With effect from 31 August 2018, private companies can be exempted from holding AGMs if they send their financial statements to their members within five months after the financial year end.  

The exemption to hold an AGM is subject to the following safeguards:

1. A member who wishes to request that an AGM be held must notify the company no later than 14 days before the end of the sixth month after the financial year end
2. Directors must hold an AGM within 6 months after the financial year end if notified by any member of the company to do so. The company may seek the Registrar’s approval for an extension of time to hold AGM by the deadline (i.e. before the end of the six months after the financial year end)
3. Private companies must hold a general meeting to lay financial statements if any member or auditor requests for it no later than 14 days after the financial statements are sent out. Directors must, within 14 days after the date of request, hold a general meeting to lay the financial statements.

Private dormant relevant companies*, which are exempt from preparing financial statements, do not need to hold AGMs, subject to the above safeguards.

*A private dormant relevant company is a private company which is dormant, not listed (or not a subsidiary of a listed company); and has total assets less than or equal to $500,000 (consolidated value if it is an ultimate parent).