(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
(Stock Code : 689)
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Contents
3
4
6
Corporate Information
Statement from the Board
Management Discussion and Analysis
17
Biographical Details of Directors and
Senior Management
20
Report of the Directors
27
Corporate Governance Report
39
Environmental, Social and Governance Report
63
Independent Auditor’s Report
70
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and
Other Comprehensive Income
72
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
74
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
75
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
77
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
160
Five-Year Financial Summary
In this annual report, the following abbreviations have the following meanings unless otherwise specified:
“ARS”
“Board”
“C$”
“Company”
“Director(s)”
“Group”
Argentina Peso
Board of Directors of the Company
Canadian dollars
EPI (Holdings) Limited
director(s) of the Company
the Company and its subsidiaries
“Hong Kong Companies Ordinance”
Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622 of the Laws of Hong Kong)
“HK$” and “HK cent(s)”
Hong Kong dollars and cent(s)
“Listing Rules”
“Model Code”
“PRC”
“RMB”
“SFO”
Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange
Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers set
out in Appendix 10 to the Listing Rules
People’s Republic of China
Renminbi
Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong
Kong)
“Hong Kong Stock Exchange”
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
“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 2021AbbreviationsBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Directors
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG
Room 2107, 21st Floor
Great Eagle Centre
23 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Independent Non-executive Directors
PRINCIPAL BANKERS
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
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited
Hang Seng Bank Limited
Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., Hong Kong Branch
Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited
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 TRANSFTER
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
3
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate InformationOn behalf of the Board, I hereby present to the shareholders the results of the Group for the year ended 31
December 2021 (“FY2021”).
RESULTS
For FY2021, the Group was principally engaged in the business of petroleum exploration and production, solar
energy, money lending and investment in securities.
Following the launch of vaccination programs to combat COVID-19 in many countries, there are signs that
the conditions of major economies including China, the US and the UK have stabilised and moving towards
full-reactivation, with the result that the market conditions for the petroleum industry have improved
considerably during the year, amidst the emergence of the coronavirus variants and the new waves of
outbreak in some countries. With the backdrop of a global economic recovery, the price of Brent crude oil,
one of the benchmarks of international oil price, increased from around US$50 per barrel in December 2020
to around US$80 per barrel in December 2021, showing a positive outlook of the industry. Leveraging on the
Group’s business experience of its oil operation in Argentina and with the intent of continuing its petroleum
exploration and production business, the Group has been actively pursuing the acquisition of an oilfield
project in Canada. As announced by the Company on 9 February 2022, the proposed acquisition is eventually
materialised and the Group has successfully entered into a conditional asset purchase and sale agreement
(the “APA”) with the vendor for the target oil assets in Canada for an initial consideration of C$22,500,000
(approximately HK$138,375,000). The APA has been duly approved by the shareholders in a special general
meeting of the Company held on 29 March 2022 and the Group’s management is in the process of completing
the transactions contemplated thereunder. The acquisition of the oil assets under the APA represents a
valuable and attractive opportunity for the Group to continue developing its petroleum exploration and
production business.
In alignment with the Group’s strategic initiatives to develop a diversified and balanced energy business
portfolio, on 23 July 2021, the Group has entered into a cooperation framework agreement (the “Cooperation
Agreement”) with a specialist solar energy total solution and services provider to invest in solar energy power
generation projects participating in the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme (the “FiT Scheme”), which
is a scheme promoted by the Hong Kong Government to incentivise the private sector to produce clean
energy for sale to the two power companies in Hong Kong. On 30 August 2021, for further development of
the solar energy business, the Group has entered into an acquisition agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement”)
to acquire a portfolio of existing and to-be-completed solar energy power generation projects which are
participating in the FiT Scheme. As of the year end, the Group has invested over HK$43.6 million in solar
energy power generation projects under the two aforementioned agreements and is committed to invest over
HK$34.3 million in 2022.
For FY2021, the Group’s petroleum exploration and production business recorded a loss of HK$4,112,000
(2020: HK$2,647,000), the newly established solar energy business recorded a profit of HK$89,000 (2020:
nil), the money lending business recorded a profit of HK$17,440,000 (2020: HK$29,518,000), and the Group’s
investment in securities recorded a loss of HK$32,533,000 (2020: HK$3,383,000).
Overall speaking, the Group recorded a decline in revenue by 42% to HK$24,820,000 (2020: HK$42,449,000),
largely due to the cessation of the Group’s interest in an oil concession in Argentina in March 2021, and
reported a loss attributable to owners of the Company of HK$29,371,000 (2020: profit of HK$8,519,000), mainly
due to the provision of expected credit loss of HK$49,247,000 (2020: HK$4,574,000) on debt instruments held
by the Group at the year end. Basic loss per share was HK0.56 cent (2020: basic earnings per share were HK0.16
cent).
4
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Statement from the BoardPROSPECTS
It is the Group’s business strategy to continue developing its petroleum exploration and production business,
while expanding and diversifying its business in the energy sector to the next level by investing in renewable
energy business, including solar energy power generation, which would support the healthy and sustainable
business development of the Group in the long term and create new value to shareholders. In pursuit of these
strategic initiatives, the Group has entered into the APA for the development of its petroleum business, as well
as the Cooperation Agreement and Acquisition Agreement for the development of its solar energy business.
The oil assets under the APA are located near Calgary City, Alberta Province in Canada. The Group considers
Canada is one of the ideal countries for developing petroleum exploration and production business as it has
a stable political environment, a well-established system of oil regulations and industrial policies, a well-
developed business infrastructure for the oil industry and the third largest oil reserves in the world. There are
thus enormous business opportunities available in Canada for the Group to develop its petroleum business.
The solar energy power generation projects the Group investing in are projects participating in the FiT
Scheme. The FiT Scheme is a policy initiative introduced by the Hong Kong Government to encourage the
private sector to participate in producing cleaner fuel and developing renewable energy technologies. Under
the FiT Scheme, scheme participants who install solar or wind power generation system at their premises can
sell the renewable energy generated to the two power companies in Hong Kong at a rate considerably higher
than the normal electricity tariff rate. The FiT Scheme will be offered until the end of 2033, through investing
in solar energy power generation projects participating in the FiT Scheme, the Group is able to secure a long-
term and stable stream of revenue from the tariff income earning by the projects participating in the FiT
Scheme.
China has achieved strong positive GDP growth in 2021 and there are indications that its economy is
undergoing a solid and sustainable growth, from which Hong Kong, being one of the nation’s major cities and
gateways, is well positioned to be benefited.
Looking forward, the Group will continue to actively pursue its interest in the petroleum and solar energy
businesses and will manage its businesses in a cautious and disciplined approach in view of the business
uncertainties brought by the recent Omicron outbreak in Hong Kong, the heightened political and economic
tension between China and the US, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine which brings significant
volatilities to international prices of oil and gas.
It is the Group’s business strategy of building a diversified and balanced energy business portfolio, comprising
petroleum as well as solar energy businesses, which will present the Group with favourable long-term
prospects, and is in line with the Group’s sustainable corporate strategy to broaden its income stream with the
goal of achieving stable, long-term and attractive returns for the shareholders.
APPRECIATION
On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to 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 dedications and hard work during the past
year.
Sue Ka Lok
Executive Director
Hong Kong, 31 March 2022
5
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Statement from the BoardBUSINESS REVIEW
For the year ended 31 December 2021 (“FY2021”), the Group was principally engaged in the business of
petroleum exploration and production, solar energy, money lending and investment in securities.
Following the launch of vaccination programs to combat COVID-19 in many countries, there are signs that
the conditions of major economies including China, the US and the UK have stabilised and moving towards
full-reactivation, with the result that the market conditions for the petroleum industry have improved
considerably during the year, amidst the emergence of the coronavirus variants and the new waves of
outbreak in some countries. With the backdrop of a global economic recovery, the price of Brent crude oil,
one of the benchmarks of international oil price, increased from around US$50 per barrel in December 2020
to around US$80 per barrel in December 2021, showing a positive outlook of the industry. Leveraging on the
Group’s business experience of its oil operation in Argentina and with the intent of continuing its petroleum
exploration and production business, the Group has been actively pursuing the acquisition of an oilfield
project in Canada. As announced by the Company on 9 February 2022, the proposed acquisition is eventually
materialised and the Group has successfully entered into a conditional asset purchase and sale agreement
(the “APA”) with the vendor for the target oil assets in Canada for an initial consideration of C$22,500,000
(approximately HK$138,375,000). The APA has been duly approved by the shareholders in a special general
meeting of the Company held on 29 March 2022 and the Group’s management is in the process of completing
the transactions contemplated thereunder. The acquisition of the oil assets under the APA represents a
valuable and attractive opportunity for the Group to continue developing its petroleum exploration and
production business.
In alignment with the Group’s strategic initiatives to develop a diversified and balanced energy business
portfolio, on 23 July 2021, the Group has entered into a cooperation framework agreement (the “Cooperation
Agreement”) with a specialist solar energy total solution and services provider to invest in solar energy power
generation projects participating in the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme (the “FiT Scheme”), which
is a scheme promoted by the Hong Kong Government to incentivise the private sector to produce clean
energy for sale to the two power companies in Hong Kong. On 30 August 2021, for further development of
the solar energy business, the Group has entered into an acquisition agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement”)
to acquire a portfolio of existing and to-be-completed solar energy power generation projects which are
participating in the FiT Scheme.
For FY2021, the Group recorded a decline in revenue by 42% to HK$24,820,000 (2020: HK$42,449,000), largely
due to the cessation of the Group’s interest in an oil concession in Argentina in March 2021, and reported a
loss attributable to owners of the Company of HK$29,371,000 (2020: profit of HK$8,519,000), mainly due to the
provision of expected credit loss (“ECL”) of HK$49,247,000 (2020: HK$4,574,000) on debt instruments held by
the Group at the year end.
6
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisPetroleum Exploration and Production
As stated in the Company’s announcement dated 16 March 2021, the Group’s interest in an oil concession in
the Chañares Herrados area (the “CHE Concession”) located in Cuyana Basin, Mendoza Province of Argentina
had been taken over by a new concessionaire on 13 March 2021. Accordingly, for FY2021, the Group’s
petroleum exploration and production business had recorded an 87% decline in revenue to HK$1,847,000
(2020: HK$14,097,000), due to the cessation of the Group’s interest in the CHE Concession, and reported an
operating loss of HK$4,112,000 (2020: HK$2,647,000).
Since May 2020, the Group has been actively exploring other investment opportunities in natural resources
exploration and production, including an oilfield investment in Canada. This proposed investment in Canada
is eventually materialised, as announced by the Company on 9 February 2022, EP Resources Corporation, an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“EP Resources”), as purchaser and RockEast Energy Corp.
(“RockEast”) as vendor has entered into the APA, pursuant to which EP Resources has conditionally agreed
to acquire, and RockEast has conditionally agreed to sell an operating oil field which comprises petroleum
and natural gas rights, facilities and pipelines, together with all other properties and assets located in
Alberta Province of Canada (the “Target Assets”) at an initial consideration of C$22,500,000 (approximately
HK$138,375,000) (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition, upon completion, will be a valuable and attractive
opportunity for the Group to continue developing its petroleum business as the Group will immediately be
entitled to the oil production and cash flow generated from the 32 producing wells of the Target Assets.
Moreover, it is expected that the contributions from the Target Assets to the Group in terms of revenue and
EBITDA (i.e. earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) will continue to grow according
to the Group’s current four-year development plan in respect of the Target Assets. Further details of the
Acquisition are contained in the Company’s circular dated 11 March 2022. The APA has been duly approved
by the shareholders in a special general meeting of the Company held on 29 March 2022 and the Group’s
management is in the process of completing the transactions contemplated thereunder. The Company will
publish announcement(s) to inform shareholders of the progress of this transaction as and when appropriate.
Solar Energy
In recent years, major countries in the world are actively formulating their energy policies to curb carbon
emissions. On 23 July 2021, in order to capture the business opportunities in decarbonization, the Group has
entered into the Cooperation Agreement with a specialist solar energy total solution and services provider
to invest in solar energy power generation projects, from which the electricity generated can be sold to
the two power companies in Hong Kong, thereby earning the feed-in tariff income under the FiT Scheme.
Further details of the transaction are stated in the Company’s announcement dated 23 July 2021. For further
development of the solar energy business, on 30 August 2021, the Group has entered into the Acquisition
Agreement with a vendor to acquire a portfolio of existing and to-be-completed solar energy power
generation projects participating in the FiT Scheme for a consideration of not exceeding HK$75,000,000.
Further details of the transaction are stated in the Company’s announcements dated 30 August 2021 and 16
September 2021.
7
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisIt is the Group’s business strategy to expand its footprints in the energy sector through investing in renewable
energy business, including solar energy projects, which could provide the Group with healthy and sustainable
business development. As of the year end, the Group has invested HK$43,645,000 in solar energy power
generation projects under the two aforementioned agreements and is committed to invest HK$34,390,000 in
2022. For FY2021, the solar energy business contributed a revenue and an operating profit of HK$652,000 and
HK$89,000 respectively to the Group since the commencement of the business in the latter part of the year.
The contributions from the solar energy business are expected to grow in 2022 following completion of a
series of projects now in progress and incorporation of the full year results of the business.
Money Lending
For FY2021, the Group’s money lending business reported decreases in revenue by 26% to HK$13,182,000
(2020: HK$17,870,000) and operating profit (before reversal of ECL) by 24% to HK$13,084,000 (2020:
HK$17,286,000), which were mainly due to the lower average amount of loans advanced to borrowers during
FY2021. During the year, a reversal of ECL amounting to HK$4,356,000 (2020: HK$12,232,000) was recognised
which primarily represented the settlement of certain loans which had been previously considered as credit-
impaired.
