Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) announced it will postpone its annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders because of Covid-19 and will implement an interim dividend replacement instead of proposing an annual dividend.
"Due to the 2019 coronavirus outbreak, the government has requested the private sector consider postponing activities that involve large gatherings of people, which is a key risk to virus transmission," said AIS chief executive Somchai Lertsuttiwong.
"With due consideration of the changing situation each week as well as the safety of all AGM attendees and staff, the board of directors resolved to postpone the AGM previously scheduled for March 30 at 2pm at Centara Grand Central Plaza Ladprao until further notice."
The company will inform its shareholders of a new AGM date when the Covid-19 situation is resolved.
To maintain shareholders' right to receive a dividend, AIS's board of directors approved an interim dividend at the same rate of 3.56 baht per share, replacing the proposed annual dividend at the AGM.
The record date for the right to receive dividends remains the same -- Feb 20 -- while the payment date remains April 22.
"The company would like to apologise for the postponement of the AGM until further notice," Mr Somchai said. "This will not have any significant impact on the company's business operation or the shareholders' right to receive the dividend."