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eCargo

ecg · ASX Industrials
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Ticker ecg
Exchange ASX
Sector Industrials
Industry Engineering & Construction
Employees 51-200
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FY2018 Annual Report · eCargo
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We are a fully-fledged Online to Offline trading and service provider that 

propels brands and retailers into the Chinese virtual and bricks and 

mortar shelves with a unique one-stop solution

NEW RETAIL
Online to Offline

www.eCargo.com

Annual Report

2018

For personal use onlyeCargo Holdings Limited (ASX: ECG) (“ECG”) is a fully-fledged 
Online to Offline trading and service provider that propels brands 
and retailers into the Chinese virtual and bricks and mortar shelves 
with a unique one-stop solution. It comprises a specialist execution 
group of companies, with operating companies in China and 
Australia trading under the brand names of eCargo, Metcash Asia, 
Jessica’s Suitcase and Amblique, providing on-demand digital 
commerce strategy, China trading strategy, technology development 
and the related execution services for retailers and brands.

eCargo acts as a “one-stop” enabling partner for designer fashion, 
branded apparel and retail companies seeking to sell their products 
online in China by providing integrated online and offline technology 
and supply chain solutions.

Metcash wholesales and distributes to a number of 

supermarkets and retail groups in China and operates 

cross-border eCommerce stores through key platforms 
such as Alibaba’s Tmall Global and JD Worldwide.

Jessica’s Suitcase, headquartered in Sydney, operates 
an online store on Alibaba’s Tmall Global, offering 
quality Australia and New Zealand groceries and 
foodstuff products to Chinese consumers through the 
cross-border online channel.

Amblique is a leading digital commerce consultancy, 
providing retail strategy, eCommerce platform 
implementation and optimisation services in Australia 
and New Zealand. 

“The acquisition of Jessica’s 
Suitcase and Metcash’s China 
business enabled ECG to 
be a fully integrated Online 
Retailer to Offline Distributor to 
fulfill the strong demand from 
Chinese consumers.”

Mr. John Lau,
Executive Chairman

3

4

8

14

32

40

48

53

124

128

About ECGFor personal use only3

2018 Highlights

4

Chairman Statement

8

Board of Directors and Executive Team

14

Corporate Governance Report

32

Directors’ Report

40

Independent Auditor’s Report

48

Consolidated Financial Statements

53

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

124

ASX Additional Information

128

Corporate Directory

ContentsFor personal use onlySelected financial 
data translated into 
Australian dollars

The financial statements for eCargo 
Holdings Limited (the “Company”) 
presented in this document are expressed 
in Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”). Selected 
financial data has been translated 
from HK$ into Australian dollars (“A$”) 
to enable Share/CHESS Depository 
Interest (“CDI”) holders to interpret the 
financial performance of the Company. 
Such foreign currency translations are 
unaudited and have been provided to 
Share/CDI holders for easier reference 
purposes only and may not present 
the Company’s financial position or 
performance in a fair manner.

2

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

For personal use only•  Positive Operating Cash Flow of HK$4.6 million, 
increased by HK$20.5 million from negative cash 
flow of HK$15.9 million in 2017 

•  Adjusted EBITDA* loss reduced 38% to HK$10.0 

million 

•  Successful Acquisition of Metcash’s China 

Business subsequent to year-end enabled ECG 
to be a fully integrated Online Retailer to Offline 
Distributor 

•  ECG became the only ASX listed Chinese 
eCommerce and wholesale business

Adjusted EBITDA 
loss improvement

38%

Positive 
Operating  
Cash Flow

HK 
$4.6 
Million

*  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before non-cash items such as 
interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, share of results of an associate, 
impairment provision for interest in an associate, gain or loss on fair value of 
acquisitions and financial derivatives, and impact of foreign exchange.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

3

Highlights 2018Highlights 2018For personal use onlyDear Shareholders,

On behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), I am 
pleased to present the Annual Report of eCargo Holdings 
Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, collectively 
“ECG” for the year ended December 31, 2018.

financial year, together with Jessica’s Suitcase, which is 
already 100% owned by ECG, has completely transformed 
ECG business into a fully-fledged Online to Offline 
platform that propels brands and retailers into the China 
market with a unique one-stop solution.

2018 has been a year of 
strategy formulation for ECG 
following 2017’s business 
transformation plan which 
emphasised consolidating 
ongoing business offerings 
and cost reduction initiatives. 
I am pleased to report that 
today’s result is the reflection 
of ongoing implementation of our transformation, 
achieving positive operating cash flow from the existing 
core business segments, closed non-core business that 
underperformed and identified acquisition targets that 
complements ECG’s redefined strategies. ECG has 
continued to increase operating efficiency and reduce 
costs. Barring the non-cash losses and the non-recurring 
costs, ECG has achieved a positive adjusted EBITDA* for 
2018, the first time since its IPO in 2014.

Financial performance

ECG reported that the net 
loss increased to HK$134.7 
million (2017: HK$68.5 million) 
primarily reflecting the non-
cash charges on the interests in 
associates such as (i) HK$72.5 
million impairment on MM-E-Commerce Limited; (ii) fair 
value gain on financial assets at fair value through profit or 
loss of HK$13.9 million; and (iii) loss on disposal of interest 
in an associate of HK$39.0 million. Aside from the non-cash 
items and the non-recurring costs, operating expenses 
were HK$75.9 million (2017: HK$96.9 million) with major 
savings coming from personnel costs which decreased 
from HK$81.6 million of 2017 to this year’s HK$62.3 million.

The 2018 financial results demonstrates that ECG is 
moving to the right direction. The completion of the 
acquisition of Metcash’s China Business subsequent to the 

Consolidated revenue of the year was HK$134.5 million 
(2017: HK$144.5 million) with HK$32.5 million (2017: 
HK$49.8 million) coming from the eCommerce-enabling 
business, HK$97.1 million (2017: HK$92.3 million) 

4

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Chairman Statementbrands and products into ChinaECG completely transformed into a fully-fledged  Online to Offline platform ““Bringing foreignFor personal use onlycontributed by Amblique while HK$2.5 million (2017: nil) 
from Jessica’s Suitcase when ECG started to consolidate 
Jessica’s Suitcase results in its group accounts following 
its full acquisition in November 2018. The remaining was 
licensing revenue of HK$2.4 million attributed to the 
corporate segment same as the previous year.

The eOperations and eFulfilment units continued 
to be the core revenue drivers of the eCommerce-
enabling business despite the segment’s total revenue 
decreasing by 33% compared to last 2017. The decline 
in revenue was expected given it was primarily revenue 
from non-core businesses that were discontinued during 
the year.

Amblique’s revenue, primarily comprising the sharing of 
clients’ sales generated from the online storefront built 
under the reseller agreement and revenue earned from 
providing enhancements and value added services to 
the existing clients, remained stable compared to 2017.

Gross profit for the year decreased by 11% to HK$71.5 
million and gross profit margin for the year was 
approximately 53%, inclined by 3% from 2017.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

5

Chairman StatementAcquisition of Jessica’s SuitcaseFor personal use onlyAcquisition of 
Metcash’s 
China Business

The result was mainly attributable 
to the ongoing implementation of 
ECG’s transformation which ECG 
achieved positive operating cash 
flow from the existing core business 
segments, closed non-core business 
that underperformed and identified 
acquisition targets that complements 
ECG’s redefined strategies.

The Company did not propose any 
dividend distribution or buy back 
during the year.

Evolving our strategy

ECG aims to increase Shareholders’ 
value though sustainable business 

growth, with our vision to be a “one-
stop” enabling partner for brands and 
retailers seeking to sell their products 
in China by providing integrated 
online and offline technology and 
supply chain solutions.

Looking forward

The acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase 
and Metcash Export allows ECG 
to create a one-stop offering for 
businesses intent on capturing 
the attention of China’s growing 
consumer market, taking their 
products to Chinese virtual and bricks 
and mortar shelves. The combined 
businesses offer:

• 

• 

• 

• 

eCommerce operations and 
content generation services;

Online incubation platform for 
small and emerging brands;

B2C multi-platform, multi-brand 
eCommerce hub for established 
brands;

B2B wholesale distributor in 
1st–4th tier cities with tailored 
market activation strategy; and

6

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Chairman StatementFor personal use only• 

Leading Alibaba Tmall Stores of 
Jessica’s Suitcase and Metcash 
as well as Key Opinion Leader 
endorsement on key products.

ECG will continue to develop its best-
in-class technologies and invest in 
people to support this strategy. I am 
confident of our ability on helping 
foreign retailers and brands in the 
China market as well as within the 
region, and bringing diversified 
choices of high quality products to 
the consumers in China.

On behalf of ECG, I would like to 
thank the Board of Directors, the 
management and every member 
of our committed staff for their 

dedication and hard work on 
turning around the business, and 
our Shareholders and Stakeholders 
for their continued confidence and 
support. I look forward to seeing you 
at our upcoming Annual General 
Meeting.

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

7

Chairman StatementECG will continue to develop its best-in-class technologies and invest in people to support this strategy.”“For personal use onlyThe Board of Directors (the “Board”) currently consists of six Directors, comprising one Executive Directors, two Non-
Executive Directors and three Independent Non-Executive Directors.

The Board has broad experience in the retail supply chain, eCommerce, logistics, finance and retail management. The 
Board is well-positioned to develop and implement ECG’s strategic objectives.

In accordance with ASX Listing Rules 14.4, a Director of an entity must not hold office (without re-election) past the third 
Annual General Meeting following the Director’s appointment or 3 years, and a Director of an entity is appointed as an 
addition to the Board during the year, must not hold office (without re-election) past the next Annual General Meeting 
following the Director’s appointment.

Mr. John Lau and Mr. Heath Zarin shall retire by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, 
offer themselves for re-election.

8

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Board of Directors and Executive TeamBoard of Directors  and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyName

Position

Independence

Re-appointment date

Mr. John Lau

Executive Chairman, Executive Director Non-independent

May 15, 2017

Mr. Christopher Lau

Non-Executive Director

Non-independent

June 20, 2018

Ms. Jessica Rudd

Non-Executive Director

Non-independent

June 20, 2018

Mr. Rupert Myer AO

Non-Executive Director

Independent

June 20, 2018

Mr. Heath Zarin

Non-Executive Director

Independent

May 15, 2017

Mr. Dennis Lin

Non-Executive Director

Independent

June 20, 2018

Mr. John Lau is the Executive Chairman, founder and Executive Director of 

ECG. He is Chairman and founder of ECG’s largest shareholder, JL 
Enterprises Holdings Limited (“JL Enterprises”). He is Group Managing 
Director and founder of ECG’s strategic investor, CS Logistics Holdings 
Limited (“CS Logistic”). He is the Managing Director and founder of Cargo 
Services Far East Limited (“Cargo Services”), a principal operating subsidiary 
of the CS Logistics group of companies and Managing Director and founder 
of Xin Hai Hua Enterprises.

Mr. John Lau brings more than 40 years of experience in trading, shipping 
and logistics in China. Over the years, he cooperated successfully with 
major financial sponsors in Asia such as Prudential Asia and HSBC Principal 
Investments. His pursuit for excellence in providing professional services 
is well known and acknowledged by many major retailers and brands 
worldwide.

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman and 
Executive Director

Mr. John Lau founded Cargo Services in 1990 as an ocean freight non-vessel 
operating cargo carrier. He has led the growth of Cargo Services in becoming 
a leader in international logistics. Today, Cargo Services is the largest 
privately owned integrated logistics service provider and freight forwarder in 
China and Hong Kong.

Mr. John Lau founded Midstream Holdings Limited (“MHL”) in 1995. He was Managing Director of MHL from 1995 to 
1997. MHL was acquired by Hutchison Port Holdings in 1997.

Mr. John Lau founded Wide Shine Terminals Limited (“WST”) in 1990. He was Managing Director and founder of WST 
from 1990 to 1995. WST was subsequently acquired by MHL in 1995.

Mr. John Lau founded Hoi Kong Terminals Limited (“Hoi Kong”) in 1986. He was the Managing Director from 1986 to 
1990. Hoi Kong was acquired by Jardines Shipping Services Limited in 1990.

Mr. John Lau holds Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Hong Kong, and joined Dodwell & Co. in their 
Hong Kong buying office working with many international retailers and trading companies sourcing from China. He 
quickly rose to become a director at Dodwell & Co. He left Dodwell & Co. in 1983 to start his own businesses in shipping 
and international logistics.

Mr. John Lau was appointed as a committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Nanjing 
Committees in the tenth and eleventh elections.

Mr. John Lau served as Independent Non-executive Director of Golden Eagle Retail Group Limited (SEHK: 3308) from 
1999 to 2011 and Nanjing Sample Technology Company Limited (SEHK: 1708) from 2003 to 2011.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

9

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMr. Christopher Lau is a founder of ECG. He was the CEO and Executive 
Director of ECG from ECG’s inception until March 14, 2018. On March 14, 
2018, Mr. Christopher Lau was re-designated to Non-Executive Director of 
ECG.

In April 2018, Mr. Christopher Lau rejoined the Cargo Services Group as 
Group Assistant Managing Director and is currently Head of the Greater 
China region. He possesses more than 7 years of experience in international 
retail supply chain and logistics management having worked closely with 
many major retailers in Australia and the United Kingdom in the development 
of their global supply chains including the setup of eCommerce operations in 
China, sourcing offices and QC facilities.

Mr. Christopher Lau was the Group Assistant Managing Director and an 
Executive Director at Cargo Services from 2006 to 2012. He rejoined the 
Group in 2018 and he is currently the Group Assistant Managing Director.  
At Cargo Services, he founded the GAM business in 2007.

Mr. Christopher Lau
Non-Executive Director

Mr. Christopher Lau was instrumental in the transformation of Cargo Services 
to become the leading integrated retail supply chain solutions service 

provider in Hong Kong, contributed significantly in the development and implementation of the LIMA® platforms for 
many retail brands and was involved in the acquisition of Allport Limited together with HSBC’s strategic investment in CS 
Logistics in 2010. He was an Executive Director of CS Logistics from 2010 to 2012.

Mr. Christopher Lau holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the Leonard Stern School of Business 
at New York University. He spent several years with Ernst and Young LLP and Deutsche Bank in New York working in 
audit, structured products and fixed income. He was appointed as a member of the 14th Nanjing Political Consultative 
Conference in 2018, an Honorary Member of the Court at the Hong Kong Baptist University since 2012 and is  
a Vice-Chairman of the fundraising committee of the Dragon Foundation, a non-profit organisation in Hong Kong.

Ms. Jessica Rudd is director and founder of Jessica’s Suitcase, an Australian 
company headquartered in Sydney, which operates an eCommerce store on 
Alibaba’s Tmall Global Platform, offering quality Australia and New Zealand 
products to Chinese consumers through the cross-border online channel.

Ms. Jessica Rudd is an Australian-born-and-based Key Opinion Leader (KOL), 
uniquely placed as an influencer in the eCommerce and digital marketing 
sectors, with strong reach in both Australian and Chinese markets.

Ms. Jessica Rudd was appointed as the first and only Australia and New 
Zealand Lifestyle Ambassador for Alibaba in 2016 and continues to serve in 
that role. In 2017, Ms. Rudd was appointed Non-Executive Director of the 
ASX listed Australian Agricultural Company (ASX: AAC).

Having begun her career as a media and intellectual property lawyer, she 
later moved to London where she worked as a crisis management consultant 
for global communications firm, Hill & Knowlton. In 2009, Ms. Jessica Rudd 
moved to Beijing with her husband. In their 5 years living in Beijing, she wrote 
two novels – Campaign Ruby and its sequel Ruby Blues–and worked as a 
columnist and media commentator.

Ms. Jessica Rudd
Non-Executive Director

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eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMr. Rupert Myer AO is Director of Healthscope Limited and Amcil Limited. 
He serves as Chairman of Nuco Pty Ltd and as a director of The Myer Family 
Investments Pty Ltd and Mutual Trust Pty Ltd.

Since 1986, Mr. Rupert Myer has served as a Non-Executive Board member 
on a diverse range of organizations including listed and unlisted public 
companies, private companies, community sector organisations, State 
and Commonwealth Government Boards and philanthropic foundations. 
Industries and sectors have included retailing, funds management, financial 
services, visual and performing arts, indigenous affairs, philanthropy and 
youth employment.

Mr. Rupert Myer’s experience as a Director has included IPO listings, rights 
issues, special purchase plans, dividend re-investment plans and major re-
financings. He has served both as Chair and as a member of Audit and 
Finance Committees, Remuneration and Nominations Committees and 
Strategy Committees.

Mr. Rupert Myer holds a Master of Arts from Cambridge University and a 
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from the Melbourne University. He is a 
fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr. Heath Zarin is CEO and Managing Director of EmergeVest, a Hong Kong 
based private equity firm with more than USD450 million of assets under 
management.

Mr. Heath Zarin was previously Managing Director and Head of Principal 
Investments, Asia-Pacific, for HSBC, with responsibility for Asian proprietary 
private investment activities. Previously, he founded and ran Emergent 
Investment Group (“EIG”), a Hong Kong-based private investment firm. 
Prior to founding EIG, Mr. Heath Zarin held a series of senior executive roles 
at Credit Suisse, including forming and managing its Asian private equity 
business.

Mr. Heath Zarin practiced corporate law with Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP in 
New York, where he formed and advised hedge funds and private equity 
funds. Mr. Heath Zarin’s current and previous board service includes 
companies across Asia, Europe and North America, in diverse manufacturing 
and service industries. He currently serves as Chairman of EV Cargo, Allport 
Cargo Services, CM Downton, Jigsaw Transport, Palletforce, NFT Distribution 
and Adjuno, as well as non-executive director of CS Logistics.

Mr. Rupert Myer AO
Independent Non-Executive 
Director

Mr. Heath Zarin
Independent Non-Executive 
Director

Mr. Heath Zarin holds a Juris Doctor from the Fordham University School of Law and graduated from the State University 
of New York at Binghamton. He is CFA, CMT and CAIA charterholder and has completed Certificate programs at 
Harvard Business School.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

11

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMr. Dennis Lin is a Strategic Adviser for M&A and China in the corporate 
division of BDO in Australia. He advises on commercial aspects of transactions 
and acts as the lead advisor to foreign entrepreneurial investors on merger 
and acquisition and capital market activities, with particular interests in food 
and agribusiness, and technology sectors. Mr. Lin is also the Chairman of ASX 
listed consumer goods company Bubs Australia Limited (ASX: BUB), as well 
as a Director of Buderim Group Limited (ASX: BUG).

Mr. Dennis Lin was previously a Partner of BDO in Australia and a specialist 
tax practitioner for over 10 years with Mallesons, PricewaterhouseCoopers 
and Deloitte. He speaks fluent Chinese Mandarin, and is a Chartered 
Accountant and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and remains a 
current practitioner of both professions.

Mr. Dennis Lin
Independent Non-Executive 
Director

Executive Team

Mr. Will Zhao joined ECG in February 2019. Based in Shanghai, Mr. Zhao 
leads a team of staff driving strategic and commercial decisions for ECG’s 
businesses in China and Australia.

Prior to joining ECG, Mr. Will Zhao spent 4 years with Metcash China. During 
this time, Mr. Zhao established Metcash’s offline distribution network and 
expanded Metcash’s online offering across various platforms. Mr. Zhao also 
spent 7 years with the Goodman Group in Australia, New Zealand, Hong 
Kong and China specialising in Risk Management. Mr. Zhao also held roles 
with Deloitte, UBS and Moores Rowland in risk and strategic consulting, 
wealth management, tax and accounting. Mr. Zhao holds a Bachelor of 
Commerce from Macquarie University and is a certified internal audit and 
risk management professional.

Mr. Will Zhao has been a regularly speaker on China market entry for brands, 
opportunities and pitfalls of E-Commerce and Trade in China. This includes 
speaking to Australian C-suite delegations through Australian Chamber 
of Commerce in China, Australian Trade Commission and International 
E-Commerce Conventions.

Mr. Will Zhao
Chief Executive Officer

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eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMr. Garnok Cheung is an experienced finance professional bringing a depth 
of knowledge and management experience to ECG. For over two decades 
he has been involved in public accounting, auditing, corporate accounting, 
compliance and has extensive business exposure across industry sectors in 
real estates, hotel hospitality, ports, property development, FMCG  
(fast-moving consumer goods), fashion retailing, eCommerce, digital 
marketing and logistics.

Prior to joining ECG, Garnok was the Chief Financial Officer at ITC 
Corporation Limited (renamed as PT International Development Corporation 
Limited), a company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock 
Exchange (stock code: 372) that invested in a diversified portfolio group of 
listed and unlisted ventures. Garnok started his career at the Hong Kong 
office of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and continued in the public accounting 
field at the offices PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong Kong and New York, and 
at KPMG in Hong Kong, accumulating over 7 years of experience in public 
accounting and auditing.

Garnok received his Bachelor degree in Finance from the University of 
Hong Kong in 1998. He is a Certified Public Accountant recognised by the 
Washington State, U.S.A, and is a general member of the American Institute 
of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a Chartered Global Management 
Accountant.

Hai Yun Chen is the Chief Product Officer of ECG based in Sydney. Hai Yun 
oversees brands, products and supply chain strategies from Australia, New 
Zealand and other leading export countries, as well as develop new direct 
export sales channels for eCargo’s business in China and South East Asia.

Prior to joining ECG, Hai Yun spent 3 years with Metcash Asia based in the 
Metcash head office in Sydney. During this time Hai Yun was instrumental 
to the overall success of Metcash Asia in China, by partnering with brands, 
securing supply chain, develop and manage various export channels from 
Australia to China. Prior to Metcash, Hai Yun has spent 8 years in establishing 
and running private label food sourcing for Woolworths based out of 
Woolworths’ Global Sourcing office in Shanghai. Hai Yun also has buying 
experiences previously with Australian retailers BigW and ADRT. She holds 
a Master of Finance degree and Bachelor of Commerce degree major in 
International Business and Marketing from University of New South Wales.