The Group performs impairment assessment on loan receivables under the ECL model. The measurement of
ECL is a function of the probability of default, the loss given default (i.e. the magnitude of the loss if there is a
default) and the exposure at default (i.e. the magnitude of the loss after accounting for value of the collateral
if there is a default). The assessment of probability of default and loss given default is based on historical
data and forward-looking information, whilst the valuation of the assets/properties pledged to the Group
as collaterals are performed by independent professional valuers engaged by the Group, where applicable,
at each reporting date for the purpose of determining ECL. In accordance with the Group’s loan impairment
policy, the amount of ECL is updated at each reporting date to reflect the changes in credit risk on loan
receivables since initial recognition. At the year end, the net impairment allowance recognised primarily
represented the credit risk involved in collectability of certain default and non-default loans determined
under the Group’s loan impairment policy, with reference to factors including the credit history and financial
conditions of the borrowers, the ageing of the overdue balances, the realisation value of the collaterals
pledged to the Group, and forward-looking information including the future macro-economic conditions
affecting the borrowers (the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy had also been
considered).
The Group has a system in place to closely monitor the recoverability of its loan portfolio, its credit monitoring
measures include regular collateral reviews against market information and regular communication with
the borrowers of their financial position, through which the Group will be able to keep updated with the
latest credit profile and risk associated with each individual borrower and could take appropriate actions
for recovery of a loan at the earliest time. If circumstances require, the Group will commence legal actions
against the borrowers for recovery of the overdue loans and taking possession of the collaterals pledged.
8
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisFor FY2021, a reversal of ECL of HK$4,356,000 (2020: HK$12,232,000) was recognised with the balance of the
impairment allowance reduced by 30% or HK$14,786,000 to HK$34,915,000 (2020: HK$49,701,000) at the year
end, of which a sum of HK$14,872,000 was impairment allowance for the year, a sum of HK$20,074,000 was
reversal of allowance owing to settlement of loans, and a sum of HK$10,430,000 was related to the disposal
of subsidiaries with loan and interest receivables of gross carrying amount HK$41,334,000. Further details of
the credit risk and impairment assessment on the loan receivables are contained in Notes 23 and 37 to the
consolidated financial statements.
The size of the Group’s loan portfolio was reduced during FY2021 as the management has been prudent in
granting new loans in light of the prevailing economic conditions in Hong Kong. The Group aims to make
loans that could be covered by sufficient collaterals, preferably properties and assets with good quality, and to
borrowers with good credit history. The target customer groups of the business are individuals and corporate
entities that have short-term funding needs for business purpose and could provide sufficient collaterals for
their borrowings. The Group has a stable source of loan deals from its own business network and its sales
agents.
At 31 December 2021, the carrying value of the loan portfolio held by the Group amounted to HK$115,001,000
(after impairment allowance of HK$34,915,000) (2020: HK$161,382,000 (after impairment allowance of
HK$49,701,000)) with details as follows:
Category of borrowers
Corporate
Individual
Approximate
weighting to the
carrying amount
of the Group’s
loan portfolio
%
Interest
rate per
annum
%
Maturity
10 – 12
10 – 18
Within one year
Within one year
55.00
45.00
100.00
At 31 December 2021, 100% (2020: 87.79%) of the carrying amount of the loan portfolio (after impairment
allowance) was secured by collaterals with nil (2020: 12.21%) being unsecured. At the year end, the loans
made to all borrowers were term loans with maturity within one year, and the loan made to the largest
borrower and the five largest borrowers accounted for 32% and 100% respectively of the Group’s loan
portfolio (on a net of impairment allowance basis).
9
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and Analysis
The Group has credit policies, guidelines and procedures in place which cover key internal controls of a loan
transaction including (i) due diligence, (ii) credit appraisal, (iii) proper execution of documentations, (iv)
continuous monitoring and (v) collection and recovery. Before granting loan to a potential customer, the
Group performs credit appraisal process to assess the potential borrower’s credit quality and defines the
credit limit granted to the borrower. The credit appraisal process encompasses detailed assessment on the
credit history and financial background of the borrower, as well as the value and nature of the collateral to
be pledged. The credit limit of the loan successfully granted to the borrower will be subject to regular credit
review by the management as part of the ongoing loan monitoring process.
The following is a summary of the key internal controls of the Group’s money lending operation:
Due diligence
Credit appraisal
Proper execution of
documentations
Continuous monitoring
Collection and recovery
10
Identity check and financial background check on the loan applicant
will be performed. Information provided by the loan applicant including
identity, financial statements and income proof of the applicant will be
checked and verified by the responsible loan officer, where appropriate,
company, legal, credit and bankruptcy search on the loan applicant, and
land search and site visit on the property offered as collateral, will be
conducted.
Detailed assessment on the credit history and financial background of
the loan applicant, as well as the value and nature of the collateral to be
pledged, will be conducted. There will be credit assessment including
analysis on the repayment ability and credit history of the loan applicant,
and analysis on the potential recovery from realisation of the collateral.
The credit assessment process will be conducted by the responsible loan
officer and reviewed by the responsible loan manager.
For loan application recommended by the responsible loan manager and
duly approved by the board of directors of the Group’s money-lending
subsidiary, the responsible loan officer will arrange preparation and
proper execution of the loan documentations under the supervision of the
responsible loan manager, and usually with the support of professional
lawyers.
There will be continuous monitoring on the repayments from borrower,
regular communication with the borrower of its updated financial
position, and regular review on credit limit of the loan granted and market
value of the collateral pledged performed by the responsible loan officer
and manager.
Formal reminder and legal demand letter will be issued to the borrower
if there is an overdue payment. Where appropriate, legal action will be
commenced against the borrower for recovery of the amount due and
taking possession of the collateral pledged.
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisInvestment in Securities
The Group generally acquires securities listed on the Hong Kong 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 prospects, 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 2021, the Group’s securities investments comprised a financial asset at fair value through
profit or loss (“FVTPL”) portfolio valued at HK$6,724,000 (2020: HK$25,097,000), comprising equity securities
listed in Hong Kong, and a debt instrument at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”)
portfolio (constituted by non-current and current portions) valued at HK$78,396,000 (2020: HK$132,198,000),
comprising debt securities listed in Hong Kong or Singapore. As a whole, the Group’s securities investments
recorded a revenue of HK$9,139,000 (2020: HK$10,482,000) and a loss of HK$32,533,000 (2020: HK$3,383,000).
Financial assets at FVTPL
At 31 December 2021, the Group held a financial asset at FVTPL portfolio amounting to HK$6,724,000 (2020:
HK$25,097,000) measured at market/fair value. For FY2021, the portfolio generated a revenue of HK$268,000
(2020: HK$340,000), representing dividends from equity securities. The Group recognised a net gain on
financial assets at FVTPL of HK$7,870,000 (2020: loss of HK$9,183,000) for FY2021, which comprised net
realised gain and net unrealised loss of HK$9,099,000 and HK$1,229,000 (2020: net realised loss and net
unrealised loss of HK$7,432,000 and HK$1,751,000) respectively.
The net realised gain recorded during the year represented the gain 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 Group continued to adopt a prudent and disciplined approach in managing its
financial asset at FVTPL portfolio in view of the significant market volatilities during FY2021.
11
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisDuring FY2021, the Group disposed of most of its investments in equity securities, at 31 December 2021, the
Group’s financial asset at FVTPL portfolio of HK$6,724,000 comprised one major investment with details as
below:
Approximate
weighting to
the carrying
amount of the
Group’s total
assets at
31 December
2021
%
% of
shareholding
interest
%
Unrealised
loss
recognised
during the
year ended
31 December
2021
HK$’000
Dividend
income
recognised
during the
year ended
31 December
2021
HK$’000
Market/fair
value at
31 December
2021
HK$’000
B
C = B – A
Carrying
amount at
1 January
2021
HK$’000
A
Investee company’s name
and its principal activities#
Emperor International
Holdings Limited
(HKEX stock code: 163)
Property investment and
development and
hospitality businesses
1.52
0.20
7,953
6,724
(1,229)
268
#
Extracted from published financial information of the investee company.
#Investee company’s
financial performance
#Future prospects of the
investee company
For the six months ended
30 September 2021,
revenue increased by 118%
to HK$1,392,682,000 and
its results experienced a
turnaround and recorded
a profit for the period
of HK$188,894,000 as
compared to the loss of
HK$1,067,484,000 incurred
in the same period in 2020.
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 including
luxury composite buildings in
popular urban areas, and low-rise
detached houses in unique spots.
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
At 31 December 2021, the Group’s debt instrument at FVTOCI portfolio (constituted by non-current and
current portions) of HK$78,396,000 (2020: HK$132,198,000) was measured at market/fair value. During
FY2021, the Group’s debt instrument at FVTOCI portfolio generated a revenue amounting to HK$8,871,000
(2020: HK$10,142,000), representing interest income from debt securities. According to the maturity profile
of the debt instruments, part of the debt instruments at FVTOCI of HK$47,712,000 (2020: HK$2,213,000) was
classified as current assets.
During FY2021, the Group had not acquired any debt securities (2020: HK$7,903,000). At the year end, a net
fair value loss on debt instruments at FVTOCI amounting to HK$54,714,000 (2020: HK$885,000) was recognised
as other comprehensive expense primarily due to the fall in market value of these debt securities and
downward adjustment on fair value of certain debt instruments due to their increased credit risks. For FY2021,
a provision of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI of HK$49,247,000 (2020: HK$4,574,000) was recognised in
profit or loss (with a corresponding adjustment to other comprehensive income) as the credit risks of certain
debt instruments held by the Group had increased significantly since initial recognition. During FY2021,
the credit ratings of these debt instruments, which were corporate bonds issued by property companies
based in the Mainland, were downgraded by the rating agencies as the credit risks of these bonds had
increased significantly due to the bond issuers’ defaults in making interest and principal payments for their
indebtedness. As the Group expected the financial uncertainties of these bond issuers would ultimately affect
the collection of contractual cash flows of these bonds, a provision of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI of
HK$49,247,000 was recognised.
12
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and Analysis
The Group had engaged an independent professional valuer to perform an impairment assessment on the
debt instruments held under the ECL model. The measurement of ECL is a function of the probability of
default and loss given default (i.e. the magnitude of the loss if there is a default), with the assessment of the
probability of default and loss given default is based on historical data and forward-looking information.
The estimation of ECL reflects an unbiased and probability-weighted amount that is determined with the
respective risks of default occurring as the weights, and also with reference to the time value of money. In
determining the ECL on the Group’s debt instruments for the year, the management had work closely with
the independent professional valuer and taking into accounts factors including the downgrading of credit
rating of the debt instruments by the rating agencies and the defaults of the bond issuers in making payments
of interest and principal for their indebtedness, as well as forward-looking information including the future
macro-economic conditions at places where the bond issuers are operating. There was no change in the
method used in determining the ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI from last year. Further details of the
credit risk and impairment assessment on the debt instruments at FVTOCI are contained in Note 37 to the
consolidated financial statements.
At 31 December 2021, 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$78,396,000 (together with other information) were as below:
Approximate
weighting to the
market/fair value
of the Group’s
debt instrument
at FVTOCI
portfolio at
31 December
2021
%
Approximate
weighting to the
carrying amount
of the Group’s
total assets at
31 December
2021
%
19.99
80.01
100.00
3.54
14.16
17.70
*Acquisition
costs during the
year/carrying
amount at
1 January
2021
HK$’000
B
14,455
117,743
Yield to maturity
on acquisition
date
%
4.93
5.26 – 12.50
Acquisition
costs
HK$’000
A
15,444
120,497
135,941
132,198
Accumulated
fair value
gain (loss)
recognised
up to
31 December
2021
HK$’000
Fair value
gain (loss)
recognised
during the
year ended
31 December
2021
HK$’000
Market/
fair value at
31 December
2021
HK$’000
C
D = C – A
E = C – B
15,675
62,721
78,396
231
(57,776)
1,220
(55,022)
(57,545)
(53,802)
Category of companies
Aircraft leasing
Property#
*
The amount represented the costs of the securities acquired during the year ended 31 December 2021 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 year.
#
The weighting of individual debt securities to the carrying amount of the Group’s total assets at 31 December 2021
did not exceed 5%.
13
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management 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 FY2021, the Group’s petroleum exploration and production business recorded a loss of HK$4,112,000
(2020: HK$2,647,000), the newly established solar energy business recorded a profit of HK$89,000 (2020:
nil), the money lending business recorded a profit of HK$17,440,000 (2020: HK$29,518,000), and the Group’s
investment in securities recorded a loss of HK$32,533,000 (2020: HK$3,383,000).
Overall speaking, the Group reported a loss attributable to owners of the Company of HK$29,371,000 (2020:
profit of HK$8,519,000) mainly due to the provision of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI of HK$49,247,000
(2020: HK$4,574,000) (with a corresponding adjustment to other comprehensive income), and a total
comprehensive expense attributable to owners of the Company of HK$33,508,000 (2020: total comprehensive
income of HK$15,983,000) which included a fair value loss on debt instruments at FVTOCI of HK$54,714,000
(2020: HK$885,000).
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Liquidity, Financial Resources and Capital Structure
During FY2021, 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$363,774,000 (2020: HK$308,845,000)
and liquid assets comprising bank balances and cash as well as financial assets at FVTPL totaling
HK$198,542,000 (2020: HK$159,724,000). The Group’s current ratio, calculated based on current assets over
current liabilities of HK$14,105,000 (2020: HK$14,196,000), was at a liquid level of about 25.8 (2020: 21.8). It is
intended that a part of the Group’s cash holding will be applied for completion of the acquisition of the Target
Assets under the APA.
