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EPI (Holdings) Ltd

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FY2020 Annual Report · EPI (Holdings) Ltd
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(於百慕達註冊成立之有限公司)
(股份代號 : 689) 

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(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
(Stock Code : 689)

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年 報

2020

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Annual Report

2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

3

4

6

Corporate Information

Statement from the Board

Management Discussion and Analysis

18

Biographical Details of Directors and  

Senior Management

21

Report of the Directors

28

Corporate Governance Report

40

Environmental, Social and Governance Report

58

Independent Auditor’s Report

65

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and  

Other Comprehensive Income

67

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

69

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

70

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

72

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

156

Five-Year Financial Summary

In this annual report, the following abbreviations have the following meanings unless otherwise specified:

“ARS”

“Board”

“Company”

“Directors”

“Group”

Argentina Peso

Board of Directors of the Company

EPI (Holdings) Limited

directors of the Company

the Company and its subsidiaries

“Hong Kong Companies  

Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

Ordinance”

“Listing Rules”

Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange

“Model Code”

Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers set 
out in Appendix 10 to the Listing Rules

“PRC”

“RMB”

“SFO”

People’s Republic of China

Renminbi

Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

“Stock Exchange”

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

“HK$” and “HK cent(s)”

Hong Kong dollars and cent(s)

“US$”

“%”

United States dollars

per cent.

The Chinese version of this annual report is a translation of the English version and is for reference only, in case of 
any discrepancies or inconsistencies between the English version and the Chinese version, the English version shall 
prevail.

2

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020AbbreviationsBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Directors
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Mr. Liang Weijie

Independent Non-executive Directors
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mr. Pun Chi Ping (Chairman)
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
Mr. Pun Chi Ping (Chairman)
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

NOMINATION COMMITTEE
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine (Chairlady)
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap (Chairman)
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen

COMPANY SECRETARY
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen

REGISTERED OFFICE
Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Hamilton HM11
Bermuda

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG
Room 2107, 21st Floor
Great Eagle Centre
23 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong

PRINCIPAL BANKERS
The  Hongkong  and  Shanghai  Banking  Corporation 

Limited

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., Hong Kong Branch
China CITIC Bank International Limited

LEGAL ADVISERS
Reed Smith Richards Butler
Stevenson, Wong & Co.

AUDITOR
Moore Stephens CPA Limited
Certified Public Accountants
Registered Public Interest Entity Auditors

PRINCIPAL SHARE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER 
  OFFICE
MUFG Fund Services (Bermuda) Limited
4th floor North Cedar House
41 Cedar Avenue
Hamilton HM12
Bermuda

HONG KONG BRANCH SHARE REGISTRAR  
  AND TRANSFER OFFICE
Tricor Tengis Limited
Level 54, Hopewell Centre
183 Queen’s Road East
Hong Kong

TRADING OF SHARES
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
(Stock Code: 689)

WEBSITE
http://www.epiholdings.com

* 

The  above  information  is  updated  to  23  April  2021,  being  the  latest  practicable  date  before  printing  of  this 
annual report.

3

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate InformationOn behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present to the shareholders the results of the Group for the year ended 
31 December 2020 (“FY2020”).

RESULTS

For  FY2020,  the  Group  continued  to  principally  engage  in  the  business  of  petroleum  exploration  and 
production, money lending and investment in securities.

The  continuation  of  health  crises  brought  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic  on  a  global  scale  had  posed  negative 
impact to many nations and their economies, and had caused significant uncertainties in the global and local 
investment markets and volatilities of international oil prices. During the year, the fluctuations of international 
oil  prices  were  further  escalated  owing  to  the  disagreement  between  major  oil  producing  countries  on  their 
production  cut,  and  different  counter  measures  adopted  by  major  oil  buying  countries  on  their  inventory 
level. Against this macroeconomic background, together with the unsettled disputes between China and the 
US  and  the  social  events  took  place  in  Hong  Kong,  the  Group  was  faced  with  some  unprecedented  market 
challenges. For FY2020, the Group had managed to report a profit attributable to owners of the Company of 
HK$8,519,000,  in  contrast  to  the  loss  of  HK$138,099,000  incurred  last  year,  that  was  mainly  attributed  to  the 
reversal of expected credit loss on loan and interest receivables of HK$12,232,000, though partly offset by the 
provision  of  expected  credit  loss  on  debt  instruments  of  HK$4,574,000,  and  the  increase  in  other  expenses 
that mainly relating to the professional fees incurred for the evaluation and preparation of documentations for 
the bidding process of an oilfield concession in Argentina, known as the Chañares Concession. The Company 
reported  a  basic  earnings  per  share  of  HK0.16  cent  for  the  year,  versus  loss  per  share  of  HK2.64  cents  in  the 
prior year.

For FY2020, the Group reported a decline in revenue by 30% to HK$42,449,000 (2019: HK$60,560,000) mainly 
due  to  the  drop  in  revenue  of  the  petroleum  operation  to  HK$14,097,000  (2019:  HK$24,171,000)  and  of  the 
money lending business to HK$17,870,000 (2019: HK$25,971,000).

Overall speaking, the Group’s petroleum exploration and production business recorded a loss of HK$2,647,000 
(2019:  HK$46,610,000  which  comprised  operating  loss  of  HK$4,233,000  and  provision  of  impairment  loss  of 
HK$42,377,000), the money lending business recorded a profit of HK$29,518,000 (2019: loss of HK$35,740,000) 
which comprised operating profit of HK$17,286,000 (2019: HK$25,963,000) and reversal of expected credit loss 
of HK$12,232,000 (2019: provision of expected credit loss of HK$61,703,000), and the investment in securities 
business  recorded  a  loss  of  HK$3,383,000  (2019:  HK$21,460,000)  which  comprised  profit  of  HK$1,191,000 
(2019:  loss  of  HK$21,516,000)  and  provision  of  expected  credit  loss  of  HK$4,574,000  (2019:  reversal  of 
expected credit loss of HK$56,000).

PROSPECTS

As disclosed in the Company’s circular dated 12 March 2020, after due evaluation of the data and information 
relating  to  the  Chañares  Concession  (of  which  the  Group’s  interest  in  an  oilfield  concession  formed  part), 
the  Company  intended,  through  its  indirect  wholly  owned  subsidiary  in  Argentina,  to  submit  a  bid  offer  for 
the  Chañares  Concession  under  a  bidding  process.  Further,  as  referred  to  in  the  Company’s  announcements 
dated 27 March 2020, 29 March 2020, 30 June 2020 and 7 September 2020, for various reasons, the Company’s 
shareholders’ meeting to approve the submission of the bid offer had been adjourned and the timeline of the 
bidding process had been delayed.

4

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Statement from the BoardAs  disclosed  in  the  Company’s  announcement  dated  7  October  2020,  after  due  evaluation  of  the  prevailing 
market  conditions  including  the  international  oil  price  of  Brent  crude  oil  and  the  latest  information  of  the 
Chañares  Concession,  the  Company  intended,  through  its  indirect  wholly  owned  subsidiary  in  Argentina,  to 
submit a revised bid offer for the Chañares Concession under the revised timeline of the bidding process. The 
proposed submission of the revised bid offer and the transactions contemplated thereunder, as set out in the 
Company’s circular dated 8 October 2020, were duly approved by the Company’s shareholders on 27 October 
2020 and the revised bid offer was submitted by the Group accordingly on 28 October 2020 (Argentina time).

References  are  made  to  the  Company’s  announcements  dated  14  December  2020,  22  December  2020,  12 
March  2021,  15  March  2021  and  16  March  2021,  on  11  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  for  various  reasons, 
the  Group  received  a  decree  which  stated  that  the  Chañares  Concession  would  be  awarded  to  a  new 
concessionaire  other  than  the  Company’s  indirect  wholly  owned  subsidiary  in  Argentina,  and  on  15  March 
2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Company  was  informed  by  Chañares  Energía  S.A.  (the  previous  concessionaire 
of  the  Chañares  Concession  and  the  joint  venture  partner  of  the  Group’s  interest  in  an  oilfield  concession  in 
Argentina) that a new concessionaire took over the Chañares Concession on 13 March 2021 (Argentina time).

The  Group  has  been  seeking  legal  advice  and  the  possible  legal  actions  to  protect  its  interest  in  this  matter. 
Announcement(s) will be made to inform shareholders of any updates of this matter as and when appropriate.

In spite of the issues above, the Group has been actively exploring other investment opportunities in natural 
resources exploration and production, including an oilfield project in Canada. Announcement(s) will be made 
to inform shareholders as and when there is further material development of this project.

On a macroeconomic basis, there are signs that the recent launch of vaccination program in Hong Kong and 
many countries including the US, the UK, Japan and Korea have eased the global pandemic situation and pave 
the way for the economies to fully reactivate. In particular, there are indicators that the China’s economy is on 
the recovery path with notable improvements in economic and market conditions following the stabilisation 
of  its  pandemic  situation.  China  achieved  a  positive  GDP  growth  in  2020  and  Hong  Kong  is  well  positioned 
to  continue  to  benefit  from  the  nation’s  sustainable  economic  growth.  Nevertheless,  it  is  difficult  to  predict 
the evolution and duration of the pandemic, the Group’s management will thus continue to adopt a prudent 
approach in managing the Group’s businesses and in seizing business and investment opportunities.

APPRECIATION

On  behalf  of  the  Board,  I  would  like  to  take  this  opportunity  to  thank  all  shareholders,  bankers,  business 
associates  and  customers  for  their  continuing  support  to  the  Group,  the  board  members  for  their  valuable 
services, and all staff members for their contributions and hard work during the past year.

Sue Ka Lok
Executive Director

Hong Kong, 30 March 2021

5

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Statement from the BoardBUSINESS REVIEW

For the year ended 31 December 2020 (“FY2020”), the Group continued to principally engage in the business 
of petroleum exploration and production, money lending and investment in securities.

The health crises brought by the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic on global scale had posed negative 
impact to many nations and their economies, and had caused significant uncertainties in the global and local 
investment markets and volatilities of international oil prices. During the year, the fluctuations of international 
oil  prices  were  further  escalated  owing  to  the  disagreement  between  major  oil  producing  countries  on  their 
production  cut,  and  different  counter  measures  adopted  by  major  oil  buying  countries  on  their  inventory 
level. Against this macroeconomic backdrop, coupled with the effects of the unsettled trade disputes between 
China and the US and the social events took place in Hong Kong, the Group had been operating under some 
unprecedented market conditions.

For FY2020, the Group had managed to report a profit attributable to owners of the Company of HK$8,519,000 
(2019:  loss  of  HK$138,099,000),  mainly  due  to  the  absence  of  provision  of  impairment  loss  on  oil  and  gas 
properties in the current year (2019: HK$42,333,000), the reversal of expected credit loss (“ECL”) on loan and 
interest receivables of HK$12,232,000 (2019: provision of ECL of HK$61,703,000), and the decrease in net loss 
on  financial  assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  (“FVTPL”)  to  HK$9,183,000  (2019:  HK$32,736,000).  Basic 
earnings per share were HK0.16 cent, versus the loss per share of HK2.64 cents in the prior year. For the year 
under  review,  the  Group’s  revenue  declined  by  30%  to  HK$42,449,000  (2019:  HK$60,560,000),  mainly  due  to 
the drop in revenue of the petroleum and money lending businesses.

Petroleum Exploration and Production

During  FY2020,  the  Group  continued  to  engage  in  petroleum  exploration  and  production  in  the  Chañares 
Herrados area (the “CHE Concession”) located in the Cuyana Basin, Mendoza Province of Argentina. Chañares 
Energía S.A. (“Chañares”) was the concessionaire of the CHE Concession.

On  2  December  2010,  Southstart  Limited  (“Southstart”),  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  and 
Chañares entered into a joint venture agreement (“2010 JV Agreement”). Pursuant to the 2010 JV Agreement, 
among others, EP Energy S.A. (“EP Energy”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, had the right to drill 
and invest in the CHE Concession and was entitled to share 72% of the hydrocarbon production from the wells 
drilled by EP Energy in the current and future years until the end of the CHE Concession.

On 5 June 2012, EP Energy, Have Result Investments Limited (“Have Result”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company,  and  Chañares  entered  into  an  operation  agreement  (the  “Operation  Agreement”).  Pursuant  to  the 
Operation Agreement, among others, Chañares agreed to release EP Energy from the investment commitment 
in  the  2010  JV  Agreement,  whereas  EP  Energy  retained  the  right  to  drill  and  invest  in  the  CHE  Concession 
during  the  life  of  the  CHE  Concession.  The  Operation  Agreement  confirmed  that  Have  Result  was  entitled  to 
51% interest on the production of five oil wells and EP Energy was entitled to 72% interest on the production 
of the other five oil wells.

6

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and Analysis 
For  FY2020,  the  Group’s  petroleum  exploration  and  production  business  generated  a  revenue  of 
HK$14,097,000  (2019:  HK$24,171,000)  and  recorded  an  operating  loss  before  provision  of  impairment  loss  of 
HK$2,647,000  (2019:  HK$4,233,000).  The  decrease  in  the  operation’s  revenue  was  the  combined  effect  of  the 
reduction in oil produced and sold by about 28% and the drop in average crude oil selling price offered by YPF 
Sociedad Anonima (“YPF S.A.”), an Argentina state-owned oil company and the major buyer of the operation’s 
output, from an average of US$50.7 per barrel in the prior year to US$41.0 per barrel in the current year, which 
largely followed the downward trend of international oil prices during FY2020.

As disclosed in the Company’s announcement dated 7 April 2020, as a result of the situation brought by the 
outbreak  of  COVID-19,  and  the  measures  adopted  by  the  national  and  provincial  authorities  in  Argentina, 
there was a drastic reduction on the demand for fuels. Accordingly, YPF S.A. had been forced to stop and/or 
reduce production at their refineries and to temporarily suspend the purchase of crude oil, which thereby led 
to  the  decision  of  Chañares  to  suspend  the  operations  in  the  whole  Chañares  Herrados  concession  area  (the 
“Chañares  Concession”)  since  mid  April  2020,  and  henceforth  the  decrease  of  oil  production  from  the  CHE 
Concession which formed part of the Chañares Concession.

In early July 2020, following the ease off of the pandemic, the Hydrocarbons Department of Mendoza Province 
(the  “Hydrocarbons  Department”)  advised  the  Group  that  YPF  S.A.  would  restart  the  purchase  of  crude  oil 
during July 2020, and as advised by Chañares, YPF S.A. had resumed the purchase of crude oil after mid July 
2020  and  the  oil  production  in  the  Chañares  Concession,  including  the  CHE  Concession,  had  recommenced 
accordingly.

As  disclosed  in  the  Company’s  circulars  dated  12  March  2020  and  8  October  2020,  the  Executive  of  the 
Province  of  Mendoza  had  issued  a  decree  in  respect  of  the  termination  of  the  CHE  Concession  as  Chañares 
had  not  fulfilled  its  investment  commitment,  subsequently,  the  Chañares  Concession,  of  which  the  CHE 
Concession area formed part, had been made available for other investors to bid under the bidding process. 
The Group understood that before the successful bidder took over the Chañares Concession, Chañares could 
continue  to  operate  in  the  CHE  Concession  and  paid  the  same  fees,  royalties  and  other  payments  to  the 
government  under  the  same  contractual  conditions  previously  granted  and  should  be  able  to  extract  and 
sell  oil  and  should  continue  to  pay  fees,  royalties  and  other  payments,  which  logically  were  only  payable  in 
a context where the concessionaire was allowed to extract and sell oil. Accordingly, Chañares had continued 
to  send  to  the  Group  the  daily  production  reports  which  contained  daily  production  and  sales  quantity,  and 
monthly  reports  which  contained  production  and  sales  quantity,  selling  price,  sales  revenue  and  operating 
expenses for calculating the profit sharing between the Group and Chañares under the Operation Agreement 
(except  for  the  period  when  Chañares  suspended  the  operation  of  the  Chañares  Concession  referred  to 
above).  It  was  expected  that  the  Group  would  continue  to  be  entitled  to  its  share  of  production  under  the 
Operation Agreement until the Chañares Concession was delivered to the successful bidder under the bidding 
process. The Group has received the daily reports up to 13 March 2021 and the monthly report up to February 
2021.

7

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisAs disclosed in the Company’s circular dated 8 October 2020, after due evaluation of the data and information 
relating  to  the  Chañares  Concession,  the  Company  intended,  through  its  indirect  wholly  owned  subsidiary, 
to  submit  a  bid  offer  (the  “Bid”)  for  the  Chañares  Concession  under  the  bidding  process  and  the  Bid  was 
submitted  on  28  October  2020  (Argentina  time).  The  decision  on  winner  of  the  bid  was  expected  to  be 
announced in the period from 29 November 2020 to 11 December 2020 (Argentina time).

As  disclosed  in  the  Company’s  announcement  dated  14  December  2020,  on  27  November  2020  (Argentina 
time), the Hydrocarbons Department issued a notice of suspension for the opening of the commercial bid of 
the bidders (the “Opening”) and stated that the Opening was suspended temporarily until the finalization of 
the revision of the additional information provided by the Group after the submission of the Bid.  

As disclosed in the Company’ announcement on 22 December 2020, on 21 December 2020 (Argentina time), 
the  Hydrocarbons  Department  issued  a  letter  to  the  Group  and  stated  that  it  had  made  the  decision  (the 
“Decision”)  that  the  indirect  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company  which  submitted  the  Bid  failed  to  be 
eligible  as  one  of  the  bidders  for  the  Opening  mainly  due  to  its  historical  earning  performance  could  not 
meet  the  requirement  of  the  bidding  process,  and  the  Opening  would  be  held  on  23  December  2020  at 
noon  (Argentina  time).  On  the  same  day,  the  Group  submitted  an  appeal  letter  (the  “Appeal  Letter”)  to  the 
Hydrocarbons Department objecting against the Decision and requested for the suspension of the Opening.

As disclosed in the Company’s announcements dated 12 March 2021, 15 March 2021 and 16 March 2021, on 
11  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Group  received  from  the  Hydrocarbons  Department  a  decree  issued  by 
the Ministry of Economy and Energy of the Mendoza Government, Argentina (the “Decree”) which stated that 
the Chañares Concession would be awarded to a bidder (the “New Concessionaire”) other than the Company’s 
indirect wholly owned subsidiary for a 25-year term from the date following the publication of the Decree in 
the  official  gazette  (the  “Gazette”)  of  the  Mendoza  Province.  On  12  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Decree 
was  published  in  the  Gazette.  On  15  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Company  was  informed  by  Chañares 
that the New Concessionaire took over the Chañares Concession on 13 March 2021 (Argentina time).

It was stated in the Decree that the Appeal Letter objecting against the Decision was denied. The Group has 
been seeking legal advice on this matter and the possible legal actions to set aside the Decree.

The  Group  has  been  informed  by  Chañares  that  it  will  continue  to  take  legal  actions  against  the  Mendoza 
Government  regarding  the  termination  of  the  concession  and  intends  to  take  further  legal  actions  to  seek 
monetary compensation payable to it. The Group intends to seek legal advice on the possible legal actions to 
protect the interest of the Company in this regard.

The Company will publish announcement(s) to inform shareholders of any further update(s) on these matters 
as and when appropriate. 

8

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisMoney Lending

For FY2020, the Group’s money lending business reported decreases in revenue and operating profit (before 
reversal  or  provision  of  ECL)  by  31%  to  HK$17,870,000  (2019:  HK$25,971,000)  and  33%  to  HK$17,286,000 
(2019:  HK$25,963,000)  respectively.  Such  decreases  were  mainly  due  to  the  lower  average  amount  of 
loans  advanced  to  borrowers  during  the  current  year.  Before  granting  loans  to  potential  borrowers,  the 
management performs internal credit assessment process to assess the borrowers’ credit quality individually 
and defines the credit limits granted to the borrowers. The credit limits granted to the borrowers are reviewed 
by the management regularly. During FY2020, the management has adopted a prudent approach in granting 
new loans in view of the negative impact on the Hong Kong economy owing to the continuation of COVID-19. 

For  the  year  under  review,  a  reversal  of  ECL  of  HK$12,232,000  (2019:  provision  of  ECL  of  HK$61,703,000) 
was  recognised  which  represented  the  net  sum  of  the  recovery  from  certain  credit-impaired  loans  of 
HK$33,958,000  and  the  provision  of  ECL  of  HK$21,726,000  during  the  year.  At  the  year  end,  the  balance  of 
impairment  allowance  was  HK$49,701,000  (2019:  HK$68,755,000),  which  primarily  represented  the  credit  risk 
involved  in  collectability  of  certain  credit-impaired  loans  determined  under  the  Group’s  loan  impairment 
policy,  and  have  considered  factors  including  the  credit  history  of  the  borrowers,  the  realisation  value  of 
collaterals pledged to the Group, and the prevailing economic conditions. The Group has taken various actions 
for recovery of the credit-impaired loans.

At 31 December 2020, the loans portfolio held by the Group amounted to HK$161,382,000 (after impairment 
allowance  of  HK$49,701,000)  (2019:  HK$185,688,000  (after  impairment  allowance  of  HK$68,755,000))  with 
details as follows:

Approximate weighting to the carrying 
amount of the Group’s loan portfolio

Category of 
borrowers

Corporate 
Corporate

Individual

Secured
%

Unsecured
%

-
0.26

16.88
20.45

50.46

Interest rate 
per annum
%

10 – 18
8 – 10

Total
%

16.88
20.71

Maturity

Within one year
More than one year 
but within two years
Within one year

11.95

62.41

10 – 18

87.79

12.21

100.00

At  31  December  2020,  87.79%  (2019:  85.42%)  of  the  carrying  amount  of  the  loan  portfolio  (after  impairment 
allowance) was collateral loans with the remaining 12.21% (2019: 14.58%) being unsecured.

9

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Securities

The  Group  generally  acquires  securities  listed  on  the  Stock  Exchange  or  other  recognised  stock  exchanges 
and over-the-counter markets with good liquidity that can facilitate swift execution of securities transactions. 
For  making  investment  or  divestment  decision  on  securities  of  individual  target  company,  references  will 
usually be made to the latest financial information, news and announcements issued by the target company, 
investment  analysis  reports  that  the  Company  has  access  to,  as  well  as  industry  or  macro-economic  news. 
When  deciding  on  acquiring  securities  to  be  held  for  long-term  purpose,  particular  emphasis  will  be  placed 
on  the  past  financial  performance  of  the  target  company  including  its  sales  and  profit  growth,  financial 
healthiness,  dividend  policy,  business  prospect,  industry  and  macro-economic  outlook.  When  deciding 
on  acquiring  securities  to  be  held  other  than  for  long-term  purpose,  in  addition  to  the  factors  mentioned, 
references will also be made to prevailing market sentiments on different sectors of the investment markets. 
In  terms  of  return,  for  long-term  securities  investments,  the  Company  mainly  emphasises  on  return  of 
investment in form of capital appreciation and dividend/interest income. For securities investment other than 
for long-term holding, the Company mainly emphasises on return of investment in form of trading gains.

At  31  December  2020,  the  Group’s  securities  investments  comprised  a  financial  asset  at  FVTPL  portfolio 
valued  at  HK$25,097,000  (2019:  HK$37,059,000),  comprising  equity  securities  listed  in  Hong  Kong,  and  debt 
instrument at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”) portfolio (constituted by non-current 
and  current  portions)  valued  at  HK$132,198,000  (2019:  HK$141,826,000),  comprising  debt  securities  listed  in 
Hong Kong or Singapore. As a whole, the Group’s securities investments recorded a revenue of HK$10,482,000 
(2019: HK$10,418,000) and a loss of HK$3,383,000 (2019: HK$21,460,000).

Financial assets at FVTPL

At 31 December 2020, the Group held a financial asset at FVTPL portfolio amounting to HK$25,097,000 (2019: 
HK$37,059,000)  measured  at  market/fair  value.  For  FY2020,  the  portfolio  generated  revenue  of  HK$340,000 
representing  dividends  from  equity  securities  (2019:  HK$1,102,000,  representing  dividends  from  equity 
securities  of  HK$935,000  and  interest  income  from  debt  securities  of  HK$167,000).  The  Group  recognised  a 
net  loss  on  financial  assets  at  FVTPL  of  HK$9,183,000  (2019:  HK$32,736,000)  for  the  year,  which  comprised 
net  unrealised  loss  and  net  realised  loss  of  HK$1,751,000  and  HK$7,432,000  (2019:  HK$27,876,000  and 
HK$4,860,000) respectively.

The realised loss recorded during the year represented the loss on disposal of equity securities in open market 
and  the  unrealised  loss  represented  the  decrease  in  market  value  of  those  equity  securities  held  by  the 
Group  at  the  year  end.  The  losses  incurred  were  largely  related  to  the  volatile  conditions  of  the  Hong  Kong 
stock market subsisting during FY2020, which in turn related to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
the  unsettled  trade  disputes  between  China  and  the  US,  the  social  events  took  place  in  Hong  Kong,  and 
the  declining  financial  performance  of  some  of  the  investee  companies.  The  Group  had  adopted  a  prudent 
and  disciplined  approach  in  managing  its  financial  asset  at  FVTPL  portfolio  in  view  of  the  significant  market 
volatilities during the year.

10

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisAt  31  December  2020,  the  Group  invested  in  different  categories  of  companies  and  their  weightings  to  the 
market/fair value of the Group’s financial asset at FVTPL portfolio of HK$25,097,000 are as below:

Category of companies

Conglomerate
Pharmaceutical
Property
Others

Approximate
weighting to the 
market/fair value 
of the Group’s 
financial asset at 
FVTPL portfolio
%

3.98
52.62
31.69
11.71

100.00

At 31 December 2020, the weightings of the Group’s top three and other investments to the market/fair value 
of  the  Group’s  financial  asset  at  FVTPL  portfolio  of  HK$25,097,000  (together  with  other  information)  are  as 
below: 

Investee company’s name
and its principal activities#

Austar Lifesciences Limited 
(HKEX stock code: 6118)
Technology-based application 
solution provider in the 
life-science industry focusing  
on pharmaceutical, biologics, 
bulk pharmaceutical chemical 
sectors

Approximate 
weighting to 
the market/
fair value 
of the Group’s 
financial asset 
at FVTPL 
portfolio
%

Approximate 
weighting to 
the carrying 
amount 
of the Group’s 
total assets at 
31 December 
2020
%

*Acquisition 
costs during 
the year/
carrying 
amount at 
1 January
2020
HK$’000

Market/
fair value at 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

Accumulated 
unrealised 
gain (loss) 
recognised 
up to 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

Unrealised 
gain (loss)
recognised 
during the 
year ended 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

Dividend 
income 
recognised 
during the 
year ended 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

#Investee 
company’s 
financial 
performance

% of 
shareholding 
interest
%

Acquisition 
costs
HK$’000

A

B

C

D = C - A

E = C - B

#Future prospects of the 
investee company

51.44

2.71

0.41

10,106

10,311

12,911

2,805

2,600

–

For the year ended 
31 December 
2020, revenue 
increased by 24% to 
RMB1,295,980,000 
and profit for the year 
increased by 323% 
to RMB31,605,000 as 
compared with the 
prior year.

The investee company 
has been developing its 
technology applications 
in its competence and 
knowledge model and its 
technology application 
teams have been 
established in order to 
provide more up-to-date 
technology solutions to its 
clients.

11

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
Investee company’s name
and its principal activities#

Emperor International 
Holdings Limited  
(HKEX stock code: 163)
Lease of properties, properties 
development and hotel and 
hotel related operations

Elegance Optical 
International Holdings Limited 
(HKEX stock code: 907)
Manufacture and trading of 
optical frames and sunglasses, 
property investment, debts and 
securities investment and film 
investment and distribution

Approximate 
weighting to 
the market/
fair value 
of the Group’s 
financial asset 
at FVTPL 
portfolio
%

Approximate 
weighting to 
the carrying 
amount 
of the Group’s 
total assets at 
31 December 
2020
%

*Acquisition 
costs during 
the year/
carrying 
amount at 
1 January
2020
HK$’000

Market/
fair value at 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

Accumulated 
unrealised 
gain (loss) 
recognised 
up to 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

Unrealised 
gain (loss)
recognised 
during the 
year ended 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

Dividend 
income 
recognised 
during the 
year ended 
31 December 
2020
HK$’000

#Investee 
company’s 
financial 
performance

% of 
shareholding 
interest
%

Acquisition 
costs
HK$’000

A

B

C

D = C - A

E = C - B

31.69

1.67

0.20

17,667

12,508

7,953

(9,714)

(4,555)

339

9.47

0.50

1.09

10,159

1,241

2,376

(7,783)

1,135

–

For the six months 
ended 30 September 
2020, revenue 
decreased by 49% to 
HK$637,503,000 and 
loss for the period 
increased by 143% to 
HK$1,067,484,000 as 
compared with the 
same period in 2019.

For the six months 
ended 30 September 
2020, revenue 
decreased by 5% to 
HK$43,337,000 and 
loss for the period 
decreased by 78% 
to HK$4,499,000 as 
compared with the 
same period in 2019.

#Future prospects of the 
investee company

For property investment 
business, the investee 
company possesses a 
geographically balanced 
property portfolio which 
focuses on commercial 
buildings and quality 
street-level retail spaces in 
prominent locations. For 
property sales business, 
it pursues a strategy 
of providing quality 
residential properties 
with convenient access to 
transportation networks.

The investee company 
keeps the view that the 
film market in the PRC 
is facing crisis as well as 
opportunities. With the 
ease of the COVID-19 
pandemic in the PRC, the 
film industry, especially 
film production and 
distribution, has gradually 
picked up. The investee 
company will continue to 
operate the business in a 
steady manner to navigate 
through challenging 
market.

7.40

100.00

0.39

5.27

-

4,414

2,788

1,857

(2,557)

(931)

42,346

26,848

25,097

(17,249)

(1,751)

1

340

Extracted from published financial information of the investee companies.

The amount represented the costs of the securities acquired during the year ended 31 December 2020 and/or the 

carrying  amount  of  the  securities  brought  forward  from  the  prior  financial  year  after  accounting  for  additional 

acquisition and/or disposal of the securities (if any) during the current financial year.

Others

#  

*  

12

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt instruments at FVTOCI

At  31  December  2020,  the  Group’s  debt  instrument  at  FVTOCI  portfolio  (constituted  by  non-current 
and  current  portions)  of  HK$132,198,000  (2019:  HK$141,826,000)  was  measured  at  market/fair  value. 
During  FY2020,  the  Group’s  debt  instrument  at  FVTOCI  portfolio  generated  total  revenue  amounting 
to  HK$10,142,000  (2019:  HK$9,316,000)  representing  interest  income  from  debt  securities.  According 
to  the  maturity  of  the  debt  instruments,  part  of  the  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  of  HK$2,213,000  (2019: 
HK$18,804,000) was classified as current assets.

During FY2020, the Group invested HK$7,903,000 for acquiring debt securities issued by a property company 
listed on the Stock Exchange. At the year end, a net fair value loss on debt instruments at FVTOCI amounting 
to  HK$885,000  was  recognised  as  other  comprehensive  expense  (2019:  fair  value  gain  on  debt  instruments 
at  FVTOCI  of  HK$9,340,000  as  other  comprehensive  income)  and  provision  of  ECL  on  debt  instruments  at 
FVTOCI of HK$4,574,000 was recognised in profit or loss (2019: reversal of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI 
of  HK$56,000).  The  fair  value  loss  was  primarily  due  to  fluctuations  of  market  conditions.  The  provision  of 
ECL  was  determined  by  reference  to  credit  rating,  probability  of  default  and  loss  given  default  of  the  debt 
instruments,  the  macroeconomic  factors  affecting  each  issuer,  and  the  forward-looking  information  that  is 
reasonably and supportably available to the Group.

At 31 December 2020, the Group invested in debt securities issued by an aircraft leasing company and seven 
property companies and their respective weightings to the market/fair value of the Group’s debt instruments 
at FVTOCI portfolio of HK$132,198,000 (together with other information) are as below: 

Approximate
weighting to 
the carrying 
amount of the 
Group’s total 
assets at
31 December
2020
% 

Approximate
weighting to the
market/fair value 
of the Group’s 
debt instrument at
FVTOCI portfolio 
% 

*Acquisition
costs during 
the year/
carrying
amount at
1 January
2020
HK$’000

Accumulated
fair value loss
recognised 
up to
31 December
2020
HK$’000

Fair value loss
recognised
during the 
year ended
31 December
2020
HK$’000

Market/
fair value at
31 December
2020
HK$’000

B

C

D = C - A

E = C - B

Yield to
maturity on
acquisition 
date
% 

Acquisition
 costs
HK$’000

A

Category of companies 

Debt securities listed in Hong Kong or Singapore

Aircraft leasing

Property

10.93

89.07

3.04

4.93

15,444

14,744

14,455

24.75

5.26 - 12.50

120,497

118,935

117,743

100.00

27.79

135,941

133,679

132,198

(989)

(2,754)

(3,743)

(289)

(1,192)

(1,481)

* 

The amount represented the costs of the securities acquired during the year ended 31 December 2020 and/or the 

carrying  amount  of  the  securities  brought  forward  from  the  prior  financial  year  after  accounting  for  additional 

acquisition and/or disposal of the securities (if any) during the current financial year.

13

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  yield  to  maturity  on  acquisition  of  the  debt  securities  which  were  held  by  the  Group  at  the  year  end 
ranging from 4.93% to 12.50% per annum.

Overall Results

For FY2020, the Group reported a profit attributable to owners of the Company of HK$8,519,000 (2019: loss of 
HK$138,099,000) that was mainly due to the reversal of ECL on loan and interest receivables of HK$12,232,000, 
though partly offset by the provision of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI of HK$4,574,000, and the increase 
in  other  expenses  that  mainly  relating  to  the  professional  fees  incurred  for  the  evaluation  and  preparation 
of  documentations  for  the  bidding  process  of  the  Chañares  Concession.  The  Group  recorded  a  total 
comprehensive income attributable to owners of the Company of HK$15,983,000 (2019: total comprehensive 
expense  of  HK$131,157,000)  which  included  an  exchange  gain  of  HK$3,886,000  on  translation  of  foreign 
operations (2019: loss of HK$2,014,000).

