Party B acknowledges and agrees to assume the obligations and responsibilities set forth in this Letter of Intent, including but not limited to

 

To train employees and bear the risks, costs and expenses of building the business site; Unless otherwise agreed in this LoI

 

Both parties shall bear the relevant expenses incurred by each party during the signing and performance of this Letter of Intent. If this Letter of Intent is lost In the event of validity or termination, Party B shall not have the right to require Party A to compensate and/or compensate it for any expenses or expenses incurred in connection with this LoI.

 

15 Prior Agreement

 

The execution of this Letter of Intent will supersede all other intentions, commitments, agreements and/or contracts previously entered into by the parties with respect to the sale and service of the intended models and other Models of Party A.

 

16 Dispute Resolution

 

Any dispute in connection with this LoI shall be settled through negotiation. If no settlement can be reached through litigation through negotiation, either party of this LoI shall file a lawsuit with the people’s court in the place where Party A is located.

 

17 deadline

 

This Letter of Intent shall be established upon being signed and sealed by both parties and shall come into force upon Party A’s receipt of party B’s construction deposit. Both parties shall sign the “[Brand] New Energy Vehicle License Sales and Service Contract” or the “[Brand] New Energy Vehicle License Sales and Service Contract”

 

12

 

 

The foregoing Agreement/Contract shall prevail, and any provisions not specified in the foregoing Agreement/contract shall be governed by the provisions of this LoI.

 

18 Equipment Ordering

 

Party B shall order and install the general equipment, diagnostic instrument, PCAN, high-voltage insulation meter and after-sales service system in accordance with the standard of Grade C station before June 30, 2018.

 

19 other

 

This LOI and its attachments, as well as management documents related to the LoI published or notified by Party A from time to time, are an integral part of the LoI. This Letter of Intent is made in two originals, with one held by each party and both originals shall be equally authentic.

  

Authorized representatives of both parties shall sign/seal and seal the company

 

Party A(Signature and seal):

 

Authorized Representative (Signature/seal):

 

Party B (Signature and seal):

 

Zhejiang Jiuzi New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd.

 

Authorized Representative (signature/seal):

  

13

 

 

Form of License/Purchase contract

 

Through negotiation, Party A and Party B agree that the new energy Automobile purchase contract terms are as follows:

 

Party A (Seller):

 

(Buyer):

 

Sales Consultant:

 

Id Number:

 

Address:

 

Telephone:

  

I. Details of vehicle purchase are as follows:

  

1. Details of vehicle purchase are as follows:    
Province car brand   Vehicle unit price

 

 

 

Vehicle type   Purchase validity (in words)

 

 

 

Bus no.  

 

 

Body Color

 

 

 

The car price officer pays   The loan amount  
Loan fixed number of year   Loan payments  
Formalities charge   Insurance costs
Terms of payment Full payment () Installment payment ()
The total amount ¥: (in words:
A down payment to teach ¥: YUAN (in words:)

 

14

 

 

II. note

  

1. After this Agreement is signed, Party B shall pay RMB (in words) to Party A as the down payment for the aforesaid vehicles, and the remaining vehicle payment (in words:)

 

At the end of the pay. If Party B does not need Party A to handle the registration procedures, the balance shall be paid in a lump sum when picking up the car. Party B shall bear the expenses incurred during the licensing process.

 

Party A’s beneficiary account name:

 

Account number:

 

Bank:

 

Party B can only pick up the car after Party A has received the full payment for the car and inspection.

 

2. If Party B requires Party A to deliver the car to the designated place, all expenses and risks incurred shall be borne by Party B;

 

3. Party B shall conduct inspection and acceptance of the purchased vehicle on the day of pickup, point out any objection on the spot and deal with it upon party A’s confirmation. If there is no objection after inspection, both parties shall jointly sign the receipt and the ownership and risk of the vehicle purchased by Party B shall be transferred from Party A to Party B.

  

III、If party B fails to pick up the car on time due to any reason for breach of contract, the deposit paid shall not be returned.

 

IV、 If Party B fails to pay the price as agreed herein or terminates the contract without authorization, it shall be liable for breach of contract.

 

V. Dispute Resolution: Any dispute arising from or in connection with this Contract shall be settled by the parties through negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through negotiation, either party may file a lawsuit with the people’s Court at the place where Party A is located.

 

VI. Other Terms: This Contract shall come into force upon being used and signed and sealed by both parties: This Contract is made in two originals. For matters not covered herein, both parties shall enter into a supplementary agreement which shall be binding upon the Company. The final settlement shall be vested in Party A.

  

Party A (seal): Party B (seal):
Date of Signing: Date of Signing:

  

Address:

 

 

15

 

 

Exhibit 14.1

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

 

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

PURSUANT TO NASDAQ RULE 5600 Sec(c)(1)

 

I. INTRODUCTION

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) helps ensure compliance with legal requirements and our standards of business conduct. This Code applies to directors, officers, and employees of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”). Therefore, all directors, officers and employees of the Corporation are expected to read and understand this Code, uphold these standards in day-to- day activities, comply with all applicable policies and procedures, and ensure that all agents and contractors are aware of, understand and adhere to these standards.

 

Because the principles described in this Code are general in nature, all corporate directors, officers, and employees should also review all applicable corporate policies and procedures for more specific instruction, and contact the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) with any questions.

 

The Corporation is committed to continuously reviewing and updating its policies and procedures.

 

Therefore, this Code is subject to modification. This Code supersedes all other such codes, policies, procedures, instructions, practices, rules or written or verbal representations to the extent they are inconsistent.

 

II. COMPLIANCE IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

 

Ethical business conduct is critical to the business of the Corporation. Each director, officer or employee has a responsibility is to respect and adhere to these practices. Many of these practices reflect legal or regulatory requirements. Violations of these laws and regulations can create significant liability for the violator, the Corporation, its directors, officers, and other employees.

 

Part of the job and ethical responsibility of each director, officer and employee is to help enforce this Code. Each director, officer and employee should be alert to possible violations and report possible violations to the CFO.

 

Each director, officer and employee must cooperate in any internal or external investigations of possible violations.

 

Reprisal, threats, retribution, or retaliation against any person who has in good faith reported a violation or a suspected violation of law, this Code or other corporate policies, or against any person who is assisting in any investigation or process with respect to such a violation, is prohibited.

 

Violations of law, this Code, or other corporate policies or procedures should be reported to the CFO.

 

Violations of law, this Code or other corporate policies or procedures by corporate directors, officers or employees can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

 

In trying to determine whether any given action is appropriate, use the following test.

 

Imagine that the words you are using or the action you are taking is going to be fully disclosed in the media with all the details, including your photo. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of this information being made public, perhaps you should think again about your words or your course of action.

 

In all cases, if you are unsure about the appropriateness of an event or action, please seek assistance in interpreting the requirements of these practices by contacting the CFO.

 

 

 

 

III. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CORPORATION AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS

 

A. General Standards of Conduct

 

The Corporation expects all directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors to exercise good judgment to ensure the safety and welfare of employees, agents, and contractors and to maintain a cooperative, efficient, positive, harmonious, and productive work environment and business organization. These standards apply while working on our premises, at offsite locations where our business is being conducted, at Corporate-sponsored business and social events, or at any other place where any director, officer or employee is acting as a representative of the Corporation. Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors who engage in misconduct or whose performance is unsatisfactory may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. Each director, officer and employee should review the employment handbook for more detailed information.

 

B. Applicable Laws

 

All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders. Corporate directors, officers and employees located outside of the United States must comply with laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders of the United States, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.S. Export Control Act, in addition to applicable local laws. Each director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must acquire appropriate knowledge of the requirements relating to his or her duties sufficient to enable him or her to recognize potential dangers and to know when to seek advice from the CFO on specific Corporate policies and procedures. Violations of laws, regulations, rules, and orders may subject the director, officer, employee, agent or contractor to individual criminal or civil liability, as well as to discipline by the Corporation. Such individual violations may also subject the Corporation to civil or criminal liability or the loss of business.

 

C. Conflicts of Interest

 

Each director, officer and employee has a responsibility to the Corporation, the stockholders and each other.

 

Although this duty does not prevent any director, officer, and employee from engaging in personal transactions and investments, it does demand avoiding situations where a conflict of interest might occur or appear to occur. The Corporation is subject to scrutiny from many different individuals and organizations.

 

Each director, officer and employee should always strive to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

 

What constitutes conflict of interest? A conflict of interest exists where the interests or benefits of one person or entity conflict with the interests or benefits of the Corporation.

 

Examples include:

 

(i) Employment/Outside Employment. In consideration of the appointment or employment with the Corporation, each director, officer, and employee is expected to devote full attention to the business interests of the Corporation. Engaging in any activity that interferes with one’s performance or responsibilities to the Corporation or is otherwise in conflict with or prejudicial to the Corporation is prohibited. The Corporation’s policies prohibit any director, officer, or employee from accepting simultaneous employment with a Corporate supplier, customer, developer, or competitor, or from taking part in any activity that enhances or supports a competitor’s position. Additionally, each director, officer and employee must disclose to the Corporation any interest that may conflict with the business of the Corporation. Any questions on this requirement should be directed to a supervisor or the CFO.

 

2

 

 

(ii) Outside Directorships. It is a conflict of interest to serve as a director of any company that competes with the Corporation. Although a director, officer and employee may serve as a director of a Corporate supplier, customer, developer, or other business partner, the Corporation’s policy requires that approval first be obtained from the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) before accepting a directorship. Any compensation received should be commensurate to the responsibilities of holding such position.

 

Such approval may be conditioned upon the completion of specified actions.

 

(iii) Business Interests. If a director, officer, and employee is considering investing in a Corporate customer, supplier or competitor, great care must be taken to ensure that these investments do not compromise any responsibilities owed to the Corporation. Many factors should be considered in determining whether a conflict exists, including the size and nature of the investment; the ability to influence the Corporation’s decisions; access to confidential information of the Corporation or of the other company; and the nature of the relationship between the Corporation and the other company.