At 31 December 2021, the Group’s total assets amounted to HK$442,915,000 (2020: HK$475,763,000), the
Group’s gearing ratio, calculated on the basis of total liabilities of HK$16,925,000 (2020: HK$16,265,000)
divided by total assets, was at a low level of about 4% (2020: 3%). Finance costs represented the imputed
interest on lease liabilities of HK$101,000 (2020: HK$166,000) for the year.
At 31 December 2021, the equity attributable to owners of the Company amounted to HK$425,990,000 (2020:
HK$459,879,000) and was equivalent to an amount of approximately HK8.13 cents (2020: HK8.78 cents) per
share of the Company. The decrease in equity attributable to owners of the Company of HK$33,889,000 was
mainly due to loss incurred during the year.
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 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisForeign Currency Management
The monetary assets and liabilities as well as business transactions of the Group are mainly denominated in
Hong Kong dollars, United States dollars and Renminbi. The Group has not experienced any significant foreign
exchange exposure to United States dollars as the exchange rate of Hong Kong dollars to United States dollars
is pegged. The Group does not have significant foreign exchange exposure to Renminbi, and will consider a
formal foreign currency hedging policy for Renminbi should the needs arise.
Contingent Liability
At 31 December 2021, the Group had no significant contingent liability (31 December 2020: nil).
Pledge of Assets
At 31 December 2021, the Group had not pledged any assets (31 December 2020: nil).
Capital Commitment
At 31 December 2021, the Group had a total capital commitment of HK$34,390,000 in relation to the
acquisition of a portfolio of solar photovoltaic systems which was a capital expenditure contracted for but not
provided (31 December 2020: nil).
Events after the Reporting Period
On 9 February 2022, EP Resources and RockEast entered into the APA, pursuant to which EP Resources
has conditionally agreed to acquire, and RockEast has conditionally agreed to sell, the Target Assets at an
initial consideration of C$22,500,000 (approximately HK$138,375,000). The APA has been duly approved
by the shareholders in a special general meeting of the Company held on 29 March 2022 and the Group’s
management is in the process of completing the transactions contemplated thereunder. Further details of the
transaction are contained in the Company’s circular dated 11 March 2022.
HUMAN RESOURCES AND REMUNERATION POLICY
At 31 December 2021, the Group had a total of 21 (2020: 30) employees including directors of the Company
with 18 (2020: 23) employees in Hong Kong and the PRC and 3 (2020: 7) employees in Argentina. Staff costs,
including directors’ emoluments, amounted to HK$9,799,000 (2020: HK$14,214,000) for the year. The drop in
staff costs of HK$4,415,000 was mainly due to the decrease of the Group’s headcounts for its operation in the
PRC and Argentina. 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 (the “MPF 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, discretionary bonus and participation in
the Company’s share option scheme.
The Group’s contributions to the MPF Scheme and other employees’ pension schemes are calculated as a
percentage of the employees’ relevant income and vest fully and immediately with employees, thus there
are no forfeited contributions available to the Group to reduce the existing level of contributions to the MPF
Scheme and other employees’ pension schemes.
15
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisPRINCIPAL RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Group is principally engaged in the business of petroleum exploration and production, solar energy,
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 solar energy business is constantly exposed to inherent risks such as mechanical breakdown
of equipment, adverse weather conditions, flood, fire or other calamities. 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 37 to the consolidated financial statements.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT LAWS AND REGULATIONS
As far as the Board and the management are aware, the Group has complied in material respects with the
relevant laws and regulations that have a significant impact on the businesses and operations of the Group.
During FY2021, 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 good relationships with its employees, customers
and suppliers to meet its immediate and long-term business goals. During FY2021, there were no significant
disputes between the Group and its employees, customers and suppliers.
16
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Management Discussion and AnalysisThe biographical details of Directors and senior management are set out below:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Mr. Sue Ka Lok (“Mr. Sue”)
Aged 56, joined the Company as Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer in October 2016 and
stepped down from his position as Chief Executive Officer in January 2018. Mr. Sue is a member of the
Corporate Governance Committee and 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 Chartered Governance Institute (formerly known as The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered
Secretaries) and The Chartered Governance Institute in the United Kingdom. He has extensive experience
in corporate management, finance, accounting and company secretarial practice. Mr. Sue is an executive
director, the company secretary and the chief executive officer of China Strategic Holdings Limited (HKEX
stock code: 235), an executive director and the chairman of Courage Investment Group Limited (“Courage
Investment”) (HKEX stock code: 1145), 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 Hong Kong Stock Exchange and with Courage Investment is also secondarily listed on the Main
Board of Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong (“Mr. Yiu”)
Aged 37, 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, a Company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange.
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen (“Mr. Chan”)
Aged 41, 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 and a director
of certain subsidiaries 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.
17
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Biographical Details of Directors and Senior ManagementINDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Mr. Pun Chi Ping (“Mr. Pun”)
Aged 55, 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 (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 Hong
Kong Stock Exchange.
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine (“Ms. Leung”)
Aged 52, 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, a company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange.
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap (“Mr. Kwong”)
Aged 57, 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.
18
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Biographical Details of Directors and Senior ManagementSENIOR MANAGEMENT
Mr. Pak Ka Kei (“Mr. Pak”), Financial Controller
Aged 51, joined the Company as Financial Controller in November 2009. Mr. Pak is a director of certain
subsidiaries of the Company. 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 57, 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 his last position 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 and 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.
19
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Biographical Details of Directors and Senior ManagementThe Directors are pleased to present their report and the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the year ended 31 December 2021.
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 38 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 review of the Group’s businesses, the principal risks
and uncertainties the Group facing, particulars of important events affecting the Group that have occurred
since the end of the financial year, an indication of likely future developments in the Group’s businesses,
key relationships with employees, customers and suppliers and compliance with laws and regulations, can
be found in the “Statement from the Board” and “Management Discussion and Analysis” sections set out on
pages 4 to 16 of this annual report, and the “Corporate Governance Report” set out on pages 27 to 38 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 39 to 62 of this annual report.
RESULTS
The results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2021 are set out in the consolidated statement of
profit or loss and other comprehensive income on pages 70 to 71.
FINAL DIVIDEND
The Board does not recommend the payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020:
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 160. 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 18
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 30
and 31 to the consolidated financial statements, respectively.
20
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the DirectorsPRE-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 2021, 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 2021, 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 43%
of the total revenue for the year and revenue from the largest customer accounted for approximately 13%.
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 91%.
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.
21
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the DirectorsDIRECTORS
The directors of the Company during the year and up to the date of this report were:
Executive Directors:
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Mr. Liang Weijie (appointed on 8 April 2021 and resigned on 18 October 2021)
Independent Non-executive Directors:
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
In accordance with bye-law 100(A) of the Company’s Bye-laws, Mr. Sue Ka Lok and Mr. Kwong Tin Lap will
retire by rotation at the forthcoming annual general meeting of the Company (the “2022 AGM”) and, being
eligible, will offer themselves for re-election at the 2022 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 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 2022 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.
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
Details of the directors’ remuneration are set out in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
22
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the DirectorsUPDATE 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 was appointed as the company secretary of China Strategic Holdings Limited (HKEX
stock code: 235), a company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with effect
from 12 November 2021.
Mr. Sue Ka Lok was appointed as executive director and the chairman of the board of Courage
Investment Group Limited (HKEX stock code: 1145), a company primarily listed on the Main Board of the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange and secondarily listed on the Main Board of Singapore Exchange Securities
Trading Limited, with effect from 30 November 2021 and 1 January 2022, respectively.
DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN TRANSACTIONS, ARRANGEMENTS OR CONTRACTS
Save for the related party transactions as disclosed in Note 35 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 2021, 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 Hong Kong Stock Exchange pursuant to the
Model Code.
DIRECTORS’ RIGHTS TO ACQUIRE SHARES OR DEBENTURES
Save for the “Share Option Scheme” disclosure in Note 31 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 31 to the consolidated financial
statements.
23
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the DirectorsINTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS DISCLOSEABLE UNDER THE SFO
As at 31 December 2021, 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
Number of
shares held
Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul (“Mr. Suen”)
Interests of controlled
corporation
Premier United Group Limited
Interests of controlled
(“Premier United”)
corporation
Billion Expo International Limited
Beneficial owner
(“Billion Expo”)
China Shipbuilding Capital Limited
Beneficial owner
China State Shipbuilding Corporation
Interests of controlled
Limited
corporation
862,085,620
(Notes (ii) and (iii))
862,085,620
(Notes (ii) and (iii))
862,085,620
(Notes (ii) and (iii))
700,170,000
(Note (iv))
700,170,000
(Note (iv))
Approximate
percentage
of the
Company’s
issued shares
(Note (i))
16.45%
16.45%
16.45%
13.36%
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 2021.
(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.
(iii)
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.
(iv)
The interests of China Shipbuilding Capital Limited and China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited related to the
same parcel of shares.
24
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the Directors
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 2021 as required pursuant to section
336 of the SFO.
CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS
The related party transactions as disclosed in Note 35 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 31 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.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2021 have
been reviewed by the Audit Committee and duly approved by the Board under the recommendation of the
Audit Committee.
25
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the DirectorsAUDITOR
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2021 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.
A resolution will be proposed at the 2022 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, 31 March 2022
26
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Report of the DirectorsThe 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 has 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 2021, except for the
following deviations with reasons as explained:
Chairman and chief executive
Code Provision A.2.1 (renumbered as Code Provision C.2.1 since 1 January 2022)
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 the Code Provision A.2.1 during the year ended 31 December 2021 due to
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.
Shareholders meetings
Code Provision E.1.2 (renumbered as Code Provision F.2.2 since 1 January 2022)
Code Provision E.1.2 of the CG Code stipulates that the chairman of the board should attend the annual
general meeting.
Deviation
As the position of Chairman of the Board has been left vacant, Mr. Sue Ka Lok, Executive Director of the
Company, was elected and acted as the chairman of the annual general meeting of the Company held on 29
June 2021 (the “2021 AGM”) in accordance with bye-law 70 of the Company’s Bye-laws.
27
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportDIRECTORS’ 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
have complied with the required standards set out in the Model Code during the year ended 31 December
2021.
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 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 31 March 2022, the date of this annual report, the Board comprises six directors, three are Executive
Directors, namely Mr. Sue Ka Lok (“Mr. Sue”), Mr. Yiu Chun Kong (“Mr. Yiu”) and Mr. Chan Shui Yuen, 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 Group. 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 17
to 19 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 Group and that he/she is fully aware of his/her responsibilities and
obligations under the Listing Rules and relevant regulatory requirements.
28
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportBOARD OF DIRECTORS (continued)
All directors are encouraged to participate in continuous professional development to develop and refresh
their knowledge and skills, and are continually updated on developments in the statutory and regulatory
regime and the Group’s 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 Hong Kong Stock Exchange, to the directors. In-house briefings
and professional development for directors are arranged where necessary.
The directors have participated in continuous professional development by attending seminars, in-house
briefings or reading materials on the related areas to develop and refresh their knowledge and skills. During
the year ended 31 December 2021, all the 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 have complied with Code
Provision A.6.5 of the CG Code (renumbered as Code Provision C.1.4 since 1 January 2022) and have provided
the Company with their respective training records pursuant to the CG Code.
During the year ended 31 December 2021, four regular Board meetings and 2021 AGM were held and the
attendance of each director is set out below:
Executive Directors
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Mr. Liang Weijie
(appointed on 8 April 2021 and resigned on 18 October 2021)
Independent Non-executive Directors
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
Number of attendance
Board Meetings
2021 AGM
4/4
4/4
4/4
1/1
4/4
4/4
4/4
1/1
1/1
1/1
0/1
1/1
0/1
0/1
29
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance Report
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Code Provision A.2.1 of the CG Code (renumbered as Code Provision C.2.1 since 1 January 2022) 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 2021 as
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.
TERM OF APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
According to the CG Code, 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 Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s website.
30
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportREMUNERATION COMMITTEE (continued)
The Remuneration Committee met twice during the year ended 31 December 2021 to review and make
recommendations to the Board on the remuneration packages for directors. The attendance of each member
is set out below:
Members
Number of attendance
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
NOMINATION COMMITTEE
2/2
2/2
2/2
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 Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s website.
The Nomination Committee met twice during the year ended 31 December 2021 to review the board diversity
policy (the “Board Diversity Policy”) of the Company, the independence of independent non-executive
directors, the structure, size and composition of the Board; and review and make recommendations to the
Board on the appointment of director and the re-election of directors. The attendance of each member is set
out below:
Members
Number of attendance
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
2/2
2/2
2/2
31
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate 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 of the Company. 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 on the Board, and the Nomination Committee shall review and assess the Board composition
and its effectiveness on an annual basis. When there is a 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.
32
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportAUDITOR 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 2021 is set out in the “Independent
Auditor’s Report” on pages 63 to 69 of this annual report.
For the year ended 31 December 2021, the remuneration payable to the Company’s auditor, Moore Stephens
CPA Limited, for the provision of audit services amounted to HK$1,198,000. During the year, a sum of
HK$148,000 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. 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 the financial statements of the Company, reviewing
the risk management and internal control systems of the Group and meeting with the auditor of the Company
for audit matters. 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 Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s website.
