SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
| X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report______________
For the transition period from ______________ to __________________
| Commission file number: 0-30314 |
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
Province of Ontario, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 2G3
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kam Shah, 416.929.1806,kam@bontancorporation.com, Fax: 416.929.6612
47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
(Name,telephone,e-mail and/or facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Common shares without par value
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report
Common shares without par value – 30,095,743 as at March 31, 2008
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Yes No X__
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes No X
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer_____ Accelerated filer_____ Non-accelerated filer X
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP International Financial Reporting Other X
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow Item 17: X Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No X
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | Page No. |
| | |
Forward-looking statements | 1 |
Foreign Private Issuer Status and Reporting currency | 2 |
| | |
Part I | | |
| | |
Item 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors | 2 |
Item 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 2 |
Item 3. | Key Information | 2 |
Item 4. | Information on the Company | 10 |
Item 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 13 |
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 24 |
Item 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 31 |
Item 8. | Financial Information | 33 |
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing | 34 |
Item 10. | Additional Information | 36 |
Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 47 |
Item 12. | Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities | 48 |
| | |
Part II | | |
| | |
Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 48 |
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 48 |
Item 15. | Controls and Procedures | 48 |
Item 16. | Audit Committee, Code of Ethics, and Principal Accountant’s Fees and Services | 50 |
| | |
| | |
Part III | | |
| | |
Item 17. | Financial Statements | 51 |
Item 18. | Financial Statements | 51 |
Item 19. | Exhibits | 52 |
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report includes "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this annual report that address activities, events or developments, which we expect or anticipate, will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.
The words "believe", "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements address, among others, such issues as:
- Future earnings and cash flow, - future plans and capital expenditures, - expansion and other development trends of the resource sector.
- Expansion and growth of our business and operations, and
- Our prospective operational and financial information.
These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in particular circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including the risks set forth in "Item 3-Key Information-Risk Factors" and the following:
- | Fluctuations in prices of our products and services, |
- | Potential acquisitions and other business opportunities, |
- | General economic, market and business conditions, and |
- | Other risks and factors beyond our control. |
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this annual report are qualified by these cautionary statements. We cannot assure you that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected effect on us or our business or operations.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "Bontan Corporation Inc." the "Company”,"Bontan", “we”, “us”, “our” are used interchangeably in this Annual Report and mean Bontan Corporation Inc. and its subsidiaries.
FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER STATUS AND REPORTING CURRENCY
Foreign Private Issuer Status:
Bontan Corporation Inc. is a Canadian corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario. Approximately 87% of its common stock is held by non-United States citizens and residents and our business is administered principally outside the United States; As a result, we believe that we qualify as a "foreign private issuer" for continuing to report regarding the registration of our common stock using this Form 20-F annual report format.
Currency
The financial information presented in this Annual Report is expressed in Canadian dollars ("CDN $") and the financial data in this Annual Report is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada ("Can. GAAP"). Such financial data conforms in all material respects with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") except as disclosed in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.
All dollar amounts set forth in this report are in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated.
PART I
ITEM 1 – IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2 – OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3 – KEY INFORMATION
(A) SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
This Report includes consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. These financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada. Reference is made to Financial Statement Notes for a discussion of the material differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP, and their effect on the Company's financial statements.
The following is a selected financial data for the Company for each of the last five fiscal years 2004 through 2008 on a consolidated basis. The data is extracted from the audited financial statements of the Company for each of the said years.
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Canadian $)
Operating data – Fiscal year ended March 31
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| | (Restated) | (Restated) | | |
| | | | | |
Revenue | 321,755 | $743,786 | $1,857,647 | $418,861 | $251 |
Loss from continuing operations | $(571,799) | $(164,043) | ($4,784,933) | ($4,876,898) | ($1,360,958) |
Loss from discontinued operations | $- | $- | $- | ($179,678) | $- |
Net Loss | $(571,799) | $(164,043) | ($4,784,933) | ($5,056,576) | ($1,360,958) |
Net loss per share (1) | ($0.02) | ($0.01) | ($0.31) | ($0.43) | ($0.26) |
Working capital (Deficit) | $5,173,892 | $6,624,466 | $5,285,784 | $4,734,269 | ($311,005) |
Total assets | $5,239,122 | $6,672,918 | $5,450,772 | $5,075,158 | $3,085,584 |
Capital stock | $32,901,488 | $32,413,811 | $32,175,000 | $28,280,890 | $24,287,903 |
Warrants | $2,153,857 | $2,215,213 | $951,299 | $- | $- |
Contributed surplus | $4,077,427 | $4,069,549 | $4,069,549 | $3,795,078 | $- |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ($1,306,768) | | | | |
Shareholders' equity | $5,180,098 | $6,624,466 | $5,285,784 | $4,950,837 | $2,219,348 |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding ( 2 ) | 28,840,653 | 27,472,703 | 15,655,023 | 11,700,303 | 5,221,071 |
1. The effect of potential share issuances pursuant to the exercise of options and warrants would be anti-dilutive and, therefore, basic and diluted losses per share are the same.
2. Weighted average number of shares for a year was calculated by dividing the total number of shares outstanding at the end of each of the months by twelve.
Selected Financial Data (U.S. GAAP) – Fiscal year ended March 31
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| | | | | |
Loss for year | ($571,799) | ($52,384) | ($4,590,175) | ($5,238,898) | ($1,407,665) |
Comprehensive Loss | ($2,838,269) | $795,658 | ($4,038,005) | ($5,273,144) | ($1,360,958) |
Loss per share -Basic and diluted | ($0.02) | $0.00 | ($0.29) | ($0.45) | ($0.26) |
Total assets | $5,239,122 | $7,632,619 | $6,197,700 | $4,858,590 | $3,085,584 |
Shareholders' equity | $5,180,098 | $7,584,167 | $4,734,269 | $4,734,269 | $2,219,348 |
The Company has not declared or paid any dividends in any of its last five financial years.
Exchange Rates
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, unless otherwise specified, all monetary amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. The exchange rates used herein were obtained from Bank of Canada; however, they cannot be guaranteed.
On June 30, 2008, the exchange rate, based on the noon buying rates, for the conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars (the “Noon Rate of Exchange”) was CDN $1.02=US$1
The following table sets out the high and low exchange rates in US dollar for one Canadian dollar for each of the last six months
2008 | June | May | April | March | February | January |
| | | | | | |
High for period | $1.00 | $1.02 | $1.00 | $1.02 | $1.03 | $1.02 |
Low for period | $0.97 | $0.98 | $0.97 | $0.97 | $0.98 | $0.96 |
The following table sets out the average exchange rates for the five most recent financial years calculated by using the average of the Noon Rate of Exchange on the last day of each month during the period.
Year Ended March 31 |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Average for the year | 1.03 | 1.14 | 1.19 | 1.28 | 1.35 |
(B) CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable
(C) REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable
(D) RISK FACTORS
The following is a brief discussion of those distinctive or special characteristics of the Company’s operations and industry that may have a material impact on, or constitute risk factors in respect of, the Company’s future financial performance.
We have a history of operating losses and may not achieve or sustain profitability in the future.
We have incurred significant operating losses during recent fiscal years. We have not yet had any revenue from the exploration activities nor have we ever found that development activity is warranted on any of our properties. As of March 31, 2008, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $33 million. We currently have no interest in any oil or gas property or any natural resource project.
We expect to continue to incur losses until it is determined that properties or projects in which we may acquire interests in the future can be sufficiently developed for commercialization. Even if it is determined that such properties or projects should be developed for commercialization, there is no certainty that we will produce revenue, operate profitably or provide a return on investment in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve or sustain profitable operations in the future.
We are in the process of seeking opportunities in oil and gas and any other sectors and currently do not own any interests or properties.
Currently, we do not own any interest in any oil or gas project or any other project. We are assessing various opportunities, none of which may meet our eligibility requirements. Consequently, we may not own any interest for an indeterminate amount of time. As a result, we will use our cash resources to pay for expenses and costs we incur in our efforts to identify appropriate opportunities as well as for our standard operating costs.
Our operations are subject to substantial exploration and development risks.
The Company anticipates participating in oil and gas resource properties in the hope of locating reserves. The Company's property interests, when acquired will most likely be in the exploration stage only. Accordingly, there is little likelihood that the Company will realize any profits in the short to medium term. Any profitability in the future from the Company's business will be dependent upon locating reserves, which itself is subject to numerous risk factors.
The business of exploring for and producing oil and gas involves a substantial risk of investment loss which, even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. The principal resources necessary for the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas are leasehold prospects under which crude oil and natural gas reserves may be discovered, drilling rigs and related equipment to explore for such reserves and knowledgeable personnel to conduct all phases of crude oil and natural gas operations, all of which requires a substantial investment.
Drilling oil and gas wells involves the risk that the wells will be unproductive or that, although productive, the wells do not produce oil and/or gas in economic quantities. Other hazards, such as unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, fires, blowouts, loss of circulation of drilling fluids or other conditions may substantially delay or prevent completion of any well. Adverse weather conditions can also hinder drilling operations.
A productive well may become uneconomic in the event water or other deleterious substances are encountered, which impair or prevent the production of oil and/or gas from the well. In addition, production from any well may be unmarketable if it is impregnated with water or other deleterious substances. As with any petroleum property, there can be no assurance that oil and gas will be produced from the properties in which the Company had and may in future have interests.
In addition, the marketability of oil and gas, which may be acquired or discovered, will be affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company. These factors include the proximity and capacity of oil and gas pipelines and processing equipment, market fluctuations of prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, allowable production and environmental protection.
The extent of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital. There is no assurance that our anticipated exploration and development activities in future resource properties will ultimately yield oil or gas in commercial quantities. Drilling for oil and gas may be unprofitable. Dry holes and wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient net revenues after drilling, operating and other costs are unprofitable. We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve profitable operations in the future.
In determining the purchase price for our future interests, we will rely on both internal and external assessments relating to estimates of exploration, production and possible reserves that may prove to be materially inaccurate.
The price we are willing to pay for an interest in an oil and gas project is based on a combination of projected exploration and production costs and on the estimates of potential reserves. Actual costs and reserve could vary materially from these estimates. Consequently, the interests we acquire may be less unproductive than expected, or not productive at all, which could adversely affect us or cause us to lose our entire invest, or both. Initial assessments of an interest will be based on a report by engineers or firms of engineers and these initial assessments may differ significantly from our subsequent assessments.
Our interests are subject to uninsurable risks.
Our industry also experiences numerous operating risks. These operating risks include the risk of fire, explosions, blow-outs, pipe failure, abnormally pressured formations and environmental hazards. Environmental hazards include oil spills, natural gas leaks, ruptures or discharges of toxic gases. Such events could result in substantial damage to oil and gas wells, producing facilities and other property and personal injury. Although management believes the operator of any properties in which the Company and its subsidiaries may acquire interests, will acquire and maintain appropriate insurance coverage in accordance with standard industry practice, the Company and its subsidiaries may suffer losses from uninsurable hazards or from hazards which the operator has chosen not to insure against because of high premium costs or other reasons. If any of these industry operating risks occur, the Company and its subsidiaries may face liability. The payment of any such liabilities may have a material, adverse effect on the Company's financial position. We cannot assure you that insurance held by the operator of any of our properties will be adequate to cover losses or liabilities.
Environmental and other regulatory requirements may delay production and development of our resource interests.
The current or future operations of the Company, including development activities and commencement of production on its properties, require permits from various governmental authorities and such operations will be subject to laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, safety and other matters. Companies engaged in the development and operation of natural resource properties and related facilities generally experience increased costs, and delays in production and other schedules as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits.
There can be no assurance that approvals and permits required to commence production on its properties will be obtained. Additional permits and studies, which may include environmental impact studies conducted before permits can be obtained, may be necessary prior to operation of the properties in which the Company acquires interests and there can be no assurance that the operator of these interests or the Company will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary permits that may be required to commence construction, development or operation of oil and gas extraction facilities at these properties on terms which enable operations to be conducted at economically justifiable costs.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions against the operator of any of our resource properties or us, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions.
Conducting business in foreign countries subjects us to special risks, which we have no control over.
Company’s current business strategy may involve participation in overseas projects in the resource sector. Consequently, the Company will be subject to certain risks associated with foreign ownership, including currency fluctuations, inflation, political instability and political risk. Oil, gas and other resource exploration and production activities in foreign countries may be affected in varying degrees by political stability and government regulations relating to the resource industry. Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect its business. Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, restriction of earnings, taxation laws, expropriation of property, environmental legislation, water use and workplace safety.
Our short term investments are susceptible to market fluctuations and other risks.
We have approximately $4.9 million in cash ($1.3 million) and marketable securities ($3.6 million fair value) as of March 31, 2008. Our marketable securities are primarily securities of publicly held Canadian corporations. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuations as well as the specific risks of each particular issuer. Although we believe we have diversified our portfolio, we may lose some of our original investment in the event that an investment does not perform as anticipated.
Further, approximately $1.1 million or 31% of our investments are invested in one Canadian marketable security. While the market value of this security at March 31, 2008 was less by approximately $800,000 than its average cost of $1.9 million, it rose to $2 million on June 30, 2008, the date of this report, there is no guarantee that the market price would continue to be higher than our cost. In the event, we are unable to or do not sell these securities on time and their market price gets adversely affected for whatever reasons, we may lose significant sum of money. We are minimising this risk by having all our investments monitored on a daily basis by consultants with substantial experience and knowledge of the investment market.