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Liquidity, Financial Resources and Capital Structure

During  FY2020,  the  Group  financed  its  operation  mainly  by  cash  generated  from  its  operations  and 
shareholders’ funds. At the year end, the Group had current assets of HK$308,845,000 (2019: HK$312,217,000) 
and  liquid  assets  comprising  bank  balances  and  cash  as  well  as  financial  assets  at  FVTPL  totaling 
HK$159,724,000  (2019:  HK$129,459,000).  The  Group’s  current  ratio,  calculated  based  on  current  assets  over 
current liabilities of HK$14,196,000 (2019: HK$25,321,000), was at a liquid level of about 21.8 (2019: 12.3). The 
Group has been actively exploring investment opportunities in natural resources exploration and production, 
and is preserving its cash resources for the potential investment opportunities.

At  31  December  2020,  the  Group’s  total  assets  increased  to  HK$475,763,000  (2019:  HK$469,264,000).  The 
Group’s  gearing  ratio,  calculated  on  the  basis  of  total  liabilities  of  HK$16,265,000  (2019:  HK$25,368,000) 
divided  by  total  assets,  was  at  a  low  level  of  about  3%  (2019:  5%).  Finance  costs  represented  the  imputed 
interest on lease liabilities of HK$166,000 for the year (2019: HK$239,000).

At 31 December 2020, the equity attributable to owners of the Company amounted to HK$459,879,000 (2019: 
HK$443,896,000)  and  was  equivalent  to  an  amount  of  approximately  HK8.78  cents  (2019:  HK8.47  cents) 
per  share  of  the  Company.  The  increase  in  equity  attributable  to  owners  of  the  Company  of  HK$15,983,000 
was  mainly  due  to  profit  earned  during  the  year  and  the  exchange  gain  arising  on  translation  of  foreign 
operations.

With  the  amount  of  liquid  assets  on  hand,  the  management  is  of  the  view  that  the  Group  has  sufficient 
financial resources to meet its ongoing operational requirements.

14

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisForeign Currency Management

The  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  as  well  as  business  transactions  of  the  Group  are  mainly  denominated 
in  HK$,  US$,  RMB  and  ARS.  During  the  year  under  review,  the  Group  had  not  experienced  any  significant 
exchange  rate  exposure  to  US$  as  HK$  and  US$  exchange  rate  is  pegged.  Besides,  the  Group  continuously 
monitors  foreign  exchange  exposure  of  RMB  and  will  consider  a  formal  foreign  currency  hedging  policy  for 
RMB  should  the  needs  arise.  As  for  the  Group’s  petroleum  operations  in  Argentina,  the  oil  selling  proceeds 
are  quoted  at  US$  and  converted  into  ARS  for  settlement  at  official  exchange  rate  on  a  monthly  basis,  and 
a  majority  of  the  investment  and  operating  costs  including  infrastructure  and  equipment,  drilling  costs, 
completion  costs  and  workover  jobs  are  based  on  US$  and  converted  into  ARS  for  payments.  Any  surplus 
funds in ARS are converted into US$ and will be remitted back to Hong Kong. As such, the ARS converted from 
the US$ denominated sales receipts and expenditures of the Argentinean operation are largely matched and 
the  devaluation  of  ARS  during  the  current  year  does  not  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  foreign  currency 
exposure  of  the  operation.  The  Group  currently  does  not  have  a  formal  foreign  currency  hedging  policy  for 
ARS, however, the management regularly monitors the foreign exchange exposure of ARS and will undertake 
appropriate hedging measures should significant exposures arise.

Contingent Liability

At 31 December 2020, the Group had no significant contingent liability (31 December 2019: nil).

Pledge of Assets

At 31 December 2020, the Group had no pledged assets (31 December 2019: nil).

Capital Commitment

At 31 December 2020, the Group had no significant capital commitment (31 December 2019: nil).

Events after the Reporting Period

As disclosed in the Company’s announcements dated 12 March 2021, 15 March 2021 and 16 March 2021 and 
as referred to above, on 11 March 2021 (Argentina time), the Group received the Decree which stated that the 
Chañares Concession would be awarded to the New Concessionaire other than the Company’s indirect wholly 
owned subsidiary, and on 15 March 2021 (Argentina time), the Company was informed by Chañares that the 
New Concessionaire took over the Chañares Concession on 13 March 2021 (Argentina time).

It  was  stated  in  the  Decree  that  the  Appeal  Letter  submitted  by  the  Group  objecting  against  the  Decision  of 
the  Hydrocarbons  Department  was  denied.  The  Group  has  been  seeking  legal  advice  on  this  matter  and  the 
possible legal actions to set aside the Decree.

The  Group  has  been  informed  by  Chañares  that  it  will  continue  to  take  legal  actions  against  the  Mendoza 
Government  regarding  the  termination  of  the  concession  and  intends  to  take  further  legal  actions  to  seek 
monetary compensation payable to it. The Group intends to seek legal advice on the possible legal actions to 
protect the interest of the Company in this regard.

15

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisHUMAN RESOURCES AND REMUNERATION POLICY

At 31 December 2020, the Group had a total of 30 (2019: 49) employees  including  directors of  the  Company 
with 23 (2019: 42) employees in Hong Kong and the PRC and 7 (2019: 7) employees in Argentina. Staff costs, 
including  directors’  emoluments,  amounted  to  HK$14,214,000  (2019:  HK$16,573,000)  for  the  year.  The  drop 
in staff costs of HK$2,359,000 was mainly due to the decrease of the Group’s headcounts for its operation in 
the PRC. The remuneration packages for directors and staff are normally reviewed annually and are structured 
by reference to prevailing market terms and individual competence, performance and experience. The Group 
operates a Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme for employees in Hong Kong and operates employees’ pension 
schemes  for  employees  in  the  PRC  and  Argentina.  In  addition,  the  Group  provides  other  employee  benefits 
which include medical insurance, share option scheme and discretionary bonus.

PRINCIPAL RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES 

The  Group  is  principally  engaged  in  the  business  of  petroleum  exploration  and  production,  money  lending 
and investment in securities. The financial position, operations, businesses and prospects of the Group and its 
individual business segment are affected by the following significant risk and uncertainty factors: 

Business Risk 

The  global  economic  conditions  and  the  state  of  international  financial  and  investment  markets,  including 
the  economy,  financial  and  investment  markets  of  the  US,  Mainland  China  and  Hong  Kong,  of  which  the 
Group has no control, have significant influences on the business and financial performance of the Group. The 
management policy to mitigate this risk is to diversify the Group’s businesses and to diversify its investments 
(where possible) within the same business, as in the case of the Group’s securities investments. 

Market Risk 

The Group’s money lending business is operating in a very competitive environment that put pressure on the 
revenue  and  profitability  of  this  business.  The  management  policy  to  mitigate  this  risk  is  to  continue  to  put 
effort  in  enlarging  the  market  share  and  enhancing  the  market  competitiveness  of  this  business  by  various 
means.

Environmental Risk 

The  Group’s  petroleum  exploration  and  production  business  is  constantly  exposed  to  inherent  risks  such 
as  pollution,  mechanical  breakdown  of  machineries,  adverse  weather  conditions,  earthquake,  fire  or  other 
calamity. Any of these factors may cause disruptions to the Group’s operations. The Group may also be liable 
to pay compensations resulting from the above events which may adversely affect its financial performance. 

Financial Risk 

The  Group  is  exposed  to  financial  risks  relating  to  interest  rate,  foreign  currency,  securities  price,  credit  and 
liquidity risk in its ordinary course of business. Further details of such risks and relevant management policies 
are set out in Note 38 to the consolidated financial statements.

16

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisCOMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT LAWS AND REGULATIONS 

As far as the Board and management are aware, the Group has complied in material respects with the relevant 
laws  and  regulations  that  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  business  and  operation  of  the  Group.  During 
the  year  under  review,  there  was  no  material  breach  of  or  non-compliance  with  the  applicable  laws  and 
regulations by the Group. 

RELATIONSHIP WITH EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS 

The  Group  understands  the  importance  of  maintaining  a  good  relationship  with  its  employees,  customers 
and suppliers to meet its immediate and long-term business goals. During the year ended 31 December 2020, 
there were no significant dispute between the Group and its employees, customers and suppliers.

17

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Management Discussion and AnalysisThe  biographical  details  of  Directors  and  senior  management  as  at  23  April  2021,  the  latest  practicable  date 
before printing of this annual report, are set out below:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. Sue Ka Lok (“Mr. Sue”)

Aged  55,  joined  the  Company  as  Executive  Director  and  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  in  October  2016  and 
stepped  down  from  his  position  as  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  in  January  2018.  Mr.  Sue  is  a  member  of  the 
Corporate Governance Committee. He is also a director of certain subsidiaries of the Company. Mr. Sue holds 
a Bachelor of Economics degree from The University of Sydney in Australia and a Master of Science in Finance 
degree from the City University of Hong Kong. Mr. Sue is a fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants, a certified practising accountant of the CPA Australia, a fellow of the Hong Kong Securities and 
Investment  Institute,  and  a  chartered  secretary,  a  chartered  governance  professional  and  a  fellow  of  both 
The  Hong  Kong  Institute  of  Chartered  Secretaries  and  The  Chartered  Governance  Institute.  He  has  extensive 
experience  in  corporate  management,  finance,  accounting  and  company  secretarial  practice.  Mr.  Sue  is  an 
executive director and the chief executive officer of China Strategic Holdings Limited (HKEX stock code: 235); 
an  executive  director  of  PT  International  Development  Corporation  Limited  (HKEX  stock  code:  372);  and  a 
non-executive  director  of  Birmingham  Sports  Holdings  Limited  (“Birmingham  Sports”)  (HKEX  stock  code: 
2309). All the aforementioned companies are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange.

Mr. Yiu Chun Kong (“Mr. Yiu”)

Aged  36,  joined  the  Company  as  Executive  Director  in  October  2016.  Mr.  Yiu  is  also  a  director  of  certain 
subsidiaries  of  the  Company.  He  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Business  Administration  in  Accountancy  degree  from 
The  Hong  Kong  Polytechnic  University.  Mr.  Yiu  is  a  certified  public  accountant  of  the  Hong  Kong  Institute 
of  Certified  Public  Accountants.  He  has  rich  experience  in  auditing,  accounting  and  finance.  Mr.  Yiu  is  an 
executive director of Birmingham Sports.

Mr. Chan Shui Yuen (“Mr. Chan”)

Aged  40,  joined  the  Company  as  Executive  Director  in  October  2016  and  was  appointed  the  Company 
Secretary  in  November  2017.  Mr.  Chan  is  a  member  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Committee.  He  is  also  a 
director  of  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Chan  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Business  Administration  (Honours)  in 
Accountancy  degree  from  the  City  University  of  Hong  Kong  and  a  Master  of  Financial  Analysis  degree  from 
The University of New South Wales in Australia. Mr. Chan is a CFA charterholder, a fellow of the Association of 
Chartered  Certified  Accountants,  a  certified  public  accountant  of  the  Hong  Kong  Institute  of  Certified  Public 
Accountants  and  a  certified  practising  accountant  of  the  CPA  Australia.  He  has  rich  experience  in  auditing, 
accounting, finance and compliance.

Mr. Liang Weijie (“Mr. Liang”)

Aged  28,  joined  the  Company  as  Executive  Director  in  April  2021.  Mr.  Liang  holds  an  Executive  Master  of 
Business  Administration  degree  from  the  Institut  Prima  Bestari  in  Malaysia.  Mr.  Liang  was  a  management 
member  of  a  property  management  company  in  the  PRC  and  is  currently  the  director  of  a  cultural  media 
company in the PRC and the president of South China region of a financial holdings company in Hong Kong. 
He  has  extensive  experience  in  the  areas  of  property  management,  cultural  and  media,  and  financial  and 
investment management in the PRC.

18

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Biographical Details of Directors and Senior ManagementINDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. Pun Chi Ping (“Mr. Pun”)

Aged  54,  joined  the  Company  as  Independent  Non-executive  Director  in  October  2016.  Mr.  Pun  is  the 
Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  the  Remuneration  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Nomination 
Committee.  He  holds  a  Master  of  Science  in  Finance  degree  from  the  City  University  of  Hong  Kong  and  a 
Bachelor  of  Arts  in  Accountancy  degree  from  the  City  Polytechnic  of  Hong  Kong  (now  known  as  the  City 
University  of  Hong  Kong).  Mr.  Pun  is  a  fellow  of  the  Association  of  Chartered  Certified  Accountants  and  an 
associate of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has extensive experience in corporate 
finance, accounting and auditing. Mr. Pun is an independent non-executive director of Birmingham Sports and 
China Huajun Group Limited (formerly known as Huajun International Group Limited) (HKEX stock code: 377) 
and the financial controller of Poly Property Group Co., Limited (HKEX stock code: 119). All the aforementioned 
companies are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange.

Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine (“Ms. Leung”)

Aged  51,  joined  the  Company  as  Independent  Non-executive  Director  in  October  2016.  Ms.  Leung  is  the 
Chairlady  of  the  Nomination  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  the  Remuneration 
Committee.  She  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Business  Administration  degree  from  The  Chinese  University  of  Hong 
Kong.  Ms.  Leung  has  extensive  experience  in  banking  and  financial  services  industries  and  had  worked  at 
several  international  financial  institutions  including  Citibank,  N.A.  Hong  Kong,  Bank  of  America,  Industrial 
and  Commercial  Bank  of  China  (Asia)  Limited  and  Fubon  Bank  (Hong  Kong)  Limited.  She  is  an  independent 
non-executive director of Birmingham Sports.

Mr. Kwong Tin Lap (“Mr. Kwong”)

Aged  56,  joined  the  Company  as  Independent  Non-executive  Director  in  December  2018.  Mr.  Kwong  is  the 
Chairman  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Committee,  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee,  the  Remuneration 
Committee  and  the  Nomination  Committee.  He  holds  a  Professional  Diploma  in  Accountancy  from  the 
Hong  Kong  Polytechnic  (now  known  as  The  Hong  Kong  Polytechnic  University)  and  a  Master  of  Science 
in  Information  Systems  degree  from  The  Hong  Kong  Polytechnic  University.  Mr.  Kwong  is  a  Certified 
Public  Accountants  (Practising)  in  Hong  Kong,  an  associate  of  the  Hong  Kong  Institute  of  Certified  Public 
Accountants and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He has extensive experience 
in accounting, finance, auditing and corporate management. Mr. Kwong had been a director of certain Hong 
Kong listed companies and is currently a director of CCTH CPA Limited.

19

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Biographical Details of Directors and Senior ManagementSENIOR MANAGEMENT

Mr. Pak Ka Kei (“Mr. Pak”), Financial Controller

Aged  50,  joined  the  Company  as  Financial  Controller  in  November  2009.  Mr.  Pak  graduated  from  the  City 
University  of  Hong  Kong  with  a  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  Accounting  degree.  Mr.  Pak  has  extensive  experience  in 
the fields of audit, internal control, accountancy, taxation and treasury. Prior to joining the Company, he had 
worked for Ernst & Young, an international accounting firm, and TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited 
(now known as TCL Electronics Holdings Limited) in its finance department in Hong Kong, emerging markets 
and Europe as deputy internal control director and deputy financial controller.

Mr. Quiroga Daniel Federico (“Mr. Quiroga”), General Manager, Argentina

Aged  56,  joined  the  Company  as  Operation  Manager  of  the  Group’s  Argentina  operation  in  December  2010 
and  was  appointed  as  General  Manager  of  the  Argentina  operation  in  late  2012.  Mr.  Quiroga  oversees  the 
Company’s  oil  projects  in  Argentina.  He  has  extensive  experience  in  operations,  exploration  and  production 
management of oil field projects in Argentina and Mexico. Mr. Quiroga had been employed by Tecpetrol S.A. 
since  1991  and  the  last  position  held  by  Mr.  Quiroga  in  2000  was  the  head  of  secondary  recovery  division. 
During his work in Tecpetrol S.A., Mr. Quiroga was appointed as operation engineer, production manager, field 
operation manager and had gained experiences in operations, production management for various oil fields in 
Argentina. During 2002 to 2006, Mr. Quiroga was the operation superintendent and field manager who was in 
charge of field operations in oil fields located in Neuquina Basin and S.J. Gulf Basin, Argentina for Pioneer NRA 
S.A. After that, Mr. Quiroga also worked for Apache Corp Argentina and Petrolera El Trebol. Before joining the 
Company, Mr. Quiroga had worked for Weatherford Regional Mexico as the operation coordinator. He was in 
charge of field operations for oil field in Mexico. Mr. Quiroga graduated from the National University of Cuyo 
in  Mendoza  Province,  Argentina  majoring  in  Petroleum  Engineer  in  1991.  Mr.  Quiroga  was  a  postgraduate  in 
Business & Finance at National University of Cuyo in Mendoza Province, Argentina.

20

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Biographical Details of Directors and Senior ManagementThe  Directors  are  pleased  to  present  their  report  and  the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the 
Company for the year ended 31 December 2020.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND BUSINESS REVIEW

The Company acts as an investment holding company. The principal activities of its principal subsidiaries are 
set out in Note 39 to the consolidated financial statements.

Further  discussion  and  analysis  of  the  Group’s  activities  as  required  by  Schedule  5  to  the  Hong  Kong 
Companies  Ordinance,  including  a  discussion  of  the  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the  Group, 
particulars  of  important  events  affecting  the  Group  that  have  occurred  since  the  end  of  the  financial  year 
and  an  indication  of  likely  future  developments  in  the  Group’s  businesses,  can  be  found  in  the  “Statement 
from the Board” and “Management Discussion and Analysis” sections set out on pages 4 to 17 of this annual 
report.  In  addition,  discussions  on  the  Group’s  environmental  policies  and  performance  are  contained  in  the 
Environmental, Social and Governance Report on pages 40 to 57 of this annual report.

RESULTS

The  results  of  the  Group  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  are  set  out  in  the  consolidated  statement  of 
profit or loss and other comprehensive income on page 65.

FINAL DIVIDEND

The Board does not recommend the payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2020 (2019: 
nil).

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

A  summary  of  the  published  results  and  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Group  for  the  last  five  financial  years,  as 
extracted  from  the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company,  is  set  out  on  page  156.  The 
summary does not form part of the audited consolidated financial statements.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Details of movement in the property, plant and equipment of the Group during the year are set out in Note 19 
to the consolidated financial statements.

SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE OPTIONS

Details of movements in the Company’s share capital and share options during the year are set out in Notes 31 
and 32 to the consolidated financial statements, respectively.

21

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the DirectorsPRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

There is no provision for pre-emptive rights under the Company’s Bye-laws or the applicable laws of Bermuda 
which would oblige the Company to offer new shares on a pro-rata basis to existing shareholders.

PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF THE COMPANY’S LISTED SECURITIES

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  neither  the  Company  nor  any  of  its  subsidiaries  had  purchased, 
sold or redeemed any of the Company’s listed securities.

RESERVES

Details of movements in the reserves of the Company and of the Group during the year are set out in Note 41 
to the consolidated financial statements and in the consolidated statement of changes in equity, respectively.

DISTRIBUTABLE RESERVES

At 31 December 2020, the Company had no reserve available for distribution as computed in accordance with 
the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda. The Company’s share premium account, in the amount of approximately 
HK$918,270,000, may be distributed in the form of fully paid bonus shares.

MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

During  the  year,  revenue  from  the  Group’s  five  largest  customers/sources  accounted  for  approximately  62% 
of  the  total  revenue  for  the  year  and  revenue  from  the  largest  customer  accounted  for  approximately  32%. 
Purchases from the Group’s five largest suppliers accounted for 100% of the total purchases for the year and 
purchases from the largest supplier accounted for 100%.

None  of  the  directors  or  any  of  their  associates  or  any  shareholders  (which,  to  the  best  knowledge  of  the 
directors,  own  more  than  5%  of  the  Company’s  issued  shares)  had  any  beneficial  interest  in  the  Group’s  five 
largest customers or suppliers during the year.

22

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the DirectorsDIRECTORS

The directors of the Company during the year and up to 23 April 2021, being the latest practicable date prior 
to the printing of this annual report were:

Executive Directors:

Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Mr. Liang Weijie (appointed on 8 April 2021)
Mr. Liu Zhiyi (resigned on 30 June 2020)

Non-executive Director:

Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul (retired on 26 June 2020)

Independent Non-executive Directors:

Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

In  accordance  with  bye-law  103(B)  of  the  Company’s  Bye-laws,  Mr.  Liang  Weijie  will  hold  office  until  the 
forthcoming annual general meeting of the Company (the “2021 AGM”) and, being eligible, will offer himself 
for re-election in the 2021 AGM.

In accordance with bye-law 100(A) of the Company’s Bye-laws, Mr. Chan Shui Yuen and Mr. Pun Chi Ping will 
retire by rotation at the 2021 AGM and, being eligible, will offer themselves for re-election in the 2021 AGM.

PERMITTED INDEMNITY PROVISION

Pursuant to the Company’s Bye-laws, subject to the statutes, the directors for the time being of the Company 
shall  be  indemnified  and  secured  harmless  out  of  the  assets  of  the  Company  from  and  against  all  actions, 
costs,  charges,  losses,  damages  and  expenses  which  they  or  any  of  them,  shall  or  may  incur  or  sustain  by 
reason  of  any  act  done,  concurred  in  or  omitted  in  or  about  the  execution  of  their  duty  or  supposed  duty 
in  their  respective  offices  or  trusts  or  otherwise  in  relation  thereto  except  through  their  own  wilful  neglect 
or  default,  fraud  and  dishonesty.  The  Company  has  arranged  appropriate  directors’  and  officers’  liability 
insurance coverage for the directors and other officers of the Company during the year.

DIRECTORS’ SERVICE CONTRACTS

None  of  the  directors  being  proposed  for  re-election  at  the  2021  AGM  has  a  service  contract  with  the 
Company or any of its subsidiaries which is not determinable by the Group within one year without payment 
of compensation, other than statutory compensation.

23

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the DirectorsDIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Details of the directors’ remuneration are set out in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

UPDATE ON DIRECTOR’S INFORMATION

The following is updated information of a director of the Company required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 
13.51B(1) of the Listing Rules:

- 

Mr.  Sue  Ka  Lok  resigned  as  a  non-executive  director  and  the  chairman  of  Courage  Investment  Group 
Limited  (HKEX  stock  code:  1145)  (a  company  listed  on  the  Main  Board  of  the  Stock  Exchange  and  the 
Singapore  Exchange  Securities  Trading  Limited)  on  12  January  2021;  and  resigned  as  an  executive 
director of PYI Corporation Limited (HKEX stock code: 498) (a company listed on the Main Board of the 
Stock Exchange) on 3 February 2021.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN TRANSACTIONS, ARRANGEMENTS OR CONTRACTS

Save  for  the  related  party  transactions  as  disclosed  in  Note  36  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  no 
other transactions, arrangements or contracts of significance to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries 
was  a  party  and  in  which  a  Director  or  an  entity  connected  with  a  Director  has  or  had  a  material  interest, 
whether directly or indirectly, subsisted at the end of the year or at any time during the year.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS IN SHARES, UNDERLYING SHARES AND 
DEBENTURES

As at 31 December 2020, none of the directors or chief executive of the Company had registered an interest 
or  short  positions  in  the  shares,  underlying  shares  and  debentures  of  the  Company  or  any  of  its  associated 
corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) that was required to be recorded pursuant to section 
352 of the SFO, or as otherwise notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to the Model Code.

DIRECTORS’ RIGHTS TO ACQUIRE SHARES OR DEBENTURES

Save for the “Share Option Scheme” disclosure in Note 32 to the consolidated financial statements, at no time 
during the year was the Company or any of its subsidiaries a party to any arrangements to enable the directors 
of the Company to acquire benefits by means of the acquisition of shares in, or debentures of, the Company or 
any other body corporate, and none of the directors of the Company or their spouse or minor children had any 
rights to subscribe for the securities of the Company, or had exercised any such rights during the year.

SHARE OPTION SCHEME

Details  of  the  share  option  scheme  of  the  Company  are  set  out  in  Note  32  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.

24

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the DirectorsINTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS DISCLOSEABLE UNDER THE SFO

As at 31 December 2020, the following interests of more than 5% of the issued shares of the Company were 
recorded in the register of interests required to be kept by the Company pursuant to section 336 of the SFO.

Long positions in the shares of the Company:

Name of shareholders

Capacity and nature of interest

Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul (“Mr. Suen”)

Interests of controlled corporation

Premier United Group Limited 

Interests of controlled corporation

(“Premier United”)

Billion Expo International Limited 

Beneficial owner

(“Billion Expo”)

Approximate
 percentage 
of the 
Company’s 
issued shares
(Note (i))

16.45%

16.45%

16.45%

Number of 
shares held

862,085,620 
(Note (ii))

862,085,620 
(Note (ii))

862,085,620 
(Note (ii))

China Shipbuilding Capital Limited

Beneficial owner

700,170,000

13.36%

China Create Capital Limited

Beneficial owner

357,705,000

6.83%

Notes:

(i) 

The approximate percentage of the Company’s issued shares was calculated on the basis of 5,240,344,044 shares of 

the Company in issue as at 31 December 2020.

(ii) 

These  interests  were  held  by  Billion  Expo,  which  was  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Premier  United  which  in  turn 

was wholly owned by Mr. Suen. Mr. Suen was the sole director of Billion Expo and Premier United. Accordingly, Mr. 

Suen was deemed to be interested in 862,085,620 shares of the Company under the SFO.

The interests of Mr. Suen, Premier United and Billion Expo in 862,085,620 shares of the Company referred to in 
Note (ii) above related to the same parcel of shares.

Save as disclosed above, the Company had not been notified of any other relevant interests or short positions 
in the shares and underlying shares of the Company as at 31 December 2020 as required pursuant to section 
336 of the SFO.

25

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the Directors 
CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

The related party transactions as disclosed in Note 36 to the consolidated financial statements fall under the 
scope of “Connected Transactions” or “Continuing Connected Transactions” under Chapter 14A of the Listing 
Rules but are exempted from reporting, annual review, announcement or independent shareholders’ approval 
requirements.

REMUNERATION POLICY

The  Group  remunerates  its  employees  based  on  their  competence,  performance,  experience  and  prevailing 
market  terms.  Other  employee  benefits  include  provident  fund  scheme,  medical  insurance,  share  option 
scheme as well as discretionary bonus.

EQUITY-LINKED AGREEMENTS

Save  for  the  share  option  scheme  of  the  Company  as  disclosed  in  Note  32  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements, no equity-linked agreements were entered into by the Group, or existed during the year.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

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

SUFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC FLOAT

Based on information that is publicly available to the Company and within the knowledge of the Directors, at 
least 25% of the Company’s total issued shares is held by the public as at the date of this report.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  have 
been  reviewed  by  the  Audit  Committee  and  duly  approved  by  the  Board  under  the  recommendation  of  the 
Audit Committee.

26

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the DirectorsAUDITOR

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  have  been 
audited by Moore Stephens CPA Limited.

Moore  Stephens  CPA  Limited  has  been  appointed  as  the  auditor  of  the  Company  with  effect  from  4  January 
2021  to  fill  the  casual  vacancy  arising  from  the  resignation  of  Deloitte  Touche  Tohmatsu  on  4  January  2021 
and to hold office until conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company.

A  resolution  will  be  proposed  at  the  2021  AGM  to  re-appoint  Moore  Stephens  CPA  Limited  as  the  auditor  of 
the Company.

Save for the above, there was no change of the auditor of the Company in the preceding three years.

On behalf of the Board

Sue Ka Lok
Executive Director

Hong Kong, 30 March 2021

27

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Report of the DirectorsThe  Company  has  recognised  the  importance  of  transparency  and  accountability,  and  believes  that 
shareholders  can  benefit  from  good  corporate  governance.  The  Company  aims  to  achieve  good  standard  of 
corporate governance.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

The  Company  had  complied  with  all  the  applicable  provisions  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Code  (the  “CG 
Code”)  set  out  in  Appendix  14  to  the  Listing  Rules  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  except  for  the 
following deviations with reasons as explained:

Chairman and chief executive

Code Provision A.2.1

Code Provision A.2.1 of the CG Code requires the roles of the chairman and chief executive should be separate 
and should not be performed by the same individual.

Deviation

The  Company  had  deviated  from  Code  Provision  A.2.1  of  the  CG  Code  during  the  year  ended  31  December 
2020.  Mr.  Liu  Zhiyi  (“Mr.  Liu”),  a  former  Executive  Director  of  the  Company,  had  served  both  roles  of  the 
chairman and chief executive officer until 30 June 2020. Following the resignation of Mr. Liu on 30 June 2020, 
the  positions  of  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  have  been  left  vacant.  The  Company  is 
still looking for suitable candidates to fill the vacancies of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive 
Officer of the Company. The day-to-day management responsibilities are taken up by the Executive Directors 
of  the  Company;  and  the  overall  direction  and  strategy  of  the  businesses  of  the  Group  are  decided  by 
the  agreement  of  the  Board.  There  are  three  Independent  Non-executive  Directors  on  the  Board  offering 
independent  and  differing  perspectives.  The  Board  is  therefore  of  the  view  that  there  are  adequate  balance 
of  power  and  safeguards  in  place  to  enable  the  Company  to  make  and  implement  decisions  promptly  and 
effectively.

Effective communication

Code Provision E.1.2

Code  Provision  E.1.2  of  the  CG  Code  stipulates  that  the  chairman  of  the  board  should  attend  the  annual 
general meeting.

Deviation

The former Chairman of the Board, Mr. Liu, was unable to attend the annual general meeting of the Company 
held  on  26  June  2020  (the  “2020  AGM”)  as  he  had  other  important  business  engagement.  However,  Mr.  Sue 
Ka Lok, an Executive Director of the Company, had chaired the meeting in accordance with bye-law 70 of the 
Company’s Bye-laws.

28

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportDIRECTORS’ SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The  Company  has  adopted  the  Model  Code  as  its  own  code  of  conduct  regarding  securities  transactions  by 
directors  of  the  Company.  Having  made  specific  enquiry  with  the  directors,  all  of  them  confirmed  that  they 
had  complied  with  the  required  standards  set  out  in  the  Model  Code  during  the  year  ended  31  December 
2020.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The  Board  formulates  the  overall  strategy  of  the  Group,  monitors  its  financial  performance  and  maintains 
effective  oversight  over  the  management.  The  Board  members  are  fully  committed  to  their  roles  and  have 
acted  in  good  faith  to  maximise  the  shareholders’  value  in  the  long  run,  and  have  aligned  the  Group’s  goals 
and  directions  with  the  prevailing  economic  and  market  conditions.  Daily  operations  and  administration  are 
delegated to the management.

The  Board  met  regularly  throughout  the  year  to  discuss  the  overall  strategy  as  well  as  the  operation  and 
financial  performance  of  the  Group.  The  directors  are  kept  informed  on  a  timely  basis  of  major  changes 
that  may  affect  the  Group’s  businesses,  including  relevant  rules  and  regulations.  The  directors  can,  upon 
reasonable  request,  seek  independent  professional  advice  in  appropriate  circumstances,  at  the  Company’s 
expenses.  The  Board  shall  resolve  to  provide  separate  appropriate  independent  professional  advice  to  the 
directors to assist the relevant directors to discharge their duties.

As at 23 April 2021, being the latest practicable date before printing of this annual report, the Board comprises 
seven directors, four are Executive Directors, namely Mr. Sue Ka Lok (“Mr. Sue”), Mr. Yiu Chun Kong (“Mr. Yiu”), 
Mr.  Chan  Shui  Yuen  and  Mr.  Liang  Weijie,  and  three  are  Independent  Non-executive  Directors,  namely  Mr. 
Pun Chi Ping (“Mr. Pun”), Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine (“Ms. Leung”) and Mr. Kwong Tin Lap. The directors are 
considered  to  have  a  balance  of  skill  and  experience  appropriate  for  the  requirements  of  the  businesses  of 
the  Company.  The  Company  has  received  from  each  of  the  independent  non-executive  directors  an  annual 
confirmation  of  his/her  independence  pursuant  to  Rule  3.13  of  the  Listing  Rules.  The  Company  considers  all 
the  independent  non-executive  directors  are  independent  in  accordance  with  the  independence  guidelines 
set  out  in  the  Listing  Rules.  Biographical  details  of  the  directors  are  set  out  under  the  section  headed 
“Biographical Details of Directors and Senior Management” on pages 18 to 20 of this annual report.

Mr.  Sue  is  a  non-executive  director,  Mr.  Yiu  is  an  executive  director,  and  Mr.  Pun  and  Ms.  Leung  are 
independent  non-executive  directors  of  Birmingham  Sports  Holdings  Limited  (HKEX  stock  code:  2309).  Save 
for  the  aforesaid,  there  is  no  other  financial,  business,  family  or  other  material/relevant  relationship  among 
members of the Board.

The  Company  will  provide  a  comprehensive,  formal  and  tailored  induction  to  each  newly  appointed 
director  on  his/her  first  appointment  in  order  to  enable  him/her  to  have  an  appropriate  understanding  of 
the  businesses  and  operations  of  the  Company  and  that  he/she  is  fully  aware  of  his/her  responsibilities  and 
obligations under the Listing Rules and relevant regulatory requirements.

29

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportBOARD OF DIRECTORS (continued)

All  directors  are  encouraged  to  participate  in  continuous  professional  development  to  develop  and  refresh 
their  knowledge  and  skills.  The  directors  are  continually  updated  on  developments  in  the  statutory  and 
regulatory  regime  and  the  business  environment  to  facilitate  the  discharge  of  their  responsibilities.  The 
Company  has  provided  timely  technical  updates,  including  the  briefing  on  the  amendments  on  the  Listing 
Rules  and  the  news  releases  published  by  the  Stock  Exchange  to  the  directors.  Continuing  briefings  and 
professional development for directors are arranged where necessary.

The  directors  have  participated  in  continuous  professional  development  by  attending  seminars,  in-house 
briefings and reading materials on the related areas to develop and refresh their knowledge and skills. During 
the year ended 31 December 2020, directors including Mr. Sue Ka Lok, Mr. Yiu Chun Kong, Mr. Chan Shui Yuen, 
Mr. Pun Chi Ping, Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine and Mr. Kwong Tin Lap had complied with Code Provision A.6.5 
of  the  CG  Code  and  had  provided  the  Company  with  their  respective  training  records  pursuant  to  the  CG 
Code.