The Audit Committee met three times during the year ended 31 December 2021 and the attendance of each
member is set out below:
Members
Number of attendance
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
3/3
3/3
3/3
33
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance Report
AUDIT COMMITTEE (continued)
The following is a summary of work performed by the Audit Committee during the year:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year
ended 31 December 2020 and recommended the same to the Board for approval;
reviewed and discussed the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company
for the six months ended 30 June 2021 and recommended the same to the Board for approval;
reviewed and discussed with the management and the auditor of the Company the accounting policies
and practices which may have significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the
Company 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 2020;
reviewed the effectiveness of the risk management and internal control systems of the Group; and
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. 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 employees
and directors of the Group; and (v) to review the Group’s compliance with the CG Code and its disclosure
requirements in the Corporate Governance Report. The full terms of reference are available on the Company’s
website and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s website.
34
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportCORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE (continued)
The Corporate Governance Committee met once during the year ended 31 December 2021 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 below:
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 2021, 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 maintaining sound and effective risk management and internal
control systems and reviewing their effectiveness to safeguard the shareholders’ interests and the Group’s
assets at least annually. The systems are designed to identifying, analysing, evaluating and mitigating risk
exposures that may impact the continued efficiency and effectiveness of the operations 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, evaluates
and determines 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 covers financial, operational and compliance controls of key operations of the
Group and ensures the adequacy of resources, staff qualifications and experience, training programmes and
budget of the Group’s accounting, internal audit and financial reporting functions.
35
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance Report
RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL (continued)
The process used to identify, evaluate and manage the significant risks (including, environmental, social and
governance (“ESG”) 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 (including ESG risks) associated with their
respective units regularly. The results of the 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 of the assessment and effectiveness of the
Group’s risk management and internal control systems have been reported to the Audit Committee.
In connection with the controls on compliance aspect, 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 had engaged an external consultant to conduct a review on the
Group’s risk management and internal control systems to identify and evaluate significant risks (including
ESG risks) of the business operations for the year ended 31 December 2021. The Board believes that the
involvement of the external consultant could enhance the objectivity and transparency of evaluation process.
The external consultant had conducted an annual review to identify risks (including ESG risks) that could
potentially impact the businesses of the Group, review key operational and financial processes as well as
regulatory compliance and information security, and assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s
risk management and internal control systems. The review covered all material controls, including financial,
operational and compliance controls. After the review, a Risk Management and Internal Control Report (the
“RM and IC Report”) with findings and recommendations for improvement in relation to the systems had been
provided to the Audit Committee and the management. The RM and IC Report has been endorsed by the
Audit Committee and the management is required to establish remedial plans and take actions to rectify those
internal control deficiencies identified (which are all at low 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.
After reviewing the RM and IC Report, the Board is not aware of any significant risk management and internal
control weaknesses or inconsistencies with the Group’s risk management and internal control policies, and
considers the existing risk management and internal control systems are effective and adequate. The Board
is also of the opinion that the Group has adequate financial and human resources for its accounting and
financial reporting function as well as those relating to the Group’s ESG performance. 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”), 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 17 to 19 of this annual report. Mr. Chan
has taken no less than 15 hours of the relevant professional training during the year ended 31 December 2021.
36
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportSHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The annual general meeting (“AGM”) of the Company provides a forum for communication between
shareholders and the Board. The notice of the AGM is despatched to all shareholders at least 20 clear business
days prior to such AGM. The chairmen of all Board committees are invited to attend the AGM. The chairman of
the Board and the chairmen of all the Board committees, or in their absence, other members of the respective
committees, are available to answer questions at the AGM. The auditor of the Company is also invited to
attend the AGM to answer questions about the conduct of the audit, the preparation and content of the
auditor’s report, the accounting policies and the auditor’s independence.
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.
37
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportSHAREHOLDER 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 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.
A printed copy of the Bye-laws has been published on the websites of the Company and the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange. There had been no changes in the Company’s constitutional documents during the year ended 31
December 2021.
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) 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.
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 22 April 2022, being the latest
practicable date before printing of this annual report.
38
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Corporate Governance ReportOVERVIEW
The Board is pleased to present this Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report (the “ESG Report”)
of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group” or “we” or “our”) for the year ended 31 December 2021 (the
“Reporting Period”). The ESG Report summarises the policies, sustainability strategies, management approach
and initiatives implemented by the Group as well as performance of the Group in environmental and social
aspects of its businesses.
REPORTING SCOPE
The ESG Report covers the Group’s businesses of petroleum exploration and production, solar energy, money
lending and investment in securities in Argentina, the PRC and Hong Kong, which are the Group's core
businesses and in aggregate generating 100% of the Group's revenue. Except for the newly established solar
energy business, there were no significant changes to the scope of reporting for the Reporting Period.
REPORTING BASIS
The ESG Report discloses the required information under the “comply or explain” provisions of the ESG
Reporting Guide set out in Appendix 27 to the Listing Rules. Information relating to the Group's corporate
governance practices is set out in the "Corporate Governance Report" of this annual report.
REPORTING PRINCIPLES
The Group adheres to the following reporting principles as the basis for the preparation of the ESG Report.
Materiality: The content of this report is determined by stakeholder participation and materiality assessment
process, which includes identifying material environmental and social related issues, collecting and reviewing
the views and suggestions of the management and stakeholders, assessing the relevance and significance of
different issues, and compiling and validating the reported content.
Quantitative: The key performance indicators (“KPIs”) relating to the environmental and social aspects
are disclosed in this report to give stakeholders of the Group a comprehensive picture of the Group’s ESG
performance. The information is accompanied by a narrative description, explaining its purposes and impacts.
Balance: Every effort has been made in this report to reflect the performance of the Group’s ESG activities
impartially and has avoided selection, omission or presentation of format that might inappropriately influence
the decision or judgment of the readers of this report.
Consistency: As far as is reasonably practicable, the Group has used consistent methodologies in preparing
this report to allow for meaningful comparisons of ESG data over time.
39
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportA.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MANAGEMENT
Report from the Board
The Group is committed to corporate social responsibility and balancing environmental, social and
economic benefits. The Group also hopes to balance its business development with the interests of its
key stakeholders and operates its businesses in a sustainable manner. To achieve this vision, the Group
has set a sustainability framework that focuses on environmental protection, resource management,
employee and community well-being and guides its sustainability efforts to ensure that sustainability
elements are integrated into all operation and all business decisions.
Global warming is a growing concern. As a socially responsible corporate, the Group is committed
to mitigating its environmental impact and integrating responsible environmental practices into its
businesses. Moreover, the Group is endeavoured to foster a sense of environmental stewardship within
the Company, with an aim to make joint efforts with the employees to build an environmental-friendly
and resource-saving enterprise. During the Reporting Period, the Group entered into the solar energy
business segment, with a view to contribute its efforts in promoting the use of clean and renewable
energy, and building a greener environment.
In the midst COVID-19, the employees of the Group have shown strong team spirit and the Group has
provided multi-pronged support to the employees to avoid infection and helped to prevent the spread
of COVID-19 in the community. The Group has provided various supportive measures to employees
which include providing epidemic prevention materials and rapid antigen test kit to employees, and
facilitating “work from home” arrangement. Despite the severity of the pandemic, the Group remains
concerned about employees’ remuneration and benefits, career development opportunities, provision
of safe working environment, and fulfilling corporate social responsibility. There might still be a long
way to fight against the pandemic, nevertheless, the Group hopes that all of the employees and the
community will continue to put unremitting efforts in going through the adversities and challenges,
and make continuous progress towards sustainable development.
To achieve this vision, the Board has set a number of environmental and social KPIs and has taken a top-
down approach to disintegrate the KPIs into the functional departments. The Board not only aimed to
improve the well-being of the employees, but also encourages the employees to participate in making
changes in different areas, which include reducing greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and making good
use of resources. During the Reporting Period, the Board has actively supported the implementation
of the Group's sustainable development strategies and action plans by the management team and all
employees. The relevant scope, progress and achievements relating to the environmental and social
KPIs are disclosed in this report.
The Group hopes that its professional management team can continue to commit to stable operation
and prudent financial management policy, meet the challenges ahead with success, implement
sustainable development strategies, improve business performance and create more meaningful long-
term value for the enterprise and its stakeholders.
40
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportGovernance Structure
The Board believes that sound ESG strategies can create investment value for the Group and deliver
long-term returns to its stakeholders. The establishment of an appropriate governance framework
is critical to the successful implementation of the Group's ESG sustainability strategies and an ESG
governance structure with clear duties and responsibilities has been set up by the Group. The Board
has established the long-term policies and strategies for all sustainability matters, and will review the
implementation status and progress of the ESG matters annually and report on its performance. The
Board has also identified, reviewed and evaluated the corporate responsibility, sustainability and the
Group's response to climate change through internal meetings. The management team reports to
the Board on a regular basis to assist the Board in assessing and determining whether the Company
has established an appropriate and effective internal control system to contain the ESG risks. At
the operational level, functional units are responsible for ensuring the integration of sustainability
strategies and practices into the Group’s business operations as well as exploring new action plans/
initiatives.
Board members are responsible for:
Developing long-term sustainable development policies and strategies
Assessing and iden�fying risks and opportuni�es associated with ESG
Ensuring appropriate and effec�ve ESG risk management and internal
The Board
monitoring systems
Reviewing and approving policies, objec�ves and ac�on plans/measures
rela�ng to ESG ma�ers
Approving ESG reports
Management
Team
The management team is responsible for:
Developing and reviewing ESG-related policies, objec�ves and ac�on
plans/measures
Monitoring and repor�ng to the Board on the progress of the implementa�on
of the ac�on plan/measures
Iden�fying ESG risks and opportuni�es
Reviewing ESG reports
Func�onal
Department
The func�onal departments are responsible for:
Iden�fying, assessing, defining and repor�ng to the management on
significant ESG issues
Performing ESG risk management and internal monitoring
Ensuring ESG policies, objec�ves and ac�on plans/measures are integrated
into business opera�ons
Repor�ng to management on progress and quality of ac�on plan/measures
The Board has appointed an independent consultant to provide advice on the ESG matters and assist
in collecting data and information for conducting various analyses, and providing improvement
recommendations on the Group's ESG performance. The Group has also collected the views of key
stakeholders on ESG matters during daily operations and conducted a materiality assessment to identify
important ESG issues for the Group, details of which are disclosed in the sections headed “Stakeholders’
Engagement” and “Materiality Assessment” below. To effectively lead the ESG process of the Group, the
Board monitors the work of all departments to ensure that they work closely together to achieve the
sustainable development goals of operational compliance and social responsibility.
41
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance Report
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 expectations and concerns of the key stakeholders, as identified by the
Group, and the corresponding management response:
Stakeholders
Government/
regulatory
organisations
Expectations and Concerns
Management Response
Compliance with laws and
Uphold integrity and compliance
regulations
in operations
Fulfill tax obligation
Joint efforts in combating
COVID-19
Pay tax on time, which in return
contributing to the 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
Shareholders/
investors
Return on investment
Management possesses
Information transparency
Corporate governance system
experience and professional
knowledge in business
sustainability
Regular information
dissemination via publications
on the websites of the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange and the
Company
Dedicated to improvement of
internal control system and focus
on risk management
42
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportStakeholders’ Engagement (continued)
Stakeholders
Employees
Expectations and Concerns
Management Response
Labour rights
Set up contractual obligations to
Career development
Compensation and welfare
Health and workplace safety
Joint efforts in combating
COVID-19
protect 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
Customers
High quality products and
Provide high quality products
customer services
Suppliers
Integrity
Corporate reputation
and services continuously in
order to maintain customer
satisfaction
Ensure proper contractual
obligations are in place
Ensure the performance of
contractual obligations
Establish policy and procedures
regarding supply chain
management
Stringent selection of suppliers
Community
Environmental protection
Pay attention to climate change
Reduce GHG emissions
Effective resources utilisation
Strengthen management in
energy saving and emission
reduction
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
43
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportMateriality Assessment
During the Reporting Period, the Board held discussions with the management team and conducted
materiality assessment through various channels to identify ESG issues in which both the Group and its
key stakeholders are interested and assessed the level of concern as viewed by them so as to select the
material ESG-related issues. For the materiality assessment, the Group has adopted the following three
processes:
Iden�fica�on
Iden�fies ESG issues through diverse channels and
internal discussion
Examines and adopts the ESG issues of concern in the
past stakeholders’ engagement
Draws a�en�on to emerging ESG issues
Prioritisa�on
Synthesises, analyses and evaluates the views of all
par�es to iden�fy and priori�ses poten�al and
important issues
Develops materiality matrix based on the importance of
the issue to the Group and its key stakeholders
Valida�on
Interacts with the management team to validate the
materiality assessment and ensure that these issues are
aligned with the sustainable development direc�on
sought by the Group
Reports the materiality assessment to the Board and
makes disclosure in the ESG Report
44
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance Report
Materiality Assessment (continued)
Materiality assessment helps the Group to ensure its business objectives and development direction are
in line with the expectations and requirements of its stakeholders. The matters of concern of the Group
and its stakeholders are presented in the following materiality matrix:
h
g
H
i
m
u
i
d
e
M
w
o
L
s
r
e
d
l
o
h
e
k
a
t
S
o
t
e
c
n
a
t
r
o
p
m
I
Materiality Matrix
Anti-discrimination
Talent management
measures
Labour rights
protection
Staff training
and promotion
opportunity
Customer’s
satisfaction
Product and customer
service quality
Staff compensation
Suppliers
and welfare
management
Occupational health
and workplace safety
Community
contribution
Anti-corruption
measures
Operational
compliance
Air and GHG emission
Client’s privacy
Energy conservation
measures
measures and
protection
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
45
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance Report
B.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Petroleum Exploration and Production Business
The Group has commenced its petroleum exploration and production business since the end of 2009.
