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eCargo

ecg · ASX Industrials
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Industry Engineering & Construction
Employees 51-200
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FY2019 Annual Report · eCargo
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your O2O Partner

ANNUAL
REPORT
2019

your O2O Partner

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

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For personal use only 
 
About 
ECG

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.

your O2O Par tner

“ECG is well-positioned as an 
enterprise with diversified business 
in distribution, wholesale, logistics, 
eCommerce operations and digital 
consultancy services.” 

Mr. John Lau,
Executive Chairman

For personal use onlyContents

2

4

8

2019 Highlights

Chairman Statement

Board of Directors and Executive Team

14

Corporate Governance Report

30

Directors’ Report

36

45

50

Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

128

ASX Additional Information

132

Corporate Directory

For personal use onlyHighlights 
2019

• 

• 

• 

• 

Revenue up 32% to HK$177.4 million

EBITDA* loss down 34% to HK$6.7 million

Statutory net loss down 45% to HK$74.6 million

Record year on EBITDA for eCommerce-enabling and Amblique

•  Consolidation of online and office (O2O) FMCG offerings

• 

Successful expansion into South East Asian countries through the 
establishment of joint venture, ABG Group

•  Cross-Border eCommerce (CBEC) Growth Program launched as an 

incubation initiative for FMCG brand

your O2O Par tner

*  EBITDA is defined as earnings before non-cash items such as finance income, 

finance expense, tax, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, 
depreciation of right-of-use assets, amortization of intangible assets, impact of 
foreign exchange, ECG’s share of results from an associate and a joint venture, 
provision for impairment of interest in an associate, gain or loss on fair value of 
acquisition and financial derivatives and provision for impairment of goodwill.

Highlights 2019For personal use onlyRevenue

HK $[177.4]  
Million

EBITDA loss down

[34]%

Statutory net loss down

[45]%

Highlights 2019For personal use onlyWell-positioned 
as an enterprise with  
O2O offerings

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” of the “Group” for the year ended December 31, 2019.

“

2019 is the first financial year that has fully consolidated 
the results of our Fast-moving consumer goods (“FMCG”) 
business units Metcash Export Services Pty 
Ltd and Jessica’s Suitcase Pty Ltd acquired 
in the recent years. Following our strategy of 
business transformation and these acquisitions, 
ECG is well-positioned as an enterprise with 
full-fledged capabilities on Online to Offline 
(“O2O”) distribution in FMCG. I am also 
pleased to report that both of our traditional 
business, eCommerce-enabling business 
and Amblique’s digital consultancy business, 
continued the strong momentum from last year 
and recorded the highest EBTIDA margin in our 
history.

Financial performance

ECG reported a consolidated statutory net loss for the year 
of HK$74.6 million with an EBITDA loss of HK$6.7 million.

Excluding 
the results 
of FMCG, 
statutory net 
loss of the 
other business 
units combined 
would be 
HK$63.2 
million, 
reduced by 
53% compared 
to 2018 
reflecting 

(i) decreased amortisation charge by HK$10.8 million; 
(ii) absence of 2018 impairment on investment in MM-
E-Commerce Limited of HK$72.5 million; (iii) absence 
of the loss on disposal of interest in an associate of 
HK$39.0 million in 2018; (iv) absence of fair value gain on 
financial assets of HK$13.9 million this year; and (v) an 
impairment charge of HK$49.3 million on FMCG recorded 
in this year. Accordingly, EBITDA of non-FMCG business 

ECG has transformed itself 
into a business with end-to-
end capabilities on both B2B 
wholesale and distribution 
and B2C services to end 
customers
”

units would be 
HK$4.4 million, 
an improvement 
of 144% over 
the HK$10.1 
million loss of the 
previous year.

Consolidated 
revenue of 
the year was 
HK$177.4 million 

(2018: HK$134.5 million) of which HK$18.1 million (2018: 
HK$32.5 million) was attributable to eCommerce-enabling 

business, 
HK$85.9 million 
(2018: HK$97.1 
million) was 
contributed by 
Amblique and 
HK$71.0 million 

(2018: HK$2.5 million) was contributed by the FMCG 
business unit. The remaining was licensing revenue of 
HK$2.4 million attributed to the corporate segment same 
as the previous year.

eCommerce-enabling is our primary business unit 
providing online store operation and fulfilment services 
for foreign fashion and cosmetics brands selling in 
China. Despite this segment revenue decreased by 43% 
year-on-year, gross profit margin increased by 11% and 
achieved a positive EBITDA for the first time because of 
discontinuing certain non-profitable customers and non-
core service offerings.

4

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Chairman StatementFor personal use only“

Cross-Border eCommerce 
Growth Program successfully 
launched in August 2019
”

Amblique, our SaaS-based eCommerce technology 
and digital consulting solutions business based in 
Australia, recorded an encouraging result in 2019. 
Revenue decreased slightly however, EBITDA increased 
significantly by 82% mainly attributable to client services 
offering to the existing customers at higher margin and 
savings in overhead.

FMCG became a major revenue driver for ECG following 
the acquisition of Metcash’s China business in February 
2019. It has accounted for 40% of ECG’s revenue this year 
and is expected to continue and increase in the future. 
During the year, several new initiatives were undertaken 
which expanded our service offerings, these include:

• 

the CBEC Growth Program introduced in August 
2019 which aims to incubate FMCG brands on 
existing eCargo online flagship stores. The program 
targets foreign brands aiming to enter into China 
and provides a full-service, cost-conscious entry 
option to brand owners;

eCargo Annual Report 2019

5

Chairman StatementFor personal use onlyChairman Statement

Looking forward

The coronavirus (COVID-19) 
outbreak has become a pandemic 
as pronounced by the World Health 
Organization. It is impacting the 
economy and business activities as 
well as social life on a global scale 
at the moment I am writing this 
report. The Group’s overall business 
has not seen a significant impact 

• 

• 

expanded ECG’s O2O 
distribution network and our 
supplier base, diversifying from 
Australian based suppliers to UK, 
Europe and South Africa; and

established a joint venture (ABG 
Group) in September 2019, 
which has provided a scalable 
professional sourcing and 
distribution network for brands 
looking to enter and grow in 
the South East Asian (“SEA”) 
markets. This joint venture 
achieved A$6 million sales 
for three months in 2019 and 
contributed HK$0.5 million to 
the ECG’ s results accordingly.

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

Evolving our strategy

ECG has transformed itself into a 
business with end-to-end capabilities 
on both B2B wholesale and 
distribution and B2C services to end 
customers. As a newly combined 
business we continue to leverage 
our strong relationships in China 
and SEA to increase our distribution 
network and product offerings. Our 
investment in the ABG Group joint 
venture has performed extremely 
well and we will continue to invest 
appropriately in the right channels to 
ensure ROI is adequate and provides 
a right level of diversification to our 
portfolio of businesses.

6

eCargo Annual Report 2019

For personal use onlycurrently due to our exposure to the 
online business. As of the date of 
this report, the management was not 
aware of any material adverse effects 
on the financial statements as a 
result of the outbreak but are closely 
monitoring its development and 
evaluating its impact on the financial 
position and operating results. A 
series of precautionary and control 
measures have been implemented. 
We shall remain vigilant and cautious 
so that to ensure ourselves to 
respond swiftly should the situation 
worsen.

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 over the 
past year, and our Shareholders and 
Stakeholders for their continued 
confidence and support. I look 
forward to meeting you at our 
upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman

eCargo Annual Report 2019

7

Chairman StatementFor personal use onlyBoard of Directors 
and Executive Team

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) currently consists of five Directors, comprising one Executive Director, one 
Non-Executive Director 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, whichever is longer and a Director of an entity 
is appointed to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the Board, must not hold office (without re-election) past the 
next Annual General Meeting.

Mr. Christopher Lau, Mr. Rupert Myer AO and Mr. Yuming Zou shall retire by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

Name

Position

Independence

Re-appointment date

Mr. John Lau

Executive Chairman, Executive Director

Non-independent

May 14, 2019

Mr. Christopher Lau

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 14, 2019

Mr. Yuming Zou

Non-Executive Director

Independent

N/A

8

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

Mr. John Lau

Executive Chairman and 
Executive Director

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.

John brings more than 40 years of experience in trading, shipping and logistics 
in China. His pursuit for excellence in providing professional services is well 

known and acknowledged by many major retailers and brands worldwide.

John 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.

John 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.

John 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.

John 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.

John 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.

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

John 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 2019

9

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMr. Christopher Lau

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Christopher Lau is a co-founder of ECG and was CEO and Executive Director of 
ECG from inception until March 14, 2018 when he was re-designated to Non-Executive 
Director.

In April 2018, Christopher rejoined Cargo Services Group as Group Assistant Managing 
Director and is currently Head of Greater China for the Group. 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.

Christopher was Group Assistant Managing Director and Executive Director at Cargo Services from 2006 to 2012. At 
Cargo Services, he founded the GAM business division in 2007 and was Head of GAM until 2012. He 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 supported 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.

Christopher 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.

Mr. Rupert Myer AO  

Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr. Rupert Myer AO is a Director of 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, Rupert 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.

Rupert’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.

Rupert 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.

10

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMr. Heath Zarin

Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr. Heath Zarin is CEO and Managing Director of EmergeVest, a Hong Kong based 
private equity firm with more than USD500 million of assets under management, and 
also Chairman and CEO of EV Cargo, a leading logistics and technology business.

Heath 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, he held a series of senior 
executive roles at Credit Suisse, including forming and managing its Asian private 
equity business.

Heath practiced corporate law with Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP in New York, where he formed and advised hedge funds 
and private equity funds. His current and previous board service includes companies across Asia, Europe and North 
America, in diverse manufacturing and service industries.

Heath 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.

Mr. Yuming Zou

Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr. Yuming Zou serves as Senior Vice-President of Corporate Development at Jianke. 
In this role, he manages Jianke’s finance team, with responsibility for accounting & 
controls, financial planning & analysis, liquidity management, corporate finance, and 
evaluation/due diligence of M&A targets. He also partners with various business units 
across the company, with a focus on market development opportunities and strategic 
partnerships.

Prior to joining Jianke, Yuming spent 15 years at J.P.Morgan’s Investment Banking 
Division, most recently as Executive Director in J.P.Morgan’s Hong Kong Corporate 
Derivatives Trading team, where he focused on origination, execution, and risk management for listed equity margin 
loans/collars, and structured equity financing transactions. He joined J.P.Morgan in 2003 as part of the Asia M&A/
Corporate Finance team (based in Hong Kong), and was involved with a number of high profile M&A and Equity Capital 
Markets projects in the Greater China region across the Technology, Oil & Gas, and Transportation sectors. After several 
years in Asia, he moved to New York as part of J.P.Morgan’s Hedge Fund Derivatives Group, structuring and executing 
transactions with alternative investment managers. In 2011, he relocated to J.P.Morgan’s Shanghai office, leading 
strategy and business development efforts across J.P.Morgan’s China Joint-Ventures.

Yuming was born in Beijing, China, and grew up in the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics 
magna cum laude and a Master of Arts degree in Statistics from Harvard University, and is also a CFA charterholder.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

11

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyExecutive Team

Mr. Will Zhao

Chief Executive Officer

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

Prior to joining ECG, Will spent 4 years with Metcash China. During this time, he 
established Metcash’s offline distribution network and expanded Metcash’s online 

offering across various platforms. He also spent 7 years with the Goodman Group in Australia, New Zealand, Hong 
Kong and China specialising in Risk Management. He also held roles with Deloitte, UBS and Moores Rowland in risk and 
strategic consulting, wealth management, tax and accounting. 

Will holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University and is a certified internal audit and risk management 
professional.

Mr. Garnok Cheung

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Garnok Cheung has over two decades of experience in public accounting, 
auditing, corporate accounting and compliance. He 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). He started his career at the 
Hong Kong office of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and continued in the public accounting field at the Hong Kong and 
the New York offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers, and at KPMG in Hong Kong, accumulating 8 years of experience 
in public accounting and auditing.

He is currently an independent non-executive director of Solis Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Main 
Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock code: 2227).

Garnok received his Bachelor degree in Finance from the University of Hong Kong. He is a Certified Public 
Accountant recognized 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 and has completed the 
Blockchain Strategy Programme at the University of Oxford, England, United Kingdom.

12

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use onlyMs. Hai Yun Chen

Chief Product Officer

Ms. Hai Yun Chen is the Chief Product Officer of ECG based in Sydney. She oversees 
brands, products and supply chain strategies from Australia, New Zealand and other 
leading export countries, and develops new direct export sales channels for ECG’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, she was instrumental to the overall success of 
Metcash Asia in China, by partnering with brands, securing supply chain, developing 
and managing various export channels from Australia to China. Prior to joining 

Metcash, she has spent 8 years in establishing and running private label food sourcing for Woolworths based out of 
Woolworths’ Global Sourcing office in Shanghai. She also has buying experiences previously with Australian retailers 
BigW and ADRT.