 

(iv) Related Parties. As a rule, conducting Corporate business with a relative or significant other, or with a business in which a relative or significant other is associated in any significant role, should be avoided. Relatives include spouse, sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, step relationships, and in-laws. Significant others include persons living in a spousal (including same sex) or familial fashion with an employee.

 

If such a related party transaction is unavoidable, the nature of the related party transaction must be fully disclosed to the CFO. If determined to be material to the Corporation by the CFO, the Corporation’s Audit Committee must review and approve in writing in advance such related party transactions. The most significant related party transactions, particularly those involving the Corporation’s directors or executive officers, must be reviewed, and approved in writing in advance by the Corporation’s Board. The Corporation must report all such material related party transactions under applicable accounting rules, federal securities laws, and SEC rules and regulations, and securities market rules. Any dealings with a related party must be conducted in such a way that no preferential treatment is given to this business.

 

The Corporation discourages the employment of relatives and significant others in positions or assignments within the same department and prohibits the employment of such individuals in positions that have a financial dependence or influence (e.g., an auditing or control relationship, or a supervisor/subordinate relationship). The purpose of this policy is to prevent the organizational impairment and conflicts that are a likely outcome of the employment of relatives or significant others, especially in a supervisor/subordinate relationship. If a question arises about whether a relationship is covered by this policy, the CFO is responsible for determining whether this policy covers an applicant or transferee’s acknowledged relationship. The CFO shall advise all affected applicants and transferees of this policy. Willful withholding of information regarding a prohibited relationship/reporting arrangement may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. If a prohibited relationship exists or develops between two employees, the employee in the senior position must bring this to the attention of his/her supervisor. The Corporation retains the prerogative to separate the individuals at the earliest possible time, either by reassignment or by termination, if necessary.

 

(v) Other Situations. Because other conflicts of interest may arise, it would be impractical to attempt to list all possible situations. Directors, officers, and employees should consult the CFO if a proposed transaction or situation raises any questions or doubts.

 

D. Corporate Opportunities

 

Employees, officers, and directors may not exploit for their own personal gain opportunities that are discovered using corporate property, information, or position unless the opportunity is disclosed fully in writing to the Corporation’s Board and the Board declines to pursue such opportunity.

 

E. Protecting the Corporation’s Confidential Information

 

The Corporation’s confidential information is an asset. The Corporation’s confidential information includes our database of customer contacts; details regarding our equipment procurement sources; names and lists of customers, suppliers, and employees; and financial information. This information is the property of the Corporation and may be protected by patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws. All confidential information must be used for Corporate business purposes only. Every director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must safeguard it.

 

3

 

 

THIS RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES NOT DISCLOSING THE CORPORATION’S CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SUCH AS INFORMATION REGARDING THE CORPORATION’S PRODUCTS OR BUSINESS OVER THE INTERNET.

 

Each director, officer and employee is also responsible for properly labeling all documentation shared with or correspondence sent to the CFO or outside counsel as “Attorney-Client Privileged.” This responsibility includes the safeguarding, securing and proper disposal of confidential information in accordance with the Corporation’s policy on Maintaining and Managing Records set forth in Section III.I of this Code. This obligation extends to confidential information of third parties, which the Corporation has rightfully received under Non-Disclosure Agreements. See the Corporation’s policy dealing with Handling Confidential Information of Others set forth in Section IV.D of this Code.

 

(i) Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement. Upon joining the Corporation, each director, officer, and employee signed an agreement to protect and hold confidential the Corporation’s proprietary information. This agreement remains in effect for the entire term of employment with the Corporation and remains in effect thereafter. Under this agreement, the Corporation’s confidential information may not be disclosed to anyone or used to benefit anyone other than the Corporation without the prior written consent of an authorized Corporate officer.

 

(ii) Disclosure of Corporate Confidential Information. To further the Corporation’s business from time to time, confidential information of the Corporation may be disclosed to potential business partners. However, such disclosure should never be done without careful consideration of its potential benefits and risks. If, in consultation with a manager and other appropriate Corporate management, it is determined that disclosure of confidential information is necessary, the CFO should be contacted to ensure that an appropriate written nondisclosure agreement is signed prior to the disclosure. The Corporation has standard nondisclosure agreements suitable for most disclosures. A third party’s nondisclosure agreement must not be signed and no changes should be accepted to the Corporation’s standard nondisclosure agreements without review and approval by the CFO. In addition, all Corporate materials that contain Corporate confidential information, including presentations, must be reviewed, and approved by the CFO prior to publication or use.

 

Furthermore, any employee publication or publicly made statement that might be perceived or construed as attributable to the Corporation, made outside the scope of his or her employment with the Corporation, must be reviewed in advance and approved in writing by the CFO and must include the Corporation’s standard disclaimer that the publication or statement represents the views of the specific author and not of the Corporation.

 

(iii) Requests by Regulatory Authorities. The Corporation and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must cooperate with appropriate government inquiries and investigations. In this context, however, it is important to protect the legal rights of the Corporation with respect to its confidential information. All government requests for information, documents or investigative interviews must be referred to the CFO. No financial information may be disclosed without the prior approval of the CFO.

 

(iv) Corporate Spokespeople. Specific policies have been established regarding who may communicate information to the press and the financial analyst community. All inquiries or calls from the press and financial analysts should be referred to the CFO. The Corporation has designated its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and CFO as official Corporate spokespeople for financial matters. These designees are the only people who may communicate with the press on behalf of the Corporation.

 

F. Obligations under Securities Laws- “Insider” Trading

 

Obligations under the U.S. securities laws apply to everyone. In the normal course of business, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, and consultants of the Corporation may come into possession of significant, sensitive information. This information is the property of the Corporation, and any director, officer, or employee in possession of such information has been entrusted with it. No director, officer or employee may profit from it by buying or selling securities on their own behalf, or passing on the information to others to enable them to profit or for them to profit on behalf of such director, officer, or employee. The purpose of this policy is both to inform all Corporate employees of the legal responsibilities and to make clear that the misuse of sensitive information is contrary to Corporate policy and U.S. securities laws.

 

4

 

 

Insider trading is a crime, penalized by fines of up to $5,000,000 and 20 years in jail for individuals. In addition, the SEC may seek the imposition of a civil penalty of up to three times the profits made or losses avoided from the trading. Insider traders must also disgorge any profits made, and are often subjected to an injunction against future violations. Finally, insider traders may be subjected to civil liability in private lawsuits.

 

Employers and other controlling persons (including supervisory personnel) are also at risk under U.S. securities laws. Controlling persons may, among other things, face penalties of the greater of $5,000,000 or three times the profits made or losses avoided by the trader if they recklessly fail to take preventive steps to control insider trading.

 

Thus, it is important that insider-trading violations not occur. Stock market surveillance techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the chance that U.S. federal or other regulatory authorities will detect and prosecute even small-level trading is significant. Insider trading rules are strictly enforced, even in instances when the financial transactions seem small. Any questions about the ability to trade should be directed to the CFO.

 

The Corporation has imposed a trading blackout period on members of the Board, executive officers, and certain designated employees who, because of their position with the Corporation, are more likely to be exposed to material nonpublic information about the Corporation. These directors, executive officers and employees generally may not trade in Corporate securities during the blackout periods.

 

For more details, and to determine whether a trade restriction applies during trading Blackout periods, each director, officer, and employee should review the Corporation’s Insider Trading Compliance Program carefully, paying attention to the specific policies and the potential criminal and civil liability and disciplinary action for insider trading violations. Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors of the Corporation who violate this policy are also be subject to disciplinary action by the Corporation, which may include termination of employment or of business relationship. All questions regarding the Corporation’s Insider Trading Compliance Program should be directed to the Corporation’s CFO.

 

G. Prohibition against Short Selling of Corporate Stock

 

No Corporate director, officer or other employee, agent or contractor may, directly or indirectly, sell any equity security, including derivatives, of the Corporation (1) if he or she does not own the security sold, or (2) if he or she owns the security, does not deliver it against such sale (a “short sale against the box”) within twenty days thereafter, or does not within five days after such sale deposit it in the mails or other usual channels of transportation. No Corporate director, officer or other employee, agent or contractor may engage in short sales. A short sale, as defined in this policy, means any transaction whereby one may benefit from a decline in the Corporation’s stock price. While law from engaging in short sales of Corporation’s securities does not prohibit employees who are not executive officers or directors, the Corporation has adopted as policy that employees may not do so.

 

H. Use of Corporation’s Assets

 

(i) General. Protecting the Corporation’s assets is a key fiduciary responsibility of every director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor. Care should be taken to ensure that assets are not misappropriated, loaned to others, or sold or donated, without appropriate authorization. All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors are responsible for the proper use of Corporate assets, and must safeguard such assets against loss, damage, misuse, or theft.

 

Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors who violate any aspect of this policy or who demonstrate poor judgment in the way they use any Corporate asset may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation’s sole discretion. Corporate equipment and assets are to be used for Corporate business purposes only. Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors may not use Corporate assets for personal use, nor may they allow any other person to use Corporate assets. All questions regarding this policy should be brought to the attention of the CFO.

 

5

 

 

(ii) Physical Access Control. The Corporation has and will continue to develop procedures covering physical access control to ensure privacy of communications, maintenance of the security of the Corporation communication equipment, and safeguard Corporate assets from theft, misuse, and destruction. Each director, officer and employee is personally responsible for complying with the level of access control that has been implemented in the facility where such director, officer and employee works on a permanent or temporary basis and must not defeat or cause to be defeated the purpose for which the access control was implemented.

 

(iii) Corporate Funds. Every Corporate director, officer or employee is personally responsible for all Corporate funds over which he or she exercises control. Corporate agents and contractors should not be allowed to exercise control over Corporate funds. Corporate funds must be used only for Corporate business purposes. Every Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must take reasonable steps to ensure that the Corporation receives good value for Corporate funds spent, and must maintain accurate and timely records of each expenditure. Expense reports must be accurate and submitted in a timely manner. Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors must not use Corporate funds for any personal purpose.