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  four  regular  Board  meetings  and  2020  AGM  were  held  and  the 
attendance of each director is set out as follows:

Executive Directors
Mr. Sue Ka Lok 
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong 
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Mr. Liang Weijie (appointed on 8 April 2021)
Mr. Liu Zhiyi (resigned on 30 June 2020)

Non-executive Director
Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul (retired on 26 June 2020)

Independent Non-executive Directors
Mr. Pun Chi Ping 
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine 
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap 

Number of attendance

Board Meetings

2020 AGM

4/4
4/4
4/4
N/A
3/3

3/3

4/4
4/4
4/4

1/1
1/1
1/1
N/A
0/1

0/1

0/1
0/1
0/1

30

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance Report 
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

Code Provision A.2.1 of the CG Code requires the roles of the chairman and chief executive should be separate 
and  should  not  be  performed  by  the  same  individual.  The  Company  had  deviated  from  the  requirement 
during  the  year  ended  31  December  2020.  Mr.  Liu  Zhiyi  (“Mr.  Liu”),  a  former  Executive  Director  of  the 
Company,  had  served  both  roles  of  the  chairman  and  chief  executive  officer  until  30  June  2020.  Following 
the  resignation  of  Mr.  Liu  on  30  June  2020,  the  positions  of  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer have been left vacant, the Company is still looking for suitable candidates to fill the vacancies of such 
positions.  Currently,  the  day-to-day  management  responsibilities  are  taken  up  by  the  Executive  Directors 
of  the  Company;  and  the  overall  direction  and  strategy  of  the  businesses  of  the  Group  are  decided  by 
the  agreement  of  the  Board.  There  are  three  Independent  Non-executive  Directors  on  the  Board  offering 
independent  and  differing  perspectives.  The  Board  is  therefore  of  the  view  that  there  are  adequate  balance 
of  power  and  safeguards  in  place  to  enable  the  Company  to  make  and  implement  decisions  promptly  and 
effectively.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

According  to  the  CG  Code,  the  non-executive  directors  should  be  appointed  for  a  specific  term  and  subject 
to  re-election.  Currently,  all  the  Independent  Non-executive  Directors  are  appointed  for  a  term  of  twelve-
month  period  which  automatically  renews  for  successive  twelve-month  periods  unless  terminated  by  either 
party in writing prior to the expiry of the term. All the Independent Non-executive Directors are also subject 
to retirement by rotation and re-election at least once every three years at the annual general meetings of the 
Company in accordance with the Company’s Bye-laws.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

The  Remuneration  Committee  has  specific  written  terms  of  reference  that  is  in  compliance  with  the  CG 
Code.  As  at  the  date  of  this  annual  report,  the  Remuneration  Committee  comprises  three  Independent 
Non-executive Directors, namely Mr. Pun Chi Ping, Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine and Mr. Kwong Tin Lap. Mr. Pun 
Chi Ping is the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

The  Remuneration  Committee  is  mainly  responsible  for  formulating  the  remuneration  policy,  reviewing 
and  recommending  to  the  Board  the  annual  remuneration  policy  and  the  remuneration  of  the  directors. 
The  overriding  objective  of  the  remuneration  policy  is  to  ensure  that  the  Group  is  able  to  attract,  retain  and 
motivate  a  high-caliber  team  which  is  essential  to  the  success  of  the  Group.  The  full  terms  of  reference  are 
available on the Company’s website and the Stock Exchange’s website.

31

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportREMUNERATION COMMITTEE (continued)

The Remuneration Committee met once during the year ended 31 December 2020 to review the remuneration 
packages for directors. The attendance of each member is set out as follows:

Members

Number of attendance

Mr. Pun Chi Ping 
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine 
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

NOMINATION COMMITTEE 

1/1
1/1
1/1

The  Nomination  Committee  has  specific  written  terms  of  reference  that  is  in  compliance  with  the  CG  Code. 
As at the date of this annual report, the Nomination Committee comprises three Independent Non-executive 
Directors,  namely  Mr.  Pun  Chi  Ping,  Ms.  Leung  Pik  Har,  Christine  and  Mr.  Kwong  Tin  Lap.  Ms.  Leung  Pik  Har, 
Christine is the Chairlady of the Nomination Committee.

The  Nomination  Committee  is  mainly  responsible  for  identifying  potential  directors  and  making 
recommendations to the Board on the appointment or re-appointment of directors of the Company. Potential 
new  directors  are  selected  on  the  basis  of  their  qualifications,  skills  and  experience  that  he/she  could  add 
value to the management through his/her contributions in the relevant strategic business areas. The full terms 
of reference are available on the Company’s website and the Stock Exchange’s website.

The Nomination Committee met once during the year ended 31 December 2020 to review the independence 
of independent non-executive directors, review the structure, size and composition of the Board; and review 
and  make  recommendations  to  the  Board  on  the  re-election  of  directors.  The  attendance  of  each  member  is 
set out as follows:

Members

Number of attendance

Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Pun Chi Ping 
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap 

1/1
1/1
1/1

32

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance Report 
 
BOARD DIVERSITY POLICY

The Company recognises the benefits of having a diverse Board to enhance the quality of its performance and 
has adopted the board diversity policy (the “Board Diversity Policy”). The Board Diversity Policy sets out that 
in determining the optimum composition of the Board, differences in skills, regional and industry experience, 
background,  race,  gender  and  other  qualities  of  directors  shall  be  considered.  All  Board  appointments  are 
made  on  merits,  in  the  context  of  skills  and  experience  the  Board  as  a  whole  requires,  with  due  regard  to 
the  benefits  of  diversity  of  the  Board,  and  the  Nomination  Committee  shall  review  and  assess  the  Board 
composition  and  its  effectiveness  on  an  annual  basis.  When  there  is  vacancy  on  Board,  the  Nomination 
Committee will recommend suitable candidates for appointment to the Board on merits, based on the terms 
of reference of the Nomination Committee, with due regard to the Company’s own circumstances.

NOMINATION POLICY

The  Board  has  adopted  a  nomination  policy  (the  “Nomination  Policy”)  setting  out  the  principles  which 
guide  the  Nomination  Committee  to  identify  and  evaluate  a  candidate  for  nomination  to  (i)  the  Board  for 
appointment; and (ii) the shareholders for election as a director of the Company. According to the Nomination 
Policy,  in  assessing  the  suitability  of  a  proposed  candidate,  the  Board  shall  take  into  account  among  other 
things,  the  following  factors:  (i)  qualifications,  professional  experience,  skills  and  knowledge  relevant  to  the 
businesses  of  the  Group;  (ii)  commitment  in  respect  of  available  time  and  relevant  interest;  (iii)  diversity 
perspectives  set  out  in  the  Board  Diversity  Policy;  (iv)  in  case  of  independent  non-executive  directors, 
regulatory  requirement  for  appointment  of  independent  non-executive  directors  and  the  independence 
criteria set out in the Listing Rules; and (v) any other factors that the Board considers appropriate.

For  filling  a  casual  vacancy  or  as  an  addition  to  the  existing  Board,  the  Nomination  Committee  shall  make 
recommendations for the Board’s consideration and approval. For proposing candidates to stand for election 
at  a  general  meeting,  the  Nomination  Committee  shall  make  nominations  to  the  Board  for  its  consideration 
and recommendation. On making recommendation, the Nomination Committee may submit to the Board for 
consideration a proposal comprising, inter alia, the personal profile of the proposed candidate, which contains 
at  least  the  candidate’s  information  required  to  be  disclosed  under  Rule  13.51  of  the  Listing  Rules.  The 
Board  shall  be  vested  with  power  to  make  the  final  decision  on  all  matters  relating  to  the  recommendation 
of  candidates  (i)  for  appointment;  and  (ii)  for  standing  for  election  at  a  general  meeting  as  a  director  of  the 
Company.

The Nomination Committee will review the Board Diversity Policy and the Nomination Policy from time to time 
to ensure that the polices will be implemented effectively.

33

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportAUDITOR AND AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION 

The  statement  of  the  external  auditor  of  the  Company  about  their  responsibilities  on  the  Company’s 
consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  is  set  out  in  the  “Independent 
Auditor’s Report” on pages 58 to 64 of this annual report.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  remuneration  payable  to  the  Company’s  auditor,  Moore  Stephens 
CPA  Limited,  for  the  provision  of  audit  services  was  HK$850,000.  During  the  year,  HK$178,000  was  paid  as 
remuneration to Moore Stephens CPA Limited for the provision of non-audit related services.

AUDIT COMMITTEE 

The  Audit  Committee  has  specific  written  terms  of  reference  that  is  in  compliance  with  the  CG  Code.  As  at 
the  date  of  this  annual  report,  the  Audit  Committee  comprises  three  Independent  Non-executive  Directors, 
namely Mr. Pun Chi Ping, Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine and Mr. Kwong Tin Lap, who among themselves possess 
a wealth of management experience in the accounting profession and in commercial fields. Mr. Pun Chi Ping is 
the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

The  Audit  Committee  is  mainly  responsible  for  reviewing  financial  statements  of  the  Company,  discussing 
the  risk  management  and  internal  control  of  the  Group  and  meeting  with  the  auditor  of  the  Company.  Any 
findings and recommendations of the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Board for consideration.

The Audit Committee is authorised by the Board to investigate any activity within its terms of reference. It is 
authorised to seek any information it requires from any employee. It is also authorised to obtain outside legal 
or other independent professional advice and to secure the attendance of outsiders with relevant experience 
and expertise if it considers necessary. The full terms of reference are available on the Company’s website and 
the Stock Exchange’s website.

The  Audit  Committee  met  twice  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  and  the  attendance  of  each 
member is set out as follows:

Members

Number of attendance

Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine 
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap 

2/2
2/2
2/2

34

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance Report 
AUDIT COMMITTEE (continued)

The following is a summary of work performed by the Audit Committee during the year:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

reviewed  and  discussed  the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company  for  the  year 
ended 31 December 2019 and recommended to the Board for approval;

reviewed  and  discussed  the  unaudited  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company 
for the six months ended 30 June 2020 and recommended to the Board for approval;

reviewed and discussed with the management and the auditor of the Company the accounting policies 
and practices which may affect the Group and the scope of the audit;

reviewed report from the auditor of the Company regarding their audit on the Company’s consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019;

5. 

reviewed the effectiveness of the risk management and internal control systems of the Group; and

6.  

reviewed and approved the remuneration and the terms of engagement of the Company’s auditor; and 
reviewed and made recommendations to the Board on the re-appointment of the Company’s auditor.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

The  Board  has  delegated  the  corporate  governance  duties  to  the  Corporate  Governance  Committee.  The 
Corporate  Governance  Committee  has  specific  written  terms  of  reference  that  includes  the  corporate 
governance functions set out in the CG Code. As at the date of this annual report, the Corporate Governance 
Committee comprises three members, including two Executive Directors, namely Mr. Sue Ka Lok and Mr. Chan 
Shui Yuen, and one Independent Non-executive Director, namely Mr. Kwong Tin Lap. Mr. Kwong Tin Lap is the 
Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee.

The  main  responsibilities  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Committee  are  (i)  to  develop  and  review  the  Group’s 
policies  and  practices  on  corporate  governance  and  make  recommendations  to  the  Board;  (ii)  to  review  and 
monitor  the  training  and  continuous  professional  development  of  directors  and  senior  management;  (iii)  to 
review and monitor the Group’s policies and practices on compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; 
(iv) to develop, review and monitor the code of conduct and compliance manual applicable to the employees 
and  directors  of  the  Group;  and  (v)  to  review  the  Group’s  compliance  with  the  CG  Code  and  disclosure 
requirements in the Corporate Governance Report. The full terms of reference are available on the Company’s 
website and the Stock Exchange’s website.

35

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportCORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE (continued)

The  Corporate  Governance  Committee  met  once  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  to  review  the 
training and continuous professional development of directors; and the Group’s compliance with the CG Code. 
The attendance of each member is set out as follows:

Members

Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
Mr. Sue Ka Lok 
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen 

Number of attendance

1/1
1/1
1/1

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  Directors  acknowledge  their  responsibility  for  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for 
the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  which  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  state  of  affairs  of  the  Company 
and  of  the  Group  at  that  date  and  of  the  Group’s  results  and  cash  flows  for  the  year  then  ended  and  are 
properly prepared on the going concern basis in accordance with the statutory requirements and applicable 
accounting standards.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL

The  Board  acknowledges  its  responsibility  for  the  risk  management  and  internal  control  systems  and 
reviewing  their  effectiveness.  The  systems  are  designed  to  identifying,  analysing,  evaluating  and  mitigating 
risk exposures that may impact the continued efficiency and effectiveness of the operation of the Group. The 
goal of the risk management and internal control mechanism is to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
fulfilment of corporate development strategies and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or 
loss.

Effective  risk  management  is  essential  in  the  long-term  growth  and  sustainability  of  the  Group’s  businesses. 
The Board monitors the risk management and internal control systems on an ongoing basis. It has evaluated 
and  determined  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  risks  it  is  willing  to  take  in  achieving  the  strategic  objectives. 
An  annual  review  of  effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  risk  management  and  internal  control  systems  has  been 
conducted. The annual review ensured the adequacy of resources, staff qualifications and experience, training 
programmes and budget of the Group’s accounting, internal audit and financial reporting functions.

The  process  used  to  identify,  evaluate  and  manage  the  significant  risks  of  the  Group  is  embedded  in  the 
Group’s  normal  business  operations.  Organisational  structure  is  well  established  with  clearly  defined 
authorities  and  responsibilities,  and  the  Group  has  developed  various  risk  management  and  internal  control 
policies  and  procedures  for  each  business  unit  to  follow.  Business  units  are  responsible  for  identifying, 
assessing  and  monitoring  risks  associated  with  their  respective  units  regularly.  The  results  of  assessment  are 
reported to the management which subsequently assesses the likelihood of risk occurrence, provides remedial 
plan  and  monitors  the  progress  of  rectification  with  the  assistance  of  the  head  of  the  business  units.  The 
results  and  effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  risk  management  and  internal  controls  have  been  reported  to  the 
Audit Committee.

36

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance Report 
RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL (continued)

Guidelines  are  provided  to  the  directors,  officers,  management  and  relevant  staff  in  handling  and 
disseminating sensitive and confidential inside information with due care. Only personnel at appropriate level 
can get reach of the sensitive and confidential inside information.

The  Group  does  not  have  an  internal  audit  function  due  to  the  size  of  the  Group  and  consideration  for  cost 
effectiveness.  Instead,  the  Company  has  engaged  an  external  consultant  to  conduct  review  on  the  Group’s 
risk  management  and  internal  control  systems  to  identify  and  evaluate  significant  risks  of  the  business 
operations. The Board believes that the involvement of the external consultant could enhance the objectivity 
and  transparency  of  evaluation  process.  The  external  consultant  has  conducted  an  annual  review  to  identify 
risks  that  potentially  impact  the  businesses,  key  operational  and  financial  processes,  regulatory  compliance 
and  information  security  of  the  Group,  and  assess  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  the  risk  management 
and  internal  control  systems  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020.  The  review  covered  all  material 
controls,  including  financial,  operational  and  compliance  controls.  After  the  review,  a  report  of  findings  and 
recommendations for improvement in relation to the systems has been provided to the Audit Committee and 
the management. The internal audit report has been endorsed by the Audit Committee and the management 
is required to establish remedial plans and take required actions to rectify those internal control deficiencies 
identified  (which  are  all  at  low  to  medium  risk  level)  according  to  the  respective  risk  level  and  priorities. 
Subsequent  review  will  be  performed  by  the  external  consultant  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  those 
agreed recommendations and to report the results of the follow-up review to the Audit Committee.

The Board is not aware of any significant internal control and risk management weaknesses or inconsistencies 
with  the  risk  management  policies  of  the  Group,  and  considers  the  existing  risk  management  and  internal 
control  systems  effective  and  adequate  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020.  The  Company  has  complied 
with the relevant code provisions of the CG Code relating to risk management and internal control.

COMPANY SECRETARY 

Mr.  Chan  Shui  Yuen  (“Mr.  Chan”),  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Company,  was  appointed  the  Company 
Secretary  on  10  November  2017.  The  biographical  details  of  Mr.  Chan  are  set  out  under  the  section  headed 
“Biographical Details of Directors and Senior Management” on pages 18 to 20 of this annual report. Mr. Chan 
has taken no less than 15 hours of the relevant professional training during the year ended 31 December 2020.

37

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportSHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

Procedures for shareholders to convene a special general meeting

In  accordance  with  bye-law  64  of  the  Company’s  Bye-laws,  the  Board  may,  whenever  it  thinks  fit,  convene 
a  special  general  meeting,  and  special  general  meetings  shall  also  be  convened  on  requisition,  as  provided 
by  the  Companies  Act  1981  of  Bermuda  (the  “Companies  Act”)  and  in  default,  may  be  convened  by  the 
requisitionists. Pursuant to the Companies Act, shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition 
not less than one-tenth of the paid up capital of the Company carrying the right of voting at general meetings 
of the Company shall at all times have the right, by written requisition to the Board or the Company Secretary 
of  the  Company,  to  require  a  special  general  meeting  to  be  called  by  the  Board  for  the  transaction  of  any 
business  specified  in  such  requisition.  If  the  Board  does  not  within  twenty-one  days  from  the  date  of  the 
deposit of the requisition proceed duly to convene a meeting, the requisitionists, or any of them representing 
more  than  one  half  of  the  total  voting  rights  of  all  of  them,  may  themselves  convene  a  meeting,  but  any 
meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three months from the said date in accordance 
with the provisions of Section 74(3) of the Companies Act.

Procedures for shareholders to put forward proposals at general meetings

Pursuant to the Companies Act, any number of shareholders representing not less than one-twentieth of the 
total voting rights of all the shareholders having at the date of the requisition a right to vote at the meeting to 
which the requisition relates; or not less than one hundred shareholders, can request the Company in writing 
to:

(a) 

(b) 

give  to  shareholders  of  the  Company  entitled  to  receive  notice  of  the  next  annual  general  meeting 
notice  of  any  resolution  which  may  properly  be  moved  and  is  intended  to  be  moved  at  that  meeting; 
and

circulate to shareholders of the Company entitled to have notice of any general meeting send to them 
any  statement  of  not  more  than  one  thousand  words  with  respect  to  the  matter  referred  to  in  any 
proposed resolution or the business to be dealt with at that meeting.

The  requisition  must  be  deposited  to  the  Company  not  less  than  six  weeks  before  the  meeting  in  case  of  a 
requisition requiring notice of a resolution or not less than one week before the meeting in case of any other 
requisition.

38

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportSHAREHOLDER RIGHTS (continued)

Procedures for shareholders to propose a person for election as a director of the Company

According to bye-law 104 of the Company’s Bye-laws, no person other than a director retiring at the general 
meeting  of  the  Company  shall,  unless  recommended  by  the  directors  for  election,  be  eligible  for  election  as 
a  director  at  any  general  meeting  of  the  Company  unless  a  notice  signed  by  a  shareholder  of  the  Company 
(other  than  the  person  to  be  proposed)  duly  qualified  to  attend  and  vote  at  the  general  meeting  of  the 
Company  for  which  such  notice  is  given  of  his/her  intention  to  propose  such  person  for  election  and  also  a 
notice signed by the person to be proposed of his/her willingness to be elected shall have been lodged at the 
Company’s principal place of business in Hong Kong or at the Company’s branch share registrar and transfer 
office  in  Hong  Kong,  Tricor  Tengis  Limited  provided  that  the  minimum  length  of  the  period,  during  which 
such notice(s) are given, shall be at least seven days and that the period for lodgement of such notice(s) shall 
commence  no  earlier  than  the  day  after  the  despatch  of  the  notice  of  the  general  meeting  and  end  no  later 
than seven days prior to the date of such general meeting.

Procedures for directing shareholders’ enquiries to the Board

Shareholders  may  at  any  time  send  their  enquiries  and  concerns  in  writing  to  the  Company  Secretary  of  the 
Company  at  the  Company’s  principal  place  of  business  in  Hong  Kong  at  Room  2107,  21st  Floor,  Great  Eagle 
Centre, 23 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

INVESTOR RELATIONS

The  Company  has  established  a  range  of  communication  channels  between  itself  and  its  shareholders, 
investors and other stakeholders. These include the annual general meetings, the annual and interim reports, 
notices, announcements and circulars and the Company’s website at www.epiholdings.com.

DIVIDEND POLICY

According  to  the  dividend  policy  adopted  by  the  Company,  in  deciding  whether  to  propose  a  dividend  and 
in  determining  the  dividend  amount,  the  Board  shall  take  into  account  among  other  things,  the  following 
factors:  (i)  the  actual  and  expected  financial  performance  of  the  Group;  (ii)  the  retained  earnings  and 
distributable  reserves  of  the  Group;  (iii)  the  expected  working  capital  requirements  and  future  expansion 
plans  of  the  Group;  (iv)  the  liquidity  position  of  the  Group;  and  (v)  any  other  factors  that  the  Board  deems 
appropriate. The declaration and payment of dividends by the Company shall be determined at the sole and 
absolute  discretion  of  the  Board  and  is  also  subject  to  compliance  with  all  applicable  laws  and  regulations 
including the Companies Act and the Company’s Bye-laws.

39

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Corporate Governance ReportOVERVIEW

The  Board  of  EPI  (Holdings)  Limited  is  pleased  to  present  this  Environmental,  Social  and  Governance 
(the  “ESG”)  report  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  “Group”  or  “we”  or 
“our”)  which  summarises  the  efforts  and  achievements  made  by  the  Group  in  corporate  responsibility  and 
sustainable development.

The Board is responsible for the Group’s ESG strategy and reporting, evaluating and determining the Group’s 
ESG-related  risks,  and  ensuring  that  appropriate  and  effective  ESG  risk  management  and  internal  control 
systems  are  in  place.  In  order  to  determine  the  ESG  reporting  scopes,  the  key  management  personnel 
has  discussed  internally  and  identified  the  environmental,  social  and  operating  items,  and  assessed  their 
importance to the stakeholders and the Group. The summary of material ESG items are listed out in this report.

REPORT SCOPE AND BOUNDARIES

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guide 
and complied under the “comply or explain” provision set out in Appendix 27 to the Listing Rules. Information 
relating to the Group’s corporate governance aspect is set out in the “Corporate Governance Report” on pages 
28  to  39  of  this  annual  report.  This  ESG  Report  mainly  covers  the  petroleum  exploration  and  production, 
money lending and investment in securities businesses of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2020.

A. 

STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT

The  Group  is  committed  to  maintaining  the  sustainable  development  of  its  business  and  providing 
support  to  environmental  protection  and  the  community  in  which  it  operates.  The  Group  maintains 
a  close  tie  with  its  stakeholders,  including  government/regulatory  organisations,  shareholders/
investors,  employees,  customers,  suppliers,  community  etc.  and  strives  to  balance  their  opinions  and 
interests  through  constructive  communications  in  order  to  determine  the  directions  of  its  sustainable 
development.  The  Group  assesses  and  determines  its  environmental,  social  and  governance  risks,  and 
ensures  that  the  relevant  risk  management  and  internal  control  systems  are  operating  properly  and 
effectively.

The following table contains the main expectations and concerns of the key stakeholders, as identified 
by the Group, and the corresponding management response:

Stakeholders

Expectations and Concerns

Management Response

Government/
regulatory 
organisations

   Compliance with laws 
and regulations

   Uphold integrity and compliance in 

operations

   Fulfill tax obligation

   Pay tax on time in return contributing to the 

  

Joint efforts in 
combating the 
coronavirus disease 
(“COVID-19”)

society

   Establish comprehensive and effective 

internal control system

   Follow the government’s COVID-19 

prevention measures and guidelines to 
prevent the spread of COVID-19

40

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportStakeholders

Expectations and Concerns

Management Response

Shareholders/
investors

   Return on investment

  

Information 
transparency

   Corporate governance 

system

   Management possesses experience and 
professional knowledge in business 
sustainability

   Regular information dissemination via 

publications on the websites of the Stock 
Exchange and the Company

   Dedicated to improvement of internal control 

system and focus on risk management

Employees

	Labour rights

   Set up contractual obligations to protect 

   Career development

   Compensation and 

welfare

   Health and workplace 

safety

  

Joint efforts in 
combating COVID-19

Customers

   High quality products 
and customer services

labour rights

   Encourage employees to participate in 
continuous education and professional 
trainings to enhance competency

   Establish fair, reasonable and competitive 

remuneration scheme

   Pay attention to occupational health and 

workplace safety

   Provide epidemic prevention materials

   Provide high quality products and services 
continuously in order to maintain customer 
satisfaction

   Ensure proper contractual obligations are in 

place

Suppliers

  

Integrity

   Ensure the performance of contractual 

   Corporate reputation

obligations

   Establish policy and procedures regarding 

supply chain management

   Stringent selection of suppliers

Community

   Environmental 
protection

   Pay attention to climate change

   Strengthen management in energy saving 

   Reduce greenhouse gas 

and emission reduction

emissions

   Effective resources 

utilisation

   Community 
contribution

   Economic development

  

Joint efforts in 
combating COVID-19

   Encourage employees to actively participate 
in charitable activities and voluntary services

   Ensure good and stable financial performance 

and business growth

   Follow the government’s COVID-19 

prevention measures and guidelines to 
prevent the spread of COVID-19

41

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportB.  MATERIALITY MATRIX

During the reporting period, the Group has evaluated a number of environmental, social and operating 
items,  and  assessed  their  importance  to  stakeholders  and  the  Group  through  various  channels.  This 
assessment  helps  to  ensure  that  the  Group’s  business  objectives  and  development  direction  are  in 
line  with  the  stakeholders’  expectations  and  requirements.  The  Group’s  and  stakeholders’  matters  of 
concern are presented in the following materiality matrix:

   Anti-discrimination 

   Talent management

Materiality Matrix

   Staff training 

and promotion 
opportunity

   Customers’ 
satisfaction

   Product and customer 

service quality

   Staff compensation 

   Suppliers 

and welfare

management

   Occupational health 
and workplace safety

   Anti-corruption 
measures

   Operational 
compliance

   Air and greenhouse 
gas emissions

   Energy conservation 

measures

   Client’s privacy 

measures and 
protection

measures

  

Labour rights 
protection

h
g
H

i

m    Community 
contribution

u

i

d
e
M

w
o
L

   Product safety

   Preventive measures 
for child and forced 
labour

   Water resources 
utilisation

   Generation of  
non-hazardous 
wastes

Low

Medium

High

Importance to the Group

   Environmental

   Employee

   Operation

s
r
e
d

l

o
h
e
k
a
t
S
o
t
e
c
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I

42

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance Report 
 
C. 

ENVIRONMENTAL

The  Group  has  commenced  its  petroleum  exploration  and  production  business  since  the  end  of  2009. 
Save for the matters in relation to the termination of the CHE Concession in March 2021 as detailed in 
the “Management Discussion and Analysis” on pages 6 to 17 of this annual report, during the reporting 
period, the Group continued to engage in petroleum exploration and production in the CHE Concession 
situated  at  the  Cuyana  Basin,  Mendoza  Province  of  Argentina.  Chañares  Energía  S.A.  (“Chañares”) 
was  the  concessionaire  of  the  CHE  Concession  (the  “Concessionaire”).  According  to  the  agreements 
signed  between  the  Group  and  Chañares,  the  Group  had  the  right  to  drill  new  wells  and  performed 
workover on its existing oil wells. Chañares also acted as the operator of the CHE Concession. Once the 
Group completed drilling a well which was ready for production, Chañares would check to confirm the 
conditions and be responsible for the crude oil production and field operation.

As  the  Concessionaire  and  operator  of  the  CHE  Concession,  Chañares  was  responsible  to  comply  with 
rules  and  regulations  relating  to  environmental  protection,  labour,  hydrocarbon  and  oil  industry  in 
Argentina.

During the reporting period, crude oil after processing was delivered to the collection point and sold to 
our major customer, YPF S.A. (a state-owned petroleum company) and a small quantity of crude oil was 
sold to the local refining companies. Chañares had been handling the above sales process for the Group 
and charging the Group for handling fees.

Our  daily  works  in  the  oil  field  mainly  included  monitoring  and  controlling  the  production  process 
performed by Chañares, and recording the quantity and quality of crude oil produced and sold.

During  the  reporting  period,  the  daily  production  and  sales  processes  of  the  Group’s  petroleum 
exploration  and  production  operation  were  handled  by  Chañares,  and  the  Group  had  not  drilled  any 
new  well  and  performed  any  workover  on  existing  wells  during  the  period.  Accordingly,  the  Group 
did  not  directly  produce  any  air  emissions  and  hazardous  wastes,  and  had  not  directly  caused  any 
significant impact on the environment where the oil field was located.

43

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEnvironmental protection issues relating to the Group's other operations are analysed below:

Emissions and Energy Consumption

The Group has always been committed to assessing and reporting its carbon footprint to the public. As 
the  Group’s  other  operations  mainly  operate  in  an  office  setting,  the  major  environmental  impact  are 
greenhouse  gas  and  air  emissions  generated  by  electricity,  natural  gas  and  fuel  consumption  of  office 
vehicles.  The  Group’s  operating  initiatives  are  to  reduce  the  emission  of  carbon  dioxide  generated  in 
its  business  activities.  Therefore,  the  Group  focuses  on  carrying  out  various  energy  saving  measures 
to  minimise  the  impact  on  the  environment  resulted  from  the  emissions.  During  the  reporting  period, 
the  Group  produced  40.14  Carbon  Dioxide  Equivalent  (“CO2e”)  tonnes  of  greenhouse  gas  (“GHG”) 
emission, including 13.60 CO2e tonnes of Scope 1 GHG emissions and 26.54 CO2e tonnes of Scope 2 GHG 
emissions.

The greenhouse gas emission from the operation has been calculated and measured as follows:

2020

2019

Scope 1 – Direct Emission

Consumption

Carbon 
Dioxide 
Equivalent 
Emission
(in tonne)

Consumption

Gasoline and diesel

5,010 Liters

13.60

10,198 Liters

Intensity (per employee):

167 Liters

0.45

208 Liters

Carbon 
Dioxide 
Equivalent 
Emission
(in tonne)

30.53

0.62

44

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emissions and Energy Consumption (continued)

2020

2019

Scope 2 – Indirect Emission

Consumption

Electricity
Natural gas

29,224 kWh
2,689,776 Liters

Intensity (per employee):
Electricity
Natural gas

974 kWh
89,659 Liters

Carbon 
Dioxide 
Equivalent 
Emission
 (in tonne)

20.76
5.78

26.54

0.69
0.19

0.88

Consumption

35,702 kWh
2,943,744 Liters

729 kWh
60,076 Liters

Carbon 
Dioxide 
Equivalent 
Emission 
(in tonne)

27.07
6.98

34.05

0.55
0.14

0.69

Fuel Consumption

The Group has established policies relating to business vehicles such as restricting their use, eliminating 
excessive  fuel  consumption,  and  regular  vehicle  inspection  and  maintenance.  Owing  to  the  COVID-19 
pandemic, the Group’s offices in Argentina and the PRC had been temporarily closed and the use of the 
Group’s  vehicles  had  been  greatly  reduced,  coupled  with  the  fact  that  there  were  much  less  business 
travellings  when  employees  were  required  to  work  from  home,  there  was  a  significant  drop  of  the 
Group’s  fuel  consumption  by  5,188  liters  or  50.87%  when  compared  to  the  consumption  in  2019,  and 
that  CO2e  emissions  also  decreased.  During  the  reporting  period,  the  Nitrogen  Oxides  (“NOX”),  Sulphur 
Oxides (“SOX”) and Particulate Matters (“PM”) emitted by vehicles used by the Group accounted for 8.83 
kilograms,  0.07  kilograms,  0.76  kilograms  respectively,  compared  to  18.34  kilograms,  0.15  kilograms, 
1.61 kilograms in 2019.

45

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emissions and Energy Consumption (Continued)

Natural Gas Consumption

The Group’s office in Argentina mainly uses natural gas for heating. To minimise gas consumption, the 
Group reminds its employees to turn off the heater after work; conducts regular inspection and carries 
out corrective repairs and maintenance for the equipment and pipelines to enhance thermal efficiency 
of  natural  gas.  In  2020,  mainly  due  to  the  adoption  of  remote  work  policy,  natural  gas  consumption 
decreased by 8.63% to 2,689,776 liters when compared to 2019, and that CO2e emission also decreased.

Electricity Consumption

The  Group  encourages  its  employees  to  change  their  habit  of  using  electrical  appliances;  and 
introduced  control  measures  include  switching  off  lightings,  air-conditioners,  computers,  personal 
electronic  devices  and  office  equipment  after  work  and/or  when  they  are  idle;  as  well  as  turning 
on  power  saving  mode  for  all  appliances.  The  Group  also  aims  to  keep  all  electronic  appliances 
well-maintained  so  as  to  extend  the  life  of  the  equipment.  The  Group  also  focuses  on  nurturing 
and  strengthening  its  employee’s  awareness  of  environmental  protection  in  their  daily  work  and 
participating in energy-saving and emission-reduction activities. During the year, mainly resulting from 
the  temporary  closure  of  the  Group’s  office  in  the  PRC  due  to  the  pandemic,  the  Group’s  electricity 
consumption  decreased  by  6,478  kilowatt  hours  (“kWh”)  or  18.14%  when  compared  to  2019,  and 
consumed electricity of 29,224 kWh during the reporting period.

Water Consumption

The  Group  does  not  face  any  water  supply  problem  as  it  is  provided  by  the  municipals  to  the  office 
buildings  where  the  Group’s  offices  are  located;  and  regularly  orders  drinking  water  from  external 
suppliers to eliminate the use of electricity in running water supply systems. Although the Group does 
not have full controls over water supply, it recognises the scarcity of resources the environment could 
offer and always encourages its staff members to cherish water usage, such as putting up “save water” 
sign in the prominent places in the pantry and toilets as a reminder. The amount of water consumption 
was  99  tonnes  in  2020,  decreased  by  50  tonnes  or  33.56%  as  compared  to  149  tonnes  in  2019.  The 
decrease  in  water  consumption  was  mainly  due  to  the  ”work  from  home“  policy  in  Argentina  and  the 
PRC during the pandemic period.

Waste Reduction

The  Group  does  not  generate  any  hazardous  waste.  Waste  management  mainly  involves  recycling 
waste  papers  and  collection  of  domestic  wastes.  During  the  reporting  period,  the  Group  consumed 
0.64  tonne  of  paper,  representing  a  decrease  of  29.67%  from  consumption  of  0.91  tonne  in  2019, 
mainly  resulting  from  the  ”work  from  home“  policy  in  Argentina  and  the  PRC  during  the  pandemic 
period. In addition to our energy conservation practices, the Group has introduced measures to reduce 
wastes  production.  The  Group  encourages  its  employees  to  read  documents  in  electronic  format,  to 
consider  the  environment  before  printing,  to  despatch  memos  and  announcements  via  emails,  to 
preview document layout, to print documents on both sides of the papers, and to use recycled papers 
for  financial  reports  printing  and  promoting  “green  office”  concepts  in  the  office.  Clearly  labelled 
recycling  bins  are  provided  to  collect  waste  papers,  plastic  bottles,  ink  cartridges,  etc.  The  Group  also 
encourages its employees to reduce use of non-recyclable materials to minimise the adverse impact on 
the environment.