Hai Yun holds a Master of Finance degree and Bachelor of Commerce degree major in International Business and 
Marketing from University of New South Wales.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

13

Board of Directors and Executive TeamFor personal use only 
Corporate 
Governance Report

The Board is pleased to present this corporate governance report for the year ended December 31, 2019.

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 Council, Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, 3rd Edition (“ASX 
Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations”). The 2019 corporate governance report was approved by the 
Board on March 26, 2020.

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.

14

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Corporate 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

The Company strictly complies with the continuous disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules and the Companies 
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.

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 year ended December 31, 2019. The 
Board recognized the benefit arise from achieving various forms of diversity and will continues to evaluate the setting of 
objectives on workplace diversity.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

15

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyThe table below shows the proportion of male and female representation across ECG, the senior management and at 
the Board level during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Job level

Board of Directors

Management

All employees

*  Management represent General Manager grade or above

Board of Directors

Male

Female

83%

66%

23%

17%

34%

77%

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 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 five Directors serving on the Board, including one Executive Director (“ED”), 
one Non-Executive Director (“NED”) and three Independent Non-Executive Directors (“INED”). The biographies details 
of each Director are included in the “Board of Directors and Executive Team” section of this Annual Report.

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 2019

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyBrand 
Building

eCargo Annual Report 2019

17

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyOmni-Channel 
Solutions

18

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyBoard of 
Directors

Audit and Risk 
Management 
Committee

Nomination and 
Remuneration 
Committee

Annual 
General 
Meeting

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

1/3

0/3

N/A

N/A

N/A

3/3

3/3

2/3

0/3

N/A

N/A

N/A

2/2

2/2

1/2

0/2

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

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. Yuming Zou

ED

NED

NED1

INED

INED

INED2

INED3

1 
2 
3 

Resigned on January 22, 2020
Resigned on October 31, 2019
Appointed on January 22, 2020

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 2019

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 and Recommendations) adopted by the Company.

Member

Mr. Rupert Myer AO 

(Chairman)
Mr. Heath Zarin
Mr. Dennis Lin (resigned 
on October 31, 2019)

Mr. Yuming Zou 

(appointed on January 
22, 2020)

Mr. Heath Zarin 
(Chairman)

Mr. Rupert Myer AO
Mr. Dennis Lin (resigned 
on October 31, 2019)

Mr. Yuming Zou 

(appointed on January 
22, 2020)

Committee

Overview

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.

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.

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 and 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 2019

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyOne-Stop 
O2O 
Solutions

eCargo Annual Report 2019

21

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations

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

The Board considers that the Company generally complies with the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and 
Recommendations 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:
The Company should disclose:
(a)  the respective roles and 

responsibilities of its Board and 
management; and
(b)  those matters expressly 

reserved to the Board and those 
delegated to management.

Complied

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

(b)  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:
The Company should have a written 
agreement with each Director and 
senior executive setting out the 
terms of their appointment.

Recommendation 1.4:
The Company Secretary of the 
Company should be accountable 
directly 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 2019

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

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

(b)  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:
The Company should:
(a)  have and disclose a process 

for periodically evaluating the 
performance of the Board, its 
Committees and individual 
Directors; and

(b)  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:
The Company should:
(a)  have and disclose a process 
for periodically evaluating 
the performance of its senior 
executives; and

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

Partially Complied

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

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 
year ended December 31, 2019. 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 2019

23

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyPrinciple 2 – Structure the Board to add value

Partially 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.

Mr. Dennis Lin resigned as the Non-Executive Director 
on October 31, 2019 while Mr. Yuming Zou appointed 
as the Non-Executive Director on January 22, 2020.

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

Complied

Complied

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 five members, of which 
three are independent Non-Executive Directors, 
namely, Mr. Rupert Myer AO, Mr. Heath Zarin and Mr. 
Yuming Zou.

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.

Recommendation 2.1: 
The Board should
(a)  have a nomination committee 

which:
(1)  has at least three members, 
a majority of whom are 
independent Directors; and
(2)  is chaired by an independent 

Director, 

and disclose:

(3)  the charter of the committee;
(4)  the members of the 
committee; and
(5)  as at the end of each 

reporting period, the number 
of times the committee met 
throughout the period and 
the individual attendances 
of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)  if it does not have a nomination 
committee, disclose that fact 
and the processes it employs to 
address board succession issues 
and to ensure that the Board 
has the appropriate balance of 
skills, knowledge, experience, 
independence and diversity to 
enable it to discharge its duties 
and responsibilities effectively.

Recommendation 2.2: 
The Company 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:
The Companies should disclose:
(a)  the names of the Directors 

considered by the Board to be 
independent Directors;
(b)  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

(c)  the length of service of each 

Director.

24

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyRecommendation 2.4:
A majority of the Board of the 
Company 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 for the year ended December 31, 
2019.

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

Partially Compiled

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 of the 
Company should be an independent 
Director and, in particular, should 
not be the same person as the Chief 
Executive Officer of the Company.

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: 
The Company 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: 
The Company should:
(a)  have a code of conduct for its 

Directors, senior executives and 
employees; and

(b)  disclose that code or a summary 

of it.

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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

25

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

Recommendation 4.1:
The Board of the Company should
(a)  have an audit committee which:
(1)  has at least three members, 

all of whom are non-
executive directors and 
a majority of whom are 
independent Directors; and
(2)  is chaired by an independent 
Director, who is not the chair 
of the Board,

and disclose:

(3)  the charter of the committee;
(4)  the relevant qualifications 
and experience of the 
members of the committee; 
and

(5)  in relation to each reporting 

period, the number of 
times the committee met 
throughout the period and 
the individual attendances 
of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)  if it does not have an audit 

committee, disclose that fact 
and the processes it employs 
that independently verify 
and safeguard the integrity 
of its corporate reporting, 
including the processes for the 
appointment and removal of the 
external auditor and the rotation 
of the audit engagement 
partner.

Recommendation 4.2:
The Board of the Company, 
before it approves the Company’s 
financial statements for a financial 
period, 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: 
The Company that has an Annual 
General Meeting should ensure that 
its external auditor attends it Annual 
General Meeting and is available 
to answer questions from security 
holders relevant to the audit.

Partially 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.

Mr. Dennis Lin resigned as the Non-Executive Director 
on October 31, 2019 while Mr. Yuming Zou appointed 
as the Non-Executive Director on January 22, 2020.

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 Board has received the necessary declaration 
from the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Will Zhao and 
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.

Complied

The Company’s external auditor had attended the 
Annual General Meeting held on May 14, 2019.

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.

26

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

Recommendation 5.1:
The Company 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:
The Company 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: 
The Company should design and 
implement an investor relations 
program to facilitate effective two-
way communication with investors.

Complied

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

Complied

Complied

Recommendation 6.4:
The Company 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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

27

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyPrinciple 7 — Recognise and manage risk

Recommendation 7.1:
The Board of the Company should:
(a)  have a committee or committees 
to oversee risk, each of which:
(1)  has at least three members, 
a majority of whom are 
independent Directors; and
(2)  is chaired by an independent 

Director, 

and disclose:

(3)  the charter of the committee;
(4)  the members of the 
committee; and
(5)  as at the end of each 

reporting period, the number 
of times the committee met 
throughout the period and 
the individual attendances 
of the members at those 
meetings; or
(b)  if it does not have a risk 

committee or committees that 
satisfy above, disclose that fact 
and the processes it employs 
for overseeing the entity’s risk 
management framework.

Partially 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.

Mr. Dennis Lin resigned as the Non-Executive Director 
on October 31, 2019 while Mr. Yuming Zou appointed 
as the Non-Executive Director on January 22, 2020.

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

Recommendation 7.2:
The Board or a committee of the 

Complied

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

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:
The Company should disclose;
(a)  if it has an 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:
The Company should disclose 
whether it has 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 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.

28

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

Partially 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 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.

Mr. Dennis Lin resigned as the Non-Executive Director 
on October 31, 2019 while Mr. Yuming Zou appointed 
as the Non-Executive Director on January 22, 2020.

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 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 8.1:
The Board of the Company should:
(a)  have a remuneration committee 

which:
(1)  have at least 3 members, 
a majority of whom are 
independent Directors; and
(2)  is chaired by an independent 

director, 

and disclose

(3)  the charter of the committee;
(4)  the members of the 
committee; and
(5)  as at the end of each 

reporting period, the number 
of times the committee met 
throughout the period and 
the individual attendances 
of the members at those 
meetings, or

(b)  if it does not have a 

remuneration committee, 
disclose that fact and the 
processes it employs for setting 
the level and composition of 
remuneration for directors and 
senior executives and ensuring 
that such remuneration is 
appropriate and not excessive.

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

Recommendation 8.3:
The Company which have equity-
based remuneration scheme should
(a)  have 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; and

(b)  disclose that policy or a 

summary of it

eCargo Annual Report 2019

29

Corporate Governance ReportFor personal use onlyDIRECTORS’  
REPORT

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 2019.

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 and services and trading of fast moving 
consumer goods (“FMCG”).

Results and Appropriations

The results of ECG for the year are set out in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on page 45.

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 2019.

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.

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 Director
Mr. John Lau

Non-Executive Directors
Ms. Jessica Rudd (resigned on January 22, 2020)
Mr. Christopher Lau

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Mr. Rupert Myer AO
Mr. Heath Zarin
Mr. Dennis Lin (resigned on October 31, 2019)
Mr. Yuming Zou (appointed on January 22, 2020)
(collectively, the “Board of Directors”)

30

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyRemuneration

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

In accordance with Article 24 of the Company’s Articles of Association, Mr. Christopher Lau, Mr. Rupert Myer AO and 
Mr. Yuming Zou 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 Yeuk Kuk, Ms. Yip Hiu Ching, Mr. Gilbert 
Wong, Mr. William Zhao, Mr. Garnok Cheung and Ms. Hai Yun Chen.

Financial and Operations Review

Year ended/
As at 
31 December 
2019

Prior year
HK$

Revenue from ordinary operations

177,406,615

134,458,649

Loss after income tax expense

(74,565,854)

(134,695,885)

Percentage 
change
%

+32%

–45%

(76,671,848)

(139,034,787)

–45%

Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of 
the Company

EBITDA loss excluding impact of foreign exchange, 
share of results from an associate and a joint venture, 
provision for impairment of interest in an associate, 
gain or loss on fair value of acquisition and financial 
derivatives and provision for impairment of goodwill

Total assets

144,580,835

169,564,068

Net (liabilities)/assets

(30,272,852)

46,398,996

(6,656,137)

(10,090,670)

–34%

–15%

–165%

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

Consolidated revenue of the year was HK$177.4 million (2018: HK$134.5 million) of which HK$18.1 million (2018: HK$32.5 
million) was attributable to eCommerce-enabling business, HK$85.9 million (2018: HK$97.1 million) was contributed 
by Amblique and HK$71.0 million (2018: HK$2.5 million) was contributed by FMCG business unit. 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 impact of foreign exchange, share of results from an associate and a joint 
venture, provision for impairment of interest in an associate, gain or loss on fair value of acquisition and financial 
derivatives and provision for impairment of goodwill of HK$6.7 million, 34% less than prior year. ECG incurred a loss per 
share of HK$12.12 cents for the year.

The Company did not propose any dividend distribution or share buy-back during the year ended 31 December 2019.

For a more detailed review of the performance of ECG, please refer to its 2019 full year financial results announcement 
released on February 27, 2020 and Chairman Statement in this Report.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

31

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyMajor Customers

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the five largest customers of ECG accounted for approximately 29% of ECG’s 
total revenue. There are no 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 strategy 
to recruit merchants 
and suppliers is not 
effective.

ECG’s strategy to recruit merchants and 
suppliers is not successful. This resulted 
in ECG failing to meet revenue and profit 
targets and might materially and adversely 
impact the operating results.

ECG has a clear business plan in place. 
The plan is being constantly reviewed and 
evaluated against operating and financial 
targets by senior management with the 
Executive Chairman.

Risk that ECG does 
not have the necessary 
resources to fulfill its 
funding obligations.

Inability to sustain enough liquidity to 
satisfy operating needs or pay suppliers.

ECG is closely monitoring its working 
capital and cash flow with regular reporting 
to the Executive Chairman. A standby 
facility from the Executive Chairman is 
available.

32

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Directors’ ReportFor personal use only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 ECG’s FMCG 
revenues from its 
online stores on China 
platforms are impaired 
if the platforms cannot 
be functioned.

ECG currently has online stores on two 
major platforms in China-Tmall and JD.