 

(iv) Computers and Other Equipment. The Corporation strives to furnish directors, officers, and employees with the equipment necessary to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Each director, officer and employee must care for that equipment and use it responsibly only for Corporate business purposes. If Corporate equipment is used at home or off site, precautions must be taken to protect it from theft or damage. All Corporate equipment must be returned immediately upon termination of employment. While computers and other electronic devices are made accessible to directors, officers and employees to assist them to perform their jobs and to promote the Corporation’s interests, all such computers and electronic devices, whether used entirely or partially on the Corporation’s premises or with the aid of the Corporation’s equipment or resources, must remain fully accessible to the Corporation and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, will remain the sole and exclusive property of the Corporation.

 

Directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors should not maintain any expectation of privacy with respect to information transmitted over, received by, or stored in any electronic communications device owned, leased, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of the Corporation. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation retains the right to gain access to any information received by, transmitted by, or stored in any such electronic communications device, by and through its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or representatives, at any time, either with or without a director’s, officer’s, employee’s or third party’s knowledge, consent, or approval.

 

(v) Software. All software used by directors, officers, and employees to conduct Corporate business must be appropriately licensed. Directors, officers, and employees should never make or use illegal or unauthorized copies of any software, whether in the office, at home, or on the road, since doing so may constitute copyright infringement and may expose such director, officer, employee and the Corporation to potential civil and criminal liability. In addition, use of illegal or unauthorized copies of software may subject the director, officer, and employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The Corporation’s Information Technology Department will inspect Corporate computers periodically to verify that only approved and licensed software has been installed. Any non-licensed/supported software will be removed.

 

(vi) Electronic Usage. The purpose of this policy is to make certain that directors, officers, and employees utilize electronic communication devices in a legal, ethical, and appropriate manner. This policy addresses the Corporation’s responsibilities and concerns regarding the fair and proper use of all electronic communications devices within the organization, including computers, e- mail, connections to the Internet, intranet and extranet and any other public or private networks, voice mail, video conferencing, facsimiles, and telephones. Posting or discussing information concerning the Corporation’s products or business on the Internet without the prior written consent of the Corporation’s CFO is prohibited. Any other form of electronic communication used by directors, officers, or employees currently or in the future is also intended to be encompassed under this policy. It is not possible to identify every standard and rule applicable to the use of electronic communications devices. Directors, officers, and employees are therefore encouraged to use sound judgment whenever using any feature of our communications systems and are expected to review, understand and follow such policies and procedures.

 

6

 

 

I. Maintaining and Managing Records

 

The purpose of this policy is to set forth and convey the Corporation’s business and legal requirements in managing records, including all recorded information regardless of medium or characteristics. Records include paper documents, CDs, computer hard disks, email, floppy disks, microfiche, microfilm, or all other media. Local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations require the Corporation to retain certain records and to follow specific guidelines in managing its records. Civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with such guidelines can be severe for directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors and the Corporation, and failure to comply with such guidelines may subject the director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation’s sole discretion. All original executed documents that evidence contractual commitments or other obligations of the Corporation must be forwarded to the CFO promptly upon completion. Such documents will be maintained and retained in accordance with the Corporation’s record retention policies.

 

J. Records on Legal Hold.

 

A legal hold suspends all document destruction procedures to preserve appropriate records under special circumstances, such as litigation or government investigations. The CFO determines and identifies what types of Corporate records or documents are required to be placed under a legal hold. Every Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, and contractor must comply with this policy. Failure to comply with this policy may subject the director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation’s sole discretion.

 

The CFO will notify any director, officer, or employee if a legal hold is placed on records for which that person is responsible. The necessary records must thereafter be preserved and protected in accordance with instructions from the CFO.

 

RECORDS OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER A LEGAL HOLD MUST NOT BE DESTROYED, ALTERED, OR MODIFIED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

A legal hold remains effective until it is officially released in writing by the CFO.

 

Any questions about whether a document has been placed under a legal hold should be directed to the CFO and the document should be preserved and protected until the CFO provides clarification.

 

K. Payment Practices

 

(i) Accounting Practices. The Corporation’s responsibilities to its stockholders and the investing public require that all transactions be fully and accurately recorded in the Corporation’s books and records in compliance with all applicable laws. False or misleading entries, unrecorded funds or assets, or payments without appropriate supporting documentation and approval are strictly prohibited and violate Corporate policy and the law.

 

Additionally, all documentation supporting a transaction should fully and accurately describe the nature of the transaction and be processed in a timely fashion.

 

(ii) Political Contributions. The Corporation reserves the right to communicate its position on important issues to elected representatives and other government officials. It is the Corporation’s policy to comply fully with all local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding political contributions. The Corporation’s funds or assets must not be used for, or be contributed to, political campaigns or political practices under any circumstances without the prior written approval of the CFO and, if required, the Board.

 

(iii) Prohibition of Inducements. Under no circumstances may directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors offer to pay, make payment, promise to pay, or issue authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value to customers, vendors, consultants, or other party that is perceived as intending, directly or indirectly, to improperly influence any business decision, any act or failure to act, any commitment of fraud, or opportunity for the commission of any fraud. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, provided that they are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy.

 

Questions regarding whether a payment or gift violates this policy should be directed to the CFO.

 

7

 

 

L. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

 

The Corporation requires full compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by all its directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors.

 

The anti-bribery and corrupt payment provisions of the FCPA make illegal any corrupt offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value to any foreign official, or any foreign political party, candidate or official, for the purpose of influencing any act or failure to act in the official capacity of that foreign official or party; or inducing the foreign official or party to use influence to affect a decision of a foreign government or agency, in order to obtain or retain business for anyone, or direct business to anyone.

 

All Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors, whether located in the United States or abroad, are responsible for FCPA compliance and the procedures to ensure FCPA compliance.

 

All managers and supervisory personnel are expected to monitor continued compliance with the FCPA to ensure compliance with the highest moral, ethical, and professional standards of the Corporation. FCPA compliance includes the Corporation’s policy on Maintaining and Managing Records in Section III.I of this Code.

 

Laws in most countries outside of the United States also prohibit or restrict government officials or employees of government agencies from receiving payments, entertainment, or gifts for winning or keeping business. No contract or agreement may be made with any business in which a government official or employee holds a significant interest, without the prior approval of the CFO.

 

M. Export Controls

 

Several countries maintain controls on the destinations to which products or software may be exported. Some of the strictest export controls are maintained by the United States against countries that the U.S. government considers unfriendly or as supporting international terrorism. The U.S. regulations are complex and apply both to exports from the United States and to exports of products from other countries, when those products contain components or technology of U.S. origin. Software created in the United States is subject to these regulations even if duplicated and packaged abroad. In some circumstances, an oral presentation containing technical data made to foreign nationals in the United States may constitute a controlled export. The CFO can provide guidance on which countries are prohibited destinations for Corporate products or whether a proposed technical presentation to foreign nationals may require a U.S. Government license.

 

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR SUPPLIERS

 

A. Customer Relationships

 

Each time a director, officer or employee meets any Corporate customers or potential customers, that director, officer, or employee represents the Corporation and should therefore act in a manner that creates value for the Corporation’s customers and helps to build a relationship based upon trust. The Corporation and its employees have provided products and services for many years and have built up significant goodwill over that time. This goodwill is one of our most important assets, and the Corporation employees, agents and contractors must act to preserve and enhance our reputation.

 

B. Payments or Gifts from Others

 

Under no circumstances may directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors accept any offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization to pay any money, gift, or anything of value from customers, vendors, consultants, or other party that is perceived as intended, directly or indirectly, to influence any business decision, any act or failure to act, any commitment of fraud, or opportunity for the commission of any fraud. Inexpensive gifts, infrequent business meals, celebratory events, and entertainment, if they are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do not violate this policy. Questions regarding whether a payment or gift violates this policy are to be directed to the CFO.

 

8

 

 

Gifts given by the Corporation to suppliers or customers or received from suppliers or customers should always be appropriate to the circumstances and should never be of a kind that could create an appearance of impropriety. The nature and cost must always be accurately recorded in the Corporation’s books and records.

 

C. Publications of Others

 

The Corporation subscribes to many publications that help directors, officers and employees do their jobs better. These include newsletters, reference works, online reference services, magazines, books, and other digital and printed works. Copyright law generally protects these works, and their unauthorized copying and distribution constitute copyright infringement. Consent of the publisher of a publication must be obtained before copying publications or significant parts of them. Any questions about whether a publication may be copied should be directed to the CFO.

 

D. Handling the Confidential Information of Others

 

The Corporation has many kinds of business relationships with many companies and individuals. Sometimes such other companies and individuals will volunteer confidential information about their products or business plans to induce the Corporation to enter a business relationship with them. At other times, the Corporation may request that a third party provide confidential information to permit the Corporation to evaluate a potential business relationship with that party. The Corporation must take special care to handle the confidential information of others responsibly, regardless of how it was obtained. Such confidential information should be handled in accordance with the agreements with such third parties. See also the Corporation’s policy on Maintaining and Managing Records in Section III.I of this Code.

 

(i) Appropriate Nondisclosure Agreements. Confidential information may take many forms, including an oral presentation about a company’s product development plans, which may contain protected trade secrets; a customer list or employee list; or a demo of an alpha version of a company’s new software, which may contain information protected by trade secret and copyright laws.

 

Employees, officers, and directors should never accept information offered by a third party that is represented as confidential, or which appears from the context or circumstances to be confidential, unless an appropriate nondisclosure agreement has been signed with the party offering the information.

 

THE CFO CAN PROVIDE NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS TO FIT ANY SITUATION, AND WILL COORDINATE APPROPRIATE EXECUTION OF SUCH AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION.