Mr. Garnok Cheung
Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Hai Yun Chen
Chief Product Officer

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

13

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyThe Board is pleased to present this corporate governance report for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Corporate Governance Practices

The Company is committed to conduct its business consistent with the highest standards of corporate governance 
practices and procedure. The Company recognises that sound corporate governance practices are fundamental to the 
effective and transparent operation of the Company and it is vital to its ability to protect the rights of its Shareholders 
and enhance Shareholders’ value.

The Company adopted the following policies and charters. Each of these policies and charters are set out in the 
Corporate Governance Plan adopted by the Board on September 18, 2014. The Corporate Governance Plan is 
incorporated by reference into this annual report and is prepared to fully address the principles and provision set out in 
the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations.

A copy of each of the below policies and charters are available on the Company’s website at www.eCargo.com.

The Board Charter

This charter sets out the principles for the operation of the Board and the functions and responsibilities of the Board and 
management of the Company. The Board Charter contains the Board skills matrix.

Code of Conduct

This policy sets out the standards of ethical behaviour that the Company expects from its Directors, officers and 
employees.

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eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportCorporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlySecurities Trading Policy

This policy is designed to maintain investor confidence in the integrity of the Company’s internal controls and procedures 
and to provide guidance on avoiding any breach of the insider trading laws in Australia.

Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter

This charter sets out the principles for the operation of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Nomination and Remuneration Committee Charter

This charter sets out the principles for the operation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Continuous Disclosure Policy and Communications Strategy

Rules and the Company Ordinance to ensure the Company discloses 
to ASX any information concerning the Company which is not generally 
available and which a reasonable person would expect to have a 
material effect on the price or value of the CDIs. This policy sets out 
certain procedures and measures which are designed to ensure that 
the Company complies with its continuous disclosure obligations. This 
policy also sets out practices which the Company will implement to 
ensure effective communication with its Shareholders.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

15

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyDiversity Policy

This policy sets out practices which the Company is committed to workplace diversity. Due to the relative small size of 
the Company, the Board had not set any objectives on gender diversity during the financial year ended December 31, 
2018. The Board recognized the benefit arise from achieving various forms of diversity and will continues to evaluate the 
setting of objectives on workplace diversity.

The table below shows the proportion of male and female representation across ECG, the senior management and at 
the Board level.

Job level

Board of Directors

Management

All employees

* 

Management represent General Manager grade or above

Board of Directors

Male

83%

71%

33%

Female

17%

29%

67%

The Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the Company. Issues of substance affecting the 
Company are considered by the Board, with advice from external advisors as required.

The Board’s role in risk oversight includes reviewing reports from management and the Audit and Risk Management 
Committee on a regular basis regarding material risks faced by the Company and applicable mitigation strategies and 
activities.

The reports detail the effectiveness of the risk management program and identify and address material business risks 
such as technological, strategic, business, operational, financial, human resources and legal/regulatory risks.

The Board and its committees consider these reports, discuss matters with the management and identify and evaluate 
any potential strategic or operational risks, and appropriate activity to address those risks. The responsibilities of the 
Board are set down in the Company’s Board Charter, which has been prepared having regard to the ASX Corporate 
Governance Council, Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, 3rd Edition (ASX Corporate Governance 
Principles and Recommendations).

Composition of the Board, number of the Board meetings and Directors Attendance

The Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance provides that the 
minimum number of Directors is two and that this minimum may only be changed by a majority vote of the Shareholders. 
The Company currently has six Directors serving on the Board, including one Executive Director (“ED”), two Non-
Executive Directors (“NED”) and three Independent Non-Executive Directors (“INED”). The biographies detail of each 
Director are included in the “Board of Directors and Executive Team” section of this Annual Report.

There were more than four meetings of the Board and the Committee held during the year ended December 31, 2018. 
The following is the attendance record of the Directors at the Board and Committee meetings, and at the Shareholder 
meeting held during the year.

16

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyeCargo  Annual Report 2018

17

Corporate Governance ReportBrand BuildingFor personal use only18

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportOmni-Channel SolutionsFor personal use onlyBoard of 
Directors

Audit and Risk 
Management 
Committee

Nomination and 
Remuneration 
Committee

Annual 
General 
Meeting

7/8

7/8

7/8

8/8

7/8

5/8

3/8

N/A

N/A

N/A

3/3

3/3

1/3

2/3

N/A

N/A

N/A

2/2

2/2

1/2

1/2

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

0/1

1/1

0/1

Name

Position

Mr. John Lau

Mr. Christopher Lau

Ms. Jessica Rudd

Mr. Rupert Myer AO

Mr. Heath Zarin

Mr. Dennis Lin

Mr. Christopher Ryan

ED

NED

NED1

INED

INED

INED2

INED3

1 
2 
3 

Appointed on 24 January 2018
Appointed on 9 April 2018
Resigned on 9 April 2018

Practices and Conduct of Meetings

Notice of the Board and Committee meetings is given to all the Directors at least 7 days in advance. Annual meeting 
schedules and the draft agenda of each meeting are normally made available to the Directors in advance. Arrangements 
are in place to allow the Directors to include items in the agenda, and final agenda together with the Board papers are 
sent to the Directors within reasonable time. Each Director also has separate and independent access to the senior 
management where necessary.

Minutes of the Board meetings are kept by the Company Secretary. Draft minutes are circulated to the Directors for 
comment within a reasonable time after each meeting.

Each Director must bring an independent view and judgment to the Board and must declare all conflicts of interest 
including confirmation of Director’s interests in securities and declaration of any trading activities. Any issue concerning 
a Director must be brought to the attention of the Board as soon as practicable, and unless a resolution has been passed 
by the non-interested Directors allowing the interested Director to remain in the meeting and participate in discussions, 
Directors may not participate in discussions or resolutions pertaining to any matter in which the Director has a material 
personal interest.

Appointment and Re-election of Directors

The Company uses a formal and transparent procedure for the appointment, election and removal of Directors, which 
is set out in the Company’s Articles of Associations and is conducted by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, 
which will make recommendations on new Director appointment to the Board for approval.

Each of the Director is engaged on services contract and subject to re-election. Further details of the appointment, 
election and removal of Director are set out in the “Board of Directors and Executive Team” section of this Annual 
Report.

Induction and Ongoing Development

Each of the newly appointed Director receives a formal, comprehensive and tailored induction to ensure his or her 
understanding of the business and operations of the Company and awareness of the Director’s responsibilities and 
obligations.

The Company encourages all Directors participate in continuous professional development in order to develop and 
refresh their knowledge and skills. During the year, the Directors had updated on the development of statutory and 
regulatory regime and the business environment provided by the Company and external parties.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

19

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyBoard Committees

The Board has established two standing committees to facilitate and assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities as set 
out below. The Board may also establish other committees from time to time.

Each of these committees has the responsibilities described in the committee charters (which have been prepared having 
regard to the ASX Corporate Governance Principles) adopted by the Company.

Committee

Overview

Member

Audit and Risk 
Management 
Committee

Nomination and 
Remuneration 
Committee

Oversees the Company’s corporate accounting 
and financial reporting, including auditing of the 
Company’s financial statements, reviewing the 
performance of the Company’s internal audit function 
and the qualifications, independence, performance 
and terms of engagement of the Company’s external 
auditor. Manages the process of identification and 
management of risk.

Mr. Rupert Myer AO (Chairman)
Mr. Heath Zarin
Mr. Dennis Lin  

(appointed on 9 April 2018)

Mr. Christopher Ryan  

(resigned on 9 April 2018)

Remuneration:
Establishes, amends, reviews and approves the 
compensation and benefit plans with respect to 
senior management and employees of the Company 
including determining individual elements of total 
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and 
other members of senior management.

Mr. Heath Zarin (Chairman)
Mr. Rupert Myer AO
Mr. Dennis Lin  

(appointed on 9 April 2018)

Mr. Christopher Ryan  

(resigned on 9 April 2018)

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee 
is responsible for forming a view and making 
a recommendation to the Board on the most 
appropriate compensation for key employees. 
For instance, the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee may determine that non-monetary 
compensation, such as employee options or 
employee shares, is an appropriate compensation as 
a way of:

• 

recognising ongoing contributions by key 
employees to the achievement by the Company 
of long term strategic goals;

•  aligning the interests of participants with other 
holders of shares in the Company through the 
sharing of a personal interest in the future growth 
and development of the Company; and

•  providing a means of attracting and retaining 

skilled and experienced employees.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is 
also responsible for reviewing the performance of the 
Company’s executive officers with respect to these 
elements of compensation.

Nomination:
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee 
recommends the candidates nominated as a Director 
at each Annual General Meeting and ensures that the 
Audit and Risk Management, and Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees of the Board have the 
benefit of qualified and experienced independent 
Directors.

20

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyeCargo  Annual Report 2018

21

Corporate Governance ReportOne-Stop O2O SolutionsFor personal use onlyASX Corporate Governance principles

The Board has evaluated the current corporate governance policies and practices in light of the ASX Corporate 
Governance Principles.

The Board considers that the Company generally complies with the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and, where 
the Company does not comply, this is primarily due to the current relative size of the Company and scale of its current 
operations. Comments on compliance and departures are set out below.

Principles/recommendations

Does the Company 
comply?

Particulars of compliance & if not why not

Principle 1 – Lay solid foundations for management and oversight

Complied

Recommendation 1.1:
Companies should disclose:
the respective roles and 
• 
responsibilities of its Board and 
management; and
those matters expressly 
reserved to the Board and those 
delegated to management.

• 

Complied

Recommendation 1.2:
Companies should:
•  undertake appropriate checks 
before appointing a person, 
or putting forward to security 
holders a candidate for election, 
as a Director; and

•  provide security holders with 
all material information in its 
possession relevant to a decision 
on whether or not to elect or re-
elect a Director.

The Board’s responsibilities are contained in the 
Company’s Board Charter. The Company’s Board 
Charter is contained in the Corporate Governance 
Plan.

The functions of the Board and Chairman are 
specifically set out in the Board Charter. The functions 
delegated to senior executives are contained in the 
Delegation of Authority Agreement, contained in the 
Corporate Governance Plan.

The Board’s responsibilities in relation to Director 
appointments are contained in the Company’s Board 
Charter. The Company’s Board Charter is contained in 
the Corporate Governance Plan. Appropriate checks, 
including bankruptcy checks and police checks are 
part of the listing process.

The requirement for the appropriate checks prior 
to appointment a Director or putting forward a 
candidate for election as a Director as well as the 
provision of all material information in the Board’s 
possession to Shareholders relevant to a decision on 
whether or not to elect or re-elect a Director is clearly 
mentioned in the Board Charter.

All material information in relation whether to elect 
or re-elect a Director is contained in the Company’s 
notice of meeting and explanatory statement.

Recommendation 1.3:
Companies should have a written 
agreement with each Director and 
senior executive setting out the 
terms of their appointment.

Recommendation 1.4:
The Company Secretary must be 
directly accountable to the Board, 
through the chair on all matters to 
do with the proper functioning of 
the Board.

Complied

The Company has entered into such agreements with 
each Director and senior executive.

Complied

The Company Secretary is accountable directly to 
the Board, through the Chairman, on all matters to 
do with the proper functioning of the Board. The 
accountability and details of the role of the Company 
Secretary are contained in the Company’s Board 
Charter.

22

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyRecommendation 1.5:
Companies should:
•  have a diversity policy which 

Complied

The Board has established a Diversity Policy. The 
Diversity Policy is contained in the Corporate 
Governance Plan.

includes requirements for the 
Board or a relevant committee 
of the Board to set measurable 
objectives for achieving gender 
diversity and to assess annually 
both the objectives and the 
entity’s progress in achieving 
them;

•  disclose that policy or a 
summary of it; and

•  disclose as at the end of each 

reporting period the measurable 
objectives for achieving gender 
diversity set by the Board or a 
relevant committee of the Board 
in accordance with the entity’s 
diversity policy and its progress 
towards achieving them.

Recommendation 1.6:
Companies should:
•  have and disclose a process 

for periodically evaluating the 
performance of the board, 
its committees and individual 
Directors; and

•  disclose, in relation to each 
reporting period, whether a 
performance evaluation was 
undertaken in the reporting 
period in accordance with that 
process.

Recommendation 1.7:
Companies should:
•  have and disclose a process 
for periodically evaluating 
the performance of its senior 
executives; and

•  disclose, in relation to each 
reporting period, whether a 
performance evaluation was 
undertaken in the reporting 
period in accordance with that 
process.

The Board considered the importance of talent and 
concluded when recruiting workforce, everyone 
should be provided with equal opportunity; and there 
should be no difference in gender, age, ethnicity, 
race, disability and cultural background. With the 
Company’s scale of operation is small, the Board had 
not set any objectives of gender diversity during the 
financial year ended December 31, 2018. However, 
the Board recognized the benefit arise from achieving 
various forms of diversity and will continue to evaluate 
the setting of objectives on workplace diversity.

Complied

The Board has established these processes. A 
summary of the processes are set out below.

The Board and each Board Committee is responsible 
for the evaluating the performance of the Board and 
Board Committee on an annual basis by referring to 
the requirements of the Board Charter.

The Chairman is responsible for the review of 
individual Directors. Each Director is met privately 
with the Chairman to discuss the assessment. In 
addition to the annual review, the Chairman regularly 
provides informal feedback to individual Directors.

Complied

The Board has established these processes. A 
summary of the processes are set out below.

The Chairman is responsible for the review of the 
senior management assessment processes from time 
to time to ensure that they remain consistent with the 
Company’s overall objectives for the business.

All senior executives undergo a performance and 
development review on an annual basis, each 
senior executive meets privately with the Chairman 
to discuss the assessment and is provided with 
feedback on their performance, when appropriate, 
a development plan is also agreed to support the 
ongoing contribution of the executive to the needs of 
business.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

23

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use only24

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Develop Marketing StrategyCorporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyPrinciple 2 – Structure the Board to add value

Complied

The Board has established a Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee.

The function of the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee is contained in the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee Charter. The Company’s 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee Charter is 
contained in the Corporate Governance Plan.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is 
chaired by Mr. Heath Zarin, an independent Director, 
and consists three non-executive Directors. Of 
these members, all are independent Non-Executive 
Directors, namely, Mr. Heath Zarin, Mr. Rupert Myer 
AO and Mr. Dennis Lin.

For the individual attendances, please refer to 
“Composition of the Board, number of the Board 
meetings and Directors Attendance” section of this 
report.

The Board maintains a Board Skills Matrix of the 
current Directors of the Board. The Company’s Board 
Skills Matrix is contained in the Board Charter which is 
contained in the Corporate Governance Plan.

Currently the Board consists of six members, of which 
three are independent Non-Executive Directors, 
namely, Mr. Rupert Myer AO, Mr. Heath Zarin and Mr. 
Dennis Lin.

The Board has assessed, using the criteria set 
out in the ASX Corporate Governance Principles 
and Recommendations, the independence of 
Non-Executive Directors in light of their interests 
and relationships and considers them all to be 
independent.

Complied

Complied

Recommendation 2.1:
The Board should establish a 
nomination committee which
•  consists of a majority of 
independent Directors;
is chaired by an independent 
chair; and

• 

•  has at least three members.
The board must disclose the charter 
of the committee, the members 
of the committee, the number 
of times the committee has met 
throughout a reporting period and 
the individual attendances of the 
members at those meetings.

Recommendation 2.2:
Companies should have and 
disclose a Board skills matrix 
setting out the mix of skills and 
diversity that the Board currently 
has or is looking to achieve in its 
membership.

Recommendation 2.3:
Companies should disclose:
• 

the names of the Directors 
considered by the Board to be 
independent Directors;
if a Director has an interest, 
position, association or 
relationship of the type 
described in Box 2.3 (Factors 
relevant to assessing the 
independence of a Director) 
but the Board is of the opinion 
that it does not compromise 
the independence of the 
Director, the nature of the 
interest, position, association or 
relationship in question and an 
explanation of why the Board is 
of that opinion; and
the length of service of each 
Director.

• 

• 

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

25

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyRecommendation 2.4:
A majority of the Board should be 
independent Directors.

Not Complied

The Board determines the size and composition of the 
Board, subject to limits imposed by the Company’s 
Constitution.

Of the six Directors, only three Non-Executive 
Directors namely, Mr. Rupert Myer AO, Mr. Heath 
Zarin and Mr. Dennis Lin are considered by the Board 
to be independent.

The Board structure will continue to be reviewed 
at the appropriate stages of the Company’s 
development.

Partially Complied

The current Chairman, Mr. John Lau, is an Executive 
Director and is not considered independent under 
the ASX Corporate Governance Principles.

Recommendation 2.5:
The chair of the Board should be an 
independent Director and should 
not be the same person as the Chief 
Executive Officer.

The Board considers that the Chairman, as a founder, 
is key for the business development and decision 
making in Hong Kong and the Company has 
adequate procedures to ensure the independence of 
the Chairman’s decisions. For example, the Chairman 
will deal with any conflicts that arise, address 
differences of opinion and ensure contrary votes are 
recorded at Board meetings and ensure Directors or 
the Chairman himself with material personal interests 
in a matter leave the meeting while the matter is 
discussed, unless a resolution has been passed by 
the non-interested Directors allowing the interested 
Director to remain in the meeting and participate in 
discussions.

The Chairman is not the Chief Executive Officer of the 
Company.

The Directors are expected to undertake an 
appropriate continuing professional development 
program or education for the purpose of developing 
and maintaining the skills and knowledge for normal 
discharge of their formal Director duties effectively.

During the year, the Directors are continually updated 
on the development of statutory and regulatory 
regime and the business environment which provided 
by the Company and external parties.

Complied

Recommendation 2.6:
Companies should have a program 
for inducting new Directors and 
providing appropriate professional 
development opportunities for 
Directors to develop and maintain 
the skills and knowledge needed 
to perform their role as Directors 
effectively.

Principle 3 – Act ethically and responsibly

Recommendation 3.1:
Companies should:
(a)  establish a code of conduct for 
its Directors, senior executives 
and employees; and

(b)  disclose the code or a summary 

of the code.

Complied

The Board has established a Code of Conduct, which 
is contained in the Corporate Governance Plan.

The Code of Conduct provides that the Directors 
will act with honesty and integrity, will avoid conflicts 
of interest, protect confidential and proprietary 
information and treat others equitably and with 
professionalism courtesy and respect.

26

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyPrinciple 4 – Safeguard integrity in corporate reporting

Recommendation 4.1:
The Board should establish an audit 
committee which:
•  consists of at least three 

members all of whom are non-
executive Directors, the majority 
of independent Directors;
is chaired by an independent 
chair who is not the chairman of 
the Board.

• 

The Board must disclose the charter 
of the audit committee, the relevant 
qualifications and experience of the 
members of the committee and the 
number of times the committee has 
met during a reporting period and 
the individual attendances of the 
members at those meetings.

Recommendation 4.2:
Before approving a Company’s 
financials, the Board must receive 
declarations from the Company’s 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer that in their 
opinion, the financial records of 
the entity have been properly 
maintained and that the financial 
statements comply with the 
appropriate accounting standards 
and give a true and fair view of the 
financial position and performance 
of the entity and that the opinion 
has been formed on the basis of a 
sound system of risk management 
and internal control which is 
operating effectively.

Recommendation 4.3:
Companies must ensure that its 
external auditor attends its Annual 
General Meeting and is available 
to answer questions from security 
holders relevant to the audit.

Complied

The Board has established an Audit and Risk 
Management Committee.

The function of the Audit and Risk Management 
Committee is contained in the Audit and Risk 
Management Committee Charter. The Company’s 
Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter is 
contained in the Corporate Governance Plan.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee is 
chaired by Mr. Rupert Myer AO, an independent 
Director who is not Chairman of the Board.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee consists 
of three members namely, Mr. Rupert Myer AO, Mr. 
Heath Zarin and Mr. Dennis Lin. Of these members, 
all are independent Non-Executive Directors.

For the individual attendances, please refer to 
“Composition of the Board, number of the Board 
meetings and Directors Attendance” section of this 
report.

The Board has received the necessary declaration 
from the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Garnok Cheung 
prior to approving the unaudited and audited financial 
statements. This process will continue for any future 
approval of the Company’s financial statements.

No declaration was received from the Chief Executive 
Officer, Mr. Will Zhao who was newly appointed on 
February 25, 2019.

Partially Complied

Complied

The Company’s external auditor had attended the 
Annual General Meeting held on June 20, 2018.

The Company will invite external auditor to attend its 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting and any future 
Annual General Meeting to answer questions from 
security holders relevant to the audit.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

27

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyPrinciple 5 – Make timely and balanced disclosure

Recommendation 5.1:
Companies should:
(a)  have a written policy for 

complying with its continuous 
disclosure obligations under the 
ASX Listing Rules; and
(b)  disclose that policy or a 

summary of it.

Complied

The Board has adopted a Continuous Disclosure 
Policy and Communications Strategy which is set out 
in the Corporate Governance Plan.

The Company respects the rights of its Shareholders 
and facilitates the exercise of those rights, the 
Company is committed to communicating effectively 
with Shareholders, providing Shareholders with ready 
access to balanced and understandable information 
about the Company and corporate proposals and 
making it easier for Shareholders to participate in 
general meetings of the Company.

Principle 6 – Respect the rights of security holders

Recommendation 6.1:
A listed entity should provide 
information about itself and its 
governance to investors via its 
website.

Complied

The Board aims to ensure that the Shareholders are 
informed of all major developments affecting the 
Company’s state of affairs.

Recommendation 6.2:
Companies should design and 
implement an investor relations 
program to facilitate effective two-
way communication with investors.

Complied

Recommendation 6.3:
Companies should disclose the 
policies it has in place to facilitate 
and encourage participation at 
meetings of Shareholders.

Complied

Complied

Recommendation 6.4:
Companies should give security 
holders the option to receive 
communications from, and send 
communications to, the entity and 
its security registry electronically.

The Company has established on its website, www.
eCargo.com where Shareholders can find information 
such as financial statements and major development 
of the Company as well as all relevant corporate 
governance material under the Media and News and 
corporate governance landing pages.

Shareholders are encouraged to fully participate 
at the Annual General Meeting or other General 
Meeting to ensure effective two way communication.

Shareholders are also able to direct any questions 
relating to the Company’s securities to the share 
registry, Link Market Services Limited.