ECG purchases FMCG products and 
sells to consumers on these online stores 
through a cross-border B2C model.

ECG operates our online stores without any 
control on the functioning of the platforms.

In recent years, wages particularly in PRC’s 
eCommerce has increased significantly. As 
a result, ECG’s gross margin and net profit 
may decline.

Risk that increased in 
operating cost such 
as wages will increase 
cash flow pressure and 
impact profitability.

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 mitigates 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 mitigates this risk by closely 
communicating with the operation teams 
of these platforms.

ECG pays employee at market rate to 
attract and retain the necessary talents. 
ECG will mitigate this risk by evaluating 
outsource options against in-house team, 
and also considering locations of lower 
cost without compromising the quality of 
the team.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

33

Directors’ ReportFor personal use onlyUncertainties with 
respect to the PRC 
legal system may have a 
material adverse effect 
on ECG.

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

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

ECG conducts some of its business 
through its subsidiaries established 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.

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 may be 
affected.

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.

Uncertainties with respect to PRC’s legal 
system are beyond the control of ECG. 
ECG will engage PRC lawyers to mitigate 
such risk if necessary.

In the event any key personnel were 
to leave ECG, the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee would 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.

ECG has made a provision for impairment 
of goodwill of HK$17.3 million prior to 
the integration of the operation of JS and 
MES. ECG has further made a provision for 
impairment of goodwill of HK$31.8 million 
in respect of the carrying amount of the 
goodwill exceeds the recoverable amount 
of the FMCG CGU which based on a value-
in-use calculation.

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

Risk that ECG’s 
inventories become 
obsolete

ECG purchases FMCG inventories which 
could have expiry dates. Unsold inventories 
may be subject to write down.

ECG mitigates this risk by closely managing 
the sourcing process to minimize excess 
inventories.

34

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Directors’ ReportFor personal use only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

Mr. Rupert Myer AO

Mr. Heath Zarin

Mr. Yuming Zou

Number of Shares 
and equivalent CDIs 
held directly

Number of Shares 
and equivalent CDIs 
held indirectly

8,142,460

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

396,872,460

9,000,000

Nil

Nil

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

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, 2020

eCargo Annual Report 2019

35

Directors’ ReportFor 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 45 to 127, which comprise:

• 

the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019;

• 

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 2019, 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.

36

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019

37

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

• 

• 

Accounting for the transactions in respect of MES Group

Goodwill impairment assessment

Key Audit Matter

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Accounting for acquisition of MES Group

Our procedures in relation to management’s 

Refer to note 30 to the consolidated financial 

judgements and estimates included:

statements for the acquisition of MES Group 

from Metcash.

• 

Assessing the judgement relating to the 

transfer of the risks and rewards of the 

On 25 February 2019, ECG acquired 85% 

remaining 15% equity interest of MES Group to 

equity interest in MES Group for an aggregate 

ECG with reference to the relevant terms of the 

consideration of HK$47 million. MES Group is 

transaction;

principally engaged in the provision of China 

export business in Australia.

• 

Assessing the competency, objectivity and 

independence of the external valuer engaged 

In connection with the acquisition, a call 

by ECG;

option to purchase and a put option to sell the 

remaining 15% equity interest of MES Group 

• 

Assessing the appropriateness of the valuation 

were granted to ECG and Metcash respectively. 

methodologies and assumptions over pre-tax 

ECG considered the terms of the call-put 

discount rate and volatility used in determining 

option arrangement and concluded that such 

the fair value of the identifiable intangible 

arrangement has effectively transferred the 

assets and the call option with the assistance of 

risk and rewards of the remaining 15% equity 

our internal valuation expert;

interest of MES Group to ECG.

• 

Evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation 

methodologies used in determining the fair 

values of the identifiable intangible assets 

with reference to our industry knowledge and 

market practices; and

38

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only 
 
Key Audit Matter

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

The acquisition of MES Group was accounted 

• 

Assessing the reasonableness of the 

for as a business combination where ECG 

assumptions over revenue growth rate and 

recognised goodwill and identifiable intangible 

supplier attrition rate by comparing these 

assets of approximately HK$12.7 million and 

assumptions used in the valuation against 

HK$8.8 million respectively. The goodwill 

relevant market data and industry research.

recognised relates to 100% equity interest in 

MES Group. The fair values of the identifiable 

We found that the management judgements and 

intangible assets were appraised by an 

estimations used to determine the methodologies 

external valuer.

and key assumptions underlying the fair values of 

the identifiable intangible assets used in accounting 

We focused on this area due to the magnitude 

for the transactions in respect of MES Group to be 

of the transaction as well as the significant 

supportable by available evidence.

management judgements and estimates 

involved to determine the methodologies and 

key assumptions underlying the fair values 

of the identifiable intangible assets used in 

accounting for the acquisition of MES Group. 

The key assumptions and estimations used 

in the valuations included revenue growth 

rate, supplier attrition rate, pre-tax discount 

rate, risk-free rate, remaining useful life and 

volatility.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

39

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only 
 
Key Audit Matter

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Goodwill impairment assessment

Our procedures in relation to management’s 

Refer to notes 4 and 15 to the consolidated 

judgements and estimates included:

financial statements of ECG.

As at 31 December 2019, ECG had goodwill 

the goodwill into cash-generating units with our 

of HK$18.6 million relating to the eCommerce 

knowledge of the business;

• 

Identifying the appropriateness of allocating 

solutions services cash generating unit in 

Australia (“Australia CGU”) and the Fast 

• 

Assessing the appropriateness of valuation 

moving consumer goods cash generating 

methodologies adopted and the reasonableness 

unit (“FMCG CGU”). ECG recognised goodwill 

of assumptions over pre-tax discount rate and 

impairment loss of approximately HK$49.3 

terminal growth rate used in the valuation with 

million during the year ended 31 December 

reference to available market data;

2019.

• 

Evaluating the reasonableness of the 

Prior to the Metcash Export Services Pty 

assumptions over CAGR of revenue and EBITDA 

Limited (“MES”), ECG had goodwill of HK$44.3 

margin with reference to historical performance 

million relating to the Jessica’s Suitcase (“JS”). 

of JS and Australia CGU and FMCG CGU and our 

Following the acquisition of MES Group, ECG 

knowledge of the business;

integrated the operations of JS and MES in the 

and combined the businesses to form the Fast 

• 

For the Australia CGU and FMCG CGU, 

moving consumer goods cash generating unit 

comparing the current year actual revenue 

(“FMCG CGU”).

growth and EBITDA margin with the projections 

ECG has reviewed the carrying value of JS 

assumptions that were overly optimistic;

to consider if the projection included 

on a standalone basis prior to the integration 

based on a value-in-use calculation and 

recognised impairment loss of approximately 

HK$17.8 million. Significant management 

judgements and estimations were 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.

40

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use only 
 
Key Audit Matter

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

ECG performed annual impairment assessment 

• 

Testing source data, on a sample basis to 

in respect the goodwill of the Australia CGU 

supporting evidence, such as approved budgets, 

and the FMCG CGU as at 31 December 2019. 

service contracted and available market data, to 

In carrying out the impairment assessment, 

consider the reasonableness of management’s 

management calculates the value-in-use 

revenue growth and EBITDA margin estimates; 

of the Australia CGU and the FMCG CGU 

and

to determine their respective recoverable 

amounts. Significant management judgements 

• 

Evaluating management’s sensitivity analysis 

and estimations are used to estimate the 

around the terminal growth rate and EBITDA 

future cash flows and to determine the key 

margin to consider the extent of changes in 

assumptions, including the compound annual 

those assumptions that would result in an 

growth rate (“CAGR”) of revenue, EBITDA 

impairment of goodwill.

margin, pre-tax discount rate and terminal 

growth rate, underlying the value-in-use 

calculations.

Based on the assessment, Management has 

concluded that no provision for impairment 

loss is necessary for Australia CGU and 

recognised impairment loss of approximately 

HK$31.8 million in respect of the FMCG CGU 

as at 31 December 2019.

We focused on this area due to the significant 

management judgement to determine the 

key assumptions underlying management’s 

impairment assessment.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

41

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.

42

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

43

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 2020

44

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Independent Auditor’s ReportFor personal use onlyNote

2019
HK$

2018
HK$

6
7

7
7
7

3.2
10
10

11
11

11

30
17
17
17
15
30

12

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Net impairment losses on financial assets and  

contract assets

Other income
Other losses – net

Operating loss
Finance income
Finance expense

Finance expense – net
Fair value gain on financial assets at fair value  

through profit or loss

Share of results from an associate
Share of results from a joint venture
Provision for impairment of interest in an associate
Provision for impairment of goodwill
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

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Total comprehensive loss for the year is attributable to:

Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

177,406,615
(114,439,781)

62,966,834
(9,789,268)
(78,960,202)
(1,997,618)

(573,719)
8,011,436
(482,938)

(20,825,475)
38,178
(5,342,595)

134,458,649
(62,995,438)

71,463,211
(11,273,130)
(89,007,217)
(5,638,052)

–
–
(1,203,385)

(35,658,573)
46,358
(2,214,562)

(5,304,417)

(2,168,204)

–
–
477,699
–
(49,276,724)
–

(74,928,917)
363,063

13,930,290
555,323
–
(72,504,113)
–
(38,992,851)

(134,838,128)
142,243

(74,565,854)

(134,695,885)

(74,565,854)
–

(134,401,793)
(294,092)

(74,565,854)

(134,695,885)

(2,105,994)

(4,632,994)

(76,671,848)

(139,328,879)

(76,671,848)
–

(139,034,787)
(294,092)

(76,671,848)

(139,328,879)

Loss per share for loss attributable to owners of  

the Company
– Basic and diluted (HK cents per share)

13

(12.12)

(22.03)

The above consolidated statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the 

accompanying notes.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

45

Consolidated Statement of  Comprehensive IncomeFor the Year Ended 31 December 2019For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Intangible assets

Interests in associates and a joint venture

Deferred income tax assets

Prepayment and deposits

Current assets

Inventories

Trade receivables

Contract assets

Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

Amounts due from related parties

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

Share capital

Currency translation reserve

Accumulated losses

Total (deficit)/equity

Note

14

14(b)

15

17

24

21

19

20

5

21

31

22

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

653,763

1,763,902 

5,576,128

–

63,425,070

105,259,791 

213,554

1,699,088

397,970

–

1,306,784 

7,346,835 

71,965,573

115,677,312 

15,501,990

1,787,805 

18,867,866

18,415,962 

3,325,508

4,919,047

3,054,309

3,767,479 

2,802,804 

9,497,723 

26,946,542

17,614,983 

72,615,262

53,886,756 

144,580,835

169,564,068 

25

427,820,968

427,820,968 

(2,936,793)

(830,799) 

(455,157,027)

(380,591,173) 

(30,272,852)

46,398,996 

46

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Consolidated Statement of  Financial PositionAs at 31 December 2019For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

Lease liabilities

Other payables

Borrowings

Current liabilities

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

Other payables and accruals

Amounts due to related parties

Put option liabilities

Lease liabilities

Income tax payable

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Note

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

24

14(b)

23

27

23

5

23

31

14(b)

10,821,794

10,921,657 

4,178,017

763,364

– 

– 

85,603,517

58,420,349 

101,366,692

69,342,006 

22,729,634

11,088,473 

2,155,757

2,386,262 

12,493,779

17,155,766 

25,884,280

21,371,406 

7,653,888

1,745,834

–

–

823,823

1,821,159 

73,486,995

53,823,066 

174,853,687

123,165,072 

144,580,835

169,564,068 

The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the 

accompanying notes.

The financial statements on page 45 to 127 were approved by the Board of Directors on March 26, 2020 

and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman

Mr. Christopher Lau
Non-Executive Director

eCargo Annual Report 2019

47

As at 31 December 2019Consolidated Statement of  Financial PositionFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Attributable to owners of the Company

Currency 

Non-

translation 

Accumulated 

controlling 

Total equity/

Share capital

reserve

HK$

HK$

losses

HK$

Total

HK$

interests

(deficit)

HK$

HK$

Balance at 1 January 2018

329,401,285

3,802,195

(245,895,288)

87,308,192

–

87,308,192

Comprehensive loss

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Currency translation differences

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 25)

98,419,683

Transactions with non-controlling 

interests (Note 29)

–

–

–

–

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

Balance at 1 January 2019

427,820,968

(830,799)

(380,591,173)

46,398,996

Comprehensive loss

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Currency translation differences

Total comprehensive loss for  

the year

–

–

–

–

(74,565,854)

(74,565,854)

(2,105,994)

–

(2,105,994)

(2,105,994)

(74,565,854)

(76,671,848)

Balance at 31 December 2019

427,820,968

(2,936,793)

(455,157,027)

(30,272,852)

–

–

–

–

–

–

46,398,996

46,398,996

(74,565,854)

(2,105,994)

(76,671,848)

(30,272,852)

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the 

accompanying notes.