As referred to in the “Management Discussion and Analysis” on pages 6 to 16 of this annual report,
the Group's interest in the CHE Concession ceased in March 2021. As such, the Group was engaged in
petroleum exploration and production activities in the CHE Concession situated at the Cuyana Basin,
Mendoza Province of Argentina until March 2021.
Chañares Energia S.A. (“Chañares”) was the concessionaire and operator of the CHE Concession, and was
responsible to comply with the rules and regulations of the hydrocarbon and oil industry in Argentina
relating to environmental protection and labour practice.
During the Reporting Period (until the Group's cessation of interest in the CHE Concession), crude oil
after processing was delivered to the collection point and sold to the customer, YPF S.A. (a state-owned
petroleum company). Chañares had been handling the above sales process for the Group and charging
the Group handling fees for services provided.
The Group 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 (until the Group's cessation of interest in the CHE Concession), the daily
production and sales processes of the Group’s petroleum exploration and production operation were
handled by Chañares, whilst 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 situated.
Solar Energy Business
During the Reporting Period, the Group has commenced to engage in the solar energy business
through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, EPI Energy Investments Limited, which invests in various
solar energy power generation projects located in Hong Kong and selling the electricity generated
by the systems to the two power companies in Hong Kong, thereby earning the feed-in tariff income
under the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme launched by the Hong Kong Government and the
two power companies in Hong Kong. During the Reporting Period, the Group was entitled to a share of
electricity generated by the solar energy power generation systems of approximately 163,000 kilowatt
hours ("kWh").
46
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEnvironmental 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 operations (other than the petroleum exploration and production and solar energy power
generation activities) are mainly operated in an office setting, their impact to the environment are GHG
and air emissions generated by consumption of electricity and natural gas, and fuel consumption of the
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 17.64 Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (“CO2e”) tonnes of GHG emission, including 4.62
CO2e tonnes of Scope 1 GHG emissions and 13.02 CO2e tonnes of Scope 2 GHG emissions.
The GHG emission from the operation has been calculated and measured as follows:
2021
2020
Scope 1 – Direct Emission
Consumption
Gasoline and diesel
1,678 Liters
Intensity (per employee):
80 Liters
Carbon
Dioxide
Equivalent
Emission
(in tonne)
4.62
0.22
Consumption
5,010 Liters
167 Liters
Carbon
Dioxide
Equivalent
Emission
(in tonne)
13.60
0.45
47
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance Report
Emissions and Energy Consumption (continued)
2021
2020
Scope 2 – Indirect Emission
Consumption
Electricity
Natural gas
13,879 kWh
2,129,782 Liters
Intensity (per employee):
Electricity
Natural gas
661 kWh
101,418 Liters
Carbon
Dioxide
Equivalent
Emission
(in tonne)
8.45
4.57
13.02
0.40
0.22
0.62
Consumption
29,224 kWh
2,689,776 Liters
974 kWh
89,659 Liters
Carbon
Dioxide
Equivalent
Emission
(in tonne)
20.76
5.78
26.54
0.69
0.19
0.88
Fuel Consumption
The Group has established policies relating to fuel-saving of business vehicles such as minimising
their use, eliminating excessive fuel consumption, and carrying out regular vehicle inspection and
maintenance. Owing to the Group's cessation of interest in the CHE Concession, the Group’s fuel
consumption dropped by 3,332 liters or 66.50% when compared to the consumption in 2020, with a
corresponding decrease in CO2e emissions. During the Reporting Period, the Nitrogen Oxide (“NOX”),
Sulphur Oxide (“SOX”) and Particulate Matters (“PM”) emitted by vehicles used by the Group's operation
in Argentina had increased to 11.74 kilograms, 0.03 kilograms, 1.08 kilograms respectively, compared to
8.83 kilograms, 0.07 kilograms, 0.76 kilograms in 2020, which was mainly a result of the switch in use of
fuel by the vehicles from gasoline to diesel due to costs concern.
At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Group set target to reduce fuel consumption and the
corresponding GHG emission by 10% when compared with the previous year. The target is considered
as achieved this year. Relevant data are set out in the section headed “Summary of Environmental Data
and Performance” below.
48
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance Report
Emissions and Energy Consumption (continued)
Natural Gas Consumption
The office of the Group's operation in Argentina mainly uses natural gas for heating. To minimise gas
consumption, the Group advises its employees to turn off the heater after work, and conducts regular
inspection and carries out corrective repairs and maintenance to the equipment and pipelines to
enhance thermal efficiency of natural gas. In 2021, the natural gas consumption was 2,129,782 liters.
The Group's operation in Argentina has moved to a new office in October 2021 where there is no supply
of natural gas, as a result, the natural gas consumption of the Group's office in Argentina decreased by
20.82% when compared to 2020, with a corresponding decrease in CO2e emission.
At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Group set target to reduce the gas consumption and the
corresponding GHG emission by 10% when compared with the previous year. The target is considered
as achieved this year. Relevant data are set out in the section headed “Summary of Environmental Data
and Performance” below.
Electricity Consumption
The Group encourages its employees to change their habit of using electrical appliance, and has
introduced control measures including switch off lightings, air-conditioners, computers, personal
electronic devices and office equipment after work and/or when they are idle, and turn on the power
saving mode. The Group also aims to keep all electronic appliances well-maintained so as to extend
the life of the equipment. The Group encourages its employees to avoid wastage of resources, and
promoting their awareness of environmental protection in work and life through various means
including posting eye-catching stickers of energy efficiency in visible place in office. The Group's
operation in Hong Kong has moved to a smaller office and the Group's operation in the PRC has scaled
down since mid-2020, which mainly led to the Group’s electricity consumption to drop during the
Reporting Period. The Group’s electricity consumption was 13,879 kWh during the Reporting Period,
decreased by 15,345 kWh or 52.51% when compared to 2020.
At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Group set target to reduce electricity consumption
and the corresponding GHG emission by 10% when compared with the previous year. The target
is considered as achieved this year. Relevant data are set out in the section headed “Summary of
Environmental Data and Performance” below.
49
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportWater Consumption
The Group does not have any water supply problem as water is adequately supplied by the government
authorities to the office buildings where the Group’s offices are located. For drinking water, the Group
regularly orders drinking water from external suppliers to fulfill the needs of the employees. 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 prominent places in the pantry and toilets as a reminder. For the
Reporting Period, the Group consumed 35 tonnes of water, reduced by 64 tonnes or 64.65% when
compared to 2020.
At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Group set target to reduce water consumption by 10%
when compared with the previous year. The target is considered as achieved this year. Relevant data are
set out in the section headed “Summary of Environmental Data and Performance” below.
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’s operations
consumed 0.47 tonne of paper, showing a decrease of 26.56% from the consumption of 0.64 tonne in
2020. The scale down of the Group's office in the PRC since mid-2020 and the cessation of the Group's
interest in the CHE Concession during the Reporting Period led to the reduced consumption of papers
during the Reporting Period. In addition to the energy conservation practices aforementioned, 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 on computer screen, to print documents
on both sides of the papers, to use recycled papers for financial reports printing and promoting “green
office” concepts in the office. Clearly labelled recycling bins are provided for collection of waste papers,
plastic bottles, ink cartridges, etc. The Group also encourages its employees to reduce the use of non-
recyclable materials to minimise the adverse impact on the environment.
At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Group set target to reduce the waste by 10% when
compared with the previous year. The target is considered as achieved this year.
50
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportThe Environment and Natural Resources
Other than the Group’s petroleum exploration and production operation in Argentina and the solar
energy business (which commenced in the second half of 2021), the Group’s other operations do
not have significant impact on the environment and natural resources. The Group has always been
actively bringing 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,
save water resources and reduce waste.
The process in generating solar electricity does not produce air pollution and GHG. Solar energy could
have a positive impact on the environment when solar energy reduces the use of other energy sources
that have negative effects on the environment. The Group promote the use of energy which is clean
and renewable, with a view to contribute its efforts in building a greener environment.
Climate Change
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and cause
catastrophic damage. Climate change is also changing seasonal and annual patterns of temperature,
precipitation and other weather phenomena. The unprecedented crisis from the global spread of
COVID-19 has created significant challenges worldwide while the risks of climate change are imminent.
Understanding of these trends and the relationships with our businesses can help the Group to prepare
and analyse possible risks and opportunities, seize the opportunities of potential benefits and establish
the response capacity of the Group in the long run. The Group believes that a robust response to
climate change requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders. Therefore, it will continuously identify
and address stakeholders’ expectations to optimise its environmental measures in order to achieve
sustainable development and create long-term values for the stakeholders and society as a whole.
In response to climate change and cessation of the Group's interest in the CHE Concession, the Group
has been actively seeking alternative investment opportunities in the energy-related business. The
Group recognises that the sun is an incredible and renewable resource that has the power to fuel
life on earth and provide clean and sustainable energy to all people. Therefore, during the Reporting
Period, the Group has invested in solar photovoltaic systems which convert solar energy to electricity,
and selling the electricity generated to the two power companies in Hong Kong. The Group aims to
promote the use of clean and renewable energy with a view to contribute its effort in building a greener
environment.
Compliance
During the Reporting Period, the Group had not involved in any non-compliance incidents relating to
environmental protection. In addition, the Group had not involved in any non-compliance in relation to
air and GHG emissions, discharge into water and land, and generation of hazardous and non-hazardous
waste.
51
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportC.
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 offer competitive compensation packages to
retain competent staff. In addition, we strictly comply with the relevant laws and regulations in hiring
employees.
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.
52
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)
Workforce
As at 31 December 2021, the number and distribution of the Group’s directors and employees are as
follows:
2021
2020
Employment Type
Full-time
Part-time
Gender1
Male
Female
Age1
20-30
31-40
41-50
>50
Geographical Region1
Hong Kong
Mainland China
Argentina
Note:
21
–
15
6
–
6
3
12
15
3
3
30
2
16
14
3
10
5
12
19
4
7
1
The analysis for workforce by gender, age group and geographical region was based on the number of
directors and full-time employees.
53
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)
Workforce (continued)
During the Reporting Period, the Group’s director and employee turnover rate is as follows:
Gender
Male
Female
Age
20-30
31-40
41-50
>50
Geographical Region
Hong Kong
Mainland China
Argentina
2021
2020
18.80%
42.90%
100.00%
40.00%
20.00%
8.30%
21.10%
25.00%
57.10%
29.60%
50.00%
87.50%
30.80%
35.70%
21.40%
29.60%
73.30%
–
The significant difference between the two years in respect of the employee composition analysis by
gender, age group and geographical region was mainly due to the scale-down of the PRC operation
during 2020 and the cessation of the Group's interest in the CHE Concession during 2021.
54
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment 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, 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 local labour laws, social security laws and regulations, the Group operates
retirement plans (pension schemes for employees in the PRC and Argentina, and the Mandatory
Provident Fund Scheme for employees in Hong Kong) for its employees. The Group handles the
dismissal of employees and compensates them in accordance with 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, compensation 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 2021 (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.
55
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment 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 well-being
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.
56
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment 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 wells,
well fluid collection tanks and pipelines, and the works performed by the operator on our wells. In case
of problem detected, the responsible personnel reports to the operator immediately. Records of works
performed on our 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 the 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 requires them to wear masks and
maintain social distance.
There was no work-related fatality occurred in each of the past three years including the Reporting
Period. There was also no lost day due to work injury during the Reporting Period.
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 also provides 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.
57
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportEmployment and Labour Practices (continued)
Development and Training (continued)
During the Reporting Period, the percentage of the Group’s trained employees is as follows:
Gender
Male
Female
Employee Category
Directors
Senior Management
Lower Level Management
Ordinary Staff
2021
2020
33%
–
100%
20%
33%
–
–
14%
–
20%
–
11%
During the Reporting Period, the average training hours attained per employee of the Group is as
follows:
Gender
Male
Female
Employee Category
Directors
Senior Management
Lower Level Management
Ordinary Staff
Note:
2021
2020
0.33
–
1.00
0.20
0.33
–
–
14.29
–
20.00
–
11.11
The average training hours refer to the number of training hours arranged by the Group for its directors and
employees within the Reporting Period divided by the Group’s total number of directors and employees at the end
of the Reporting Period.
During the Reporting Period, directors also participated in various continuing professional development training
activities themselves to ensure that their contributions to the Board remain updated and relevant while their
respective number of training hours are not included in the above table.
58
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, 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 work
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 child and forced labour.
Compliance
During the Reporting Period, the Group had not involved in any non-compliance incidents relating
to employment, health and safety, and labour standards relating to child and forced labour that have
significant impact on the Group.
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 had no significant issues relating to violations in this respect.
The Group has the right to engage experts to drill new well and perform workover on existing 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 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.
59
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportOperating 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 their product and service quality. The Group does not have major suppliers due to its
business nature.
Supplier/Service Provider Responsibility
American Petroleum Institute (“API”) gravity is a measure to determine the grade of 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.
During the Reporting Period, there was no product sold or shipped subjected to recalls for safety and
health reasons.
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 would 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 that may be subject to disclosure requirements according to applicable
laws and regulations shall be exchanged internally and exclusively on a “need-to-know” basis. Such
information will strictly not be 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 work 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 judgements as to the appropriateness of
their conduct in business operation. During the Reporting Period, the Group provided anti-corruption
training for directors and senior management, and on-the-job training on anti-corruption to other
employees.
