Axiata sees continued support from shareholders at agm
1.
2. Shareholders resolved the receipt of the
Group’s Audited Financial Statements for
the financial year ended 31 December
2013 (“FY2013”) which saw the Group
post strong results exceeding all key
targets set for the year. Despite
volatile markets, intense competition and
emerging market challenges, the Group
managed to sustain underlying
performance for the 5th consecutive year.
Most Operating Companies (“OpCos”)
performed well with the Group posting
solid revenue growth of 4.1%.
3. PATAMI (“Profit after Tax and Minority Interests”)
grew 1.5% despite forex impact of RM201.0 million
as well as significant capex and opex investments in
data and new initiatives. Group’s total subscriber
base expanded to over 244 million, making Axiata
one of the largest telcos in the region.
Axiata also ended the year in a position of strength
with RM6.4 billion in cash and maintained healthy
balance sheet, a significant achievement amidst a
volatile economic backdrop. Axiata’s Gross Debt to
EBITDA ratio is now at 1.85x.
4. Datuk Azzat Kamaludin, Mr Juan Villalonga
Navarro and Mr Kenneth Shen, all returning
by rotation, were re-elected as Directors.
Datuk Azzat is also the Senior Independent
Director whilst Mr Shen, is the
representative of Khazanah on the Board of
Axiata.
5. Shareholders approved the re-appointment
of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the Auditors
of the Company for FY2014.
6. Shareholders approved the proposed Dividend
Reinvestment Scheme (DRS) that will provide them the
option to elect to reinvest in whole, or in part, their cash
dividend in new Axiata shares. Under the DRS,
shareholders can elect to reinvest in whole, or in part, the
Electable Portion at the issue price for new Axiata shares.
In the event that only part of the Electable Portion is
reinvested, the Shareholders shall receive the remaining
portion of the Dividend entitlement wholly in cash.
The DRS, if implemented, is expected to benefit the Group
from a capital management standpoint whereby the
reinvestments of dividends will enlarge Axiata’s share
capital base and strengthen Axiata’s share position. It is
also expected to improve the liquidity of Axiata shares on
the Main Market of Bursa Securities.
7. Shareholders approved the final dividend of 14 sen
for FY2013. Together with the interim dividend of 8
sen per share paid last year, the 22 sen dividend
equals to a 75% payout which marks a 5 percentage
point increase from 2012’s ordinary dividend payout
ratio of 70%.
In the future, the Group will continue maintaining
healthy dividend payout subject to a number of
factors. This includes actual 2014 overall financial
performance, capital requirements, growth
expansion strategies as well as dividends received
from subsidiaries.
8. Axiata Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hj. Mokhtar said “We are
very happy with the outcome of the AGM and I would like to
thank our shareholders for the continued support they have
shown us. 2013 was an eventful year for Axiata and the support
shown is a very important validation of the Group’s strategy and
results so far”.
Dato’ Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, President & Group Chief Executive
Officer of Axiata added “It was a challenging year due to
competition, adverse forex movements and data investments in
Indonesia. Nevertheless, the Group still managed to end the
year in a position of strength, sustaining our growth momentum
for the 5th consecutive year, which enabled us to progressively
increase our dividends at Group level”.