48

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Consolidated Statement of  Changes in EquityFor the year ended 31 December 2019For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

Income tax (paid)/refunded

Interest paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Prepayment for the acquisition of a subsidiary

Payment for acquisition of a subsidiary,  

net of cash acquired

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Step acquisition from an associate to a subsidiary,  

net of cash acquired

Interest received

Distributions received

Dividend from a joint venture

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

26

31

30

30

14

30

11

10

17

31

31

14,944,506

3,905,514

(4,154,951)

742,168

(123,068)

–

10,666,487

4,647,682

–

(6,960,375)

(28,662,459)

–

(213,675)

(2,035,712)

–

38,178

6,118,422

264,690

374,889

46,358

–

–

(22,454,844)

(8,574,840)

35,343,319

9,500,000

(12,134,427)

–

–

Principal elements of lease payment

26(d)

(1,883,737)

Net cash generated from financing activities

21,325,155

9,500,000

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Exchange loss on cash and cash equivalents

9,536,798

5,572,842

17,614,983

12,702,478

(205,239)

(660,337)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

22

26,946,542

17,614,983

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying 

notes.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

49

Consolidated Statement of  Cash FlowsFor the year ended 31 December 2019For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1  General information

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

“Group”) are principally engaged in the development and provision of eCommerce technologies, 

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

services and trading of fast moving consumer goods.

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.

As at 31 December 2019, the Company had net current liabilities of HK$871,733 and net liabilities 

of HK$30,272,852. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as 

the Company’s ultimate holding company, JL Enterprises Holdings Limited has agreed to provide 

continuing financial support to the Group to enable it to meet its financial obligations as and when 

they fall due.

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.

50

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG.

Amendments to annual 

Annual improvements 2015–2017 cycle

improvement project

Amendments to HKAS 19

Plan amendment, curtailment or settlement

Amendments to HKFRS 9

Prepayment features with negative compensation

Amendments to HKAS 28

Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures

HK (IFRIC)-Int 23

Uncertainty over income tax treatments

HKFRS 16

Leases

ECG has initially applied HKFRS 16 with effect from 1 January 2019 and elected to adopt the 

new rules retrospectively but recognised the cumulative effect of initially applying the new 

standard on 1 January 2019. Most of the other amendments listed above did not have any 

impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not expected to significantly affect 

the current or future periods.

As indicated in above, ECG has adopted HKFRS 16 Leases retrospectively from 1 January 

2019, but has not restated comparatives for the 2018 reporting period, as permitted under the 

specific transition provisions in the standard. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising 

from the new leasing rules are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 

2019. The new accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2.25.

On adoption of HKFRS 16, ECG recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had 

previously been classified as ‘operating leases’ under the principles of HKAS 17 Leases. These 

liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted 

using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as of 1 January 2019. The weighted average 

lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities on 1 January 2019 was 5.3%-

6%.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

51

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 2019, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG. 

(Continued)

(i)  Practical expedients applied

In applying HKFRS 16 for the first time, ECG has used the following practical expedients 

permitted by the standard:

• 

applying a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar 

characteristics

• 

relying on previous assessments on whether leases are onerous as an alternative to 

performing an impairment review — there were no onerous contracts as at 1 January 

2019

• 

accounting for operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months 

as at 1 January 2019 as short-term leases

• 

excluding initial direct costs for the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date 

of initial application, and

• 

using hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to 

extend or terminate the lease.

ECG has also elected not to reassess whether a contract is, or contains a lease at the 

date of initial application. Instead, for contracts entered into before the transition date, 

ECG relied on its assessment made applying HKAS 17 and Interpretation 4 Determining 

whether an Arrangement contains a Lease.

52

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG. 

(Continued)

(ii)  Measurement of lease liabilities

Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 December 2018

4,116,992

HK$

Discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate of  

at the date of initial application

Less: short-term leases not recognised as a liabilities

Add: adjustments as a result of a different treatment of  

extension and termination options

Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019

Of which are:

Current lease liabilities

Non-current lease liabilities

3,910,724

(400,054)

2,037,275

5,547,945

1,086,905

4,461,040

5,547,945

(iii) Measurement of right-of-use assets

Right-of use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by 

the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognised in 

the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2018.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019, but do not have significant financial impact to ECG. 

(Continued)

(iv)  Adjustment recognised in the consolidated statement of financial statement 

position on 1 January 2019

The following table gives a summary of the opening balance adjustments recognised for 

each line item in the consolidated statement of financial position that has been impacted 

by HKFRS 16 on 1 January 2019.

As at  

31 December 

2018

HK$

HKFRS 16

HK$

As at  

1 January  

2019

HK$

–

–

–

5,547,945

5,547,945

4,461,040

4,461,040

1,086,905

1,086,905

Non-current assets

Right-of-use assets

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Current liabilities

Lease liabilities

(v)  Lessor accounting

ECG did not need to make any adjustments to the accounting for assets held as lessor 

under operating leases as a result of the adoption of HKFRS 16. 

54

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019 and have not 

been early adopted by ECG.

Effective for 

accounting 

periods beginning 

on or after

Amendments to HKFRS 3 

Definition of a business (amendments)

1 January 2020

(Revised)

HKFRS 17

Insurance contracts (new standard)

1 January 2023

Conceptual Framework for 

Revised conceptual Framework for 

1 January 2020

Financial Reporting 2018

Financial reporting

Amendments to HKAS 1  

Definition of material (amendments)

1 January 2020

and HKAS 8

Amendments to HKFRS 10  

Sales or contribution of assets between 

To be determined

and HKAS 28

an investor and its associate or joint 

venture (amendments)

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

eCargo Annual Report 2019

55

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
2.3  Principle of consolidation and equity accounting

2.3.1 Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities (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.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for business combinations by ECG 

(Note 2.4).

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

companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides 

evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have 

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

2.3.2 Associates

Associates are all entities 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 (Note 

2.3.4), after initially being recognised at cost.

2.3.3 Joint arrangements

Under HKFRS 11 Joint Arrangements, investments in joint arrangements are classified as either 

joint operations or joint ventures. The classification depends on the contractual rights and 

obligations of each investor, rather than the legal structure of the joint arrangement. Interest 

in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method (Note 2.3.4), after initially being 

recognised at cost in the consolidated statement of financial position.

56

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

2.3.4 Equity method

Under the equity method, the investment is initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter 

to recognise ECG’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses of the investee in profit or 

loss, and ECG’s share of movements in other comprehensive income of the investee in other 

comprehensive income. Dividends received or receivable from associates and joint ventures are 

recognised as a reduction in the carrying amount of the investment.

Where ECG’s share of losses in an equity-accounted investment equals or exceeds its interest in 

the entity, including any other unsecured long-term receivables, ECG does not recognise further 

losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the other entity.

Unrealised gains on transactions between ECG and its associates and joint ventures are 

eliminated to the extent of ECG’s interest in these entities. Unrealised losses are also eliminated 

unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting 

policies of equity-accounted investees have been changed where necessary to ensure 

consistency with the policies adopted by ECG.

The carrying amount of equity-accounted investments is tested for impairment in accordance 

with the policy described in Note 2.10.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

57

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

2.3.5 Changes in ownership interests

ECG treats transactions with non-controlling interest that do not result in a loss of control as 

transactions with equity owners of ECG. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment 

between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their 

relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to 

non-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognised in a separate 

reserve within equity attributable to owners of the Company.

When ECG ceases to consolidate or equity account for an investment because of a loss of 

control, joint control or significant influence, any retained interest in the entity is remeasured 

to its fair value with the change in carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. This fair value 

becomes the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the 

retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any amounts 

previously recognised in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted 

for as if ECG had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that 

amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss 

or transferred to another category of equity as specified/permitted by applicable HKFRSs.

If the ownership interest in a joint venture or an associate is reduced but joint control 

or significant influence is retained, only a proportionate share of the amounts previously 

recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss where appropriate.

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.

58

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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)

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.

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  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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

59

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.6  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.

2.7  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.

(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 — 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.

60

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

(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.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of any net investment in 

foreign entities, and of borrowings and other financial instruments designated as hedges of 

such investments, are recognised in other comprehensive income. When a foreign operation is 

sold or any borrowings forming part of the net investment are repaid, the associated exchange 

differences are reclassified to profit or loss, as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated 

as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the closing rate.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

61

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.8  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. Cost may also include transfers from equity of any gains or losses on 

qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of property, plant and equipment.

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.

62

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

(a)  Goodwill

Goodwill is measured as described in Note 2.4. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is 

included in intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortised but it is tested for impairment annually, 

or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired, and 

is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an 

entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The 

allocation is made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are 

expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose. The units or 

groups of units are identified at the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal 

management purposes, being the operating segments (Note 5).

(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 to 10 years.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

63

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.9  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.

64

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

(e)  Software (Continued)

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.

Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortised from the point 

at which the asset is ready for use.

ECG amortised intangible assets with a limited useful life using the straight-line method over 

the following period.

Brand name 

Contractual customer relationships 

Supplier relationships 

Software 

10 years

5 years

5–10 years

5–10 years

2.10 Impairment of non-financial assets

Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation 

and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances 

indicate that they might be impaired. Other assets are tested 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 of 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 inflows which are largely independent of the cash inflows 

from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets other than 

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

of each reporting period.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

65

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

(i)  Classification

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.

(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.

66

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

(iii) Measurement (Continued)

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 losses — net. 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 losses — net and 

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

• 

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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

67

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

(iii) Measurement (Continued)

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

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 20 for further details.

2.12 Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are assigned to individual 

items of inventory on the basis of First-in-First-out. 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.

68

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the 

ordinary course of business. They are generally due for settlement within 30 days and therefore all 

classified as current.

Trade receivables are recognised initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional unless 

they contain significant financing components, when they are recognised at fair value. ECG holds the 

trade and other receivables with the objective of collecting the contractual cash flows and therefore 

measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. See Note 20 for 

further information about ECG’s accounting for trade receivables and Note 3.2 for a description of 

ECG’s impairment policies.

2.14 Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes 

cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid 

investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known 

amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

2.15 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.

2.16 Trade and other payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and serviced provided to ECG prior to the end of 

financial year which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days 

of recognition. Trade and other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is not 

due within 12 months after the reporting period. They are recognised initially at their fair value and 

subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.17 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 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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

69

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

General and specific borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or 

production of qualifying asset are capitalized during the period of time that is required to complete 

and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. Qualifying assets are assets that necessarily take 

a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their 

expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalization.

Other borrowing costs are expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

2.19 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.

(b)  Deferred income tax

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences 

arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the 

consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they 

arises from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is also not accounted for 

if it arise from initial recognition of an asset of 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 

substantially enacted by the end of the reporting period and are expected to apply when the 

related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

70

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

(b)  Deferred income tax (Continued)

Deferred tax assets are recognised only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be 

available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are not recognised for temporary differences between the 

carrying amount and tax bases of investments in foreign operations where the Company is able 

to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the 

differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset 

current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same 

taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally 

enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and 

settle the liability simultaneously.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, 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.

2.20 Employee benefits

(a)  Short-term obligations

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and accumulating sick leave 

that are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the 

employees render the related service are recognised in respect of employees’ services up to 

the end of the reporting period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the 

liabilities are settled. The liabilities are presented as current employee benefit obligations in the 

consolidated statement of financial position.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

71

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

(b)  Other long-term employee benefit obligation

The liabilities for long service leave and annual leave that are not expected to be settled wholly 

within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service. 

These obligations are therefore measured as the present value of expected future payments 

to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the end of the reporting period 

using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and 

salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future 

payments are discounted using market yields at the end of the reporting period of high-quality 

corporate bonds with terms and currencies that match, as closely as possible, the estimated 

future cash outflows. Remeasurements as a result of experience adjustments and changes in 

actuarial assumptions are recognised in profit or loss.

The obligations are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial 

position if the entity does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve 

months after the reporting period, regardless of when the actual settlement is expected to 

occur.

(c)  Post-employment obligations

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 further payment obligations once the contributions have 

been paid. The contributions are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. 

Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction 

in the future payments is available.

ECG’s contributions to defined contribution plan 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.

72

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

(c)  Post-employment obligations (Continued)

Pension obligations (Continued)

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.

(d)  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.

2.21 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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

73

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only2  Basis of preparation and summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.22 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;

• 

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.

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.

74

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

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).

2.23 Interest income

Interest income on financial assets at amortised cost is calculated by using the effective interest 

method and 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).