The communication strategy is contained in the 
Continuous Disclosure Policy and Communications 
Strategy is designed to ensure that Shareholders are 
informed of all relevant developments. Details of the 
information can be found on the Company’s website 
www.eCargo.com under the corporate governance 
landing page of the Investor Information section.

The Company encourages full participation of 
Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. The 
Chairman encourages Shareholders to ask reasonable 
questions at the Annual General Meeting. The Board 
makes itself available to all Shareholders both before 
and after the Annual General Meeting.

All Shareholders have the right to access details of 
their holdings, provide email address contacts and 
make certain elections via the Company’s share 
registry, Link Market Services Limited by accessing 
the web site www.linkmarketservices.com.au. 
Shareholders have the right of option of receiving all 
or a selection of communication electronically.

28

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyeCargo  Annual Report 2018

29

Corporate Governance ReportCutting-edgeStrategyFor personal use onlyPrinciple 7 – Recognise and manage risk

Recommendation 7.1:
The Board should establish a risk 
management committee which:
(a)  has at least 3 members, the 

majority of whom independent 
Directors;

(b)  is chaired by an independent 

chair.

The Board must disclose the charter 
of the risk management committee, 
members of the risk management 
committee, the number of times 
the committee has met during a 
reporting period and the individual 
attendances of the members at 
those meetings

Recommendation 7.2:
The Board should:
(a)  review the Company’s risk 

management framework at least 
annually to satisfy itself that it 
continues to be sound; and
(b)  disclose, in relation to each 

reporting period, whether such 
review has taken place.

Recommendation 7.3:
Companies should disclose;
(a)  their internal audit function, how 
the function is structured and 
what role it performs; or
(b)  if it does not have an internal 
audit function, that fact and 
the processes it employs for 
evaluating and continually 
improving the effectiveness of 
its risk management and internal 
control processes.

Recommendation 7.4:
Companies should disclose whether 
they have any material exposure 
to economic, environmental and 
social sustainability risks and, if it 
does, how it manages or intends to 
manage those risks.

Complied

The Board has established an Audit and Risk 
Management Committee.

The function of the Audit and Risk Management 
Committee is contained in the Audit and Risk 
Management Committee Charter. The Company’s 
Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter is 
contained in the Corporate Governance Plan.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee is 
chaired by Mr. Rupert Myer AO, an independent 
Director who is not Chairman of the Board.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee consists 
of three members namely, Mr. Rupert Myer AO, Mr. 
Heath Zarin and Mr. Dennis Lin. Of these members, 
all are independent Non-Executive Directors.

For the individual attendances, please refer to 
“Composition of the Board, number of the Board 
meetings and Directors Attendance” section of this 
report.

Complied

The Audit and Risk Management Committee has 
reviewed the Risk Management framework.

Complied

The Audit and Risk Management Committee will 
continue the process to review the risk management 
framework at least annually; and will disclose such 
review accordingly.

The Company maintained an internal audit function 
to ensure the Company accomplish its objectives 
by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to 
evaluating and continually improving the effectiveness 
of its risk management and internal control processes.

The Board is ultimately responsible for maintaining a 
sound and effective system of internal control and risk 
management of the Company and considers that the 
identification and management of key risk associated 
with the business is vital.

Complied

The Company does not have any material exposure 
to economic, environmental and social sustainability 
risks. The material risks are disclosed at Directors’ 
Report of the Annual Report.

30

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyPrinciple 8 – Remunerate fairly and responsibly

Complied

The Board has established a Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee.

Recommendation 8.1:
The Board should establish a 
remuneration committee which:
•  have at least 3 members, the 

majority of whom independent 
Directors;
is chaired by an independent 
chair.

• 

The Board must disclose the charter 
of the remuneration committee, 
members of the remuneration 
committee, the number of times 
the committee has met during a 
reporting period and the individual 
attendances of the members at 
those meetings.

Complied

Recommendation 8.2:
Companies should separately 
disclose its policies and practices 
regarding the remuneration of 
non-executive Directors and the 
remuneration of executive Directors 
and other senior executives.

The function of the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee is contained in the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee Charter contained in the 
Corporate Governance Plan.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is 
chaired by Mr. Heath Zarin, an independent Director, 
and consists of three non-executive Directors. Of 
these members, all are independent, Non-Executive 
Directors, namely, Mr. Heath Zarin, Mr. Rupert Myer 
AO and Mr. Dennis Lin.

For the individual attendances, please refer to 
“Composition of the Board, number of the Board 
meetings and Directors Attendance” section of this 
report.

The remuneration structure for the non-executive 
Directors is not related to performance. Non-
executive Directors receive fixed fees which reflect 
their skills, responsibilities and the time commitments 
required to discharge their duties.

The remuneration structure for senior executives 
reflects the Company’s performance culture: there is 
a direct correlation between the executive’s reward 
and the Company’s performance so as to seek to 
ensure that the Company’s remuneration policy is 
aligned with its long term business objectives and the 
interests of Shareholders and other stakeholders.

Not applicable

The Company does not have an equity based 
remuneration scheme.

Recommendation 8.3:
Companies which have equity-
based remuneration schemes 
should have and disclose a policy on 
whether participants are permitted 
to enter into transactions (whether 
through the use of derivatives or 
otherwise) which limit the economic 
risk of participating in the scheme.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

31

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyThe Directors of eCargo Holdings 
Limited (the “Company”) submit 
their report together with the audited 
consolidated financial statements 
of the Company and its subsidiaries 
(collectively “ECG”) for the year ended 
31 December 2018.

The functional and presentation 
currency of the Company as of the 
reporting date is Hong Kong Dollars 
(“HK$”).

Principal Activities

The principal activities of ECG are the development and provision of eCommerce technologies, integrated offline and 
online supply chain operations, and provision of digital commerce solutions services in the People’s Republic of China 
(the “PRC”), Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. The activities of the subsidiaries are set out in Note 16 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Results and Appropriations

The results of ECG for the year are set out in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on page 48.

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

Share Capital and Debentures Issued

No shares and debentures were issued by the Company in the year ended 31 December 2018.

Equity-linked Agreements

No equity-linked agreements were entered into by the Company at any time during the year or subsisted at the end of 
the year.

32

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Directors’ ReportDirectors’  ReportFor personal use onlyDirectors

(a)  Directors of the Company (“Directors”, or individually a “Director”)

The Directors during the year and up to the date of this report are:

Executive Directors
Mr. John Lau

Non-Executive Director
Ms. Jessica Rudd (appointed on January 24, 2018)
Mr. Christopher Lau (re-designated from executive director to non-executive director on March 14, 2018)

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Mr. Rupert Myer AO
Mr. Heath Zarin
Mr. Dennis Lin (appointed on April 9, 2018)
Mr. Christopher Ryan (resigned on April 9, 2018)
(collectively, the “Board of Directors”)

Remuneration

The remuneration of Directors and key management personnel are set out in Note 9 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

In accordance with Article 23 of the Company’s Articles of Association, Mr. John Lau and Mr. Heath Zarin retire by 
rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

(b)  Directors of the Company’s subsidiaries

During the year and up to the date of this report, Mr. John Lau, Mr. Christopher Lau and Ms. Jessica Rudd are also 
Directors in certain subsidiaries of the Company. Other Directors of the Company’s subsidiaries during the year and up 
to the date of this report are: Mr. Jason Byrne, Ms. Yip Sau Ling, Mr. Albert Tse, Ms. Yip Hiu Ching and Mr Gilbert Wong

Financial and Operations Review

Year ended/
As at 31 
December 2018
HK$

Prior year
HK$

Revenue from ordinary operations

134,458,649

144,488,130

Loss after income tax expense

(134,695,885)

(68,511,523)

Percentage 
change
%

-7%

+97%

Total comprehensive loss attributable to members of 
the Company

EBITDA loss excluding share of results of an associate, 
impairment provision for interest in an associate, 
gain or loss on fair value of acquisitions and financial 
derivatives, and impact of foreign exchange

Total assets

Net assets

(139,034,787)

(62,723,394)

+122%

(10,090,670)

(16,393,102)

169,564,068

183,545,579

46,398,996

87,308,192

-38%

-8%

-47%

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

33

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyThe Chief Operating Decision Makers (“CODM”) assesses and measures the operating performance of ECG based on 
the revenue and EBITDA (excluding share of results of an associate, impairment provision for interest in an associate, 
gain or loss on fair value of acquisitions and financial derivatives, and impact of foreign exchange) as CODM believes 
that such information is the most relevant in evaluating the results of ECG.

Consolidated revenue of the year was HK$134.5 million (2017: HK$144.5 million) with HK$32.5 million (2017: HK$49.8 
million) coming from the eCommerce-enabling business, HK$97.1 million (2017: HK$92.3 million) contributed by 
Amblique while HK$2.5 million (2017: nil) from Jessica’s Suitcase when ECG started to consolidate Jessica’s Suitcase 
results in its group accounts following its full acquisition in November 2018. The remaining was licensing revenue of 
HK$2.4 million attributed to the corporate segment same as the previous year.

ECG reported an EBITDA loss excluding share of results of an associate, impairment provision for interest in an associate, 
gain or loss on fair value of acquisitions and financial derivatives, and impact of foreign exchange of HK$10.1 million, 38% 
less than prior year. ECG incurred a loss per share of HK$22.03 cents for the year.

The Company did not propose any dividend distribution or share buy-back during the year ended 31 December 2018.

For a more detailed review of the performance of ECG, please refer to its 2018 full year financial results announcement 
released on February 22, 2019 and Chairman Statement in this Report.

Major Customers

For the year ended 31 December 2018, the five largest customers of ECG accounted for approximately 46% of ECG’s 
total revenue. There are two single customers contributing 10% or more of ECG’s total revenue.

Environmental policy and regulation

ECG’s environmental management policy is to promote sustainable economic development in all business units, while, 
at the same time, endeavouring to measure the impact of activities on the environment and improve the results in terms 
of their environment-friendliness; lessen the consumption of natural resources by re-use, recycling or reduced use of 
materials, and using products that are recyclable or come from sustainable sources; and apply environment-friendly 
practices in all our offices and facilities.

ECG is implementing several initiatives at its offices and facilities. Examples include using recycling paper, promoting 
double-page printing, promoting a paperless environment, installing energy-efficient lighting fixtures and sectioned 
lighting, and introducing energy-saving equipment.

ECG does not carry out any activities that have a material influence on the environment. As such, the Directors are not 
aware of any material issues affecting ECG or its compliance with the relevant environment protection agencies or 
related regulatory authorities.

Key risk factors

The key risk factors are risks that the Directors and Management focus on when managing the businesses of ECG that 
may have the potential, if they occurred, to result in significant adverse consequences for ECG.

Risks related to ECG’s businesses and risks related to the industry in which ECG operates.

Risk

Description of risk

Risk mitigation strategies

Risk that ECG’s 
marketing strategy to 
recruit Merchants is not 
effective

There are risks that ECG’s marketing 
strategy to engage Merchants is not 
successful. This would result in ECG 
failing to meet revenue targets and have 
a material and adverse effect on the 
operating results of ECG.

ECG has a clear marketing strategy in 
place. In the event such a marketing 
strategy proves to be unsuccessful, 
ECG shall refocus and look to qualified 
professional advisors in the industry to 
assist to refine its marketing strategy.

34

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyRisk

Description of risk

Risk mitigation strategies

Risk that ECG may 
subject to liquidity issue 
and might not have the 
necessary resources 
to fulfill its funding 
obligations.

With ECG’s existing liquidity and cash 
position, ECG relies on standby facility 
from its major shareholder to fund its short 
term obligations as they fall due.

ECG is closely monitoring its working 
capital and cash flow with regular reporting 
to the Board of Directors of ECG.

ECG had obtained the standby facility from 
its major shareholder in supporting the 
liquidity for daily operations.

ECG will continue to evaluate its business 
needs and performance of its various 
business units and will prioritise its 
resources in accordance to the prospects 
of the various business units.

ECG has only disclosed sensitive 
intellectual property or related information 
to particular employees, consultants, 
advisors, collaborators and Merchants on 
a “need-to-know-basis”. ECG requires all 
such employees, consultants, advisors, 
collaborators and Merchants to enter into 
confidentiality agreements or through 
the confidentiality clauses in employment 
agreements to protect the confidentiality 
of such intellectual property or related 
information. Where necessary ECG will 
enforce its intellectual property rights 
through litigation or arbitration.

In regards to all new Merchants, ECG will 
ensure that robust intellectual property 
safeguards are contained in their respective 
Service Agreements.

ECG mitigated this risk by redefining its 
target Merchant pipeline and focusing 
marketing efforts on Merchants who have a 
proven product and well-recognised brands 
and a willingness to invest in marketing 
activities, so that they are relatively more 
likely to succeed in generating online 
sales. ECG shall continue to monitor this 
closely and allocate appropriate resources 
in accordance with Merchants’ online sales 
activity and potential.

ECG will need to pay employees market 
rate in order to attract and retain skilled 
employees. ECG will, however, try to 
offset increases in wages by improving the 
efficiency of work flows and productivity of 
employees.

Risk that ECG’s 
intellectual property 
may be used without 
authorisation or stolen.

ECG relies on a combination of copyright, 
nondisclosure agreements and other 
methods to protect its intellectual property 
rights.

To protect its trade secrets and other 
proprietary information, employees, 
consultants, advisors and collaborators 
are required to enter into confidentiality 
agreements. These agreements might 
not provide meaningful protection for 
the trade secrets, know-how or other 
proprietary information in the event of any 
unauthorised use, misappropriation or 
disclosure of such trade secrets, know-how 
or other proprietary information.

Risk that ECG’s 
merchants’ online 
revenues are below 
expectations.

There is a risk that ECG’s Merchants do 
not achieve online revenues according to 
expectations driven by a number of factors 
including but not limited to the marketing 
strategy deployed, merchandise mix, 
product availability and pricing. This would 
result in ECG failing to meet revenue 
targets and have a material and adverse 
effect on the operating results of ECG.

Risk that increases in 
wages will increase net 
cash outflow and gross 
margin and net profit 
may decline.

In recent years, wages particularly in PRC’s 
eCommerce industry have increased 
and may continue to increase at a faster 
rate. Wage increases will increase ECG’s 
personnel cost and cost of operations. As 
a result, ECG’s gross margin and net profit 
may decline.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

35

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyRisk

Description of risk

Risk mitigation strategies

Uncertainties with respect to PRC’s legal 
system are beyond the control of ECG. 
That said, in regards to eCommerce, the 
Chinese Government has promulgated 
in its most recent 5 year plan supporting 
eCommerce as the future of retailing in 
PRC.

Uncertainties with respect to 
telecommunications infrastructure in the 
PRC is a risk which is beyond the control of 
ECG. That said, there is no indication that 
there will be a severe breakdown on the 
infrastructure.

In the event any key personnel were 
to leave ECG, the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee would aim to 
ensure a suitable replacement were found 
within the timeframes required and not at 
unreasonable cost to ECG.

ECG had assessed the value of those 
intangible assets and no impairment 
required. ECG’s external auditor had also 
carried out a review over the intangible 
assets as at December 31, 2018 with no 
objection to management view.

Uncertainties with 
respect to the PRC legal 
system could have a 
material adverse effect 
on ECG.

The continued growth 
of the PRC’s internet 
market depends on 
the establishment 
of an adequate 
telecommunications 
infrastructure.

Risk that ECG’s 
management and 
key personnel may 
discontinue their 
services.

Risk that the negative 
indicator(s) on 
intangible assets, 
mainly on eCoreOS 
and eCWMS, exist and 
therefore impairment is 
required.

ECG conducts its business primarily 
through its subsidiaries established in Hong 
Kong and PRC. These subsidiaries are 
generally subject to laws and regulations 
applicable to foreign investment in PRC. 
Despite the legal system in PRC continues 
to evolve, the interpretations of many 
laws, regulations and rules are not always 
uniform and enforcement of these laws, 
regulations and rules involves uncertainties, 
which may limit the legal protection 
available to ECG.

Although private sector internet service 
providers currently exist in PRC, almost 
all access to the internet is maintained 
through state-owned telecommunications 
operators under the administrative 
control and regulatory supervision of 
the Ministry of Industry and Information 
Technology. eCommerce transactions 
rely on this infrastructure to provide data 
communications capacity primarily through 
local telecommunications lines. Although 
the Chinese Government has announced 
plans to develop aggressively the national 
information infrastructure, ECG cannot 
assure that this infrastructure will be 
successfully developed.

ECG relies on the expertise and 
experience of its Board of Directors and 
its management team to ensure its future 
success. There is a risk that if one or more 
of ECG’s management or Directors were 
unable or unwilling to continue in their 
present position, ECG’s business, financial 
condition and results of operations may 
be materially adversely affected and 
employment costs may increase.

According to the Accounting Standards, 
intangible assets are subject to impairment 
assessment whenever events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the 
amount by which the asset’s carrying 
amount exceeds its recoverable amount. 
The recoverable amount is the higher of an 
asset’s fair value less costs to disposal and 
value in use.

If ECG failed to achieve the budget or 
business plan, it will be an indicator for 
impairment which may adversely impact 
the bottom line of ECG.

36

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyRisk

Description of risk

Risk mitigation strategies

Risk that the negative 
indicator(s) on interest 
in associates and 
impairment is required.

According to the Accounting Standards, 
interest in associate is subject to 
impairment assessment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable.

ECG closely monitors the performance and 
business development of the associate 
entity. ECG management had assessed the 
value of those associates and considered 
the book value is fair.

The interest in associates will be subject 
to impairment assessment when the 
performance of the associates cannot meet 
the budget or business plan proposed at 
acquisition date.

ECG’s external auditor had reviewed the 
performance and indicator as at December 
31, 2018 and the carrying values of interest 
in associates, and no objection to the 
management view.

Risk that the negative 
indicator on interest in 
MM/WWE project and 
impairment is required.

According to the Accounting Standards, 
assets on balance sheet are subject to 
impairment assessment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable.

The interest in MM/WWE will be subject 
to impairment assessment when the 
performance cannot reach the budget 
or business plan proposed at investment 
date.

ECG closely monitors the performance and 
business development of the project.

MM has ceased its operation in November 
2018. ECG has made a provision 
for impairment of HK$72.5 million, 
representing all of the carrying value.

ECG’s external auditor had review the 
impairment provision and no objection to 
the management view.

Directors’ Interest in Shares/Chess Depository Interests (“CDIs”)

As at the date of report, the Directors have the following interests in fully-paid shares/CDIs in the Company.

Director

Mr. Christopher Lau

Mr. John Lau

Ms. Jessica Rudd

Mr. Rupert Myer AO

Mr. Dennis Lin

Mr. Heath Zarin

Number of Shares 
and equivalent CDIs 
held directly

Number of Shares 
and equivalent CDIs 
held indirectly

8,142,460

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

31,000

Nil

396,872,460

35,382,225

9,000,000

Nil

Nil

None of the Directors hold any partly-paid shares or options at the date of this report.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

37

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyDirectors’ Material Interests in Transactions, Arrangements and Contracts that are Significant in 
Relation to ECG’s Business

No transactions, arrangements and contracts of significance in relation to ECG’s business to which the specified 
undertaking of ECG was a party and in which a Director had a material interest, whether directly or indirectly, subsisted 
at the end of the year or at any time during the year.

Directors’ Interest in the Underlying Shares of the Company or Any Specified Undertaking of the 
Company

At no time during the year was the Company, its subsidiaries, its fellow subsidiaries or its holding companies a party to 
any arrangements to enable the Directors to hold any interests or in the shares, or debentures, or underlying shares of 
the Company or its specified undertakings.

Management Contracts

No contracts concerning the management and administration of the whole or any substantial part of the business of the 
Company were entered into or existed during the year.

Permitted Indemnity Provisions

At no time during the financial year and up to the date of this Directors’ Report, there was or is, any permitted indemnity 
provision being in force for the benefit of any of the Directors (whether made by the Company or otherwise) or an 
associated company (if made by the Company).

Auditor

The financial statements have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers who retire and, being eligible, offer themselves 
for re-appointment.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman

Hong Kong, March 26, 2019

38

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Directors’ ReportFor personal use only2018
Financials

For personal use onlyTo the Members of eCargo Holdings Limited

(incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability)

Opinion

What we have audited

The consolidated financial statements of eCargo Holdings Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries 

(collectively “ECG” or the “Group”) set out on pages 48 to 123, which comprise:

— 

the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2018;

— 

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended;

— 

the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended;

— 

the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and

— 

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting 

policies.

Our opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial 

position of the Group as at 31 December 2018, and of its consolidated financial performance and its 

consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting 

Standards (“HKFRSs”) issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”) and 

have been properly prepared in compliance with the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

40

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use onlyBasis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Hong Kong Standards on Auditing (“HKSAs”) issued by the 

HKICPA. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities 

for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 

our opinion.

Independence

We are independent of the Group in accordance with the HKICPA’s Code of Ethics for Professional 

Accountants (“the Code”), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the 

Code.

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our 

audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in 

the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 

thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

41

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use onlyKey audit matter identified in our audit are summarised as follows:

• 

Accounting for the transactions in respect of Jessica’s Suitcase Pty Limited (“Jessica’s Suitcase”)

• 

Goodwill impairment assessment

Key Audit Matter

Accounting for the transactions in respect of 
Jessica’s Suitcase
Refer to notes 4, 17, 28 and 29 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

On 24 January 2018, ECG acquired 45% interest 
in Jessica’s Suitcase and an option to acquire the 
remaining 55% interest in Jessica’s Suitcase by 
issuing a number of CHESS Depository Interests 
(“CDIs”) equivalent to 15% equity interest in the 
Company.

ECG accounted for the investment in 45% 
interest in Jessica’s Suitcase as an investment 
in an associate using the equity method upon 
the acquisition with an initial carrying value of 
approximately HK$69.1 million and recognised 
goodwill and identifiable intangible assets of 
approximately HK$33.5 million and HK$36.3 
million, respectively. ECG also accounted for the 
option to acquire the remaining 55% interest 
in Jessica’s Suitcase as a derivative financial 
instrument at its initial fair value of approximately 
HK$29.3 million. ECG engaged an external valuer 
to appraise the fair value of the identifiable 
intangible assets and the call option acquired in 
the transaction.