We will need to raise additional funds in the future, which may not be available to us.
The Company is currently without a source of revenue from operations and upon the investment of its current cash and liquidity, resources will most likely be required to issue additional securities to finance its operations and the development of its projects. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to obtain additional financing on a timely basis could cause the Company to sell or forfeit its interest in its properties and reduce or terminate its operations on such properties or discontinue operations entirely.
There is a substantial risk of dilution through possible equity financings and stock options.
Any equity or debt financings, if available at all, may cause dilution to our then-existing shareholders. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the net tangible book value per share of our common shares would decrease and the percentage ownership of then current shareholders would be diluted.
Additionally, the Company may in the future grant to some or all of its own and its subsidiaries' directors, officers, insiders and key consultants options to purchase the Company's common shares as non-cash incentives to those people. Such options may be granted at exercise prices equal to market prices at time when the public market is depressed or below fair market value. To the extent that significant numbers of such options may be granted and exercised, the interests of the then existing shareholders of the Company may be subject to additional dilution.
We are dependent upon our key managerial consultants, the loss of which would negatively affect our business.
Our performance depends on a small number of key managerial consultants. In particular, we believe our success is highly dependent upon the services of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Kam Shah, as well as Mr. Terence Robinson both of whom are consultants and who have been significantly involved in locating and negotiating our resource investments. Loss of either of their services could negatively affect our business.
Our officers and directors reside outside of the United States and there is a risk that civil liabilities and judgments may be unenforceable.
The Company and its officers and all but one of its directors are residents of countries other than the United States, and most of the Company's assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or enforce in the United States against such persons judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal securities laws or state securities laws.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Common Shares
Our share price has been volatile in the past and may decline in the future.
In recent years, the securities markets in Canada and the United States have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market prices of securities of many companies, particularly small mineral exploration companies like the Company, have experienced wide fluctuations which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. Our shares may continue to experience significant market price and volume fluctuations in the future in response to factors, which are beyond our control.
Shares eligible for future sale may depress our stock price.
At March 31, 2008, we had approximately 30 million shares of common stock outstanding. We also have approximately 12.8 million and 4.8 million shares of commons stock issuable under presently exercisable warrants and options, respectively, All such shares are registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act and are eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of shares of common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement or under Rule 144 or another exemption under the Act could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities.
We do not intend to pay dividends.
All of the Company's available funds will be invested to finance the growth of the Company's business and therefore investors cannot expect and should not anticipate receiving a dividend on the Company's common shares in the foreseeable future.
Our common stock is subject to penny stock rules.
The capital stock of the Company would be classified as “penny stock” as defined in Reg. § 240.3a51-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”). In response to perceived abuse in the penny stock market generally, the 1934 Act was amended in 1990 to add new requirements in connection with penny stocks. In connection with effecting any transaction in a penny stock,
a broker or dealer must give the customer a written risk disclosure document that (a) describes the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading, (b) describes the broker’s or dealer’s duties to the customer and the rights and remedies available to such customer with respect to violations of such duties, (c) describes the dealer market, including “bid” and “ask” prices for penny stock and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask prices, (d) contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary histories of brokers and dealers, and (e) define significant terms used in the disclosure document or the conduct of trading in penny stocks. In addition, the broker-dealer must provide to a penny stock customer a written monthly account statement that discloses the identity and number of shares of each penny stock held in the customer’s account, and the estimated market value of such shares. The extensive disclosure and other broker-dealer compliance related to penny stocks may result in reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for such stocks, thus limiting the ability of the holder to sell such stock.
Your rights and responsibilities as a shareholder will be governed by Canadian law and differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders under U.S. law.
We are incorporated under Ontario Canada law. The rights and responsibilities of holders of our shares are governed by our memorandum of association, our articles of association and by Canadian law. These rights and responsibilities may differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in typical U.S. corporations.
Changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure can cause additional expenses and failure to comply may adversely affect our reputation and the value of our securities.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations and new and changing provisions of Canadian securities laws, are creating uncertainty because of the lack of specificity and varying interpretations of the rules. As a result, the application of the rules may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. Any failure to comply with applicable laws may materially adversely affect our reputation and the value of our securities.
If we fail to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our reputation and the value of our securities may be adversely affected.
Beginning with our annual report for the year ending March 31, 2008, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will require us to include an internal control report of management with our annual report on Form 20-F, which is to include management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the fiscal year. Effective fiscal year 2010, that report will also be required to include a statement that our independent auditors have issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. In order to achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed period, management had already completed its initial assessment of the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, validated through testing that controls were functioning as documented, remediated any control weaknesses that were identified, and implemented a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. Any failure to obtain the attestation report on management’s assessment from our independent auditors, may materially adversely affect our reputation and the value of our securities.
If we lose our status as a foreign private issuer, our compliance costs will increase.
We are a "foreign private issuer" as defined under the Exchange Act. As a result, our proxy solicitations are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and transactions in our equity securities by our officers and directors are exempt from Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. If we lose our status as a foreign private issuer by our election or otherwise, we will be subject to additional reporting obligations under the Exchange Act which could increase our cost of operations.
ITEM 4 – INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
(A) HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
We are a Canadian corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario. Since April 2003, we have been a diversified natural resource company that invests in exploration, development and exploitation projects worldwide through our wholly-owned subsidiaries by acquiring joint venture, indirect and direct participation interests and working interests in those projects. During the fiscal year 2006, we sold our indirect participation interest in an oil exploration project and wrote off our working interest in a gas project owing to a dry test well. We currently do not own any interests in any oil or gas project or any natural resource project. We are currently seeking business opportunities all sectors including Resource, Healthcare and High technology. We have approximately $4.9 million in cash ($1.3 million) and marketable securities ($3.6 million) as of March 31, 2008.
We were originally incorporated under the Business Corporation Act (Ontario) in 1973 under the name Kamlo Gold Mines Limited and went through multiple name changes and five major changes in our business activities including a marine propulsion business, a snack food business, and an emerging technology investments business. Details of these changes are provided in our Registration Statement on Form 20-F dated June 12, 2000 and a summary is provided in our Annual Report on Form 20-F dated August 29, 2006. On April 21, 2003, we changed our name to "Bontan Corporation Inc." when we adopted our business strategy to focus on the natural resource sector. During the fiscal 2008, we reviewed several oil and gas exploration and development projects but were unable to successfully participate as some projects were found too expensive while others did not meet our technical due diligence. We therefore began looking into business opportunities in other sectors, especially health and pharmaceutical and internet and high technology. We intend to aggressively seek opportunities in these sectors and become operational again in fiscal 2009.
The Company’s registered office is situated at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3. The Company is a reporting issuer in the provinces of Ontario. The Company’s shares have been listed on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) under the symbol “BNTNF” in the United States.
The following is a summary of our key past events:
a. | The Company was incorporated under the name “Kamlo Gold Mines Limited and remained an inactive shell from the date of incorporation to 1985. |
b. | Between 1986 and 1982, the Company was involved in the development of a new technology for the marine propulsion business. During this period, the Company went through three name changes. |
c. | Between 1993 and 1996, the Company was involved in the distribution and manufacture of a snack food. During this period, the Company went through two more name changes. |
| d. | The Company remained an inactive shell since the closure of snack food business in November 1996 until December 1998 when it changed its name to Dealcheck.com Inc. and agreed on a new business strategy. This strategy focused on investing in new and emerging technology oriented projects and businesses. |
| e. | In 1999, the company successfully raised $3.2 million, which were invested in various projects and companies over the next two years as per the new business strategy of the company. Unfortunately, IT sector performed poorly since 2001 and new and emerging technology-based businesses suffered significant losses, financial problems and bankruptcies. These factors adversely affected the company’s investments and its profitability. The company had to write off all its investments by the end of the fiscal 2003. |
| f. | In April 2003, the Company changed its business focus to resource industry based on the recommendations of its shareholders in the last shareholders’ meeting. At that time, the Company commenced and successfully completed a private placement of approximately 8.9 million common shares, raising approximately US$3.1 million. These funds were primarily invested in projects involving oil and gas exploration and diamond mining projects in Brazil between April 2003 and September 2005, |
| g. | Diamond mining operations discontinued in December 2004. The company sold its interest in an oil exploration project in Papua New Guinea in July 2005 for US$3.2 million. The Company’s cost of this project was approximately US$1.6 million. Further, in October 2004, the company acquired working interest in gas exploration project in Louisiana, USA. Between March 2005 and September 2005, the company invested approximately $3.9 million as its share of exploration costs. The exploration however proved a dry well and was therefore abandoned and the costs incurred were fully written off in December 2005. |
(B) BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Our long term business plan is focused on participating in a business activity in any sector which can provide opportunities to increase the value of our shareholders equity. While our thrust is still aimed towards oil and gas sector, we have now begun reviewing business proposals in alternative energy sector, healthcare and pharmaceutical sector and Internet and high technology sector. In our views all these sectors provide business opportunities which will meet our mandate of enhancing shareholders’ equity in a long run.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, we will continue to seek highly visible opportunities in countries around the globe that offer exciting and attractive propositions. We will seek to minimize risk by bringing in either joint venture, carried or working interest partners, depending on the size and scale of the project.
It is our current belief that oil and gas exploration is a high priority all over the world and especially in North America. Higher price levels for both these natural resources which have occurred over the past twelve months encourage new drilling activities. Our past experience with our two oil and gas projects enables us to more efficiently select and evaluate potential exploration projects in the oil and gas sector than in the other resource sectors. During the past several months, we have received without solicitation opportunities to participate in oil and gas exploration projects as a result of our past involvement in similar projects.
Therefore, our current business model, based on our experience with resource projects handled over the recent past and our assumptions set forth above, envisions the following key features:
| a. | We will focus only on oil and gas exploration projects; |
| b. | Preference will be given to projects that have proven but undeveloped reserves rather than probable or potential reserves; |
| c. | We will invest our resources in projects which involves multiple well exploration potentials; |
| d. | Preference will be given to explorations involving shallow wells (up to 7,500 ft.) rather than deep wells (over 15,000 ft.); |
| e. | Preference will be given to projects with other experienced partners who are involved in the project; |
f. We will attempt to allocate our cash or liquidity resources to more than one project.
However, if the Company is unable to find any suitable projects in oil and gas within a reasonable time, it may seek opportunities in other sectors as explained earlier.
Meanwhile, our short term strategy is to have the surplus cash invested mostly in marketable securities to achieve higher returns than would be possible if these funds were to remain in a bank account.
(C) ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
As at March 31, 2008, the Company had only one subsidiary, Bontan Oil and Gas Corporation, which was incorporated on February 20, 2004 as an Ontario corporation, wholly owned by the Company.
The following subsidiaries were dissolved during the fiscal 2007 in order to reduce the administrative work in maintaining theory records and filing obligations. However, the formal certificate of dissolution for these subsidiaries were issued during the fiscal 2008 as indicated against their names
Foodquest Inc. | June 27, 2007 |
Bontan Gold Corporation | June 15, 2007 |
Bontan Trading Corporation | June 27, 2007 |
Bontan Mineral Corporation | June 27, 2007 |
1388755 Ontario Inc. | June 27, 2007 |
Bontan Diamond Corporation | June 27, 2007 |
All the dissolved subsidiaries were inactive and had no assets or external liabilities.
(D) PROPERTY PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
The administrative head office of the Company is located in subleased premises at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There is no long-term lease commitment.
The Sub-leased area is approximately 950 sq .ft.
See Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Item 5 for further details.
ITEM 4A – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5 – OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
(A) OPERATING RESULTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Audited Financial Statements of the Company and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report.