46

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportThe Environment and Natural Resources

Other  than  the  Group’s  petroleum  exploration  and  production  operation  in  Argentina,  the  Group’s 
other operations do not have significant impact on the environment and natural resources. The Group 
has  always  been  actively  bringing  the  sense  of  environmental  responsibility  into  its  daily  operations, 
and  encourages  staff  to  adopt  environmentally  responsible  behaviour  and  raise  awareness  of 
environmental protection. As mentioned in the above sections, the Company has implemented various 
measures to reduce energy consumption, protect water resources and reduce waste.

Compliance

During  the  reporting  period,  the  Group  did  not  involve  in  any  non-compliance  incidents  relating  to 
environmental  protection.  In  addition,  the  Group  did  not  involve  in  any  non-compliance  in  relation  to 
air  and  greenhouse  gas  emissions,  discharge  into  water  and  land,  and  generation  of  hazardous  and 
non-hazardous waste.

D. 

SOCIAL

Connecting  with  the  right  people,  building  social  capital  and  relationships,  showing  appreciation  to 
staff members, vendors and customers who keep the business running are the cornerstones of business 
success.

Employment and Labour Practices

Employment

Our  employees  are  critical  for  our  operations.  We  always  view  employees  as  the  core  asset  of  the 
Group  for  establishing  the  foundation  of  success  and  long-term  development.  When  we  formulate 
human  resources  strategies,  we  devote  to  create  an  equitable,  non-discriminatory  and  safe  working 
environment.  We  strive  to  build  a  harmonious  working  environment  for  our  employees  based  on 
mutual  respect,  trust,  impartiality,  transparency  and  truthfulness,  dynamism  and  teamwork  to 
encourage  creativity,  flexibility  and  commitment  to  accomplish  our  corporate  mission.  We  provide 
equal  opportunities  to  employees  to  capture,  promote  and  retain  talents  and  promote  personal  and 
professional  growth  by  offering  them  attractive  and  commensurate  remuneration  packages  as  well 
as  providing  various  career  development  training.  Ongoing  education  and  training  for  employees 
in  relation  to  ethical  conduct,  roles  and  responsibilities,  specific  skills  and  technological  and  market 
development are very important to nurturing talents, as are performance feedback and appraisals from 
direct manager to uncover potentials of employees and offering competitive compensation packages to 
retain  competent  staff.  In  addition,  we  strictly  comply  with  the  relevant  laws  and  regulations  in  hiring 
employees.

47

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Employment (continued)

The  Group  has  observed  the  applicable  laws  and  regulations  of  each  business  location  relating 
to  compensation  and  dismissal,  recruitment  and  promotion,  working  hours,  rest  periods,  equal 
opportunities,  diversity,  anti-discrimination,  and  other  benefits  and  welfare,  and  always  follows  the 
principles of fairness, equality, competitiveness and non-discrimination to hire outstanding talents. We 
devote  to  protect  human  right  and  privacy  of  employees.  We  select  the  best  qualified  candidates  by 
considering various criteria such as education background, relevant working experiences, demonstrated 
knowledge,  competencies  and  skills,  desirable  personal  traits,  physical  fitness  and  development 
potential.

The Group gives equal opportunity for employment to all individuals, regardless of their race, religion, 
colour, nationality, age, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. This fair treatment policy 
applies  to  all  phases  of  the  employment  relationships,  including  but  not  limited  to  hiring,  promotion, 
dismissal,  personal  development  opportunities  and  determining  wages  and  benefits.  Diversity  is  the 
strength  of  the  Group.  Every  employee  must  respect  the  people  and  cultures  with  whom  or  in  which 
they work. As an organisation, we seek diversity at all levels and expect a work environment in which all 
employees  can  develop  and  contribute  to  their  full  potential.  We  hope  to  achieve  a  win-win  situation 
through joint development of employees and the Group.

Workforce

The composition of the Group’s directors and employees is analysed by gender, employment type, age 
group and geographical region as follows:

(i) 

Percentage of Directors and Full-time Employees by Gender

2020

2019

47%

53%

45%

55%

Male

Female

Male

Female

Note:  The  analysis  for  Percentage  of  Directors  and  Full-time  Employees  by  Gender  was  based  on  the 

number of directors and full-time employees.

48

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Workforce (continued)

(ii) 

Percentage of Directors and Employees by Employment Type

2020

6%

94%

2019

2%

98%

Full-time

Part-time

Full-time

Part-time

(iii)  Percentage of Directors and Full-time Employees by Age Group

2020

10%

40%

33%

17%

2019

2020

16%

15%

29%

28%

30%

26%

29%

27%

20-30

31-40

41-50

>50

20-30

20-30

31-40

31-40

41-50

41-50

>50

>50

Note:  The  analysis  for  Percentage  of  Directors  and  Full-time  Employees  by  Age  Group  was  based  on  the 

number of directors and full-time employees.

49

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Workforce (continued)

(iv)  Percentage of Directors and Full-time Employees by Geographical Region

2020

13%

23%

64%

2019

14%

31%

55%

Hong Kong

The PRC

Argentina

Hong Kong

The PRC

Argentina

Note:  The analysis for Percentage of Directors and Full-time Employees by Geographical Region was based 

on the number of directors and full-time employees.

The difference between the two years in respect of the employee composition analysis by gender, age 
group and geographical region was mainly due to the decrease in headcourt of the Group’s operation in 
the PRC during the reporting period.

At  31  December  2020,  the  Group  had  30  (2019:  49)  employees  in  total;  19  (2019:  27)  in  Hong  Kong,  4 
(2019: 15) in the PRC and 7 (2019: 7) in Argentina. The employee turnover rate of the Group for 2020 is 
about 38.8% (2019: 26.5%).

50

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Working Hours, Promotion, Termination, Compensation and Other Benefits

To  retain  quality  staff,  we  offer  competitive  remuneration  scheme  and  regularly  evaluate  their  salary 
levels  to  make  sure  that  their  remuneration  packages  are  competitive.  Though  the  remuneration 
scheme  varies  in  different  nations  where  we  operate,  we  strive  to  build  a  fair,  reasonable  and 
competitive  remuneration  scheme.  Staff  salaries  are  determined  based  on  their  knowledge,  skills, 
experience  and  education  background  relevant  to  the  job  requirements.  Basic  remuneration  of  staff 
includes fixed salary, bonuses and paid holidays etc.

Additional  allowances  that  are  also  available  to  the  employees  include  meal  allowance,  overseas 
travelling allowance, education subsidy and gymnastics allowance. Education subsidy includes courses/
modules/seminars  that  are  directly  relevant  to  the  job  and  organised  by  reputable  institutions,  other 
allowances include reimbursement of membership fee to professional institutions which are relevant to 
the job, and birthday celebration for our employees.

In  order  to  enhance  the  quality  of  work  and  competency  of  employees,  the  Group  conducts  periodic 
performance  appraisal  and  fairly  assesses  the  level  of  awards,  salary  adjustment  and/or  promotion 
recommendations  based  on  a  number  of  criteria,  including  working  experience,  seniority,  knowledge 
and skills, performance, contributions etc.

In  compliance  with  the  local  labour  laws,  social  security  laws  and  regulations,  the  Group  operates 
retirement  plans  (pension  schemes  for  employees  in  the  PRC  and  Argentina  and  Mandatory  Provident 
Fund  Scheme  for  employees  in  Hong  Kong).  The  Group  handles  the  dismissal  of  employees  and 
compensates them in accordance with the local laws and regulations.

The  Group  attaches  importance  to  employees’  health  and  work-life  balance.  All  staff  are  expected  to 
discharge  their  job  responsibilities  within  reasonable  work  hours.  In  general,  we  implement  five-day 
work  system  with  40  working  hours  per  week.  All  employees  are  entitled  to  rest  days  and  holidays  in 
accordance  with  applicable  labour  laws  and  regulations.  In  addition  to  national  mandatory  holidays, 
employees  are  entitled  to  annual  leave,  compensated  leave  and  other  compassionate  leave.  Those 
employees  who  have  demonstrable  experience  in  the  oil  industry  are  entitled  to  additional  holidays 
under the laws in Argentina.

In  order  to  improve  employee  job  satisfaction,  to  enhance  the  cohesion  between  employees  and 
help  them  to  build  up  sense  of  belongings,  the  Group  continues  to  optimise  the  annual  performance 
appraisal,  remuneration,  recognition  and  reward  process  to  improve  the  work  environment  and 
organise various recreational activities.

The  Group  did  not  lay  off  any  employees  because  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  in  2020  (except  for  the 
voluntary  resignation  of  employees  of  the  Group’s  operation  in  the  PRC)  and  with  the  compensation 
and  welfare  of  the  employees  remain  unchanged  during  the  reporting  period.  In  order  to  reduce  the 
risk  of  infection,  the  Group  has  adopted  various  preventive  measures  for  the  health  and  safety  of  its 
employees as detailed in the section headed “Health and Safety” below.

51

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Health and Safety

The  Group  always  puts  health  and  safety  of  its  employees  as  its  first  priority,  and  injury  prevention  is 
especially  important  as  part  of  our  management  practices.  The  Group  will  not  compromise  health  or 
safety  in  the  workplace  for  production  or  profit.  It  is  the  goal  of  each  location  to  have  and  maintain  a 
safe  workplace.  Health  and  safety  policies  and  procedures  are  published  for  all  our  plants,  offices  and 
work  sites.  All  employees  must  perform  their  duties  following  the  published  health  and  safety  rules, 
and  must  promptly  report  any  concerns,  safety  violations  or  incidents.  Work  performance  within  the 
operation fields are checked to verify that it is executed safely so as to minimise incidents and potential 
risks.

The Group established strict risk assessment and management policies and procedures to identify and 
minimise  potential  hazard  that  might  lead  to  injury,  illness  or  human  loss  by  providing  staff  training 
and planning in advance for the coordinated action in case of emergency. The policies and procedures 
provide  clear  and  identified  guidelines  for  staff  to  identify  and  assess  risks,  delineate  procedures  for 
handling  situations  involving  security  and  safety  of  workers  and  facilities,  carefully  plan  for  business 
operations  (including  tools  required  for  eliminating  or  controlling  risks)  and  promote  good  working 
atmosphere.  The  Group  aims  to  maintain  and  practice  the  highest  standards  in  terms  of  preventing 
incidents  and  potential  accidents  by  developing  specific  procedures,  as  well  as  identify,  assess  and 
minimise risks by scheduling operations performed in the work field.

We  provide  on-the-job  technical  training  regularly,  arrange  safety  assessment  and  organise 
team-building activities to promote job safety. This is to ensure that our employees are equipped with 
the required knowledge and skills to fulfill their job duties and able to meet the safety standards.

The Group also has insurance policies in place that are in compliance with the Employment Ordinance 
and the common law in Hong Kong, Regulation on Work-related Injury Insurance and Social Insurance 
Law  in  the  PRC  and  Risks  at  Work  Law  in  Argentina  for  injuries  at  work  for  every  employee.  We  care 
about  the  occupational  health  and  safety  programmes  as  they  strengthen  safety  awareness  and 
self-protecting tendencies of employees and maintain a safe production environment.

The  Group  believes  that  good  working  relationship  among  staff  can  minimise  hazards  within  the 
operation  site.  We  set  up  comprehensive  contingency  plan  detailing  the  handling  procedures  for 
different  types  of  contingencies  (fires,  electrical  failure,  flood  and  water  damage,  earthquakes, 
typhoons,  heavy  rains  etc.).  When  a  contingency  occurs,  the  procedure  starts  by  notifying  through 
any  available  media,  according  to  the  employees’  emergency  roles.  The  primary  purpose  of  the 
business  contingency  plan  is  to  safeguard  assets  of  the  Group  such  as  the  physical  safety  and  mental 
wellbeing of human life, to establish and resume critical functions as quickly as possible by providing an 
alternate-processing  site  and  to  re-establish  critical  functions  of  the  Group.  A  responsible  personnel  is 
designated for coordinating and supervising the work necessary during and after the incident.

52

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Health and Safety (continued)

We  also  establish  and  optimise  our  occupational  health  management  system  to  protect  our  workers 
and  their  rights.  We  provide  all  site  workers  with  safety  protective  equipment  such  as  protective 
gloves, shock-proof glasses, hearing protectors, fire resistant jacket, helmet, boots with toes and ankles 
protection,  working  clothes,  etc.  in  sufficient  quantity  and  quality  and  the  use  of  the  safety  protective 
equipment  is  mandatory,  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  issued  by  the  Group.  All  personnel 
involved in the operation and within the scope of the location are responsible for the use of the safety 
protective  equipment  which  must  be  suitable  to  perform  the  work.  In  addition,  prior  to  the  start-up 
of  any  operational  task  within  or  outside  the  location,  a  meeting  with  the  involved  staff  present  on 
location is conducted to give knowledge of the involved maneuvers, identified risks and scope or needs 
that are required to complete such an operation.

We  attach  great  importance  to  hazard  prevention  and  control  in  order  to  effectively  improve  the 
intrinsic  safety.  Operation  department  is  responsible  for  monitoring  the  daily  conditions  of  our  own 
wells,  well  fluid  collection  tanks  and  pipelines,  and  the  works  performed  by  the  operator  on  our  own 
wells.  In  case  of  problem  detected,  the  responsible  personnel  reports  to  the  operator  immediately. 
Records of works performed on our own wells are properly documented and filed.

During  the  reporting  period,  the  Group  has  adopted  various  preventive  measures  to  reduce  the  risk 
of  infection  and  the  spread  of  COVID-19.  These  precautions  include  provision  of  surgical  masks  and 
alcohol-based  hand  sanitizers  to  the  employees,  reminding  employees  to  follow  good  respiratory 
and  hand  hygiene,  ensuring  the  workplace  is  clean  and  hygienic,  measuring  body  temperature  of 
employees and visitors at the reception. Also, the Group only allows employees and visitors who do not 
have symptoms of infection of COVID-19 to access to the offices and requests them to wear masks and 
maintain social distance.

Development and Training

An excellent corporate team is critical to the Group’s sustainable and long-term business development. 
Therefore,  the  Group  encourages  its  employees  to  continue  studying  and  lifelong  learning.  Ongoing 
training can enhance the employees’ professional knowledge and work skills and provide a reasonable 
assurance that the employees have the necessary technical knowledge, professional skills and business 
ethics to discharge their duties efficiently and with integrity. The Group organises internal and external 
trainings  in  explaining  the  operational  procedures  by  business,  risk  assessment  and  management 
policies  and  contingency  plan;  and  subsidises  employees  to  attend  training  courses  whenever 
necessary. New hires are required to participate in induction orientation which introduces the Group’s 
corporate  culture,  industry  knowledge,  organisational  structure,  operational  safety  etc.  The  latest 
industry information and related legislation updates in connection with the operations of the Group are 
also despatched to staff from time to time.

53

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)

Labour Standards

The  Group  observes  the  requirements  under  the  Labour  Law  of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China, 
Employment  Ordinance  of  Hong  Kong,  Labour  Law  of  the  Republic  of  Argentina  and  other  applicable 
laws  and  regulations.  The  Group  cherishes  human  rights  and  prohibits  any  unethical  hiring  practices, 
including  child  and  forced  labour.  Employees  are  expected  to  be  open,  honest,  and  courteous  with 
each other. We honour and respect all who choose to work for the Group and the freedom of individual 
employee. We support human rights consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The  Group  reviews  the  identification  documents  during  its  hiring  process  to  prevent  child  labour. 
The  Group  has  also  implemented  various  measures  to  strictly  prevent  any  forms  of  forced  labour.  For 
example, detention of employee’s identity card or other identification documents is strictly prohibited, 
labour contract is signed by the employee on a fair and voluntary basis, any form of mental harassment 
or physical abuse, assault, body search or insult, or forcing an employee to work by means of violence, 
threat  or  unlawful  restriction  of  personal  freedom  are  all  forbidden.  Employees’  consent  for  working 
overtime  is  required  to  avoid  involuntary  overtime  work.  Also,  the  employees  are  compensated  as 
appropriate in accordance with the applicable labour laws and regulations. During the reporting period, 
the Group did not violate the laws and regulations related to the child and forced labour.

Compliance

During  the  reporting  period,  the  Group  did  not  involve  in  any  non-compliance  incidents  relating  to 
employment, human rights and labour practices, and occupational health and safety.

Operating Practices

Supply Chain Management

Strengthening our relationships with suppliers depend on our determination for conducting all aspects 
of  our  businesses  in  a  way  that  is  mutually  beneficial  as  well  as  open.  The  Group  aims  to  develop 
relationships  with  its  suppliers  based  on  honesty,  fairness  and  mutual  trust.  Suppliers  are  selected 
according  to  the  quality  of  their  product  and  service,  their  reliability  and  their  competence  of  price. 
Each of the qualified suppliers is given a fair chance to supply quality products and provide services to 
the  Group.  We  have  established  policies  and  procedures  in  supply  chain  management  and  provided 
various  reporting  channels  for  employees,  suppliers,  customers  and  other  business  partners  to  report 
any violations of laws or regulations when people are performing their duties for the Group. During the 
reporting period, the Group did not have significant issues relating to violations in this respect.

The  Group  has  the  right  to  engage  experts  to  drill  new  well  and  perform  workover  on  our  own  wells. 
We  are  responsible  to  select  and  appoint  experts  and  monitor  the  works  performed  by  these  experts. 
The  experts  must  have  the  necessary  qualification  and  be  familiar  with  the  basin  where  the  oil  field 
is  located.  We  have  also  established  strict  policy  in  selecting  suppliers  and  service  providers.  Periodic 
supplier  and  service  provider  performance  evaluation  is  conducted  to  better  control  and  assure  good 
quality.

54

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportOperating Practices (continued)

Supply Chain Management (continued)

The  Group  also  serves  to  maintain  long-term,  stable  and  strategic  cooperative  relationships 
with  suppliers  with  good  credit  history,  high  product  or  service  quality,  proven  track  records  of 
environmental compliance and sound commitment to social responsibility based on equality to achieve 
a  win-win  situation.  Such  bases  are  used  to  establish  an  efficient  and  green  supply  chain  system  in 
selecting  suppliers  and  service  providers;  and  to  conduct  regular  performance  reviews  with  an  aim  to 
effectively control its product and service quality.

Supplier/Service Provider Responsibility

American  Petroleum  Institute  (“API”)  gravity  is  a  measure  to  determine  the  grade  of  the  crude  oil. 
Crude  oil  extracted  underground  is  treated  through  oil/water  separation  process  before  selling  to  the 
customer.  Our  customers  check  the  API  gravity  before  oil  is  delivered  and  thus  no  after-sale  quality 
problem exists.

For the money lending business, we handle confidential information of our clients with integrity and in 
accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Employees respect the confidentiality of information 
acquired  as  a  result  of  business  relationship  and  do  not  disclose  any  such  information  to  third  parties 
without  proper  and  specific  authority  unless  there  is  a  legal  or  professional  right  or  duty  to  do  so. 
Confidential  information  may  be  subject  to  disclosure  requirements  according  to  the  applicable  laws 
and  regulations  and  shall  be  exchanged  internally  and  exclusively  on  a  “need-to-know”  basis.  Such 
information is also not used for personal advantage by any employee of the Group.

The  Group  respects  intellectual  property  rights.  Employees  are  not  allowed  to  possess  or  use 
copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright owners.

During  the  reporting  period,  there  was  neither  concluded  legal  cases  regarding  our  products  and 
services  brought  against  us  nor  complaints  received  concerning  breaches  of  customer  privacy,  loss  of 
data and intellectual property rights.

Anti-corruption

The  Group  always  attach  importance  to  creating  a  harmonious  and  honest  working  environment 
and  we  commit  to  achieving  and  maintaining  high  integrity  and  accountability  standards  with  great 
emphasis on corporate governance, moral culture and staff quality. All employees should act in upright, 
impartial  and  honest  manner,  and  strictly  follow  the  applicable  laws  and  regulations.  If  employees 
violate  them,  they  will  face  disciplinary  action  or  even  termination  of  the  employment  contracts. 
Employees  must  observe  our  required  ethical  standards  and  make  their  own  judgments  as  to  the 
appropriateness of their conduct in business operation.

When  employees  suspect  of  violations  occurred,  they  may,  in  the  case  of  absolute  confidentiality, 
report  through  different  channels  to  those  charged  with  governance.  The  Group  has  designed  a 
whistleblowing  policy  to  encourage  employees  to  raise  serious  concerns  internally  that  are  suspected 
to  be  malpractices  or  impropriety,  in  a  responsible  and  effective  manner  rather  than  overlooking  a 
problem or blowing the whistle outside. Employees who hide traces, evidences or avoid investigation of 
suspicious transactions may be considered as illegal.

55

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportOperating Practices (continued)

Anti-corruption (Continued)

In  addition,  in  order  to  minimise  the  fraud  risk,  the  Group  has  a  pre-employment  screening  process 
under which all applicants would be asked whether he/she has ever committed any criminal offences in 
the past. We continue to optimise the reporting mechanism and resolutely fight against corruption for 
building a clean social environment.

During  the  reporting  period,  the  Group  and  our  employees  did  not  involve  in  any  litigation  of 
corruption.

Community Involvement

The  Group  views  sustainable  development  and  community  contribution  as  our  goals.  We  believe 
in  people-oriented  management  principle,  carry  out  a  variety  of  activities  in  fulfilling  our  social 
responsibilities,  actively  pursue  social  contribution  initiatives  and  strive  to  create  a  sustainable  and 
harmonious  society.  Our  performance  over  the  long-term  depends  on  sensitivity  to  local  customs  and 
conventions  governing  business  relationships,  and  our  commitment  to  make  a  positive  contribution 
to  the  sustainable  development  of  the  communities  in  which  we  work.  The  Group  considers  ways 
of  supporting  communities  in  which  it  operates  through  charitable  and  educational  activities  and 
contributions (made within policies set by the Board).

The  Group  has  devoted  to  pay  attention  to  protecting  the  nature  and  care  about  the  environment. 
Everyone  should  take  part  in  it  and  hope  to  create  a  livable  environment  together.  The  Group  strives 
to minimise any harmful effects of our operations on the natural environment and finite resources, and 
constantly enhance our employees’ awareness in environmental protection and resource conservation. 
The Group hopes that every employee can convey the message of protecting the environment to their 
families,  friends  and  business  partners;  to  build  more  powerful  cohesion,  and  in  alleviating  climate 
change  together.  In  doing  so,  we  set  out  environmental  quality  standards  which  are  desirable  and 
attainable and comply fully with all relevant environmental legislation.

Since  our  establishment,  we  are  a  responsible  tax  payer  and  employer.  We  offer  job  opportunities  to 
ease the local employment pressure. We establish good practices in running our business, and actively 
promote  energy  saving  and  environmental  friendly  concepts  with  a  hope  to  be  one  of  the  role  model 
within the industry. To some extent, we have contributed to social stability and building a harmonious 
community.

56

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportE. 

SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DATA AND PERFORMANCE

Unit

2020

2019

Greenhouse gas emissions:

Scope 1:
Total
Intensity

Scope 2:
Total
Intensity

Air emissions:

Nitrogen Oxides
Sulfur Oxides
Particulate Matters

Energy and water consumption:

Tonne
Tonne (per employee)

Tonne
Tonne (per employee)

Kilogram
Kilogram
Kilogram

13.60
0.45

26.54
0.88

8.83
0.07
0.76

30.53
0.62

34.05
0.69

18.34
0.15
1.61

Electricity:
Total
Intensity

Diesel:
Total
Intensity

Gasoline:
Total
Intensity

Natural gas:

Total
Intensity

Water:
Total
Intensity

kWh
kWh (per employee)

29,224
974

35,702
729

Liter
Liter (per employee)

Liter
Liter (per employee)

559
19

4,451
148

1,214
25

8,984
183

Liter
Liter (per employee)

2,689,776
89,659

2,943,744
60,076

Tonne
Tonne (per employee)

99
3

149
3

57

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Environmental, Social and Governance ReportIndependent Auditor’s Report to the Members of EPI (Holdings) Limited
長盈集團(控股)有限公司
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

OPINION

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  EPI  (Holdings)  Limited  (the  “Company”)  and 
its  subsidiaries  (collectively  referred  to  as  the  “Group”)  set  out  on  pages  65  to  155,  which  comprise  the 
consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2020, and the consolidated statement of profit 
or  loss  and  other  comprehensive  income,  consolidated  statement  of  changes  in  equity  and  consolidated 
statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including 
a summary of significant accounting policies.

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  2020,  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 disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

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

58

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s Report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.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Impairment assessment of loan and interest receivables

We  identified  the  impairment  assessment  of  loan  and 
interest  receivables  as  a  key  audit  matter  due  to  the 
significance  of  balances  to  the  Group’s  consolidated 
financial  position  and  the  involvement  of  significant 
management  judgment  in  evaluating  the  expected 
credit loss (“ECL”) of loan and interest receivables at the 
end of the reporting period.

As  detailed  in  Note  4  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements,  in  making  the  assessment,  the  loan  and 
interest  receivables  from  borrowers  are  assessed 
individually  by  the  management  of  the  Group,  based 
on  the  financial  background,  financial  condition  and 
the historical settlement records, including the past due 
dates and default rates, of each borrower and reasonable 
and  supportable  forward-looking  information  that  is 
available  without  undue  cost  or  effort.  Each  borrower 
is  assigned  a  risk  grading  under  internal  credit  ratings 
to  calculate  the  ECL,  taking  into  consideration  of  the 
estimates of expected cash shortfalls. At every reporting 
date,  the  financial  background,  financial  condition  and 
historical settlement records are reassessed and changes 
in the forward-looking information are considered.

Our  procedures  in  relation  to  the  management’s 
impairment  assessment  of  loan  receivables 
included:

• 

• 

Understanding  and  evaluating  the  entity’s 
key  controls  on  the  related  credit  control 
and  loan  monitoring  process  and  how  the 
management  estimates  the  credit  loss 
allowance  for  loan  receivables  and  loan 
monitoring process;

E v a l u a t i n g   t h e   r e a s o n a b l e n e s s   a n d 
appropriateness  of  the  management’s 
assessment  of  the  internal  credit  rating  of 
the  loan  receivables  by  reference  to  past 
due  status,  past  collection  history  and 
financial condition of the borrowers;

59

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s Report 
 
 
Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Impairment assessment of loan and interest receivables (continued)

The  management  further  assess  whether  there  has 
been  a  significant  increase  in  credit  risk  for  exposures 
since  initial  recognition.  If  there  has  been  a  significant 
increase  in  credit  risk,  the  Group  will  measure  the  loss 
allowance  based  on  lifetime  ECL  rather  than  12-month 
ECL.  In  assessing  whether  the  credit  risk  of  an  asset  has 
significantly  increased,  the  Group  takes  into  account 
qualitative and quantitative reasonable and supportable 
forward-looking  information  with  significant  judgments 
involved.

The  carrying  amount  of  the  loan  and  interest  receivables 
is  HK$161,382,000  in  aggregate  and  the  impairment 
a l l o w a n c e   o n   l o a n   a n d   i n t e r e s t   r e c e i v a b l e s   i s 
HK$49,701,000 in aggregate as at 31 December 2020 as set 
out in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.

• 

• 

E v a l u a t i n g   t h e   r e a s o n a b l e n e s s   a n d 
appropriateness  on  the  management’s 
basis  and  judgment  in  determining  credit 
loss  allowance  on  loan  receivables  as  at  31 
December 2020, including the identification 
of  credit-impaired  loan  receivables,  the 
estimated  loss  rates  applied  to  each 
borrower, and the estimated cash flow from 
the  realisation  of  collaterals  pledged  to  the 
Group; and

Evaluating  the  disclosures  regarding  the 
impairment  assessment  of  loan  receivables 
in  Notes  23  and  38  to  the  consolidated 
financial statements.

60

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s Report 
 
Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Provision for ECL for debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”)

We  identified  ECL  for  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  as 
a  key  audit  matter  because  the  determination  of  loss 
allowances for debt instruments at FVTOCI using the ECL 
model  involves  significant  estimates  and  judgments, 
including  determination  of  whether  there  is  significant 
increase  in  credit  risk  since  initial  recognition,  use  of 
assumptions  in  determination  of  probability  of  default 
and  loss  given  default,  and  incorporation  of  forward 
looking  information.  As  disclosed  in  Note  22  to  the 
consolidated  financial  statements,  the  fair  value  of 
debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  is  HK$132,198,000  at 
31  December  2020  and  the  impairment  allowance 
of  HK$4,574,000  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  with 
corresponding  adjustment  to  other  comprehensive 
income  for  the  current  year.  The  determination  of  the 
loss  allowances  is  dependent  on  the  external  macro 
environment and the credit rating of each debt security. 
The  management  also  takes  into  consideration  of 
historical  data  from  the  international  rating  agency.  The 
Group  had  engaged  an  independent  professional  valuer 
to perform the ECL assessment.

Our  procedures  in  relation  to  ECL  for  debt 
instruments  at  FVTOCI  on  the  consolidated 
financial statements included:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Understanding  and  assessing  the  design 
a n d   i m p l e m e n t a t i o n   o f   k e y   i n t e r n a l 
controls  of  the  credit  rating  process  and 
measurement of loss allowances;

Evaluating  methodology  and  assumptions 
used  by  the  management  in  determining 
ECL;

Engaging  our  internal  specialists  to  review 
the significant management judgments and 
assumptions,  including  (i)  the  criteria  for 
significant  increase  in  credit  risk  made  by 
assessing  credit  rating  migration  between 
origination  date  and  reporting  date;  (ii) 
reasonableness  of  probability  of  default, 
recovery rate and loss given default; and (iii) 
the  use  of  economic  variables  and  relative 
weighting  for  forward-looking  scenarios; 
and

Evaluating  the  disclosures  regarding  the 
impairment assessment of debt instruments 
at  FVTOCI  in  Notes  22  and  38  to  the 
consolidated financial statements.

61

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s Report 
 
OTHER MATTER

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Group  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2019  were  audited  by 
another auditor who expressed an unmodified opinion on those statements on 3 April 2020.

OTHER INFORMATION

The directors of the Company are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the 
information included in the annual report, but does not include 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  AND  THOSE  CHARGED  WITH  GOVERNANCE  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 disclosure requirements of 
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.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.

62

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s Report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 solely to you, as a body, in accordance with section 90 of the Bermuda Companies 
Act, 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 
skepticism 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.

63

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s ReportAUDITOR’S  RESPONSIBILITIES  FOR  THE  AUDIT  OF  THE  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS (continued)

• 

• 

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  those  charged  with  governance  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  those  charged  with  governance  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, actions taken to 
eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From  the  matters  communicated  with  those  charged  with  governance,  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.