60
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportOperating Practices (continued)
Anti-corruption (continued)
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.
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 its employees had not involved in any litigation of
corruption.
Community Investment
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.
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 the role model within the industry. To some extent,
we have contributed to social stability and building a harmonious community.
61
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportD.
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DATA AND PERFORMANCE
Unit
2021
2020
GHG emissions:
Scope 1:
Total
Intensity
Scope 2:
Total
Intensity
Air emissions:
Nitrogen Oxide
Sulphur Oxide
Particulate Matters
Energy and water consumption:
Electricity:
Total
Intensity
Diesel:
Total
Intensity
Gasoline:
Total
Intensity
Natural gas:
Total
Intensity
Water:
Total
Intensity
62
Tonne
Tonne (per employee)
Tonne
Tonne (per employee)
Kilogram
Kilogram
Kilogram
4.62
0.22
13.02
0.62
11.74
0.03
1.08
13.60
0.45
26.54
0.88
8.83
0.07
0.76
kWh
kWh (per employee)
13,879
661
29,224
974
Liter
Liter (per employee)
Liter
Liter (per employee)
1,127
54
551
26
559
19
4,451
148
Liter
Liter (per employee)
2,129,782
101,418
2,689,776
89,659
Tonne
Tonne (per employee)
35
2
99
3
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Environmental, Social and Governance ReportIndependent 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 70 to 159, which comprise the
consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2021, 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 2021, 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.
63
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent Auditor’s ReportKEY 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, collaterals
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, collaterals and historical settlement records
are reassessed and changes in the forward-looking
information are considered.
Our procedures in relation to 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 performs
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, financial
background and financial condition of the
borrowers;
64
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent 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 assesses the amount of
exposure of default through assessing the potential loss
as a result of the risk on credit-impaired loan and interest
receivables to which the Group is exposed and recovery
actions the Group has taken. In assessing the amount of
exposure of default, the Group takes into account the
timing of cash flows that are expected from foreclosure
on the collaterals less the costs of selling the collaterals.
The gross carrying amount of the loan and interest
receivables is HK$149,916,000 in aggregate and the
impairment allowance on loan and interest receivables
is HK$34,915,000 in aggregate as at 31 December 2021
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 at 31
December 2021, 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, with the assistance of our internal
valuation specialists; and
Evaluating the disclosures regarding the
impairment assessment of loan receivables
in Notes 23 and 37 to the consolidated
financial statements.
65
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent 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 provision for ECL for debt instruments at
FVTOCI as a key audit matter because the determination
of loss allowance 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$78,396,000 at 31 December 2021 and the
impairment allowance of HK$49,247,000 is recognised
in profit or loss with corresponding adjustment to
other comprehensive income for the current year. The
determination of 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 ECL assessment.
Our procedures in relation to ECL for debt
instruments at FVTOCI on the consolidated
financial instruments 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 grading process and
measurement of loss allowances;
Evaluating methodology and assumptions
used by 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 37 to the
consolidated financial statements.
66
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent Auditor’s Report
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.
67
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent Auditor’s ReportAUDITOR’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.
68
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent Auditor’s ReportAUDITOR’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
Lau Ngai Kee, Ricky
Practising Certificate Number: P04005
Hong Kong
31 March 2022
69
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Independent Auditor’s ReportNotes
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
Revenue
Sales of petroleum
Sales of electricity
Interest income
Dividend income
Purchases, processing and related expenses
Other income and losses, net
Net gain (loss) on financial assets at fair value through
profit or loss
Reversal of expected credit loss on loan and interest receivables
Provision of expected credit loss on debt instruments at fair value
through other comprehensive income
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
(Loss) profit before tax
Income tax credit (expense)
(Loss) profit for the year
Other comprehensive (expense) income
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
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 included
in profit or loss
Release on redemption of debt instruments at fair value through
other comprehensive income
Exchange differences arising on translation of financial
statements of foreign operations
Reclassification of cumulative translation reserve upon disposal
of foreign operations
5
7
8
12
12
9
10
11
12
9
24,820
1,847
652
22,053
268
(1,391)
1,122
7,870
4,356
(49,247)
(9,799)
(1,666)
–
(7,193)
(397)
(101)
(31,626)
2,255
(29,371)
42,449
14,097
–
28,012
340
(11,758)
10,160
(9,183)
12,232
(4,574)
(14,214)
(1,417)
111
(14,547)
(515)
(166)
8,578
(440)
8,138
(54,714)
(885)
49,247
–
990
340
4,574
(111)
3,886
–
Other comprehensive (expense) income for the year,
net of income tax
(4,137)
7,464
Total comprehensive (expense) income for the year
(33,508)
15,602
70
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive IncomeFor the year ended 31 December 2021
(Loss) profit for the year attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive (expense) income for the year
attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Note
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
(29,371)
–
8,519
(381)
(29,371)
8,138
(33,508)
–
15,983
(381)
(33,508)
15,602
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to owners of the
Company
– Basic
16
HK(0.56) cent
HK0.16 cent
71
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive IncomeFor the year ended 31 December 2021
Non-current assets
Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Intangible asset
Prepayment for acquisition of non-current assets
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive
income
Loan and interest receivables
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive
income
Loan and interest receivables
Trade and other receivables and prepayments
Other tax recoverables
Income tax recoverable
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Bank balances and cash
Total current assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Income tax payable
Lease liabilities
Total current liabilities
Net current assets
Notes
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
22
23
21
24
25
26
27
28
–
34,383
4,200
–
9,874
30,684
–
–
985
2,523
–
–
129,985
33,425
79,141
166,918
47,712
115,001
1,616
732
171
6,724
191,818
2,213
127,957
15,793
609
2,549
25,097
134,627
363,774
308,845
11,852
679
1,574
8,744
4,170
1,282
14,105
14,196
349,669
294,649
Total assets less current liabilities
428,810
461,567
72
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionAt 31 December 2021
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves
Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Notes
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
28
29
30
2,820
–
2,820
1,491
578
2,069
425,990
459,498
52,403
373,587
425,990
–
52,403
407,476
459,879
(381)
Total equity
425,990
459,498
The consolidated financial statements on pages 70 to 159 together with the Company’s statement of financial
position set out in Note 41 to the consolidated financial statements have been approved and authorised for
issue by the Board on 31 March 2022 and are signed on its behalf by:
Sue Ka Lok
Director
Chan Shui Yuen
Director
73
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionAt 31 December 2021
Attributable to owners of the Company
Share
capital
HK$’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$’000
Total
HK$’000
At 1 January 2020
52,403
918,270
201,645
(2,345)
(6,645)
(719,432)
443,896
–
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 financial statements
of foreign operations
Total comprehensive income
(expense) for the year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
At 31 December 2020
52,403
918,270
201,645
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
Exchange differences arising on
translation of financial statements
of foreign operations
Reclassification of cumulative
translation reserve upon disposal
of foreign operations
Total comprehensive (expense)
income for the year
Deregistration of a subsidiary
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(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
1,233
–
(54,714)
49,247
–
–
3,886
8,519
15,983
(381)
15,602
(2,759)
(710,913)
459,879
(381)
459,498
–
–
–
990
340
(29,371)
(29,371)
–
–
–
–
(54,714)
49,247
990
340
–
–
–
–
–
(29,371)
(54,714)
49,247
990
340
(5,467)
–
1,330
–
(29,371)
(381)
(33,508)
(381)
–
381
(33,508)
–
At 31 December 2021
52,403
918,270
201,645
(4,234)
(1,429)
(740,665)
425,990
–
425,990
74
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Changes in EquityFor the year ended 31 December 2021
Notes
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
Operating Activities
(Loss) profit 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
Reversal of expected credit loss on loan and interest
receivables
Provision of expected credit loss on debt instruments at fair
value through other comprehensive income
Write off of other receivables and deposit
Net (gain) 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
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
8
7
10
9
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Decrease (increase) in trade and other receivables and
prepayments
Decrease in loan and interest receivables
(Increase) 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 operations
Dividend received
Income tax refunded (paid)
Interest received from money lending business
Interest received from debt instruments at fair value through
other comprehensive income
(31,626)
382
1,284
–
8,578
221
1,196
(111)
(4,356)
(12,232)
49,247
1,680
(7,870)
(83)
101
(268)
(13,182)
(8,871)
–
397
4,574
–
9,183
(741)
166
(340)
(17,870)
(10,142)
35
515
(13,165)
(16,968)
12,483
15,955
(123)
26,243
(2,576)
38,817
268
915
17,948
(6,304)
29,165
272
2,779
(8,198)
746
340
(1,876)
8,800
7,959
11,188
Net cash from operating activities
65,907
19,198
75
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Cash FlowsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
Notes
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
Investing Activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Prepayment paid on acquisition of non-current assets
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
Net cash (used in) from investing activities
Financing Activities
Repayment of lease liabilities
Interest paid
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year,
represented by bank balances and cash
7
9
10
19
(26,493)
(9,874)
–
–
83
28,933
(1,041)
–
(7,903)
15,600
741
19,841
(7,351)
27,238
(1,340)
(101)
(4,595)
(166)
(1,441)
(4,761)
57,115
134,627
76
41,675
92,400
552
191,818
134,627
76
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Consolidated Statement of Cash FlowsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
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 Hong Kong 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 38.
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Hong Kong dollars (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”)
Amendments to HKFRSs that are mandatorily effective for the current year
In the current year, the Group has applied the 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 periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021 for the preparation of the consolidated
financial statements:
Amendment to HKFRS 16
Amendments to HKFRS 9, HKAS 39,
HKFRS 7, HKFRS 4 and HKFRS 16
Covid-19-related rent concessions
Interest rate benchmark reform – phase 2
The application of 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.
77
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20212.
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
Amendments to HKFRS 3
Amendments to HKFRS 10 and HKAS 28
Insurance contracts and the related amendments3
Reference to the conceptual framework2
Sale or contribution of assets between an investor and
Amendment to HKFRS 16
Amendments to HKAS 1
Amendments to HKAS 1 and
HKFRS Practice Statement 2
Amendments to HKAS 8
Amendments to HKAS 12
its associate or joint venture4
Covid-19-related rent concessions beyond 30 June 20211
Classification of liabilities as current or non-current and
related amendments to Hong Kong Interpretation 5
(2020)3
Disclosure of accounting policies3
Definition of accounting estimates3
Deferred tax related to assets and liabilities arising from a
single transaction3
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
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 April 2021.
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022.
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after a date to be determined.
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 of the Group in the foreseeable
future.
78
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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, 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.
79
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
80
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
3.2 Significant accounting policies (continued)
Basis of consolidation (continued)
Profit or loss and each item of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the
Company and to the non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is
attributed to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests even if this results
in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.
Where 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.
81
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
3.2 Significant accounting policies (continued)
Investment in joint operations (continued)
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.
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.
82
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
3.2 Significant accounting policies (continued)
Revenue from contracts with customers (continued)
Over time revenue recognition: measurement of progress towards complete satisfaction of a
performance obligation
Output method
The progress towards complete satisfaction of a performance obligation is measured based on
output method, which is to recognise revenue on the basis of direct measurements of the value
of the goods or services transferred to the customer to date relative to the remaining goods or
services promised under the contract, that best depict the Group’s performance in transferring
control of goods or services.
As a practical expedient, if the Group has a right to invoice as the amount represents and
corresponds directly with the value of performance completed and transferred to the customers.
Dividend income is recognised when the Group’s right to receive the dividend is established.
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 of HKFRS 16 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.
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.
83
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
3.2 Significant accounting policies (continued)
Leases (continued)
The Group as a lessee (continued)
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.
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.
84
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
85
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
Constructions in progress in the course of construction for production, supply or administrative
purposes are carried at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. Costs include any costs directly
attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of
operating in the manner intended by management and, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs
capitalised in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy. Depreciation of these assets, on the
same basis as other property assets, commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.
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.
86
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
87
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
88
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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).
89
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
90
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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 of 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.
91
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
92
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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 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 the 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. The ECL is assessed individually
for trade receivables.
93
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
94
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
95
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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;
the disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial
difficulties; or
the business of the issuer being unstable.
(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.
96
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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, the 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.
97
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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, the ECL of the Group is recognised through
a loss allowance account. 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.
98
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
99
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
100
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
101
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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.
102
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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-based payments
reserve will be transferred to 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”.
103
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20213.
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 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. HK$) 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.
104
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20214.
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 judgments in applying accounting policies
The following are the critical judgments, apart from those involving estimations (see below), that
the directors of the Company have made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies
and that have 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 results of quantitative
modelling supported by reasonable and supportable forward-looking information available without
undue cost or effort, with significant judgments involved. The Group determines individually whether
the loan and interest receivables and debt instruments at FVTOCI have been credit impaired when
one or more events having detrimental impacts on the estimated future cash flows occurred. The
information about the ECL and the Group’s loan and interest receivables and debt instruments at
FVTOCI are disclosed in Notes 37, 23 and 22 respectively.
105
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20214.
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 the 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 management further assesses the amount of exposure of default through assessing the potential
loss as a result of the risk on credit-impaired loan and interest receivables to which the Group is
exposed and recovery actions the Group has taken. In assessing the amount of exposure of default, the
Group takes into account the timing of expected cash flows from foreclosure on the collaterals less the
costs of selling the collaterals.
The provision of ECL is sensitive to changes in estimates. Owing to greater financial uncertainty
triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group has increased the expected loss rates in the current
year as there is higher risk that a prolonged pandemic could lead to increased credit default rates. The
information about the ECL and the Group’s loan and interest receivables are disclosed in Notes 37 and
23 respectively.