Results of operations
Year ended March 31 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| in 000' CDN $ | in 000' CDN $ | in 000' CDN $ |
Income | 322 | 744 | 1,858 |
Expenses | (894) | (908) | (6,643) |
Net loss for year | (572) | (164) | (4,785) |
Deficit at end of year | (32,645) | (32,074) | (31,910) |
Overview
The following were key events in fiscal 2008:
| 1. | The management received and evaluated twenty two business proposals during the fiscal 2008. Eight in Oil and Gas sector, four in health and pharmaceutical sector, five in Internet and high technology sector, four in alternative energy sector and one was in banking sector. Unfortunately, none of these projects met with our acceptance criteria. they were either not supported by technically experienced partners or were too expensive to be profitable for the Company or highly speculative in nature with relatively longer potential payback period. |
| 2. | The Company carried out a formal evaluation of design and operation of its internal controls over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in internal control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission. The evaluation resulted in a formal development of an internal control manual which was updated as at March 31, 2008 and will be followed to ensure adequate controls on the financial reporting by the Company and also to ensure compliance with the relevant statutory requirements in Canada and the USA. |
| 3. | During the fiscal year 2008, the Company developed a supplementary plan to the existing 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan to add one million common shares of the Company to the existing Plan. The supplemental plan was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2007. |
| 4. | The surplus funds meanwhile were continued to be invested in marketable securities. Approximately $2 million were realised from the sales and $3.4 million were invested during the fiscal year 2008. |
| 5. | Two new accounting standards issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants were adopted by the Company as at April 1, 2007 on a prospective basis. These are more fully explained in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2008 included in this report. |
| 6. | The Company corrected an error in valuation of warrants and share capital retroactively as more fully explained in note 9(a) (ii) to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2008 included in this report. |
The following were the key events in fiscal 2007:
1. | The Company completed its private placement on April 16, 2006 and raised an additional $1.3 million between April 1, 2006 and the closing date. In this connection, the Company paid finder’s fee at 10% in cash and 10% (1,040,000) in warrants to Current Capital Corp., a related party. |
2. | The Company initiated preparation of a prospectus and registration statement in Form F-3 for submission to US Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of shares issued and issuable under warrants issued under a private placement completed in April 2006. The prospectus became effective on November 30, 2006. |
3. | The directors of the Company approved a new plan – 2007 Consultants Stock Compensation Plan covering 1.5 million common shares of the company for issuance to consultants in settlement of their fees for services to be rendered during 2007. The Plan was formally filed with a registration statement Form S-8 with US Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on January 16, 2007. |
4. | The Company received several exploration participation proposals during the year, of which it carried out a detailed due diligence on three oil project proposals but eventually decided against participating in any of them due to unsatisfactory results of the due diligence. |
5. | The surplus funds continued to be gainfully invested in short term marketable securities. The cash and marketable securities at fair market value of at March 31, 2007 were $7.3 million compared to $5.8 million as at March 31, 2006. During the fiscal 2007, the company earned approximately 27% return on its short term investments of an average of approximately $2.6 million. |
The following were the key events in fiscal 2006:
1. | The Company sold its indirect participation interest in oil project in Papua New Guinea on July 5, 2005 for a gross amount of US$3.2 million and made a net profit of US$1.6 million before adjustment of non cash selling costs. |
2. | The Company invested a further $3.7 million in the Louisiana Gas exploration project in which the Company acquired 49% working interest in fiscal 2005. The well under exploration was drilled to the targeted depth and found to be a dry well. As a result, the Company wrote off its investment in this project. |
3. | The Company raised approximately $3.9 million through exercise of warrants and options by the existing shareholders and a new private placement. |
4. | The Company invested approximately $1.7 million in short-term investments from its surplus funds while searching for a right project to participate into. These investments proved to be profitable and gained approximately $1.4 million in realized and unrealized gains by March 31, 2006. |
5. | The Company issued stocks and options to various consultants under the five plans, including three created in fiscal 2006, registered under the US Securities Act, Stocks and options valued at approximately $2 million were expensed and $0.3 million were deferred. |
Income
Income comprised the following:
Fiscal year ended March 31 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| | | |
Realised gain on disposal of short term investments | 248,455 | 650,508 | 618,707 |
Interest | 73,300 | 93,278 | 31,109 |
Gain on sale of interest in oil exploration project | - | - | 1,207,831 |
| $ 321,755 | $ 743,786 | $ 1,857,647 |
Gains on disposal of short term investments
As explained earlier in this report, the management chose to invest surplus funds into marketable securities on a short term basis while it seeks business opportunities.
During the fiscal year 2008, the Company sold investments of approximately $ 2 million, earning an average of 12% return.
During the fiscal year 2007, the Company disposed of investments worth approximately $5.5 million, earning an average return of 12% and
During the fiscal year 2006, the Company disposed of investments worth $3.2 million and earned an average return of approximately 19%.
Interest Income
Interest was earned on cash funds held at the brokerage firms before they are being invested in marketable securities.
Significantly higher interest income in fiscal 2007 was mainly due to higher cash balances being held. Average cash during the fiscal 2007 was approximately $3.2 million compared to $2.1 million in fiscal 2008 and $1 million in fiscal 2006.
Gain on sale of Interest in oil exploration project – Fiscal 2006 only
Computation of net gain on sale of IPI interest | | | |
| US$ | | CDN$ |
| | | |
Carrying value of the IPI interest | 1,589,943 | | 1,897,279 |
| | | |
Sale proceeds | 3,200,000 | | 3,818,560 |
Less: fee paid to Brokerage firm in cash | (32,000) | | (38,186) |
Restricted common shares issued to the Brokerage firm | (16,000) | | (19,485) |
Valuation of options granted to Mr. Robinson | (566,940) | | (655,779) |
Net proceeds on sale | 2,585,060 | | 3,105,110 |
Capital gain on sale | 995,117 | | 1,207,831 |
| | | |
On July 5, 2005, the Company sold its 0.75% Indirect Participation Interest in an oil exploration project in Papua New Guinea (IPI Interest) for a sum of US$3.2 million to an independent institutional investor under an IPI purchase agreement dated July 5, 2005. The Company received the funds on July 7, 2005. Under the agreement, the Company will no longer be responsible for any future cash calls and other obligations of the Project.
In this connection, the Company paid cash fee of US$32,000 plus 16,000 restricted common shares of the Company valued at US$16,000 to an independent US brokerage firm, which introduced the buyer.
In addition, the Company also granted, on December 5, 2005, 1.1 million options to acquire equal number of common shares of the Company to Mr. Terence Robinson exercisable at US$0.50 per option, for successfully bringing in and negotiating the deal. The value of the option granted of $655,779 based on Black-Scholes option price model was charged against the proceeds of the sale of IPI interest.
Expenses
The overall analysis of the expenses is as follows:
Year ended March 31 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| | | |
Operating expenses | $ 437,465 | $ 424,055 | $ 584,377 |
Consulting fee settled for common shares | 314,248 | 367,973 | 1,984,938 |
Exchange loss | 141,841 | 111,659 | 194,758 |
Write off of interest in gas exploration project | - | 4,142 | 3,878,507 |
| $ 893,554 | $ 907,829 | $ 6,642,580 |
Operating Expenses
Travel, promotion and consulting -
Year ended March 31 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| | | |
Travel, meals and entertainment | $ 120,008 | $ 101,075 | $ 144,461 |
Consulting | 82,217 | 50,461 | 49,286 |
Promotion | - | 7,191 | 82,007 |
| | | |
| $ 202,225 | $ 158,727 | $ 275,754 |
% of operating expenses | 46% | 37% | 47% |
Travel, meals and entertainment
These expenses are primarily incurred by the key consultant, Mr. Terence Robinson in traveling to the USA and Europe and also in maintaining his net work which has been successfully used in raising funds, in attracting qualified consultants with minimum cash outlay and in securing suitable projects for the Company.
Travel, meals and entertainment costs during fiscal 2008 included trips to USA, Europe and Middle East by Mr. Robinson. These visits resulted in some of the business proposals that were sent to us. They also helped introduce our Company to new investors in Middle East and Europe.
Consulting costs
Consulting fee in fiscal 2007 mainly consisted of fees paid to administrative assistant. Both Mr. Shah, the CEO and CFO and Mr. Robinson, the key consultant accepted shares in lieu of their fees to minimize the cash outlay of the Company.
Consulting fees for fiscal 2008 included $30,000 paid to Mr. Shah as a onetime fee for services provided in connection with design and evaluation of internal controls and development of a manual.
Promotion costs
There were no new promotional activities during the fiscal years 2007 and 2008. Costs incurred in fiscal year 2007 related to costs of entertaining prospective and existing investors and business prospects.
During the fiscal 2006, several promotional programs were undertaken to promote the Company’s working interest in gas exploration project and overall awareness of the company’s affairs among the investing public. These programs included presentation to Financial analysts and money manager society in New York at the cost of approximately US$11,000, signing a booth for a two day Value rich expo in New York City at a cost of approximately 9,000, hiring two independent analyst firms to produce reports on the Company at a cost of approximately US$26,000 and enrolment to IR awareness and lead generation programs of independent firms.
Other operating costs -
Year ended March 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
Shareholder information | 133,502 | 149,105 | 176,982 |
Professional fees | 34,601 | 53,084 | 71,588 |
Other | 67,137 | 63,139 | 60,053 |
| $ 235,240 | $ 265,328 | $ 308,623 |
% of operating costs | 54% | 63% | 53% |
| | | |
Shareholder information
Shareholder information costs comprise investor and media relations fee, costs of holding annual general meeting of the shareholders and various regulatory filing fees.
Major cost consists of media relation and investor relation services provided by Current Capital Corp. under contracts dated July 1, 2004, which are being renewed automatically unless canceled in writing by a 30-day notice for a total monthly fee of US$10,000. Current Capital Corp. is a shareholder Corporation where the Chief Executive and Financial Officer of the Company provide accounting services.
The fee charged for fiscal 2008 was $124,230 and for 2007 was $136,249. The difference was due to significant changes in the exchange rates between Canadian and US dollars. The fee for fiscal 2006 was $163,391 which included agreed fee of $143,391 and an additional fee of $20,000 for special work during various promotional efforts detailed under “promotion costs” above.
Professional fee
Professional fees primarily consist of audit and legal fees.
For fiscal year 2008, audit fee was $25,000 and legal fees were $9,601. The legal fee was mainly relating to registration of supplementary stock compensation plan. And other legal advise.
Fiscal 2007 professional fees consisted of audit fee of $ 25,700 for fiscal 2007 and $6,000 for fiscal 2006 not accrued in that fiscal year and legal fee of $21,384. Legal fees related to filing of the 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, Registration statement for the shares issued and issuable under the 2006 private placement and other legal matters.
Fiscal 2006 fees included audit fee of $28,000 and approximately $35,000 for the legal fees. Increased legal fees were due to filing of registration statements for various stock compensation and option Plans and prospectus for warrants and shares issued under private placement.
Other operating costs
These costs include rent, telephone, Internet, transfer agents fees and other general and administration costs.
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company increased its rental space from around 300 sq.ft. to 960 sq.ft. as a result, the rental cost has also increased from approximately $ 500 to $1,800. The other overheads have remained consistent on a year to year basis.
Consulting fees settled for common shares
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| | | |
Stock compensation | 314,248 | 367,973 | 839,786 |
Options granted and expensed | - | - | 1,145,152 |
| $ 314,248 | $ 367,973 | $1,984,938 |
| | | |
Prepaid consulting services | $ 285,896 | $ 276,146 | $ 314,208 |
Stock $ 278,018 $ 276,146 $ 314,208
Options 7,878 --
Stock based compensation is made up of the Company’s common shares and options to acquire the Company’s common shares being issued to various consultants and directors of the Company for services provided. The Company used this method of payment mainly to conserve its cash flow for business investments purposes. This method also allows the Company to avail the services of consultants with specialized skills and knowledge in the business activities of the Company without having to deplete its limited cash flow.
During fiscal year 2008, the company registered a supplementary Plan to the existing 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan. An additional one million common shares were registered under this Plan with Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company had 350,000 common shares unissued from the existing Plan. The total of 1,350,000 common shares was issued to three consultants in lieu of their fees for services to be provided as follows:
# | Name | Period of service | # of shares to be issued | Date of issuance of stock (a) | Market price (US$) | Fee in US$ | CDN$ at | Brief description of services to be performed | Comments |
| | | | | | | $1.0181 | | |
1 | John Robinson (a) | Year ending June 30, 2009 | 350,000 | 28-Mar-08 | $0.23 | $80,500 | $81,957 | Searching and evaluating new project proposals, assisting Kam Shah in such evaluation and assisting Terence in managing our short term investment portfolios | Consultant - per Contract extension letter dated August 15, 2005 |
2 | Terence Robinson(b ) | Year ending December 31, 2008 | 550,000 | 28-Mar-08 | $0.23 | $126,500 | $128,790 | business development and managing our short term investment portfolios | Currently under a consultaing contract dated April 1, 2003 valid up to March 31, 2009. |
3 | Kam Shah ( c) | Year ending December 31, 2008 | 450,000 | 28-Mar-08 | $0.23 | $103,500 | $105,373 | act as CEO/CFO | Currently under a consultaing contract dated April 1, 2005 valid up to March 31, 2010. |
| | | 1,350,000 | | | $310,500 | $316,120 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| a. John has been providing consulting services for the last few years. These services mainly included review of oil and gas proposals that are received and short listing them for further review and analysis by CEO. In addition, John also does constant research on companies acquiring oil and gas interest and major oil and gas plays under consideration. the research has always proved useful in negotiating proper terms on any proposals and saved the company from over paying. During the past year and is now extending his research to proposals and projects in other sectors also. John also played an important role in managing our short term investments of around $6 million. Watching this investment portfolio will be more critical due to highly fluctuating market conditions. |
| Owing to the above, we have extended John's contract for another year to June 30, 2009 and negotiated settlement of his fee for this period by issuance of the recommended number of shares. b. Terence provides two main services to the company. Owing to his extensive network, he is constantly in touch with some of our key shareholders and potential investors to ensure that whenever the company needs additional funding, it can be easily raised through private placement. We had two such successful placements during the past five years. The second important service is business development through his network. The company receives lucrative proposals for acquiring interest in oil and gas projects from contacts known to Terence. Once we finalize such a project, he also helps secure best pricing. For the past few months, terence was involved in deciding on the marketable securities in which the company's surplus funds got invested on a short term basis. Our funds grew by over 100% owing to his selection of the marketable securities and decisions to buy and sell at the right time. He will continue to provide these services during the year 2006 and has agreed to accept the proposed number of common shares in lieu of his fees for such services. |
| C. Kam Shah's role and responsibilities have grown significantly due to more complex regulatory changes. Compliance with SOX 404 inter control certification and documentation, which to other companies have cost in thousands and millions of dollars, have been compiled and implemented entirely by him without any outside help. He is also heavily involved in reviewing several proposals from different sectors requiring lot more research and attention. he has agreed to accept $10,000 per month in cash from January to May 2008. in addition to the shares as above. |
| |
On March 28, 2008, the Company issued 25,000 options to each of the two members of the audit committee for their services during the fiscal 2009. These options were valid for five years and exercisable to convert into equal number of common shares of the Company at an exercise price of US$0.35 per option. The options were valued at $ 7,878.