2.24 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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

75

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

As explained in Note 2.2(a) above, ECG has changed its accounting policy for leases where ECG is 

the lessee. The new policy is described below and the impact of the change in Note 2.2(a).

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership were not transferred to 

ECG as lessee were classified as operating leases (Note 28). Payments made under operating leases 

(net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis 

over the period of the lease.

From 1 January 2019, leases are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability at 

the date at which the leased asset is available for use by ECG.

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease 

liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:

• 

fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable

• 

variable lease payment that are based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index 

or rate as at the commencement date

• 

amounts expected to be payable by ECG under residual value guarantees

• 

the exercise price of a purchase option if ECG is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and

• 

payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects ECG exercising that 

option.

Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the 

measurement of the liability.

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot 

be readily determined, which is generally the case for leases in ECG, the lessee’s incremental 

borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the 

funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic 

environment with similar terms, security and conditions.

To determine the incremental borrowing rate, ECG, where possible, uses recent third-party financing 

received by the individual lessee as a starting point, adjusted to reflect changes in financing 

conditions since third party financing was received.

76

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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

Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to 

profit or loss over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the 

remaining balance of the liability for each period.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:

• 

the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability

• 

any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives 

received

• 

any initial direct costs, and

• 

restoration costs.

Right-of-use assets are generally depreciated over the shorter of the asset‘s useful life and the 

lease term on a straight-line basis. If ECG is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, the 

right-of-use asset is depreciated over the underlying asset’s useful life.

Payments associated with short-term leases of equipment and vehicles and all leases of low-value 

assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are 

leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets comprise IT equipment and small 

items of office furniture.

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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

77

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only3  Financial risk management (Continued)
3.2  Credit risk

At the date of the consolidated statement of financial position, 55% (2018: 42%) 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’s trade receivables and contract assets are subject to the expected credit loss model, while 

cash and cash equivalent are also subject to the impairment requirements of HKFRS 9, the identified 

impairment loss was immaterial.

Trade receivables and contract assets

ECG applies the HKFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a 

lifetime expected credit loss allowance for all trade receivables and contract assets.

To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables and contract assets have been grouped on 

shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The contract assets relate to unbilled work 

in progress and have substantially the same risk characteristics as the trade receivables for the same 

types of contracts. ECG has therefore concluded that the expected loss rates for trade receivables 

are a reasonable approximation of the loss rates for the contract assets.

The expected loss rates are based on the payment profiles of sales over a period of 24 months 

before 31 December 2019 or 1 January 2019 respectively and the corresponding historical credit 

losses experienced within this period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and 

forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle 

the receivables. ECG has identified the GDP and the unemployment rate of the countries in which 

it sells its goods and services to be the most relevant factors, and accordingly adjusts the historical 

loss rates based on expected changes in these factors.

78

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only3  Financial risk management (Continued)
3.2  Credit risk (Continued)

On that basis, the loss allowance as at 31 December 2019 and 2018 was determined as follows for 

both trade receivables and contract assets:

As at 31 December 2019

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 2018

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%

479,903

(479,903)

–

0%-3.52% 12,583,003

(63,850)

12,519,153

0%-3.52%

7,103,708

(15,778)

7,087,930

0%-7.32%

1,503,108

(83,301)

1,419,807

0%-7.86%

0%-18.43%

350,955

962,236

(4,406)

(142,301)

346,549

819,935

22,503,010

(309,636)

22,193,374

100%

221,800

(221,800)

–

0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

0.5%

13,404,234

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

eCargo Annual Report 2019

79

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3  Financial risk management (Continued)
3.2  Credit risk (Continued)

The loss allowances for trade receivables as at 31 December reconcile to the opening loss allowances 

as follows:

Opening loss allowance at 1 January 

Increase in loss allowance recognised in profit or loss

Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible

Currency translation differences

Trade receivables

2019

HK$

221,800

573,719

2018

HK$

255,824

–

–

(34,024)

(5,980)

–

Closing loss allowance at 31 December 

789,539

221,800

Trade receivables and contract assets are written off where there is no reasonable expectation of 

recovery. Indicators that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others, 

the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment plan with ECG, and a failure to make contractual 

payments for a period of greater than 180 days past due.

Impairment losses on trade receivables and contract assets are presented as net impairment losses 

within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against 

the same line item.

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, amounts due to 

related parties and lease liabilities, mature within one year from the date of consolidated statement 

of financial position, equal to their carrying balances as the impact of discounting is not significant.

80

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3  Financial risk management (Continued)
3.3  Liquidity risk (Continued)

The table below analyses ECG’s non-derivative financial liabilities and net-settled derivative financial 

liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the date of consolidated 

statement of financial position to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table 

are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Between 3 

Less than 3 

months and 

Between 1 

Between 2 

More than 5 

months

1 year

and 2 years

and 5 years 

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

years

HK$

Total

HK$

At 31 December 2019

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

22,729,634

2,155,757

Other payables and accruals

12,493,779

Amounts due to related parties

25,884,280

–

–

–

–

–

–

763,364

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Put option liabilities

Lease liabilities

–

7,653,888

556,103

1,449,303

1,640,269

2,840,386

63,819,553

9,103,191

2,403,633

2,840,386

At 31 December 2018

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

11,088,473

2,386,262

Other payables and accruals

17,155,766

Amounts due to related parties

21,371,406

52,001,907

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

22,729,634

2,155,757

13,257,143

25,884,280

7,653,888

6,486,061

78,166,763

11,088,473

2,386,262

17,155,766

21,371,406

52,001,907

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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

81

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3  Financial risk management (Continued)
3.4  Foreign exchange risk (Continued)

At 31 December 2019, if HK$ had strengthened/weakened by 5% against the A$ with all other 

variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would have been approximately HK$129,000 

(2018: HK$389,000) higher/lower, 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 2019, if HK$ had strengthened/weakened by 5% against the RMB with all other 

variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would have been approximately HK$338,000 

(2018: HK$323,000) higher/lower, 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 2019, 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$56,000 

(2018: HK$101,000) lower/higher, 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$.

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 2019, 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$357,000 (2018: HK$226,000) higher/lower, mainly as a result of higher/lower 

interest expense on floating rate borrowing.

82

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only3  Financial risk management (Continued)
3.6  Fair value estimation

ECG’s financial instruments include “cash and cash equivalents”, “trade receivables”, “deposits 

and other receivables”, “contract assets”, “amounts due from related parties”, “trade and other 

payables”, “contract liabilities”, “amounts due to related parties”, “borrowing”, “put option liabilities” 

and “lease liabilities”. 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.

(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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

83

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only4  Critical accounting estimates and judgments (Continued)
(a)  Impairment assessment of long-lived assets (Continued)

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.

(b)  Valuation of fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in 

respect of acquisitions

The purchase price was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on 

management’s estimated of fair value. The valuation was based on certain assumptions, which are 

subject to uncertainty and might materially differ from the actual results. In making the estimate, 

management judgments is required in assessing whether the appropriate key assumptions such 

as the growth rate and discount rates to be applied in the preparation of cash flow projections. 

Changing the assumptions could affect the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 

assumed in the process of purchase price allocation and as a result affect the amounts of goodwill 

and intangible assets arising from acquisitions and the financial position of ECG.

(c)  Net realisable value of inventories

Net realisable value of inventories is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, 

less estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. These estimates are based on the current 

market condition and the historical experience of manufacturing and selling products of similar 

nature. It could change significantly as a result of changes in customer taste and competitor actions 

in response to severe industry cycles. Management will reassess the estimations by the end of each 

reporting period. Where the expectation is different from the original estimate, such difference will 

impact the carrying value of inventories and write-down of inventories in the period in which such 

estimate is changed.

84

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only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 and Fast Moving Consumer Goods 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, 

depreciation of right-of-use assets, amortisation of intangible assets, finance income, finance 

expense, ECG’s share of results from an associate and a joint venture, provision for impairment 

of interest in an associate, gain or loss on fair value of acquisition and financial derivatives and 

provision for impairment of goodwill.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

85

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:

2019

Unallocated 

corporate 

income/

Greater China

Australia

(expense)

Consolidated

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

Revenue from external customers

89,113,853

85,892,762

–

175,006,615

Revenue from related companies  

(Note 31)

–

–

2,400,000

2,400,000

89,113,853

85,892,762

2,400,000

177,406,615

Gross profit

13,018,035

47,548,799

2,400,000

62,966,834

EBITDA (loss)/gain – excluding 

impact of foreign exchange

(9,318,117)

11,404,655

(8,742,675)

(6,656,137)

Net foreign exchange loss

(133,710)

(153,377)

(195,851)

(482,938)

Depreciation of property, plant and 

equipment

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Amortisation of intangible assets

Finance income

Finance expense

(521,827)

(906,798)

(220,311)

(988,242)

(570,140)

(1,312,278)

–

(1,895,040)

–

–

(4,159,754)

(8,212,342)

(12,372,096)

15,359

22,819

38,178

(118,637)

(229,434)

(4,994,524)

(5,342,595)

Provision for impairment of goodwill

Share of profit from a joint venture

Gain on fair value of contingent liabilities

–

477,699

–

–

–

–

(49,276,724)

(49,276,724)

–

477,699

1,893,014

1,893,014

(Loss)/profit before income tax

(10,521,390)

5,668,896

(70,076,423)

(74,928,917)

Income tax credit/(expense)

2,162,714

(1,799,651)

–

363,063

(Loss)/profit for the year

(8,358,676)

3,869,245

(70,076,423)

(74,565,854)

86

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 31)

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 from 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 2019

87

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  Segment information (Continued)

The segment assets as at 31 December 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

Unallocated 

Corporate 

Assets/

Greater China

Australia

Liabilities

Consolidated

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

As at 31 December 2019

Segment assets

53,433,168

29,225,436

60,223,143

142,881,747

Deferred income tax assets

343,451

1,355,637

–

1,699,088

53,776,619

30,581,073

60,223,143

144,580,835

Segment liabilities

(137,931,644)

(18,066,201)

(18,855,842)

(174,853,687)

As at 31 December 2018

Segment assets

Interest in an associate

Additions to non-current assets

1,779,160

256,552

33,281,776

35,561,430

98,685,150

167,528,356

–

–

–

–

–

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

Information about major customer

For the year ended 31 December 2019, there were no single external customers contributing 10% or 

more of ECG’s total revenue.

For the year ended 31 December 2018, there were two single external customers contributing 10% 

or more of ECG’s total revenue.

88

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  Segment information (Continued)

ECG has recognised the following assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers:

Contract assets

Contract liabilities

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

3,325,508

3,767,479

2,155,757

2,386,262

Significant changes in contract assets and liabilities

During the year ended 31 December 2019, 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 for contract assets as at 31 December 2019 and 2018.

The balance of contract liabilities have decreased due to the decrease in overall contract activities in 

the year.

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.

Revenue recognised that was included in the contract liability 

balance at the beginning of the year

Services income

2,386,262

2,324,144

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

6  Revenue

Revenue recognised during the year was as follows:

Revenue

– Service income

– Sales of goods

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

106,375,273

132,432,176

71,031,342

2,026,473

177,406,615

134,458,649

eCargo Annual Report 2019

89

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7  Expenses by nature

Outsourced services fulfilment expenses, included  

in cost of sales

8,551,061

13,369,784

Outsourced web development and IT consultation costs, 

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

included in cost of sales

Subscription expense for software application,  

included in cost of sales

Other direct costs, included in cost of sales

Cost of inventories, included in cost of sales

Written down of inventories

Auditor’s remuneration

Employee benefit expenses (Note 8)

Outsourced labour costs

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 15)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 14)

Depreciation of right of use assets (Note 14(b))

Legal and professional expenses

Travel expenses

Operating leases rental

Advertising expenses

IT expenses

Marketing expenses

Utilities and maintenance expenses

Telecommunication expenses

Insurance expenses

Provision for impairment of trade receivables (Note 3.2)

–

3,675,987

38,343,963

10,188,415

57,161,381

194,961

1,600,000

44,193,430

–

1,756,237

–

1,643,750

56,179,838

62,308,948

600,000

600,000

12,372,096

23,186,376

1,312,278

1,895,040

4,325,054

2,671,710

3,057,030

1,378,556

969,671

518,403

610,993

289,356

358,028

573,719

1,178,142

–

4,208,132

2,376,829

4,106,910

–

1,745,954

548,500

1,065,752

291,620

206,115

–

Other expenses

2,609,035

2,451,371

8  Employee benefit expenses (including Directors’ emoluments)

Wages and salaries

Pension costs

Other employee benefits and welfare

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

50,583,990

57,561,528

2,439,770

3,156,078

3,713,874

1,033,546

56,179,838

62,308,948

90

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019:

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 Lau
Mr. Rupert Myer AO#
Mr. Heath Zarin#
Ms. Jessica Rudd1
Mr. Dennis Lin#2
Mr. Yuming Zou3

Fees

HK$

–

–

98,249

95,289

98,249

82,188

–

373,975

Salary

HK$

Others*

benefit scheme

Director

undertaking

HK$

HK$

HK$

HK$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

HK$

–

–

98,249

95,289

98,249

82,188

–

373,975

#: 
*: 
1: 
2: 
3: 

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Included discretionary bonuses, housing allowance and estimated money value of other benefits
Resigned on 22 January 2020
Resigned on 31 October 2019
Appointed on 22 January 2020

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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) (Continued)

(a)  Directors’ emoluments (Continued)

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 2019

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 (2018: 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 (2018: 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 (2018: Nil).

