notes to the financial statements - Far East Orchard Limited
notes to the financial statements - Far East Orchard Limited
notes to the financial statements - Far East Orchard Limited
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Corporate Governance Statement<br />
as at 27 March 2009<br />
In <strong>the</strong> last <strong>financial</strong> year, <strong>the</strong> Audit Committee held five meetings. In those meetings, <strong>the</strong> Committee reviewed, inter<br />
alia, <strong>the</strong> internal audi<strong>to</strong>r’s report on interested party transactions and reports on o<strong>the</strong>r areas of <strong>the</strong> Group’s business,<br />
<strong>the</strong> internal audi<strong>to</strong>r’s audit plan and cost for <strong>the</strong> current <strong>financial</strong> year, <strong>the</strong> independent audi<strong>to</strong>r’s audit plan and final<br />
audit report, <strong>the</strong> year-end and quarterly announcements on <strong>financial</strong> <strong>statements</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Group’s year-end and quarterly<br />
performances, and also discussed corporate governance matters.<br />
PRINCIPLE 12<br />
The Board should ensure that <strong>the</strong> Management maintains a sound system of internal controls <strong>to</strong> safeguard <strong>the</strong><br />
shareholders’ investments and <strong>the</strong> company’s assets.<br />
The Company places importance on <strong>the</strong> maintenance of a sound system of internal controls in order <strong>to</strong> safeguard<br />
shareholders’ interests and <strong>the</strong> Company’s assets. The Audit Committee ensures that <strong>the</strong> internal audi<strong>to</strong>rs conduct<br />
reviews of <strong>the</strong> Company’s material internal controls, including <strong>financial</strong>, operational and compliance controls. Risk<br />
management and <strong>financial</strong> management are also assessed.<br />
The Audit Committee reviews <strong>the</strong> effectiveness of <strong>the</strong> Company’s internal controls on behalf of <strong>the</strong> Board. In <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
review, <strong>the</strong> Committee considers <strong>the</strong> nature of <strong>the</strong> risks facing <strong>the</strong> Company and <strong>the</strong> extent <strong>to</strong> which <strong>the</strong>se risks are<br />
acceptable <strong>to</strong> bear, <strong>the</strong> likelihood of risks materialising and <strong>the</strong> Company’s ability <strong>to</strong> reduce <strong>the</strong>ir incidence and<br />
impact on <strong>the</strong> business, and <strong>the</strong> cost versus <strong>the</strong> benefit of managing <strong>the</strong> risks. Having reviewed <strong>the</strong> various areas of<br />
potential risks facing <strong>the</strong> Company and <strong>the</strong> control measures employed <strong>to</strong> manage <strong>the</strong>se risks, <strong>the</strong> Audit Committee is<br />
satisfied that <strong>the</strong> internal controls in <strong>the</strong> Company are adequate.<br />
PRINCIPLE 13<br />
The company should establish an internal audit function that is independent of <strong>the</strong> activities it audits.<br />
The Company outsources its internal audit function <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Group Internal Audit Department (“GIA”) of <strong>Far</strong> <strong>East</strong><br />
Organization, <strong>the</strong> Company’s parent. GIA reports directly <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Audit Committee and also reports administratively <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Chairman of <strong>the</strong> Board.<br />
Having regard <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Standards for <strong>the</strong> Professional Practice of Internal Auditing of <strong>the</strong> Institute of Internal Audi<strong>to</strong>rs, and<br />
having reviewed <strong>the</strong> functions and organisational structure of GIA, <strong>the</strong> Audit Committee is satisfied that GIA meets <strong>the</strong><br />
requisite standards, is adequately resourced, and has appropriate standing within <strong>the</strong> Company.<br />
The Audit Committee ensures <strong>the</strong> adequacy of <strong>the</strong> internal audit function by examining <strong>the</strong> scope of GIA’s work,<br />
<strong>the</strong> quality of <strong>the</strong>ir reports, <strong>the</strong>ir qualifications and training, <strong>the</strong>ir relationship with <strong>the</strong> independent audi<strong>to</strong>r and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
independence of <strong>the</strong> areas reviewed.<br />
PRINCIPLE 14<br />
Companies should engage in regular, effective and fair communication with shareholders.<br />
The Company strives <strong>to</strong> disclose information <strong>to</strong> its shareholders in a timely manner and typically makes announcements<br />
through SGXNET. It also responds <strong>to</strong> queries from inves<strong>to</strong>rs, fund managers and analysts but without making selective<br />
disclosure.<br />
15<br />
ORCHARD PARADE HOLDINGS LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2008