 

Even after a nondisclosure agreement is in place, directors, officers, and employees should accept only the information necessary to accomplish the purpose of receiving it, such as a decision on whether to proceed to negotiate a deal. If more detailed or extensive confidential information is offered and it is not necessary for immediate purposes, it should be refused.

 

(ii) Need to Know. Once a third party’s confidential information has been disclosed to the Corporation, the Corporation has an obligation to abide by the terms of the relevant nondisclosure agreement and limit its use to the specific purpose for which it was disclosed and to disseminate it only to other Corporate employees with a need to know the information. Every director, officer, employee, agent and contractor involved in a potential business relationship with a third party must understand and strictly observe the restrictions on the use and handling of confidential information. Any questions about how to handle any such information should be directed to the CFO.

 

(iii) Notes and Reports. Any notes taken while reviewing the confidential information of a third party under a nondisclosure agreement, or any reports summarizing the results of the review or drawing conclusions about the suitability of a business relationship, can include confidential information disclosed by the other party and should be retained only long enough to complete the evaluation of the potential business relationship. Subsequently, they should be either destroyed or turned over to the CFO for safekeeping or destruction. As with any other disclosure of confidential information, these notes or reports should be marked as confidential and distributed only to those the Corporation employees with a need to know.

 

9

 

 

(iv) Competitive Information. No director, officer or employee should attempt to obtain a competitor’s confidential information by improper means, and should never contact a competitor regarding their confidential information. While the Corporation may, and does, employ former employees of competitors, it recognizes and respects the obligations of those employees not to use or disclose the confidential information of their former employers.

 

E. Selecting Suppliers

 

The Corporation’s suppliers make significant contributions to the success of the Corporation. To create an environment where Corporate suppliers have an incentive to work with the Corporation, they must be confident that they will be treated lawfully and in an ethical manner. The Corporation’s policy is to purchase supplies based on need, quality, service, price and terms and conditions. The Corporation’s policy is to select significant suppliers or enter significant supplier agreements though a competitive bid process where possible. Under no circumstances should any Corporate director, officer, employee, agent, or contractor attempt to coerce suppliers in any way. The confidential information of a supplier is entitled to the same protection as that of any other third party and must not be received before an appropriate nondisclosure agreement has been signed. A supplier’s performance should never be discussed with anyone outside the Corporation. A supplier to the Corporation is generally free to sell its products or services to any other party, including competitors of the Corporation. In some cases where the products or services have been designed, fabricated, or developed to our specifications the agreement between the parties may contain restrictions on sales.

 

F. Government Relations

 

It is the Corporation’s policy to comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations governing contact and dealings with government employees and public officials, and to adhere to high ethical, moral, and legal standards of business conduct. This policy includes strict compliance with all local, state, federal, foreign, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

 

Any questions concerning government relations should be directed to the CFO.

 

G. Lobbying

 

Directors, officers, employees, agents, or contractors whose work requires lobbying communication with any member or employee of a legislative body or with any government official or employee in the formulation of legislation must have prior written approval of such activity from the CFO. Activity covered by this policy includes meetings with legislators or members of their staffs or with senior executive branch officials. Preparation, research, and other background activities that are done in support of lobbying communication are also covered by this policy even if the communication ultimately is not made.

 

H. Government Contracts

 

It is the Corporation’s policy to comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations that apply to government contracting. It is also necessary to strictly adhere to all terms and conditions of any contract with local, state, federal, foreign, or other applicable governments.

 

The CFO must review and approve all contracts with any government entity.

 

I. Free and Fair Competition

 

Most countries have well-developed bodies of law designed to encourage and protect free and fair competition. The Corporation is committed to obeying both the letter and spirit of these laws. The consequences of not doing so can be severe.

 

10

 

 

These laws often regulate the Corporation’s relationships with its distributors, resellers, dealers, and customers. Competition laws generally address the following areas: pricing practices (including price discrimination), discounting, terms of sale, credit terms, promotional allowances, secret rebates, exclusive dealerships or distributorships, product bundling, restrictions on carrying competing products, termination, and many other practices.

 

Competition laws also govern, usually quite strictly, relationships between the Corporation and its competitors. As a rule, contacts with competitors should be limited and should always avoid subjects such as prices or other terms and conditions of sale, customers, and suppliers.

 

Employees, agents, or contractors of the Corporation may not knowingly make false or misleading statements regarding its competitors or the products of its competitors, customers, or suppliers. Participating with competitors in a trade association or in a standards creation body is acceptable when the association has been properly established, has a legitimate purpose, and has limited its activities to that purpose.

 

No director, officer, employee, agent or contractor shall at any time or under any circumstances enter into an agreement or understanding, written or oral, express or implied, with any competitor concerning prices, discounts, other terms or conditions of sale, profits or profit margins, costs, allocation of product or geographic markets, allocation of customers, limitations on production, boycotts of customers or suppliers, or bids or the intent to bid or even discuss or exchange information on these subjects. In some cases, legitimate joint ventures with competitors may permit exceptions to these rules, as may bona fide purchases from or sales to competitors on non-competitive products, but the CFO must review all such proposed ventures in advance. These prohibitions are absolute and strict observance is required.

 

Collusion among competitors is illegal, and the consequences of a violation are severe. Although the spirit of these laws, known as “antitrust,” “competition,” “consumer protection” or unfair competition laws, is straightforward, their application to situations can be quite complex. To ensure that the Corporation complies fully with these laws, each director, officer, and employee should have a basic knowledge of them and should involve the CFO early on when questionable situations arise.

 

J. Industrial Espionage

 

It is the Corporation’s policy to lawfully compete in the marketplace. This commitment to fairness includes respecting the rights of competitors and abiding by all applicable laws during competing. The purpose of this policy is to maintain the Corporation’s reputation as a lawful competitor and to help ensure the integrity of the competitive marketplace. The Corporation expects its competitors to respect the rights of the Corporation to compete lawfully in the marketplace, and the Corporation must respect the competitors’ rights equally. Corporate directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors may not steal or unlawfully use the information, material, products, intellectual property, or proprietary or confidential information of anyone including suppliers, customers, business partners or competitors.

 

V. WAIVERS

 

Any waiver of any provision of this Code for a member of the Corporation’s Board or an executive officer must be approved in writing by the Corporation’s Board and promptly disclosed. Any waiver of any provision of this Code with respect any other employee, agent or contractor must be approved in writing by the CFO.

  

11

 

 

VI. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

 

The matters covered in this Code are of the utmost importance to the Corporation, its stockholders, and its business partners, and are essential to the Corporation’s ability to conduct its business in accordance with its stated values. The Corporation expects all its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, and consultants to adhere to these rules in carrying out their duties for the Corporation.

 

The Corporation will take appropriate action against any director, officer, employee, agent, contractor, or consultant whose actions are found to violate these policies or any other policies of the Corporation. Disciplinary actions may include immediate termination of employment or business relationship at the Corporation’s sole discretion. Where the Corporation has suffered a loss, it may pursue its remedies against the individuals or entities responsible. Where laws have been violated, the Corporation will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.

 

CONCLUSION

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. We expect all Company employees to adhere to these standards.

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as applied to the Company’s principal financial officers, shall be the Company’s “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.

 

This Code and the matters contained herein are neither a contract of employment nor a guarantee of continuing Company policy. We reserve the right to amend, supplement or discontinue this Code and the matters addressed herein, without prior notice, at any time.

 

 

12

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation our report dated July 7, 2020 in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc, relating to the audit of the consolidated balance sheets of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of October 31, 2019, and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related notes (“collectively referred to as financial statements”) included herein.

 

We also hereby consent to the incorporation our report dated August 25, 2020 in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc, relating to the review of the condensed consolidated balance sheets of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2020, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the six month periods ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, and the related notes (“collectively referred to as financial statements”) included herein.

 

We also consent to the reference of WWC, P.C., as an independent registered public accounting firm, as experts in matters of accounting and auditing.

 

    /s/ WWC, P.C.
San Mateo, California   WWC, P.C.
August 25, 2020   Certified Public Accountants

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

  

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

PURPOSE:

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) will make such examinations as are necessary to monitor the corporate financial reporting and external audits of the Corporation and its subsidiaries; to provide to the Board the results of its examinations and recommendations derived therefrom; to outline to the Board improvements made, or to be made, in internal accounting controls; to nominate independent auditor; and to provide to the Board such additional information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of significant financial matters requiring Board attention.

 

In addition, the Audit Committee will undertake those specific duties and responsibilities listed below and such other duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

 

MEMBERSHIP:

 

The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members of the Board, each of whom must (1) be “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) under the Listing Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “NASDAQ Rules”); (2) meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) promulgated under Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), subject to the exemptions provided in Rule 10A-3(c) under the Exchange Act; and (3) not have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or a current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, one director who (1) is not “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) under the NASDAQ Rules; (2) satisfies the criteria for independence set forth in Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder; and (3) is not a current officer or employee or a Family Member of such officer or employee, may be appointed to the Audit Committee, if the Board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that membership on the Audit Committee by the individual is required by the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and the Board discloses, in the next annual proxy statement subsequent to such determination (or, if the Company does not file a proxy statement, in its Form 10-K), the nature of the relationship and the reasons for that determination. A member appointed under this exception may not serve on the Audit Committee for more than two years and may not chair the Audit Committee.

 

Each member of the Audit Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. At least one member of the Audit Committee shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities. One or more members of the Audit Committee may qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules promulgated by the SEC.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall recommend to the Board nominees for appointment to the Audit Committee annually and as vacancies or newly created positions occur. The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board and may be replaced or removed by the Board with or without cause. Resignation or removal of a Director from the Board, for whatever reason, shall automatically and without any further action constitute resignation or removal, as applicable, from the Audit Committee. Any vacancy on the Audit Committee, occurring for whatever reason, may be filled only by the Board. The Board shall designate one member of the Audit Committee to be Chair of the committee.