Debt instrument at FVTOCI
The Group’s debts 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.
106
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20214.
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 for debt instruments at FVTOCI under ECL model
individually. The determination of the loss allowances is dependent on the external macro environment
and the credit rating of each debt securities. The management takes into consideration historical data
from the international rating agency.
The Group determines individually whether the issuers of the debt instruments have been credit
impaired when one or more events that having detrimental impacts on the estimated future cash flows
occurred. Evidence that the debt instruments at FVTOCI are credit-impaired includes observable data
including significant financial difficulty of the issuer and the business of issuer being unstable.
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 the ECL and the Group’s debt instruments at FVTOCI are disclosed in Notes 37 and 22
respectively.
At 31 December 2021, the carrying amounts of debt instruments at FVTOCI was HK$78,396,000 (2020:
HK$132,198,000) with provision of ECL of HK$49,247,000 (2020: HK$4,574,000) recognised during the
year.
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 which are estimated based upon the continued use of the asset and
key assumptions applied, including cash flow projections and an 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.
At 31 December 2021, the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets,
subject to impairment assessment were HK$34,383,000 and HK$4,200,000 (2020: HK$985,000 and
HK$2,523,000) respectively, no impairment loss in respect of property, plant and equipment and right-
of-use assets were provided for the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020.
107
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20215.
REVENUE
Revenue from major products and services
The Group’s revenue is arising from petroleum exploration and production, solar energy, money
lending and investment in securities businesses.
An analysis of the Group’s revenue for the year is as follows:
Sales of petroleum
Sales of electricity
Interest income from money lending business*
Interest income from debt instruments at FVTOCI*
Dividend income from financial assets at FVTPL
2021
HK$’000
1,847
652
13,182
8,871
268
2020
HK$’000
14,097
–
17,870
10,142
340
24,820
42,449
*
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.
During the year, revenue from sales of electricity is recognised over time when the electricity generated
(by solar energy power generation systems) and transmitted is simultaneously received and consumed
by the power companies under Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme (the “FiT Scheme”), jointly
launched by the Hong Kong Government and the two power companies in Hong Kong. The Group has
elected the practical expedient to recognise revenue in the amount to which the Group has a right to
invoice as the amount represents and corresponds directly with the value of performance completed
and transferred to the power companies. The Group has no unsatisfied performance obligations at each
reporting date.
Dividend income and interest income fall outside the scope of HKFRS 15.
This is consistent with the revenue information disclosed for each operating segment.
108
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
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)
Solar energy
(iii) Money lending
(iv)
Investment in securities
During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group has commenced its solar energy business which
is engaged in the sales of electricity to the power companies in Hong Kong to earn feed-in tariff income
from the two power companies under the FiT Scheme. The chief operating decision maker considered
the solar energy business a new operating and reportable segment.
109
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 20216.
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 2021
Petroleum
exploration
and
production
HK$’000
Solar
energy
HK$’000
Money
lending
HK$’000
Investment
in securities
HK$’000
Total
HK$’000
1,847
652
13,182
9,139
24,820
(4,112)
–
(4,112)
89
–
89
13,084
4,356
16,714
(49,247)
25,775
(44,891)
17,440
(32,533)
(19,116)
987
(13,025)
(397)
(75)
(31,626)
2,255
(29,371)
(34)
(9)
(243)
(64)
–
–
–
–
(277)
(73)
Segment revenue
External sales/sources
Results
Segment results before reversal
(provision) of ECL
Reversal (provision) of ECL
Segment results
Other income and losses, net
Corporate expenses
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Finance costs
Loss before tax
Income tax credit
Loss for the year
Other information
Depreciation of property,
plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
110
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
6.
SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)
Segment revenue and results (continued)
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)
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,
certain finance costs and income tax credit (expense).
111
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
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
Solar energy
Money lending
Investment in securities
Total segment assets
Unallocated:
Property, plant and equipment
Bank balances and cash
Right-of-use assets
Other assets
Consolidated assets
Segment liabilities
Petroleum exploration and production
Solar energy
Money lending
Investment in securities
Total segment liabilities
Unallocated:
Lease liabilities
Other liabilities
Consolidated liabilities
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
1,256
47,599
127,774
85,126
3,461
–
162,716
166,396
261,755
332,573
854
177,911
1,312
1,083
985
133,585
2,523
6,097
442,915
475,763
1,800
2,860
25
–
4,685
1,491
10,749
2,287
–
517
578
3,382
2,773
10,110
16,925
16,265
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, certain right-of-use assets and certain other assets; and
all liabilities are allocated to operating segments other than certain lease liabilities and certain
other liabilities.
112
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
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
Year ended 31 December
2020
HK$’000
2021
HK$’000
Non-current
assets (Note)
At 31 December
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
1,847
21,008
1,965
14,097
25,537
2,815
172
48,285
–
–
3,508
–
24,820
42,449
48,457
3,508
Note: Non-current assets excluded debt instruments at FVTOCI and loan and interest receivables.
Information about major customers
Revenue from customers of the corresponding years contributing over 10% of the total revenue is as
follows:
Customer A 1
Customer B 2
2021
HK$’000
N/A 3
3,300
2020
HK$’000
13,740
N/A 3
Notes:
1
2
3
Revenue from petroleum exploration and production business
Revenue from money lending business
The corresponding revenue did not contribute over 10% of the total revenue of the Group during the
relevant year
113
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
7.
OTHER INCOME AND LOSSES, NET
Bank interest income
Government grant (Note (i))
Overprovision of accrued expenses (Note (ii))
Exchange gain, net
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Write off of other receivables and deposit (Note (iii))
Others
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
83
–
1,920
453
–
(1,680)
346
741
867
6,088
2,506
(35)
–
(7)
1,122
10,160
Notes:
(i)
(ii)
During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group recognised government grants in respect of COVID-
19-related subsidies which was related to Employment Support Scheme provided by the Hong Kong
Government.
The amount represented the overprovision of legal and professional expenses in relation to a possible
acquisition in 2012 which the management had subsequently decided not to proceed with. The
management considered the possiblility of settling such liabilities as remote and the provision was reversed
accordingly.
(iii)
The amount represented the write off of other receivables and deposit paid in relation to the petroleum
exploration and production business in Argentina as the counterparty is in financial difficulties and under
the process of insolvency proceedings.
8.
NET GAIN (LOSS) ON FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
Net unrealised loss on financial assets at FVTPL (Note (i))
Net realised gain (loss) on disposal of financial assets at
FVTPL (Note (ii))
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
(1,229)
9,099
7,870
(1,751)
(7,432)
(9,183)
Notes:
(i)
The amount represented the change in the fair value 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 value
of the financial assets at FVTPL held by the Group at 31 December 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(ii)
The amount represented the change in the fair value 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 value of the financial
assets at FVTPL disposed of upon disposal.
114
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
9.
LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES
During the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020, the Group disposed of its entire equity interests in
five (2020: four) subsidiaries to independent third parties.
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
Other receivables
Bank balances and cash
Trade and other payables
Income tax payable
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
29,100
20,000
107
–
30,904
60
167
(1,714)
(367)
420
420
19,697
–
159
(181)
–
Net assets disposed of
29,157
20,515
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries:
Consideration received
Net assets disposed of
Reclassification of cumulative translation reserve
upon disposal of foreign operations to profit or loss
Loss on disposal
Net cash inflow arising on disposal:
Cash consideration
Less: bank balances and cash disposed of
29,100
(29,157)
20,000
(20,515)
(340)
(397)
–
(515)
29,100
(167)
20,000
(159)
28,933
19,841
115
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
10. FINANCE COSTS
Interest on lease liabilities (Note 33)
101
166
11.
INCOME TAX CREDIT (EXPENSE)
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
Tax charge for the year comprises:
Current tax
Hong Kong
The PRC
Overprovision (underprovision) in prior years
Hong Kong
The PRC
Deferred tax (Note 29)
Income tax credit (expense) recognised in profit or loss
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
(944)
(207)
(1,151)
2,929
(101)
2,828
578
2,255
(502)
(125)
(627)
–
718
718
(531)
(440)
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$2 million.
Under the Law of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax (the “EIT Law”) and Implementation Regulation of
the EIT Law, the tax rate of the PRC subsidiaries is 25% for both years.
116
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
11.
INCOME TAX CREDIT (EXPENSE) (continued)
The tax credit (expense) for the year can be reconciled to the loss (profit) before tax per the
consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as follows:
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
Loss (profit) before tax
31,626
(8,578)
Tax at the applicable rates of 16.5% (2020: 16.5%)
Tax effect of income not taxable for tax purpose
Tax effect of expenses not deductible for tax purpose
Tax effect of temporary difference not recognised
Overprovision in prior years
Tax effect of tax losses not recognised
Income tax at concessionary rate
Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other
jurisdictions
Income tax credit (expense) for the year
5,218
435
(448)
(5,686)
2,828
(187)
165
(70)
2,255
(1,415)
10,325
(4,439)
215
718
(6,114)
165
105
(440)
117
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
12.
(LOSS) PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
(Loss) profit for the year has been arrived at after charging:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Total depreciation
Staff costs
– directors’ emoluments (Note 13)
– other staff costs
– other staff’s retirement benefits schemes contributions
(excluding directors)
Total staff costs
Auditor’s remuneration
Professional and consultancy fees (Note)
Note:
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
382
1,284
1,666
1,612
7,386
801
221
1,196
1,417
2,117
10,808
1,289
9,799
14,214
1,198
2,761
850
8,780
For the year ended 31 December 2020, the amount mainly represented the legal and professional fees incurred
in connection with a proposed acquisition of hydrocarbons exploitation concession rights in Argentina, details of
which were set out in the Company’s circular dated 8 October 2020.
118
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
13. DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS
The emoluments paid or payable to each of the seven (2020: eight) directors, disclosed pursuant to the
applicable Listing Rules and Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, were as follows:
Name
2021
Executive Directors
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Mr. Liang Weijie
Independent Non-executive Directors
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
Total
Salaries
and other
Retirement
benefit
scheme
benefits contributions
HK$’000
HK$’000
Total
HK$’000
Note
Fees
HK$’000
(i)
–
–
–
–
120
120
120
360
390
130
490
190
–
–
–
20
7
25
–
–
–
–
410
137
515
190
120
120
120
1,200
52
1,612
119
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
13. DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS (continued)
Name
2020
Executive Directors
Mr. Liu Zhiyi
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
Non-executive Director
Mr. Suen Cho Hung, Paul
Independent Non-executive Directors
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
Mr. Kwong Tin Lap
Total
Salaries
and other
benefits
HK$’000
Retirement
benefit
scheme
contributions
HK$’000
Total
HK$’000
Notes
Fees
HK$’000
(ii)
(iii)
–
–
–
–
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
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)
(ii)
(iii)
Appointed on 8 April 2021 and resigned on 18 October 2021
Resigned on 30 June 2020
Retired on 26 June 2020
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.
120
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
14. EMPLOYEES’ EMOLUMENTS
Of the five individuals with the highest emoluments in the Group, no one (2020: one) is director whose
emoluments is included in the disclosure in Note 13. The emoluments of the remaining five (2020: 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$3,000,000
15. DIVIDENDS
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
4,634
591
5,225
4,463
672
5,135
Number of employees
2021
2020
3
1
1
2
1
1
No dividend was paid or proposed for the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: nil), nor has any
dividend been proposed since the end of the reporting period (2020: nil).
121
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
16.
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
(Loss) earnings per share is calculated by dividing the (loss) profit for the year attributable to owners of
the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
(Loss) profit:
(Loss) profit for the year attributable to owners of the
Company for the purpose of calculating basic (loss)
earnings per share
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
(29,371)
2021
’000
8,519
2020
’000
Number of shares:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose
of calculating basic (loss) earnings per share
5,240,344
5,240,344
For the year ended 31 December 2021, the diluted loss per share attributable to owners of the Company
is not presented as there were no dilutive potential ordinary shares in issue.
For the year ended 31 December 2020, the diluted earnings per share attributable to owners of the
Company is not presented as all the outstanding share options were lapsed on 4 May 2020 and there
were no dilutive potential ordinary shares in issue since then.
122
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
17. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
Cost
At 1 January 2020, 31 December 2020 and 1 January 2021
Written-off
At 31 December 2021
Impairment
At 1 January 2020, 31 December 2020 and 1 January 2021
Written-off
At 31 December 2021
Carrying values
At 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021
Exploration
and evaluation
assets
HK$’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.
123
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
17. 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 2019 and 31 December 2020, the
Group had not reconsidered the future development of the investment plan on the CHE Concession.
As disclosed in the Company’s announcement dated 16 March 2021, the Group’s interest in the CHE
Concession had been taken over by the new concessionaire on 13 March 2021, the exploration and
evaluation assets were therefore fully written off during the year ended 31 December 2021.