How our audit addressed the 
Key Audit Matter

Our procedures in relation to management’s 
assessment included:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Assessing the competency, objectivity and 
independence of the external valuer engaged 
by ECG;

Assessing the appropriateness of the 
valuation methodologies and assumptions 
over pre-tax discount rate and volatility 
used in determining the fair value of the 
identifiable intangible assets and the call 
option with the assistance of our internal 
valuation expert;

Evaluating the appropriateness of the 
valuation methodologies used in determining 
the fair values of the identifiable intangible 
assets and the call option with reference 
to our industry knowledge and market 
practices; and

Assessing the reasonableness of the 
assumptions over revenue growth rate and 
supplier attrition rate by comparing these 
assumptions used in the valuation against 
relevant market data and industry research.

We found that the management judgements and 
estimates used to determine the methodologies 
and key assumptions underlying the fair values 
of the call option and identifiable intangible 
assets used in accounting for the transactions in 
respect of Jessica’s Suitcase to be supportable by 
available evidence.

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Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only 
 
How our audit addressed the 
Key Audit Matter

Key Audit Matter

On 8 November 2018, ECG entered into a deed 
of amendments where the terms of the option to 
acquire the remaining 55% interest in Jessica’s 
Suitcase were amended. The amendment resulted 
in the derecognition of the option and recognition 
of the option under the amended terms at its fair 
value of HK$43.2 million where this value was 
appraised by an external valuer. The difference in 
fair value of HK$13.9 million was recorded as gain 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income during the year.

ECG exercised the call option to acquire the 
remaining 55% of the shares in Jessica’s Suitcase 
on 8 November 2018. ECG accounted for the 
increase in interest in Jessica’s Suitcase by 
derecognising its interest in an associate and 
recognising an acquisition of a subsidiary as 
the Group has obtained control over Jessica’s 
Suitcase. A loss of approximately HK$39.0 million 
was recorded in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income upon the derecognition 
of the interest in an associate. The acquisition of 
subsidiary was treated as a business combination 
where the Group recognised goodwill and 
identifiable intangible assets of approximately 
HK$45.5 million and HK$37.7 million, 
respectively. The fair values of the identifiable 
intangible assets were appraised by an external 
valuer.

We focused on this area due to the magnitude of 
the transaction amounts as well as the significant 
management judgements and estimates 
involved to determine the methodologies and 
key assumptions underlying the fair values of 
the call option and identifiable intangible assets 
used in accounting for the transactions in respect 
of Jessica’s Suitcase. The key assumptions used 
in the valuations included revenue growth rate, 
supplier attrition rate, pre-tax discount rate, risk-
free rate and volatility.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

43

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only 
 
Key Audit Matter

Goodwill impairment assessment
Refer to notes 4 and 15 to the consolidated 
financial statements of ECG.

As at 31 December 2018, ECG had goodwill 
of HK$13.5 million relating to the eCommerce 
solutions services cash generating unit in 
Australia (“Australia CGU”).

An annual impairment assessment was performed 
in respect of the goodwill of the Australia CGU. 
In carrying out the impairment assessment, 
management calculates the value-in-use of 
the Australia CGU to determine its recoverable 
amount. Significant management judgements and 
estimates are used to estimate the future cash 
flows and to determine the key assumptions, 
including the compound annual growth rate 
(“CAGR”) of revenue, EBITDA margin, pre-
tax discount rate and terminal growth rate, 
underlying the value-in-use calculation. 
Management has concluded that no provision for 
impairment loss is necessary as at 31 December 
2018.

We focused on this area due to the significant 
management judgement to determine the 
key assumptions underlying management’s 
impairment assessment.

How our audit addressed the 
Key Audit Matter

Our procedures in relation to management’s 
impairment assessment included:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Assessing the appropriateness of 
valuation methodologies adopted and the 
reasonableness of assumptions over pre-tax 
discount rate and terminal growth rate used 
in the valuation with reference to available 
market data;

Evaluating the reasonableness of the 
assumptions over CAGR of revenue and 
EBITDA margin with reference to historical 
performance of the Australia CGU and our 
knowledge of the business,;

Comparing the current year actual revenue 
growth and EBITDA margin with the 
prior year projections to consider if the 
projections included assumptions that were 
overly optimistic;

Testing source data, on a sample basis, 
to supporting evidence, such as approved 
budgets, service contracts and available 
market data, to consider the reasonableness 
of management’s revenue growth and 
EBITDA margin estimates; and

Evaluating management’s sensitivity analysis 
around the terminal growth rate and EBITDA 
margin to consider the extent of changes in 
those assumptions that would result in an 
impairment of goodwill.

We found that the judgement and estimates used 
to determine the key assumptions underlying 
management’s impairment assessment of 
goodwill to be supported by available evidence.

44

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only 
 
Other Information

The directors of the Company are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises 

all of the information included in the annual report other than the consolidated financial statements and 

our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not 

express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the 

other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with 

the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be 

materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 

information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of Directors for the Consolidated Financial Statements

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements 

that give a true and fair view in accordance with HKFRSs issued by the HKICPA and the Hong Kong 

Companies Ordinance, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the 

preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 

to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s 

ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and 

using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to 

cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

45

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use onlyAuditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements 

as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s 

report that includes our opinion. We report our opinion solely to you, as a body, in accordance with 

Section 405 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and for no other purpose. We do not assume 

responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report. Reasonable 

assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with 

HKSAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or 

error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected 

to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with HKSAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain 

professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 

whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 

obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk 

of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from 

error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 

override of internal control.

• 

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures 

that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the 

effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.

• 

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.

• 

Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, 

based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 

conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If 

we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s 

report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are 

inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 

the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease 

to continue as a going concern.

46

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only• 

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 

including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying 

transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

• 

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 

business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. 

We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain 

solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of 

the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we 

identify during our audit.

We also provide the directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements 

regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may 

reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most 

significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore 

the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation 

precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that 

a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would 

reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Leung Chi Hang, 

Benson.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong, 26 March 2019

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

47

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use onlyNote

6

7

7

7

7

11

11

11

10

29

17

17

29

12

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and distribution expenses

Administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Operating loss

Finance income

Finance expense

Finance expense – net

Other (losses)/gains – net

Fair value gain on financial assets at fair value 

through profit or loss

Share of results of an associate

Provision for impairment of interest in an associate

Loss on disposal of interest in an associate

Loss before income tax

Income tax credit

Loss for the year

Loss for the year is attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Other comprehensive income
Item that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Currency translation differences

2018

HK$

134,458,649

(62,995,438)

71,463,211

(11,273,130)

(89,007,217)

(5,638,052)

2017

HK$

144,488,130

(64,009,154)

80,478,976

(14,072,090)

(122,619,228)

(9,533,022)

(34,455,188)

(65,745,364)

46,358

41,235

(2,214,562)

(1,869,716)

(2,168,204)

(1,203,385)

13,930,290

555,323

(72,504,113)

(38,992,851)

(1,828,481)

1,143,879

–

(2,331,406)

–

–

(134,838,128)

(68,761,372)

142,243

249,849

(134,695,885)

(68,511,523)

(134,401,793)

(68,511,523)

(294,092)

–

(134,695,885)

(68,511,523)

(4,632,994)

5,788,129

Total comprehensive loss for the year

(139,328,879)

(62,723,394)

Total comprehensive loss for the year is  

attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

(139,034,787)

(62,723,394)

(294,092)

–

(139,328,879)

(62,723,394)

Loss per share for loss attributable to owners 

of the Company

– Basic and diluted (HK cents per share)

13

(22.03)

(12.80)

The notes on pages 53 to 123 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

48

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Consolidated Statement of  Comprehensive IncomeFor the year ended 31 December 2018For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Interest in an associate

Deferred income tax assets

Prepayment and deposits

Current assets

Inventories

Trade receivables

Contract assets

Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

Amounts due from related parties

Current income tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

Share capital

Currency translation reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

Note

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

14

15

17

23

20

19

5

20

30

21

1,763,902

105,259,791

–

1,306,784

7,346,835

3,330,325

50,877,676

72,504,113

256,553

856,251

115,677,312

127,824,918

1,787,805

18,415,962

3,767,479

2,802,804

9,497,723

–

–

33,635,520

–

1,345,832

7,269,334

767,497

17,614,983

12,702,478

53,886,756

55,720,661

169,564,068

183,545,579

24

427,820,968

329,401,285

(830,799)

3,802,195

(380,591,173)

(245,895,288)

46,398,996

87,308,192

The notes on pages 53 to 123 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

49

Consolidated Statement of  Financial PositionAs at 31 December 2018For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

Borrowing

Current liabilities

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

Other payables and accruals

Amounts due to related parties

Income tax payable

Total liabilities

Note

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

23

26

22

5

22

30

10,921,657

58,420,349

2,981,792

44,412,560

69,342,006

47,394,352

11,088,473

2,386,262

17,155,766

21,371,406

1,821,159

14,417,972

–

16,847,678

17,577,385

–

53,823,066

48,843,035

123,165,072

96,237,387

Total equity and liabilities

169,564,068

183,545,579

The notes on pages 53 to 123 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements on page 48 to 123 were approved by the Board of Directors on March 26, 2019 

and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr. John Lau

Executive Chairman

Mr. Christopher Lau

Non-Executive Director

50

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

As at 31 December 2018Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attributable to owners of the Company

Currency 

translation 

Accumulated 

Non-

controlling 

Share capital

reserve

HK$

HK$

losses

HK$

Total

HK$

interests

Total equity

HK$

HK$

Balance at 1 January 2017

329,401,285

(1,985,934)

(177,383,765)

150,031,586

Comprehensive loss

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive gain

Currency translation differences

– ECG

– Associate

Total comprehensive gain/(loss)  

for the year

–

–

–

–

–

(68,511,523)

(68,511,523)

1,412,425

4,375,704

–

–

1,412,425

4,375,704

5,788,129

(68,511,523)

(62,723,394)

Balance at 31 December 2017

329,401,285

3,802,195

(245,895,288)

87,308,192

Balance at 1 January 2018

329,401,285

3,802,195

(245,895,288)

87,308,192

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

150,031,586

(68,511,523)

1,412,425

4,375,704

(62,723,394)

87,308,192

87,308,192

Comprehensive loss

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Currency translation differences

– ECG

Total comprehensive loss  

for the year

–

–

–

–

(134,401,793)

(134,401,793)

(294,092)

(134,695,885)

(4,632,994)

–

(4,632,994)

–

(4,632,994)

(4,632,994)

(134,401,793)

(139,034,787)

(294,092)

(139,328,879)

Issue of shares (Note 24)

98,419,683

Transactions with non-controlling 

interests (Note 28)

–

–

–

–

98,419,683

–

98,419,683

(294,092)

(294,092)

294,092

–

Balance at 31 December 2018

427,820,968

(830,799)

(380,591,173)

46,398,996

–

46,398,996

The notes on pages 53 to 123 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

51

Consolidated Statement of  Changes in EquityFor the year ended 31 December 2018For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from/(used in) operations

25

Income tax refunded

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating 

3,905,514

742,168

(18,039,195)

2,133,498

activities

4,647,682

(15,905,697)

Cash flows from investing activities

Prepayment for the acquisition of a subsidiary

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangible assets

Proceeds of disposal of property, plant and 

equipment

Step acquisition from an associate to a subsidiary, 

net of cash acquired

Interest received

32

14

15

25

29

11

(6,960,375)

(2,035,712)

–

–

374,889

46,358

–

(334,143)

(664,091)

8,450

–

41,235

Net cash used in investing activities

(8,574,840)

(948,549)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowing

30(i)

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Exchange (loss)/gain on cash and cash equivalents

9,500,000

9,500,000

5,572,842

12,702,478

(660,337)

22,573,655

22,573,655

5,719,409

6,386,966

596,103

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

21

17,614,983

12,702,478

The notes on pages 53 to 123 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

52

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Consolidated Statement of  Cash FlowsFor the year ended 31 December 2018For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1  General information

eCargo Holdings Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “ECG” or the “Group”) 

are principally engaged in the development and provision of eCommerce technologies, integrated 

offline and online supply chain operations, and provision of digital commerce solutions and services.

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated in Hong Kong. The address of its registered 

office is 13103N, ATL Logistics Centre B, 3 Kwai Chung Container Terminals, New Territories, Hong 

Kong.

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”), unless 

otherwise stated.

2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies

2.1  Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements of ECG have been prepared in accordance with all applicable 

Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards, which is a collective term for all individual Hong Kong 

Financial Reporting Standards (“HKFRSs”), Hong Kong Accounting Standards (“HKASs”) and 

Interpretations (“Ints”) issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”), 

accounting principles generally accepted in Hong Kong and the disclosure requirement of the Hong 

Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap.622).

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements 

are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless 

otherwise stated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost 

convention.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with HKFRSs requires the use of certain critical 

accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of 

applying ECG’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, 

or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements 

are disclosed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

53

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(a)  The following new and amendments to standards are mandatory for the first time for the 

financial year beginning on 1 January 2018, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG.

Annual Improvements Project 

Annual Improvements 2014–2016 Cycle (amendments)

HKFRS 1 and HKAS 28

HKFRS 2

HKFRS 4

HKFRS 9

HKFRS 15

HKFRS 15

HKAS 40

Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment 

Transactions (amendments)

Applying HKFRS 9 Financial Instruments with HKFRS 4 

Insurance Contracts (amendments)

Financial Instruments (new standard)

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (new standard)

Clarifications to HKFRS 15 (amendments)

Transfers of Investment Property (amendments)

HK(IFRIC)-Int 22

Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration 

(new interpretation)

ECG has initially applied HKFRS 9 and HKFRS 15 with effect from 1 January 2018 and has taken 

transitional provisions and methods not to restate comparative information for prior periods. 

The comparative information continues to be reported under the accounting policies prevailing 

prior to 1 January 2018.

HKFRS 9, Financial Instruments

The adoption of HKFRS 9 has resulted in changes in accounting policies. While the new policies 

are generally required to be applied retrospectively, ECG has taken transitional provisions in 

HKFRS 9 not to restate comparative information for prior periods with respect to classification 

and measurement (including impairment) requirements. Differences in the carrying amounts 

resulting from the adoption of HKFRS 9 are recognised as adjustments to the opening 
consolidated statement of financial position on 1 January 2018.

HKFRS 9 largely retains the requirements in HKAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition 

and Measurement” for the classification and measurement of financial liabilities. The adoption 

of HKFRS 9 has not had a significant effect on ECG’s accounting policies related to financial 

liabilities and financial assets through profit or loss. However, HKFRS 9 eliminates the HKAS 

39 categories for financial assets of held to maturity, loans and receivables and available for 

sale (“AFS”). From 1 January 2018, ECG and, for the purpose of reporting for ECG’s financial 

statements, ECG’s associated companies are required to classify and measure financial assets 

in accordance with HKFRS 9 categories: as measured at amortised cost, at fair value either 

through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) or through profit or loss (“FVPL”).

The adoption of HKFRS 9 has not had a significant effect on ECG’s accounting policies related to 

the classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities.

54

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(a)  The following new and amendments to standards are mandatory for the first time for the 

financial year beginning on 1 January 2018, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG. 

(Continued)

HKFRS 9, Financial Instruments (Continued)

(i)  Measurement

Subsequent to initial recognition, debt instruments financial assets are measured as 

follows.

Amortised cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those 

cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortised 

cost. Interest income from these financial assets, impairment losses, foreign exchange 

gains and losses, and gain or loss arising on derecognition are recognised directly in profit 

or loss.

FVOCI: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the 

financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and 

interest, are measured at FVOCI. Movements in the carrying amount are taken through 

other comprehensive income (“OCI”), except for the recognition of impairment losses and 

reversals, interest revenue and foreign exchange gains and losses which are recognised 

in profit or loss. When the financial asset is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss 

previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to, and 

recognised in, profit or loss.

FVPL: Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortised cost or FVOCI, or assets that are 

designated at FVPL using fair value option, are measured at FVPL. A gain or loss on a debt 

investment that is subsequently measured at FVPL is recognised in profit or loss in the 

period in which it arises.

Equity instrument financial assets are measured at fair value at and subsequent to initial 

recognition. Changes in the fair value of these financial assets are normally recognised in 

profit or loss. Dividends from such investments continue to be recognised in profit or loss 

when ECG’s right to receive payments is established. Where an election is made to present 

fair value gains and losses on equity investments in other comprehensive income, unlike 

the previous policies under HKAS 39 there is no subsequent reclassification of fair value 

gains and losses to profit or loss following the derecognition of the investment.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

55

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(a)  The following new and amendments to standards are mandatory for the first time for the 

financial year beginning on 1 January 2018, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG. 

(Continued)

HKFRS 9, Financial Instruments (Continued)

(ii)  Impairment of financial assets

HKFRS 9 replaces the “incurred loss” impairment model in HKAS 39 with a forward-looking 

“expected credit loss” (“ECL”) model. It is no longer necessary for a loss event to occur 

before an impairment loss is recognised under the new model. Under the new expected 

loss approach, ECG assesses on a forward looking basis the expected credit losses 

associated with its financial assets. The new impairment model applies to trade receivables 

and contract assets. ECG applies the simplified approach to recognise lifetime expected 

losses for trade receivables and contract assets. The application of this new guidance 

represents a change in accounting policy. ECG was required to revise its impairment 

methodology under HKFRS 9 for these classes of assets. The results of the revision at 1 

January 2018 have not resulted in any material change in impairment provision or any 

material impact on the carrying amount of ECG’s trade receivables and contract assets.

HKFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

HKFRS 15 permits either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the 

adoption. ECG has elected to apply the modified retrospective approach for transition to the 

new revenue standard. Under this transition approach, comparative information for prior 

periods is not restated, ECG recognises the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance 

as adjustments to the opening balance of retained profits (or other component of equity, as 

appropriate) on 1 January 2018, and ECG applies the new guidance only to contracts that are 

not yet completed on that date.

Set out below are details of the changes in significant accounting policies under HKFRS 15 

that have been applied from 1 January 2018, where they are different to those applied in prior 

periods which are disclosed in the 2017 Annual Financial Statements.

Under HKFRS 15, revenue is recognised when or as performance obligations are satisfied by 

transferring control of a promised goods or service to a customer, and control either transfers 

over time or at a point in time. The new revenue standard introduces specific criteria for 

determining when revenue is recognised. The adoption of HKFRS 15 does not have a significant 

impact on when ECG recognises revenue from provision of services.

56

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(a)  The following new and amendments to standards are mandatory for the first time for the 

financial year beginning on 1 January 2018, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG. 

(Continued)

HKFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Continued)

The contract assets primarily relate to ECG’s rights to consideration for services that are 

performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to 

receivables when the rights become unconditional. This usually occurs when ECG issues an 

invoice to the customer. The contract liabilities primarily relate to the advance consideration 

received from customers, where ECG has the unconditional right to considerations before the 

services are delivered.

Effect on adoption of HKFRS 15

Under the transition methods chosen, ECG recognises cumulative effect of the initial application 

of HKFRS 15 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at 1 January 2018. Comparative 

information is not restated. The following table gives a summary of the opening balance 

adjustments recognised for each line item in the interim condensed consolidated statement of 

financial position that has been impacted by HKFRS 15.

Statement of financial position

Current assets

Trade receivables

Contract assets

Current liabilities

Contract liabilities

As at  

As at  

31 December 

1 January 2018 

2017

HK$

HKFRS 15

As adjusted

HK$

HK$

33,635,520

(8,394,071)

25,241,449

–

–

8,394,071

8,394,071

2,324,144

2,324,144

Other payables and accruals

16,847,678

(2,324,144)

14,523,534

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

57

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(b)  The following new standards, amendments/revisions to standards and interpretation have been 

issued, but are not effective for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018 and have not 

been early adopted by ECG.

Effective for 

accounting 

periods beginning 

on or after

Annual Improvements 

Annual Improvements 2015–2017 Cycle 

1 January 2019

Project

HKAS 19

HKAS 28

HKFRS 3

HKFRS 9

HKFRS 16

HKFRS 17

(amendments)

Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement 

1 January 2019

(amendments)

Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint 

1 January 2019

Ventures (amendments)

Definition of a business (amendment)

Prepayment Features with Negative 

1 January 2020

1 January 2019

Compensation (amendments)

Leases (new standard)

Insurance Contracts (new standard)

1 January 2019

1 January 2021

HK(IFRIC)-Int 23

Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments 

1 January 2019

(new interpretation)

Conceptual Framework for 

Revised Conceptual Framework for Financial 

1 January 2020

Financial Reporting 2018

Reporting

HKFRS 10 and HKAS 28

Sales or Contribution of Assets between an 

To be determined

Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture 

(amendments)

58

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(b)  The following new standards, amendments/revisions to standards and interpretation have been 

issued, but are not effective for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018 and have not 

been early adopted by ECG. (Continued)

HKFRS 16, Leases

Nature of change

HKFRS 16 was issued in January 2016. It will result in almost all leases being recognised on 

the Statement of financial position by lessees, as the distinction between operating and finance 

leases is removed. Under the new standard, an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a 

financial liability to pay rentals are recognised. The only exceptions are short-term and low-

value leases.

ECG has reviewed all of the leasing arrangements over the last year in light of the new lease 

accounting rules in HKFRS 16. The standard will affect primarily the accounting for the ECG’s 

operating leases.