Moore Stephens CPA Limited
Certified Public Accountants
Registered Public Interest Entity Auditors

Lai Hung Wai
Practising Certificate Number: P06995

Hong Kong
30 March 2021

64

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Independent Auditor’s ReportNotes

5

7
8

9

10
11

12

13

Revenue

Sales of petroleum
Interest income
Others

Purchases, processing and related expenses
Other income and losses, net
Net loss on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Reversal (provision) of expected credit loss on loan and  

interest receivables

(Provision) reversal of expected credit loss on debt instruments 

at fair value through other comprehensive income

Provision of impairment loss of property, plant and equipment  

and right-of-use assets

Wages, salaries and other benefits
Depreciation
Gain on redemption of debt instruments at fair value through 

other comprehensive income

Other expenses
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Finance costs

Profit (loss) before tax
Income tax expense

Profit (loss) for the year

Other comprehensive (expense) income
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Fair value (loss) gain on debt instruments at fair value through 

other comprehensive income

Provision (reversal) of expected credit loss on debt instruments 

at fair value through other comprehensive income

Release on redemption of debt instruments at fair value through 

other comprehensive income

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign 

operations

2020
HK$’000

42,449
14,097
28,012
340

(11,758)
10,160
(9,183)

2019
HK$’000

60,560
24,171
35,287
1,102

(18,858)
(1,609)
(32,736)

12,232

(61,703)

(4,574)

56

–
(14,214)
(1,417)

111
(14,547)
(515)
(166)

(47,306)
(16,573)
(8,555)

328
(10,692)
–
(239)

8,578
(440)

(137,327)
(772)

8,138

(138,099)

(885)

9,340

4,574

(111)

(56)

(328)

3,886

(2,014)

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax

7,464

6,942

Total comprehensive income (expense) for the year

15,602

(131,157)

65

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive IncomeFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit (loss) for the year attributable to:

Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income (expense) for the year 

attributable to: 
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Note

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

8,519
(381)

(138,099)
–

8,138

(138,099)

15,983
(381)

(131,157)
–

15,602

(131,157)

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to owners of the 

Company
– Basic

17

HK0.16 cent

HK(2.64) cents

66

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive IncomeFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current assets
Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Intangible asset
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive 

income

Loan and interest receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive 

income

Loan and interest receivables
Trade and other receivables and prepayments
Other tax recoverables
Income tax recoverable
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Bank balances and cash

Total current assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Income tax payable
Lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Net current assets

Notes

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

18
19
20
21

22
23

22
23
24
25

26
27

28

29

–
985
2,523
–

–
605
–
420

129,985
33,425

123,022
33,000

166,918

157,047

2,213
127,957
15,793
609
2,549
25,097
134,627

18,804
152,688
9,296
881
1,089
37,059
92,400

308,845

312,217

8,744
4,170
1,282

16,913
4,796
3,612

14,196

25,321

294,649

286,896

Total assets less current liabilities

461,567

443,943

67

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionAt 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves

Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Notes

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

29
30

31

1,491
578

2,069

–
47

47

459,498

443,896

52,403
407,476

459,879
(381)

52,403
391,493

443,896
–

459,498

443,896

The consolidated financial statements on pages 65 to 155 together with the Company’s statement of financial 
position  set  out  in  Note  41  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  approved  and  authorised  for 
issue by the Board on 30 March 2021 and are signed on its behalf by:

Sue Ka Lok
Director

Chan Shui Yuen
Director

68

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionAt 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share
capital
HK$’000

Share
premium
HK$’000

Share
options
reserve
HK$’000

Investment
revaluation
reserve
HK$’000

Translation Accumulated
losses
HK$’000

reserve
HK$’000

Sub-total
HK$’000

Non-
controlling
interest
HK$’000

At 1 January 2019

52,403

918,270

201,645

(11,301)

(4,631)

(581,333)

575,053

Loss for the year
Fair value gain on debt instruments 

at fair value through other 
comprehensive income

Reversal of expected credit loss on 
debt instruments at fair value 
through other comprehensive 
income

Release on redemption of debt 

instruments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income
Exchange differences arising on 

translation of foreign operations

Total comprehensive income 
(expense) for the year

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9,340

(56)

(328)

–

–

–

–

–

(2,014)

(138,099)

(138,099)

–

–

–

–

9,340

(56)

(328)

(2,014)

8,956

(2,014)

(138,099)

(131,157)

At 31 December 2019

52,403

918,270

201,645

(2,345)

(6,645)

(719,432)

443,896

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total
HK$’000

575,053

(138,099)

9,340

(56)

(328)

(2,014)

(131,157)

443,896

Profit (loss) for the year
Fair value loss on debt instruments 

at fair value through other 
comprehensive income

Provision of expected credit loss 

on debt instruments at fair value 
through other comprehensive 
income

Release on redemption of debt 

instruments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income
Exchange differences arising on 

translation of foreign operations

Total comprehensive income 
(expense) for the year

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(885)

4,574

(111)

–

–

–

–

–

3,886

8,519

8,519

(381)

8,138

–

–

–

–

(885)

4,574

(111)

3,886

–

–

–

–

(885)

4,574

(111)

3,886

3,578

3,886

8,519

15,983

(381)

15,602

At 31 December 2020

52,403

918,270

201,645

1,233

(2,759)

(710,913)

459,879

(381)

459,498

69

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Changes in EquityFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

Operating activities
Profit (loss) before tax
Adjustments for:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Gain on redemption of debt instruments at fair value  

through other comprehensive income

Provision of impairment loss of property, plant and 

equipment and right-of-use assets

(Reversal) provision of expected credit loss on loan  

and interest receivables

Provision (reversal) of expected credit loss on debt instruments 

at fair value through other comprehensive income

Net loss on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Bank interest income
Interest expense
Dividend income
Interest income from money lending business
Interest income from debt instruments at fair value through 

other comprehensive income

Interest income from financial assets at fair value through 

profit or loss

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries

9

8

11

10

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables and 

prepayments

Decrease in loan and interest receivables
Decrease in other tax recoverables
Decrease in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Decrease in trade and other payables

Cash generated from (used in) operations
Withholding tax on interest income from a group entity paid
Dividend received
Income tax paid
Interest received from money lending business
Interest received from debt instruments at fair value through 

other comprehensive income

Interest received from financial assets at fair value through 

profit or loss

8,578

221
1,196

(111)

–

(12,232)

4,574
9,183
(741)
166
(340)
(17,870)

(137,327)

4,553
4,002

(328)

47,306

61,703

(56)
32,736
(627)
239
(935)
(25,971)

(10,142)

(9,316)

–
35
515

(167)
–
–

(16,968)

(24,188)

(6,304)
29,165
272
2,779
(8,198)

746
–
340
(1,876)
8,800

11,188

–

3,408
7,940
664
2,021
(2,187)

(12,342)
(300)
935
(2,180)
20,675

9,300

167

Net cash from operating activities

19,198

16,255

70

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Cash FlowsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of assets through acquisition of a subsidiary
Purchase of debt instruments at fair value through  

other comprehensive income

Proceeds from redemption of debt instruments at  
fair value through other comprehensive income

Bank interest received
Net cash inflow on disposal of subsidiaries

Notes

19
19, 21

10

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

(1,041)
–

(117)
(1,300)

(7,903)

(13,840)

15,600
741
19,841

11,700
627
–

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

27,238

(2,930)

Financing activities
Repayment of lease liabilities
Interest paid

(4,595)
(166)

(3,917)
(239)

Net cash used in financing activities

(4,761)

(4,156)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

41,675

92,400

9,169

83,593

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

552

(362)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year,  

represented by bank balances and cash

134,627

92,400

71

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated Statement of Cash FlowsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Company is a public limited liability company incorporated in Bermuda and its shares are listed on 
the  Main  Board  of  the  Stock  Exchange.  The  address  of  the  registered  office  of  the  Company  is  located 
at  Clarendon  House,  2  Church  Street,  Hamilton  HM11,  Bermuda.  The  address  of  the  principal  place  of 
business  of  the  Company  is  Room  2107,  21st  Floor,  Great  Eagle  Centre,  23  Harbour  Road,  Wanchai, 
Hong Kong.

The Company is an investment holding company. The principal activities of its subsidiaries are set out in 
Note 39.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in HK$, which is also the functional currency of the 
Company and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (HK$’000) except otherwise indicated.

2. 

APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS TO HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS 
(“HKFRSs”)

In the current year, the Group has applied the Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework 
in  HKFRS  Standards  and  the  following  amendments  to  HKFRSs  issued  by  the  Hong  Kong  Institute 
of  Certified  Public  Accountants  (“HKICPA”)  for  the  first  time,  which  are  mandatorily  effective  for  the 
annual  period  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2020  for  the  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements:

Amendments to HKAS 1 and HKAS 8
Amendments to HKFRS 3
Amendments to HKFRS 9, HKAS 39  

Definition of Material
Definition of a Business
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

and HKFRS 7

The  application  of  the  Amendments  to  References  to  the  Conceptual  Framework  in  HKFRS  Standards 
and the amendments to HKFRSs in the current year has had no material impact on the Group’s financial 
positions  and  performance  for  the  current  and  prior  years  and/or  on  the  disclosures  set  out  in  these 
consolidated financial statements.

72

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20202. 

APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS TO HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS 
(“HKFRSs”) (continued)

New and amendments to HKFRSs in issue but not yet effective

The Group has not early applied the following new and amendments to HKFRSs that have been issued 
but are not yet effective:

HKFRS 17
Amendment to HKFRS 16
Amendments to HKFRS 3
Amendments to HKFRS 9, HKAS 39,  
HKFRS 7, HKFRS 4 and HKFRS 16

Insurance Contracts and the related Amendments1
Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions4
Reference to the Conceptual Framework2
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 25

Amendments to HKFRS 10 and HKAS 28

Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its 

Amendments to HKAS 1

Associate or Joint Venture3

Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and 
related amendments to Hong Kong Interpretation 5 
(2020)1

Amendments to HKAS 16

Property, Plant and Equipment – Proceeds before 

Amendments to HKAS 37
Amendments to HKFRSs

Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract2
Annual Improvements to HKFRSs 2018-20202

Intended Use2

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022.

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after a date to be determined.

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 June 2020.

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021.

The directors of the Company anticipate that the application of all new and amendments to HKFRSs will 
have no material impact on the consolidated financial statements in the foreseeable future.

73

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES

3.1  Basis of preparation of consolidated financial statements

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with HKFRSs issued by 
the HKICPA. For the purpose of preparation of the consolidated financial statements information 
is considered material if such information is reasonably expected to influence decisions made by 
primary  users.  In  addition,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  include  applicable  disclosures 
required by the Listing Rules and by the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for 
certain financial instruments that are measured at fair values at the end of each reporting period, 
as explained in the accounting policies set out below.

Historical  cost  is  generally  based  on  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration  given  in  exchange  for 
goods and services.

Fair  value  is  the  price  that  would  be  received  to  sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an 
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether 
that  price  is  directly  observable  or  estimated  using  another  valuation  technique.  In  estimating 
the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group takes into account the characteristics of the asset 
or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the 
asset or liability at the measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/or disclosure purposes 
in these consolidated financial statements is determined on such a basis, except for share-based 
payment  transactions  that  are  within  the  scope  of  HKFRS  2  “Share-based  Payment”,  leasing 
transactions  that  are  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  HKFRS  16  “Leases”,  and  measurements 
that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair value, such as net realisable value in HKAS 
2 “Inventories” or value in use in HKAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”.

For  financial  instruments  which  are  transacted  at  fair  value  and  a  valuation  technique  that 
unobservable  inputs  are  to  be  used  to  measure  fair  value  in  subsequent  periods,  the  valuation 
technique is calibrated so that at initial recognition the results of the valuation technique equals 
the transaction price.

74

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.1  Basis of preparation of consolidated financial statements (continued)

In addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 
1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the inputs to the fair value measurements are observable 
and  the  significance  of  the  inputs  to  the  fair  value  measurement  in  its  entirety,  which  are 
described as follows:

• 

• 

• 

Level  1  inputs  are  quoted  prices  (unadjusted)  in  active  markets  for  identical  assets  or 
liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;

Level  2  inputs  are  inputs,  other  than  quoted  prices  included  within  Level  1,  that  are 
observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The principal accounting policies are set out below.

3.2  Significant accounting policies

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and 
entities controlled by the Company and its subsidiaries. Control is achieved when the Company:

• 

• 

• 

has power over the investee;

is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

The  Group  reassesses  whether  or  not  it  controls  an  investee  if  facts  and  circumstances  indicate 
that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.

Consolidation  of  a  subsidiary  begins  when  the  Group  obtains  control  over  the  subsidiary  and 
ceases  when  the  Group  loses  control  of  the  subsidiary.  Specifically,  income  and  expenses  of  a 
subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of 
profit  or  loss  and  other  comprehensive  income  from  the  date  the  Group  gains  control  until  the 
date when the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

75

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Basis of consolidation (continued)

When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their 
accounting policies in line with the Group’s accounting policies.

All  intra-group  assets  and  liabilities,  equity,  income,  expenses  and  cash  flows  relating  to 
transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.

Non-controlling  interests  in  subsidiaries  are  presented  separately  from  the  Group’s  equity 
therein, which represent present ownership entitling their holders to a proportionate share of net 
assets of the relevant subsidiaries upon liquidation.

Changes in the Group’s interests in existing subsidiaries

When  the  Group  loses  control  of  a  subsidiary,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  that  subsidiary  are 
derecognised.  A  gain  or  loss  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  and  is  calculated  as  the  difference 
between  (i)  the  aggregate  of  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration  received  and  the  fair  value  of 
any  retained  interest  and  (ii)  the  carrying  amount  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  subsidiary 
attributable  to  the  owners  of  the  Company.  All  amounts  previously  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive  income  in  relation  to  that  subsidiary  are  accounted  for  as  if  the  Group  had 
directly  disposed  of  the  related  assets  or  liabilities  of  the  subsidiary  (i.e.  reclassified  to  profit  or 
loss or transferred to another category of equity as specified/permitted by applicable HKFRSs).

Interests in subsidiaries

Interests in subsidiaries are stated at cost less any accumulated impairment loss.

Investment in joint operations

A  joint  operation  is  a  joint  arrangement  whereby  the  parties  that  have  joint  control  of  the 
arrangement  have  rights  to  the  assets,  and  obligations  for  the  liabilities,  relating  to  the  joint 
arrangement.  Joint  control  is  the  contractually  agreed  sharing  of  control  of  an  arrangement, 
which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the 
parties sharing control.

The  Group  accounts  for  the  assets,  liabilities,  revenues  and  expenses  relating  to  its  interest  in 
a  joint  operation  in  accordance  with  the  HKFRSs  applicable  to  the  particular  assets,  liabilities, 
revenues and expenses.

When  a  group  entity  transacts  with  a  joint  operation  in  which  a  group  entity  is  a  joint  operator 
(such  as  a  sale  or  contribution  of  assets),  the  Group  is  considered  to  be  conducting  the 
transaction with the other parties to the joint operation, and gains and losses resulting from the 
transactions are recognised in the Group’s consolidated financial statements only to the extent of 
other parties’ interests in the joint operation.

When  a  group  entity  transacts  with  a  joint  operation  in  which  a  group  entity  is  a  joint  operator 
(such as a purchase of assets), the Group does not recognise its share of the gains and losses until 
it resells those assets to a third party.

76

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Revenue from contracts with customers

The  Group  recognises  revenue  when  (or  as)  a  performance  obligation  is  satisfied,  i.e.  when 
“control” of the goods or services underlying the particular performance obligation is transferred 
to the customer.

A performance obligation represents a good or service (or a bundle of goods or services) that is 
distinct or a series of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same.

Control is transferred over time and revenue is recognised over time by reference to the progress 
towards  complete  satisfaction  of  the  relevant  performance  obligation  if  one  of  the  following 
criteria is met:

• 

• 

• 

the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Group’s 
performance as the Group performs;

the  Group’s  performance  creates  or  enhances  an  asset  that  the  customer  controls  as  the 
Group performs; or

the Group’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Group and 
the Group has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.

Otherwise,  revenue  is  recognised  at  a  point  in  time  when  the  customer  obtains  control  of  the 
distinct good or service.

Leases

Definition of a lease

A  contract  is,  or  contains,  a  lease  if  the  contract  conveys  the  right  to  control  the  use  of  an 
identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

For  contracts  entered  into  or  modified  on  or  after  the  date  of  initial  application  or  arising  from 
business  combinations,  the  Group  assesses  whether  a  contract  is  or  contains  a  lease  based  on 
the definition under HKFRS 16 at inception, modification date or acquisition date, as appropriate. 
Such  contract  will  not  be  reassessed  unless  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  contract  are 
subsequently changed.

77

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Leases (continued)

The Group as a lessee

Allocation of consideration to components of a contract

For  a  contract  that  contains  a  lease  component  and  one  or  more  additional  lease  or  non-lease 
components, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on 
the basis of the relative stand-alone price of the lease component and the aggregate stand-alone 
price of the non-lease components.

Short-term leases

The  Group  applies  the  short-term  lease  recognition  exemption  to  leases  of  buildings  that  have 
a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase 
option. Lease payments on short-term leases are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis or 
another systematic basis over the lease term.

Right-of-use assets

The cost of right-of-use asset includes:

• 

• 

• 

the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;

any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives 
received; and

any initial direct costs incurred by the Group.

Right-of-use  assets  are  measured  at  cost,  less  any  accumulated  depreciation  and  impairment 
losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated useful 
life and the lease term.

The Group presents right-of-use assets as a separate line item on the consolidated statement of 
financial position.

Refundable rental deposits

Refundable  rental  deposits  paid  are  accounted  under  HKFRS  9  “Financial  Instruments”  (“HKFRS 
9”)  and  initially  measured  at  fair  value.  Adjustments  to  fair  value  at  initial  recognition  are 
considered as additional lease payments and included in the cost of right-of-use assets.

78

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Leases (continued)

The Group as a lessee (continued)

Lease liabilities

At  the  commencement  date  of  a  lease,  the  Group  recognises  and  measures  the  lease  liability  at 
the present value of lease payments that are unpaid at that date. In calculating the present value 
of  lease  payments,  the  Group  uses  the  incremental  borrowing  rate  at  the  lease  commencement 
date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable.

The  lease  payments  include  fixed  payments  (including  in-substance  fixed  payments)  less  any 
lease incentives receivable.

After  the  commencement  date,  lease  liabilities  are  adjusted  by  interest  accretion  and  lease 
payments.

The  Group  presents  lease  liabilities  as  a  separate  line  item  on  the  consolidated  statement  of 
financial position.

Lease modifications

The Group accounts for a lease modification as a separate lease if:

• 

• 

the  modification  increases  the  scope  of  the  lease  by  adding  the  right  to  use  one  or  more 
underlying assets; and

the  consideration  for  the  leases  increases  by  an  amount  commensurate  with  the 
stand-alone  price  for  the  increase  in  scope  and  any  appropriate  adjustments  to  that 
stand-alone price to reflect the circumstances of the particular contract.

For a lease modification that is not accounted for as a separate lease, the Group remeasures the 
lease  liability  based  on  the  lease  term  of  the  modified  lease  by  discounting  the  revised  lease 
payments using a revised discount rate at the effective date of the modification.

The  Group  accounts  for  the  remeasurement  of  lease  liabilities  by  making  corresponding 
adjustments  to  the  relevant  right-of-use  asset.  When  the  modified  contract  contains  a  lease 
component  and  one  or  more  additional  lease  or  non-lease  components,  the  Group  allocates 
the consideration in the modified contract to each lease component on the basis of the relative 
stand-alone price of the lease component and the aggregate stand-alone price of the non-lease 
components.

79

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Intangible asset

Intangible asset acquired separately

Intangible asset, including vehicle license, with indefinite useful lives that is acquired separately 
is carried at cost less any subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

An  intangible  asset  is  derecognised  on  disposal,  or  when  no  future  economic  benefits  are 
expected from use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, 
measured  as  the  difference  between  the  net  disposal  proceeds  and  the  carrying  amount  of  the 
asset are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised.

Property, plant and equipment

Oil and gas properties

Expenditure  on  the  construction,  installation  or  completion  of  infrastructure  facilities  such  as 
platforms,  pipelines  and  the  drilling  of  commercially  proven  development  wells,  is  capitalised 
within  construction  in  progress  under  property,  plant  and  equipment.  When  development 
is  completed  on  a  specific  field,  it  is  transferred  to  oil  and  gas  properties.  No  depreciation  is 
charged during the development phase.

Oil  and  gas  production  properties  are  aggregated  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  and 
development expenditures associated with the production of proved reserves.

Oil  and  gas  properties  are  depreciated  and  depleted  using  the  unit-of-production  method. 
Unit-of-production  rates  are  based  on  proved  developed  reserves,  which  are  oil,  gas  and  other 
mineral  reserves  estimated  to  be  recovered  from  existing  facilities  using  current  operating 
methods.  Oil  and  gas  volumes  are  considered  to  be  part  of  production  once  they  have  been 
measured  through  meters  at  custody  transfer  or  sales  transaction  points  at  the  outlet  valve  on 
the field storage tank.

Property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties, are stated at historical cost less 
depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to 
the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a  separate asset, 
as appropriate, only  when it is  probable  that future economic  benefits associated  with  the item 
will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of 
the replaced part is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to profit or loss 
during the financial period in which they are incurred.

80

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Property, plant and equipment other than oil and gas properties

Property,  plant  and  equipment  other  than  oil  and  gas  properties  are  stated  in  the  consolidated 
statement  of  financial  position  at  cost  less  subsequent  accumulated  depreciation  and 
subsequent accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment 
less  their  residual  values  over  their  estimated  useful  lives,  using  the  straight-line  method.  The 
estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each 
reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.

An  item  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  is  derecognised  upon  disposal  or  when  no  future 
economic  benefits  are  expected  to  arise  from  the  continued  use  of  the  asset.  Any  gain  or  loss 
arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of property, plant and equipment is determined 
as  the  difference  between  the  sales  proceeds  and  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  and  is 
recognised in profit or loss.

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil  and  gas  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditures  are  accounted  for  using  the  successful 
efforts  method  of  accounting.  Costs  are  accumulated  on  a  field-by-field  basis.  Geological  and 
geophysical  costs  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Costs  directly  associated  with  an  exploration  well, 
and  exploration  and  property  leasehold  acquisition  costs,  are  capitalised  within  exploration 
and  evaluation  assets  until  the  determination  of  reserves  is  evaluated.  If  it  is  determined  that 
commercial discovery has not been achieved, these costs are charged to profit or loss.

Once  commercial  reserves  are  found,  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  are  tested  for 
impairment and transferred to construction in progress under property, plant and equipment. No 
depreciation is charged during the exploration and evaluation phase.

Exploration  and  evaluation  assets  are  tested  for  impairment  when  reclassified  to  construction 
in  progress,  or  whenever  facts  and  circumstances  indicate  impairment.  An  impairment  loss  is 
recognised  for  the  amount  by  which  the  exploration  and  evaluation  assets’  carrying  amount 
exceeds  their  recoverable  amount.  Recoverable  amount  is  the  higher  of  the  exploration  and 
evaluation assets’ fair value less costs of disposal and their value in use.

81

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Exploration and evaluation assets (continued)

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

The carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets is reviewed annually and adjusted 
for  impairment  loss  in  accordance  with  HKAS  36  “Impairment  of  Assets”  and  whenever  one  of 
the following events or changes in circumstances indicates that the carrying amount may not be 
recoverable:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the  period  for  which  the  Group  has  the  right  to  explore  in  the  specific  area  has  expired 
during the period or will expire in the near future, and is not expected to be renewed.

substantive  expenditure  on  further  exploration  for  and  evaluation  of  natural  resources  in 
the specific area is neither budgeted nor planned.

exploration  for  and  evaluation  of  natural  resources  in  the  specific  area  have  not  led  to 
the  discovery  of  commercially  viable  quantities  of  natural  resources  and  the  Group  has 
decided to discontinue such activities in the specific area.

sufficient  data  exist  to  indicate  that,  although  a  development  in  the  specific  area  is  likely 
to  proceed,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  exploration  and  evaluation  asset  is  unlikely  to  be 
recovered in full from successful development or by sale.

An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  whenever  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset 
exceeds its recoverable amount.

Where  an  impairment  loss  subsequently  reverses,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  (or 
cash-generating unit or a group of cash-generating units) is increased to the revised estimate of 
its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset 
(or  a  cash-generating  unit  or  a  group  of  cash-generating  units)  in  prior  years.  A  reversal  of  an 
impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

82

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Impairment of property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and intangible assets

At the end of the reporting period, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant 
and  equipment  and  right-of-use  assets  to  determine  whether  there  is  any  indication  that  these 
assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of 
the  relevant  asset  is  estimated  in  order  to  determine  the  extent  of  the  impairment  loss  (if  any). 
Intangible  assets  with  indefinite  useful  lives  are  tested  for  impairment  at  least  annually,  and 
whenever there is an indication that they may be impaired.

The  recoverable  amount  of  property,  plant  and  equipment,  right-of-use  assets  and  intangible 
assets  are  estimated  individually.  When  it  is  not  possible  to  estimate  the  recoverable  amount 
individually,  the  Group  estimates  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  cash-generating  unit  to  which 
the asset belongs.

In  testing  a  cash-generating  unit  for  impairment,  corporate  assets  are  allocated  to  the 
relevant  cash-generating  units  when  a  reasonable  and  consistent  basis  of  allocation  can  be 
established,  or  otherwise  they  are  allocated  to  the  smallest  group  of  cash-generating  units 
for  which  a  reasonable  and  consistent  allocation  basis  can  be  established.  The  recoverable 
amount  is  determined  for  the  cash-generating  unit  or  group  of  cash-generating  units  to 
which  the  corporate  asset  belongs,  and  is  compared  with  the  carrying  amount  of  the  relevant 
cash-generating unit or group of cash-generating units.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing 
value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax 
discount  rate  that  reflects  current  market  assessments  of  the  time  value  of  money  and  the  risks 
specific to the asset (or a cash-generating unit) for which the estimates of future cash flows have 
not been adjusted.

83

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Impairment  of  property,  plant  and  equipment,  right-of-use  assets  and  intangible  assets 
(continued)

If  the  recoverable  amount  of  an  asset  (or  a  cash-generating  unit)  is  estimated  to  be  less  than 
its  carrying  amount,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  (or  a  cash-generating  unit)  is  reduced  to 
its  recoverable  amount.  For  corporate  assets  or  portion  of  corporate  assets  which  cannot  be 
allocated  on  a  reasonable  and  consistent  basis  to  a  cash-generating  unit,  the  Group  compares 
the carrying amount of a group of cash-generating units, including the carrying amounts of the 
corporate assets or portion of corporate assets allocated to that group of cash-generating units, 
with the recoverable amount of the group of cash-generating units. In allocating the impairment 
loss,  the  impairment  loss  is  allocated  first  to  reduce  the  carrying  amount  of  any  goodwill  (if 
applicable)  and  then  to  the  other  assets  on  a  pro-rata  basis  based  on  the  carrying  amount  of 
each  asset  in  the  unit  or  the  group  of  cash-generating  units.  The  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  is 
not reduced below the  highest of its fair value less costs of disposal (if measurable), its value in 
use  (if  determinable)  and  zero.  The  amount  of  the  impairment  loss  that  would  otherwise  have 
been  allocated  to  the  asset  is  allocated  pro  rata  to  the  other  assets  of  the  unit  or  the  group  of 
cash-generating units. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Where  an  impairment  loss  subsequently  reverses,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  (or 
cash-generating unit or a group of cash-generating units) is increased to the revised estimate of 
its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset 
(or  a  cash-generating  unit  or  a  group  of  cash-generating  units)  in  prior  years.  A  reversal  of  an 
impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Provisions

Provisions  are  recognised  when  the  Group  has  a  present  obligation  (legal  or  constructive)  as  a 
result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation, and a 
reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The  amount  recognised  as  a  provision  is  the  best  estimate  of  the  consideration  required  to 
settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and 
uncertainties  surrounding  the  obligation.  When  a  provision  is  measured  using  the  cash  flows 
estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash 
flows (where the effect of the time value of money is material).

84

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments

Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  recognised  when  a  group  entity  becomes  a  party 
to  the  contractual  provisions  of  the  instrument.  All  regular  way  purchases  or  sales  of  financial 
assets  are  recognised  and  derecognised  on  a  trade  date  basis.  Regular  way  purchases  or  sales 
are  purchases  or  sales  of  financial  assets  that  require  delivery  of  assets  within  the  time  frame 
established by regulation or convention in the market place.

Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  initially  measured  at  fair  value  except  for  trade 
receivables  arising  from  contracts  with  customers  which  are  initially  measured  in  accordance 
with  HKFRS  15  “Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers”.  Transaction  costs  that  are  directly 
attributable  to  the  acquisition  or  issue  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  (other  than 
financial  assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  (“FVTPL”))  are  added  to  or  deducted  from 
the  fair  value  of  the  financial  assets  or  financial  liabilities,  as  appropriate,  on  initial  recognition. 
Transaction  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition  of  financial  assets  or  financial  liabilities 
at FVTPL are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Effective interest method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or 
financial liability and of allocating interest income and interest expense over the relevant period. 
The  effective  interest  rate  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts  estimated  future  cash  receipts  and 
payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective 
interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the 
financial  asset  or  financial  liability,  or,  where  appropriate,  a  shorter  period,  to  the  net  carrying 
amount on initial recognition.

Interest and dividend income which are derived from the Group’s ordinary course of business are 
presented as revenue.

85

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets

Financial assets that meet the following conditions are subsequently measured at amortised cost:

• 

• 

the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to collect contractual 
cash flows; and

the contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Financial  assets  that  meet  the  following  conditions  are  subsequently  measured  at  fair  value 
through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”):

• 

• 

the  financial  asset  is  held  within  a  business  model  whose  objective  is  achieved  by  both 
selling and collecting contractual cash flows; and

the contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

All  other  financial  assets  are  subsequently  measured  at  FVTPL,  except  that  at  initial  recognition 
of a financial asset the Group may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in fair value 
of  an  equity  investment  in  other  comprehensive  income  (“OCI”)  if  that  equity  investment  is 
neither  held  for  trading  nor  contingent  consideration  recognised  by  an  acquirer  in  a  business 
combination to which HKFRS 3 “Business Combinations” applies.

A financial asset is held for trading if:

• 

• 

• 

it has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the near term; or

on  initial  recognition  it  is  a  part  of  a  portfolio  of  identified  financial  instruments  that  the 
Group manages together and has a recent actual pattern of short-term profit-taking; or

it is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument.

86

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets (continued)

In  addition,  the  Group  may  irrevocably  designate  a  financial  asset  that  are  required  to  be 
measured  at  the  amortised  cost  or  FVTOCI  as  measured  at  FVTPL  if  doing  so  eliminates  or 
significantly reduces an accounting mismatch.

(i) 

Amortised cost and interest income

Interest  income  is  recognised  using  the  effective  interest  method  for  financial  assets 
measured  subsequently  at  amortised  cost  and  debt  instruments  subsequently  measured 
at  FVTOCI.  Interest  income  is  calculated  by  applying  the  effective  interest  rate  to 
the  gross  carrying  amount  of  a  financial  asset,  except  for  financial  assets  that  have 
subsequently become credit-impaired. For financial assets that have subsequently become 
credit-impaired, interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate to the 
amortised  cost  of  the  financial  asset  from  the  next  reporting  period.  If  the  credit  risk  on 
the  credit-impaired  financial  instrument  improves  so  that  the  financial  asset  is  no  longer 
credit-impaired, interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate to the 
gross  carrying  amount  of  the  financial  asset  from  the  beginning  of  the  reporting  period 
following the determination that the asset is no longer credit-impaired.

(ii) 

Debt instruments classified as at FVTOCI

Subsequent changes in the carrying amounts for debt instruments classified as at FVTOCI 
as a result of interest income calculated using the effective interest method are recognised 
in  profit  or  loss.  All  other  changes  in  the  carrying  amount  of  these  debt  instruments  are 
recognised in OCI and accumulated under the heading of investment revaluation reserve. 
Impairment allowances are recognised in profit or loss with corresponding adjustment to 
OCI  without  reducing  the  carrying  amounts  of  these  debt  instruments.  When  these  debt 
instruments are derecognised, the cumulative gains or losses previously recognised in OCI 
are reclassified to profit or loss.

87

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets (continued)

(iii) 

Financial assets at FVTPL

Financial  assets  that  do  not  meet  the  criteria  for  being  measured  at  amortised  cost  or 
FVTOCI or designated as FVTOCI are measured at FVTPL.

Financial  assets  at  FVTPL  are  measured  at  fair  value  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period, 
with  any  fair  value  gains  or  losses  recognised  in  profit  or  loss.  The  net  gain  or  loss 
recognised in profit or loss excludes any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset 
and is included in the “net loss on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss” line 
item.

Impairment of financial assets and other items subject to impairment assessment under HKFRS 9

The  Group  performs  impairment  assessment  under  the  expected  credit  loss  (“ECL”)  model 
on  financial  assets  (including  trade  and  other  receivables,  loan  and  interest  receivables,  bank 
balances  and  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI)  which  are  subject  to  impairment  assessment  under 
HKFRS  9.  The  amount  of  ECL  is  updated  at  each  reporting  date  to  reflect  changes  in  credit  risk 
since initial recognition.

Lifetime  ECL  represents  ECL  that  will  result  from  all  possible  default  events  over  the  expected 
life  of  the  relevant  instrument.  In  contrast,  12-month  ECL  (“12m  ECL”)  represents  the  portion  of 
lifetime  ECL  that  is  expected  to  result  from  default  events  that  are  possible  within  12  months 
after  the  reporting  date.  Assessments  are  done  based  on  the  Group’s  historical  credit  loss 
experience,  adjusted  for  factors  that  are  specific  to  the  debtors,  general  economic  conditions 
and an assessment of both the current conditions at the reporting date as well as the forecast of 
future conditions.

The  Group  always  recognises  lifetime  ECL  for  trade  receivables.  ECL  is  assessed  individually  for 
trade receivables.

88

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Impairment  of  financial  assets  and  other  items  subject  to  impairment  assessment  under  HKFRS  9 
(continued)

For all other instruments, the Group measures the loss allowance equal to 12m ECL, unless when 
there  has  been  a  significant  increase  in  credit  risk  since  initial  recognition,  in  which  case  the 
Group  recognises  lifetime  ECL.  The  assessment  of  whether  lifetime  ECL  should  be  recognised 
is  based  on  significant  increases  in  the  likelihood  or  risk  of  a  default  occurring  since  initial 
recognition.

(i) 

Significant increase in credit risk

In  assessing  whether  the  credit  risk  has  increased  significantly  since  initial  recognition, 
the  Group  compares  the  risk  of  a  default  occurring  on  the  financial  instrument  as  at 
the  reporting  date  with  the  risk  of  a  default  occurring  on  the  financial  instrument  as 
at  the  date  of  initial  recognition.  In  making  this  assessment,  the  Group  considers  both 
quantitative  and  qualitative  information  that  is  reasonable  and  supportable,  including 
historical experience and forward-looking information that is available without undue cost 
or effort.

In  particular,  the  following  information  is  taken  into  account  when  assessing  whether 
credit risk has increased significantly:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

an actual or expected significant deterioration in the financial instrument’s external 
(if available) or internal credit rating;

significant deterioration in external market indicators of credit risk, e. g. a significant 
increase in the credit spread, the credit default swap prices for the debtor;

existing  or  forecast  adverse  changes  in  business,  financial  or  economic  conditions 
that  are  expected  to  cause  a  significant  decrease  in  the  debtor’s  ability  to  meet  its 
debt obligations;

an actual or expected significant deterioration in the operating results of the debtor;

an  actual  or  expected  significant  adverse  change  in  the  regulatory,  economic,  or 
technological environment of the debtor that results in a significant decrease in the 
debtor’s ability to meet its debt obligations.

89

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Impairment  of  financial  assets  and  other  items  subject  to  impairment  assessment  under  HKFRS  9 
(continued)

(i) 

Significant increase in credit risk (continued)

Irrespective of the outcome of the above assessment, the Group presumes that the credit 
risk  has  increased  significantly  since  initial  recognition  when  contractual  payments  are 
more than 30 days past due, unless the Group has reasonable and supportable information 
that demonstrates otherwise.

Despite  the  aforegoing,  the  Group  assumes  that  the  credit  risk  on  a  debt  instrument  has 
not  increased  significantly  since  initial  recognition  if  the  debt  instrument  is  determined 
to have low credit risk at the reporting date. A debt instrument is determined to have low 
credit risk if (i) it has a low risk of default, (ii) the borrower has a strong capacity to meet its 
contractual  cash  flow  obligations  in  the  near  term  and  (iii)  adverse  changes  in  economic 
and business conditions in the longer term may, but will not necessarily, reduce the ability 
of the borrower to fulfil its contractual cash flow obligations. The Group considers a debt 
instrument  to  have  low  credit  risk  when  it  has  an  internal  or  external  credit  rating  of 
‘investment grade’ as per globally understood definitions or the counterparty can meet the 
financial commitment.

The  Group  regularly  monitors  the  effectiveness  of  the  criteria  used  to  identify  whether 
there  has  been  a  significant  increase  in  credit  risk  and  revises  them  as  appropriate  to 
ensure  that  the  criteria  are  capable  of  identifying  significant  increase  in  credit  risk  before 
the amount becomes past due.

(ii) 

Definition of default

For internal credit risk management, the Group considers an event of default occurs when 
information  developed  internally  or  obtained  from  external  sources  indicates  that  the 
debtor  is  unlikely  to  pay  its  creditors,  including  the  Group,  in  full  (without  taking  into 
account any collaterals held by the Group).