During the fiscal 2007, the Company only registered one Plan and issued common shares to three existing consultants as explained below. No new consultants were hired due to lack of any active projects.
On January 16, 2007, the Company registered 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company registered 1.7 million common shares under this Plan. On February 8, 2007, the company issued 1,150,000 common shares under this Plan to three existing consultants, who are all related parties, for a value of $313,486 based on the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date of their issuance..
During fiscal 2006, the board of directors of the Company approved and created three new Plans, which were all registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America as required under the Securities Act of 1933:
1. | 2005 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan covering one million common shares, which were issued to five consultants including directors and key consultants of the company for their services and valued at $327,827. $60,398 was expensed in fiscal 2006 and the balance was deferred. |
2. | The Robinson Plan covering 1.1 million options exercisable at an option price of US$0.50 per option to convert into equal number of common shares within five years to December 5, 2010. These options were granted to Mr. Terence Robinson, a key consultant for services rendered in connection with the sale of IPI interest in oil exploration project. These options were valued at $655,779 and were off set against the net gain from the sale as explained earlier in this report. |
3. | 2995 Stock Option Plan covering one million options. Nove of the options were granted to anyone as at March 31, 2006 |
Exchange Loss
The Company’s reporting unit of currency is the Canadian dollar. At the year end, all transactions in US dollar and other currencies are translated using either average rate for the year or the rates on the dates of transactions depending upon the nature of the transactions. All assets and liabilities in non- Canadian currencies are translated at either the closing rate or rates on the dates of the underlying transactions again depending upon the nature of these balances. |
Canadian dollar has steadily strengthened against US dollar for the last three years – US$1 was equal to CDN$ 1.19 on an average during the fiscal year 2006, CDN$1.14 during the fiscal year 2007 and CDN$ 1.03 during the fiscal year 2008. The Company held cash and short term investments in US dollar and all its treasury transactions were also in US dollars. Most of its expenses and liabilities were in Canadian dollars. This situation resulted in the Company having to book an exchange loss for each of these fiscal years on year end translation of its US dollar balances as per its stated accounting policy. |
As at march 31, 2008, the Company had net monetary assets of approximately $1.1 million in US dollar and issued common shares for $110,201 during the year. The US dollar depreciated by around 10% compared to Canadian dollar during this period resulting in a year end translation loss of $141,841. |
As at March 31, 2007, the Company had net monetary assets of approximately $1.2 million in US dollar. and issued common shares for $1.2 million during the fiscal year. US Dollar depreciated by over 6% against Canadian dollar during the year resulting in a translation loss of $111,659. |
As at March 31, 2006, the Company had net monetary assets of approximately $3 million in US dollar. and issued common shares for $3.9 million during the fiscal year. US Dollar depreciated by over 7% against Canadian dollar during the year resulting in a translation loss of $194,758. |
Write off of interest in gas exploration project –fiscal years 2006 and 2007
On October 15, 2004, the Company entered into an exploration agreement with a private investors group in the United States under which it acquired 49% gross working interest in a gas exploration project in the State of Louisiana, USA (the project).
By September 20, 2005, the Company paid approximately US$3.5 million – CDN$ 4.3 million towards seismic survey, land leases and exploration costs of the first exploration test well, Placide Richard No.1, under the project.
The drilling began on August 21, 2005 and the targeted depth of 15,378’ was reached on October 19, 2005.
On October 21, 2005, the Company was informed by the project operators that based on electric log analysis and wireline formation tests results, the well could not be completed as a well capable of commercial production and therefore the well should be plugged and abandoned and all leases be allowed to expire.
Consequently, as at September 30, 2005, the management decided to write off the carrying value of the interest in the gas project in full. Subsequently in December 2005, when final account was rendered, the Company received a refund of US$318,563, which reduced the amount actually written off at the end of the fiscal 2006.
During the fiscal 2007, the company received a final charge of $4,142 (US$ 3,638) relating to closure of the drilled well. No further charges are now expected in respect of this project.
( B) Liquidity and Capital Resources
As at March 31, 2008, the Company had a net working capital of approximately $5.2 million compared to a working capital of $6.6 million as at March 31, 2007.
94% of the working capital - approximately $4.9 million - at March 31, 2008 was in the form of cash and short term investments compared to 95% - $6.3 million at March 31, 2007.
Short term investments as at march 31, 2008 were stated at their fair value, which resulted in recognition of net unrealised loss of approximately $1.3 million. This is further explained under Investment cash flow below.
Cash on hand as at March 31, 2008 was $1.3 million compared to $3 million as at March 31, 2007.
In our opinion the working capital is sufficient not only to cover our overheads but also to enable us to exploit business opportunities promptly.
During the fiscal 2007, operating activities required net cash outflow of $482,662 which was off set by the net realised on disposal of short term investments of $248,455 and balance from the available cash on hand.
In fiscal 2007, the Company’s operating activities required net cash flow of $529,323 which was met from the net proceeds from the sale of short term investments of $650,508.
The Company’s strategy of putting surplus funds into marketable securities on a short term basis enabled the Company to meet all or most of its operating needs from the gains realised on disposal of these investments and thus leave most of its surplus principal fund for acquiring business opportunities.
Further, continuing decisions of the key consultants including the management to accept common shares of the Company instead of cash as compensation for their services also helped keep the operating needs low and more funds availability for business needs.
During the fiscal 2008, Company invested approximately $3.4 million in short term marketable securities while realised approximately $2 million from the disposal of such securities, which were partly used for the working capital as explained above and remaining reinvested. Net additional investments were funded from the available cash on hand.
As a result of the above, the Company had short term investments at a carrying cost of approximately $4.9 million as of March 31, 2008 –approximately 94% was held in Canadian currency and the balance $342,000 or 6% was held in US currency. Approximately 94% of investments were in 32 public companies while 6% was invested in three private companies.
The fair value of the above investments as at March 31, 2008, based primarily on the quoted prices of the shares on that date, came to $3.6 million giving rise to an unrealised loss of approximately $1.3 million. Company recognized this loss and reduced the value of its short term investment to reflect the fair value on the balance sheet as at March 31, 2008. The management however believes that this loss was temporary and would be reversed shortly.
During the fiscal 2007, the Company invested $6.4 million in short term marketable securities and realised $5.5 million from the sale of the short term marketable securities. These proceeds were partly used to cover operating cash flow deficit and balance reinvested.
There were three key investment activities during the fiscal 2006 that resulted in significant cash flows.
· | Sale of IPI interest in oil exploration project , as explained earlier in this report, generated a net cash flow of around $ 4 million – (US$ 3.2 million) |
· | Approximately $3.7 million was spent on the gas exploration project in Louisiana during the fiscal year 2006. |
· | A net sum of $1.7 million was invested in short term marketable securities through various brokerage firms, while generating $618,707 from the sale of short term marketable securities. The proceeds were used for the operational needs as explained above. |
Overall investment activities in fiscal 2006 consisted of investment of $4.3 million and sales of $3.2 million, requiring a net cash outlay of $1.1 million, which was primarily met from the equity funds raised under financing cash flows.
During the fiscal 2008, the Company received $110,000 net of the finder’s fee from exercise of warrants by an existing shareholder. These funds were primarily used to meet the operating cash flow deficit.
During the fiscal 2007, the Company raised an additional $1.2 million net of the finders’ fee from private placement which commenced in late fiscal 2006 and completed in April 2006.
The company generated approximately $4 million through financing activities during the fiscal 2006. The key financing activities in fiscal 2006 were as follows:
· | $2.2 million from exercise of warrants attached to the Units issued under the 2003 private placement. |
· | Approximately $300,000 from exercise of options granted under various option plans discussed earlier in this report. |
· | Approximately $1.7 million from a new private placement, which commenced on February 24, 2006 and completed on April 16, 2006. |
The Company paid finder’s fee of $397,944 in connection with funds raised through warrant exercise and private placements during the fiscal 2006.
(C) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES
The Company has not spent any funds on research and development during the fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006.
(D) TREND INFORMATION
Our business strategy is exploration of oil and gas, while we have also extended our business plan to projects in other sectors like alternative energy, health and pharmaceutical and internet and high technology so the prices and demands of products and services in these sectors have a direct impact on our prospects for success and our ability to raise capital. The recent trend in all these sectors has been positive and has remained steady at relatively high historical prices. Management believes that the current trend will continue for the foreseeable future. History has shown, however, that there can be no such assurances.
There are no other trends, commitments, events or uncertainties presently known to management that are reasonably expected to have a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation other than uncertainty as to the speculative nature of the business (Refer to the heading entitled “Risk Factors”).
(E) OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
At March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company did not have any off balance sheet arrangements, including any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnership to enhance perceived liquidity.
(F) CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Not applicable.
(G) SAFE HARBOUR
Not applicable.
ITEM 6 – DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
(A) DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth all current directors and executive officers of the Company, with each position and office held by them in the Company, and the period of service as such:
Name and Position With the Company | Other principal directorships | Principal business activities outside the Company |
Kam Shah Director and Chairman Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | Director – Argen Energy Corp. | Provides accounting services to Current Capital Corp. and a part time practice as chartered accountant. |
Terence Robinson Key Consultant | None | President of TR Network Inc. – an independent organisation providing business and financial services. |
Dean Bradley –Independent Director, Chair of the Audit Committee | Director of Quasar Aviation Corporation and Quasar-Lite, Inc. | Chief Executive Officer of Quasar Aviation Corporation and Quasar-Lite, Inc. |
Brett D. Rees – Independent Director, member of the Audit Committee | Director of five Canadian private corporations. | Independent broker in life and other insurance products and personal and estate financial planning. |
Kam Shah joined the Company as a Chief Financial Officer and was appointed to the Board on January 3, 1999. He worked with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP and Ernst & Young. He is a US Certified Public Accountant and a Canadian Chartered Accountant. He has over fifteen years of international experience in corporate financial analysis, mergers & acquisitions. Mr. Shah is responsible for the financial and statutory matters of the Company and effective May 17, 2004, following resignation of the Chairman, Mr. Terence Robinson, has also assumed the responsibilities of the chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Mr. Shah is also a consultant providing accounting and tax services to Current Capital Corp., (CCC) a private Ontario corporation, having its head office in Toronto. CCC provides investors’ and media relations services to public companies including Bontan Corporation.
Terence Robinson was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1, 1991. He resigned from the Board on May 17, 2004 but continues with the Company as a key consultant. He advises the board in the matters of shareholders relations, fund raising campaigns, introduction and evaluation of investment opportunities and overall operating strategies for the Company. He has over 25 years of experience as merchant banker and venture capitalist and has successfully secured financing for a number of start-up and small cap companies and currently runs his own consulting firm in the name of TR Network Inc.
Dean Bradley is a non-executive independent director based in Florida. He was first appointed director of the Company on November 20, 2000. He assists the Company from time to time in introducing new businesses and liaising with businesses in the USA in which the Company has equity interest. Mr. Bradley had been CEO of many corporations including real estate, mining, manufacturing, and import/export and financial services corporations and is currently involved in two ventures as explained above. Mr. Bradley is currently the chairman of the audit committee of the Company.
Brett Rees was appointed as independent director and a member of the audit committee effective December 8, 2006. Mr. Rees is a Chartered life underwriter, financial consultant and financial planner and a licensed mutual funds manager. He has over twenty years of experience in various insurance products, estate planning, pension planning for individual and corporation and in group benefit assessments. He is currently an officer/director in five Canadian private corporations including Resolution Oil & Gas Ltd., Resolution Mining Ltd and Platinum Equity Funding.
Management Team
The Company‘s current management team consists only of Mr. Kam Shah whose background details are given above.
Mr. Terence Robinson is a key consultant who basically acts in an advisory role with no specific authority to bind the Company except in case of short term investments where he is authorised to buy and sell marketable securities on behalf of the Company and also advises as to when to buy or sell.. He is however not authorised to withdraw or deposit any cash from and into our accounts with the brokerage firms.
Mr. John Robinson is another consultant who provides advisory services, primarily in assisting in the research and evaluation of projects and in short term investment activities with no specific authority to bind the Company except in case of short term investments where he is authorised to buy and sell marketable securities on behalf of the Company. He is however not authorised to withdraw or deposit any cash from and into our accounts with the brokerage firms. Mr. John Robinson is a brother of Mr. Terence Robinson and is the sole shareholder of Current Capital Corp, which provides investor and media relations services to the Company and is a shareholder.
Mr. Shah’s consulting agreement expired on March 31, 2005. A new agreement was signed on April 1, 2005, which is effective for five years to March 31, 2010. Copy of the new agreement was included in the Exhibits attached to fiscal 2005 annual report.
Mr. Terence Robinson’s consulting agreement was signed on April 1, 2003 and is valid up to march 31, 2009.