Under HKAS 17, lessees were required to make a distinction between a finance lease (on the 

consolidated statement of financial position) and an operating lease (off balance sheet). HKFRS 

16 requires lessees to recognise a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a right-

of-use asset for virtually all lease contracts. The new standard will impact both the consolidated 

statement of financial position and related ratios (capital adequacy ratio and leverage ratio), 

but the impact will not be material. If ECG early adopts HKFRS 16, as at 31 December 2018, 

the amount of operating leasing commitment amounted to HK$4,116,992 (31 December 2017: 

HK$4,578,911) (Note 27) would be recognised on the consolidated statement of financial 

position as asset and liability. As such, ECG’s total assets and liabilities would be affected by 

a similar magnitude and have consequential effects on the ECG’s capital adequacy ratio and 

leverage ratio.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

59

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.2  Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Continued)

(b)  The following new standards, amendments/revisions to standards and interpretation have been 

issued, but are not effective for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018 and have not 

been early adopted by ECG. (Continued)

HKFRS 16, Leases (Continued)

Date of adoption by ECG

ECG will apply the standard from its mandatory adoption date of 1 January 2019. ECG intends 

to apply the simplified transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for 

the year prior to first adoption. Right-of-use assets for property leases will be measured on 

transition as if the new rules had always been applied. All other right-of-use assets will be 

measured at the amount of the lease liability on adoption (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued 

lease expenses).

There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have 

a material impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable 

future transactions

2.3  Subsidiaries

2.3.1 Consolidation

A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity) over which ECG has control. ECG 

controls an entity when ECG is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its 

involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over 

the entity. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to ECG. 

They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

Intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group 

companies are eliminated.

60

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.3  Subsidiaries (Continued)

2.3.2 Separate financial statements

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less impairment. Cost includes direct 

attributable costs of investment. The results of subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company 

on the basis of dividend received and receivable.

Impairment testing of the investments in subsidiaries is required upon receiving a dividend from 

these investments if the dividend exceeds the total comprehensive income of the subsidiary in 

the year the dividend is declared or if the carrying amount of the investment in the separate 

financial statements exceeds the carrying amount in the consolidated financial statements of 

the investee’s net assets including goodwill.

2.3.3 Associates

An associate is an entity over which ECG has significant influence but not control, generally 

accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments 

in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity 

method, the investment is initially recognised at cost, and the carrying amount is increased or 

decreased to recognise the investor’s share of the profit or loss of the investee after the date 

of acquisition. ECG’s investments in associates include goodwill identified on acquisition. Upon 

the acquisition of the ownership interest in an associate, any difference between the cost of 

the associate and ECG’s share of the net fair value of the associate’s identifiable assets and 

liabilities is accounted for as goodwill.

If the ownership interest in an associate is reduced but significant influence is retained, only 

a proportionate share of the amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income is 

reclassified to profit or loss where appropriate.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

61

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.3  Subsidiaries (Continued)

2.3.3 Associates (Continued)

ECG’s share of post-acquisition profit or loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive 

income, and its share of post-acquisition movements in other comprehensive income is 

recognised in other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying 

amount of the investment. When ECG’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its 

interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, ECG does not recognise 

further losses, unless it has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on 

behalf of the associate.

ECG determines at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that the 

investment in the associate is impaired. If this is the case, ECG calculates the amount of 

impairment as the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its carrying 

value and recognises the amount adjacent to “share of profit of investments accounted for 

using equity method” in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Profits and losses resulting from upstream and downstream transactions between ECG and its 

associate are recognised in ECG’s financial statements only to the extent of unrelated investor’s 

interests in the associates. Unrealised losses are eliminated unless the transaction provides 

evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of associates have been 

changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by ECG.

Gain or losses on dilution of equity interest in associates are recognised in the consolidated 

statement of comprehensive income.

62

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.4  Business combinations

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for all business combinations, regardless 

of whether equity instruments or other assets are acquired. The consideration transferred for the 

acquisition of a subsidiary comprises the:

• 

fair values of the assets transferred

• 

liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquired business

• 

equity interests issued by ECG

• 

fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, and

• 

fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business 

combination are, with limited exceptions, measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition 

date. ECG recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity on an acquisition-by-

acquisition basis either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 

acquired entity’s net identifiable assets.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

The excess of the consideration transferred, amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired 

entity, and acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquired entity over the 

fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If those amounts are less 

than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the business acquired, the difference is recognised 

directly in profit or loss as a bargain purchase.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

63

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.4  Business combinations (Continued)

Where settlement of any part of cash consideration is deferred, the amounts payable in the future 

are discounted to their present value as at the date of exchange. The discount rate used is the 

entity’s incremental borrowing rate, being the rate at which a similar borrowing could be obtained 

from an independent financier under comparable terms and conditions. Contingent consideration 

is classified either as equity or a financial liability. Amounts classified as a financial liability are 

subsequently remeasured to fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of the acquirer’s 

previously held equity interest in the acquiree is remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date. 

Any gains or losses arising from such remeasurement are recognised in profit or loss.

2.5  Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to 

the chief operating decision-makers (“CODM”), who are responsible for allocating resources and 

assessing performance of the operating segments and making strategic decisions. The CODM are the 

key management personnel of ECG and may include directors.

2.6  Foreign currency translation

(a)  Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the entities of ECG are measured using 

the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entities operate (the “functional 

currency”). The consolidated financial statements are presented in HK$ which is the Company’s 

functional and presentation currency and ECG’s presentation currency.

64

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.6  Foreign currency translation (Continued)

(b)  Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange 

rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions or valuation where items are remeasured. 

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from 

the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 

foreign currencies are recognised within administrative expenses in the consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to cash and cash equivalents are presented in the 

consolidated statement of comprehensive income within “other (losses)/gains – net”.

Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities such as equities held 

at fair value through profit or loss are recognised in profit or loss as part of the fair value gain 

or loss. Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets, such as equities classified as 

available for sale, are included in other comprehensive income.

(c)  Group companies

The results and financial position of all ECG entities (none of which has the currency of a hyper-

inflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency 

are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

(i)  assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at 

the closing rate at the date of that statement of financial position;

(ii) 

income and expenses for each statement of comprehensive income are translated at 

average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the 

cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income 

and expenses are translated at the rate on the dates of the transactions); and

(iii)  all resulting currency translation differences are recognised in other comprehensive 

income.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.7  Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and 

accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to 

the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, 

as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will 

flow to ECG and that cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced 

part is recognised. All other repairs and maintenance are expensed in the consolidated statement of 

comprehensive income during the financial year in which they are incurred.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate 

their costs to their residual values over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Leasehold improvements

over the shorter of remaining lease term and useful life

Furniture and fixtures

Office equipment

Computer equipment

20%

20%

33.33%

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of 

each reporting year.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s 

carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount and are 

recognised within administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.8  Intangible assets

(a)  Goodwill

Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries represents the excess of the consideration 

transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date 

fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identified net 

assets acquired.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated 

to each of the cash-generating units (“CGUs”), or groups of CGUs, that is expected to benefit 

from the synergies of the combination. Each unit or group of units to which the goodwill is 

allocated represents the lowest level within the entity at which the goodwill is monitored for 

internal management purposes. Goodwill is monitored at the CGU level.

Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually or more frequently if events or changes 

in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The carrying value of the CGU containing the 

goodwill is compared to the recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in use and the fair 

value less costs of disposal. Any impairment is recognised immediately as an expense and is 

not subsequently reversed.

(b)  Brand name

The brand name acquired in a business combination is recognised at fair value at the acquisition 

date. The brand has a finite useful life and is carried at cost less accumulated amortisation. 

Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 10 

years.

(c)  Contractual customer relationships

Contractual customer relationships acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair 

value at the acquisition date. The contractual customer relations have a finite useful life and are 

carried at cost less accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line 

method over the expected life of the customer relationships of 5 years.

(d)  Supplier relationships

Supplier relationships acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair value at the 

acquisition date. The supplier relations have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less 

accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method over the 

expected life of the customer relationships of 5 years.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.8  Intangible assets (Continued)

(e)  Software

Costs associated with maintaining computer software programs are recognised as an expense 

as incurred. Development costs that are directly attributable to the design and testing of 

identifiable and unique software products controlled by ECG are recognised as intangible assets 

when the following criteria are met:

• 

It is technically feasible to complete the software product so that it will be available for 

use;

•  Management intends to complete the software product and use or sell it;

• 

There is an ability to use or sell the software product;

• 

It can be demonstrated how the software product will generate probable future economic 

benefits;

• 

Adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use 

or sell the software product are available; and

• 

The expenditure attributable to the software product during its development can be 

reliably measured.

Directly attributable costs that are capitalised as part of the software product include the 

software development employee costs and an appropriate portion of relevant overheads.

Other development expenditures that do not meet these criteria are recognised as an expense 

as incurred. Development costs previously recognised as an expense are not recognised as an 

asset in a subsequent period.

Computer software development costs recognised as assets are amortised over their estimated 

useful lives, which does not exceed five years. The amortisation expense is recognised in 

administrative expenses of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

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eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.9  Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes 

in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is 

recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. 

The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to disposal and value in 

use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which 

there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets other than 

goodwill that suffered impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each 

reporting date.

2.10 Investment and other financial assets

(i)  Classification

From 1 January 2018, ECG classifies its financial assets in the following measurement 

categories:

• 

those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through OCI or through profit or 

loss), and

• 

those to be measured at amortised cost.

The classification depends on the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and 

the contractual terms of the cash flows.

For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either be recorded in profit or loss 

or other comprehensive income. For investments in equity instruments that are not held for 

trading, this will depend on whether ECG has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial 

recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive 

income (FVOCI).

ECG reclassifies debt investments when and only when its business model for managing those 

assets changes.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.10 Investment and other financial assets (Continued)

(ii)  Recognition and derecognition

Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on trade-date, the date on 

which ECG commits to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognised when the 

rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and 

ECG has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

(iii) Measurement

At initial recognition, ECG measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a 

financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly 

attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried 

at FVPL are expensed in profit or loss.

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining 

whether their cash flows are solely payment of principal and interest.

Debt instruments

Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on ECG’s business model for managing 

the asset and the cash flow characteristics of the asset. There are three measurement 

categories into which ECG classifies its debt instruments:

• 

Amortised cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those 

cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortised 

cost. Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the 

effective interest rate method. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition is recognised 

directly in profit or loss and presented in other gains/(losses) together with foreign 

exchange gains and losses. Impairment losses are presented as separate line item in the 

statement of profit or loss.

• 

FVOCI: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the 

financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and 

interest, are measured at FVOCI. Movements in the carrying amount are taken through 

OCI, except for the recognition of impairment gains or losses, interest income and foreign 

exchange gains and losses which are recognised in profit or loss. When the financial asset 

is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in OCI is reclassified 

from equity to profit or loss and recognised in other gains/(losses). Interest income 

from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate 

method. Foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in other gains/(losses) and 

impairment expenses are presented as separate line item in the statement of profit or loss.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.10 Investment and other financial assets (Continued)

(iii) Measurement (Continued)

Debt instruments (Continued)

• 

FVPL: Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortised cost or FVOCI are measured 

at FVPL. A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at FVPL is 

recognised in profit or loss and presented net within other gains/(losses) in the period in 

which it arises.

Equity instruments

ECG subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. Where ECG’s management 

has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in OCI, there is 

no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains and losses to profit or loss following the 

derecognition of the investment. Dividends from such investments continue to be recognised in 

profit or loss as other income when ECG’s right to receive payments is established.

Changes in the fair value of financial assets at FVPL are recognised in other gains/(losses) in the 

statement of profit or loss as applicable. Impairment losses (and reversal of impairment losses) 

on equity investments measured at FVOCI are not reported separately from other changes in 

fair value.

(iv)  Impairment

From 1 January 2018, ECG assesses on a forward looking basis the expected credit losses 

associated with its debt instruments carried at amortised cost and FVOCI. The impairment 

methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk.

For trade receivables, ECG applies the simplified approach permitted by HKFRS 9, which 

requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables, see 

Note 19 for further details.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.10 Investment and other financial assets (Continued)

(v)  Accounting policies applied until 31 December 2017

ECG has applied HKFRS 9 retrospectively, but has elected not to restate comparative 

information. As a result, the comparative information provided continues to be accounted for in 

accordance with ECG’s previous accounting policy.

Until 31 December 2017 ECG classifies its financial assets in the following categories:

• 

financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, and

• 

loans and receivables

The classification determined on the purpose for which the investments were acquired. 

Management determined the classification of its investments at initial recognition and, in the 

case of assets classified as held-to-maturity, re-evaluated this designation at the end of each 

reporting period. See Note 18 for details about each type of financial asset.

(i)  Reclassification

ECG could choose to reclassify a non-derivative trading financial asset out of the held for 

trading category if the financial asset was no longer held for the purpose of selling it in 

the near term. Financial assets other than loans and receivables were permitted to be 

reclassified out of the held for trading category only in rare circumstances arising from a 

single event that was unusual and highly unlikely to recur in the near term. In addition, 

ECG could choose to reclassify financial assets that would meet the definition of loans 

and receivables out of the held for trading or available-for-sale categories if ECG had 

the intention and ability to hold these financial assets for the foreseeable future or until 

maturity at the date of reclassification.

Reclassifications were made at fair value as of the reclassification date. Fair value became 

the new cost or amortised cost as applicable, and no reversals of fair value gains or losses 

recorded before reclassification date were subsequently made. Effective interest rates 

for financial assets reclassified to loans and receivables and held-to-maturity categories 

were determined at the reclassification date. Further increases in estimates of cash flows 

adjusted effective interest rates prospectively.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.10 Investment and other financial assets (Continued)

(v)  Accounting policies applied until 31 December 2017 (Continued)

(ii)  Subsequent measurement

The measurement at initial recognition did not change an adoption of HKFRS 9, see 

description above.

Subsequent to the initial, recognition loans and receivables was subsequently carried at 

amortised cost using the effective interest method.

(iii)  Impairment

ECG assessed at the end of each reporting period whether there was objective evidence 

that a financial asset or group of financial assets was impaired. A financial asset or a group 

of financial assets was impaired and impairment losses were incurred only if there was 

objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after 

the initial recognition of the asset (a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or events) had an 

impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets 

that could be reliably estimated. In the case of equity investments classified as available-

for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost 

was considered an indicator that the assets are impaired.

Assets carried at amortised cost

For loans and receivables, the amount of the loss was measured as the difference 

between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows 

(excluding future credit losses that had not been incurred) discounted at the financial 

asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset was reduced 

and the amount of the loss was recognised in profit or loss. If a loan or held-to-maturity 

investment had a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment 

loss was the current effective interest rate determined under the contract. As a practical 

expedient, ECG could measure impairment on the basis of an instrument’s fair value using 

an observable market price.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreased and the decrease 

could be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised 

(such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the reversal of the previously 

recognised impairment loss was recognised in profit or loss.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.11 Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials, 

direct labour and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure, the latter 

being allocated on the basis of normal operating capacity. Costs are assigned to individual items of 

inventory on the basis of weighted average costs. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after 

deducting rebates and discounts. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary 

course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to 

make the sale.

2.12 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for services rendered in the ordinary course of 

business. If collection of trade and other receivables is expected in one year or less (or in the normal 

operating cycle of the business if longer), they are classified as current assets. If not, they are 

presented as non-current assets.

Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at 

amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment.

2.13 Cash and cash equivalents

In the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and 

deposits held at call with banks with original maturities of three months or less.

2.14 Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a 

deduction, net of tax from the proceeds.

2.15 Trade and other payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary 

course of business from suppliers. Trade payables are classified as current liabilities if payment is 

due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they 

are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at 

amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.16 Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are 

subsequently carried at amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction 

costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the statement of profit or loss over the period of 

the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless ECG has an unconditional right to defer 

settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

2.17 Borrowing costs

General and specific borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or 

production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to 

get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the 

assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

2.18 Current and deferred income tax

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the 

consolidated statement of comprehensive income, except to the extent that it relates to items 

recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also 

recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

(a)  Current income tax

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or 

substantively enacted at the date of statement of financial position in the countries where 

ECG, its subsidiaries and its associates operate and generate taxable income. Management 

periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which 

applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate 

on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.18 Current and deferred income tax (Continued)

(b)  Deferred income tax

(i) 

Inside basis differences

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences 

arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the 

financial statements. However, deferred income tax is not recognised if it arises from 

initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination 

that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. 

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or 

substantively enacted by the date of statement of financial position and are expected to 

apply when the related deferred income tax asset is recognised or the deferred income tax 

liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future 

taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

(ii)  Outside basis differences

Deferred income tax liabilities are provided on taxable temporary differences arising 

from investments in subsidiaries and associates, except for deferred income tax liability 

where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by ECG and it is 

probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised on deductible temporary differences arising 

from investments in subsidiaries and associates only to the extent that it is probable 

the temporary difference will reverse in the future and there is sufficient taxable profit 

available against which the temporary difference can be utilised.

(c)  Offsetting

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right 

to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes 

assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the 

taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on 

a net basis.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.19 Employee benefits

(a)  Employee leave entitlements

Employee entitlements to annual leave are recognised when they accrue to employees. A 

provision is made for the estimated liability for annual leave as a result of services rendered by 

employees up to the date of statement of financial position. Employee entitlements to sick leave 

and maternity leave are not recognised until the time of leave.

(b)  Bonus plan

The expected cost of bonus payment is recognised as a liability when ECG has a present legal 

or constructive obligation as a result of services rendered by employees and a reliable estimate 

of the obligation can be made. Liabilities for bonus plan are expected to be settled within 12 

months and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when they are settled.

(c)  Pension obligations

ECG companies incorporated in Hong Kong operate a defined contribution plan, which is the 

Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme (“MPF Scheme”) established under and pursuant to the 

Mandatory Provident Fund Ordinance.

The MPF Scheme is generally funded by the payments from employees and by ECG. 

Contributions to the scheme by ECG and employees are calculated as a percentage of 

employees’ basic salaries. ECG has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further 

contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits 

relating to employee service in the current and prior years.

ECG’s contributions to defined contribution plan are expensed as incurred and are reduced by 

contributions forfeited by those employees who leave the scheme prior to vesting fully in the 

contributions.

The assets of the scheme are held in separate trustee-administered funds.

ECG companies incorporated in the PRC and Australia contribute based on certain percentage 

of the salaries of the employees to a defined contribution retirement benefit plan organised by 

relevant government authorities in the PRC and Australia on a monthly basis. The government 

authorities undertake to assume the retirement benefit obligations payable to all existing 

and future retired employees under these plans and ECG has no further obligation for post-

retirement benefits beyond the contributions made. Contributions to these plans are expensed 

as incurred. Assets of the plans are held and managed by government authorities and are 

separate from those of ECG.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.20 Provisions

Provisions are recognised when ECG has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past 

events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the 

amount has been reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in 

settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised 

even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of 

obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle 

the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 

money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to passage of time 

is recognised as interest expense.

2.21 Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured when or as the control of the goods or services is transferred to a customer. 

Depending on the terms of the contract and the laws that apply to the contract, control of the goods

and services may be transferred over time or at a point in time. Control of the goods and services is 

transferred over time if ECG’s performance:

• 

provides all of the benefits received and consumed simultaneously by the customer; or

• 

creates and enhances an asset that the customer controls as ECG performs; or

• 

does not create an asset with an alternative use to ECG and ECG has an enforceable right to 

payment for performance completed to date.

If control of the goods and services transfers over time, revenue is recognised over the period of the 

contract by reference to the progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. 

ECG use the output methods to measure the progress towards, recognising revenue based on direct 

measurements of the value transferred to the customer. Otherwise, revenue is recognised at a point 

in time when the customer obtains control of the goods and services.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.21 Revenue recognition (Continued)

Contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, 

ECG allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. 

ECG generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers. If the 

standalone selling price is not directly observable, it is estimated using expected cost plus a margin 

or adjusted market assessment approach, depending on the availability of observable information. 

Assumptions and estimations have been made in estimating the relative selling price of each distinct 

performance obligation, and changes in judgements on these assumptions and estimates may 

impact the revenue recognition.

When either party to a contract has performed, ECG presents the contract in the statement of 

financial position as a contract assets or a contract liability, depending on the relationship between 

the entity’s performance and the customer’s payment.

A contract asset is ECG’s right to consideration in exchange for goods and services that ECG 

has transferred to a customer. A receivable is recorded when ECG has an unconditional right to 

consideration. A right to consideration is unconditional if only the passage of time is required before 

payment of the consideration is due.

If a customer pays consideration or ECG has a right to an amount of consideration that is 

unconditional, before ECG transfers a good or service to the customer, ECG presents the contract 

liability when the payment is made or a receivable is recorded (whichever is earlier). A contract 

liability is ECG’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which ECG has received 

consideration (or an amount of consideration is due from the customer).

2.22 Interest income

Interest income on financial assets at amortised cost (2017: loans and receivable) is calculated 

using the effective interest method is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income. Interest income is presented as finance income where it is earned from financial assets 

that are held for cash management purpose. Any other interest income is included in other income. 

Interest income is calculated by applying the effective interest rate to the gross carrying amount of 

a financial asset except for financial assets that subsequently become credit-impaired. For credit-

impaired financial assets the effective interest rate is applied to the net carrying amount of the 

financial asset (after deduction of the loss allowance).

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.23 Loss per share

(i)  Basic loss per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing:

• 

the profit attributable to owners of the company, excluding any costs of servicing equity 

other than ordinary shares

by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, 

adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year and excluding treasury 

shares.

(ii)  Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per 

share to take into account:

• 

the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive 

potential ordinary shares, and

• 

the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been 

outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

2.23 Leases

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor 

are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives 

received from the lessor) are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a 

straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

ECG leases certain property, plant and equipment. Leases of property, plant and equipment where 

ECG has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance lease. Finance 

leases are capitalised at the lease’s commencement at the lower of the fair value of the leased 

property and the present value of the minimum lease payments.

Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges. The corresponding rental 

obligations, net of finance charges, are included in other long-term payables. The interest element 

of the finance cost is charged to the income statement over the lease period so as to produce a 

constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The 

property, plant, and equipment acquired under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the 

useful life of the asset and the lease term.

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eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only3  Financial risk management

3.1  Capital management

ECG’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard ECG’s ability to continue as a going 

concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to 

maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

ECG actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure optimal capital 

structure and shareholder returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements of ECG 

and capital efficiency, prevailing and projected profitability, projected operating cash flows, projected 

capital expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities. In order to maintain or adjust 

the capital structure, ECG may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to 

shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

3.2  Credit risk

At the date of the consolidated statement of financial position, 42% (2017: 27%) of the total 

receivables was due from ECG’s largest five debtors. Accordingly, ECG’s consolidated results would 

be heavily affected by the financial capability of these debtors to fulfill their obligations with ECG. 