Irrespective  of  the  above,  the  Group  considers  that  default  has  occurred  when  a  financial 
asset  is  more  than  90  days  past  due  unless  the  Group  has  reasonable  and  supportable 
information to demonstrate that a more lagging default criterion is more appropriate.

90

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Impairment  of  financial  assets  and  other  items  subject  to  impairment  assessment  under  HKFRS  9 
(continued)

(iii) 

Credit-impaired financial assets

A  financial  asset  is  credit-impaired  when  one  or  more  events  that  have  a  detrimental 
impact on the estimated future cash flows of that financial asset have occurred. Evidence 
that  a  financial  asset  is  credit-impaired  includes  observable  data  about  the  following 
events:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

significant financial difficulty of the issuer or the borrower;

a breach of contract, such as a default or past due event;

the  lender(s)  of  the  borrower,  for  economic  or  contractual  reasons  relating  to  the 
borrower’s  financial  difficulty,  having  granted  to  the  borrower  a  concession(s)  that 
the lender(s) would not otherwise consider;

it  is  becoming  probable  that  the  borrower  will  enter  bankruptcy  or  other  financial 
reorganisation; or

the  disappearance  of  an  active  market  for  that  financial  asset  because  of  financial 
difficulties.

(iv)  Write-off policy

The  Group  writes  off  a  financial  asset  when  there  is  information  indicating  that  the 
counterparty  is  in  severe  financial  difficulty  and  there  is  no  realistic  prospect  of  recovery, 
for  example,  when  the  counterparty  has  been  placed  under  liquidation  or  has  entered 
into  bankruptcy  proceedings,  or  in  the  case  of  trade  receivables,  when  the  amounts  are 
over  two  years  past  due,  whichever  occurs  sooner.  Financial  assets  written  off  may  still 
be  subject  to  enforcement  activities  under  the  Group’s  recovery  procedures,  taking  into 
account legal advice where appropriate. A write-off constitutes a derecognition event. Any 
subsequent recoveries are recognised in profit or loss.

91

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Impairment  of  financial  assets  and  other  items  subject  to  impairment  assessment  under  HKFRS  9 
(continued)

(v)  Measurement and recognition of ECL

The  measurement  of  ECL  is  a  function  of  the  probability  of  default,  loss  given  default 
(i.e.  the  magnitude  of  the  loss  if  there  is  a  default)  and  the  exposure  at  default.  The 
assessment  of  the  probability  of  default  and  loss  given  default  is  based  on  historical 
data  adjusted  and  forward-looking  information.  Estimation  of  ECL  reflects  an  unbiased 
and  probability-weighted  amount  that  is  determined  with  the  respective  risks  of  default 
occurring as the weights.

Generally,  ECL  is  the  difference  between  all  contractual  cash  flows  that  are  due  to  the 
Group  in  accordance  with  the  contract  and  the  cash  flows  that  the  Group  expects  to 
receive, discounted at the effective interest rate determined at initial recognition.

Where  ECL  is  measured  on  a  collective  basis  or  cater  for  cases  where  evidence  at  the 
individual instrument level may not yet be available, the financial instruments are grouped 
on the following basis:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Nature  of  financial  instruments  (i.e.  the  Group’s  other  receivables  are  assessed  as  a 
separate group);

Past-due status;

Nature, size and industry of debtors; and

External credit ratings where available.

The  grouping  is  regularly  reviewed  by  management  to  ensure  the  constituents  of  each 
group continue to share similar credit risk characteristics.

Interest  income  is  calculated  based  on  the  gross  carrying  amount  of  the  financial  asset 
unless  the  financial  asset  is  credit-impaired,  in  which  case  interest  income  is  calculated 
based on amortised cost of the financial asset.

92

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets (continued)

Impairment  of  financial  assets  and  other  items  subject  to  impairment  assessment  under  HKFRS  9 
(continued)

(v)  Measurement and recognition of ECL (continued)

For  trade  receivables  and  loan  receivables,  ECL  is  recognised  through  a  loss  allowance 
account. For investments in debt instruments measured at FVTOCI, impairment allowances 
are recognised in profit or loss with corresponding adjustment to OCI without reducing the 
carrying amounts of these debt instruments.

Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from 
the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially 
all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the Group 
recognises  its  retained  interest  in  the  asset  and  an  associated  liability  for  amounts  it  may  have 
to  pay.  If  the  Group  retains  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  of  a  transferred 
financial  asset,  the  Group  continues  to  recognise  the  financial  asset  and  also  recognises  a 
collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received.

On  derecognition  of  a  financial  asset  measured  at  amortised  cost,  the  difference  between  the 
asset’s carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable is recognised 
in profit or loss.

On  derecognition  of  an  investment  in  a  debt  instrument  classified  as  at  FVTOCI,  the  cumulative 
gain or loss previously accumulated in the investment revaluation reserve is reclassified to profit 
or loss.

93

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial liabilities and equity

Classification as debt or equity

Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance 
with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definitions of a financial liability and 
an equity instrument.

Equity instruments

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity 
after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recognised at 
the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Financial liabilities

All  financial  liabilities  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest 
method.

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Financial  liabilities  including  trade  and  other  payables  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised 
cost, using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

The  Group  derecognises  financial  liabilities  when,  and  only  when,  the  Group’s  obligations  are 
discharged,  cancelled  or  have  expired.  The  difference  between  the  carrying  amount  of  the 
financial liability derecognised and the consideration paid and payable is recognised in profit or 
loss.

94

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Taxation

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit 
(loss) before tax because of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and 
items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using 
tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax

Deferred  tax  is  recognised  on  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets 
and  liabilities  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  corresponding  tax  bases  used  in 
the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary 
differences  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  taxable  profits  will  be  available  against  which 
those  deductible  temporary  differences  can  be  utilised.  Such  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities 
are  not  recognised  if  the  temporary  difference  arises  from  the  initial  recognition  (other  than  in 
a  business  combination)  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  a  transaction  that  affects  neither  the  taxable 
profit  nor  the  accounting  profit.  In  addition,  deferred  tax  liabilities  are  not  recognised  if  the 
temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill.

Deferred  tax  liabilities  are  recognised  for  taxable  temporary  differences  associated  with 
investments  in  subsidiaries  and  interests  in  joint  operations,  except  where  the  Group  is  able  to 
control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary 
differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that 
it  is  probable  that  there  will  be  sufficient  taxable  profits  against  which  to  utilise  the  benefits  of 
the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

95

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Taxation (continued)

Deferred tax (continued)

The  carrying  amount  of  deferred  tax  assets  is  reviewed  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period  and 
reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available 
to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the 
period in which the liability is settled or the asset is realised, based on tax rate (and tax laws) that 
have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would 
follow  from  the  manner  in  which  the  Group  expects,  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period,  to 
recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

For  the  purposes  of  measuring  deferred  tax  for  leasing  transactions  in  which  the  Group 
recognises  the  right-of-use  assets  and  the  related  lease  liabilities,  the  Group  first  determines 
whether the tax deductions are attributable to the right-of-use assets or the lease liabilities.

For  leasing  transactions  in  which  the  tax  deductions  are  attributable  to  the  lease  liabilities, 
the  Group  applies  HKAS  12  “Income  Taxes”  requirements  to  right-of-use  assets  and  lease 
liabilities  separately.  Temporary  differences  on  initial  recognition  of  the  relevant  right-of-use 
assets  and  lease  liabilities  are  not  recognised  due  to  application  of  the  initial  recognition 
exemption.  Temporary  differences  arising  from  subsequent  revision  of  the  carrying  amounts  of 
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, resulting from remeasurement of lease liabilities and lease 
modifications, that are not subject to initial recognition exemption are recognised on the date of 
remeasurement or modification.

Current and deferred tax for the year

Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  there  is  a  legally  enforceable  right  to  set  off 
current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied to the 
same taxable entity by the same taxation authority.

96

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Taxation (continued)

Current and deferred tax for the year (continued)

Current  and  deferred  tax  are  recognised  in  profit  or  loss,  except  when  they  relate  to  items  that 
are  recognised  in  OCI  or  directly  in  equity,  in  which  case,  the  current  and  deferred  tax  are  also 
recognised in OCI or directly in equity respectively.

In  assessing  any  uncertainty  over  income  tax  treatments,  the  Group  considers  whether  it 
is  probable  that  the  relevant  tax  authority  will  accept  the  uncertain  tax  treatment  used,  or 
proposed to be used by individual group entities in their income tax filings. If it is probable, the 
current  and  deferred  taxes  are  determined  consistently  with  the  tax  treatment  in  the  income 
tax  filings.  If  it  is  not  probable  that  the  relevant  taxation  authority  will  accept  an  uncertain  tax 
treatment,  the  effect  of  each  uncertainty  is  reflected  by  using  either  the  most  likely  amount  or 
the expected value.

Employee benefits

Retirement benefits costs

Payments to state-managed retirement benefit schemes and Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme 
(“MPF  Scheme”)  are  recognised  as  an  expense  when  employees  have  rendered  service  entitling 
them to the contributions.

Short-term and other long-term employee benefits

Short-term  employee  benefits  are  recognised  at  the  undiscounted  amount  of  the  benefits 
expected  to  be  paid  as  and  when  employees  rendered  the  services.  All  short-term  employee 
benefits are recognised as an expense unless another HKFRS requires or permits the inclusion of 
the benefit in the cost of an asset.

A  liability  is  recognised  for  benefits  accruing  to  employees  (such  as  wages  and  salaries  and 
annual leave) after deducting any amount already paid.

Liabilities  recognised  in  respect  of  other  long-term  employee  benefits  are  measured  at  the 
present value of the estimated future cash outflows expected to be made by the Group in respect 
of  services  provided  by  employees  up  to  the  reporting  date.  Any  changes  in  the  liabilities’ 
carrying  amounts  resulting  from  service  cost,  interest  and  remeasurements  are  recognised  in 
profit  or  loss  except  to  the  extent  that  another  HKFRS  requires  or  permits  their  inclusion  in  the 
cost of an asset.

97

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Share-based payments

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Share options granted to employees and directors

Equity-settled  share-based  payments  to  employees  and  directors  providing  similar  services  are 
measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date.

The fair value of the equity-settled share-based payments determined at the grant date without 
taking  into  consideration  all  non-market  vesting  conditions  is  expensed  on  a  straight-line  basis 
over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually 
vest, with a corresponding increase in equity (share options reserve). At the end of each reporting 
period,  the  Group  revises  its  estimate  of  the  number  of  equity  instruments  expected  to  vest 
based  on  assessment  of  all  relevant  non-market  vesting  conditions.  The  impact  of  the  revision 
of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense 
reflects  the  revised  estimate,  with  a  corresponding  adjustment  to  the  share  options  reserve. 
For  share  options  that  vest  immediately  at  the  date  of  grant,  the  fair  value  of  the  share  options 
granted is expensed immediately to profit or loss.

When  share  options  are  exercised,  the  amount  previously  recognised  in  share  options  reserve 
will be transferred to share capital and share premium. When the share options are forfeited after 
the vesting date or are still not exercised at the expiry date, the amount previously recognised in 
share options reserve will continue to be held in share options reserve.

Government grants

Government  grants  are  not  recognised  until  there  is  reasonable  assurance  that  the  Group  will 
comply with the conditions attaching to them and that the grants will be received.

Government  grants  related  to  income  that  are  receivable  as  compensation  for  expenses  or 
losses  already  incurred  or  for  the  purpose  of  giving  immediate  financial  support  to  the  Group 
with no future related costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period  in  which  they  become 
receivable. Such grants are presented under “other income and losses, net”.

98

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20203. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

3.2  Significant accounting policies (continued)

Foreign currencies

In  preparing  the  financial  statements  of  each  individual  group  entity,  transactions  in  currencies 
other than the functional currency of that entity (foreign currencies) are recognised at the rates 
of  exchanges  prevailing  on  the  dates  of  the  transactions.  At  the  end  of  the  reporting  period, 
monetary  items  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  retranslated  at  the  rates  prevailing  at 
that  date.  Non-monetary  items  carried  at  fair  value  that  are  denominated  in  foreign  currencies 
are  retranslated  at  the  rates  prevailing  on  the  date  when  the  fair  value  was  determined. 
Non-monetary  items  that  are  measured  in  terms  of  historical  cost  in  a  foreign  currency  are  not 
retranslated.

Exchange  differences  arising  on  the  settlement  of  monetary  items,  and  on  the  retranslation  of 
monetary items, are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

For  the  purposes  of  presenting  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  assets  and  liabilities 
of  the  Group’s  foreign  operations  are  translated  into  the  presentation  currency  of  the  Group 
(i.e.  Hong  Kong  dollars)  using  exchange  rates  prevailing  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period. 
Income  and  expenses  items  are  translated  at  the  average  exchange  rates  for  the  period,  unless 
exchange  rates  fluctuated  significantly  during  the  period,  in  which  case,  the  exchange  rates  at 
the date of transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in OCI and 
accumulated in equity under the heading of translation reserve.

On  the  disposal  of  a  foreign  operation  (that  is,  a  disposal  of  the  Group’s  entire  interest  in  a 
foreign  operation,  or  a  disposal  involving  loss  of  control  over  a  subsidiary  that  includes  a 
foreign  operation,  or  a  partial  disposal  of  an  interest  in  a  joint  arrangement  that  includes  a 
foreign  operation  of  which  the  retained  interest  becomes  a  financial  asset),  all  of  the  exchange 
differences accumulated in equity in respect of that operation attributable to the owners of the 
Company are reclassified to profit or loss.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying 
assets,  which  are  assets  that  necessarily  take  a  substantial  period  of  time  to  get  ready  for  their 
intended  use  or  sale,  are  added  to  the  cost  of  those  assets  until  such  time  as  the  assets  are 
substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

99

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20204. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENT AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

In  the  application  of  the  Group’s  accounting  policies,  which  are  described  in  Note  3,  the  directors  of 
the Company are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying 
assumptions  are  based  on  historical  experience  and  other  factors  that  are  considered  to  be  relevant. 
Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting 
estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that 
period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future 
periods.

Critical judgment in applying accounting policy

The  following  is  the  critical  judgment,  apart  from  those  involving  estimation  (see  below),  that  the 
directors of the Company have made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policy and that 
has the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements.

Judgment on whether there has been significant increase in credit risk in respect of the Group’s financial 
assets

The  management  assesses  whether  there  has  been  a  significant  increase  in  credit  risk  for  exposures 
since initial recognition in respect of the Group’s loan and interest receivables and debt instruments at 
FVTOCI. If there has been a significant increase in credit risk, the Group will measure the loss allowance 
based  on  lifetime  ECL  rather  than  12-month  ECL.  In  assessing  whether  the  credit  risk  of  an  asset  has 
significantly  increased,  the  Group  takes  into  account  qualitative  factors  and  quantitative  modelling 
to  support  reasonable  and  supportable  forward-looking  information  available  without  undue  cost  or 
effort with significant judgments involved. The information about ECL and the Group’s loan and interest 
receivables and debt instruments at FVTOCI are disclosed in Notes 38, 23 and 22 respectively.

100

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20204. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENT AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY 
(continued)

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The  following  is  the  key  assumption  concerning  the  future,  and  other  key  sources  of  estimation 
uncertainty  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period,  that  may  have  a  significant  risk  of  causing  a  material 
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Provision of ECL on loan and interest receivables

Management  regularly  reviews  the  impairment  assessment  and  evaluates  ECL  of  the  loan  and  interest 
receivables. Appropriate impairment allowance is recognised in profit or loss.

In  assessing  whether  the  credit  risk  has  increased  significantly  since  initial  recognition,  the  Group 
compares  the  risk  of  a  default  occurring  on  the  financial  instrument  at  the  reporting  date  with  the 
one  as  at  the  date  of  initial  recognition.  In  making  this  assessment,  the  loan  and  interest  receivables 
from  borrowers  are  assessed  individually  by  the  management  of  the  Group,  based  on  the  financial 
background,  financial  condition  and  the  historical  settlement  records,  including  past  due  dates  and 
default  rates,  of  each  borrower  and  reasonable  and  supportable  forward-looking  information  (such  as 
macroeconomic factors including Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growth and unemployment rate with 
adjustment  on  different  scenarios  of  economic  environment  prospect)  that  is  available  without  undue 
cost or effort.

Each  borrower  is  assigned  a  risk  grading  under  internal  credit  ratings  to  calculate  the  ECL,  taking 
into  consideration  of  the  estimates  of  expected  cash  shortfalls  which  are  driven  by  estimates  of 
possibility  of  default  and  the  amount  and  timing  of  cash  flows  that  are  expected  from  foreclosure  on 
the  collaterals  (if  any)  less  the  costs  of  selling  the  collaterals.  At  every  reporting  date,  the  financial 
background, financial condition and the historical settlement records are reassessed and changes in the 
forward-looking information are considered.

The  provision  of  ECL  is  sensitive  to  changes  in  estimates.  Owing  to  the  great  financial  uncertainty 
triggered  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  the  Group  has  increased  the  expected  loss  rates  in  the  current 
year as there is a high risk that a prolonged pandemic could lead to increased credit default rates. The 
information  about  ECL  and  the  Group’s  loan  and  interest  receivables  are  disclosed  in  Notes  38  and  23 
respectively.

Debt instrument at FVTOCI

The Group’s debt instruments at FVTOCI are held within a business model whose objective is achieved 
by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling of these assets and the contractual cash flows of 
these investments are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

101

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20204. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENT AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY 
(continued)

Key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)

Provision of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI

The  Group  performed  impairment  assessment  on  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  under  the  ECL  model 
individually. The determination of the loss allowances is dependent on the external macro environment 
and  the  credit  rating  of  each  debt  security.  The  management  takes  into  consideration  historical  data 
from the international rating agency.

The provision of ECL involves significant estimates and judgments, including determination of whether 
there is significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, use of assumptions in determination 
of probability of default and loss given default, and incorporation of forward looking information. The 
information about ECL and the Group’s financial assets are disclosed in Notes 38 and 22 respectively.

At 31 December 2020, the carrying amounts of debt instruments at FVTOCI was HK$132,198,000 (2019: 
HK$141,826,000) with provision of ECL of HK$4,574,000 recognised in profit or loss with corresponding 
adjustment to other comprehensive income during the year (2019: reversal of ECL of HK$56,000).

Estimated impairment of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets

Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets are stated at costs less accumulated depreciation 
and  impairment,  if  any.  In  determining  whether  an  asset  is  impaired,  the  Group  has  to  exercise 
judgment  and  make  estimation,  particularly  in  assessing  whether  an  event  has  occurred  or  any 
indicators  that  may  affect  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  assets.  In  estimating  the  value  in  use,  the 
net  present  value  of  future  cash  flows  are  estimated  based  upon  the  continued  use  of  the  asset  as 
key  assumptions  applied  in  cash  flow  projections  and  use  of  appropriate  discount  rate.  When  it  is  not 
possible  to  estimate  the  recoverable  amount  of  an  individual  asset  (including  right-of-use  assets),  the 
Group  estimates  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  cash  generating  unit  to  which  the  assets  belongs, 
including  allocation  of  corporate  assets  when  a  reasonable  and  consistent  basis  of  allocation  can  be 
established,  otherwise  recoverable  amount  is  determined  at  the  smallest  group  of  cash  generating 
units,  for  which  the  relevant  corporate  assets  have  been  allocated.  Changing  the  assumptions  and 
estimates, including the discount rates or the growth rate in the cash flow projections, could materially 
affect the recoverable amounts.

As  at  31  December  2020,  the  carrying  amounts  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  and  right-of-use 
assets  subject  to  impairment  assessment  were  HK$985,000  and  HK$2,523,000  (2019:  HK$605,000  and 
nil) respectively, after taking into account the impairment losses of nil and nil (2019: HK$43,777,000 and 
HK$3,529,000) in respect of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets that were recognised 
respectively,  details  of  impairment  loss  on  property,  plant  and  equipment  and  right-of-use  assets  are 
disclosed in Notes 19 and 20 respectively.

102

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20205. 

REVENUE

Revenue from major products and services

The  Group’s  revenue  is  arising  from  petroleum  exploration  and  production,  money  lending  and 
investment in securities businesses.

An analysis of the Group’s revenue for the year is as follows:

Sales of petroleum
Interest income from money lending business*
Interest income from debt instruments at FVTOCI*
Dividend and interest income from financial assets at FVTPL

2020
HK$’000

14,097
17,870
10,142
340

2019
HK$’000

24,171
25,971
9,316
1,102

42,449

60,560

* 

Under effective interest method

During the year, revenue from sales of petroleum is recognised at a point in time. Revenue from sales of 
petroleum is recognised once the control of the crude oil is transferred from the Group to the customer. 
Revenue  is  measured  based  on  the  oil  price  agreed  with  the  customer  at  the  point  of  sales.  Dividend 
income and interest income fall outside the scope of HKFRS 15.

This is consistent with the revenue information disclosed for each operating segment.

6. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The  following  is  an  analysis  of  the  Group’s  revenue  and  results  by  operating  segments,  based  on  the 
information provided to the chief operating decision maker representing the Board, for the purposes of 
allocating resources to segments and assessing their performance. This is also the basis upon which the 
Group is arranged and organised.

The Group’s operating segments under HKFRS 8 “Operating Segments” are as follows:

(i) 

Petroleum exploration and production

(ii)  Money lending

(iii) 

Investment in securities

103

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Segment revenue and results

The following is an analysis of the Group’s revenue and results by operating segments:

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Petroleum
exploration
and
production
HK$’000

Money
lending
HK$’000

Investment
in securities
HK$’000

Total
HK$’000

14,097

17,870

10,482

42,449

(2,647)
–

17,286
12,232

1,191
(4,574)

15,830
7,658

Segment revenue
External sales/sources

Results
Segment results before reversal 

(provision) of ECL

Reversal (provision) of ECL

Segment results

(2,647)

29,518

(3,383)

23,488

Other income and losses, net
Corporate expenses
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Finance costs

Profit before tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Other information
Depreciation of property,  
plant and equipment

9,563
(23,792)
(515)
(166)

8,578
(440)

8,138

(88)

–

–

(88)

104

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Segment revenue and results (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Petroleum
exploration
and
production
HK$’000

Money
lending
HK$’000

Investment
in securities
HK$’000

Total
HK$’000

24,171

25,971

10,418

60,560

(4,233)
(42,377)
–

25,963
–
(61,703)

(21,516)
–
56

214
(42,377)
(61,647)

Segment revenue
External sales/sources

Results
Segment results before (provision) 

reversal of impairment loss and ECL

Provision of impairment loss
(Provision) reversal of ECL

Segment results

(46,610)

(35,740)

(21,460)

(103,810)

Other income and losses, net
Provision of impairment loss of 

property, plant and equipment  
and right-of-use assets

Corporate expenses
Finance costs

Loss before tax
Income tax expense

Loss for the year

Other information
Depreciation of property,  
plant and equipment

(1,555)

(4,929)
(26,794)
(239)

(137,327)
(772)

(138,099)

(3,715)

–

–

(3,715)

The  accounting  policies  of  the  operating  segments  are  the  same  as  the  Group’s  accounting  policies 
described in Note 3. Segment results represent the loss incurred/profit earned by each segment without 
allocation of certain other income and losses, net, corporate expenses, loss on disposal of subsidiaries, 
finance  costs,  income  tax  expense  and  certain  provision  of  impairment  loss  of  property,  plant  and 
equipment and right-of-use assets.

105

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Segment assets and liabilities

The following is an analysis of the Group’s assets and liabilities by reportable and operating segments:

Segment assets
Petroleum exploration and production
Money lending
Investment in securities

Total segment assets
Unallocated:

Property, plant and equipment
Bank balances and cash
Right-of-use assets
Other assets

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

3,461
162,716
166,396

5,645
206,630
180,290

332,573

392,565

985
133,585
2,523
6,097

520
70,433
–
5,746

Consolidated assets

475,763

469,264

Segment liabilities
Petroleum exploration and production
Money lending
Investment in securities

Total segment liabilities
Unallocated:

Lease liabilities
Other liabilities

Consolidated liabilities

2,287
517
578

3,382

2,773
10,110

3,108
419
47

3,574

3,612
18,182

16,265

25,368

For the purposes of monitoring segment performances and allocating resources between segments:

• 

• 

all assets are allocated to operating segments other than certain property, plant and equipment, 
certain bank balances and cash, right-of-use assets and certain other assets; and

all  liabilities  are  allocated  to  operating  segments  other  than  lease  liabilities  and  certain  other 
liabilities.

106

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Geographical information

The Group’s operations are located in Argentina, Hong Kong and the PRC.

Information  about  the  Group’s  revenue  from  external  customers/sources  is  presented  based  on  the 
location of customers/sources. Information about the Group’s non-current assets is presented based on 
the geographical location of the assets.

Argentina
Hong Kong
The PRC

Revenue from external
customers/sources

Non-current 
assets (Note)

Year ended 31 December

At 31 December

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

14,097
25,537
2,815

24,171
31,322
5,067

–
3,508
–

85
940
–

42,449

60,560

3,508

1,025

Note:  Non-current assets excluded debt instruments at FVTOCI and loan and interest receivables.

Information about major customers

Revenue  from  customer  of  petroleum  exploration  and  production  business  contributing  over  10%  of 
the total revenue of the Group for the corresponding years are as follows:

Customer A

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

13,740

24,171

107

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. 

OTHER INCOME AND LOSSES, NET

Bank interest income
Government grant (Note (i))
Overprovision of accrued expenses (Note (ii))
Exchange gains (losses), net
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Others

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

741
867
6,088
2,506
(35)
(7)

627
–
–
(2,120)
–
(116)

10,160

(1,609)

Notes:

(i) 

During the current year, the Group recognised government grants in respect of COVID-19-related subsidies 

that relates to Employment Support Scheme provided by the Hong Kong government.

(ii) 

The  amount  represented  the  overprovision  of  legal  and  professional  expenses  which  were  related  to 

a  possible  acquisition  in  2012  the  management  had  subsequently  decided  not  to  proceed  with.  The 

management considered the possibility of settling such liabilities as remote and the provision was reversed 

accordingly during the current year.

8. 

NET LOSS ON FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

Net unrealised loss on financial assets at FVTPL (Note (i))
Net realised loss on disposal of financial assets at FVTPL (Note (ii))

2020
HK$’000

1,751
7,432

2019
HK$’000

27,876
4,860

9,183

32,736

Notes:

(i) 

The  amount  represented  the  change  in  the  fair  values  of  the  securities  acquired  during  the  year  and/or 

the  carrying  amount  of  the  securities  brought  forward  from  the  prior  financial  year  after  accounting  for 

additional acquisition and/or disposal of the securities (if any) during the year as compared to the fair values 

of the financial assets at FVTPL held by the Group at 31 December 2020 and 2019.

(ii) 

The  amount  represented  the  change  in  the  fair  values  of  the  securities  acquired  during  the  year  and/or 

the  carrying  amount  of  the  securities  brought  forward  from  the  prior  financial  year  after  accounting  for 

additional acquisition of the securities (if any) during the year as compared to the fair values of the financial 

assets at FVTPL disposed of upon disposal.

108

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. 

PROVISION OF IMPAIRMENT LOSS OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND 
RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

Provision of impairment loss of property, plant and  

equipment (Note 19)

Provision of impairment loss of right-of-use assets

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

–
–

–

43,777
3,529

47,306

10.  LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES

In December 2020, the Group disposed of its entire equity interests in four subsidiaries incorporated in 
Hong Kong or the PRC to an independent third party.

Consideration received:
Consideration received in cash

Assets and liabilities of the disposed subsidiaries at the date of disposal:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Loan and interest receivables
Bank balances and cash
Trade and other payables

Net assets disposed of

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries:
Consideration received
Net assets disposed of

Loss on disposal

Net cash inflow arising on disposal:
Cash consideration
Less: bank balances and cash disposed of

HK$’000

20,000

420
420
19,697
159
(181)

20,515

20,000
(20,515)

(515)

20,000
(159)

19,841

109

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11.  FINANCE COSTS

Interest on lease liabilities

166

239

12. 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

Tax charge for the year comprises:
Current tax

Hong Kong
The PRC
Argentina

– Withholding tax paid on interest income from a group entity

Overprovision in prior year

Hong Kong
The PRC

Deferred tax (Note 30)

Income tax expense recognised in profit or loss

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

502
125

–

627

–
(718)

(718)
531

440

155
678

300

1,133

(70)
(54)

(124)
(237)

772

On  21  March  2018,  the  Hong  Kong  Legislative  Council  passed  the  Inland  Revenue  (Amendment)  (No. 
7) Bill 2017 (the “Bill”) which introduces the two-tiered profits tax rates regime. The Bill was signed into 
law  on  28  March  2018  and  was  gazetted  on  the  following  day.  Under  the  two-tiered  profits  tax  rates 
regime, the first HK$2 million of profits of the qualifying group entity will be taxed at 8.25%, and profits 
above HK$2 million will be taxed at 16.5%. The profits of group entities not qualifying for the two-tiered 
profits tax rates regime will continue to be taxed at a flat rate of 16.5%.

Accordingly, the Hong Kong profits tax of the qualifying group entity is calculated at 8.25% on the first 
HK$2 million of the estimated assessable profits and at 16.5% on the estimated assessable profits above 
HK$2 million.

Under the Law of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax (the “EIT Law”) and Implementation Regulation of 
the EIT Law, the tax rate of the PRC subsidiaries is 25% for both years.

The Argentina withholding tax on the interest income received from an Argentinean subsidiary by the 
Group was calculated at 35% on such income for the year ended 31 December 2019. No withholding tax 
was paid for the year ended 31 December 2020.

110

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (continued)

The  tax  expense  for  the  year  can  be  reconciled  to  the  profit  (loss)  before  tax  per  the  consolidated 
statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as follows:

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

Profit (loss) before tax

8,578

(137,327)

Tax at the applicable rates of 16.5% (2019: 16.5%)
Tax effect of income not taxable for tax purpose
Tax effect of expenses not deductible for tax purpose
Tax effect of temporary difference not recognised
Overprovision in prior year
Tax effect of tax losses not recognised
Withholding tax on interest income from a group entity
Income tax at concessionary rate
Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other 

jurisdictions

Income tax expense for the year

1,415
(10,325)
4,439
(215)
(718)
6,114
–
(165)

(105)

440

(22,659)
(1,179)
15,458
68
(124)
8,867
300
(155)

196

772

111

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.  PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR

Profit (loss) for the year has been arrived at after charging:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Total depreciation

Staff costs

– directors’ emoluments (Note 14)
– other staff costs
– other staff retirement benefits schemes contributions 

(excluding directors)

Total staff costs

Auditor’s remuneration
Professional and consultancy fees (Note)

Note:

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

221
1,196

1,417

2,117
10,808

1,289

4,553
4,002

8,555

3,055
11,848

1,670

14,214

16,573

850
8,780

2,400
5,337

The amount mainly represented the legal and professional fees incurred in connection with a proposed acquisition 

of  the  hydrocarbons  exploitation  concession  rights  in  Argentina,  details  of  which  were  set  out  in  the  Company’s 

circular dated 8 October 2020.

112

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14.  DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS

The emoluments paid or payable to each of the eight (2019: nine) directors, disclosed pursuant to the 
applicable Listing Rules and Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, were as follows:

Name

2020
Executive Directors

Mr. Liu Zhiyi
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen

Non-executive Director

Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul

Independent Non-executive Directors

Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

Total

Salaries 
and other
benefits
HK$’000

Retirement 
benefit
scheme
contributions
HK$’000

Total
HK$’000

Notes

Fees
HK$’000

(i)

(ii)

–
–
–
–

117

120
120
120

477

600
390
130
455

–

–
–
–

9
20
7
23

6

–
–
–

609
410
137
478

123

120
120
120

1,575

65

2,117

113

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14.  DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS (continued)

Name

Note

Fees
HK$’000

2019
Executive Directors

Mr. Liu Zhiyi
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen

Non-executive Director

Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul

Independent Non-executive Directors

Mr. To Yan Ming, Edmond
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap

(iii)

Total

–
–
–
–

260

79
120
120
120

699

Salaries 
and other
benefits
HK$’000

Retirement 
benefit
scheme
contributions
HK$’000

1,300
390
130
455

–

–
–
–
–

18
20
7
23

13

–
–
–
–

Total
HK$’000

1,318
410
137
478

273

79
120
120
120

2,275

81

3,055

Mr.  Liu  Zhiyi  performed  the  function  of  the  chief  executive  of  the  Company  and  his  emoluments 
disclosed above included those for services rendered by him as the chief executive up to 30 June 2020.

114

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14.  DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS (continued)

The  executive  directors’  emoluments  shown  above  were  for  their  services  in  connection  with  the 
management  of  the  affairs  of  the  Company  and  the  Group.  The  emoluments  of  the  non-executive 
director  and  independent  non-executive  directors  shown  above  were  for  their  services  as  directors  of 
the Company.

Notes:

(i) 

Resigned on 30 June 2020

(ii) 

Retired on 26 June 2020

(iii) 

Passed away on 28 August 2019

During the year, no emoluments were paid by the Group to any directors as an inducement to join, or 
upon joining the Group or as compensation for loss of office. No directors waived any emoluments for 
both years.

15.  EMPLOYEES’ EMOLUMENTS

Of  the  five  individuals  with  the  highest  emoluments  in  the  Group,  one  (2019:  one)  is  director  whose 
emoluments is included in the disclosure in Note 14. The emoluments of the remaining four (2019: four) 
individuals were as follows:

Salaries and other benefits
Retirement benefits schemes contributions

Their emoluments were within the following bands:

Nil to HK$1,000,000
HK$1,000,001 to HK$1,500,000
HK$2,500,001 to HK$3,000,000
HK$3,000,001 to HK$3,500,000

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

4,463
672

5,135

5,573
544

6,117

Number of employees

2020

2019

2
1
1
–

1
2
–
1

115

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16.  DIVIDENDS

No  dividend  was  paid  or  proposed  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2020  and  2019,  nor  has  any 
dividend been proposed since the end of the reporting periods.

17.  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the profit (loss) for the year attributable to owners of 
the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Profit (loss):
Profit (loss) for the year attributable to the owners of the  
Company for the purpose of calculating basic earnings  
(loss) per share

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

8,519

(138,099)

2020
’000

2019
’000

Number of shares:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose 

 of calculating basic earnings (loss) per share

5,240,344

5,240,344

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  diluted  earnings  per  share  attributable  to  owners  of  the 
Company is not presented since all the outstanding share options were lapsed on 4 May 2020 and thus 
there were no dilutive potential ordinary shares in issue.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the diluted loss per share attributable to owners of the Company 
is not presented since the assumed exercise of the Company’s share options would result in a decrease 
in loss per share attributable to owners of the Company.

