Deteriorating Business
Challenging economic conditions surfaced soon after and AWT was faced with rapidly deteriorating operating cash flow problems. In December 2007, AWT exceeded a gearing ratio, breaching a financial covenant relating to the Series 1 bonds issued. Although AWT obtained a waiver on the covenant breach, it breached another covenant due to the failure to complete a restructuring plan. As a result, the second US$30 million tranche of bonds was cancelled. However, at the request of AWT, bondholders agreed to observe a standstill period, where they would not terminate the BSA or demand for the outstanding amounts. In exchange, the company was restricted from further investments in any projects and prohibited from executing any related EPC contracts.