ECG’s credit risk monitoring activities relating to the debtors include review of the credit profile, 

business prospects, background and their financial capacity.

Substantially all of the bank deposits and cash at banks are held in a major financial institution, 

which management believes are of high credit quality.

ECG applies the HKFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which permits 

the uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables and contract assets as at 31 

December 2018 and 2017. ECG recognised lifetime expected loss provision for all trade receivables 

and contract assets carried at amortised cost based on either individually customers who are long 

overdue with significant amounts or known insolvencies or non-response to collection activities, or 

collectively assessing them for likelihood of recovery based on ageing of the balances with similar 

risk characteristics taking into account the forward looking information.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only3  Financial risk management (Continued)

3.2  Credit risk (Continued)

The loss allowance provision as at 31 December 2018 and 2017 is illustrated below:

As at 31 December 2018

Individual assessment

Collective assessment

Current

Past due:

1 to 30 days

31 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

Over 90 days

As at 31 December 2017

Individual assessment

Collective assessment

Current

Past due:

1 to 30 days

31 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

Over 90 days

Lifetime 

Gross 

Lifetime 

expected 

carrying 

expected 

Net carrying 

loss rate

amount

credit loss

amount

100%

221,800

(221,800)

–

0.1% 13,404,234

0.1%

0.2%

0.5%

1.0%

4,365,056

864,487

246,009

3,303,655

22,183,441

–

–

–

–

–

–

13,404,234

4,365,056

864,487

246,009

3,303,655

22,183,441

100%

255,824

(255,824)

–

0.1% 22,726,790

0.1%

0.2%

0.5%

1.0%

4,917,321

3,645,019

1,195,010

1,151,380

33,635,520

–

–

–

–

–

–

22,726,790

4,917,321

3,645,019

1,195,010

1,151,380

33,635,520

In view of the history of business dealings with the debtors and the sound collection history of the 

receivables due from them, management believes that there is no material credit risk inherent in 

ECG’s outstanding receivable balance due from these debtors saved for the debtor related to the 

impaired trade receivable disclosed in Note 19.

Management makes periodic assessment on the recoverability of the trade and other receivables 

based on historical payment records, the length of overdue period, the financial strength of the 

debtors and whether there are any disputes with the debtors. The directors consider ECG’s credit 

risk of these receivables to be low except for the impaired trade receivable disclosed in Note 19.

82

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3  Financial risk management (Continued)

3.3  Liquidity risk

ECG adopts prudent liquidity risk management and maintains sufficient cash and the availability of 

funding through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities. The contractual undiscounted 

cash flows of ECG’s financial liabilities, which include trade and other payables and amounts due to 

related parties, are due within 12 months and approximate their carrying amounts as the impact of 

discounting is not significant.

3.4  Foreign exchange risk

ECG mainly operates in Hong Kong, the PRC and Australia, and is exposed to foreign exchange risk 

arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to the Renminbi (“RMB”), Australian 

Dollars (“A$”), United States Dollars (“US$”) and New Zealand Dollars (“NZ$”).

Foreign exchange risk arises mainly from future commercial transactions, recognised assets and 

liabilities.

ECG manages its foreign exchange risks by performing regular review and monitoring its foreign 

exchange exposure. ECG currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy.

At 31 December 2018, if HK$ had strengthened/weakened by 5% against the A$ with all other 

variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would change by approximately HK$389,000 

(2017: HK$183,000), mainly as a result of foreign exchange losses/gains on translation of trade 

receivables and other receivables, trade and other payables and bank deposits denominated in the 

A$.

At 31 December 2018, if HK$ had strengthened/weakened by 5% against the RMB with all other 

variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would change by approximately HK$323,000 

(2017: HK$215,000), mainly as a result of foreign exchange losses/gains on translation of trade 

receivables and other receivables, trade and other payables and bank deposits denominated in the 

RMB.

At 31 December 2018, if HK$ had strengthened/weakened by 5% against the NZ$ with all other 

variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would change by approximately HK$101,000 

(2017: HK$52,000), mainly as a result of foreign exchange losses/gains on translation of trade 

receivables, trade and other payables and bank deposits denominated in the NZ$.

The foreign exchange exposure for the US$ is considered minimal as HK$ is pegged with the US$.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

83

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only3  Financial risk management (Continued)

3.5  Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

ECG’s interest rate risk arises from borrowing, which is issued at variable rate exposes ECG to 

cash flow interest rate risk which is partially offset by cash held at variable rates. ECG currently 

does not hedge its exposure to cash flow and fair value interest rate risk. ECG analyses its interest 

rate exposure on a regular basis and will consider the interest rate exposure when enter into any 

financing, renewal of existing positions and alternative financing transactions.

ECG’s practice is to manage its interest income/cost through monitoring and reviewing interest rate 

changes in the market and its impact to the ECG’s financial performance. During the year, ECG’s 

borrowing at variable rate was denominated in HK$.

At 31 December 2018, if interest rate on borrowing held at variable rate had been 50 basis points 

higher/lower with all other variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would have been 

approximately HK$226,000 (2017: HK$177,000) higher/lower, mainly as a result of higher/lower 

interest expense on floating rate borrowing.

3.6  Fair value estimation

ECG’s financial instruments include “cash and cash equivalents”, “trade receivables”, “deposits 

and other receivables”, “amounts due from related parties”, “contract assets”, “trade and other 

payables”, “contract liabilities”, “amounts due to related parties” and “borrowing”. The carrying 

amounts less impairment of these balances are a reasonable approximation of their fair values due 

to their short term maturities.

4  Critical accounting estimates and judgments

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experiences and 

other factors, including expectation of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the 

circumstances.

ECG makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates 

will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have 

a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 

within the next financial year are addressed below.

84

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only4  Critical accounting estimates and judgments (Continued)

(a)  Impairment assessment of long-lived assets

At the end of each reporting period, ECG reviews internal and external sources of information to 

identify indications that the following classes of asset may be impaired or, except in the case of 

goodwill, an impairment loss previously recognised no longer exists or may have decreased:

• 

Property, plant and equipment;

• 

Intangible assets; and

• 

Interest in associates

If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. In addition, for goodwill, 

the recoverable amount is estimated annually whether or not there is any indication of impairment. 

An impairment loss is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income whenever 

the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

The sources utilised to identify indications of impairment are often subjective in nature and ECG is 

required to use judgment in applying such information to its business. ECG’s interpretation of this 

information has a direct impact on whether an impairment assessment is performed as at the end of 

any given reporting period.

If an indication of impairment is identified, such information is further subject to an exercise that 

requires ECG to estimate the recoverable value, representing the greater of the asset’s fair value 

less cost to sell or its value in use. Depending on ECG’s assessment of the overall materiality of the 

asset under review and complexity of deriving reasonable estimates of the recoverable value, ECG 

may perform such assessments utilising internal resources or ECG may engage external advisors for 

counsel. Regardless of the resources utilised, ECG is required to make assumptions to make these 

assessments, including the utilisation of such asset, the cash flows to be generated, appropriate 

market discount rates and the projected market and regulatory conditions. Changes in any of these 

assumptions could result in a material change to future estimates of the recoverable value of any 

asset.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

85

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only4  Critical accounting estimates and judgments (Continued)

(b)  Valuation of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in respect of 

acquisitions

The purchase considerations for acquisition of interest in an associate and subsidiaries were allocated 

to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on management’s estimations of 

fair value. The valuations were based on certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and 

might materially differ from the actual results. In making the estimate, management judgment 

is required to assess whether key assumptions used in the valuations are reasonable. Such key 

assumptions include i) revenue growth rate, supplier attrition rate and pre-tax discount rate relevant 

for the valuation of identifiable assets acquired; and ii) stock price volatility and risk-free rate 

relevant for the valuation of derivative financial instrument acquired. Changing the assumptions 

could affect the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and as a result affect 

the amounts of goodwill arising from acquisitions and the financial position of ECG as well as the fair 

value gain or loss, loss on disposal of interest in an associate and financial results of ECG.

5  Segment information

Management have determined the operating segments based on the information reviewed by the 

Board of Directors for the purpose of allocating resources and assessing performance.

The CODM considers the business from both geographic and services perspective and concluded 

the segments as eCommerce Business Services in Greater China (“Greater China”) and eCommerce 

Solution Services in Australia (“Australia”). The CODM assesses and measures the operating 

performance of ECG based on the revenue, gross profit and EBITDA (excluding net foreign exchange 

loss) as management believes that such information is the most relevant in evaluating the results of 

ECG’s segments. EBITDA loss excluding impact of foreign exchange represents loss before income 

tax, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortisation of intangible assets, net finance 

income, share of results of an associate, impairment provision for interest in an associate, and gain 

or loss on fair value of acquisitions and financial derivatives.

86

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only5  Segment information (Continued)

Information regarding ECG’s reportable segments as provided to ECG’s CODM is set out below:

2018

Unallocated 

Corporate 

Income/

Greater China

Australia

(Expense)

Consolidated

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

Revenue from external customers

32,947,713

97,010,212

–

129,957,925

Revenue from related companies  

(Note 30)

2,100,724

–

2,400,000

4,500,724

35,048,437

97,010,212

2,400,000

134,458,649

Gross profit

16,246,429

52,816,782

2,400,000

71,463,211

EBITDA (loss)/gain – excluding 

impact of foreign exchange

(4,281,014)

6,312,500

(12,122,156)

(10,090,670)

Net foreign exchange loss

(723,727)

(35,692)

(443,966)

(1,203,385)

Depreciation of property, plant and 

equipment

(382,451)

(234,106)

(561,585)

(1,178,142)

Amortisation of intangible assets

–

(1,835,145)

(21,351,231)

(23,186,376)

Finance income

Finance expense

Share of profit of an associate

Provision for impairment of interest in  

an associate

Fair value gain on financial assets at  

fair value through profit or loss

Loss on disposal of interest in  

an associate

5,381

38,043

2,934

46,358

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,214,562)

(2,214,562)

555,323

555,323

(72,504,113)

(72,504,113)

13,930,290

13,930,290

(38,992,851)

(38,992,851)

(Loss)/profit before income tax

(5,381,811)

4,245,600

(133,701,917)

(134,838,128)

Income tax (expense)/credit

(25,969)

(770,265)

938,477

142,243

(Loss)/profit for the year

(5,407,780)

3,475,335

(132,763,440)

(134,695,885)

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

87

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  Segment information (Continued)

Information regarding ECG’s reportable segments as provided to ECG’s CODM is set out below:

2017 (Restated)

Unallocated 

Corporate 

Income/

Greater China

Australia

(Expense)

Consolidated

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

Revenue from external customers

46,399,371

92,267,995

–

138,667,366

Revenue from related companies  

(Note 30)

3,420,764

–

2,400,000

5,820,764

49,820,135

92,267,995

2,400,000

144,488,130

Gross profit

22,359,207

55,719,769

2,400,000

80,478,976

EBITDA (loss)/gain – excluding 

impact of foreign exchange

(6,890,082)

5,215,794

(14,718,814)

(16,393,102)

Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)

277,976

(261,255)

1,127,158

1,143,879

Gain/(loss) on disposal of property,  

plant and equipment

8,450

(13,591)

–

(5,141)

Depreciation of property, plant and 

equipment

(719,684)

(214,867)

(804,029)

(1,738,580)

Amortisation of intangible assets

Finance income

Finance expense

Share of loss of associates

–

–

–

–

(1,847,535)

(45,761,006)

(47,608,541)

35,601

5,634

41,235

–

–

(1,869,716)

(1,869,716)

(2,331,406)

(2,331,406)

(Loss)/profit before income tax

(7,323,340)

2,914,147

(64,352,179)

(68,761,372)

Income tax (expense)/credit

–

(467,584)

717,433

249,849

(Loss)/profit for the year

(7,323,340)

2,446,563

(63,634,746)

(68,511,523)

88

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  Segment information (Continued)

The segment assets as at 31 December 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

Unallocated 

Corporate 

Assets/

Greater China

Australia

Liabilities

Consolidated

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

33,281,776

35,561,430

98,685,150

167,528,356

As at 31 December 2018

Segment assets

Interest in an associate

Additions to non-current assets

1,779,160

256,552

–

–

–

–

–

2,035,712

Segment liabilities

31,352,046

24,779,599

67,033,427

123,165,072

35,060,936

35,817,982

98,685,150

169,564,068

As at 31 December 2017 (As restated)

Segment assets

Interest in associates

Additions to non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

48,109,981

37,836,539

23,840,159

109,786,679

–

4,836

–

–

72,504,113

72,504,113

993,398

256,553

–

–

998,234

256,553

48,114,817

39,086,490

96,344,272

183,545,579

Segment liabilities

18,357,216

30,485,819

47,394,352

96,237,387

Information about major customer

For the year ended 31 December 2018, there were two single external customers contributing 10% 

or more of ECG’s total revenue.

For the year ended 31 December 2017, there was no single external customer contributing 10% or 

more of ECG’s total revenue.

ECG has recognised the following assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers:

Contract assets

Contract liabilities

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

31 December

31 December

2018

HK$

3,767,479

2,386,262

2017*

HK$

–

–

89

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  Segment information (Continued)

Significant changes in contract assets and liabilities

During the year ended 31 December 2018, the balances of contract assets have decreased since 

less unbilled amount. ECG also applied the simplified approach to provide for expected credit losses 

prescribed by HKFRS 9, which permits the use of the lifetime expected loss provision for contract 

assets. No impairment was made as at 31 December 2017 and 2018.

There is no significant changes in contract liabilities

Revenue recognised in relation to contract liabilities

The following table shows how much of the revenue recognised in the current reporting period 

relates to carried-forward contract liabilities.

31 December 

31 December 

2018

HK$

2017*

HK$

Revenue recognised that was included in the contract 

liability balance at the beginning of the year

Services income

2,324,144

–

* 

Reclassified and remeasured amounts – see note 2.2 for explanations.

6  Revenue

Revenue recognised during the year was as follows:

Revenue

– Service income

– Sales of goods

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

132,432,176

144,488,130

2,026,473

–

134,458,649

144,488,130

90

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7  Expenses by nature

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Outsourced services fulfilment expenses,  

included in cost of sales

13,369,784

21,329,593

Outsourced web development and IT consultation costs, 

included in cost of sales

3,675,987

6,131,336

Subscription expense for software application,  

included in cost of sales

44,193,430

36,548,225

Cost of inventories – included in cost of sales

Auditor’s remuneration

Employee benefit expenses (Note 8)

Outsourced labour costs

1,756,237

1,643,750

62,308,948

600,000

–

1,000,000

81,607,439

614,020

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 15)

23,186,376

47,608,541

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 14)

Legal and professional expenses

Travel expenses

Operating leases rental

IT expenses

Marketing expenses

Utilities and maintenance expenses

Telecommunication expenses

Insurance expenses

Loss on disposal of property,  

plant and equipment (Note 25)

Provision for impairment of trade receivables (Note 19)

Direct written off of trade receivables

Other expenses

1,178,142

4,208,132

2,376,829

4,106,910

1,745,954

548,500

1,065,752

291,620

206,115

–

–

–

1,738,580

2,101,756

2,343,038

4,039,133

1,315,920

632,404

1,007,107

575,282

188,559

5,141

255,824

13,449

2,451,371

1,178,147

8  Employee benefit expenses (including Directors’ emoluments)

Wages and salaries

Pension costs

Other employee benefits and welfare

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

57,561,528

75,776,656

3,713,874

1,033,546

4,802,557

1,028,226

62,308,948

81,607,439

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

91

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  Benefits and interests of Directors (disclosures required by section 383 of the 

Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and Companies (Disclosure of 

Information about Benefits of Directors) Regulation (Cap. 622G)

(a)  Directors’ emoluments

The remuneration of each Director is set out below:

For the year ended 31 December 2018:

Emoluments paid or receivable in respect of a person’s services as a Director, whether of the 

Company undertaking:

Emoluments 

paid or 

receivable 

in respect 

of Director’s 

other services 

Remunerations 

in connection 

paid or 

with the 

receivable 

management 

Employer’s 

in respect 

of the affairs of 

contribution to 

of accepting 

the Company or 

a retirement 

office as 

its subsidiary 

Mr. John Lau
Mr. Christopher Lau1
Mr. Rupert Myer AO#
Mr. Christopher Ryan#3
Mr. Heath Zarin#
Ms. Jessica Rudd4
Mr. Dennis Lin#2

Fees

HK$

–

–

88,980

46,610

–

89,987

67,488

293,065

Salary

HK$

Others*

benefit scheme

Director

undertaking

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

HK$

–

–

88,980

46,610

–

89,987

67,488

293,065

#: 
*: 
1: 
2: 
3: 
4: 

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Included discretionary bonuses, housing allowance and estimated money value of other benefits
Re-designated from executive director to non-executive director on 14 March 2018
Appointed on 9 April 2018
Resigned on 9 April 2018
Appointed on 24 January 2018

92

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  Benefits and interests of Directors (disclosures required by section 383 of the 

Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and Companies (Disclosure of 

Information about Benefits of Directors) Regulation (Cap. 622G) (Continued)

(a)  Directors’ emoluments (Continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2017:

Emoluments paid or receivable in respect of a person’s services as a Director, whether of the 

Company undertaking:

Emoluments 

paid or 

receivable 

in respect 

of Director’s 

other services 

Remunerations 

in connection 

paid or 

with the 

receivable 

management 

Employer’s 

in respect 

of the affairs of 

contribution to 

of accepting 

the Company or 

a retirement 

office as 

its subsidiary 

Others*

benefit scheme

Director

undertaking

HK$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

HK$

–

12,000

–

–

–

–

–

12,000

HK$

HK$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

HK$

–

2,684,000

106,833

106,833

–

–

–

2,897,666

Mr. John Lau

Mr. Christopher Lau
Mr. Rupert Myer AO#
Mr. Christopher Ryan#
Mr. Heath Zarin#

Ms. Jessica Rudd

Mr. Dennis Lin

Fees

HK$

–

–

106,833

106,833

–

–

–

Salary

HK$

–

2,672,000

–

–

–

–

–

213,666

2,672,000

#: 
*: 

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Included discretionary bonuses, housing allowance and estimated money value of other benefits

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

93

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  Benefits and interests of Directors (disclosures required by section 383 of the 

Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and Companies (Disclosure of 

Information about Benefits of Directors) Regulation (Cap. 622G) (Continued)

(b)  Directors’ retirement benefits and termination benefits

None of the Directors received or will receive any retirement benefits or termination benefits during 

the year (2017: Nil).

(c)  Consideration provided to third parties for making available Directors’ services

The Company does not pay consideration to any third parties for making available Directors’ services 

during the year (2017: Nil).

(d)  Information about loans, quasi-loans and other dealings in favour of Directors, 

controlled bodies corporate by and connected entities with such Directors

No loans, quasi-loans and other dealing were made in favour of Directors, controlled bodies 

corporate by and connected entities with such Directors at the end of the year or at any time during 

the year (2017: Nil).

(e)  Directors’ material interests in transactions, arrangements or contracts

Other than those disclosed in Note 30 to the financial statements, no significant transactions, 

arrangements and contracts in relation to ECG’s business to which the Company was a party and in 

which a Director had a material interest, whether directly or indirectly, subsisted at the end of the 

year or at any time during the year.

10  Other (losses)/gains – net

Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain

(1,203,385)

1,143,879

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

94

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
11  Finance expense – net

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Interest income:

– Interest income on short-term bank deposits

46,358

41,235

Interest expense:

– Interest expense on borrowing (Note 30(i))

(2,214,562)

(1,869,716)

Finance expense – net

(2,168,204)

(1,828,481)

12  Income tax credit

Australian corporate tax

– Current income tax

– Over-provision in prior year

PRC corporate tax

– Current income tax

Deferred income tax (Note 23)

Income tax credit

2018

HK$

1,920,285

–

25,969

(2,088,497)

2017

HK$

(399,681)

(567,600)

–

717,432

(142,243)

(249,849)

Subsidiaries established in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong profits tax at a rate of 16.5% 

(2017:16.5%). For the year ended 31 December 2018, tax recession relates to tax reduction to tax 

payable under Two-Tiered Profits Rates Regime capped at HK$165,000 for one of the Hong Kong 

incorporated entities of the Group. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been made as ECG 

had no assessable profit for the year ended 31 December 2018 in Hong Kong (2017: Nil).

Subsidiaries established in Australia and the PRC are subject to 30% (2017: 30%) and 25% (2017: 

25%) income tax rate during the year respectively.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

95

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12  Income tax credit (Continued)

The tax on ECG’s loss before income tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using 

the domestic tax rates applicable to losses in the respectively of ECG companies as follows.