116

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

Cost
At 1 January and 31 December

Impairment
At 1 January and 31 December

Carrying values
At 1 January and 31 December

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

3,778,574

3,778,574

3,778,574

3,778,574

–

–

Exploration  and  evaluation  assets  were  related  to  the  oil  exploration  rights  in  the  Chañares  Herrados 
area  (“CHE  Area”)  and  Puesto  Pozo  Cercado  area  (“PPC  Area”)  (together  the  “Concessions”)  in  the 
Cuyana Basin, Mendoza Province of Argentina, covering a total surface area of approximately 40.0 and 
169.4 square kilometres, respectively.

The  Concessions  were  awarded  to  Chañares  Energía  S.A.  (formerly  known  as  Chañares  Herrados 
Empresa  de  Trabajos  Petroleros  S.  A.)  (“Chañares”),  the  concessionaire.  The  terms  of  the  Concessions 
were  25  years  commencing  from  24  September  1992  and  26  June  1992,  respectively,  with  the 
possibility of obtaining a 10-year extension under certain conditions.

In 2011, Chañares obtained an extension of 10 years from the date of expiry of the original term of the 
Concessions under a decree dated 30 June 2011 issued by the Executive of the Province of Mendoza.

117

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (continued)

At  31  December  2015,  based  on  prevailing  available  information  on  oil  price  forecast,  investment 
costs  and  operating  costs,  the  Group  considered  the  future  development  of  the  investment  plan  on 
the  Concessions  using  methods  of  breakeven  analysis  and  investment  return  analysis  and  concluded 
that  it  was  not  economically  feasible  to  drill  any  new  wells.  Given  the  nature  of  the  Group’s  activities, 
information  on  the  fair  value  of  the  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  was  difficult  to  obtain  unless 
negotiation with potential purchasers were taking place such that no reliable fair value information in 
the market could be found. Therefore, in the opinion of the directors of the Company, the exploration 
and  evaluation  assets  were  fully  impaired  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2015.  At  31  December 
2016, the Group reconsidered the future development of the investment plan on the Concessions and 
concluded that no well drilling programme would be launched.

As  disclosed  in  the  announcement  of  the  Company  dated  15  August  2017,  the  Group  was  notified  by 
Chañares  that  the  Executive  of  the  Province  of  Mendoza  had  published  a  decree  on  9  August  2017 
declaring  the  lapse  of  the  concession  in  respect  of  the  PPC  Area  by  30  October  2017,  of  which  the 
exploration and evaluation assets in respect of the Group’s right over the hydrocarbon production was 
fully impaired during the year ended 31 December 2015. The Group was also notified by Chañares that 
the concession in respect of the CHE Area would be extended until 14 November 2027.

At  31  December  2017  and  31  December  2018,  the  Group  reconsidered  the  future  development  of  the 
investment  plan  on  the  concession  in  respect  of  the  CHE  Area  (the  “CHE  Concession”)  and  concluded 
that no further well drilling programme would be launched.

As  disclosed  in  the  announcement  of  the  Company  dated  24  May  2019,  the  Group  was  notified  by 
Chañares  that  the  Executive  of  the  Province  of  Mendoza  had  issued  a  decree  (the  “2019  Decree”) 
in  respect  of  the  termination  of  the  CHE  Concession  as  Chañares  had  not  fulfilled  its  investment 
commitment.  The  Decree  did  not  state  the  effective  date  of  the  termination  of  the  CHE  Concession 
but stated that the CHE Concession would be made available for other investors to invest and operate 
under  a  formal  bidding  process  to  be  conducted  (the  “Bidding  Process”).  Accordingly,  in  view  of  the 
forthcoming termination of the CHE Concession, at 31 December 219 and 31 December 2020, the Group 
had not reconsidered the future development of the investment plan on the CHE Concession.

118

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202019.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost
At 1 January 2019
Additions
Acquired through acquisition of a subsidiary
Written-off
Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2019
Additions
Eliminated on disposal of a subsidiary
Written-off and disposal
Exchange adjustment

Oil and gas
properties
HK$’000

Others
HK$’000

Total
HK$’000

497,532
–
–
–
–

497,532
–
–
–
–

3,749
117
880
(37)
(26)

4,683
1,041
(880)
(288)
102

501,281
117
880
(37)
(26)

502,215
1,041
(880)
(288)
102

At 31 December 2020

497,532

4,658

502,190

Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2019
Provided for the year
Provision of impairment loss
Eliminated on written-off
Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2019
Provided for the year
Eliminated on disposal of a subsidiary
Eliminated on written-off and disposal
Exchange adjustment

451,402
3,712
42,333
–
–

497,447
85
–
–
–

1,928
841
1,444
(37)
(13)

4,163
136
(460)
(253)
87

453,330
4,553
43,777
(37)
(13)

501,610
221
(460)
(253)
87

At 31 December 2020

497,532

3,673

501,205

Carrying values
At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019

–

85

985

520

985

605

119

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

As  described  in  Notes  18  and  33,  due  to  the  forthcoming  termination  of  CHE  Concession,  the  Group 
was  entitled  to  its  share  of  production  under  the  operation  agreement  signed  with  Chañares  until 
the  delivery  of  the  concession  to  the  new  concessionaire  which  was  expected,  at  the  relevant  time, 
to  be  around  the  end  of  June  2020  (the  “Expected  Delivery  Date”).  In  view  of  the  concession  being 
shortened from its extended expiry in November 2027 to the Expected Delivery Date, for the year ended 
31  December  2019,  a  provision  of  impairment  loss  on  the  oil  and  gas  properties  of  HK$42,333,000 
was  recognised  and  the  oil  and  gas  properties  were  depreciated  on  a  unit-of-production  basis  over 
the  estimated  production  up  to  the  Expected  Delivery  Date.  For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  a 
depreciation on the oil and gas properties of HK$85,000 was recognised and the oil and gas properties 
were fully depreciated at 31 December 2020.

The remaining items of property, plant and equipment were depreciated on a straight-line basis at 20% 
to 331/3% per annum after taking into account their estimated residual values.

20.  RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

Carrying amount
At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019

For the year ended 31 December 2020
Depreciation charge

Additions to right-of-use assets

Expense relating to short-term leases and other leases with lease terms end  

within one year from the date of initial application of HKFRS 16

Total cash outflow for leases

For the year ended 31 December 2019
Depreciation charge

Impairment loss recognised

Expense relating to short-term leases and other leases with lease terms end  

within one year from the date of initial application of HKFRS 16

Total cash outflow for leases

120

Offices
HK$’000

2,523

–

1,196

3,724

465

5,226

4,002

3,529

210

4,366

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20.  RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS (continued)

For  both  years,  the  Group  leases  offices  for  its  operations.  Lease  contracts  are  entered  into  for  a 
fixed  term  of  one  to  three  years,  but  may  have  termination  option  as  described  below.  Lease  terms 
are  negotiated  on  an  individual  basis  and  contain  a  wide  range  of  different  terms  and  conditions.  In 
determining the lease term and assessing the length of the non-cancellable  period, the  Group  applies 
the definition of a contract and determines the period for which the contract is enforceable.

At  31  December  2020  and  2019,  the  portfolio  of  short-term  leases  was  similar  to  the  portfolio  of 
short-term leases which related to the short-term lease expense disclosed above.

The  Group  has  termination  option  in  certain  leases  for  its  offices.  Termination  option  is  used  to 
maximise  operational  flexibility  in  terms  of  managing  the  assets  used  in  the  Group’s  operations.  The 
termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the lessor. The Group reassessed 
the lease term at the reporting date and concluded not to exercise the termination options and hence 
the related lease payments during the lease period were included in the lease liabilities.

Restrictions or covenants on leases
The lease agreements do not impose any covenants other than the equity interests in the leased assets 
that are held by the lessors. Leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

21. 

INTANGIBLE ASSET

Cost and carrying values
At 1 January 2019
Additions (Note)

At 31 December 2019
Eliminated on disposal of a subsidiary (Note)

At 31 December 2020

Vehicle
license
HK$’000

–
420

420
(420)

–

Note:  During  the  year  2019,  the  Group  purchased  the  motor  vehicle  and  vehicle  license  through  the  acquisition 

of  a  subsidiary.  Other  than  the  motor  vehicle  (as  included  in  property,  plant  and  equipment)  and  vehicle 

license,  there  were  no  significant  assets  and  liabilities  owned  by  this  subsidiary  at  the  date  of  completion 

of  acquisition.  The  directors  were  of  the  opinion  that  the  vehicle  license  had  indefinite  useful  life  as  the 

vehicle  license  was  transferable  and  renewable  with  minimal  cost,  which  was  therefore  carried  at  cost  less 

accumulated impairment, if any. The directors assessed that there was no impairment on the vehicle license 

at  31  December  2019  with  reference  to  the  recently  completed  transaction  prices.  In  December  2020,  the 

Company  disposed  of  this  subsidiary  together  with  three  other  subsidiaries,  details  of  the  disposal  are  set 

out in Note 10.

121

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
22.  DEBT INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Listed investments, at fair value:

– Debt securities listed in Hong Kong or Singapore with fixed 

interests ranging from 4.70% to 11.75% (2019: 4.70% to 
11.75%) per annum and maturity dates ranging from 12 
February 2022 to 28 June 2025 (2019: 19 July 2020 to 28 
June 2025)

Analysed as:
Current portion
Non-current portion

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

132,198

141,826

2,213
129,985

18,804
123,022

132,198

141,826

At  31  December  2020  and  2019,  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  were  stated  at  fair  values  which  were 
determined  based  on  the  quoted  market  closing  prices  available  on  the  Stock  Exchange  or  Singapore 
Stock Exchange.

The  Group  had  engaged  an  independent  professional  valuer  to  perform  ECL  assessment  on  the  debt 
instruments by taking into consideration of the historical data from an international rating agency. The 
Company’s management worked closely with the qualified external valuer to establish the appropriate 
valuation  techniques  and  inputs  to  the  model.  In  making  that  evaluation,  the  Group  assessed  ECL  for 
debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  by  reference  to  the  credit  rating  of  the  debt  instruments  estimated  by 
the  recognised  rating  agency  (i.e.  Moody’s),  the  macroeconomic  factors  affecting  each  issuer,  and  the 
probability of default and loss given default of each debt instrument. The Group also took into account 
forward-looking  information  that  was  reasonably  and  supportably  available  to  the  Group  without 
undue cost or effort, including information such as GDP growth rate and unemployment rate.

Provision  of  ECL  of  HK$4,574,000  was  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  with  corresponding  adjustment  to 
other comprehensive income for the current year (2019: reversal of ECL of HK$56,000).

Details  of  impairment  assessment  are  set  out  in  Note  38.  All  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  were 
denominated in US$.

122

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.  LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES

Fixed-rate loan receivables
Interest receivables

Less: Impairment allowance

Analysed as:
Current portion
Non-current portion

Analysed as:
Secured
Unsecured

2020
HK$’000

190,931
20,152

211,083
(49,701)

2019
HK$’000

241,365
13,078

254,443
(68,755)

161,382

185,688

127,957
33,425

152,688
33,000

161,382

185,688

141,669
19,713

158,619
27,069

161,382

185,688

At  31  December  2020,  the  range  of  interest  rates  and  maturity  dates  attributed  to  the  Group’s 
performing loan receivables were 8% to 18% (2019: 8% to 18%) per annum and from 3 July 2021 to 15 
March 2022 (2019: 12 March 2020 to 15 March 2022) respectively.

The  analysis  of  the  Group’s  loan  and  interest  receivables  by  their  contractual  maturity  dates  is  as 
follows:

Loan and interest receivables:
Within one year or on demand
In more than one year but not more than two years

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

127,957
33,425

152,688
33,000

161,382

185,688

Before  granting  loans  to  borrowers,  the  Group  uses  internal  credit  assessment  process  to  assess  the 
potential  borrowers’  credit  quality  individually  and  defines  the  credit  limits  granted  to  the  borrowers. 
The credit limits attributed to the borrowers are reviewed by the management regularly.

123

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.  LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES (continued)

Impairment assessment
In  assessing  whether  the  credit  risk  has  increased  significantly  since  initial  recognition,  the  Group 
compares the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument at the reporting date with the risk 
perceived at the date of initial recognition. In making this assessment, the loan and interest receivables 
from  borrowers  are  assessed  individually  by  the  management  of  the  Group,  based  on  the  financial 
background,  financial  condition  and  the  historical  settlement  records,  including  past  due  dates  and 
default  rates,  of  each  borrower  and  reasonable  and  supportable  forward-looking  information  that  is 
available  without  undue  cost  or  effort.  Each  borrower  is  assigned  a  risk  grading  under  internal  credit 
ratings  to  calculate  the  ECL,  taking  into  consideration  the  estimates  of  expected  cash  shortfalls  which 
are  driven  by  estimates  of  possibility  of  default  and  the  expected  loss  given  default  including  taking 
into account the amount and timing of cash flows that are expected from foreclosure on the collaterals 
(if  any)  less  the  costs  of  selling  the  collaterals.  At  every  reporting  date,  the  financial  background, 
financial condition and the historical settlement records of each borrower are reassessed and changes 
in the forward-looking information are considered.

At 31 December 2020, included in the Group’s loan and interest receivables balance were debtors with 
aggregate  gross  carrying  amount  of  HK$211,083,000  (2019:  HK$254,443,000),  of  which  HK$74,530,000 
(2019: HK$69,935,000) was secured by the borrowers’ pledged properties of which the market value of 
the  properties  less  its  estimated  costs  to  sell  amounted  to  HK$74,853,000  (2019:  HK$92,866,000),  and 
cumulative  ECL  of  HK$6,295,000  (2019:  HK$6,250,000)  was  provided  after  considering  the  adjustment 
to  reflect  loss  given  default  based  on  the  expected  realisation  of  the  collaterals;  HK$73,434,000  (2019: 
HK$94,934,000)  was  secured  by  the  borrowers’  pledged  unlisted  debt  instruments  issued  by  listed 
companies  in  Hong  Kong  with  principal  amount  totaling  HK$200,000,000  (2019:  HK$236,632,000), 
and  no  ECL  was  provided  after  considering  the  adjustment  to  reflect  loss  given  default  based  on 
the  expected  realisation  of  the  collaterals;  and  the  remaining  amount  of  HK$63,119,000  (2019: 
HK$89,574,000)  was  not  secured  by  any  collateral  or  credit  enhancement  and  cumulative  ECL  of 
HK$43,406,000 (2019: HK$62,505,000) was provided based on the ECL assessment performed.

At  31  December  2020,  of  the  Group’s  loan  and  interest  receivables  balance  with  aggregate  gross 
carrying  amount  of  HK$211,083,000  (2019:  HK$254,443,000),  HK$135,725,000  (2019:  HK$195,022,000) 
were  not  past  due,  HK$1,411,000  (2019:  HK$1,010,000)  had  been  past  due  for  less  than  30  days, 
HK$1,830,000  (2019:  HK$33,879,000)  had  been  past  due  for  more  than  30  days  but  less  than  90  days, 
and HK$72,117,000 (2019: HK$24,532,000) had been past due for 90 days or more. The directors of the 
Company  considered  those  loan  and  interest  receivables  that  were  past  due  for  more  than  90  days  as 
credit-impaired, details of the cumulative ECL provided are set out above.

124

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202023.  LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES (continued)

Impairment assessment (continued)

The  Group  recognised  reversal  of  impairment  allowance  of  HK$12,232,000  on  loan  and  interest 
receivables for the current year (2019: provision of impairment allowance of HK$61,703,000).

The Group is not permitted to sell or repledge the collaterals in the absence of default by the borrowers. 
There  have  not  been  any  significant  changes  in  the  quality  of  the  collateral  held  for  the  loan  and 
interest receivables.

The movement of impairment allowance on loan and interest receivables for the year was as follows:

Lifetime ECL
(not credit-
impaired)
HK$’000

Lifetime ECL
(credit-
impaired)
HK$’000

12m ECL
HK$’000

Total
HK$’000

46

7,006

–

7,052

–

3
–

–

(4,808)

4,808

–

–
(40)

348

54,268
–

54,271
(40)

7,124

7,472

49

2,506

66,200

68,755

–

–

(49)
(194)
805

611

(2,506)

2,506

–

–

–
–
–

–

20,921

20,921

(33,909)
(6,628)
–

(33,958)
(6,822)
805

49,090

49,701

At 1 January 2019
Changes due to loan and interest 

receivables recognised at  
1 January 2019:
– Transfer to credit-impaired  

(Note (i))

– Impairment allowance recognised 

(Note (i))

– Impairment allowance reversed
New loans granted during the year 

(Note (ii))

At 31 December 2019
Changes due to loan and interest 

receivables recognised at  
1 January 2020:
– Transfer to credit-impaired  

(Note (iii))

– Impairment allowance recognised 

(Note (iii))

– Impairment allowance reversed 

(Note (iv))

– Disposal of subsidiary (Note (v))
New loans granted during the year

At 31 December 2020

125

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.  LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES (continued)

Impairment assessment (continued)

Notes:

(i) 

The  impairment  losses  of  HK$4,808,000  and  HK$54,268,000  were  related  to  loan  and  interest  receivables 

with gross carrying amount of HK$78,420,000 transferred from lifetime ECL (not credit-impaired) to lifetime 

ECL (credit-impaired).

(ii) 

The  impairment  loss  of  HK$7,472,000  was  related  to  loan  and  interest  receivables  with  gross  carrying 

amount  of  HK$13,031,000,  which  mainly  comprised  loan  and  interest  receivables  of  HK$7,124,000 

transferred from 12m ECL to lifetime ECL (credit-impaired), and HK$5,907,000 transferred from 12m ECL to 

lifetime ECL (not credit-impaired).

(iii) 

The  impairment  losses  of  HK$2,506,000  and  HK$20,921,000  were  mainly  related  to  loan  and  interest 

receivables with gross carrying amount of HK$23,388,000 transferred from lifetime ECL (not credit-impaired) 

to lifetime ECL (credit-impaired).

(iv) 

The impairment allowance reversed of HK$49,000 was related to settlement of loan and interests receivables 

with  gross  carrying  amount  of  HK$5,022,000  from  12m  ECL.  The  impairment  allowance  reversed  of 

HK$33,909,000  was  mainly  related  to  settlement  of  loan  and  interests  receivables  with  gross  carrying 

amount of HK$33,489,000 from lifetime ECL (credit-impaired).

(v) 

The  impairment  allowance  reversed  of  HK$6,822,000  was  related  to  the  disposal  of  a  subsidiary  with  loan 

and interest receivables of gross carrying amount of HK$26,519,000.

No loan and interest receivables was derecognised during last year.

Details of ECL assessment are set out in Note 38.

126

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202024.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTS

Trade receivables (Note (i))
Deposits and prepayments
Deposits held for petroleum exploration and  

production operation

Others (Note (ii))

Notes:

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

1,027
3,465

1,085
10,216

15,793

1,261
4,693

1,676
1,666

9,296

(i) 

The  oil  selling  price  for  the  Argentina  operation  was  quoted  in  US$  and  converted  into  ARS  for  invoicing. 

The Group allowed an average credit period of 30 to 60 days. The trade receivables of HK$1,027,000 (2019: 

HK$1,261,000) were neither past due nor impaired and aged within 30 days based on the invoice date.

Before accepting any new customer, the Group assesses the potential customer’s credit quality and defines 

credit limits by customer. Limits and credit quality attributed to customers are reviewed regularly.

Details of impairment assessment of trade receivables are set out in Note 38.

(ii) 

The  amount  included  HK$9,101,000  (2019:  HK$1,405,000)  placed  with  securities  brokers  in  relation  to 

securities trading activities in Hong Kong.

(iii) 

No ECL had been recognised on other receivables (Note 38) as the directors of the Company considered that 

the amount was immaterial.

Included  in  trade  and  other  receivables  were  the  following  amounts  denominated  in  currencies  other 
than the functional currency of the relevant group entities:

ARS
US$

2020
HK$’000

1,762
–

2019
HK$’000

1,836
887

127

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25.  OTHER TAX RECOVERABLES

Pursuant  to  the  relevant  rules  and  regulation  in  Argentina,  value-added  tax  on  expenditure  incurred 
in  drilling  and  purchase  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  relating  to  the  petroleum  exploration  and 
production  operation  in  Argentina  can  be  used  to  offset  future  value-added  tax  on  sales  made.  The 
management  estimated  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  value-added  tax  based  on  the  future  sales  of 
petroleum  which  the  Group  expected  with  reference  to  the  current  oil  production  from  the  existing 
wells. The directors of the Company expected that an amount of HK$609,000 (2019: HK$881,000) would 
be recovered from the sales of petroleum within twelve months from the end of the reporting period, 
accordingly, such amount was classified as current assets.

26.  FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

Listed investments, at fair value:

– Equity securities listed in Hong Kong

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

25,097

37,059

Listed equity securities were stated at fair values which were determined based on the quoted market 
closing prices available on the Stock Exchange.

27.  BANK BALANCES AND CASH

Bank balances carried interest ranging from 0.01% to 2.70% (2019: 0.01% to 3.00%) per annum.

In  addition,  included  in  the  bank  balances  and  cash  were  the  following  amounts  denominated  in 
currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant group entities:

2020
HK$’000

278
22,092
11

2019
HK$’000

632
5,064
10

ARS
US$
RMB

128

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables
Other tax payables
Accrued professional fees
Other payables and accruals

2020
HK$’000

526
1,249
3,237
3,732

2019
HK$’000

866
1,644
10,719
3,684

8,744

16,913

The following is an aged analysis of trade payables, presented based on the invoice date, at the end of 
the reporting period:

0 – 30 days

The average credit period on purchases of goods was 30 days.

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

526

866

All the other payables were unsecured, interest-free and expected to be settled within one year.

Included in trade and other payables were the following amount denominated in currencies other than 
the functional currency of the relevant group entities:

ARS
US$

2020
HK$’000

1,964
390

2019
HK$’000

2,566
390

129

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29.  LEASE LIABILITIES

Lease liabilities payable:
Within one year
More than one year but not exceeding two years
More than two years but not exceeding five years

Less: Amount due within one year shown under  

current liabilities

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

1,282
1,327
164

2,773

3,612
–
–

3,612

(1,282)

(3,612)

Amount due after one year

1,491

–

Included  in  lease  obligations  were  the  following  amount  denominated  in  currency  other  than  the 
functional currency of the relevant group entities:

ARS

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

–

54

130

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.  DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

The  movement  of  deferred  tax  liabilities  recognised  and  movements  thereon  during  the  current  and 
prior years were as follows:

At 1 January 2019
Credited to profit or loss (Note 12)

At 31 December 2019
Charged to profit or loss (Note 12)

At 31 December 2020

Taxable temporary
difference
related to net
unrealised gain on
financial assets at
FVTPL
HK$’000

284
(237)

47
531

578

At  31  December  2020,  the  Group  had  unused  tax  losses  of  HK$177,677,000  (2019:  HK$150,683,000) 
available  for  offset  against  future  profits.  No  deferred  tax  asset  had  been  recognised  in  respect  of 
unused  tax  losses  due  to  the  unpredictability  of  future  profit  streams.  Included  in  unused  tax  losses 
were  losses  of  HK$38,336,000  (2019:  HK$17,073,000)  that  would  expire  within  five  years  from  2021  to 
2025 (2019: from 2020 to 2024). All other tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

At 31 December 2020, the Group had deductible temporary differences of approximately HK$5,010,000 
(2019:  HK$8,154,000)  arising  from  impairment  allowance  of  loan  and  interest  receivables,  no  deferred 
tax assets had been recognised due to the unpredictability of future profits streams.

131

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
31.  SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised:

Ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each
At 1 January 2019, 31 December 2019 and  

31 December 2020

Issued and fully paid:

Ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each
At 1 January 2019, 31 December 2019 and  

31 December 2020

32.  SHARE OPTION SCHEME

Number
of ordinary
shares
’000

Share
capital
HK$’000

100,000,000

1,000,000

5,240,344

52,403

The  existing  share  option  scheme  of  the  Company  (the  “Share  Option  Scheme”)  was  adopted  by  the 
Company  at  the  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Company  held  on  22  June  2016.  Unless  otherwise 
cancelled  or  amended,  the  Share  Option  Scheme  will  be  valid  and  effective  for  a  period  of  ten  years 
commencing on the date of adoption. The purpose of the Share Option Scheme is to enable the Group 
to grant options to the participants as incentives or rewards for their contribution to the Group or any 
entity  in  which  the  Group  holds  any  equity  interest  (the  “Invested  Entity”).  Eligible  participants  of  the 
Share  Option  Scheme  include  any  employees  of  any  member  of  the  Group  or  any  Invested  Entity;  any 
directors (including executive, non-executive and independent non-executive directors) of any member 
of  the  Group  or  any  Invested  Entity;  any  supplier  of  goods  or  services  to  any  member  of  the  Group  or 
any  Invested  Entity;  any  customer  of  any  member  of  the  Group  or  any  Invested  Entity;  any  person  or 
entity that provides research, development or other technological support to any member of the Group 
or  any  Invested  Entity;  any  consultant  or  adviser  of  any  member  of  the  Group  or  any  Invested  Entity; 
and any shareholder of any member of the Group or any Invested Entity or any holder of any securities 
issued by any member of the Group or any Invested Entity.

The  offer  of  a  grant  of  share  options  shall  remain  open  for  acceptance  by  the  participant  concerned 
for  a  period  of  fifteen  (15)  business  days  from  the  date  of  grant  provided  that  no  such  offer  shall  be 
open  for  acceptance  after  the  expiry  of  the  option  period  or  after  the  Share  Option  Scheme  has  been 
terminated. The amount payable by each grantee of options to the Company on acceptance of the offer 
for the grant of options is HK$1.00.

132

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.  SHARE OPTION SCHEME (continued)

The  subscription  price  for  the  shares  on  the  exercise  of  options  under  the  Share  Option  Scheme  shall 
be  a  price  determined  by  the  Board  in  its  absolute  discretion  at  the  time  of  the  grant  of  the  relevant 
option (and shall be stated in the letter containing the offer of the grant of the option) but in any case 
the  subscription  price  shall  not  be  less  than  the  higher  of:  (i)  the  closing  price  of  the  shares  as  stated 
in  the  Stock  Exchange’s  daily  quotations  sheet  on  the  date  of  grant  which  must  be  a  business  day;  (ii) 
the average closing price of the shares as stated in the Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheets for the 
five business days immediately preceding the date of grant; and (iii) the nominal value of the share. The 
exercise  period  of  the  share  options  granted  is  determined  by  the  Board  but  in  any  event,  no  longer 
than ten years from the date of grant.

The  total  number  of  shares  issued  and  to  be  issued  upon  exercise  of  the  options  granted  to  each 
participant,  together  with  all  options  granted  and  to  be  granted  to  the  participant  under  any  other 
share  option  scheme(s)  of  the  Company  within  the  12-month  period  immediately  preceding  the 
proposed date of grant (including exercised, cancelled and outstanding options) shall not exceed 1% of 
the total number of the shares in issue at the proposed date of grant. Any further grant of options to a 
participant in excess of the 1% limit shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders with 
such participant and the participant’s associates abstaining from voting.

The limit on the total number of shares which may be issued upon exercise of all outstanding options 
granted and yet to be exercised under the Share Option Scheme and any other share option scheme(s) 
of  the  Company  must  not  exceed  30%  of  the  total  number  of  the  shares  in  issue  from  time  to  time. 
In  addition,  the  total  number  of  the  shares  which  may  be  issued  upon  exercise  of  all  options  to  be 
granted under the Share Option Scheme, together with all options to be granted under any other share 
option scheme(s) of the Company (excluding lapsed options), must not represent more than 10% of the 
total  number  of  the  shares  in  issue  at  the  date  of  approval  of  the  Share  Option  Scheme  (the  “Scheme 
Mandate  Limit”)  or  at  the  date  of  the  approval  of  the  refreshed  Scheme  Mandate  Limit  as  the  case 
maybe.

On  4  May  2017,  the  Company  granted  share  options  to  eligible  persons  to  subscribe  for  a  total  of 
436,710,000 ordinary shares of the Company under the Share Option Scheme. The exercise price of the 
options granted was HK$0.53 per share and the exercisable period was from 4 May 2017 to 3 May 2020 
(both dates inclusive).

In the annual general meeting of the Company held on 22 June 2017, the shareholders of the Company 
approved  the  refreshment  of  the  Scheme  Mandate  Limit  (the  “Scheme  Mandate  Limit  Refreshment”). 
The  total  number  of  shares  of  the  Company  available  for  issue  under  the  Share  Option  Scheme  is 
436,712,182 shares as refreshed, representing approximately 10% of the issued shares of the Company 
as  at  the  date  of  approval  of  the  Scheme  Mandate  Limit  Refreshment  and  approximately  8.3%  of  the 
issued shares of the Company as at the date of this annual report.

On  4  May  2020,  all  the  outstanding  share  options  lapsed.  At  31  December  2020,  there  were  no 
outstanding share options (2019: number of outstanding share options was 436,710,000).

133

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202032.  SHARE OPTION SCHEME (continued)

Details of the movements in the number of share options during the year ended 31 December 2019 and 
2020 under the Share Option Scheme were as follows:

Reclassified/
granted/
forfeited/
exercised
during the 
year ended 
31 December 
2019

Outstanding 
at 
31 December 
2019

Lapsed 
during the 
year ended 
31 December 
2020

Outstanding 
at 
31 December 
2020

Name or category 
of participant

Date of grant

Exercisable period 
(both dates inclusive)

Outstanding 
at 
1 January 
2019

Exercise 
price
HK$
(Note (ii))

Directors:
Mr. Liu Zhiyi

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

0. 53

43,500,000

Mr. Sue Ka Lok

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

0. 53

22,800,000

Mr. Yiu Chun Kong

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

Mr. Chan Shui Yuen

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

Mr. To Yan Ming, Edmond  

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

(Note (iii))

Mr. Pun Chi Ping

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

0. 53

0. 53

0. 53

0. 53

0. 53

(Note (iii))

(Note (iv))

–

–

–

–

43,500,000

(43,500,000)

22,800,000

(22,800,000)

600,000

(600,000)

900,000

(900,000)

600,000

900,000

300,000

(300,000)

–

–

300,000

300,000

–

–

300,000

(300,000)

300,000

(300,000)

68,700,000

(300,000)

68,400,000

(68,400,000)

Employees:
In aggregate

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

0. 53

368,010,000

–

368,010,000

(368,010,000)

Others (Note (iii))

4 May 2017

4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020

0. 53

–

300,000

300,000

(300,000)

436,710,000

–

436,710,000

(436,710,000)

134

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.  SHARE OPTION SCHEME (continued)

Notes:

(i) 

The share options granted were vested upon granted.

(ii) 

The  exercise  price  of  the  share  options  was  subject  to  adjustments  in  case  of  capitalisation  of  profits  or 

reserve,  bonus  issues,  rights  issue,  open  offer,  subdivision  or  consolidation  of  shares,  or  reduction  of  the 

share capital or other changes in the capital structure of the Company.

(iii)  Mr.  To  Yan  Ming,  Edmond,  an  independent  non-executive  director,  passed  away  on  28  August  2019. 

According to the Share Option Scheme, the legal personal representative of the grantee could exercise the 

share options by giving notice in writing to the Company, up to 3 May 2020, no such notification had been 

received.

(iv) 

All the outstanding share options were lapsed on 4 May 2020.

No share options were granted and no share-based payments expense was recognised during the years 
ended 31 December 2020 and 2019.

33. 

JOINT OPERATIONS

Chañares,  an  independent  third  party,  entered  into  a  joint  venture  agreement  (the  “2007  JV 
Agreement”)  with  another  independent  third  party  (the  “Third  Party”)  on  14  November  2007  in 
connection with the development of incremental hydrocarbons production in the Concessions, through 
the  investments  made  by  the  Third  Party.  Under  the  2007  JV  Agreement,  it  was  established  that  the 
hydrocarbons obtained from the wells drilled within the scope of the 2007 JV Agreement, as well as any 
other benefit obtained from the exploration and production of the works performed thereunder, would 
be distributed in the following proportion: 28% for Chañares and 72% for the Third Party.

A  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  Have  Result  Investments  Limited  (“Have  Result”),  entered 
into an agreement “Assignment of Rights, Investment and Technical Cooperation” with the Third Party 
dated 24 November 2007, as amended and/or supplemented by (i) a deed of undertaking executed by 
the Third Party on 12 December 2007; (ii) a supplementary deed of undertaking executed by the Third 
Party  on  28  December  2007;  and  (iii)  a  document  entitled  “Amendment  to  Contract  of  Assignment  of 
Rights,  Investment  and  Technical  Cooperation”  executed  by  and  between  the  Third  Party  and  Have 
Result,  dated  19  December  2008  (the  “Assignment  Agreement”).  Under  the  Assignment  Agreement, 
the  Third  Party  assigned  in  favour  of  Have  Result  51%  of  its  rights  on  the  future  production  as  a 
consequence  of  new  drillings  and  the  operation  of  new  wells  in  the  Concessions.  The  incremental 
hydrocarbon production derived from the new wells in the Concessions would first cover the operating 
costs  and  thereafter  was  shared  by  the  proportion  of  51%  to  Have  Result,  21%  to  the  Third  Party  and 
28%  to  Chañares.  As  from  the  date  the  wells  drilled  under  the  terms  of  the  Assignment  Agreement 
went  into  production,  the  Third  Party  should  also  reimburse  Have  Result  for  21%  of  the  aggregate 
investments made by Have Result in the Concessions.

135

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202033. 

JOINT OPERATIONS (continued)

On  2  December  2010,  Have  Result  sent  a  letter  to  the  Third  Party  acknowledging  the  notice  of  the 
termination  of  the  2007  JV  Agreement  (the  “Termination”)  while  as  advised  by  the  Argentina  legal 
advisers  of  the  Company,  notwithstanding  the  Termination,  Have  Result  remained  entitled  to  a  51% 
right  in  the  production  from  the  five  existing  wells  drilled  by  Have  Result  in  the  Concessions  (the 
“Existing  Wells”),  provided  that  Have  Result  continued  to  pay  the  relevant  operating  costs  as  required 
by the production allocated to it.