 

 

 

 

COMPENSATION:

 

A member of the Audit Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board or any other committee established by the Board, receive directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company. A member of the Audit Committee may receive additional directors’ fees to compensate such member for the significant time and effort expended by such member to fulfill his or her duties as an Audit Committee member.

 

MEETINGS:

 

The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines is appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this Charter, but not less frequently than quarterly. A majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of holding a meeting and the Audit Committee may act by a vote of a majority of the members present at such meeting. In lieu of a meeting, the Audit Committee may act by unanimous written consent. The Chair of the Audit Committee, in consultation with the other committee members, may determine the frequency and length of the committee meetings and may set meeting agendas consistent with this Charter.

 

RESPONSIBILITES:

 

1. Review of Charter

 

i. The Audit Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the Board any amendments or modifications to the Charter that the Audit Committee deems appropriate.

 

2. Performance Evaluation of the Audit Committee

 

i. Periodically, the Audit Committee shall evaluate its own performance and report the results of such evaluation to the Board.

 

3. Matters Relating to Selection, Performance, and Independence of Independent Auditors

 

i. The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, retention, and termination, and for determining the compensation, of the Company’s independent auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The Audit Committee may consult with management in fulfilling these duties but may not delegate these responsibilities to management.

 

ii. The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review, or attest services for the Company.

 

iii. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee.

 

iv. The Audit Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”)) to be provided to the Company by the independent auditors; provided, however, the pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provision of non-audit services for the Company if the “de minimus” provisions of Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision.

 

v. The Audit Committee may review and approve the scope and staffing of the independent auditors’ annual audit plan(s).

 

2

 

 

vi. The Audit Committee shall:

 

1. request that the independent auditors provide the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (“Rule 3526”),

 

2. require that the independent auditors submit to the Audit Committee at least annually a formal written statement describing all relationships between the independent auditors or any of its affiliates and the Company or persons in financial reporting oversight roles at the Company that might reasonably be thought to bear on the independence of the independent auditors,

 

3. discuss with the independent auditors the potential effects of any disclosed relationships or services on the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors,

 

4. require that the independent auditors provide to the Audit Committee written affirmation that the independent auditor is, as of the date of the affirmation, independent in compliance with PCAOB Rule 3520 and

 

5. based on such disclosures, statement, discussion, and affirmation, take, or recommend that the Board take appropriate action in response to the independent auditor’s report to satisfy itself of the independent auditor’s independence. In addition, before approving the initial engagement of any independent auditor, the Audit Committee shall receive, review, and discuss with the audit firm all information required by, and otherwise take all actions necessary for compliance with the requirements of, Rule 3526. References to rules of the PCAOB shall be deemed to refer to such rules and to any substantially equivalent rules adopted to replace such rules, in each case as subsequently amended, modified, or supplemented.

 

vii. The Audit Committee may consider whether the provision of the services covered in Items 9(e)(2) and 9(e)(3) of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision) is compatible with maintaining the independent auditor’s independence.

 

viii. The Audit Committee shall evaluate the independent auditor’s qualifications, performance and independence and shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditors to the full Board. As part of such evaluation, at least annually, the Audit Committee shall: obtain and review a report or reports from the independent auditors describing:

 

1. the auditor’s internal quality-control procedures,

 

2. any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review or peer review of the auditors or by any inquiry or investigation by government or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, regarding one or more independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps taken to address any such issues, and

 

3. in order to assess the auditor’s independence, all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company; review and evaluate the performance of the independent auditors and the lead partner (and the Audit Committee may review and evaluate the performance of other members of the independent auditor’s audit staff); and assure the regular rotation of the audit partners (including, without limitation, the lead and concurring partners) as required under the Exchange Act and Regulation S-X.

 

ix. In this regard, the Audit Committee shall also:

 

1. seek the opinion of management and the internal auditors of the independent auditor’s performance and

 

2. consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, there should be regular rotation of the audit firm. The Audit Committee may establish, or recommend to the Board, policies with respect to the potential hiring of current or former employees of the independent auditors.

 

4. Audited Financial Statements and Annual Audit

 

i. The Audit Committee shall review the overall audit plan (both internal and external) with the independent auditors and the members of management who are responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements, including the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and/or principal accounting officer or principal financial officer (the Chief Financial Officer and such other officer or officers are referred to herein collectively as the “Senior Accounting Executive”).

 

3

 

 

ii. The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with management (including the Company’s Senior Accounting Executive) and with the independent auditors the Company’s annual audited financial statements, including:

 

1. all critical accounting policies and practices used or to be used by the Company,

 

2. the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” prior to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and

 

3. any significant financial reporting issues that have arisen in connection with the preparation of such audited financial statements.

 

iii. The Audit Committee must review:

 

1. any analyses prepared by management, the internal auditors (if any) and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements. The Audit Committee may consider the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments on the financial statements, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee may also consider other material written communications between the registered public accounting firm and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences;

 

2. major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;

 

3. major issues regarding accounting principles and procedures and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles; and

 

4. the effects of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet transactions and structures, on the financial statements of the Company.

 

iv. The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with the independent auditors (outside of the presence of management) how the independent auditors plan to handle their responsibilities under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and request assurance from the independent auditors that Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act has not been implicated.

 

v. The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response thereto. This review shall include:

 

1. any difficulties encountered by the independent auditors in the course of performing their audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of their activities or their access to information,

 

2. any significant disagreements with management and

 

3. a discussion of the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function.

 

vi. This review may also include:

 

1. any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the independent auditors but were “passed” (as immaterial or otherwise);

 

2. any communications between the audit team and the audit firm’s national office regarding auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement; and

 

3. any management or internal control letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditors.

 

vii. The Audit Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors those matters brought to the attention of the Audit Committee by the independent auditors pursuant to Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended (“AS 1301”).

 

viii. The Audit Committee shall also review and discuss with the independent auditors the report required to be delivered by such auditors pursuant to Section 10A(k) of the Exchange Act.

 

4

 

 

ix. If brought to the attention of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee shall discuss with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company:

 

1. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and

 

2. any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

x. Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions:

 

1. with management of the audited financial statements,

 

2. with the independent auditors of the matters required to be discussed by AS 1301, and

 

3. with the independent auditors concerning the independent auditor’s independence, the Audit Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board as to whether the Company’s audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year.

 

xi. The Audit Committee shall prepare the Audit Committee report required by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision) to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

 

5. Internal Auditors

 

i. The Audit Committee shall evaluate the performance, responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function and review the internal audit plan. Such evaluation may include a review of the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function with the independent auditors.

 

ii. If applicable, in connection with the Audit Committee’s evaluation of the Company’s internal audit function, the Audit Committee may evaluate the performance of the senior officer or officers responsible for the internal audit function.

 

6. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements

 

i. The Audit Committee shall discuss with management and the independent auditors, prior to the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,

 

1. the Company’s quarterly financial statements and the Company’s related disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”

 

2. such issues as may be brought to the Audit Committee’s attention by the independent auditors pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100, and

 

3. any significant financial reporting issues that have arisen in connection with the preparation of such financial statements.

 

7. Earnings Press Releases

 

i. The Audit Committee shall discuss the Company’s earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies, including, in general, the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made (paying particular attention to the use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” non-GAAP information).

 

8. Risk Assessment and Management

 

i. The Audit Committee shall discuss the guidelines and policies that govern the process by which the Company’s exposure to risk is assessed and managed by management.

 

ii. In connection with the Audit Committee’s discussion of the Company’s risk assessment and management guidelines, the Audit Committee may discuss or consider the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps that the Company’s management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

 

5

 

 

9. Procedures for Addressing Complaints and Concerns

 

i. The Audit Committee shall establish procedures for:

 

1. the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and

 

2. the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

 

ii. The Audit Committee may review and reassess the adequacy of these procedures periodically and adopt any changes to such procedures that the Audit Committee deems necessary or appropriate.

 

10. Regular Reports to the Board

 

i. The Audit Committee shall regularly report to and review with the Board any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the independent auditors, the performance of the internal audit function and any other matters that the Audit Committee deems appropriate or is requested to review for the benefit of the Board.

 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITES:

 

The Audit Committee is authorized, on behalf of the Board, to do any of the following as it deems necessary or appropriate:

 

1. Engagement of Advisors

 

i. The Audit Committee may engage independent counsel and such other advisors it deems necessary or advisable to carry out its responsibilities and powers, and, if such counsel or other advisors are engaged, shall determine the compensation or fees payable to such counsel or other advisors.

 

2. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

 

i. The Audit Committee may discuss with management and the independent auditors, and review with the Board, the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries and the Company’s compliance with such requirements. After these discussions, the Audit Committee may, if it determines it to be appropriate, make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

3. The Audit Committee may discuss with management legal matters (including pending or threatened litigation) that may have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements or its compliance policies and procedures.

 

4. Conflicts of Interest

 

i. The Audit Committee shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis, and the approval of the Audit Committee shall be required for all such transactions. The Audit Committee may establish such policies and procedures as it deems appropriate to facilitate such review.

 

5. General

 

i. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more of its members as the Audit Committee deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities and exercise its powers.

 

ii. The Audit Committee may perform such other oversight functions outside of its stated purpose as may be requested by the Board from time to time.

 

6

 

 

iii. In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee shall be entitled to rely upon advice and information that it receives in its discussions and communications with management, the independent auditors and such experts, advisors and professionals as may be consulted with by the Audit Committee.

 

iv. The Audit Committee is authorized to request that any officer or employee of the Company, the Company’s outside legal counsel, the Company’s independent auditors or any other professional retained by the Company to render advice to the Company attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or meet with any members of or advisors to the Audit Committee.