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Loss before income tax

(134,838,128)

(68,761,372)

Tax calculated at a domestic tax rates applicable loss in 

the respective countries

Tax effect of:

– Associates’ results reported net of tax

– Income not subject to tax

– Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

– Over-provision in prior year

– Tax losses for which no deferred income tax assets 

were recognised

– Utilization of previously unrecognised tax loss

(21,997,602)

(11,165,735)

(91,628)

(2,917,077)

21,563,876

–

3,798,759

(498,571)

384,682

(1,320)

7,319,237

(567,600)

3,780,887

–

Income tax credit

(142,243)

(249,849)

13  Loss per share

(a)  Basic

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to owners of the Company by the 

weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Loss attributable to owners of the Company

134,401,793

68,511,523

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue

610,193,151

535,000,000

Basic loss per share (HK$ cents per share)

22.03

12.80

(b)  Diluted

Diluted loss per share for the year ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 are equal to the basic loss 

per share as there are no potential dilutive ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

96

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14  Property, plant and equipment

Furniture and 

Computer 

Office 

Leasehold 

fixtures

equipment

equipment

improvements

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

Total

HK$

Year ended 31 December 2018

Opening net book amount

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 29)

Additions

Disposals

400,301

–

59,257

565,130

23,257

528,489

744,843

1,620,051

3,330,325

–

–

23,257

1,421,554

26,412

2,035,712

–

(350,848)

(1,972,552)

–

(2,323,400)

Depreciation charge (Note 7)

Currency translation differences

(71,946)

(34,821)

(338,119)

(109,683)

(658,394)

(1,178,142)

(35,019)

(4,124)

(49,886)

(123,850)

Closing net book amount

352,791

392,890

80,038

938,183

1,763,902

As at 31 December 2018

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and 

impairment

Net book amount

Year ended 31 December 2017

Opening net book amount

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge (Note 7)

Currency translation differences

Closing net book amount

As at 31 December 2017

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and 

impairment

Net book amount

661,434

2,267,593

622,561

4,448,982

8,000,570

(308,643)

(1,874,703)

(542,523)

(3,510,799)

(6,236,668)

352,791

392,890

80,038

938,183

1,763,902

440,144

11,002

(5,197)

(74,338)

28,690

400,301

727,326

318,305

(8,394)

873,294

2,485,345

4,526,109

4,836

–

–

–

334,143

(13,591)

(503,286)

(171,885)

(989,071)

(1,738,580)

31,179

565,130

38,598

123,777

222,244

744,843

1,620,051

3,330,325

647,650

2,320,313

1,256,864

4,571,666

8,796,493

(247,349)

(1,755,183)

(512,021)

(2,951,615)

(5,466,168)

400,301

565,130

744,843

1,620,051

3,330,325

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

97

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  Intangible assets

Contractual 

customer 

Suppliers 

Goodwill

relationship

relationship

Brand name

Software

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

Total

HK$

Year ended 31 December 2018

Opening net book amount

13,572,170

3,081,840

–

6,857,475

27,366,191

50,877,676

Acquisition of a subsidiary  

(Note 29)

45,473,872

–

17,586,370

20,089,601

–

83,149,843

Amortisation charge (Note 7)

–

(1,430,464)

(581,701)

(1,268,415)

(19,905,796)

(23,186,376)

Currency translation differences

(2,804,951)

(202,930)

(556,786)

(1,242,641)

(774,044)

(5,581,352)

Closing net book value

56,241,091

1,448,446

16,447,883

24,436,020

6,686,351

105,259,791

As at 31 December 2018

Cost

56,241,091

6,685,130

17,015,051

28,187,109

117,830,467

225,958,848

Accumulated amortisation

–

(5,236,684)

(567,168)

(3,751,089)

(111,144,116)

(120,699,057)

Net book value

56,241,091

1,448,446

16,447,883

24,436,020

6,686,351

105,259,791

Year ended 31 December 2017

Opening net book amount

12,491,094

4,197,809

Additions

Amortisation charge (Note 7)

–

–

–

(1,445,461)

Currency translation differences

1,081,076

329,492

Closing net book value

13,572,170

3,081,840

As at 31 December 2017

Cost

13,572,170

7,396,412

Accumulated amortisation

–

(4,314,572)

Net book value

13,572,170

3,081,840

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,202,251

71,490,792

95,381,946

–

664,091

664,091

(945,979)

(45,217,101)

(47,608,541)

601,203

428,409

2,440,180

6,857,475

27,366,191

50,877,676

9,681,141

119,195,601

149,845,324

(2,823,666)

(91,829,410)

(98,967,648)

6,857,475

27,366,191

50,877,676

98

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  Intangible assets (Continued)

Notes:

(a)  Goodwill is attributable to the eCommerce Solutions Services CGU in Australia (“Australia CGU”) and Jessica’s Suitcase 

arose from the Step Acquisition (Note 29). The recoverable amount of the Australia CGU is determined based on value in 
use calculation. The calculation uses pre-tax cash flow projections based on financial budget approved by management 
covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the projection period are extrapolated using the terminal growth rate stated 
below. The terminal growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate for the business in which the CGU 
operates.

The key assumptions used for value in use calculation in 2018 and 2017 for Australia CGU is as follows:

Compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of revenue for the five-year period
Terminal growth rate
EBITDA margin
Discount rate

3.5%
3%
Between 8% to 11%
20%

Management determined budgeted EBITDA margin based on past performance and its expectations for market 
development. The discount rate used is pre-tax and reflect specific risks relating to the Australia CGU.

For the Australia CGU, the recoverable amount calculated based on value in use exceeded carrying value. As such, there 
was no indication of impairment arising from the review on goodwill as at 31 December 2017 and 2018.

If the EBITDA margin was reduced by 10% and terminal growth rate was reduced by 2%, with all other variables held 
constant, the change of result would not result in impairment of the asset.

For the goodwill relating to Jessica Suitcase, the goodwill is determined provisionally as at 31 December 2018. The 
management considered that no provision for impairment loss was necessary as the management has not identified any 
impairment indicator as at 31 December 2018.

(b) 

Impairment tests for CGUs

The carrying value of intangible assets other than goodwill is primarily comprised of the following CGUs:

Greater China eCommerce Business Services (Note i)

– Software

Australia CGU (Note ii)

– Contractual customer relationship
– Brand name
– Software

2018
HK$

2017
HK$

–

18,070,651

1,448,446
5,323,006
6,686,352

13,457,804

3,081,840
6,857,475
9,295,540

37,305,506

Notes:

(i) 

eCommerce Business Services CGU in Greater China (“Greater China CGU”)

For the year ended 31 December 2017, the Greater China CGU recorded EBITDA loss of approximately 
HK$21,600,000 which was largely in line with management’s forecast underlying the prior period impairment 
assessment. In light of the operating results of the Great China CGU and positive improvements observed since the 
implementation of the business transformation initiatives in the second half of the year, management has concluded 
there is no impairment indicator pertaining to the Greater China CGU.

(ii) 

Australia CGU

Since no impairment indicator is identified for the Australia CGU for intangible assets other than goodwill, no further 
impairment assessment was performed.

Amortisation expense of HK$23,186,376 (2017: HK$47,608,541) has been charged to administrative expenses.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

99

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16  Subsidiaries

As at 31 December 2018, the Company has direct and indirect interests in the following subsidiaries:

Equity 

Equity 

interest 

interest 

Place of incorporation/

held by the 

held by the 

Particulars of issued 

establishment and kind 

Principal activities and 

Company 

Company 

share capital/

Name

of legal entity

place of operation

directly

indirectly

registered capital

eCargo Enterprise Limited

Hong Kong,  

Provision of eCommerce 

100%

–

HK$10,000 ordinary 

limited liability

technologies services in 

share capital

Hong Kong

eCargo Limited

United Kingdom,  

Dormant in United 

100%

limited liability

Kingdom

ECG Digital Holdings Limited

British Virgin Islands 

Investment holdings in 

100%

Jessica’s Suitcase Pty Limited

Australia, limited liability

Operate an online store

100%

(“BVI”), limited liability

Hong Kong

ECG Distribution Holding Limited

BVI, limited liability

Investment holdings in 

100%

ECG Digital Commerce Limited

Hong Kong,  

Provision of eMarketplace 

BVI

limited liability

technology services in 

Hong Kong

eCargo (China) Holdings Limited

BVI, limited liability

Investment holdings in 

BVI

Enrich Technologies Limited

BVI, limited liability

Provision of eCommerce 

–

–

–

solutions services in 

Hong Kong

–

–

–

–

1 ordinary share of GBP1 

each

50,000 ordinary shares 

of US$1 each

2,116 ordinary shares of 

A$51,513

50,000 ordinary shares 

of US$1

100% HK$10,000 ordinary 

share capital

100% 1 ordinary share of US$1 

each

100% 1 ordinary share of US$1 

each

ECG Australia Pty Limited

Australia, limited liability

Provision of corporate 

72.9%

27.1% 1,000 ordinary shares of 

Amblique Pty Limited

Australia, limited liability

Provision of eCommerce 

services

JLE (China) Limited

Hong Kong,  

limited liability

Jessica’s Suitcase Co. Limited

Hong Kong,  

limited liability

solutions services in 

Australia

Investment holdings in 

Hong Kong

Dormant

深圳市嘉宏天成貿易發展有限公司

The PRC, limited liability

Provision of eCommerce 

杰叶商貿(上海)有限公司

The PRC, limited liability

Provision of eCommerce 

business services in the 

PRC

support and marketing 

services in PRC

100

–

–

–

–

–

A$1 each

100% 134,410 ordinary shares 

of A$1 each

100% HK$100 ordinary share 

capital

100% HK$10,000 ordinary 

share capital

100% RMB13,000,000 

registered share capital

100% US$10,000,000 

registered share capital

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
17  Interest in an associate

At beginning of the year

Acquisition of interest in an associate (Note a)

Share of results of an associate

Derecognition of associate in step acquisition from an 

associate to a subsidiary  

(Note b)

Provision for impairment of interest in an associate  

(Note c)

Currency translation differences

At end of the year

Notes:

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

72,504,113

69,083,038

70,459,815

–

555,323

(2,331,406)

(69,638,361)

(72,504,113)

–

–

–

–

4,375,704

72,504,113

(a)  On 24 January 2018, ECG completed the acquisition of 45% equity interest in Jessica’s Suitcase in consideration of 

issuance to the shareholders of Jessica’s Suitcase of such number of CHESS Depository Interest (“CDIs”) equal to 15% of 
the CDIs in ECG, namely 80,250,000 CDIs or equivalent to a purchase consideration of HK$98.4 million. Further details of 
the acquisition of interest in an associate is disclosed in Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements.

(b)  On 8 November 2018, ECG exercised the call option to acquire the remaining 55% equity of Jessica’s Suitcase. Upon the 

completion of acquisition, Jessica’s Suitcase became the wholly owned subsidiary of ECG. Details of the step acquisition is 
disclosed in Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements.

(c)  On 25 July 2016, ECG entered into a deed with Walton Brown E-commerce Limited (“Walton Brown”) for an investment of 
RMB60 million (equivalent to approximately HK$70.2 million) into MM E-commerce Limited (“MM”). On the same date, MM 
entered into a deed with Novel Colour Limited (“WHL”) for an investment of RMB150 million (equivalent to approximately 
HK$175.5 million) into WWE & company (BVI) Limited (“WWE”), an investment holding company that aims to launch a new 
social shopping mobile platform in China. ECG has an effective interest of 20% in WWE through its investment in MM.

During the year ended 31 December 2018, the WWE business model and future funding requirements to continue the 
development of its business were reviewed by the shareholders of MM. Management has considered the fact that MM has 
ceased its operation since November 2018. Accordingly, the management has performed an impairment assessment and 
determined that a provision for impairment of HK$72.5 million is necessary to state the investment to its recoverable 
amount.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

101

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17  Interest in an associate (Continued)

Summarised unaudited financial information for an associate

Set out below is the summarised unaudited financial information of the associate as at and for the 

year ended 31 December 2017 which are accounted for using the equity method.

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Loss after income tax

Currency translation differences

MM

2017

HK$

181,291,951

502

(32,171)

(5,828,515)

10,939,260

The information above reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the associate 

not ECG’s share of those amounts.

Reconciliation of summarised financial information

Reconciliation of the summarised unaudited financial information presented to the carrying amount 

of ECG’s in an associate.

Net assets

Beginning of year

Loss for the year

Currency translation differences

End of year

Percentage of ownership interest

Interest in an associate

ECG has no material associate as at 31 December 2018.

MM

2017

HK$

176,149,537

(5,828,515)

10,939,260

181,260,282

40%

72,504,113

102

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18  Financial instruments by category

Loans and receivables

Assets as per consolidated statement of financial 

position

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)

20,712,421

35,041,122

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Contract assets

Amounts due from related parties

Cash and cash equivalents

Other financial liabilities at amortised cost

Liabilities as per consolidated statement of 

financial position

Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial 

liabilities)

Contract liabilities

Amounts due to related parties

Borrowing

19  Trade receivables

Trade receivables

Less: Provision for impairment

3,767,479

9,497,723

17,614,983

–

7,269,334

12,702,478

51,592,606

55,012,934

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

21,289,860

2,386,262

21,371,406

58,420,349

24,161,811

–

17,577,385

44,412,560

103,467,877

86,151,756

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

18,637,762

33,891,344

(221,800)

(255,824)

18,415,962

33,635,520

The Directors consider the carrying amounts of trade receivables approximate their fair values.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

103

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  Trade receivables (Continued)

Credit terms granted to customers are normally 30 days. The aging analysis of the trade receivables 

based on invoice date is as follows:

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

Over 90 days

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

10,727,427

22,942,457

3,139,667

807,313

3,741,555

4,865,158

3,329,853

2,498,052

18,415,962

33,635,520

As of 31 December 2018, trade receivables of HK$221,800 (2017: HK$255,824) were impaired 

and fully provided for. The individually impaired trade receivables relate to customers whose 

creditworthiness has materially deteriorated and it is assessed that these receivables are not 

expected to be recovered. ECG does not hold any collateral or other credit enhancements over these 

balances.

Movements on the provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

At 1 January

Provision for impairment of trade receivables (Note 7)

Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible

At 31 December

2018

HK$

255,824

–

(34,024)

221,800

2017

HK$

–

255,824

–

255,824

ECG applies the HKFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a 

lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables and contract assets. The results of the 

revision at 1 January 2018 have not resulted in any material change in impairment provision or any 

material impact on the carrying amount of ECG’s trade receivables and contract assets.

Information about the impairment of trade receivables and ECG’s exposure to credit risk, foreign 

currency risk and interest rate risk can be found in Note 3.

104

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  Trade receivables (Continued)

As at 31 December 2018, trade receivables of HK$8,779,207 (2017: HK$10,908,730) were past due 

but not impaired. These related to certain customers with no recent history of default, and as such, 

Management believes that no significant impairment provision is necessary. The past due aging 

analysis of these receivables is as follows:

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

Over 90 days

2018

HK$

4,365,056

864,487

246,009

3,303,655

8,779,207

2017

HK$

4,917,321

3,645,019

1,195,010

1,151,380

10,908,730

The carrying amounts of ECG’s trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

HK$

RMB

A$

US$

Pound sterling (“GBP”)

Singapore dollar (“SG$”)

EURO (“EUR”)

NZ$

2018

HK$

1,394,480

4,859,021

9,064,041

194,014

9,058

311,837

169,020

2,414,491

2017

HK$

11,377,827

3,105,236

15,331,287

245,113

3,595

–

590,804

2,981,658

18,415,962

33,635,520

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of trade receivables 

mentioned above.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

105

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

Prepayments

Rental and utility deposits

Other receivables

Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

Less: non-current portion

Prepayment and deposits

Current portion

2018

HK$

7,853,180

2,240,004

56,455

10,149,639

2017

HK$

796,481

1,353,353

52,249

2,202,083

(7,346,835)

(856,251)

2,802,804

1,345,832

Certain deposits have been pledged to secure rental deposits owned by the Company.

Other receivables were neither past due nor impaired and they were interest-free and repayable on 

demand as at 31 December 2018 and 2017. Management considers that the carrying amounts of 

deposits and other receivables approximate their fair values.

The carrying amounts of ECG’s deposits and other receivables are denominated in the following 

currencies:

HK$

RMB

A$

2018

HK$

373,191

418,870

1,504,398

2,296,459

2017

HK$

378,863

162,798

863,941

1,405,602

106

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Cash on hand

HK$

RMB

A$

US$

SG$

2018

HK$

5,880

42,012

5,046

–

1,143

54,081

Cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Cash at banks

HK$

RMB

A$

US$

GBP

NZ$

EUR

Canadian dollar (“CAD”)

Total

2017

HK$

6,561

100,412

4,228

1,800

1,159

114,160

2017

HK$

426,148

2,750,738

9,030,759

48,715

16,004

12,679

299,345

3,930

2018

HK$

1,745,923

3,108,149

12,494,756

59,807

3,578

12,005

133,052

3,632

17,560,902

12,588,318

17,614,983

12,702,478

As at 31 December 2018, the amount of cash at banks represented ECG’s maximum exposure to 

credit risk.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

107

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22  Trade payables, other payables and accruals

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Deferred revenue

Accrued employee benefit expenses

Other payables

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

11,088,473

14,417,972

9,512,258

–

4,312,576

3,330,932

3,634,415

2,324,144

7,103,839

3,785,280

17,155,766

16,847,678

28,244,239

31,265,650

The carrying amounts of ECG’s trade payables, other payables and accruals are denominated in the 

following currencies:

HK$

RMB

A$

NZ$

US$

EUR

GBP

2018

HK$

4,473,477

1,402,740

2017

HK$

4,769,475

986,132

22,142,713

21,592,881

–

166,111

59,198

–

1,757,080

1,895,853

220,829

43,400

28,244,239

31,265,650

108

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  Deferred income tax

The analysis of deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities is as follows:

Deferred income tax assets:

– to be recovered within 12 months

– to be recovered after more than 12 months

Deferred income tax liabilities:

– to be recovered within 12 months

– to be recovered after more than 12 months

2018

HK$

919,734

387,050

2017

HK$

134,638

121,915

(2,000,287)

(8,921,370)

(734,219)

(2,247,573)

Deferred income tax liabilities – net

(9,614,873)

(2,725,239)

The movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

At 1 January

(2,725,239)

(1,842,650)

Credited/(charged) to the consolidated statement of 

comprehensive income (Note 12)

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 29)

Currency translation differences

2,088,497

(9,418,992)

440,861

(717,432)

–

(165,157)

At 31 December

(9,614,873)

(2,725,239)

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

109

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  Deferred income tax (Continued)

The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into 

consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

Deferred income tax assets

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

At 1 January

256,553

2,778,187

Credited/(charged) to the consolidated statement of 

comprehensive income

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

Deferred income tax liabilities

At 1 January

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 29)

Credited to the consolidated statement of  

comprehensive income

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

1,150,021

(99,790)

1,306,784

(2,709,781)

188,147

256,553

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

(2,981,792)

(9,418,992)

(4,620,837)

–

938,476

540,651

1,992,349

(353,304)

(10,921,657)

(2,981,792)

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax loss carried forward to the extent that the 

realisation of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. ECG did not recognise 

deferred income tax assets in respect of estimated tax losses amounting to HK$140,901,395 (2017: 

HK$117,878,613) arising in Hong Kong and HK$11,302,669 (2017: HK$13,296,953) arising in the 

PRC. The tax losses arising in Hong Kong can be carried forward indefinitely and the tax losses 

arising in the PRC will expire in five years.

24  Share capital

As at 1 January 2017, 31 December 2017 and  

1 January 2018

Issue of shares

As at 31 December 2018

Number of shares

Share  capital

HK$

535,000,000

80,250,000

329,401,285

98,419,683

615,250,000

427,820,968

110

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25  Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows

(a)  Cash generated from/(used in) operations for the year comprises:

Loss before income tax

Adjustments for:

– Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

(Note 14)

– Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 15)

– Provision for impairment of interest in an 

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

(134,838,128)

(68,761,372)

1,178,142

23,186,376

1,738,580

47,608,541

associate (Note 17)

72,504,113

–

– Net foreign exchange loss/(gain) on operating 

activities (Note 10)

1,203,385

(1,143,879)

– Provision for impairment of trade receivables

– Written off of trade receivables

– Finance income (Note 11)

– Finance expense (Note 11)

– Share of results of an associate (Note 17)

– Loss on disposal of property, plant and 

–

–

(46,358)

2,214,562

(555,323)

255,824

13,449

(41,235)

1,869,716

2,331,406

equipment (Note 7)

–

5,141

– Fair value gain on financial assets at fair value 

through profit or loss

– Loss on disposal of interest in an associate

Changes in working capital:

– Inventories

– Trade receivables

– Contract assets

– Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

– Trade payables

– Contract liabilities

– Other payables and accruals

– Balances with related parties

(13,930,290)

38,992,851

–

–

(10,090,670)

(16,123,829)

843,743

13,855,780

(3,767,479)

(451,548)

(2,670,310)

2,386,262

39,567

3,760,169

–

(8,869,613)

–

577,173

3,566,721

–

(4,287,266)

7,097,619

Cash generate from/(used in) operations

3,905,514

(18,039,195)

(b)  During the year ended 31 December 2018, equipment and computers in aggregate amount of 

HK$2,323,400 (2017: Nil) were transferred to a related company through debiting amount due 

from related companies.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

111

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25  Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows (Continued)

(c)  Non-cash investing and financing activities

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Acquisition of interest in an associate by issue of 

shares

Acquisition of derivative financial instrument by 

issue of shares

Issue of shares as consideration for the acquisition 

of an associate (Note 24)

69,083,038

29,336,645

98,419,683

–

–

–

26  Borrowing

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Loan from a shareholder

58,420,349

44,412,560

On 29 August 2016, ECG entered into an agreement with JL Enterprise Holdings Limited, ECG’s 

major shareholder and a company wholly owned by Mr. John Lau, the Executive Chairman of ECG, 

as to provide a loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to HK$50 million to support the ECG’s 

working capital requirements. On 15 March 2017, an addendum agreement was signed to amend the 

maximum outstanding amount of the loan facility to HK$70 million. On 14 February 2019, another 

addendum agreement was signed to amend the maximum outstanding amount of the loan facility to 

HK$100 million (Note 32). As at 31 December 2018, the carrying amount of the borrowing from JL 

Enterprise Holdings Limited is HK$56,111,770.

On 17 July 2018, Jessica’s Suitcase entered into an agreement with JL Enterprise Holdings Limited as 

to provide a loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to A$0.5 million to support Jessica’s Suitcase 

working capital requirements. As at 8 November 2018, ECG entered into a deed of amendments to 

amend the terms in the original agreement to acquire Jessica’s Suitcase. The fair value of borrowing 

from JL Enterprise Holdings Limited assumed at the acquisition date is A$0.4 million (equivalent to 

HK$2,386,095 (Note 30)). As at 31 December 2018, the carrying amount of the borrowing from JL 

Enterprise Holdings Limited A$0.4 million (equivalent to HK$2,308,579).

112

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26  Borrowing (Continued)

The loan facilities are unsecured and bear interest at prime rate quoted from the Hong Kong and 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited from time to time. The loan facilities can be utilised at ECG’s 

demand and are repayable in accordance with a separate agreement to be made between ECG and 

JL Enterprises Holdings Limited.

The carrying amount of borrowing approximate to its fair value and is denominated in HK$ and A$.