On  2  December  2010,  another  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  Southstart  Limited,  and 
Chañares  entered  into  a  new  joint  venture  agreement  (the  “2010  JV  Agreement”),  pursuant  to  which, 
EP Energy S. A. (“EP Energy”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was entitled to share 72% of 
hydrocarbon  production  from  the  wells  drilled  by  EP  Energy  in  the  current  and  future  years  until  the 
end of the Concessions period and paid US$6,000,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$46,800,000) to 
Chañares  in  consideration  for  the  oil  exploration  and  production  right  in  the  Concessions  during  the 
current term of the Concessions.

Pursuant to the 2010 JV Agreement, the total consideration for the oil exploration and production right 
was  subject  to  adjustment  with  reference  to  whether  or  not  Chañares  could  obtain  the  extension  of 
the  term  of  Concessions  (the  “Extension”)  by  31  December  2011.  On  14  July  2011,  the  Company  was 
informed  by  Chañares  that  the  Mendoza  Government  issued  a  decree,  pursuant  to  which  Chañares 
obtained  an  extension  of  10  years  from  the  date  of  expiry  of  the  original  term  of  the  Concessions 
until  2027.  EP  Energy  paid  an  aggregate  amount  of  US$4,000,000  (equivalent  to  approximately 
HK$31,200,000)  to  Chañares  in  consideration  for  the  oil  exploration  and  production  right  in  the 
Concessions  during  the  extended  term  of  the  Concessions.  A  sum  of  US$1,404,000  (equivalent  to 
approximately HK$10,952,000) was paid in 2011 and the remaining balance of US$2,596,000 (equivalent 
to approximately HK$20,248,000) was paid in 2012.

According  to  the  2010  JV  Agreement,  EP  Energy  was  obliged  to  drill  a  minimum  of  five  production 
wells  per  year  during  the  five  consecutive  years  from  2012,  and  two  production  wells  per  year  for  the 
following  years  until  the  seventh  year  before  the  expiration  of  the  extended  term  of  the  Concessions. 
Failure  to  meet  the  minimum  drilling  requirements  might  render  the  2010  JV  Agreement  to  be 
terminated  and  EP  Energy  would  be  forfeited  any  rights  to  continue  drilling  but  it  would  not  be 
forfeited any right in respect of the wells already drilled.

136

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202033. 

JOINT OPERATIONS (continued)

On  5  June  2012,  EP  Energy,  Have  Result  and  Chañares  entered  into  an  operation  agreement  (the 
“Operation Agreement”).

Pursuant  to  the  Operation  Agreement,  Chañares  agreed  to  release  EP  Energy  from  the  above 
commitment.  EP  Energy,  however,  retained  the  right  to  drill  and  invest  in  the  Concessions  during 
the  life  of  the  Concessions  awarded  with  respect  to  any  extension  thereof.  If  five  or  more  new  wells 
were  drilled  by  EP  Energy  in  a  year,  EP  Energy  would  be  entitled  to  72%  and  Chañares  would  be 
entitled  to  28%  of  the  hydrocarbon  production  of  the  new  wells;  and  if  less  than  five  new  wells  were 
drilled by EP Energy in a year, EP Energy would be entitled to 65% and Chañares would be entitled to 
35%  of  the  hydrocarbon  production  of  the  new  wells.  The  Operation  Agreement  confirmed  that  the 
hydrocarbon production of the existing five wells drilled by EP Energy would continue to be distributed 
in  accordance  with  the  2010  JV  Agreement,  i.e.  72%  to  EP  Energy  and  28%  to  Chañares.  On  the  other 
hand, Chañares became entitled to be associated with third parties for carrying out any work or drilling 
any wells in the Concessions.

The  Operation  Agreement  reconfirmed  that  Have  Result  had  the  right  to  receive  51%  of  the 
hydrocarbon production obtained from the Existing Wells until the termination of the Concessions and 
any extension thereof.

In August 2017, the Group was notified by Chañares that the concession in respect of the PPC Area was 
lapsed, and the CHE Concession would be extended until 14 November 2027 (Note 18).

In  May  2019,  the  Group  was  notified  by  Chañares  that  the  CHE  Concession  had  been  terminated 
according to the 2019 Decree (Note 18). Despite this, as disclosed in the announcement of the Company 
dated 18 June 2019, the Company had been advised by its legal advisor in Argentina that, as stated in 
the  2019  Decree,  before  the  successful  bidder  took  over  the  concession,  Chañares  could  continue  to 
operate in the CHE Concession under the same contractual conditions previously granted. In light of the 
advice from the legal advisor in Argentina and the Company’s understanding that Chañares continued 
to operate in the CHE Concession since the issuance of the 2019 Decree, the Company considered that 
the termination of the CHE Concession contemplated under the 2019 Decree had no immediate impact 
on  the  Group’s  operations  in  Argentina  unless  and  until  there  was  a  successful  bidder  who  took  over 
the CHE Concession after the Bidding Process. As disclosed in the Company’s circulars dated 12 March 
2020  and  8  October  2020,  after  due  evaluation  of  the  data  and  information  relating  to  the  Chañares 
Concession, the Company intended, through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, to submit a bid offer 
(the  “Bid”)  for  the  Chañares  Concession  under  the  Bidding  Process  and  the  Bid  was  submitted  on  28 
October 2020 (Argentina time). 

As  disclosed  in  the  Company’s  announcements  dated  12  March  2021,  15  March  2021  and  16  March 
2021,  on  11  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Group  received  from  the  Hydrocarbons  Department  of 
Mendoza Province, Argentina a decree issued by the Ministry of Economy  and  Energy  of  the  Mendoza 
Government,  Argentina  (the  “Decree”)  which  stated  that  the  Chañares  Concession  would  be  awarded 
to  a  bidder  (the  “New  Concessionaire”)  other  than  the  Company’s  indirect  wholly  owned  subsidiary 
for  a  25-year  term  from  the  date  following  the  publication  of  the  Decree  in  the  official  gazette  (the 
“Gazette”)  of  the  Mendoza  Province.  On  12  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Decree  was  published  in 
the Gazette. On 15 March 2021 (Argentina time), the Company was informed by Chañares that the New 
Concessionaire took over the Chañares Concession on 13 March 2021 (Argentina time).

137

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202033. 

JOINT OPERATIONS (continued)

The  aggregate  amount  of  assets  and  liabilities,  revenue  and  expenses  recognised  in  the  consolidated 
financial statements in relation to the Group’s interest in the joint operations are as follows:

Assets (Note)
Liabilities
Revenue
Expenses

2020
HK$’000

3,461
2,287
14,097
16,744

2019
HK$’000

5,645
3,108
24,171
70,781

Note:  The  assets  mainly  represented  the  other  tax  recoverable  of  HK$609,000,  trade  and  other  receivables  of 

HK$2,407,000 and bank balances and cash of HK$445,000.

34.  RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

The table below details the changes in the Group’s liabilities arising from financing activities, including 
both  cash  and  non-cash  changes.  Liabilities  arising  from  financing  activities  are  those  for  which  cash 
flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the Group’s consolidated statement of cash flows as 
cash flows from financing activities.

Lease
Liabilities
HK$’000

7,645
(4,156)
(116)
239

3,612
(4,761)
3,724
32
166

2,773

At 1 January 2019
Financing cash flows
Exchange adjustment
Interest expense

At 31 December 2019
Financing cash flows
New lease entered
Exchange adjustment
Interest expense

At 31 December 2020

138

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35.  RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES

The Group contributes to MPF Scheme for all qualifying employees in Hong Kong under the Mandatory 
Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485 of the Laws of Hong Kong). Contributions to the MPF 
Scheme  by  the  Group  and  the  employees  are  calculated  as  a  percentage  of  the  employee’s  relevant 
income.  The  retirement  benefit  scheme  costs  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  represent  contributions 
payable by the Group to the schemes. The assets of the MPF Scheme are held separately from those of 
the Group in independently administered funds.

The  Group  also  participates  in  the  employees’  pension  scheme  of  the  respective  municipal 
governments in the countries where the Group operates (i.e. Argentina and the PRC). The Group makes 
monthly contributions calculated as a percentage of the monthly basic salary of the employees and the 
relevant municipal government undertakes to assume the retirement benefit obligations of all existing 
and future retirees of the Group.

The  Group  has  no  other  obligations  for  the  payment  of  pension  and  other  post-retirement  benefits  of 
employees other than the above contributions payments.

The  total  expense  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  of  HK$1,354,000  (2019:  HK$1,751,000)  represented 
contribution paid/payable to these schemes by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the schemes.

36.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Compensation of key management personnel

The remuneration of directors and other members of key management during the year was as follows:

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

6,484
641

7,125

8,547
625

9,172

The  remuneration  of  directors  and  key  management  is  determined  by  the  Remuneration  Committee 
having regard to the competence, performance and experience of the individuals and prevailing market 
terms.

139

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37.  CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The  Group’s  objectives  when  managing  capital  are  to  safeguard  the  Group’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.

In  order  to  manage  its  capital  structure,  the  Group  will  balance  its  overall  capital  structure  through 
payment of dividends, new share issues as well as raise of new debts.

The  Group  does  not  have  a  target  gearing  ratio,  but  has  a  policy  of  maintaining  a  flexible  financing 
structure so as to be able to take advantage of new investment opportunities that may arise.

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial risk management objectives

Financial  instruments  are  fundamental  to  the  Group’s  daily  operations.  The  Group’s  major  financial 
instruments  include  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI,  trade  and  other  receivables,  loan  and  interest 
receivables, financial assets at FVTPL, bank balances and cash and trade and other payables. Details of 
these financial instruments are disclosed in the respective notes. The risks associated with the financial 
instruments and the policies on how to mitigate these risks are set out below. The management of the 
Group  manages  and  monitors  these  exposures  to  ensure  appropriate  measures  are  implemented  on  a 
timely and effective manner.

Categories of financial instruments

Financial assets
Financial assets at FVTPL
Financial assets at amortised cost
Debt instruments at FVTOCI

Financial liabilities
Amortised cost

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

25,097
309,955
132,198

37,059
284,984
141,826

467,250

463,869

1,246

1,663

140

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Interest rate risk

The  Group  is  exposed  to  fair  value  interest  rate  risk  in  relation  to  loan  and  interest  receivables,  debt 
instruments  at  FVTOCI  and  lease  liabilities.  The  Group  is  also  exposed  to  cash  flow  interest  rate  risk 
relates primarily to the Group’s short-term deposits placed with banks and variable-rate bank balances 
that  are  interest-bearing  at  market  interest  rates.  The  Group  currently  does  not  have  an  interest  rate 
hedging  policy.  However,  the  management  monitors  interest  rate  exposure  and  will  consider  hedging 
significant interest rate exposure should the need arise.

Total interest revenue/income from financial assets that are measured at amortised cost or at FVTOCI is 
as follows:

Interest revenue

Financial assets at amortised cost
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Other income and losses, net

Financial assets at amortised cost

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

17,870
10,142

741

25,971
9,316

627

Revenue/interest income under effective interest method

28,753

35,914

The Group’s sensitivity to interest rate risk has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates 
for bank balances at the end of the reporting period and the reasonably possible change taking place 
at the beginning of each year and held constant throughout the year. If interest rates on bank balances 
had  been  50  basis  points  higher/lower  and  all  other  variables  were  held  constant,  the  Group’s  profit 
after tax for the year ended 31 December 2020 would increase/decrease by HK$673,000 (2019: loss after 
tax would decrease/increase by HK$462,000).

If interest rates had been 50 basis points higher or lower and all other variables were held constant, the 
Group’s  other  comprehensive  income  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020  would  increase/decrease 
by  HK$552,000  (2019:  other  comprehensive  expense  would  decrease/increase  by  HK$592,000)  as  a 
result of the changes in the fair value of debt instruments at FVTOCI.

141

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Foreign currency risk management

Several  subsidiaries  of  the  Company  have  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies 
which  expose  the  Group  to  foreign  currency  risk.  During  the  year  under  review,  the  Group  had  not 
experienced  any  significant  exchange  rate  exposure  to  US$  as  HK$  and  US$  exchange  rate  is  pegged. 
Besides, the Group continuously monitors foreign exchange exposure of RMB and will consider a formal 
foreign currency hedging policy for it should the needs arise. As for the Group’s petroleum operation in 
Argentina, the oil selling proceeds are quoted at US$ and converted into ARS for settlement at official 
exchange  rate  on  a  monthly  basis,  and  a  majority  of  the  investment  and  operating  costs  including 
infrastructure and equipment, drilling costs, completion costs and workover jobs are based on US$ and 
converted into ARS for payments. The Group currently does not have a formal foreign currency hedging 
policy  for  ARS,  however,  the  management  regularly  monitors  foreign  exchange  exposure  of  ARS  and 
will undertake appropriate hedging measures should significant exposures arise.

The  carrying  amounts  of  the  group  entities’  foreign  currency  denominated  monetary  assets  and 
monetary liabilities, at the reporting date were as follows:

AR$
US$
RMB

Assets

Liabilities

2020
HK$’000

2,040
154,290
11

2019
HK$’000

2,468
147,777
10

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

(1,964)
(390)
–

(2,620)
(390)
–

142

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Foreign currency risk management (continued)

Foreign currency sensitivity

The  following  table  details  the  Group’s  sensitivity  to  10%  increase  and  decrease  in  HK$  against  the 
relevant foreign currencies. Under the pegged exchange rate system, the financial impact on exchange 
difference between HK$ and US$ is insignificant as most US$ denominated monetary assets are held by 
group  entities  having  HK$  as  their  functional  currency,  and  therefore  no  sensitivity  analysis  has  been 
prepared against US$.

Sensitivity  rate  of  10%  is  used  when  reporting  foreign  currency  risk  internally  to  key  management 
personnel  and  represents  management’s  assessment  of  the  reasonably  possible  change  in  foreign 
exchange  rates.  The  sensitivity  analysis  includes  only  outstanding  foreign  currency  denominated 
monetary items and adjusts their translation at the year end for a 10% change in foreign currency rates. 
The  analysis  represents  the  sensitivity  of  trade  payables,  trade  receivables  and  bank  balances  that  are 
denominated  in  ARS  and  RMB,  the  Group’s  major  foreign  currency  items.  A  positive  number  below 
indicates  a  decrease  in  profit  after  tax  where  Hong  Kong  dollars  strengthen  10%  (2019:  a  negative 
number  indicates  a  decrease  in  loss  after  tax  where  Hong  Kong  dollars  strengthen  10%)  against  the 
relevant  currencies.  For  a  10%  (2019:  10%)  weakening  of  Hong  Kong  dollars  against  the  relevant 
currencies, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit (loss) after tax.

ARS impact
2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

RMB impact
2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

Decrease in profit after tax (2019: 

increase in loss after tax)

5

(11)

1

1

In  management’s  opinion,  the  sensitivity  analysis  reflects  the  exposure  at  the  year  end,  but  not  the 
exposure during the year.

143

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Other price risk

The  Group  is  exposed  to  price  risk  from  investments  in  listed  equity  securities  and  listed  debt 
instruments.  The  management  manages  this  exposure  by  maintaining  a  portfolio  of  investments  with 
different risk profiles.

Sensitivity analysis

Financial assets at FVTPL
The  sensitivity  analysis  below  has  been  determined  based  on  the  exposure  to  equity  price  risk  at  the 
reporting date.

If equity prices had been 20% higher/lower, profit after tax for the year ended 31 December 2020 would 
increase/decrease by HK$4,191,000 (2019: loss after tax would decrease/increase by HK$6,189,000) as a 
result of the change in fair value of financial assets at FVTPL.

Debt instruments at FVTOCI
The  sensitivity  analysis  below  has  been  determined  based  on  the  exposure  to  market  price  risk  at  the 
reporting date.

If  market  prices  had  been  10%  higher/lower,  total  comprehensive  income  for  the  year  ended  31 
December 2020 would increase/decrease by HK$13,220,000 (2019: total comprehensive expense would 
decrease/increase  by  HK$14,183,000)  as  a  result  of  the  change  in  fair  value  of  debt  instruments  at 
FVTOCI.

Credit risk and impairment assessment

Credit  risk  refers  to  the  risk  that  the  Group’s  counterparties  default  on  their  contractual  obligations 
resulting  in  financial  losses  to  the  Group.  The  Group’s  credit  risk  exposures  are  primarily  attributable 
to  trade  and  other  receivables,  loan  and  interest  receivables,  bank  balances  and  debt  instruments  at 
FVTOCI.  The  Group  does  not  hold  any  collateral  or  other  credit  enhancements  to  cover  its  credit  risks 
associated  with  these  financial  assets,  except  that  the  credit  risks  associated  with  certain  loan  and 
interest receivables are mitigated because they are secured by collaterals.

144

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202038.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)

The Group’s internal credit risk grading assessment comprises the following categories:

Internal 
credit rating

Description

Trade 
receivables

Financial assets 
other than trade 
receivables

Low risk

The counterparty has a low risk of default 
and does not have any past-due amounts

Lifetime ECL –  
not credit-impaired

12m ECL

Medium risk

Debtor frequently settles after due dates

Lifetime ECL –  
not credit-impaired

12m ECL

High risk

Loss

Write-off

There have been significant increases in 
credit risk since initial recognition through 
information developed internally or 
external resources

Lifetime ECL –  
not credit-impaired

Lifetime ECL –  
not credit-impaired

There is evidence indicating the asset is 
credit-impaired

Lifetime ECL –  
credit-impaired

Lifetime ECL –  
credit-impaired

There is evidence indicating that the 
debtor is in severe financial difficulty and 
the Group has no realistic prospect of 
recovery

Amount is  
written off

Amount is  
written off

145

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)

The table below details the credit risk exposures of the Group’s financial assets, which are subject to ECL 
assessment:

External 
credit rating

Internal 
credit rating

12m or 
lifetime ECL

2020
Gross 
carrying 
amount
HK$’000

2019
Gross 
carrying 
amount
HK$’000

Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Investments in listed bonds

Notes

22

BB- to B+ 
(2019: 
B- to BB)
N/A

Financial assets at amortised cost
Loan and interest receivables

23

N/A

Other receivables

Trade receivables

Bank balances

Notes:

24

24

27

N/A

N/A

BBB- to AA 
(2019: BBB- 
to AA)

Low to 
medium risk

12m ECL

117,743

127,082

Medium risk

12m ECL

14,455

14,744

Low risk
Medium risk
High risk
Loss

12m ECL
12m ECL
Lifetime ECL
Lifetime ECL

1,810
19,894
–
189,379

7,514
–
119,536
127,393

(Note (i))

12m ECL

12,919

5,635

(Note (ii))

Lifetime ECL  
(simplified  
approach)

1,027

1,261

N/A

12m ECL

134,564

92,335

(i) 

For the purpose of internal credit assessment, the Group considers if there is any past due record or other 

relevant  information  available  without  undue  cost  or  effort  to  assess  whether  credit  risk  has  increased 

significantly since initial recognition.

(ii) 

The  Group  has  applied  the  simplified  approach  in  HKFRS  9  to  measure  the  loss  allowance  for  trade 

receivables on lifetime ECL basis.

146

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)

Trade receivables

At 31 December 2020, the Group had concentration of credit risk for its trade receivables as 100% (2019: 
100%) of the amount was attributable to the Group’s trading customer in Argentina and it contributed 
to  32%  (2019:  40%)  of  the  Group’s  revenue.  However,  since  the  trade  receivable  is  due  from  a  state-
owned oil company of good creditability, the management considers that the Group’s credit risk is low 
and ECL is minimal at 31 December 2020 and 2019.

Loan and interest receivables

At 31 December 2020, the carrying amount of loan and interest receivables was HK$161,382,000 (2019: 
HK$185,688,000).  The  Group  had  concentration  of  credit  risk  for  its  loan  and  interest  receivables  as 
85% (2019: 74%) of the carrying amount at 31 December 2020 was due from five (2019: five) borrowers 
which  amounted  to  HK$137,203,000  (2019:  HK$136,782,000)  at  31  December  2020.  The  Group  seeks 
to  maintain  strict  control  over  its  outstanding  loan  and  interest  receivables  to  minimise  credit  risk. 
The management has a credit policy in place and the exposures to the credit risk are monitored on an 
ongoing basis.

The recoverability of outstanding loan and interest receivables are determined by an evaluation of the 
financial background, financial condition and historical settlement records, including past due rates and 
default  rates,  of  the  borrowers  and  reasonable  and  supportable  forward-looking  information  (such  as 
forecast of macroeconomic factors including GDP growth and unemployment rate with adjustment on 
different scenarios of economic environment prospect) that is available without undue cost or effort at 
the end of each reporting period. The borrowers are assigned with different risk grading under internal 
credit  ratings  to  calculate  the  ECL,  taking  into  consideration  the  estimates  of  expected  cash  shortfalls 
which  are  driven  by  estimates  of  possibility  of  default  and  the  expected  loss  given  default  including 
taking  into  account  the  amount  and  timing  of  cash  flows  that  are  expected  from  foreclosure  on  the 
collaterals  (if  any)  less  the  costs  of  selling  the  collaterals.  Owing  to  the  great  financial  uncertainty 
triggered  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  the  Group  has  increased  the  expected  loss  rates  in  the  current 
year  as  there  is  a  high  risk  that  a  prolonged  pandemic  could  lead  to  increased  credit  default  rates. 
The  collaterals  pledged  to  the  Group  in  relation  to  outstanding  loans  comprise  properties  or  unlisted 
debt  instruments  issued  by  listed  company  in  Hong  Kong  with  the  estimated  fair  value  of  most  of  the 
collaterals are higher than the related loan balances individually.

At 31 December 2020, included in the Group’s loan and interest receivables balance were debtors with 
aggregate  gross  carrying  amount  of  HK$75,358,000  (2019:  HK$59,421,000)  which  were  past  due  as  at 
the  reporting  date,  of  which  HK$1,411,000  (2019:  HK$1,010,000)  had  been  past  due  for  less  than  30 
days,  HK$1,830,000  (2019:  HK$33,879,000)  had  been  past  due  for  more  than  30  days  but  less  than  90 
days and HK$72,117,000 (2019: HK$24,532,000) had been past due for 90 days or more. The directors of 
the Company considered those loan and interest receivables that were past due for more than 90 days 
as credit-impaired, details of the cumulative ECL provided are set out in Note 23.

147

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202038.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)

Debt instruments at FVTOCI

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  provision  of  ECL  on  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI 
amounting  to  HK$4,574,000  (2019:  reversal  of  ECL  of  HK$56,000)  was  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  with 
corresponding  adjustment  to  other  comprehensive  income.  At  31  December  2020,  the  cumulative 
impairment allowance for debt instruments at FVTOCI amounted to HK$7,104,000 (2019: HK$2,530,000).

The  Group’s  debt  instruments  at  FVTOCI  mainly  comprise  instruments  that  have  a  commensurate 
level of risk of default when comparing to its rate of return in terms of coupon interests given that the 
counterparties  have  a  stable  capacity  to  repay,  the  assessment  process  has  also  taken  into  account 
other  comparable  debt  instruments  of  investment  grade  and/or  issuers  have  good  credit  history  and 
repayment  records.  The  Group  assesses  the  financial  strengths  and  performance  of  the  issuers  in 
satisfying  the  repayment  of  principal  and  interest  of  the  debt  instruments  as  they  fall  due.  The  Group 
also  closely  monitors  the  changes  in  the  credit  ratings  of  the  issuers  and  follows  their  market  news 
for taking immediate actions if there is an indication of a deterioration of the repayment ability of the 
issuers.

The  Group  determines  individually  whether  the  issuers  of  the  debt  instruments  have  been  suffered 
from significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition by comparing the credit rating and other 
qualitative  benchmarks  that  affect  the  credit  quality  of  the  issuers  at  initial  recognition  and  at  the 
end  of  the  reporting  period.  As  the  issuers  are  engaging  in  businesses  that  are  stable  or  growing  and 
there  are  no  downgrading  in  the  credit  rating  of  the  debt  instruments,  the  credit  loss  allowances  on 
individual  debt  instrument  are  measured  on  12m  ECL  basis  as  the  credit  risk  on  financial  instruments 
have not increased significantly since initial recognition.

The  Group  had  engaged  an  independent  professional  valuer  to  perform  ECL  assessment  on  the  debt 
instruments by taking into consideration of the historical data from an international rating agency. The 
Company’s  management  works  closely  with  the  qualified  external  valuer  to  establish  the  appropriate 
valuation  techniques  and  inputs  to  the  model.  In  making  that  evaluation,  the  Group  assessed  the  ECL 
for debt instruments at FVTOCI by reference to the credit rating of the debt instruments  estimated by 
the  recognised  rating  agency  (i.e.  Moody’s),  the  macroeconomic  factors  affecting  each  issuer,  and  the 
probability of default and loss given default of each debt instrument. The Group also took into account 
forward-looking  information  that  was  reasonably  and  supportably  available  to  the  Group  without 
undue cost or effort, including information such as GDP growth rate and unemployment rate.

148

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202038.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)

Debt instruments at FVTOCI (continued)

At 1 January 2019
Changes due to debt instruments at FVTOCI recognised at 1 January 2019:

– Impairment allowance recognised
– Impairment allowance reversed (Note (i))

New debt instruments purchased (Note (ii))

At 31 December 2019
Changes due to debt instruments at FVTOCI recognised at 1 January 2020:

– Impairment allowance recognised
– Impairment allowance reversed (Note (i))

New debt instruments purchased (Note (ii))

At 31 December 2020

Notes:

12m ECL
HK$’000

2,586

40
(551)
455

2,530

4,476
(324)
422

7,104

(i) 

The impairment allowance reversed of HK$324,000 (2019: HK$551,000) was attributed to the derecognition 

of  debt  instruments  with  gross  carrying  amount  of  HK$15,600,000  (2019:  impairment  allowance  reversed 

of  HK$551,000  was  attributed  to  (i)  the  derecognition  of  debt  instruments  with  gross  carrying  amount 

of  HK$11,700,000  which  resulted  in  a  reversal  of  impairment  allowance  of  HK$422,000  and  (ii)  the 

reassessment  of  the  impairment  allowance  of  debt  instruments  held  at  the  year  end  with  gross  carrying 

amount of HK$112,366,000 which resulted in a reversal of impairment allowance of HK$129,000).

(ii) 

The  gross  carrying  amount  of  new  debt  instruments  purchased  amounting  to  HK$7,903,000  (2019: 

HK$13,840,000) during the year ended 31 December 2020.

149

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Liquidity risk

Liquidity  risk  reflects  the  risk  that  the  Group  will  have  insufficient  resources  to  meet  its  financial 
liabilities as they fall due. In managing liquidity risk, the Group monitors and maintains sufficient funds 
to meet all its potential liabilities as they fall due, including shareholder distributions. It is applicable to 
normal market conditions as well as to negative projections against expected outcomes, so as to avoid 
any risk of incurring contractual penalties or damaging the Group’s reputation.

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities based 
on the agreed repayment terms.

For  non-derivative  financial  liabilities,  the  table  has  been  drawn  up  based  on  the  undiscounted  cash 
flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The 
table includes both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate, 
the undiscounted amount is derived from interest in effect at the end of the reporting period.

Liquidity table

At 31 December 2020
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables

Lease liabilities

At 31 December 2019
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables

Lease liabilities

Weighted
average
interest rate
%

On demand
or less than
1 month
HK$’000

1 to 6
months
HK$’000

7 months
to 1 year
HK$’000

Total
undiscounted
cash flows
HK$’000

Over
1 year
HK$’000

Carrying
amount
HK$’000

%

HK$’000

HK$’000

HK$’000

HK$’000

HK$’000

HK$’000

–
–

3.50

–
–

4.40

526
720

1,246
113

1,359

866
797

1,663
342

2,005

–
–

–
564

564

–
–

–
1,712

1,712

–
–

–
677

677

–
–

–
1,623

1,623

–
–

–
1,518

1,518

–
–

–
–

–

526
720

1,246
2,872

4,118

866
797

1,663
3,677

5,340

526
720

1,246
2,773

4,019

866
797

1,663
3,612

5,275

150

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Fair value measurements of financial instruments

Fair value of the Group’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Some  of  the  Group’s  financial  assets  are  measured  at  fair  value  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period. 
The following table gives information about how fair values of these financial assets are determined (in 
particular, the valuation technique(s) and inputs used).

Fair value 
hierarchy

Valuation technique(s) 
and key input(s)

Fair value

2020
HK$’000

2019
 HK$’000

Financial assets

Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Listed debt securities

132,198

141,826

Level 1

Financial assets at FVTPL
Listed equity securities

25,097

37,059

Level 1

Note:

Quoted bid prices 
in active markets

Quoted bid prices 
in an active market

There were no transfers among Level 1, 2 and 3 of fair value hierarchy in the current and prior years.

Fair value of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a 
recurring basis

The directors consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities at amortised 
cost recognised in the consolidated financial statements approximate to their fair values.

151

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39.  PARTICULARS OF PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES

Details  of  the  Company’s  principal  subsidiaries,  which  are  limited  liability  companies,  at  31  December 
2020 and 2019, are as follows:

Name of subsidiary

Place of 
incorporation/
operations

Nominal value of issued 
and fully paid ordinary 
share/registered capital

Attributable proportion of 
nominal value of issued/registered 
capital held by the Company

Principal activities

Directly

Indirectly

EP Energy S. A.

Argentina

Have Result Investments Limited

British Virgin Islands/

Argentina

Have Result Finance Limited

Hong Kong

EPI Management Limited

Hong Kong

Mobilewise (Hong Kong) Limited

Hong Kong

ARS303,600 
(2019: ARS303,600)

US$10,000 
(2019: US$10,000)

HK$100 
(2019: HK$100)

HK$1 
(2019: HK$1)

HK$1
(2019: HK$1)

The PRC

RMB60,824,578 
(2019: RMB60,824,578)

Xiamen Mega Link Hengtian Zhichuang 
Investment Management Partners 
Corporation (Limited Partnership)  
(literal translation of its Chinese name  
廈門兆聯恒天智創投資管理合夥企業 
(有限合夥) (Note (i))

Mobilewise Network Technology  

The PRC

(Beijing) Limited (literal translation  
of its Chinese name  
携智網絡技術(北京)有限公司) (Note (ii))

Notes:

US$1,400,000 
(2019: US$1,400,000)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Petroleum exploration  
and production

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Petroleum exploration  
and production

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Money lending

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Investment in securities  
and management

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Investment in securities  
and management

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Investment holding and 

money lending

100% 
(2019: 100%)

Money lending

(i) 

Incorporated as unincorporated business (limited partnership).

(ii) 

Incorporated as limited liability company (solely funded by Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao corporate body).

The  above  table  lists  the  subsidiaries  of  the  Group  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  directors,  principally 
affected  the  results  of  the  Group.  To  give  details  of  other  insignificant  subsidiaries  which  are  mainly 
inactive or engaged in investment holding would, in the opinion of the directors, result in particulars of 
excessive length.

None  of  the  subsidiaries  had  any  debt  securities  outstanding  at  the  end  of  the  year,  or  at  any  time 
during the year.

152

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40.  EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

As  disclosed  in  the  Company’s  announcements  dated  12  March  2021,  15  March  2021  and  16  March 
2021,  on  11  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Group  received  the  Decree  which  stated  that  the 
Chañares Concession would be awarded to the New Concessionaire other than the Company’s indirect 
wholly  owned  subsidiary,  and  on  15  March  2021  (Argentina  time),  the  Company  was  informed  by 
Chañares that the New Concessionaire took over the Chañares Concession on 13 March 2021 (Argentina 
time).

It  was  stated  in  the  Decree  that  the  Appeal  Letter  submitted  by  the  Group  objecting  against  the 
Decision of the Hydrocarbons Department of Mendoza Province, Argentina was denied. The Group has 
been seeking legal advice on this matter and the possible legal actions to set aside the Decree.

The  Group  has  been  informed  by  Chañares  that  it  will  continue  to  take  legal  actions  against  the 
Mendoza  Government  regarding  the  termination  of  the  concession  and  intends  to  take  further  legal 
actions  to  seek  monetary  compensation  payable  to  it.  The  Group  intends  to  seek  legal  advice  on  the 
possible legal actions to protect the interest of the Company in this regard.

153

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202041.  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANY

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Unlisted interests in subsidiaries
Amounts due from subsidiaries

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Other receivables, prepayment and deposits
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Bank balances and cash

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

–
–*
93

93

1,172
304,341
100,532

–
8
150,204

150,212

449
396,521
504

Total current assets

406,045

397,474

Current liabilities
Other payables
Amounts due to subsidiaries
Tax payable

Total current liabilities

Net current assets

4,238
6,691
3,092

11,808
93,102
3,092

14,021

108,002

392,024

289,472

Total assets less current liabilities

392,117

439,684

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves (Note)

Total equity

52,403
339,714

52,403
387,281

392,117

439,684

* 

The amount of investment in subsidiaries is less than HK$1,000.

154

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41.  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANY (continued)

Note:

Movements of the Company’s reserves are as follows:

Share

Share

options Accumulated

premium

HK$’000

reserve

HK$’000

losses

HK$’000

Total

HK$’000

918,270

201,645

(705,642)

414,273

–

–

(26,992)

(26,992)

918,270

201,645

(732,634)

387,281

–

–

(47,567)

(47,567)

At 1 January 2019

Loss and total comprehensive  

expense for the year

At 31 December 2019

Loss and total comprehensive  

expense for the year

At 31 December 2020

918,270

201,645

(780,201)

339,714

155

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESULTS

For the year ended 31 December

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

2018
HK$’000

2017
HK$’000

2016
HK$’000

Revenue

42,449

60,560

71,419

57,870

62,253

Profit (loss) before tax
Income tax expense

8,578
(440)

(137,327)
(772)

(115,087)
(140)

(48,424)
(6,431)

(30,988)
(91)

Profit (loss) for the year

8,138

(138,099)

(115,227)

(54,855)

(31,079)

Attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

8,519
(381)

(138,099)
–

(115,227)
–

(54,855)
–

(31,079)
–

8,138

(138,099)

(115,227)

(54,855)

(31,079)

At 31 December

2020
HK$’000

2019
HK$’000

2018
HK$’000

2017
HK$’000

2016
HK$’000

Total assets
Total liabilities

475,763
(16,265)

469,264
(25,368)

599,667
(24,614)

706,920
(147,804)

367,734
(21,892)

Equity attributable to owners  

of the Company

459,498

443,896

575,053

559,116

345,842

Attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

459,879
(381)

443,896
–

575,053
–

559,116
–

345,842
–

459,498

443,896

575,053

559,116

345,842

156

EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED   ANNUAL REPORT 2020Five-Year Financial SummaryFor the year ended 31 December 2020