(e)  Directors’ material interests in transactions, arrangements or contracts

Other than those disclosed in Note 31 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 income

Distributions received (Note 17)

Fair value gain on contingent liabilities

Other losses — net

2019

HK$

6,118,422

1,893,014

8,011,436

2018

HK$

–

–

–

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Net foreign exchange loss

(482,938)

(1,203,385)

eCargo Annual Report 2019

93

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11  Finance expense — net

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Finance income:

– Interest income on short-term bank deposits

38,178

46,358

Finance expense:

– Interest and finance charge paid/payable for lease 

liabilities (Note 14(b))

(341,549)

–

– Interest expense on borrowings (Note 31(g))

(4,120,175)

(2,214,562)

– Interest expense on put option liabilities and contingent 

consideration

Finance expense — net

12  Income tax credit

Australian corporate tax

– Current income tax

PRC corporate tax

– Current income tax

Deferred income tax (Note 24)

Income tax credit

(880,871)

–

(5,342,595)

(2,214,562)

(5,304,417)

(2,168,204)

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

1,861,408

1,920,285

–

25,969

(2,224,471)

(2,088,497)

(363,063)

(142,243)

Subsidiaries established in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong profits tax at a rate of 16.5% 

(2018:16.5%). For the year ended 31 December 2019, 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 (2018: same). No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been 

made as ECG had no assessable profit for the year ended 31 December 2019 in Hong Kong (2018: 

Nil).

Subsidiaries established in Australia and the PRC are subject to 30% (2018: 30%) and 25% (2018: 

25%) income tax rate during the year respectively.

94

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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.

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Loss before income tax

(74,928,917)

(134,838,128)

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

– Tax losses for which no deferred income tax assets  

(14,512,016)

(21,997,602)

(78,820)

(91,628)

(1,321,887)

(2,917,077)

9,138,579

21,563,876

were recognised

6,411,081

3,798,759

– Utilization of previously unrecognised tax loss

–

(498,571)

Income tax credit

(363,063)

(142,243)

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.

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Loss attributable to owners of the Company

74,565,854

134,401,793

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue

615,250,000

610,193,151

Basic loss per share (HK$ cents per share)

12.12

22.03

(b)  Diluted

Diluted loss per share for the year ended 31 December 2019 and 2018 are equal to the basic loss 

per share as there are no potential dilutive ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

95

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 2019

Opening net book amount

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 30)

Additions

Depreciation charge (Note 7)

Currency translation differences

352,791

11,881

6,539

(56,096)

(2,897)

Closing net book amount

312,218

261,565

392,890

12,756

109,994

80,038

17,007

–

938,183

1,763,902

–

97,142

41,644

213,675

(247,506)

(91,782)

(916,894)

(1,312,278)

(6,569)

6,437

11,700

(50,151)

(53,180)

68,280

653,763

As at 31 December 2019

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and 

impairment

Net book amount

Year ended 31 December 2018

Opening net book amount

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 30)

Additions

Disposals

693,528

2,528,772

1,230,429

4,564,923

9,017,652

(381,310)

(2,267,207)

(1,218,729)

(4,496,643)

(8,363,889)

312,218

261,565

11,700

68,280

653,763

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

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

96

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14(b) Leases

This note provides information for leases where ECG is a lessee.

(i)  Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position

The consolidated statement of financial position shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Right-of-use assets

Buildings

Lease liabilities

Current

Non-current

2019

HK$

1 January 

2019*

HK$

5,576,128

5,547,945

1,745,834

4,178,017

1,086,905

4,461,040

5,923,851

5,547,945

* 

In the previous year, ECG only recognised lease assets and lease liabilities in relation to leases that were classified as 
“finance leases” under HKAS 17 Leases. The assets were presented in property, plant and equipment and the liabilities as 
part of ECG’s borrowings. For adjustments recognised on adoption of HKFRS 16 on 1 January 2019, please refer to Note 
2.2.

Additions to the right-of-use assets during the 2019 financial year were HK$1,201,309.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

97

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14(b) Leases (Continued)
(ii)  Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income show the following amounts relating to leases:

Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets

Buildings

Interest expense (included in finance cost)

Expenses relating to short-term leases  

(included in administrative expenses)

Note

7

11

7

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

1,895,040

341,549

3,057,030

3,398,579

–

–

–

–

The total cash outflow for leases in 2019 was HK$1,883,737.

(iii) ECG’s leasing activities and how these are accounted for

ECG leases various offices and warehouses. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of 

12 months to 3 years, but may have extension options as described in (iv) below.

Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and 

conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants other than the security interests 

in the leased assets that are held by the lessor. Leased assets may not be used as security for 

borrowing purposes.

(iv) Extension and termination options

Extension and termination options are included in a number of property leases across ECG. These are 

used to maximise operational flexibility in terms of managing the assets used in ECGs operations. 

The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by ECG and not by the 

respective lessor.

98

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019

Opening net book amount

56,241,091

1,448,446

16,447,883

24,436,020

6,686,351

105,259,791

Acquisition of a subsidiary  

(Note 30)

12,728,104

–

8,840,233

–

–

21,568,337

Amortisation charge (Note 7)

–

(1,325,273)

(4,093,137)

(2,793,932)

(4,159,754)

(12,372,096)

Impairment of goodwill

(49,276,724)

–

–

–

–

(49,276,724)

Currency translation differences

(1,116,946)

(12,849)

(325,934)

(237,160)

(61,349)

(1,754,238)

Closing net book value

18,575,525

110,324

20,869,045

21,404,928

2,465,248

63,425,070

As at 31 December 2019

Cost

67,800,865

6,619,456

25,523,158

27,910,185

112,244,432

240,098,096

Accumulated amortisation and 

impairment

Net book value

Year ended 31 December 2018

(49,225,340)

(6,509,132)

(4,654,113)

(6,505,257)

(109,779,184)

(176,673,026)

18,575,525

110,324

20,869,045

21,404,928

2,465,248

63,425,070

Opening net book amount

13,572,170

3,081,840

–

6,857,475

27,366,191

50,877,676

Acquisition of a subsidiary  

(Note 30)

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

eCargo Annual Report 2019

99

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  Intangible assets (Continued)

Notes:

(a)  Goodwill of cash generating unit (“CGU”)

Goodwill is attributable to the Australia CGU and FMCG CGU. The recoverable amount of Australia CGU and FMCG CGU are 
determined based on value in use calculation. The calculation uses pre-tax cash flow projections based on financial budget 
approved by management. 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.

(i) 

Australia CGU
The key assumptions used for value in use calculation in 2019 and 2018 for Australia CGU is as follows:

Compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of revenue for the five-year period 
Terminal growth rate 
Discount rate 
EBITDA margin 

3.5%
3%
20%
Between 8% to 11%

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 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 2019 and 2018.

If the EBITDA margin was reduced by 10% and terminal growth rate was reduced by 1%, with all other variables 
held constant, the change of result would not result in impairment of the asset.

(ii) 

FMCG CGU
Following the acquisition of Metcash Export Services Pty Limited (“MES”) and its subsidiary, Metcash Asia Limited 
(“MAL”) (collectively, the “MES Group”) as disclosed in Note 30, ECG has been combining certain resources of 
Jessica’s Suitcase (“JS”) and MES Group to leverage their respective strengths and resources. ECG integrated the 
operations of JS and MES Group where they will be considered as a single cash generating unit (“CGU”) going 
forward. Accordingly, ECG has recalculated the recoverable amount of the goodwill and intangible assets of JS on 
a standalone basis prior to the combination of the CGUs based on a value-in-use calculation. An impairment loss 
of HK$17,506,013 was recognised for the goodwill of JS, reducing the carrying amount of the goodwill of JS to 
approximately HK$26,000,000.

The recoverable amount of JS was determined based on a value-in-use calculation. The following table sets out the 
key assumptions for JS where the value-in-use calculation was updated as at 30 June 2019:

CAGR of revenue for the five-year period
Terminal growth rate
Discount rate
EBITDA margin

30 June 2019

19%
2%
21.04%
Between 17% to 23%

100

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
15  Intangible assets (Continued)

Notes: (Continued)

(a)  Goodwill of cash generating unit (“CGU”) (Continued)

(ii) 

FMCG CGU (Continued)
The recoverable amount of FMCG was determined based on a value-in-use calculation. The following table sets out 
the key assumptions for FMCG where the value-in-use calculation is as follows:

CAGR of revenue for the seven-year period 
Terminal growth rate 
Discount rate 
EBITDA margin 

15.73%
2%
21.49%
Between 5%-11%

An impairment loss of HK$31,770,711 was recognised for the goodwill of FMCG CGU, reducing the carrying amount 
of the goodwill to approximately HK$6,429,052.

If the CARG of revenue for seven-year period was reduced by 2%, with all other variables held constant, ECG would 
have had to recognise a further impairment loss approximately of HK$8 million.

(b) 

Impairment tests for intangible assets of CGUs
The carrying value of intangible assets other than goodwill is primarily comprised of the following CGUs:

Australia CGU (Note i)

– Contractual customer relationship
– Brand name
– Software

FMCG CGU (Note ii)

– Contractual customer relationship
– Brand name

2019
HK$

2018
HK$

110,324
4,404,292
2,465,248

6,979,864

20,869,044
17,000,637

37,869,681

1,448,446
5,323,006
6,686,351

13,457,803

–
–

–

(i) 

(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.

FMCG CGU
Since no impairment indicator is identified for the FMCG CGU for intangible assets other than goodwill, no further 
impairment assessment was performed.

Amortisation expense of HK$12,372,096 (2018: HK$23,186,376) has been charged to administrative expenses.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

101

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16  Subsidiaries

As at 31 December 2019, the Company has direct and indirect interests in the following subsidiaries:

Name

eCargo Enterprise Limited

eCargo Limited

Place of incorporation/
establishment and kind 
of legal entity

Hong Kong,  

limited liability

United Kingdom,  
limited liability

Principal activities and 
place of operation

Provision of eCommerce 
technologies services in 
Hong Kong

In the progress of being 

dissolved

ECG Digital Holdings Limited

British Virgin Islands 

Investment holdings in 

Jessica’s Suitcase Pty Limited

(“BVI”), limited liability
Australia, limited liability

Hong Kong

Operate an online store

ECG Distribution Holding Limited

BVI, limited liability

Investment holdings in 

BVI

ECG Asia Limited

BVI, limited liability

Investment holdings in 

ECG Australia Pty Limited

Australia, limited liability

Provision of corporate 

BVI

ECG Digital Commerce Limited

Hong Kong,  

limited liability

eCargo (China) Holdings Limited

BVI, limited liability

Enrich Technologies Limited

BVI, limited liability

Amblique Pty Limited

Australia, limited liability

JLE (China) Limited

Hong Kong,  

limited liability

Jessica’s Suitcase Co. Limited

Hong Kong,  

深圳市嘉宏天成貿易發展有限公司

limited liability

The PRC, limited liability

傑葉商貿(上海)有限公司

The PRC, limited liability

Metcash Export Services  

Australia, limited liability

Pty Limited
Metcash Asia Limited

The PRC, limited liability

Note:

services

Provision of eMarketplace 
technology services in 
Hong Kong

Investment holdings in 

BVI
Dormant

Provision of eCommerce 
solutions services in 
Australia

Investment holdings in 

Hong Kong

Dormant

Provision of eCommerce 
business services in the 
PRC

Provision of eCommerce 
support and marketing 
services in PRC

Operate an online store 
and trading of FMCG
Provision of eCommerce 
support and marketing 
services in PRC

Equity 
interest 
held by the 
Company 
directly

Equity 
interest 
held by the 
Company 
indirectly

Particulars of issued 
share capital/
registered capital

HK$10,000 ordinary 

share capital

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 each

50,000 ordinary share  

of US$1 each

1,000 ordinary shares  

of A$1 each

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100% HK$10,000 ordinary 

share capital

100% 1 ordinary share of  

US$1 each

100% 1 ordinary share of  

US$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

85% (note)

100 ordinary shares of 

A$1 each

85% (note) RMB9,000,000 

registered share capital

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

ECG acquired 85% interest in Metcash Export Services Pty Limited and Metcash Asia Limited. Management concluded that ECG has 
effectively control the remaining 15% equity interest of MES Group. As such, ECG has not recognised any non-controlling interest in 
respect of the remaining 15% equity interest legally held by MES and accounted for MES Group as 100% owned. For details, please 
refer to Note 30(b).