Mr. John Robinson’s consulting agreement is renewed on an annual basis.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships the directors and key management. A key consultant, Mr.. Terence Robinson is a brother of another consultant, Mr. John Robinson who is part of the management team as explained above.
Other Relationships
There are no arrangements or understandings between any major shareholder, customer, supplier or others, pursuant to which any of the above-named persons were selected as directors or members of senior management.
(B) COMPENSATION
The compensation payable to directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiary is summarized below:
1. General
The Company does not compensate directors for acting solely as directors. Except as described below, the Company does not have any arrangements pursuant to which directors are remunerated by the Company or its subsidiary for their services in their capacity as directors, other than options to purchase shares of the Company which may be granted to the Company’s directors from time to time and the reimbursement of direct expenses.
The Company does not have any pension plans.
2. Statement of Executive Compensation
The following table and accompanying notes set forth all compensation paid by the Company to its directors, senior management and key consultants for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
| ANNUAL COMPENSATION | LONG-TERM COMPENSATION | |
| | | | | Awards | Payouts | |
Name and principal position | Year | Fee | Bonus | Other annual compensation (4) | Securities under options/SARs Granted (1) | Shares or units subject to resale restrictions | LTIP (2) payouts | all other compensation |
| | ($) | ($) | ($) | (#) | ($) | ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Kam Shah - CEO and CFO (3) | 2008 | 127,899 | | | | | | |
CEO and CFO | 2007 | 95,409 | | | | | | |
CEO and CFO | 2006 | 86,112 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Terence Robinson - Consultant (4) | 2008 | 134,423 | | | | | | |
Consultant | 2007 | 136,298 | | | | | | |
Consultant | 2006 | 143,520 | | | 1,100,000 (5)/ nil | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Dean Bradley - an independent director | 2008 | 3,871 | | | 25000 (6) | | | |
an independent director | 2007 | - | | | | | | |
an independent director (6) | 2006 | 5,980 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Brett Rees - an independent director (7) | 2008 | - | | | 25000 (7) | | | |
an independent director | 2007 | - | | | | | | |
| 2006 | not applicable | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Damian Lee - an independent director (8) | 2008 | not applicable | | |
| 2007 | | |
| 2006 | 5,980 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
John Robinson - Consultant (9) | 2008 | 81,926 | | | | | | |
Consultant | 2007 | 81,779 | | | | | | |
Consultant | 2006 | 273,357 | | | 807,500/ nil | | | |
Notes:
1. | “SAR” means stock appreciation rights. |
2. | “LTIP” means long term incentive plan. |
3. | Mr. Shah received 450,000 common shares valued at $105,373 and a cash fee of $30,000 during the fiscal year 2008, 350,000 common shares during the fiscal 2007 valued at $95,409, 288,000 common shares during the fiscal 2006 valued at $86,112 as fee for his services as CEO/CFO during these years. |
4. | Mr. Terence Robinson received 550,000 common shares valued at $128,790 during the fiscal year 2008, 500,000 common shares in fiscal 2007 valued at $136,298, 480,000 common shares in fiscal 2006 valued at $143,520 as fee for his services during these years. |
5. | Mr. Terence Robinson was issued 1.1 million options in fiscal 2006 for his services in connection with sale of the Company’s interest in oil exploration project in Papua New Guinea. These options are valid for two years from the date of their issuance and are convertible into equal number of common shares of the company at a conversion price of US$0.50 per option. The options are issued under “The Robinson Plan”. |
6. | Mr. Dean Bradley received a cash fee of $3,871 and 25,000 options during the fiscal year 2008. The options are valid for five years and are convertible into equal number of common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.35 per share. He received fee in the form of 20,000 common shares valued at $5,980 in fiscal 2006. However, he returned the common shares for cancellation and instead accepted a cash payment of $5,522 in fiscal 2006. These fees were for his services as a chair of the audit committee. |
7. | Mr. Brett Rees was issued 25,000 options during the fiscal year 2008 for his services as a member of the audit committee. The options are valid for five years and are convertible into equal number of common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.35 per share. |
8. | Mr. Damian Lee received fee in the form of 20,000 common shares valued at $5,980 in fiscal 2006. Mr. Lee received no compensation in fiscal 2007 and resigned from the board on December 8, 2006. |
9. | Mr. John Robinson received 350,000 common shares valued at $81,957 during the fiscal year 2008, 300,000 common shares in fiscal year 2007 valued at $ 81,779, 299,048 common shares in fiscal 2006 valued at $273,357 for his services during these years. |
Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Awards
The Company does not have a LTIP, pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation intended to serve as an incentive for performance (whereby performance is measured by reference to financial performance or the price of the Company’s securities) was paid or distributed to the Named Executive Officers during the most recently completed financial year.
Defined Benefit or Actuarial Plan Disclosure
There is no pension plan or retirement benefit plan that has been instituted by the Company and none are proposed at this time.
Indebtedness of Directors, Executive Officers and Senior Officers
There is no outstanding indebtedness to the Company by any of its directors, officers and consultants.
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance
The Company has purchased, at its expense, directors and officers liability insurance policy to provide insurance against possible liabilities incurred by them in their capacity as directors and officers of the Company.
(C) BOARD PRACTICES
Directors may be appointed at any time in accordance with the by-laws of the Company and then re-elected annually by the shareholders of the Company. Directors receive no compensation for serving as such, other than stock option and reimbursement of direct expenses. Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors of the Company and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The Company has not set aside or accrued any amount for retirement or similar benefits to the directors.
Mandate of the Board
The Board has adopted a mandate, in which it has explicitly assumed responsibility for the stewardship of Bontan Corporation Inc. In carrying out its mandate the Board holds at least four meetings annually. The frequency of meetings, as well as the nature of the matters dealt with, will vary from year to year depending on the state of our business and the opportunities or risks, which we face from time to time. The Board held a total of 6 meetings during our financial year ended March 31, 2008. To assist in the discharge of its responsibilities, the Board has designated one standing committee: an Audit Committee, as more particularly discussed below.
Audit Committee
The members of the audit committee consisted of Dean Bradley and Mr. Brett Rees, both are our independent directors.. The audit committee is charged with overseeing the Company's accounting and financial reporting policies, practices and internal controls. The committee reviews significant financial and accounting issues and the services performed by and the reports of our independent auditors and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to these and related matters.
The Company’s Audit Committee’s charter was detailed in the annual report for fiscal 2005. The Charter became effective on August 2, 2005.
Audit Committee charter assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for our accounting and financial reporting practices by:
· | reviewing the quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements and management discussion and analyses; |
· | meeting at least annually with our external auditor; |
· | reviewing the adequacy of the system of internal controls in consultation with the chief executive and financial officer; |
· | reviewing any relevant accounting and financial matters including reviewing our public disclosure of information extracted or derived from our financial statements; |
· | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; |
· | pre-approving all non-audit services and recommending the appointment of external auditors; and |
· | reviewing and approving our hiring policies regarding personnel of our present and former external auditor |
A copy of the Audit Committee Charter can be requested by calling (416) 929-1806.
Compensation Committee
The Company does not currently have a Compensation Committee. The directors determined that, in light of the Company’s size and resources, setting up such a committee would be too expensive and would not serve any useful purpose for the Company at this time. The Company has, however, set up an Independent Review Committee of the Board to review and approve all non-arms' length contracts. This Committee has the same composition as the Audit Committee, and is currently comprised of the two independent directors - Dean Bradley and Brett Rees. This committee approves fees and major expenses of Mr. Shah and Mr. Terence Robinson.
(D) EMPLOYEES
The Company presently has one employee who serves as assistant to the chief executive and financial officer. It uses the services of consultants from time to time.
(E) SHARE OWNERSHIP
The Company usually creates two Plans, Consultants Stock Compensation Plan and Stock Option Plan.
All options under 1999 Plan, 2003 plan and The Robinson Plan and 50,000 options under 2005 Plan were issued and as at May 23, 2008, the date of this report, 4,795,000 options were outstanding. 950,000 options have not yet been issued under the 2005 Plan.
All shares reserved under the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 Compensation Plans were issued before March 31, 2008.
The objective of these Plans is to provide for and encourage ownership of common shares of the Company by its directors, officers, consultants and employees and those of any subsidiary companies so that such persons may increase their stake in the Company and benefit from increases in the value of the common shares. The Plans are designed to be competitive with the benefit programs of other companies in the natural resource industry. It is the view of management that the Plans are a significant incentive for the directors, officers, consultants and employees to continue and to increase their efforts in promoting the Company’s operations to the mutual benefit of both the Company and such individuals and also allow the Company to avail of the services of experienced persons with minimum cash outlay.
The following table sets forth the share ownership of those persons listed in subsection 6.B above and includes details of all options or warrants to purchase of the Company held by such persons at March 31, 2008:
Name | # of Common shares held at March 31, 2008 | # of stock options | Exercise price - in US$ | Expiry date(s) |
Kam Shah | 1,061,929 | 100,000 | $0.50 | 11-May-09 |
| | 125,000 | $0.50 | 18-Aug-09 |
| | 125,000 | $0.75 | 18-Aug-09 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Terence Robinson | 550,000` | 1,690,000 | $0.50 | 18-Aug-09 |
| | 1,100,000 | $0.50 | 5-Dec-10 |
| | | | |
Dean Bradley | - | 25,000 | $0.35 | 28-Mar-13 |
| | 15,000 | $0.35 | 11-May-09 |
| | 5,000 | $1.00 | 18-Aug-09 |
| | | | |
Brett Rees | - | 25,000 | $0.35 | 28-Mar-13 |
| | | | |
John Robinson * | 2,362,500 | 1,615,000 | $0.35 | 28-Oct-09 |
| | | | |
* Includes 1,712,500 held in the name of Current Capital Corp., which is fully owned by Mr. John Robinson |
ITEM 7 – MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
(A) MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The Company's securities are recorded on the books of its transfer agent in registered form. The majority of such shares are, however, registered in the name of intermediaries such as brokerage houses and clearing-houses on behalf of their respective clients. The Company does not have knowledge of all the beneficial owners thereof.
As at June 30, 2008, Intermediaries like CDS & Co, Toronto, Canada and Cede & Co of New York, USA held approx. 76% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the company on behalf of several beneficial shareholders whose individual holdings details were not available. The following are the known shareholders holding more than 5% of the common shares of the company as at June 30, 2008.
Name of Shareholder | No. of Shares | % of Issued Shares |
| | |
Current Capital Corp.* | 2,362,500 | 7.80. % |
Pinetree Resource Partnership | 3,112,000 | 10.34 % |
*includes shares held by Mr. John Robinson, the sole owner of Current Capital Corp.
At June 30, 2008, the Company had 30,095,743 shares of common stock outstanding, which, as per the details provided by the Transfer Agents, were held by 89 record holders excluding the beneficial shareholders held through the intermediaries, 52 of which, holding an aggregate of 3,888,551 shares (12.92%) of common stock, were in the United States.
The Company is a publicly owned Canadian corporation, the shares of which are owned by Canadian residents, US residents, and residents of other countries. The Company is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly by another corporation or any foreign government. There are no arrangements, known to the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.
(B) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Given below is background information on some of the key related parties and transactions with them:
1. | Current Capital Corp. (CCC). CCC is a related party in following ways – |
a. | Director/President of CCC, Mr. John Robinson is a consultant with Bontan |
b. | CCC provides media and investor relation services to Bontan under a consulting contract. |
c. | Chief Executive and Financial Officer of Bontan is providing services to CCC as CFO. |
d. | CCC and John Robinson hold significant shares in Bontan. |
Bontan shares premises with CCC for which CCC charges on a quarterly basis for the rent, phone and utilities based on the actual costs and area occupied. Charges from CCC reflect actual costs and do not include any mark ups.
Another charge from CCC relates to the investor relations and media relation services provided under a contract. The charge is a fixed sum of US$10,000 per month plus taxes.
CCC is also entitled to a finder’s fee at the rate of 10% of the gross money raised for the Company through issuance of shares and warrants under private placements.