 

v. The Audit Committee is authorized to incur such ordinary administrative expenses as are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

 

6. Notwithstanding the responsibilities and powers of the Audit Committee set forth in this Charter, the Audit Committee does not have the responsibility of planning or conducting audits of the Company’s financial statements or determining whether the Company’s financial statements are complete, accurate and in accordance with GAAP. Such responsibilities are the duty of management and, to the extent of the independent auditor’s audit responsibilities, the independent auditors. In addition, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct investigations or to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE SUBJECT MATTER FINANCIAL EXPERTS

 

When do the rules regarding audit committee financial experts apply?

 

The rules require the Company to make certain disclosures relating to audit committee financial experts in the registration statement on Form S-1 that it will be filing in connection with its proposed public offering and its annual reports (or its proxy statements for its annual meetings, if such information is incorporated by reference into its annual reports and these proxy statements are filed within 120 of days of the end of the fiscal year) that it must file on an annual basis thereafter.

 

What disclosure is required by the rules?

 

The rules regarding audit committee financial experts require the Company to disclose that its board of directors has determined that the Company either:

 

1. has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee; or

 

2. does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

 

If the Company discloses that it does not have an audit committee financial expert, the Company must disclose the reasons why it does not. If the Company discloses that it has at least one audit committee financial expert, then it must disclose the name of at least one of its audit committee financial experts and whether such person is independent of management. The Company is permitted, but not required, to disclose that it has more than one audit committee financial expert. If the Company discloses the names of any additional audit committee financial experts, then it must also disclose whether these additional audit committee financial experts are independent of management.

 

What does the Company’s board of directors need to do as a result of the rules?

 

To provide the required disclosure under the rules, the Company’s board of directors must determine whether it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. This will require the Company’s board of directors to:

 

1. evaluate the qualifications of the prospective members of its audit committee;

 

2. determine whether at least one prospective member of its audit committee qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined in the applicable rules;

 

3. if a person is an audit committee financial expert because he or she has acquired the requisite attributes through “other relevant experience,” the board of directors should determine what constitutes this “other relevant experience” as it must be disclosed; and

 

4. if the Company has determined that none of the prospective members of its audit

 

5. committee qualify as an audit committee financial expert; the board of directors may want to determine which aspects of the definition of audit committee financial expert its prospective audit committee members do satisfy as the Company may want to disclose this information.

 

7

 

 

The board of directors may evaluate each prospective member of its audit committee or it may end its evaluation once it determines that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. The SEC was clear in the adopting release that a company cannot satisfy these disclosure requirements by stating that it has decided not to decide or by simply disclosing the qualifications of all of its audit committee members.

 

In the adopting release, the SEC did not specify the exact method by which the board of directors should conduct its evaluation, but it did indicate that it thought that it was appropriate for the determination of the board of directors to be subject to relevant state law principles such as the business judgment rule. Based on the applicable rules for determining qualification as an audit committee financial expert described below, the Company’s board of directors may determine that none of the current members of the Company’s board of directors are audit committee financial experts.

 

Who qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules?

 

The applicable rules define an “audit committee financial expert” as a person who has each of the following five attributes:

 

1. an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

 

2. the ability to assess the general application of GAAP in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves;

 

3. experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that

 

4. present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally

 

5. comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

 

6. an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

 

7. an understanding of audit committee functions.

 

In addition, the person must have acquired the five attributes through experiences described in at least one of the following categories:

 

1. education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar functions;

 

2. experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor, or person performing similar functions;

 

3. experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements; or other relevant experience (it should be noted that if the board determines that a person identified as an audit committee financial expert qualifies as such because that person acquired the requisite attributes through “other relevant experience” as opposed to through one of the prior three categories, then the Company must briefly list that person’s relevant experience).

 

In the SEC release adopting these rules, the SEC elaborated on certain aspects of this definition in a few notable respects, which are discussed below.

 

Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements. In the adopting release, the SEC suggested that experience with financial statements as an investment banker, venture capitalist or professional financial analyst would, in many cases, satisfy the requirement that an audit committee financial expert have experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements. This statement should be contrasted with the SEC’s earlier proposal that experience preparing or auditing financial statements (e.g., as an independent accountant/auditor or chief financial/chief accounting officer) would be required. The SEC indicated that the final requirement was intended to “capture the clear intent of the statute that an audit committee financial expert must have experience actually working directly and closely with financial statements in a way that provided familiarity with the contents of financial statements and the processes behind them.”

 

8

 

 

Generally comparable breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues. In making a determination regarding whether the breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues with which the person has experience are generally comparable to those that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, the SEC indicated that a person’s experience would not have to be in the same industry as the Company, or with a public company.

 

The SEC moved away from its earlier proposal, which had focused on the comparability of the actual accounting issues with which the person had experience, and, in the adopting release, suggested that the board of directors should focus on a variety of more general factors, such as the size of the company with which the person has experience, the scope of that company’s operations and the complexity of its financial statements and accounting.

 

Actively supervising. In the adopting release, the SEC made the following statement relating to the concept of “actively supervising”:

 

The term “active supervision” means more than the mere existence of a traditional hierarchical reporting relationship between supervisor and those being supervised. Rather, we mean that a person engaged in active supervision participates in, and contributes to, the process of addressing, albeit at a supervisory level, the same general types of issues regarding preparation, auditing, analysis or evaluation of financial statements as those addressed by the person or persons being supervised. We also mean that the supervisor should have experience that has contributed to the general expertise necessary to prepare, audit, analyze or evaluate financial statements that is at least comparable to the general expertise of those being supervised. A principal executive officer should not be presumed to qualify. A principal executive officer with considerable operations involvement, but little financial or accounting involvement, likely would not be exercising the necessary active supervision. Active participation in, and contribution to, the process, albeit at a supervisory level, of addressing financial and accounting issues that demonstrates a general expertise in the area would be necessary.

 

Understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. In the adopting release, the SEC elaborated on the requirement that audit committee financial experts have an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting as follows:

 

It is necessary that the audit committee financial expert understand the purpose, and be able to evaluate the effectiveness, of a company’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. It is important that the audit committee financial expert understand why the internal controls and procedures for financial reporting exist, how they were developed, and how they operate. Previous experience establishing or evaluating a company’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting can, of course, contribute to a person’s understanding of these matters, but the attribute as rephrased properly focuses on the understanding rather than the experience. Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing, or evaluation of financial statements. In the adopting release, the SEC cited “individuals serving in governmental, self-regulatory and private-sector bodies overseeing the banking, insurance and securities industries who work on issues related to financial statements on a regular basis” as an example of the type of person to whom this provision was meant to apply.

 

Other relevant experience. In the adopting release, the SEC stated that this “catch all” provision was added to recognize that the required attributes of an audit committee financial expert can be acquired in many different ways; however, acquiring them through experience and not “merely education” is required.

 

Does the identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert alter the duties, obligations or liabilities of that person or the other members of the audit committee?

 

No. Because of concerns that directors designated and publicly identified as audit committee financial experts might become subject to greater liability, and to make clear that the other members of the audit committee should not be expected to perform their duties any differently as a result of the designation or identification of an audit committee financial expert, the SEC included a safe harbor in the new rules to clarify that:

 

1. a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert;

 

2. the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on that person any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on that person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of the designation or identification; and

 

3. the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.

 

9

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

 

This policy outlines the procedures that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) has established with respect to the receipt, treatment and retention of complaints received by the Company regarding:

 

1. accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, or

 

2. potential violations of the federal securities laws, including any rules and regulations thereunder, or the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) (collectively, “Complaints”).

 

1. Procedures for Receiving Complaints

 

a. Complaints may be submitted to the Company as follows:

 

i. The complaining party may contact the “Compliance Hotline” (anonymously or not) by phone, online or by email using the contact information contained in the Company’s Code of Conduct. The complaining party should identify the subject matter of his or her Complaint and the practices that are alleged to constitute an improper accounting, internal accounting control or auditing matter or a violation of the federal securities laws or the FCPA, as the case may be, providing as much detail as possible; and/or

 

ii. The complaining party may submit a confidential memorandum which identifies the subject matter of his or her Complaint and the practices that are alleged to constitute an improper accounting, internal accounting control or auditing matter or a violation of the federal securities laws or the FCPA, as the case may be, providing as much detail as possible. The confidential memorandum may be mailed to the following:

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

Attention: Chairperson of the Audit Committee

 

b. All Company employees will be instructed through postings and the Company’s Code of Conduct that any and all Complaints may be made anonymously and in a confidential manner in accordance with one or more of the procedures set forth above. Employees will also be notified that, if they do not feel comfortable submitting a Complaint in accordance with these procedures or if they feel that a previously submitted Complaint was not adequately addressed, they may contact the Chairperson or any other member of the Audit Committee directly by mail. The Company will provide notice on a current basis through postings, the Company’s Code of Conduct, and/or such other manner as is determined by the Audit Committee from time to time of the names, phone numbers and addresses of the designated recipients to whom Complaints may be submitted.

 

c. Any Complaint received by Audit Committee, the Compliance Officer, or the Compliance Hotline in accordance with the procedures set forth above will be forwarded in a confidential manner to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such Complaint. In addition, management will be informed that any Complaint received outside of these procedures should likewise be forwarded in a confidential manner to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such Complaint.

 

d. To ensure that the Compliant Procedure is not inadvertently or improperly screening out Complaints that should be viewed by the Audit Committee, the Company’s Compliance Officer will be charged with preparing and submitting to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee prior to each regularly scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee, a table or other report detailing the time, date, nature and disposition of each complaint received by the Compliance Officer and/or the Compliance Hotline since the date of the prior report. The table or other report will be reviewed by the Audit Committee at its next regularly-scheduled meeting.

 

10

 

 

2. Procedures for Treating Complaints

 

a. Following receipt of a Complaint, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee will promptly begin to conduct an initial evaluation of the Complaint. The Chairperson may delegate this authority to another member of the Audit Committee. In connection with the initial evaluation, the Chairperson or his or her designee will decide:

 

i. whether the Complaint requires immediate investigation;

 

ii. whether it can be held for discussion at the next regularly-scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee or whether a special meeting of the Audit Committee should be called; or

 

iii. whether it does not relate to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters or potential violations of the federal securities laws or the FCPA and should be reviewed by a party other than the Audit Committee in accordance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other policies.