102

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
17  Interests in associates and a joint venture

Interest in associates

At beginning of the year

Acquisition of interest in an associate (Note a)

Share of results from an associate

Step acquisition from an associate to a subsidiary (Note b)

Provision for impairment of interest in an associate (Note c)

At end of the year

Interest in a joint venture

At beginning of the year

Investment in a joint venture (Note d)

Share of results from a joint venture

Dividend received from a joint venture

At end of the year

Interests in associate and a joint venture

Notes:

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

545

477,699

(264,690)

213,554

213,554

72,504,113

69,083,038

555,323

(69,638,361)

(72,504,113)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(a)  On 24 January 2018, ECG completed the acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase Pty Limited (“Jessica’s Suitcase”) with 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 30 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

(b)  On 8 November 2018, ECG exercised a 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 30 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.

During the year ended 31 December 2019, WWE winded up and distributed all of the residual assets to shareholder and 
ECG received cash of HK$6,118,422 as a result (Note 10).

(d) 

In September 2019, ECG established Asean Business Group Pty Ltd (“ABG”) with two other independent third party 
shareholders in September 2019. ECG holds 33.33% equity interest in ABG. ABG is a limited liability company incorporated 
in Australia and is engaged in the trading of fast moving consumer goods in Vietnam and Cambodia. ECG jointly control 
ABG with the other shareholders as the key operating and financial decisions of ABG required unanimous consent from all 
the shareholders.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

103

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17  Interests in associates and a joint venture (Continued)

Summarised unaudited financial information for a joint venture

Set out below is the summarised unaudited financial information of the joint venture as at and for 

the year ended 31 December 2019 which are accounted for using the equity method.

Current assets

Current liabilities

Profit after income tax

ABG

2019

HK$

3,645,019

3,005,993

1,458,437

The information above reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the joint 

venture 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 ABG.

Net assets

Beginning of year

Profit for the year

Distribution to shareholders

Currency translation difference

End of year

Percentage of ownership interest

Interest in a joint venture

ABG

2019

HK$

–

1,458,437

(817,890)

115

640,662

33.33%

213,554

104

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18  Financial instruments by category

Financial assets

Financial assets at amortised cost

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)

22,778,328

20,712,421

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Contract assets

Amounts due from related parties

Cash and cash equivalents

Financial liabilities

Liabilities at amortised cost

3,325,508

3,054,309

3,767,479

9,497,723

26,946,542

17,614,983

56,104,687

51,592,606

Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial liabilities)

29,889,344

21,289,860

Contract liabilities

Amounts due to related parties

Borrowings

Put option liabilities

Lease liabilities

19  Inventories

2,155,757

2,386,262

25,884,280

21,371,406

85,603,517

58,420,349

7,653,888

5,923,851

–

–

157,110,637

103,467,877

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Finished goods

15,501,990

1,787,805

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in “cost of sales” amounted to 

HK$57,161,381 (2018: HK$1,756,237).

Written down of inventories to net realisable value amounted to HK$194,961 (2018: Nil). These 

were recognised as an expense during the year ended 31 December 2019 and included in “cost of 

sales” in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

105

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  Trade receivables

Trade receivables

Less: provision for impairment

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

19,657,405

18,637,762

(789,539)

(221,800)

18,867,866

18,415,962

The Directors considered the carrying amounts of trade receivables approximate their fair values.

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

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

12,532,579

10,727,427

3,039,972

3,139,667

110,750

807,313

3,184,565

3,741,555

18,867,866

18,415,962

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 loss allowance increased by a further HK$567,739 to HK$789,539 for trade receivables during 

the current reporting period. 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.

Information about the impairment of trade receivables, ECG’s exposure to credit risk and foreign 

currency risk and details about the calculation of the allowance can be found in Note 3.2.

106

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  Trade receivables (Continued)

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$

2019

HK$

357,459

6,371,627

9,457,283

203,366

57,705

–

40,118

2018

HK$

1,394,480

4,859,021

9,064,041

194,014

9,058

311,837

169,020

2,380,308

2,414,491

18,867,866

18,415,962

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of trade receivables 

mentioned above.

21  Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

Prepayments

Rental and utilities deposits

Other receivables

2019

HK$

1,406,555

1,885,248

2,025,214

2018

HK$

7,853,180

2,240,004

56,455

Prepayments, deposits and other receivables

5,317,017

10,149,639

Less: non-current portion

Prepayment and deposits

Current portion

(397,970)

(7,346,835)

4,919,047

2,802,804

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 2019 and 2018. Management considers that the carrying amounts of 

deposits and other receivables approximate their fair values.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

107

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21  Prepayments, deposits and other receivables (Continued)

The carrying amounts of ECG’s deposits and other receivables are denominated in the following 

currencies:

HK$

RMB

A$

2019

HK$

422,375

650,054

2018

HK$

373,191

418,870

2,838,033

1,504,398

3,910,462

2,296,459

22  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Cash on hand

HK$

RMB

A$

SG$

Cash at banks

HK$

RMB

A$

US$

GBP

NZ$

EUR

Canadian dollar (“CAD”)

Total

2019

HK$

63,204

21,704

–

–

84,908

2018

HK$

5,880

42,012

5,046

1,143

54,081

536,162

4,058,192

1,745,923

3,108,149

22,112,826

12,494,756

41,618

89,593

12,006

7,469

3,768

59,807

3,578

12,005

133,052

3,632

26,861,634

17,560,902

26,946,542

17,614,983

As at 31 December 2019, the amount of cash at banks represented ECG’s maximum exposure to 

credit risk.

108

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  Trade payables, other payables and accruals

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Accrued employee benefit expenses

Other payables

Contingent consideration

Other payables and accruals

Less: non-current portion

Other payables

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

22,729,634

11,088,473

5,689,287

3,379,819

3,808,424

379,613

9,512,258

4,312,576

3,330,932

–

13,257,143

17,155,766

(763,364)

–

12,493,779

17,155,766

35,223,413

28,244,239

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

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

2,602,807

2,630,903

4,473,477

1,402,740

27,695,178

22,142,713

1,029,391

1,285,308

41,294

701,896

–

166,111

59,198

–

35,986,777

28,244,239

eCargo Annual Report 2019

109

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24  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

Deferred income tax liabilities — net

The movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

At 1 January

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 30)

Credited to the consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income (Note 12)

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

310,003

1,389,085

919,734

387,050

(2,162,715)

(2,000,287)

(8,659,079)

(8,921,370)

(9,122,706)

(9,614,873)

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

(9,614,873)

(2,725,239)

(1,851,894)

(9,418,992)

2,224,471

2,088,497

119,590

440,861

(9,122,706)

(9,614,873)

110

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24  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

At 1 January 

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 30)

Credited 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 30)

Credited to the consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

1,306,784

358,164

256,553

–

61,756

(27,616)

1,150,021

(99,790)

1,699,088

1,306,784

(10,921,657)

(2,981,792)

(2,210,058)

(9,418,992)

2,162,715

147,206

938,476

540,651

(10,821,794)

(10,921,657)

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$151,063,846 (2018: 

HK$140,901,395) arising in Hong Kong, HK$4,901,965 (2018: HK$ Nil) arising in Australia and 

HK$24,357,419 (2018: HK$11,302,669) arising in the PRC. The tax losses arising in Hong Kong and 

Australia can be carried forward indefinitely and the tax losses arising in the PRC will expire in five 

years.

25  Share capital

Number of 

shares

Share 

capital

HK$

As at 1 January 2018

535,000,000

329,401,285

Issue of shares as consideration for the acquisition  

of an associate

As at 31 December 2018 and 2019

80,250,000

98,419,683

615,250,000

427,820,968

eCargo Annual Report 2019

111

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26  Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows

(a)  Cash generated from operations for the year comprises:

Loss before income tax
Adjustments for:

– Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  

(Note 14)

– Depreciation of right-of-use assets (Note 14(b))
– Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 15)
– Provision for impairment of interest in an associate  

(Note 17)

– Net foreign exchange loss on operating activities (Note 10)
– Provision for impairment of trade receivables  

(Note 3.2)

– Finance income (Note 11)
– Finance expense (Note 11)
– Share of results from an associate (Note 17)
– Share of results from a joint venture (Note 17)
– Provision for impairment for goodwill (Note 15)
– Fair value gain on financial assets at fair value through 

profit or loss

– Loss on disposal of interest in an associate
– Distributions received (Note 10)
– Fair value gain on contingent liabilities (Note 10)
– Written down of inventories (Note 19)

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

2019
HK$

2018
HK$

(74,928,917)

(134,838,128)

1,312,278
1,895,040
12,372,096

1,178,142
–
23,186,376

–
482,938

72,504,113
1,203,385

573,719
(38,178)
5,342,595
–
(477,699)
49,276,724

–
–
(6,118,422)
(1,893,014)
194,961

–
(46,358)
2,214,562
(555,323)
–
–

(13,930,290)
38,992,851
–
–
–

(12,005,879)

(10,090,670)

4,032,810
6,323,069
394,882
1,488,010
11,701,409
(209,943)
(7,999,834)
11,219,982

843,743
13,855,780
(3,767,479)
(451,548)
(2,670,310)
2,386,262
39,567
3,760,169

Cash generate from operations

14,944,506

3,905,514

(b)  During the year ended 31 December 2019, there is no equipment and computers were transferred to 

a related company through debiting amount due from related companies (2018: HK$2,323,400).

112

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26  Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows (Continued)
(c)  Non-cash investing and financing activities

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 25)

2019

HK$

–

–

–

2018

HK$

69,083,038

29,336,645

98,419,683

(d)  Net debt reconciliation

This section sets out an analysis of net debt and the movements in net debt for each of the periods 

presented.

Net debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Net debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Gross debt — fixed interest rates

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

26,946,542

17,614,983

(85,603,517)

(58,420,349)

(5,923,851)

–

(64,580,826)

(40,805,366)

26,946,542

17,614,983

(91,527,368)

(58,420,349)

(64,580,826)

(40,805,366)

eCargo Annual Report 2019

113

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26  Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows (Continued)
(d)  Net debt reconciliation (Continued)

Cash and 

Leases 

cash 

Borrowings

liabilities

equivalents

HK$

HK$

HK$

Total

HK$

Net debt as at 1 January 2018

(44,412,560)

Cash flows

Acquisition of a subsidiary

Other changes

(9,500,000)

(2,386,095)

(2,214,562)

Foreign exchange adjustments

92,868

Net debt as at 31 December 2018

(58,420,349)

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,702,478

(31,710,082)

4,912,505

(4,587,495)

–

–

–

(2,386,095)

(2,214,562)

92,868

17,614,983

(40,805,366)

Recognised on adoption of  

HKFRS 16

–

(5,547,945)

–

(5,547,945)

(58,420,349)

(5,547,945)

17,614,983

(46,353,311)

Cash flows

(23,085,824)

1,883,737

9,331,559

(11,870,528)

Acquisition of a subsidiary

Acquisition — leases

Other changes

–

–

(1,076,503)

(987,633)

(4,120,175)

(341,549)

Foreign exchange adjustments

22,831

146,042

–

–

–

–

(1,076,503)

(987,633)

(4,461,724)

168,873

Net debt as at 31 December 2019

(85,603,517)

(5,923,851)

26,946,542

(64,580,826)

27  Borrowings

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Loans from a shareholder

85,603,517

58,420,349

On 29 August 2016, ECG entered into an agreement 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 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 31). As at 31 December 2019, the carrying amount of the borrowing from JL 

Enterprises Holdings Limited is HK$85,603,517 (2018: HK$56,111,770).

114

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27  Borrowings (Continued)

On 17 July 2018, Jessica’s Suitcase entered into an agreement with JL Enterprises 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 Enterprises Holdings Limited assumed at the acquisition date is A$0.4 

million (equivalent to HK$2,386,095 (Note 31)). ECG has settled the balance of A$0.4 million 

(equivalent to HK$2,308,579) during the year ended 31 December 2019.

All loan facilities are unsecured and bear interest at prime rate quoted from the Hong Kong and 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited from time to time. All 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 borrowings approximates to its fair value and is denominated in HK$ and A$.

The borrowings bear average coupon rate of 5%-5.125% per annum as at 31 December 2019 

(2018: 5%-5.125% per annum).

