The Unit Trust of Samoa (Trust) convened it’s 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) for unitholders on Friday, 19th of August 2022. The AGM was well attended with members participating in person and also virtually via an online video link.
One hundred and twenty-nine (129) unitholders holding up to 42 million units representing 51% of total units registered, participated in the AGM, according to a statement issued by the UTOS.
The main item on the agenda was the discussion of the UTOS Annual Report for financial year ending 30th June 2021.
The Trustees made their remarks during the meeting and highlighted the critical aspect of their independent role. Their core responsibility is to ensure that the unitholder funds are secure and investment decisions are in line with unitholders’ best interests to earn optimal returns.
The Trustees reiterated the importance of their role as watch-dogs and stated that all the work carried by UTOS (Management) Limited was in accordance with relevant legislations and guidelines and emphasised that no insider trading occurred during the period.
The keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Susuga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo. This was her inaugural keynote address since taking on the role as the Minister of Finance and the Unit Trust of Samoa (Management) Limited.
She spoke about the first Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS) FY2021/2022 – FY2025/2026 that was developed by the Government to guide its socio-economic development over the next four (4) years.
The Government’s aspiration is to “nurture growth that benefits all of our people”, hence the main priority for this PDS is human development. When our families are well developed, our villages and churches will progress, and therefore our Country as whole will continue to cultivate positive growth.
One of the reasons why UTOS was set up, is to provide opportunities for all Samoans to invest their funds for better returns.
Returns from UTOS have been capitalized by some unitholders to inject more resources to their existing businesses or develop new business interests, which has contributed to the development and the economy of Samoa.
She spoke on the challenges faced by the Trust fund resulting from the pandemic and increasing threats from climate change. Despite this, the Trust continues to deliver positive results and for that she commended the Trustees, Board and Management and especially the unitholders for maintaining their trust in UTOS.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for UTOS (Management) Limited provided a brief presentation on main decisions undertaken by the Board of Directors during the financial year 2021, as well as highlights of achievements accomplished by the Trust. The CEO also presented a detailed explanation of the different existing structures between the Unit Trust of Samoa (Trust) and the Unit Trust of Samoa (Management) Ltd and their governance arrangements.
The Annual Report for the financial year ending 30th June 2021 was discussed and subsequently passed by the unitholders.
The unitholders openly raised questions and concerns which were addressed by the Board and Management accordingly. Unitholders thanked the Board and Management for the work carried out to ensure that their funds are secure as they continue to gain returns despite the challenges of the last two years.
The key highlights of achievements accomplished by the Trust during the financial year ending 30th June 2021 include;
16% growth in the number of unitholders compared to FY2020 (FY2020: 3,299)
The unit price recorded a 10 sene increase during the year (July 2020: $1.66)
A total dividend of SAT$6.60 million was declared for distribution to unitholders which is
representative of a 6.6% increase in distribution compared to the prior year (FY2020:
SAT$6.19m)
The Total Investment Portfolio increased by 3.48% to SAT$164 million at the end of FY2021
(FY2020: $158m)
Total Income increased by 25% compared to FY2020 as was driven by key portfolio allocation
decisions that were made to address impacts brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic (FY2020:
SAT$10.4m)
Overall, the Trust recorded a Net Comprehensive Income of SAT$7.55 million for FY2021
(FY2020: SAT$7.54m)
The total Net Assets for the Trust as at 30th June 2021 was SAT$139 million (FY2020:
SAT$135m)
The total Assets of the Trust as at 30th June 2021 was SAT$170 million (FY2020: SAT$164m)
This AGM was convened much later than usual due to the State of Emergency gathering restrictions. The next AGM to discuss the Annual Report for financial year ending 30th June 2022 will be convened at the usual timelines and is tentatively scheduled for November 2022.
UTOS (Trust) is a private trust owned by the Unitholders with its assets entrusted to a Trustee Company which holds in trust the funds of the unit holders.
These funds are invested into a diversified portfolio of assets ranging from term deposits, government securities and shares in privately owned companies. Its social objective is inclusivity; allowing for accessible and affordable investment for ordinary Samoans. Its commercial objective is to generate returns for the unitholders.