2. | Mr. Kam Shah is a director of the Company and also provides services as chief executive and financial officer under a five-year contract. The compensation is decided by the board on an annual basis and is usually given in the form of shares and options. |
3. | Mr. Terence Robinson used to be providing services as chief executive officer until May 2004 and was also a director until that date. Currently, Mr. Robinson is providing services as a key consultant under a five-year contract. His services include sourcing of new business opportunities on behalf of the company using his extensive network of business contacts and short term investments buy or sell decisions and advise on behalf of the Company. His remuneration is paid mostly in shares on an annual basis. |
Transactions with related parties are incurred in the normal course of business and are measured at the exchange amount. Related party transactions and balances have been listed below:
(i) | Included in shareholders information expense is $124,231 (2007 – $136,249; 2006 – $143,391) to Current Capital Corp, (CCC) for media relation’s services. CCC is a shareholder corporation and a director of the Company provides accounting services as a consultant. |
(ii) | CCC charged approximately $8,175 for rent, telephone and other office expenses (2007: $5,666 and 2006: $8,200). |
(iii) | Finders fees of $12,245 (2007: $740,043, 2006: $397,944) was charged by CCC in connection with the private placement. (The fee for 2007 included a cash fee of $130,313 and 1,040,000 warrants valued at $609,730 using the Black-Scholes option price model). |
(iv) | Business expenses of $15,771 (2006 - $10,279; 2006 - $15,805) were reimbursed to directors of the corporation and $118,774 (2006 - $85,862, 2006: $143,987) to a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of the Company. |
(v) | Shares issued to a director under the Consultant’s stock compensation plan – 450,000 valued at $105,373 (2007 : 350,000 valued at $95,409, 2006: 328,000 valued at $98,072,). Shares issued to a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of the Company under the Consultant stock compensation plan –550,000 valued at $ 128,790 (2007: 500,000 valued at $ 136,298, 2006: 480,000 valued at $143,500). |
(vi) | Options issued to directors under Stock option plans – 2008: 50,000 valued at $7,878 (2007: nil, 2006: nil). Options issued to a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of the Company under Stock option plans: nil (2007: nil, 2006: 1,100,000 valued at $655,779 ). |
(vii) | Cash fee paid to directors for services of $33,871 (2007 and 2006: $ nil). Fees prepaid to a director $2,470 (2007 and 2006: $ nil). These fees are included under travel, promotion and consulting expenses. |
(viii) | Accounts payable includes $9,384 (2007: $3,471, 2006: $7,145) due to CCC, $757 (2006: $1,431, 2006: $1,758) due to a director and $6,577 (2006: $7,099, 2006: $ 3,562) due to a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of the Company. |
(ix) | Interest income includes $ nil (2007: 1,398 & 2006: $nil) representing interest received from the Chief Executive officer. |
(x) | Included in short term investments is an investment of $200,000 (2007 & 2006: $nil) in a private corporation controlled by a brother of the key consultant. |
(xi) | Included in short term investments is an investment of $1,929,049 carrying cost and $1,140,120 fair value (2007: $1,601,493 carrying cost and $2,710,760 fair value) in a public corporation controlled by a key shareholder of the Company. This investment represents common shares acquired in open market or through private placements and represents less than 1% of the said Corporation. |
Indebtedness to Company of Directors, Executive Officers and Senior Officers
None of the directors, consultants, executive officers and senior officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, proposed nominees for election or associates of such persons is or has been indebted to the Company in excess of $25,000 at any time for any reason whatsoever, including the purchase of securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Mr. Shah, the CEO and CFO of the Company borrowed $25,000 on December 6, 2005, repayable within six months and carrying interest at 5.5% per annum. The loan was fully paid with interest on December 12, 2006.
(C) INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not applicable.
ITEM 8 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(A) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Information regarding our financial statements is contained under the caption "Item 17. Financial Statements" below.
Legal Proceedings
There are no material legal proceedings in progress or to the knowledge of the Company, pending or threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of its properties is subject.
Dividend Policy
Since its incorporation, the Company has not declared or paid, and has no present intention to declare or to pay in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends with respect to its Common Shares. Earnings will be retained to finance further growth and development of the business of the Company. However, if the Board of Directors declares dividends, all Common Shares will participate equally in the dividends, and, in the event of liquidation, in the net assets, of the Company.
(B) SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
There were no corporate changes and other significant events that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2008 up to the date of this report, May 26, 2008.
ITEM 9 - THE OFFER AND LISTING
(A) OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
The following tables set forth the reported high and low sale prices for the common shares of the Company as quoted on OTCBB.
The following table outlines the annual high and low market prices for the five most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended March 31 | High In US$ | Low In US$ |
2008 | 0.47 | 0.17 |
2007 | 0.75 | 0.22 |
2006 | 1.51 | 0.20 |
2005 | 2.15 | 0.33 |
2004 | 2.47 | 0.21 |
The following table outlines the high and low market prices for each fiscal financial quarter for the two most recent fiscal periods and any subsequent period:
Fiscal Quarter ended | High | Low |
| In US$ | In US$ |
| | |
June 2008 | 0.27 | 0.18 |
March 2008 | 0.32 | 0.17 |
December 2007 | 0.36 | 0.17 |
September 2007 | 0.43 | 0.21 |
June 30, 2007 | 0.47 | 0.25 |
March 2007 | 0.30 | 0.23 |
December 2006 | 0.38 | 0.25 |
September 2006 | 0.60 | 0.25 |
June 30, 2006 | 0.75 | .48 |
The following table outlines the high and low market prices for each of the most recent six months:
Month | High | Low |
| In US$ | In US$ |
| | |
June 2008 | 0.27 | 0.18 |
May 2008 | 0.25 | 0.20 |
April 2008 | 0.27 | 0.20 |
March 2008 | 0.32 | 0.22 |
February 2008 | 0.30 | 0.20 |
January 2008 | 0.28 | 0.17 |
(B) PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Not applicable.
(C) MARKETS
The Company’s common shares were traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) under the symbol “DEAL” and on Canadian Dealing Network (CDN) under the symbol “FDQI” until January 20, 1999.
Effective January 21, 1999. The Company’s shares were traded only on OTCBB. The symbol was further changed to “NMBC” on August 13, 1999 and then to “DCHK” on November 3, 1999.
On May 26, 2000, the Company shares were de-listed from OTCBB and began trading on the “Pink Sheet” pending clearance of the Registration Statement, F-20 by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company filed F-20 originally in December 1999 and then filed several amendments in response to the comments received from SEC to its submissions. The SEC clearance was finally received on June 16, 2000 and the common shares of the Company began trading again on OTCBB effective August 2, 2000.
The company changed its name to Bontan Corporation Inc. On April 21, 2003 and its common shares began trading, and currently trade under a new symbol “BNTNF” on OTCBB.
(D) SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Not applicable.
(E) DILUTION
Not applicable.
(F) EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE
Not applicable.
ITEM 10 – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(A) SHARE CAPITAL
This Form 20F is being filed as an Annual Report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this section.
(B) MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The Memorandum and Articles of the Company are incorporated by reference to the information in our registration statement on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2000 to which our Articles of Incorporation and Memorandum were filed as exhibits.
No further changes have been made to the Company’s Articles/Bylaws.
The Company’s articles of incorporation do not place any restrictions on the Company’s objects and purposes.
Certain Powers of Directors
The Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the "OBCA") requires that every director who is a party to a material contract or transaction or a proposed material contract or transaction with a corporation, or who is a director or officer of, or has a material interest in, any person who is a party to a material contract or transaction or a proposed material contract or transaction with the corporation, shall disclose in writing to the corporation or request to have entered in the minutes of the meetings of directors the nature and extent of his or her interest, and shall refrain from voting in respect of the material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction unless the contract or transaction is: (a) an arrangement by way of security for money lent to or obligations undertaken by the director for the benefit of the corporation or an affiliate; (b) one relating primarily to his or her remuneration as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or an affiliate; (c) one for indemnity of or insurance for directors as contemplated under the OBCA; or (d) one with an affiliate. However, a director who is prohibited by the OBCA from voting on a material contract or proposed material contract may be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for the purpose of the resolution, if the director disclosed his or her interest in accordance with the OBCA and the contract or transaction was reasonable and fair to the corporation at the time it was approved.
The Company's by-laws provide that the directors shall from time to time determine by resolution the remuneration to be paid to the directors, which shall be in addition to the salary paid to any officer or employee of the Company who is also a director. The directors may also by resolution award special remuneration to any director in undertaking any special services on the Company's behalf other than the normal work ordinarily required of a director of the Company. The by-laws provide that confirmation of any such resolution by the Company's shareholders is not required.
The Company's by-laws also provide that the directors may: (a) borrow money upon the credit of the Company; (b) issue, reissue, sell or pledge bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee of the Company, whether secured or unsecured; (c) to the extent permitted by the OBCA, give directly or indirectly financial assistance to any person by means of a loan, a guarantee on behalf of the Company to secure performance of any present or future indebtedness, liability or other obligation of any person, or otherwise; and (d) mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any currently owned or subsequently acquired real or personal, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, property of the Company to secure any such bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee or any other present or future indebtedness, liability or other obligation of the Company.
The directors may, by resolution, amend or repeal any by-laws that regulate the business or affairs of the Company. The OBCA requires the directors to submit any such amendment or repeal to the Company's shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, and the shareholders may confirm, reject or amend the amendment or repeal.
Meetings of Shareholders
Authorized Capital
The Company's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of shares of one class designated as common shares. The Company may not create any class or series of shares or make any modification to the provisions attaching to the Company's common shares without the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of the common shares. The Company's common shares do not have pre-emptive rights to purchase additional shares.
Disclosure of Share Ownership
The Securities Act (Ontario) provides that a person or company that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of an issuer or that exercises control or direction over voting securities of an issuer or a combination of both, carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all the issuer's outstanding voting securities (an "insider") must, within 10 days of becoming an insider, file a report in the required form effective the date on which the person became an insider, disclosing any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities of the reporting issuer. The Securities Act (Ontario) also provides for the filing of a report by an insider of a reporting issuer who acquires or transfers securities of the issuer. This report must be filed within 10 days after the end of the month in which the acquisition or transfer takes place.
The Securities Act (Ontario) also provides that a person or company that acquires (whether or not by way of a take-over bid, issuer bid or offer to acquire) beneficial ownership of voting or equity securities or securities convertible into voting or equity securities of a reporting issuer that, together with previously held securities brings the total holdings of such holder to 10% or more of the outstanding securities of that class, must (a) issue and file forthwith a news release containing the prescribed information and (b) file a report within two business days containing the same information set out in the news release. The acquiring person or company must also issue a press release and file a report each time it acquires an additional 2% or more of the outstanding securities of the same class and every time there is a "material change" to the contents of the news release and report previously issued and filed.
Restrictions on Share Ownership by Non-Canadians
There are no limitations under the laws of Canada or in the constitutive documents of the Company on the right of foreigners to hold or vote securities of the Company, except that the Investment Canada Act may require review and approval by the Minister of Industry (Canada) of certain acquisitions of "control" of the Company by a "non-Canadian". The threshold for acquisitions of control is generally defined as being one-third or more of the voting shares of the Company. "Non-Canadian" generally means an individual who is not a Canadian citizen, or a corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is ultimately controlled by non-Canadians.
(C) MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Except for contracts entered into in the ordinary course of its business, there were no material contracts to which we are or have been a party to for the two years preceding this annual report.
(D) EXCHANGE CONTROLS
There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada that restrict the export or import of capital or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities. However, any such remittance to a resident of the United States may be subject to a withholding tax pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada). For further information concerning such withholding tax, see “Taxation" below.
(E) TAXATION
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
We consider that the following summary fairly describes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to a holder of our common shares who at all material times deals at arm’s length with our company, who holds all common shares as capital property, who is resident in the United States, who is not a resident of Canada and who does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, his common shares of our company in connection with carrying on a business in Canada (a “non-resident holder”). It is assumed that the common shares will at all material times be listed on a stock exchange that is prescribed for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ITA”) and regulations thereunder. Investors should be aware that the Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to holders of our common shares will change if, for any reason, we cease to be listed on a prescribed stock exchange. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences of them purchasing, owing and disposing of our common shares should we cease to be listed on a prescribed stock exchange.
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the ITA, the regulations there under, the Canada-United States Tax Convention as amended by the Protocols thereto (the “Treaty”) as at the date of the registration statement and the currently publicly announced administrative and assessing policies of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”). This summary does not take into account Canadian provincial income tax consequences. This description is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax consequences and does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action. This summary does, however, take into account all specific proposals to amend the ITA and regulations there under, publicly announced by the Government of Canada to the date hereof.
This summary does not address potential tax effects relevant to our company or those tax considerations that depend upon circumstances specific to each investor. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares in our company.
Dividends
The ITA provides that dividends and other distributions deemed to be dividends paid or deemed to be paid by a Canadian resident corporation (such as our company) to a non-resident of Canada shall be subject to a non-resident withholding tax equal to 25% of the gross amount of the dividend of deemed dividend. Provisions in the ITA relating to dividend and deemed dividend payments to and gains realized by non-residents of Canada, who are residents of the United States, are subject to the Treaty. The Treaty may reduce the withholding tax rate on dividends as discussed below.
Article X of the Treaty as amended by the US-Canada Protocol ratified on November 9, 1995 provides a 5% withholding tax on gross dividends or deemed dividends paid to a United States corporation which beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the company paying the dividend. In cases where dividends or deemed dividends are paid to a United States resident (other than a corporation) or a United States corporation which beneficially owns less than 10% of the voting stock of a company, a withholding tax of 15% is imposed on the gross amount of the dividend or deemed dividend paid. We would be required to withhold any such tax from the dividend and remit the tax directly to CRA for the account of the investor.
The reduction in withholding tax from 25%, pursuant to the Treaty, will not be available:
(a) if the shares in respect of which the dividends are paid formed part of the business property or were otherwise effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base that the holder has or had in Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition, or
(b) the holder is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
The Treaty generally exempts from Canadian income tax dividends paid to a religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organization or to an organization exclusively administering a pension, retirement or employee benefit fund or plan, if the organization is resident in the U.S. and is exempt from income tax under the laws of the U.S.
Capital Gains
A non-resident holder is not subject to tax under the ITA in respect of a capital gain realized upon the disposition of one of our shares unless the share represents “taxable Canadian property” to the holder thereof. Our common shares will be considered taxable Canadian property to a non-resident holder only if-.