28  Operating lease commitments — as lessee

ECG leases various offices and warehouses under non-cancellable operating leases expiring within 

12 months to 3 years. The leases have varying terms, escalation clauses and renewal rights. On 

renewal, the terms of the leases are renegotiated.

From 1 January 2019, ECG has recognised right-of-use assets for these leases, except for short-term 

and low-value leases, see Note 2.2 and Note 14(b) for further information.

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating 

leases not recognised in the financial statements are payable 

as follows:

No later than one year

Later than one year and no later than five years

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

–

–

–

400,690

3,716,302

4,116,992

eCargo Annual Report 2019

115

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  Transactions with non-controlling interests

On 8 November 2018, ECG exercised a call option to acquire the remaining 55% of the issued share 

capital of Jessica’s Suitcase. By acquiring Jessica’s Suitcase, ECG acquired the remaining effective 

interest of 14.85% in ECG Australia Pty Limited (“ECG AUS”). Immediately prior to the purchase, 

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 AUS during the year is summarised as follows:

Carrying amount of non-controlling interests acquired

Excess of consideration paid recognised in the transactions with 

non-controlling interests reserve within equity

2019

HK$

–

–

2018

HK$

294,092

294,092

30  Business combination
(a)  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 Pty Limited (“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-border 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 provisional 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.

116

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Business combination (Continued)
(a)  Step acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase from an associate to a subsidiary of ECG 

(Continued)

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 value of assets has been determined on a provisional basis as the fair value of identifiable 

assets acquired may be adjusted upon the completion of initial accounting year which shall not 

exceed one year from the respective acquisition date. The fair value is being 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.

On the same date, ECG exercised a 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.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

117

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only30  Business combination (Continued)
(a)  Step acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase from an associate to a subsidiary of ECG 

(Continued)

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:

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

Borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

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

There are no contingent liabilities relating to Step Acquisition.

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.

118

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Business combination (Continued)
(a)  Step acquisition of Jessica’s Suitcase from an associate to a subsidiary of ECG 

(Continued)

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.  

(b)  Acquisition of Metcash Export Services Pty Limited

On 25 February 2019, ECG acquired 85% interest in MES Group. MES Group is principally engaged in 

the provision of China export business in Australia. The acquisition allows ECG to create a one-stop 

offering for businesses intent on capturing the attention of China’s growing consumer market.

In connection with the acquisition, a call option to purchase and a put option to sell the remaining 

15% equity interest in MES Group were granted to ECG and Metcash respectively. ECG may exercise 

the call option at any time from the adjustment date (being five business days after the completion 

accounts is finally agreed) up to the date that is 18 months after the completion date, while Metcash 

may exercise the put option at any time on and from the date that is 18 months after the completion 

date.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

119

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Business combination (Continued)
(b)  Acquisition of Metcash Export Services Pty Limited (Continued)

Management has considered the terms of the aforementioned call-put option arrangement and 

concluded that such arrangement has effectively transferred the risks and rewards of the remaining 

15% equity interest of MES Group to ECG. As such, ECG has not recognised any non-controlling 

interest in respect of the remaining 15% equity interest legally held by Metcash and accounted for 

MES Group as 100% owned as at 31 December 2019. The put option is treated as a liability for the 

acquisition of MES Group and was recognised as a financial liability in the statement of financial 

position at the present value of the amount payable by ECG when the option is exercised.

The goodwill arising from the acquisition related to the 100% equity interest. At the date of 

acquisition, MES Group was accounted for as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ECG and the results, 

assets and liabilities of MES Group were consolidated in the consolidated financial information of 

ECG.

The following tables summarises the consideration for the acquisition and the fair value of the assets 

acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date based on the purchase price allocation:

Purchase consideration

Cash paid

Deferred consideration

Put option liability

Total purchase consideration

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired  

and liabilities assumed

Cash and cash equivalents

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Trade and other receivable

Inventories

Intangible asset — supplier relationship

Other payable

Lease liabilities

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

HK$

38,039,719

2,021,742

7,194,821

47,256,282

2,416,885

41,644

1,076,503

11,141,067

18,662,350

8,840,233

(4,722,107)

(1,076,503)

358,164

(2,210,058)

34,528,178

12,728,104

47,256,282

120

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Business combination (Continued)
(b)  Acquisition of Metcash Export Services Pty Limited (Continued)

Acquisition related costs of approximately HK$837,976 have been charged to administrative 

expenses in the interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year 

ended 31 December 2019.

Inflow of cash to acquire business, net of cash

Cash consideration paid in February 2019

Cash and cash equivalent of subsidiary acquired

Prepayment made in November 2018

Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash acquired

HK$

(38,039,719)

2,416,885

6,960,375

(28,662,459)

None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The contingent consideration arrangement requires ECG to pay the former owners of MES Group 

35% of the net profit after tax by annual instalment up to a maximum undiscounted amount of 

A$3.5 million. This will be terminated upon the exercise of call-put option arrangement.

The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that ECG could be required to make under 

this arrangement is between A$0 and A$3.5 million. The fair value of the contingent consideration 

arrangement has been estimated by calculating the present value of the future expected cash flows. 

The estimates are based on a discount rate of 20.2%.

The fair value of trade and other receivables is HK$11,141,067 and includes trade receivables with a 

fair value of HK$7,483,852. No trade receivables due is expected to be uncollectible.

The acquired business contributed revenue of HK$17,628,130 and loss before income tax of 

HK$4,854,950 to ECG for the period between the date of acquisition and end of the reporting period.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

121

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
31  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

Mr. Yuming Zou

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

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

Shareholder of the Company, 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

Asean Business Group Pty Ltd

Joint venture of an associate

122

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
31  Related party transactions (Continued)

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

(a) Sales of services – note (i)

Sales of software development services:

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

2,400,000

2,400,000

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

Sales of courier services:

– MyMM (Shanghai) Commerce Limited

Provision of marketing services:

– WWE Group Limited

Provision of management services:
– 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:

–

–

–

–

379,908

1,638,000

62,345

20,471

2,400,000

4,500,724

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

600,000

600,000

Purchases of outsourced import, storage,  

and courier fulfillment services:

– Allport Cargo Services Limited

– Cargo Service (China) Limited

– CN Logistics Limited

– CS China Logistics Limited

– EC-GO eCommerce Limited

68,912

5,321,699

4,107,356

–

644,945

103,207

3,739,995

–

5,522,189

1,384,976

10,742,912

11,350,367

(c)  Key Management compensation — note (ii)

Details of the Key Management compensation are disclosed in Note 9 to this consolidated 

financial statements.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

123

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31  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

– Cargo Service (China) Limited
– 深圳市看我商貿服務有限公司

(e) Disposal of property, plant and equipment

– 深圳市看我商貿服務有限公司
– 深圳嘉宏互聯有限公司

(f)  Balances with related parties — note (iii)

– Allport Cargo Services Limited

– Cargo Services Far East Limited

– MyMM (Shanghai) Commerce 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 Far East Limited

– Cargo Services (China) Limited

– CN Logistics Limited

– CS China Logistics Limited

– EC-GO eCommerce Limited

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

5,936

337,240

2,155,930

765,995

2,927,861

–

–

337,240

–

–

–

2,319,336

4,064

2,323,400

As at 31

As at 31

December

December

2019

HK$

53,104

–

–

42,492

2018

HK$

50,574

7,014,300

149,826

29,074

2,957,599

2,191,604

1,114

62,345

3,054,309

9,497,723

(1,550,226)

–

(17,144,888)

(15,431,146)

(2,089,087)

(1,473,448)

(678,188)

(689,866)

(4,421,891)

(3,776,946)

(25,884,280)

(21,371,406)

124

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31  Related party transactions (Continued)

The following transactions were carried out with related parties: (Continued)

(g)  Borrowings from a shareholder

Greater 

Jessica’s 

China

HK$

Suitcase

Total

HK$

At 1 January 2018

44,412,560

–

44,412,560

Acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 30)

–

2,386,095

2,386,095

Loan advanced during the year

Interest charged

9,500,000

2,199,210

–

9,500,000

15,352

2,214,562

Currency translation differences

–

(92,868)

(92,868)

At 31 December 2018

56,111,770

2,308,579

58,420,349

At 1 January 2019

56,111,770

2,308,579

58,420,349

Loan advanced during the year for  

acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 30)

35,343,319

–

35,343,319

Interest paid

Repayment

Interest charged

–

(123,068)

(123,068)

(9,882,882)

(2,251,545)

(12,134,427)

4,031,310

88,865

4,120,175

Currency translation differences

–

(22,831)

(22,831)

At 31 December 2019

85,603,517

–

85,603,517

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)  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$.

eCargo Annual Report 2019

125

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32  Statement of financial position and reserve movement of the Company

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

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Note

2019

HK$

2018

HK$

–

–

36,741

–

64,121,262

98,808,967

–

6,960,375

64,121,262

105,806,083

–

232,490,445

15,549

200

15,549

232,490,645

64,136,811

338,296,728

427,820,968

427,820,968

a

(449,920,555)

(146,733,996)

(22,099,587)

281,086,972

85,603,517

56,111,770

195,660

437,221

632,881

195,660

902,326

1,097,986

86,236,398

57,209,756

64,136,811

338,296,728

Approved by the Board of Director on March 26, 2020 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr. John Lau
Executive Chairman

Mr. Christopher Lau
Non-Executive Director

126

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32  Statement of financial position and reserve movement of the Company 

(Continued)

Note:

(a)  Reserve movement of the Company

As at 1 January 2018
Loss for the year

As at 31 December 2018 and 1 January 2019
Loss for the year

As at 31 December 2019

33  Subsequent events

Accumulated losses
HK$

(123,544,994)
(23,189,002)

(146,733,996)
(303,186,559)

(449,920,555)

After the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19 outbreak”) in early 2020, a series of 

precautionary and control measures have been and continued to be implemented. If the situation 

continues for an extended period, ECG’s business operations and financial results may be affected 

for the year ending 31 December 2020. Management is yet to be able to estimate the overall impact 

to the financial performance and position of ECG. Nonetheless, ECG will pay close attention to the 

development of the COVID-19 outbreak and continuously manage relevant resources in a timely 

manner to mitigate the potential adverse impact. 

eCargo Annual Report 2019

127

Notes to the  Consolidated Financial StatementsFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issued Capital

As at March 19, 2020, 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.

There is no shares/CDIs currently under trading restriction.

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.

There is no on-market buyback currently 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%

128

eCargo Annual Report 2019

ASX  additional informationFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
Top 20 shares/CDI Holders as at March 19, 2020.

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

JL ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS LTD

372,937,640

60.62%

SB INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS PTY LTD

CS CHINA LOGISTICS LIMITED

YIWEN ZHANG

MUTUAL TRUST PTY LTD

TYCOON SMART 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

VENICS PTY LTD

SUK KIU KIEAN LAU

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD

EXCEL PAN VENTURES LIMITED

INSPIRING FUTURE LIMITED

VENSUP PTY LTD

MR JASON CHRISTOPHER BYRNE

35,382,225

23,934,820

22,871,250

20,000,000

17,500,000

14,035,725

12,500,000

12,317,817

8,132,460

7,500,000

7,334,664

5,625,000

3,650,000

3,592,857

2,447,195

2,300,000

2,022,000

1,400,000

1,310,293

5.75%

3.89%

3.72%

3.25%

2.84%

2.28%

2.03%

2.00%

1.32%

1.22%

1.19%

0.91%

0.59%

0.58%

0.40%

0.37%

0.33%

0.23%

0.21%

Total Top 20 Holders

Total Remaining Holders Balance

576,793,946

38,456,054

93.75%

6.25%

eCargo Annual Report 2019

129

ASX  additional informationFor personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution of Shareholders/CDI holders

There were 797 shareholders/CDI holders at March 19, 2020. 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

37

225

122

314

99

797

7,640

748,921

1,052,618

11,519,280

601,921,541

615,250,000

0.00%

0.12%

0.17%

1.87%

97.84%

100%

There are no CDI holders who hold less than a marketable parcel as at March 19, 2020.

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, 2019, 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.

130

eCargo Annual Report 2019

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 2019

131

ASX  additional informationFor personal use onlyyour O2O Par tner

eCargo Holdings Limited
ARBN: 601 083 069

Hong Kong Company

Registration Number: 2088880

Registered Office — Australia

C/O — Amblique Pty Limited

Suite 2, Level 3,

104–112 Commonwealth Street,

Surry Hills, NSW 2010

Phone: +61 (02) 8272 3800

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:  +61 (02) 8280 7100

Company Secretary

Irene Yip

Stock Exchange Listing

eCargo Holdings Limited, 

CDIs are listed on the Australian 

Securities Exchange (ASX)

132

eCargo Annual Report 2019

Corporate  DirectoryFor personal use onlymetcash.tmall.hk

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