 

b. In any event, each Complaint will be discussed at the next meeting of the Audit Committee. At that meeting, the Audit Committee will decide as to whether and how such Complaint will be investigated, or if the investigation has commenced, how to proceed with such investigation. The Audit Committee may elect among the following options or may investigate the Complaint in another manner determined by the Audit Committee:

 

i. The Audit Committee may choose to investigate the Complaint on its own.

 

ii. The Audit Committee may select a responsible designee within the Company to investigate the Complaint. Under no circumstances should a member of the division of the Company that is the source of the Complaint be charged with its investigation. If the Complaint was not made on an anonymous basis, the Audit Committee will determine whether it is appropriate to provide the designee with the identity of the complaining party.

 

iii. The Audit Committee may retain an outside party (other than the Company’s independent auditor) to investigate the Complaint and assist in the Complaint’s evaluation.

 

iv. The Audit Committee may retain outside counsel to initiate an investigation and work either with internal parties or an outside financial/forensic auditing company to assist in such investigation.

 

The investigating party designated by the Audit Committee will be permitted reasonable access to the Company and its documents and computer systems for purposes of conducting the investigation. At the conclusion of its investigation, the investigating party will be responsible for making a full report to the Audit Committee with respect to the Complaint and, if requested by the Audit Committee, to make recommendations for corrective actions, if any, to be taken by the Company.

 

The Audit Committee will consider, if applicable, the recommendations of the investigating party and determine whether any corrective actions should be taken. The Audit Committee will report to the Board of Directors not later than its next regularly-scheduled meeting with respect to the Complaint for which such investigation has been completed and, if applicable, any recommended corrective actions. In the event that the Complaint involves any Director of the Company (whether in his or her role as a director, employee, or officer of the Company or otherwise), the Audit Committee will make its report in an Executive Session of the Board of Directors (exclusive of any Director involved in such Complaint).

 

3. Procedures for Retaining Records Regarding Complaints

 

a. The Audit Committee will seek to ensure that all Complaints received by the Audit Committee, together with all documents pertaining to the Audit Committee’s or its designee’s investigation and treatment of any such Complaint, are retained in a secure location in accordance with the Company’s record retention policy. If a Complaint becomes the subject of a criminal investigation or civil litigation, all documents related to that Complaint will be retained until such investigation or litigation is resolved, including all appeals. The Audit Committee may delegate this record retention obligation to an independent advisor or entity or the Company’s Compliance Officer.

 

11

 

 

4. Protection for Whistleblowers

 

a. At no time will there be any retaliation by the Company or at its direction against any employee for making a reasonable complaint, in good faith, pursuant to the procedures described herein regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, or potential violations of the federal securities laws or the FCPA.

 

5. Disciplinary Action

 

a. Nothing in these procedures shall limit the Company or the Board of Directors or a committee or designee thereof in taking such disciplinary or other action under the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other applicable policies of the Company as may be appropriate with respect to any matter that is the subject of a Complaint.

 

6. Periodic Review of Procedures

 

a. The Audit Committee will review the procedures outlined above and consider changes to such procedures periodically.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICY

FOR AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

 

1. Statement of Principles

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. recognizes the importance of maintaining the independence of its independent auditor. Under the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company.

 

The SEC’s rules permit the Audit Committee to pre-approve such services by establishing policies and procedures for audit and non-audit services, provided that the policies and procedures are detailed as to the service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service, and such policies and procedures do not result in the delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has adopted, and the Audit Committee has ratified, this Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services (this “Policy”), which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditor may be pre-approved. Unless a type of service has been pre-approved pursuant to this Policy, it must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee before it may be provided by the independent auditor. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

The appendices to this Policy describe in detail the Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and All Other Services that have the pre-approval of the Audit Committee and do not result in the delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management. The term of any pre-approval under this Policy is twelve (12) months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee approves a different period. The Audit Committee may periodically revise the list of services pre-approved pursuant to this Policy, based on subsequent determinations. Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, pre-approval is waived for non-audit services that satisfy the “de minimus” provisions of Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

12

 

 

2. Delegation

 

As provided in the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee delegates to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve the provision by the Company’s independent auditor of non-audit services if time constraints require that such pre-approval occur prior to the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting.

 

3. Audit Services

 

Audit Services are services necessary for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The engagement of the independent auditor to perform the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the review of the Company’s quarterly financial statements as well as the terms and fees for such engagement will be subject to separate pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Company structure or other items.

 

4. Audit-Related Services

 

Audit-Related Services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-Related Services does not impair the independence of the auditor and, consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, has pre-approved the Audit-Related Services, if any, in Appendix B. All other Audit-Related Services not listed in Appendix B must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

5. Tax Services

 

Tax Services are professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide Tax Services to the Company without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the independent auditor may provide such services. However, the Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with (i) a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the sole business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and related regulations, or (ii) representing the Company before a tax court, district court or federal court of claims.

 

6. All Other Services

 

The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the independent auditor from providing specific non-audit services, that the independent auditor may provide other types of non-audit services (“All Other Services”) that are not specifically prohibited and that are not Audit-Related Services or Tax Services. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may pre-approve All Other Services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

7. Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established periodically by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

8. Supporting Documentation

 

With respect to each service pre-approved under this Policy, the independent auditor has provided, or will provide for addition to the appendices hereto, detailed back-up documentation to the Audit Committee regarding the specific services pre-approved under this Policy. The detailed back-up documentation provided to the Audit Committee is incorporated by reference into, and shall be deemed a part of, this Policy.

 

13

 

 

9. Procedures

 

All requests or applications for pre-approval of services to be provided by the independent auditor will be submitted to the Audit Committee, the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer for submission to the Audit Committee and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered and detailed back-up documentation regarding the specific services to be provided. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services as they are rendered by the independent auditor.

 

In the event that time constraints require pre-approval prior to the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee will have the authority to grant such pre-approval, provided that the Chairperson is independent, and, in accordance with Section II of this Policy, will report such pre-approval decision to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting. Requests for pre-approval by the Chairperson of the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Chairperson by both the independent auditor and the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered and a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee may from time to time limit the ability of the Chairperson of the Audit Committee to pre-approve services in accordance with the provisions of this Section IX.

 

Requests or applications to provide services that require separate approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer, and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered and a statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has designated the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the independent auditor and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of this monitoring. The Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer and management will immediately report to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer or other designated officer or any member of management. The directives in the paragraph do not delegate any required duties or authority of the Audit Committee to management or relieve the Audit Committee from any of its responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules of the SEC.

 

MINUTES:

 

The Audit Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

 

 

14

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

  

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

PURPOSE:

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“the Board) of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is established pursuant to this charter. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to the executive officers and directors of the Corporation, including stock compensation and loans, and all bonus and stock compensation to all employees.

 

The Compensation Committee has the authority to undertake the specific duties and responsibilities listed below and will have the authority to undertake such other specific duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

 

MEMBERSHIP:

 

The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members of the Board, all of whom shall be independent directors in accordance with Rule 5605 (d) of the NASDAQ OMX Group Company Guide. The members of the Compensation Committee will be appointed by a majority of the Board. No member of the Compensation Committee shall be removed except by a majority vote of the independent directors then in office.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The responsibilities and duties of the Compensation Committee shall include:

 

1. To review and approve annually the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the compensation of the chief executive officer (“CEO”), evaluate at least annually the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determine and approve the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of CEO compensation, the Compensation Committee may consider the Corporation’s performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards given to CEOs at comparable companies and the awards given to the company’s CEO in past years.

 

2. Matters Related to Compensation of the Officers Other Than the Chief Executive Officer:

 

a. Review and approve the proposed compensation for all Officers of the Company other than the CEO; for purposes hereof, the term “Officer” shall mean any officer at C-level, any “officer” as defined in Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Rule 16a-1 promulgated thereunder, and any individual that reports directly to the CEO.

 

b. Review no less frequently than annually the aggregate amount of compensation being paid or potentially payable to the Company’s Officers.

 

c. Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation policy for executive officers and directors of the Corporation, and such other officers of the Corporation as directed by the Board.

 

3. Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding all forms of compensation (including all “plan” compensation, as such term is defined in Item 402(a)(7) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and all non-plan compensation) to be provided to the executive officers of the Corporation.

 

4. Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding general compensation goals and guidelines for the Corporation’s employees and the criteria by which bonuses to the Corporation’s employees are determined.

 

5. Acting as Administrator any Stock Option Plan and administering, within the authority delegated by the Board, any Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted by the Corporation. In its administration of the plans, the Compensation Committee may, pursuant to authority delegated by the Board, grant stock options or stock purchase rights to individuals eligible for such grants and amend such stock options or stock purchase rights. The Compensation Committee shall also make recommendations to the Board with respect to amendments to the plans and changes in the number of shares reserved for issuance hereunder.

 

 

 

  

6. Review and approve grants and awards under incentive-based compensation plans and equity-based plans, in each case consistent with the terms of such plans.

 

7. Review and make such recommendations to the Board as the Compensation Committee deems advisable with regard to policies and procedures for the grant of equity-based awards by the Company.

 

8. Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding other plans that are proposed for adoption or adopted by the Corporation for the provision of compensation to employees of, directors of and consultants to the Corporation.

 

9. Preparing a report (to be included in the Corporation’s proxy statement) which describes: (a) the criteria on which compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer for the last completed fiscal year is based; (b) the relationship of such compensation to the Corporation’s performance; and (c) the Compensation Committee’s executive compensation policies applicable to executive officers.

 

10. Authorizing the repurchase of shares from terminated employees pursuant to applicable law.

 

11. If applicable, the Compensation Committee shall consider the results of the most recent stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act in its recommendations and decisions.