(a) the non-resident holder;
(b) persons with whom the non-resident holder did not deal at arm’s length - or
(c) the non-resident holder and persons with whom he did not deal at arm’s length,
owned not less than 25% of the issued shares of any class or series of our company at any time during the five year period preceding the disposition. In the case of a non-resident holder to whom shares of our company represent taxable Canadian property and who is resident in the United States, no Canadian taxes will generally be payable on a capital gain realized on such shares by reason of the Treaty unless:
(a) the value of such shares is derived principally from real property (including resource property) situated in Canada,
(b) the holder was resident in Canada for 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years preceding, and at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding, the disposition and the shares were owned by him when he ceased to be a resident of Canada,
(c) they formed part of the business property or were otherwise effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base that the holder has or bad in Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition, or
(d) the holder is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
If subject to Canadian tax on such a disposition, the taxpayer’s capital gain (or capital loss) from a disposition is the amount by which the taxpayer’s proceeds of disposition exceed (or are exceeded by) the aggregate of the taxpayer’s adjusted cost base of the shares and reasonable expenses of disposition. For Canadian income tax purposes, the “taxable capital gain” is equal to one-half of the capital gain.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a discussion of the material United States Federal income tax consequences, under current law, applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of our common shares who holds such shares as capital assets. This discussion does not address all potentially relevant Federal income tax matters and it does not address consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of Federal income tax law, such as those described below as excluded from the definition of a U.S. Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. (See “Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” above.)
The following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. In addition, this discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, of any recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
The discussion below does not address potential tax effects relevant to our company or those tax considerations that depend upon circumstances specific to each investor. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular investors subject to special treatment under certain U.S. Federal income tax laws, such as, dealers in securities, tax-exempt entities, banks, insurance companies and non-U.S. Holders. Purchasers of the common stock should therefore satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of their ownership of the common stock, including the State, local and foreign tax consequences thereof (which are not reviewed herein), and should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
U.S. Holders
As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” includes a beneficial holder of common shares of our company who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, any trust if a US court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more US persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, any entity created or organized in the United States which is taxable as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes and
any other person or entity whose ownership of common shares of our company is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A U.S. Holder does not include persons subject to special provisions of Federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals or foreign corporations whose ownership of our common shares is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and shareholders who acquired their shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.
Dividend Distribution on Shares of our Company
U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to the common shares of our company are required to include in gross income for United States Federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be deducted or may be credited against actual tax payable, subject to certain limitations and other complex rules, against the U.S. Holder’s United States Federal taxable income. See “Foreign Tax Credit” below. To the extent that distributions exceed our current or accumulated earnings and profits, they will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in the common shares of our company and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares of our company. Preferential tax rates for net long term capital gains may be applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust.
In general, dividends paid on our common shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from certain United States corporations.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (or who has had withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of our common shares may be entitled, at the election of the U.S. Holder, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and generally applies to all foreign income taxes paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during that year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder’s United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holder’s foreign source income bears to his or its world-wide taxable income. In determining the application of this limitation, the various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern income such as “passive income”, “high withholding tax interest”, “financial services income”, “shipping income” and certain other classifications of income. A U.S. Holder who is treated as a domestic U.S. corporation owning 10% or more of our voting stock is also entitled to a deemed paid foreign tax credit in certain circumstances for the underlying foreign tax of our company related to dividends received or Subpart F income received from us. (See the discussion below of Controlled Foreign Corporations). The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the foreign tax credit are fact specific and holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.
Disposition of Common Shares
If a “U.S. Holder” is holding shares as a capital asset, a gain or loss realized on a sale of our common shares will generally be a capital gain or loss, and will be long-term if the shareholder has a holding period of more than one year. However, gains realized upon sale of our common shares may, under certain circumstances, be treated as ordinary income, if we were determined to be a “collapsible corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 341 based on the facts in existence on the date of the sale (See below for definition of “collapsible corporation”). The amount of gain or loss recognized by a selling U.S. Holder will be measured by the difference between (i) the amount realized on the sale and (ii) his tax basis in our common shares. Capital losses are deductible only to the extent of capital gains.
However, in the case of taxpayers other than corporations (U.S.)$3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals filing separately) of capital losses are deductible against ordinary income annually. In the case of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers, capital losses that are not currently deductible may be carried forward to other years. In the case of corporations, capital losses that are not currently deductible are carried back to each of the three years preceding the loss year and forward to each of the five years succeeding the loss year.
A “collapsible corporation” is a corporation that is formed or availed principally to manufacture, construct, produce, or purchase prescribed types or property that the corporation holds for less than three years and that generally would produce ordinary income on its disposition, with a view to the stockholders selling or exchanging their stock and thus realizing gain before the corporation realizes two thirds of the taxable income to be derived from prescribed property. Prescribed property includes: stock in trade and inventory; property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business; unrealized receivables or fees, consisting of rights to payment for noncapital assets delivered or to be delivered, or services rendered or to be rendered to the extent not previously included in income, but excluding receivables from selling property that is not prescribed; and property gain on the sale of which is subject to the capital gain/ordinary loss rule. Generally, a shareholder who owns directly or indirectly 5 percent or less of the outstanding stock of the corporation may treat gain on the sale of his shares as capital gain.
Other Considerations for U.S. Holders
In the following circumstances, the above sections of this discussion may not describe the United States Federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and disposition of common shares of the Registrant. Our management is of the opinion that there is little, if not, any likelihood that we will be deemed a “Foreign Personal Holding Company”, a “Foreign Investment Company” or a “Controlled Foreign Corporation” (each as defined below) under current and anticipated conditions.
Foreign Personal Holding Company
If at any time during a taxable year more than 50% of the total combined voting power or the total value of our outstanding shares is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States and 60% or more of our gross income for such year was derived from certain passive sources (e.g., from dividends received from its subsidiaries), we would be treated as a “foreign personal holding company.” In that event, U.S. Holders that hold common shares in our capital would be required to include in income for such year their allocable portion of our passive income which would have been treated as a dividend had that passive income actually been distributed.
Foreign Investment Company
If 50% or more of the combined voting power or total value of our outstanding shares are held, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships or corporations, or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(31)), and we are found to be engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, commodities, or any interest therein, it is possible that we might be treated as a “foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1246 of the Code, causing all or part of any gain realized by a U.S. Holder selling or exchanging our common shares to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
A U.S. Holder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such corporation qualifies as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) is subject to U.S. federal income taxation of that foreign corporation under one of two alternative tax methods at the election of each such U.S. Holder.
Section 1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the United States and, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive income,” which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by value (or, if the company is a controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, adjusted tax basis), of its assets that produce or are held for the production of “passive income” is 50% or more. For taxable years of U.S. persons beginning after December 31, 1997, and for tax years of foreign corporations ending with or within such tax years, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provides that publicly traded corporations must apply this test on a fair market value basis only. The Registrant believes that it is a PFIC.
As a PFIC, each U.S. Holder must determine under which of the alternative tax methods it wishes to be taxed. Under one method, a U.S. Holder who elects in a timely manner to treat the Registrant as a Qualified Electing Fund
(“QEF”), as defined in the Code, (an “Electing U.S. Holder”) will be subject, under Section 1293 of the Code, to current federal income tax for any taxable year in which we qualify as a PFIC on his pro-rata share of our (i) “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to the Electing U.S. Holder and (ii) “ordinary earnings” (the excess of earnings and profits over net capital gain), which will be taxed as ordinary income to the Electing U.S. Holder, in each case, for the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which (or with which) our taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed. Such an election, once made shall apply to all subsequent years unless revoked with the consent of the IRS.
A QEF election also allows the Electing U.S. Holder to (i) generally treat any gain realized on the disposition of his common shares (or deemed to be realized on the pledge of his common shares) as capital gain; (ii) treat his share of our net capital gain, if any, as long-term capital gain instead of ordinary income, and (iii) either avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status altogether (see discussion of interest charge below), or make an annual election, subject to certain limitations, to defer payment of current taxes on his share of our annual realized net capital gain and ordinary earnings subject, however, to an interest charge. If the Electing U.S. Holder is an individual, such an interest charge would be not deductible.
The procedure a U.S. Holder must comply with in making an timely QEF election will depend on whether the year of the election is the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period in which we are a PFIC. If the U.S. Holder makes a QEF election in such first year, (sometimes referred to as a “Pedigreed QEF Election”), then the U.S. Holder may make the QEF election by simply filing the appropriate documents at the time the U.S. Holder files its tax return for such first year. If, however, we qualified as a PFIC in a prior year, then the U.S. Holder may make an “Unpedigreed QEF Election” by recognizing as an “excess distribution” (i) under the rules of Section 1291 (discussed below), any gain that he would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold his stock on the qualification date (Deemed Sale Election) or (ii) if we are a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), the Holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits (Deemed Dividend Election) (But see “Elimination of Overlap Between Subpart F Rules and PFIC Provisions”). The effect of either the deemed sale election or the deemed dividend election is to pay all prior deferred tax, to pay interest on the tax deferral and to be treated thereafter as a Pedigreed QEF as discussed in the prior paragraph. With respect to a situation in which a Pedigreed QEF election is made, if we no longer qualify as a PFIC in a subsequent year, normal Code rules and not the PFIC rules will apply.
If a U.S. Holder has not made a QEF Election at any time (a “Non-electing U.S. Holder”), then special taxation rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i) gains realized on the disposition (or deemed to be realized by reason of a pledge) of his common shares and (ii) certain “excess distributions”, as specially defined, by our company. An “excess distribution” is any current-year distribution in respect of PFIC stock that represents a rateable portion of the total distributions in respect of the stock during the year that exceed 125 percent of the average amount of distributions in respect of the stock during the three preceding years.
A Non-electing U.S. Holder generally would be required to pro-rate all gains realized on the disposition of his common shares and all excess distributions over the entire holding period for the common shares. All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of the U.S. Holder (other than years prior to our first taxable year during such U.S. Holder’s holding period and beginning after January, 1987 for which it was a PFIC) would be taxed at the highest tax rate for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income. The Non-electing U.S. Holder also would be liable for interest on the deferred tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect to each such prior year. A Non-electing U.S. Holder that is an individual is not allowed a deduction for interest on the deferred tax liability. The portions of gains and distributions that are not characterized as “excess distributions” are subject to tax in the current year under the normal tax rules of the Internal Revenue Code.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-electing U.S. Holder holds common shares, then we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such common Shares, even if it is no longer by definition a PFIC. A Non-electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-Electing U.S. Holders) as if such common shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which it was a PFIC.
Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the Department of the Treasury has issued proposed regulations that would treat as taxable certain transfers of PFIC stock by Non-electing U.S. Holders that are generally not otherwise taxed, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election that is not a Pedigreed Election (i.e., it is made after the first year during which we are a PFIC and the U.S. Holder holds our shares) (a “Unpedigreed Election”), the QEF rules apply prospectively but do not apply to years prior to the year in which the QEF first becomes effective. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of making a Non-Pedigreed QEF Election.
Certain special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to the common shares while we are a PFIC whether or not it is treated as a QEF. For example under Section 1297(b)(6) of the Code (as in effect prior to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997), a U.S. Holder who uses PFIC stock as security for a loan (including a margin loan) will, except as may be provided in regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such stock.
The foregoing discussion is based on currently effective provisions of the Code, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such change could affect the validity of this discussion. In addition, the implementation of certain aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of regulations which in many instances have not been promulgated and which may have retroactive effect. There can be no assurance that any of these proposals will be enacted or promulgated, and if so, the form they will take or the effect that they may have on this discussion. Accordingly, and due to the complexity of the PFIC rules, U.S. Holders of the Registrant are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the impact of these rules on their investment in our company. For a discussion of the impact of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 on a U.S. Holder of a PFIC, see “Mark-to-Market Election For PFIC Stock Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997” and “Elimination of Overlap Between Subpart F Rules and PFIC Provisions” below.
Mark-to-Market Election for PFIC Stock Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provides that a U.S. Holder of a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to the stock of the PFIC if such stock is marketable as defined below. This provision is designed to provide a current inclusion provision for persons that are Non-Electing Holders. Under the election, any excess of the fair market value of the PFIC stock at the close of the tax year over the Holder’s adjusted basis in the stock is included in the Holder’s income. The Holder may deduct any excess of the adjusted basis of the PFIC stock over its fair market value at the close of the tax year. However, deductions are limited to the net mark-to-market gains on the stock that the Holder included in income in prior tax years, or so called “unreversed inclusions.” For purposes of the election, PFIC stock is marketable if it is regularly traded on (1) a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC, (2) the national market system established under Section II A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (3) an exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents legitimate and sound fair market value.
A Holder’s adjusted basis of PFIC stock is increased by the income recognized under the mark-to-market election and decreased by the deductions allowed under the election. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through a foreign entity, the basis adjustments apply to the basis of the PFIC stock in the hands of the foreign entity for the purpose of applying the PFIC rules to the tax treatment of the U.S. owner. Similar basis adjustments are made to the basis of the property through which the U.S. persons hold the PFIC stock.
Income recognized under the mark-to-market election and gain on the sale of PFIC stock with respect to which an election is made is treated as ordinary income. Deductions allowed under the election and loss on the sale of PFIC with respect to which an election is made, to the extent that the amount of loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included, are treated as ordinary losses. The U.S. or foreign source of any income or losses is determined as if the amount were a gain or loss from the sale of stock in the PFIC.