Borrowing bears average coupon rate of 5%-5.125% per annum as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 

5% per annum).

27  Operating lease commitments – as lessee

As at 31 December 2018, ECG had future aggregate minimum lease payments in respect of office 

premises under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

No later than one year

Later than one year and no later than five years

2018

HK$

400,690

3,716,302

4,116,992

2017

HK$

3,291,023

1,287,888

4,578,911

28  Transactions with non-controlling interests

On 8 November 2018, ECG exercised the call option to acquire the remaining 55% of the issued 

share capital of Jessica’s Suitcase. By acquiring Jessica’s Suitcase, ECG also acquired the remaining 

14.85% effective interest in ECG Australia Pty Limited (“ECG AUS”). Immediately prior to the 

acquisition, the carrying amount of the existing 14.85% non-controlling interest in ECG AUS was 

HK$294,092. ECG recognised a decrease in non-controlling interests of HK$294,092 and a decrease 

in equity attributable to owners of the ECG of HK$294,092. The effect on the equity attributable to 

the owners of ECG during the year is summarised as follows:

Carrying amount of non-controlling interests acquired

Consideration paid to non-controlling interests

Excess of consideration paid recognised in the 

transactions with non-controlling interests reserve 

within equity

2018

HK$

294,092

–

294,092

2017

HK$

–

–

–

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

113

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  Business combination

Step acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase from an associate to a subsidiary of ECG

On 24 January 2018, ECG completed the acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase with a 45% equity 

interest in Jessica’s Suitcase in consideration of issuance to the shareholders of Jessica’s Suitcase 

of such number of CHESS Depository Interests (“CDIs”) equal to 15% of the CDIs in ECG, namely 

80,250,000 CDIs or equivalent to a purchase consideration of HK$98.4 million.

Jessica’s Suitcase operates an eCommerce store on Alibaba’s Tmall Global Platform and a number of 

brand specific eCommerce Stores on various platforms in the PRC by offering quality Australia and 

New Zealand products to Chinese consumers through the cross-boarder online channel.

ECG initially recorded the acquisition of interest in an associate, Jessica’s Suitcase, of HK$69.1 

million (Note 17) (the “Initial Acquisition”). The following intangible assets and goodwill arising from 

the acquisition based on the purchase price allocation:

–  Goodwill in the amount of HK$33.5 million attributable to the acquired buyer-specific synergies 

and pre-existing and well-position sales network expected from combining the operations 

of ECG and Jessica’s Suitcase, thereby allowing ECG to establish its leading presence in 

e-Commerce business provided by ECG.

– 

Brand name and suppliers relationship in the amount of HK$36.3 million arising from the pre-

existing network set up by Jessica’s Suitcase.

ECG also recognised the call option to purchase the remaining 55% equity of Jessica’s Suitcase 

initially at fair value of approximately HK$29.3 million as a derivative financial instrument on date of 

the acquisition.

The fair values of identifiable intangible assets acquired in the Initial Acquisition and the call option 

to acquire the remaining 55% equity of Jessica’s Suitcase were valued by Asset Appraisal Limited, 

an independent qualified professional valuer, not connected to ECG.

On 8 November 2018, ECG entered into a deed of amendments to amend the terms in the original 

agreement to acquire Jessica’s Suitcase. Due to the modification of the terms, ECG derecognised the 

original call option and recognised call option under the revised terms at its fair value of HK$43.2 

million. The difference in fair value of HK$13.9 million was recognised as gain in the consolidated 

statement of comprehensive income.

114

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only29  Business combination (Continued)

Step acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase from an associate to a subsidiary of ECG 

(Continued)

On the same date, ECG exercised the call option to acquire the remaining 55% of the issued share 

capital of Jessica’s Suitcase. Upon the derecognition of interest in an associate, ECG has recognised 

the loss on disposal of HK$39.0 million from the 45% equity interest in Jessica’s Suitcase. The loss 

is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 

2018.

The following tables summarises the consideration for the step acquisition (the “Step Acquisition”), 

and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date based on the 

provisional purchase price allocation:

Purchase consideration

Fair value of call option

Fair value of interest in Jessica’s Suitcase previously held by ECG

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired and  

liabilities assumed

Cash and cash equivalents

Property, plant and equipment

Trade and other receivable

Inventories

Intangible asset – brand name

Intangible asset – supplier relationship

Trade and other payable

Borrowing

Deferred tax liabilities

Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

There are no contingent liabilities relating to Step Acquisition.

HK$

43,266,935

30,645,511

73,912,446

374,889

23,257

1,298,196

2,662,950

20,089,601

17,586,370

(1,791,602)

(2,386,095)

(9,418,992)

28,438,574

45,473,872

73,912,446

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

115

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  Business combination (Continued)

Step acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase from an associate to a subsidiary of ECG 

(Continued)

Acquisition related costs approximately HK$387,000 have been charged to administrative expenses 

in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2018.

Inflow of cash to acquire business, net of cash

Cash consideration

Cash and cash equivalent of subsidiaries acquired

HK$

–

374,889

374,889

None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The fair value of trade and other receivables is HK$1,298,196 and includes trade receivables with a 

fair value of HK$262,988. No trade receivables due is expected to be uncollectible.

The acquired business contributed HK$2,562,346 to ECG’s total revenue and HK$171,601 loss to 

ECG’s loss before income tax for the period between the date of acquisition and end of the reporting 

period.

Had the acquisition occurred on 1 January 2018, consolidated revenue and consolidated loss 

before income tax for the year ended 31 December 2018 would have been HK$11,025,111 and 

HK$1,141,645 respectively.

116

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Related party transactions

The Board of Directors are of the view that the following parties were considered related parties that 

had transactions or balances with ECG:

Name of related party

Relationship with ECG

Mr. John Lau

Mr. Christopher Lau

Ms. Jessica Rudd

Mr. Rupert Myer AO

Mr. Dennis Lin

Mr. Heath Zarin

Executive Director/Executive Chairman

Non-Independent Non-executive Director

Non-Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

JL Enterprises Holdings Limited

Shareholder of the Company, controlled by Mr. John Lau

CS China Logistics Limited

Shareholder of the Company, controlled by Mr. John Lau

Allport Cargo Services Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Cargo Services Far East Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Cargo Tiancheng Technology Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

CS Logistics Solutions Pty Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

CN Logistics Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

CN Logistics (Shanghai) Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Cargo Services (China) Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

CS Packing (Hong Kong) Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

EC-GO eCommerce Limited
深圳市一全通電子商務有限公司

深圳市看我商貿服務有限公司

深圳嘉宏互聯有限公司

WWE Group Limited

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Controlled by Mr. John Lau

Joint venture of an associate

MyMM (Shanghai) Commerce Limited

Subsidiary of joint venture of an associate

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

117

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only30  Related party transactions (Continued)

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

(a) Sales of services – note (i)

Sales of software development services:

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

2,400,000

2,400,000

Sales of courier services:

– MyMM (Shanghai) Commerce Limited

379,908

620,764

Provision of marketing services:

– WWE Group Limited

Provision of management services:

– WWE Group Limited
– 深圳市一全通電子商務有限公司
– 深圳市看我商貿服務有限公司

(b) Purchases of services – note (i)

Purchase of outsourced labour services:

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

– CS Packaging (Hong Kong) Limited

Purchases of outsourced import, storage, and 

courier fulfillment services:

– Allport Cargo Services Limited

– CS China Logistics Limited

– EC-GO eCommerce Limited

– Cargo Service (China) Limited

1,638,000

–

–

62,345

20,471

2,800,000

–

–

4,500,724

5,820,764

600,000

–

600,000

103,207

5,522,189

1,384,976

3,739,995

600,000

14,020

614,020

92,440

8,456,067

2,864,174

4,040,908

11,350,367

16,067,609

(c)  Key Management compensation – note (ii)

Details of the Key Management compensation are disclosed in Note 9 to this consolidated 

financial statements.

118

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Related party transactions (Continued)

The following transactions were carried out with related parties: (Continued)

(d) Payment on behalf of ECG by related parties

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

337,240

1,601,293

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

(e) Payment on behalf of related party by ECG

– WWE Group Limited

– MyMM (Shanghai) Commerce Limited

(f) Disposal of property, plant and equipment

– 深圳市看我商貿服務有限公司
– 深圳嘉宏互联有限公司

(g) Amount due to Key Management – note (iii)

Mr. Christopher Lau

(h) Balances with related parties – note (iv)

– Allport Cargo Services Limited

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

– MyMM (Shanghai) Commerce Limited

– WWE Group Limited

– Cargo Tiancheng Technology Limited
– 深圳市看我商貿服務有限公司
– 深圳市一全通電子商務有限公司

– Cargo Services (China) Limited

– Cargo Tiancheng Technology Limited

– CN Logistics Limited

– CS China Logistics

– CS Packaging (Hong Kong) Limited

– EC-GO eCommerce Limited

–

–

–

1,939,688

22,475

1,962,163

2,319,336

4,064

2,323,400

–

–

–

As at 

As at 

31 December 

31 December 

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

–

266,000

50,574

7,014,300

149,826

–

29,074

2,191,604

62,345

9,497,723

64,952

6,255,130

110,568

838,684

–

–

–

7,269,334

(15,431,146)

(12,605,132)

–

(1,473,448)

(689,866)

–

(445)

(1,819,067)

(708,731)

(14,020)

(3,776,946)

(2,429,990)

(21,371,406)

(17,577,385)

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

119

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Related party transactions (Continued)

The following transactions were carried out with related parties: (Continued)

(i)  Borrowing from a shareholder

At 1 January 2017

Loan advanced during the year

Interest charged

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2018

Greater China

HK$

19,969,189

22,573,655

1,869,716

44,412,560

44,412,560

Jessica’s 

Suitcase

HK$

–

–

–

–

–

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 29)

–

2,386,095

Loan advanced during the year

Interest charged

Currency translation differences

9,500,000

2,199,210

–

–

15,352

(92,868)

Total

19,969,189

22,573,655

1,869,716

44,412,560

44,412,560

2,386,095

9,500,000

2,214,562

(92,868)

At 31 December 2018

56,111,770

2,308,579

58,420,349

Notes:

(i) 

These transactions are carried out on terms agreed with the related parties.

(ii) 

Key Management are deemed to be the Directors who have responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the 
activities of the Company.

(iii)  The payable balances with Directors are unsecured, interest free and are repayable on demand. The fair values of 

these balances approximate their carrying values.

(iv)  Balances with related parties arise mainly from sale and purchase transactions and are due one month after the date 
of sale or purchase. The receivable balances and payable balances bear no interest and are denominated in HK$.

120

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31  Statement of financial position and reserve movement of the Company

Note

2018

HK$

2017

HK$

Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Investment in subsidiaries

Prepayment

Current assets

Amounts due from subsidiaries

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Equity

Equity attributable to owners  

of the Company

Share capital

Accumulated losses

Total equity

Liabilities

Non-current liability

Loan from a shareholder

Current liabilities

Amounts due to subsidiaries

Other payables and accruals

36,741

–

98,808,967

6,960,375

124,917

18,070,651

389,283

–

105,806,083

18,584,851

232,490,445

232,189,087

200

1,007

232,490,645

232,190,094

338,296,728

250,774,945

427,820,968

329,401,285

a

(146,733,996)

(123,544,995)

281,086,972

205,856,290

56,111,770

44,412,560

195,660

902,326

1,097,986

195,660

310,435

506,095

Total liabilities

57,209,756

44,918,655

Total equity and liabilities

338,296,728

250,774,945

Approved by the Board of Directors on March 26, 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Mr. Christopher Lau
Non-Executive Director

121

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31  Statement of financial position and reserve movement of the Company 

(Continued)
Note:

(a)  Reserve movement of the Company

As at 1 January 2017
Loss for the year

As at 31 December 2017 and 1 January 2018
Loss for the year

As at 31 December 2018

32  Subsequent event

Accumulated losses
HK$

(80,712,894)
(42,832,101)

(123,544,995)
(23,189,002)

(146,733,997)

i.  On 8 November 2018, ECG entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Metcash Trading 

Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metcash Limited, an Australia’s leading wholesaling 

and marketing company listed on Australian Securities Exchange, to acquire 85% interest in 

Metcash Export Services Pty Limited (“Metcash Export”) for consideration of A$2.5 million plus 

85% of the net asset value of Metcash Export, which amounted to A$5.8 million and subject to 

review by an independent auditor at ECG’s discretion, and deferred consideration of up to A$3.5 

million. Metcash Export is specialising in the China export business in Australia. The acquisition 

is expected to increase ECG’s market share and reduce cost through economies of scale.

A$1.25 million (equivalent to HK$6,960,375) was paid on 8 November 2018 as part of the 

consideration. The acquisition was completed on 25 February 2019 and the net asset value of 

Metcash Export was about A$5.8 million. ECG paid A$6.2 million on the date of completion.

The total consideration of the acquisition is A$7.4 million. The provisional fair value of net 

identifiable assets of the Metcash Export is approximately A$4.9 million and the provisional 

goodwill arising from acquisition is approximately A$2.5 million.

The management assesses that the provisional goodwill arising from the acquisition is mainly 

attributable to economies of scale expected from combining the operations of ECG and Metcash 

Export. None of the provisional goodwill to be recognised is expected to be deductible for 

income tax purposes.

As ECG is in process of evaluating the purchase price allocation of the acquisition up to the 

date of this report, amount of each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is not 

presented.

122

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32  Subsequent event (Continued)

ii.  On 14 February 2019, ECG renewed the standby loan facility agreement signed on 29 August 

2016 with JL Enterprises Holdings Limited, ECG’s major shareholder and a company wholly 

owned by Mr. John Lau, the Executive Chairman of ECG, as to extend the standby loan facility 

from HK$70 million to HK$100 million to support ECG’s working capital requirements. The 

standby loan facility is unsecured and bears interest at prime rate quoted from The Hong Kong 

and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited from time to time. The standby loan facility can be 

utilized at ECG’s discretion and is repayable in accordance with a separate agreement to be 

made between ECG and JL Enterprises Holdings Limited.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

123

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use onlyIssued Capital

As at March 20, 2019, the Company has 615,250,000 ordinary fully paid shares on issue, of which 

615,250,000 are held by Chess Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd (“CDN”). CDN has issued 615,250,000 

CHESS Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) in relation to these shares. CDN holds the legal title to shares on 

behalf of holders of CHESS Depositary Receipts. Pursuant to the ASX Settlement Operating Rules, CDI 

holders receive all of the economic benefits of actual ownership of the underlying shares.

CDIs are traded in a manner similar to shares of Australian companies listed on ASX. CDIs will be held 

in uncertificated form and settled/transferred through CHESS. No share certificates will be issued to CDI 

holders. Shareholders cannot trade their Shares on ASX without first converting their Shares into CDIs.

A summary of all shares/CDIs showing restrictions is set out below:

Description

Voluntary restricted from trading until July 23, 2019

Unrestricted

No. of Shares/CDIs

226,593,821

388,656,179

There is currently no on-market buyback in place.

Substantial Shareholders

The substantial holders of CDIs are the following CDI holders listed below who have notified the Company 

that they are a substantial holder under the Corporations Act 2001 in Australia. In general, under the 

Corporations Act (Australia), a person who holds a relevant interest in shares/CDIs of more than 5% of 

the Company’s issued share capital is a substantial holder.

Holder

No of Shares/

% of issued 

CDIs

capital

JL Enterprises Holdings Limited, CS China Logistics Limited 

and Mr John Lau

396,872,460

64.51%

SB International Investments Pty Limited, Ms. Jessica Rudd 

and Mr. Albert Tse

35,382,225

5.75%

124

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

ASX  additional informationFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top 20 shares/CDI Holders as at March 20, 2019.

Rank Name

Total Units % Issued Capital

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

20

JL ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS LTD

372,937,640

60.62%

SB INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS PTY LTD

CS CHINA LOGISTICS LIMITED

YIWEN ZHANG

TYCOON SMART LIMITED

NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED

XIAOQING YE

TIGER WEALTH GLOBAL LIMITED

INVESTORLINK CAPITAL PTY LTD

CHRISTOPHER LAU

CASTLE GIANT HOLDINGS LIMITED

GLOBAL GOURMET HOLDINGS LIMITED

WASHINGTON H SOUL PATTINSON & COMPANY LTD

SUK KIU KIEAN LAU

EXCEL PAN VENTURES LIMITED

VENCO PTY LTD

INSPIRING FUTURE LIMITED

MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD

VENSUP PTY LTD

FANDEXA NOMINEES PTY LTD

MR JUSTUS JOHANNES AURELIUS WILDE

35,382,225

23,934,820

22,871,250

17,500,000

17,000,000

14,035,725

12,500,000

12,417,817

8,142,460

7,500,000

7,334,664

5,625,000

3,592,857

3,500,000

2,450,000

2,022,000

2,000,000

1,400,000

1,310,293

1,310,293

5.75%

3.89%

3.72%

2.84%

2.76%

2.28%

2.03%

2.02%

1.32%

1.22%

1.19%

0.91%

0.58%

0.57%

0.40%

0.33%

0.33%

0.23%

0.21%

0.21%

Total Top 20 Holders

Total Remaining Holders Balance

574,767,044

40,482,956

93.42%

6.58%

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

125

ASX additional informationFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution of Shareholders/CDI holders

There were 923 shareholders/CDI holders at March 20, 2019. Each Shareholder/CDI holder is entitled to 

one vote for each security held.

Range

1–1,000

1,001–5,000

5,001–10,000

10,001–100,000

Over 100,000

Totals

Total Holders

Units % of issued capital

36

280

166

350

91

923

6,172

940,318

1,417,282

12,834,760

600,051,468

0.00%

0.15%

0.23%

2.09%

97.53%

615,250,000

100.00%

There are no CDI holders who hold less than a marketable parcel as at March 20, 2019.

Voting Rights

The voting rights are that each CDI holder is entitled to 1 vote per CDI at a meeting of members, 

provided that a CDI Holder undertakes the following steps.

1. 

Instructing CDN as the legal owner to vote the shares underlying in a particular manner. A voting 

instruction form will be sent to CDI holders with the notice of meeting and this must be completed 

and returned to the share registry prior to the meeting.

2. 

Informing the Company that they wish to nominate themselves or another person to be appointed 

as CDN’s proxy with respect to their shares underlying the CDIS for the purposes of attending and 

voting at the general meeting or;

3.  Converting their CDIs into a holding of these shares and voting these shares at the meeting.

Use of Cash Consistent with Business Objectives

The Company confirms that, for the whole financial year ended December 31, 2018, it has used cash 

and other assets readily convertible to cash that it held at time of admission, in a way consistent with its 

business objectives.

126

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

ASX additional informationFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s Place of Incorporation

As the Company is incorporated in Hong Kong and not established in Australia, its corporate activities 

(apart from the offering of securities in Australia) are not regulated by the Corporations Act of the 

Commonwealth of Australia or by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission but instead 

are regulated by the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures 

Commission. The Company is not subjected to Chapters 6, 6A, 6B and 6C of the Corporations Act 2001 in 

Australia.

The following information is provided on an annual basis to comply with the conditions on listing on ASX.

Takeovers

The Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Takeovers Code”) regulates takeovers and mergers 

in Hong Kong and applies to public companies in Hong Kong. The Takeovers Code provides that when a 

person, or two or more persons acting in concert collectively:

• 

acquire 30% or more of the voting rights of a company; or

• 

hold not less than 30% but not more than 50% of the voting rights of the company and acquires 

more than 2% of the voting rights of a company from the lowest percentage holding of that person 

or persons collectively within a 12 month period,

then a general offer must be made to all other shareholders of the company.

Compulsory Acquisition

Part 13 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance sets out the right to buy out minority shareholders. If 

within four months of making an offer to buy shares, a company has acquired 90% in value of the shares, 

the acquiring company may give notice to the remaining shareholders that it desires to acquire their 

shares. Provided that notice is given within five months of the original offer, the acquiring company is 

entitled and bound to acquire those shares on the same terms as the offer.

Substantial Share/CDI Holder notices

Part XV of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance requires the disclosure by substantial 

shareholders, directors, shadow directors and chief executives of a listed corporation (collectively 

“Corporate Insiders”) of their interests in the securities of a listed corporation when their interests reach 

the notifiable percentage level. The notifiable percentage level is an interest in shares of an aggregate 

nominal value of 5% or more of the relevant shares in the listed corporation.

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

127

ASX additional informationFor personal use onlyRegistered Office — Australia
C/O — Amblique Pty Limited

Suite 2, Level 3, 

104–112 Commonwealth Street,

Surry Hills, NSW 2010

Phone:  +61 4 0201 4994

Registered Office — Hong Kong
13103N ATL Logistics Centre B

3 Kwai Chung Container Terminals

New Territories, Hong Kong

Phone: +852 2481 8308

Share/CDI Registry
Link Market Services Limited

Level 12, 680 George Street,

Sydney, New South Wales 2000 Australia

Phone:  +1300 554 474 (Australia)

+61 1300 554 474 (outside Australia)

eCargo Holdings Limited

ARBN: 601 083 069

Hong Kong Company 
Registration Number: 2088880

Company Secretary
Irene Yip

Stock Exchange Listing
eCargo Holdings Limited, 
CDIs are listed on the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ASX)

128

eCargo  Annual Report 2018

Corporate DirectoryCorporate  DirectoryFor personal use only 
jessicassuitcase.tmall.hk

metcash.tmall.hk

Amblique is Australia’s industry leader 

in ecommerce and digital consulting, 

providing omnichannel strategies, 

retail practice and site optimisation 

services to help retailers and brand 

owners SELL MORE.

amblique.com

RETAIL STRATEGY

DESIGN & CUSTOMER 
EXPERIENCE

DIGITAL COMMERCE 
IMPLEMENTATION

GROWTH & OPIMISATION

SEARCH & ACQUISITION

24/7 SUPPORT

For personal use onlyWe are a fully-fledged Online to Offline trading and service provider that 

propels brands and retailers into the Chinese virtual and bricks and 

mortar shelves with a unique one-stop solution

NEW RETAIL

Online to Offline

www.eCargo.com

Annual Report

2018

For personal use only