 

MEETINGS:

 

It is anticipated that the Compensation Committee will meet at least two times each year. However, the Compensation Committee may establish its own schedule, which it will provide to the Board in advance. At a minimum of one of such meetings annually, the Compensation Committee will consider stock plans, performance goals and incentive awards, and the overall coverage and composition of the compensation package. The Compensation Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Compensation Committee shall report regularly to the Board regarding its actions and make recommendations to the Board as appropriate.

 

The Compensation Committee may invite such members of management to its meetings as it deems appropriate. However, the Compensation Committee shall meet regularly without such members present, and in all cases the CEO and any other such officers shall not be present at meetings at which their compensation or performance is discussed or determined.

 

REPORTS:

 

The Compensation Committee will provide written reports to the Board of the Corporation regarding recommendations of the Compensation Committee submitted to the Board for action, and copies of the written minutes of its meetings.

 

Review and discuss with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis to be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report on Form 20-F (“CD&A”).

 

Based on the Compensation Committee’s review and discussions with management of the CD&A, make a recommendation to the Board that the CD&A be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Prepare the Compensation Committee Report to be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report on Form 20-F in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, and any other rules and regulations applicable to the Company.

 

2

 

 

EVALUATION OF COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE:

 

The Compensation Committee shall on an annual basis, evaluate its performance under this Charter. The Compensation Committee shall address all matters that the Board of Directors considers relevant to its performance. The Compensation Committee shall deliver a report setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Board’s or the Corporation’s policies or procedures.

 

COMMITTEE RESOURCES:

 

The Compensation Committee shall have the authority to obtain advice and seek assistance from internal and external legal, accounting, and other advisors. The Compensation Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used to evaluate director or officer compensation, including sole authority to approve the consulting firm’s fee and retention terms.

 

 

3

 

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

 

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc.

4F No. 1 Building

Jinsha Lake Business Center

Economic Technology District

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311103

People’s Republic of China

  

NOMINATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

PURPOSE:

 

The purpose of the Nomination Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding matters concerning corporate governance; review the composition of and evaluate the performance of the Board; recommend persons for election to the Board and evaluate director compensation; review the composition of committees of the Board and recommend persons to be members of such committees; review and maintain compliance of committee membership with applicable regulatory requirements; and review conflicts of interest of members of the Board and corporate officers. In addition, the Committee will undertake those specific duties and responsibilities listed below and such other duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

 

MEMBERSHIP:

 

The Committee shall consist of no fewer than two members of the Board. All members of the Committee shall be appointed by a majority of the Board and shall be independent of the Corporation and its affiliates, shall have no relationship to the Corporation or its affiliates that may interfere with the exercise of their independence, and shall otherwise be deemed to be “independent directors” as defined in Rule 5605 (e)(2) of the NASDAQ OMX Group Company Guide (the “Guide”). The Board may designate one member of the Committee as its Chair. The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees, consisting of no fewer than two members of the Committee, when appropriate. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by a majority vote of the independent directors then in office.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The responsibilities and duties of the Committee shall include:

 

Composition of the Board of Directors, Evaluation, and Nomination Activities

 

1. Reviewing the composition and size of the Board and determining the criteria for membership of the Board, including issues of character, judgment, independence, diversity, age, expertise, corporate experience, length of service, and other commitments outside the Corporation.

 

2. Conducting an annual evaluation of the Board.

 

3. Identifying, considering, and recommending candidates to fill new positions or vacancies on the Board, and reviewing any candidates recommended by stockholders in accordance with the bylaws. In performing these duties, the Committee shall have the authority to retain any search firm to be used to identify candidates for the Board and shall have sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms.

 

4. Evaluating the performance of individual members of the Board eligible for re-election and recommending the director nominees by class for election to the Board by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders.

 

5. Evaluating director compensation, consulting with outside consultants when appropriate, and making recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation.

 

6. Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to a Director Option Plan and any proposed amendments thereto, subject to obtaining stockholder approval of any amendments as required by law or NASDAQ OMX or the NYSE Market LLC Company Guide Rules.

 

 

 

 

7. Selection of New Directors.

 

a. Recommend to the Board criteria for Board and committee membership, which shall include a description of any specific, minimum qualifications that the Nominating Committee believes must be met by a Nominating Committee recommended nominee, and a description of any specific qualities or skills that the Nominating Committee believes are necessary for one or more of the Company’s directors to possess, and annually reassess the adequacy of such criteria and submit any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

 

b. Establish a policy regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders.

 

c. Establish procedures to be followed by securityholders in submitting recommendations for director candidates to the Nominating Committee. The current procedures to be followed by securityholders are set forth below:

 

i. All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must be submitted to the Secretary of the Company, who will forward all recommendations to the Nominating Committee.

 

ii. All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must be submitted to the Company not less than 120 calendar days prior to the date on which the Company’s proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting.
iii. All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must include the following information:

 

1. The name and address of record of the securityholder.

 

2. A representation that the securityholder is a record holder of the Company’s securities, or if the securityholder is not a record holder, evidence of ownership in accordance with Rule 14a-8(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

3. The name, age, business and residential address, educational background, current principal occupation or employment, and principal occupation or employment for the preceding five (5) full fiscal years of the proposed director candidate.

 

4. A description of the qualifications and background of the proposed director candidate which addresses the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board from time to time and set forth in this Charter.

 

5. A description of all arrangements or understandings between the securityholder and the proposed director candidate.

 

6. The consent of the proposed director candidate (i) to be named in the proxy statement relating to the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders and (ii) to serve as a director if elected at such annual meeting.

 

7. Any other information regarding the proposed director candidate that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

d. Establish a process for identifying and evaluating nominees for the Board, including nominees recommended by securityholders. The current process for identifying and evaluating nominees for the Board is as follows:

 

i. The Nominating Committee may solicit recommendations from any or all of the following sources: non-management directors, the Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers, third-party search firms, or any other source it deems appropriate.

 

ii. The Nominating Committee will review and evaluate the qualifications of any such proposed director candidate and conduct inquiries it deems appropriate.

 

2

 

 

iii. The Nominating Committee will evaluate all such proposed director candidates in the same manner, with no regard to the source of the initial recommendation of such proposed director candidate. iv. In identifying and evaluating proposed director candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider, in addition to the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board from time to time, all facts and circumstances that it deems appropriate or advisable, including, among other things, the skills of the proposed director candidate, his or her depth and breadth of business experience or other background characteristics, his or her independence and the needs of the Board.

 

e. Upon identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with the minimum qualifications and other criteria approved by the Board from time to time, recommend that the Board select the director nominees for election at each annual meeting of stockholders; provided that, if the Company is legally required by contract or otherwise to provide third parties with the ability to nominate individuals for election as a member of the Board (pursuant, for example, to the rights of holders of preferred stock to elect directors upon a dividend default or in accordance with shareholder agreements or management agreements), the selection and nomination of such director nominees shall be governed by such contract or other arrangement and shall not be the responsibility of the Nominating Committee.

 

f. Consider recommendations in light of the requirement that a majority of the Board be comprised of directors who meet the independence requirements set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

 

g. Recommend that the Board select the directors for appointment to committees of the Board.

 

h. Review all stockholder nominations and proposals submitted to the Company (including any proposal relating to the procedures for making nominations or electing directors), determine whether the nomination or proposal was submitted in a timely manner and, in the case of a director nomination, whether the nomination and the nominee satisfy all applicable eligibility requirements, and recommend to the Board appropriate action on each such nomination or proposal.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

1. Periodically reviewing the composition of each committee of the Board and making recommendations to the Board for the creation of additional committees or the change in mandate or dissolution of committees.

 

2. Recommending to the Board persons to be members of the various committees and Committee Chairperson, annually.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

3. Reviewing and monitoring compliance with the Corporation’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

 

4. Considering questions of possible conflicts of interest of members of the Board and of corporate officers.

 

5. Reviewing actual and potential conflicts of interest of members of the Board and corporate officers and clearing any involvement of such persons in matters that may involve a conflict of interest.

 

GENERAL

 

The Nominating Committee may establish and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more of its members, when the Nominating Committee deems it appropriate to do so in order to carry out its responsibilities.

 

The Nominating Committee shall make regular reports to the Board concerning areas of the Nominating Committee’s responsibility.

 

3

 

 

In carrying out its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee shall be entitled to rely upon advice and information that it receives in its discussions and communications with management and such experts, advisors, and professionals with whom the Nominating Committee may consult. The Nominating Committee shall have the authority to request that any officer or employee of the Company, the Company’s outside legal counsel, the Company’s independent auditor or any other professional retained by the Company to render advice to the Company attend a meeting of the Nominating Committee or meet with any members of or advisors to the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall also have the authority to engage legal, accounting, or other advisors to provide it with advice and information in connection with carrying out its responsibilities and shall have sole authority to approve any such advisor’s fees and other retention terms.

 

The Nominating Committee may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time.

 

MEETINGS:

 

The Committee will meet at least once a year. The Committee may establish its own meeting schedule, which it will provide to the Board. Special meetings may be convened as required. The Committee, or its Chair, shall report to the Board on the results of these meetings. The Committee may invite to its meetings other Directors, Corporate management, and such other persons, as the Committee deems appropriate in order to carry out its responsibilities. A majority of the members of the Committee, present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which shall be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

 

EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE’S PERFORMANCE:

 

The Committee shall, on an annual basis, evaluate its performance under this Charter. The Committee shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance. The Committee shall deliver a report setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Board’s or the Corporation’s policies or procedures.

 

COMMITTEE RESOURCES:

 

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the Corporation’s expense, such independent counsel, or other advisors as it deems necessary. The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms, and such related fees are to be borne by the Corporation.

 

REPORTS:

 

The Committee will record its summaries of recommendations to the Board in written form, which will be incorporated as a part of the minutes of the meeting of the Board at which those recommendations are presented.

 

MINUTES:

 

The Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

 

 

4