If PFIC stock is owned by a CFC (discussed below), the CFC is treated as a U.S. person that may make the mark-to-market election. Amounts includible in the CFC’s income under the election are treated as foreign personal holding company income, and deductions are allocable to foreign personal holding company income.
The above provisions apply to tax years of U.S. persons beginning after December 31, 1997, and to tax years of foreign corporations ending with or within such tax years of U.S. persons.
The rules of Code Section 1291 applicable to nonqualified funds as discussed above generally do not apply to a U.S. Holder for tax years for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. If Code Section 1291 is applied and a mark-to-market election was in effect for any prior tax year, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the PFIC stock is treated as beginning immediately after the last tax year of the election. However, if a taxpayer makes a mark-to-market election for PFIC stock that is a nonqualified fund after the beginning of a taxpayer’s holding period for such stock, a co-ordination rule applies to ensure that the taxpayer does not avoid the interest charge with respect to amounts attributable to periods before the election.
Controlled Foreign Corporation Status
If more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of stock or the total value of the stock of our company is owned, directly or indirectly, by U.S. Holders, each of whom own after applying rules of attribution 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of our company, we would be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” or “CFC” under Subpart F of the Code. This classification would bring into effect many complex results including the required inclusion by such 10% U.S. Holders in income of their pro rata shares of “Subpart F income” (as defined by the Code) of our company and our earnings invested in “U.S. property” (as defined by Section 956 of the Code). In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code if we are considered a CFC at any time during the five year period ending with the sale or exchange of its stock, gain from the sale or exchange of common shares of our company by such a 10% U.S. Holder of our common stock at any time during the five year period ending with the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our earnings and profits attributable to the stock sold or exchanged. Because of the complexity of Subpart F, and because we may never be a CFC, a more detailed review of these rules is beyond of the scope of this discussion.
Elimination of Overlap Between Subpart F Rules and PFIC Provisions
Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, a PFIC that is also a CFC will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to certain 10% U.S. Holders. For the exception to apply, (i) the corporation must be a CFC within the meaning of section 957(a) of the Code and (ii) the U.S. Holder must be subject to the current inclusion rules of Subpart F with respect to such corporation (i.e., the U.S. Holder is a “United States Shareholder,” see “Controlled Foreign Corporation,” above). The exception only applies to that portion of a U.S. Holder’s holding period beginning after December 31, 1997. For that portion of a United States Holder before January 1, 1998, the ordinary PFIC and QEF rules continue to apply.
As a result of this new provision, if we were ever to become a CFC, U.S. Holders who are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of Subpart F income of a PFIC which is also a CFC will not be subject to the PFIC provisions with respect to the same stock if they have previously made a Pedigreed QEF Election. The PFIC provisions will however continue to apply to U.S Holders for any periods in which Subpart F does not apply (for example he is no longer a 10% Holder or we are no longer a CFC) and to U.S. Holders that did not make a Pedigreed QEF Election unless the U.S. Holder elects to recognize gain on the PFIC shares held in our company as if those shares had been sold.
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING THE COMMON SHARES OF OUR COMPANY.
(F) DIVIDEND AND PAYING AGENTS
Not applicable.
(G) STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
Not applicable.
(H) DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
The documents concerning the Company referred to in this Annual Report may be inspected at the Company's office at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 2G3. The Company may be reached at (416) 929-1806. Documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") may also be read and copied at the SEC's public reference room at 100F Street, N. E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms.
The Company is subject to reporting requirements as a “reporting issuer” under applicable securities legislation in Canada and as a “foreign private issuer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). As a result, we must file periodic reports and other information with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A copy of this Annual Information Form/Form 20-F Annual Report and certain other documents referred to in this Annual Report and other documents filed by us may be retrieved from the system for electronic document analysis and retrieval (“SEDAR”) system maintained by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.ca or from the Securities and Exchange Commission electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system (“EDGAR”) at www.sec.gov/edgar.
(I) SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
The documents concerning the Company’s subsidiaries referred to in this Annual Report may be inspected at the Company's office at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 2G3.
ITEM 11 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed in varying degrees to a number of risks arising from financial instruments. Management’s close involvement in the operations allows for the identification of risks and variances from expectations. The Company does not participate in the use of financial instruments to mitigate these risks and has no designated hedging transactions. The Board approves and monitors the risk management processes. The Board’s main objectives for managing risks are to ensure liquidity, the fulfilment of obligations, the continuation of the Company’s search for new business participation opportunities, and limited exposure to credit and market risks while ensuring greater returns on the surplus funds on hand. There were no changes to the objectives or the process from the prior period.
The types of risk exposure and the way in which such exposures are managed are as follows:
(a) Concentration risk:
Concentration risks exist in cash and cash equivalents because significant balances are maintained with one financial institution and two brokerage firms. The risk is mitigated because the financial institution is a prime Canadian bank and the brokerage firms are well known Canadian brokerage firms with good market reputation.
(b) Market price risk:
Market risk primarily arises from the Company’s short term investments in marketable securities which accounted for approximately 69% of total assets of the Company as at March 31, 2008( 50% at March 31, 2007). Further, the Company’s holding in one Canadian marketable security accounted for approximately 31% (2007: 50%) of the total short term investment in marketable securities or 21% (2007: 24%) of total assets at March 31, 2008.
The management mitigates this risk by daily monitoring of all its investments by experienced consultants.
(c) Liquidity risk:
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due.
The Company ensures there is sufficient capital to meet short term business requirements. In addition, management and key consultants have opted to accept the Company’s common shares instead of cash towards their fee to ensure greater cash flow for other operational and business needs.
One of management’s goals is to maintain an optimal level of liquidity through the active management of the assets, liabilities and cash flows.
The Company’s maintains limited cash for its operational needs while most of its surplus cash is invested in short term marketable securities which are available on short notice to fund the Company’s operating costs and other financial demands.
(d) Currency risk
The operating results and financial position of the Company are reported in Canadian dollars. Significant part of cash and short term investments are held in US dollars – approximately 23% of total assets at March 31, 2008 (19% as at March 31, 2007). The results of the Company’s operations are therefore subject to currency transaction and translation risk.
The fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar will consequently impact the loss of the Company and may also affect the value of the Company’s assets and the amount of shareholders’ equity.
Comparative foreign exchange rates as at March 31, 2008 are as follows:
March 31,
2008 2007
US Dollar to CDN Dollar 1.0279 1.1680
The Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any foreign currency hedging arrangements to hedge possible currency risks at this time.
ITEM 12 – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13 – DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14 – MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
No modifications or qualifications have been made in the Fiscal Year to the instruments defining the rights of the holders of our Common Shares and no material amount of assets securing our securities has been withdrawn or substituted by us or anyone else (other than in the ordinary course of business).
ITEM 15 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
a) Disclosure controls and procedures
We have no employees. Our Chief Executive Officer who also serves as Chief Financial Officer (“CEO”) is primarily responsible in establishing and maintaining controls and procedures concerning disclosure of material information and their timely reporting in consultation and under direct supervision of the audit committee which comprises two independent directors. We therefore do not have an effective internal controls and procedures due to lack of segregation of duties. However, given the size and nature of our current operations and involvement of independent directors in the process significantly reduce the risk factors associated with the lack of segregation of duties.
The CEO has instituted a system of disclosure controls for the Company to ensure proper and complete disclosure of material information. The limited number of consultants and direct involvement of the CEO facilitates access to real time information about developments in the business for drafting disclosure documents. All documents are circulated to the board of directors and audit committee according to the disclosure time-lines.
During the fiscal 2008, the management carried out a comprehensive review of the internal controls existing over the financial reporting Mitigating controls and procedures were identified wherever possible. New procedures were implemented in a couple of cases where it was evident that controls were not robust enough to ensure appropriate disclosure in a timely manner. Some controls were implemented as a secondary detection mechanism if the initial controls failed to prevent errors from occurring.
b) Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Bontan Corporation Inc. (The Company) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:
- | Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; |
- | Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the Directors of the Company: and, |
- | Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |
Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting are subject to the risks that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management evaluated the design and operation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008, based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and has concluded that such internal control over financial reporting is effective.
There is a lack of segregation of duties since Chief executive and financial officer handles accounting records and is also a sole signatory to bank and brokerage accounts. However, potential risks arising from this weakness are mitigated significantly through independent reconciliations and direct involvement in review process by the audit committee, which comprises all independent directors. Management
believes that benefits of hiring additional staff to segregate these functions would not justify the costs under the current nature and level of activities at the Company.
Kam Shah
Chief Executive and Financial Officer
c) Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm
Not applicable, pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 16 (A) AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERTS
As at the Company’s financial year ended March 31, 2008, the audit committee consisted of two independent directors, one of whom, Mr. Dean Bradley would be determined as a financial expert, as that term is defined under Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Mr. Bradley’s background is described under Item 6(A) Directors and senior management.
ITEM 16 (B) CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Code of Ethics, which applies to all employees, consultants, officers and directors. A copy of our current code of ethics was included in the exhibits to the annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 (Exhibit Item 19(b) 11).
A copy of our Code of Ethics can be obtained by writing to our corporate office at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5R 2G3 attention: Chief Executive Officer.
ITEM 16 (C) PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT’S FEES AND SERVICES
The following outlines the expenditures for accounting fees for the last two fiscal periods ended:
| March 31 2008 | | March 31 2007 |
| | | |
Audit Fees (1) | 25,000 | | 31,000 |
Tax Fees (2) | - | | 3,620 |
Other (3) | - | | 700 |
(1) Audit fees for the fiscal year 2008 have not yet been billed by our auditors. The amount shown is the management’s estimate. Audit fee for fiscal 2007 included fee for fiscal 2007 of $25,000 and the balance of $6,000 for fiscal 2006, not provided in that year.
(2) Tax fees comprised $2,620 paid for the US corporation tax returns preparation for the years 2005 and 2006 and an accrual of $1,000 for fiscal 2007 US tax returns. The Company filed its own tax returns and the accrual was reversed in the subsequent year.
(3) Other fee related to the fee charged by our external auditors for consent letter in respect of our filing of registration document F-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Under our existing policies, the audit committee must approve all audit and non-audit related services provided by the auditors.
ITEM 16 (D) - EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
The information referred to in this section is not required as to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, which is the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
ITEM 16 (E) - PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
The information referred to in this section is not required as to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 which is the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
PART III
ITEM 17 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See the Financial Statements and Exhibits listed in Item 19 hereof and filed as part of this Annual Report. These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and are expressed in Canadian dollars. Such financial statements have been reconciled to U.S. GAAP (see Note 16 therein). For a history of exchange rates in effect for Canadian dollars as against U.S. dollars, see Item 3(A) Exchange Rates of this Annual Report.
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 19 - EXHIBITS
(a) Financial Statements
Description of Document | Page No. |
Cover Sheet | F-1 |
Independent Auditor’s Report dated May 23, 2008 | F-2 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at March 31, 2008 and 2007 | F-3 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 | F-4 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 | F-5 |
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 | F-6 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | F-7 |
| |
(b) Exhibits
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F
| 1.1 | Articles of Incorporation of the Company - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(ix) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.2 | By-Laws of the Company - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(xi) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.3 | Certificate of name change from Kamlo Gold Mines Limited to NRT Research Technologies Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(iii) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.4 | Certificate of name change from NRT Research Technologies Inc. to NRT Industries Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(iv) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.5 | Certificate of name change from NRT Industries Inc. to CUDA Consolidated Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(v) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.6 | Certificate of name change from CUDA Consolidated Inc. to Foodquest Corp. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(vi) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.7 | Certificate of name change from Foodquest Corp. to Foodquest International Corp. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(vii) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.8 | Certificate of name change from Foodquest International Corp. to Dealcheck.com Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000. |
| 1.9 | Certificate of name change from Dealcheck.com Inc. to Bontan Corporation Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on September 23, 2003. |
| 2(a) | Specimen Common Share certificate - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on September 23, 2003. |
| 4(a)2.i | Investor relations contract with Current Capital Corp. dated April 1, 2003 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (a) 2i to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on September 28, 2005. |
| 4(a)2.ii | Media Relation Contract with Current Capital corp. dated April 1, 2003 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (a) 2ii to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on September 28, 2005. |
| 4(a)2.iii | A letter dated April1, 2005 extending the contracts under 4(a)2.i and ii. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (a) 2iii to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on September 28, 2005. |
| 4(b)1 | Indirect Participation Interest Purchase Agreement dated July 5, 2005 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (b) 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on September 28, 2005. |
| 4(c)1 | Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 2005 with Kam Shah Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (c) 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on September 28, 2005. |
| 4(c)2 | Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 2003 with Terence Robinson - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2004 filed on August 30, 2004. |
| 4(c)3 | Letter dated March 28, 2008 extending the Consulting Agreement with Mr. John Robinson to June 30, 2009. |
| 4(c)(iv)1 | The Robinson Option Plan, 2005 Stock Option Plan and 2005 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan - Incorporated herein by reference to Form S-8 filed on December 5, 2005. |
| 4(c)(iv)2 | 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan – Incorporated herein by reference to Form S-8 filed on January 16, 2007. |
| 11 | Code of ethics of the Company incorporated herein by reference to Annual Report in form 20-F filed on May 29, 2007 |
| 12.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| 13.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
SIGNATURES
The Company hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this 30th day of June, 2008.
BONTAN CORPORATION INC.
Per: (signed) Kam Shah
Title: Chairman and CEO