Our board of directors consists of thirteen directors, five of whom are independent nonexecutive directors. The directors are elected at a meeting of our shareholders for a term of three years, renewable upon re-election and re-appointment. The functions and duties conferred on the board of directors include:

    convening shareholders' meetings and reporting its work to the shareholders' meetings;
    implementing the resolutions of the shareholders' meetings;
    determining our business plans and investment plans;
    formulating our annual budget and final accounts;
    formulating our proposals for dividend and bonus distributions and for the increase or reduction of capital; and
    exercising other powers, functions and duties as conferred by our articles of association.

Our board of directors has four principal committees: an audit committee, an investment and development committee, an evaluation and remuneration committee and a health, safety and environment committee.