1. My company is in heavy debt and we will not be able to continue business or pay off the debts. What should be done to bring the company to an end?

You may consider the option of voluntary winding-up. The relevant procedures
include:-
- A special resolution for voluntary winding-up to be passed by the shareholders.
- A notice of the resolution has to be advertised in the Government Gazette within
14 days of the passing of the resolution.
- The company has to call a meeting of creditors. The notice for the meeting has
to be advertised in the Government Gazette and in Chinese and English newspapers.
- The directors of the company have to make a full statement of the position of
the company’s affairs, together with a list of creditors and the estimated
amount of their claims, to be laid before the meeting. Resolution (concerning
the details of the winding-up matter or process) may be passed at the meeting.
- During the meeting, a liquidator may be nominated. Further, an inspection committee
may be appointed to supervise the exercise of power by the liquidator.
- The liquidator will deal with the affairs of the company. The liquidator will
call further meetings of the company or creditors each year to account for
his acts concerning the winding-up.
- When the affairs of the company have been fully wound up, the liquidator
will produce an account of the winding-up, and call a final meeting of the
company and of the company’s creditors.
If no special resolution can be passed at a general meeting of shareholders,
the board of directors may nevertheless pass a resolution that the company be
wound up because the company cannot by reason of its liabilities continues its
business. A declaration recording such resolution has to be signed by the directors
and be delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Meetings of the company and
of the creditors have to be summoned within 28 days of the delivery of such
resolution to the Registrar of Companies. A provisional liquidator also has
to be appointed upon the delivery.
Due to the complexity of the above procedures, you are advised to consult a lawyer
or other qualified professionals before commencing such actions.
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