124
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202118. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Oil and
gas photovoltaic
systems
HK$’000
Solar Construction
in
progress
HK$’000
properties
HK$’000
Cost
At 1 January 2020
Additions
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiaries
Written-off and disposal
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2020
Additions (Note (i) and (ii))
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiaries
Written-off (Note (iii))
Exchange adjustment
497,532
–
–
–
–
497,532
–
–
(497,532)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
30,220
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,551
–
–
–
Others
HK$’000
Total
HK$’000
4,683
1,041
(880)
(288)
102
4,658
110
(1,738)
–
43
502,215
1,041
(880)
(288)
102
502,190
33,881
(1,738)
(497,532)
43
At 31 December 2021
–
30,220
3,551
3,073
36,844
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2020
Provided for the year
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiaries
Eliminated on written-off and disposal
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2020
Provided for the year
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiaries
Written-off (Note (iii))
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2021
Carrying values
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020
497,447
85
–
–
–
497,532
–
–
(497,532)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
243
–
–
–
243
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
4,163
136
(460)
(253)
87
3,673
139
(1,631)
–
37
501,610
221
(460)
(253)
87
501,205
382
(1,631)
(497,532)
37
2,218
2,461
29,977
3,551
855
34,383
–
–
985
985
125
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
18. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)
Notes:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
As disclosed in the announcement of the Company dated 30 August 2021, the Group entered into an
acquisition agreement to acquire a portfolio of existing and to-be-completed solar photovoltaic systems
which are participating in the FiT Scheme. The solar photovoltaic systems were depreciated on a straight-
line basis of 5% per annum.
The amount represented the construction in progress of solar photovoltaic systems in Hong Kong, which are
expected to be completed within a year.
As described in Notes 17 and 32, the Group’s interest in the CHE Concession had been taken over by the
new concessionaire on 13 March 2021, the oil and gas properties were therefore written-off.
The oil and gas properties were depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the estimated
production, and 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.
19. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020
For the year ended 31 December 2021
Depreciation charge
Additions to right-of-use assets
Total cash outflow for leases
Less: expenses relating to short-term leases
Net cash outflow for leases in financing activities
For the year ended 31 December 2020
Depreciation charge
Additions to right-of-use assets
Total cash outflow for leases
Less: expenses relating to short-term leases
Net cash outflow for leases in financing activities
126
Offices
and
buildings
HK$’000
4,200
2,523
1,284
2,961
1,517
(76)
1,441
1,196
3,724
5,226
(465)
4,761
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
19. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS (continued)
For both years, the Group leases offices and buildings for its operations. Lease contracts are entered
into for a fixed term of one to twelve 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 2021, there was no outstanding lease commitment relating to short-term lease for the
Group’s office disclosed above.
The Group has termination option in certain leases for its offices and buildings. 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.
20.
INTANGIBLE ASSET
Cost and carrying value
At 1 January 2020
Eliminated on disposal of a subsidiary (Note)
At 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021
Vehicle
license
HK$’000
420
(420)
–
Note: During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group disposed of a subsidiary which held the vehicle
license.
127
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
21. PREPAYMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS AND TRADE AND OTHER
RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTS
Prepayment for acquisition of non-current assets (Note (i))
Trade receivables (Note (ii))
Deposits and prepayments
Deposits held for petroleum exploration and production
operation (Note (iii))
Others (Note (iv))
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
9,874
194
1,316
–
106
–
1,027
3,465
1,085
10,216
1,616
15,793
Notes:
(i)
(ii)
The amount represented prepayments for the acquisition of solar photovoltaic systems in relation to the
solar energy business (Note 18 (ii)), the amount will be utilised as consideration upon completion of the
acquisition. The management expects the acquisition to be completed within a year.
The Group allows an average credit period of 30 to 60 days (2020: 30 to 60 days). The trade receivables of
HK$194,000 (2020: HK$1,027,000) 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. Credit limits and credit quality attributable to the customers are reviewed
regularly.
Details of impairment assessment of trade receivables are set out in Note 37.
(iii)
At 31 December 2020, the amount included deposits paid totalling HK$1,076,000 in relation to the
petroleum exploration and production business in Argentina, which were written off during the current
year.
(iv)
At 31 December 2021, the amount included HK$6,000 (2020: HK$9,101,000) placed with securities brokers in
relation to securities trading activities in Hong Kong.
At 31 December 2020, the amount included other receivables of HK$604,000 in relation to the petroleum
exploration and production business in Argentina, which were written off during the current year.
Included in trade and other receivables was the following amount denominated in currency other than
the functional currency of the relevant group entities:
ARS
128
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
6
1,762
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
22. DEBT INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Listed investments, at fair value:
– De bt securities listed in Hong Kong or Singapore with fixed
interests ranging from 4.70% to 11.75% (2020: 4.70% to
11.75%) per annum and maturity dates ranging from 8
March 2022 to 28 June 2025 (2020: 12 February 2022 to 28
June 2025)
Analysed as:
Current portion
Non-current portion
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
78,396
132,198
47,712
30,684
2,213
129,985
78,396
132,198
At 31 December 2021 and 2020, the fair value of debt instruments at FVTOCI were determined based on
quoted market prices and credit risk adjustments on certain debt instruments.
The Group had engaged an independent professional valuer to perform ECL assessment on the debt
instruments. The Company’s management worked closely with the independent professional valuer
to establish the appropriate valuation techniques and inputs to the model for ECL assessment. 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 agencies (i.e. Moody’s, Fitch),
the macroeconomic factors and the changes in regulatory requirement 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$49,247,000 (2020: HK$4,574,000) was recognised in profit or loss with
corresponding adjustment to other comprehensive income for the year.
Details of impairment assessment are set out in Note 37. All debt instruments at FVTOCI were
denominated in United States dollars.
129
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
23. LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES
Fixed-rate loan receivables
Interest receivables
Less: Impairment allowance
Analysed as:
Current portion
Non-current portion
Analysed as:
Secured
Unsecured
2021
HK$’000
140,378
9,538
149,916
(34,915)
2020
HK$’000
190,931
20,152
211,083
(49,701)
115,001
161,382
115,001
–
127,957
33,425
115,001
161,382
115,001
–
141,669
19,713
115,001
161,382
At 31 December 2021, the range of interest rates and maturity dates attributed to the Group’s
performing loan receivables were 10% to 18% (2020: 8% to 18%) per annum and from 12 March 2022 to
13 August 2022 (2020: 3 July 2021 to 15 March 2022) respectively.
The analysis of the Group’s loan and interest receivables by their contractual maturity dates is as
follows:
Loan and interest receivables:
Within one year or on demand
In more than one year but not more than two years
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
115,001
–
127,957
33,425
115,001
161,382
Before granting loans to borrowers, the Group uses internal credit assessment process to assess the
potential borrower’s 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.
130
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
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 2021, included in the Group’s loan and interest receivables balance were debtors with
aggregate gross carrying amount of HK$149,916,000 (2020: HK$211,083,000), of which HK$44,596,000
(2020: HK$74,530,000) was secured by the borrowers’ pledged properties of which the market value of
the properties less its estimated costs to sell amounted to HK$29,306,000 (2020: HK$74,853,000), and
cumulative ECL of HK$15,162,000 (2020: HK$6,295,000) was provided after considering the adjustment
to reflect loss given default based on the expected realisation of the collaterals; HK$70,959,000 (2020:
HK$73,434,000) was secured by the borrowers’ pledged unlisted debt instruments issued by listed
company in Hong Kong with principal amount totaling HK$200,000,000 (2020: HK$200,000,000), and no
ECL was provided after considering the adjustment to reflect loss given default based on the expected
realisation of the collaterals; HK$15,024,000 (2020: nil) was secured by the borrower’s pledged unlisted
debt instrument issued and cumulative ECL of HK$416,000 (2020: nil) 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$19,337,000 (2020: HK$63,119,000) was not secured by any collateral or credit
enhancement and cumulative ECL of HK$19,337,000 (2020: HK$43,406,000) was provided based on the
ECL assessment performed.
The Group considers various actions for recovery of the credit-impaired loan including regular collateral
revisions and interviews with the borrower to update the credit risk profile of the borrower. In the event
that the borrower defaulted on its obligations, the Group might take possession of the assets held as
collateral through court proceeding or procure the borrower to voluntarily deliver the possession of the
collateral to the Group. The credit quality review process enables the Group to assess the potential loss
as a result of the credit risk to which it is exposed and take appropriate recovery actions promptly.
At 31 December 2021, of the Group’s loan and interest receivables balance with aggregate gross
carrying amount of HK$149,916,000 (2020: HK$211,083,000), HK$57,572,000 (2020: HK$135,725,000)
were not past due, HK$34,134,000 (2020: HK$1,411,000) had been past due for less than 30 days,
HK$537,000 (2020: HK$1,830,000) had been past due for more than 30 days but less than 90 days, and
HK$57,673,000 (2020: HK$72,117,000) 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.
131
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202123. LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES (continued)
Impairment assessment (continued)
The Group recognised reversal of impairment allowance of HK$4,356,000 (2020: HK$12,232,000) on loan
and interest receivables for the year.
The Group is not permitted to sell or repledge the collaterals in the absence of default by the borrowers.
There have not been any significant changes in the quality of the collateral held for the loan and
interest receivables.
The movement of impairment allowance on loan and interest receivables for the year was as follows:
Lifetime ECL
(not credit-
impaired)
HK$’000
Lifetime ECL
(credit-
impaired)
HK$’000
12m ECL
HK$’000
Total
HK$’000
49
2,506
66,200
68,755
–
–
(49)
(194)
805
611
2,195
(6)
(3,230)
846
416
(2,506)
2,506
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
20,921
20,921
(33,909)
(6,628)
–
(33,958)
(6,822)
805
49,090
49,701
12,677
14,872
(20,068)
(7,200)
–
(20,074)
(10,430)
846
34,499
34,915
At 1 January 2020
Changes due to loan and interest
receivables recognised at
1 January 2020:
– Transfer to credit-impaired
(Note (i))
– Impairment allowance recognised
(Note (i))
– Impairment allowance reversed
(Note (ii))
– Disposal of subsidiary (Note (iii))
New loans granted during the year
At 31 December 2020
Changes due to loan and interest
receivables recognised at
1 January 2021:
– Impairment allowance recognised
(Note (iv))
– Impairment allowance reversed
(Note (v))
– Disposal of subsidiaries (Note (vi))
New loans granted during the year
At 31 December 2021
132
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
23. LOAN AND INTEREST RECEIVABLES (continued)
Impairment assessment (continued)
Notes:
(i)
The impairment losses of HK$2,506,000 was 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) with further impairment allowance of HK$20,882,000 provided and the impairment allowance of
HK$39,000 was related to loan and interest receivables with gross carrying amount of HK$25,245,000.
(ii)
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).
(iii)
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.
(iv)
The impairment loss of HK$12,677,000 and HK$2,195,000 were mainly related to loan and interest
receivables with gross carrying amount of HK$76,044,000 from lifetime ECL (credit-impaired) and
HK$19,894,000 from 12m ECL.
(v)
The impairment allowance reversed of HK$6,000 was related to settlement of loan and interests receivables
with gross carrying amount of HK$1,810,000 from 12m ECL. The impairment allowance reversed of
HK$20,068,000 was mainly related to settlement of loan and interests receivables with gross carrying
amount of HK$42,824,000 from lifetime ECL (credit-impaired).
(vi)
The impairment allowance reversed of HK$10,430,000 was related to disposal of subsidiaries with loan and
interest receivables of gross carrying amount of HK$41,334,000 as of disposal date.
Details of ECL assessment are set out in Note 37.
133
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202124. 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
Group is searching for potential oilfield projects in Argentina and the directors of the Company consider
that an amount of HK$732,000 (2020: HK$609,000) will be recovered from the sales of petroleum within
twelve months from the end of the reporting period respectively, accordingly, such amounts were
classified as current assets.
25. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
Listed investments, at fair value:
– Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
6,724
25,097
Listed equity securities were stated at fair values which were determined based on the quoted market
closing prices available on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
26. BANK BALANCES AND CASH
Bank balances carried interest ranging from 0.01% to 0.60% (2020: 0.01% to 2.70%) per annum.
In addition, included in the bank balances and cash were the following amounts denominated in
currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant group entities:
2021
HK$’000
18
31,946
11
11
2020
HK$’000
278
22,092
11
–
ARS
US$
RMB
C$
134
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
27. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
Trade payables
Other tax payables
Accrued professional fees
Other payables and accruals (Note)
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
129
1,178
390
10,155
11,852
526
1,249
3,237
3,732
8,744
Note: The amount included HK$7,388,000 (2020: nil) being other payable for the acquisition of solar photovoltaic
systems in relation to the solar energy business with credit period of 45 days.
The following is an aged analysis of trade payables, presented based on the invoice date, at the end of
the reporting period:
0 – 30 days
The average credit period on purchases of goods was 30 days.
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
129
526
All the other payables were unsecured, interest-free and expected to be settled within one year.
Included in trade and other payables were the following amount denominated in currencies other than
the functional currency of the relevant group entities:
ARS
US$
2021
HK$’000
1,752
–
2020
HK$’000
1,964
390
135
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
28. 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
More than five years
Less: Am ount due within one year shown under current liabilities
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
1,574
418
906
1,496
4,394
(1,574)
1,282
1,327
164
–
2,773
(1,282)
Amount due after one year
2,820
1,491
The weighted average incremental borrowing rates applied to lease liabilities was 3.41% (2020: 3.50%).
Included in lease obligations was the following amount denominated in currency other than the
functional currency of the relevant group entities:
ARS
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
172
–
136
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
29. 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 2020
Charged to profit or loss (Note 11)
At 31 December 2020
Credited to profit or loss (Note 11)
At 31 December 2021
Taxable temporary
difference
related to net
unrealised gain on
financial assets at
FVTPL
HK$’000
47
531
578
(578)
–
At 31 December 2021, the Group had unused tax losses of HK$63,560,000 (2020: HK$177,677,000)
available for offset against future profits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the
unused tax losses due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. Included in unused tax losses are
losses of HK$3,762,000 (2020: HK$38,336,000) that would expire within five years from the year 2022 to
2026 (2020: from the year 2021 to 2025). All other tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely.
At 31 December 2021, the Group had deductible temporary differences of approximately
HK$15,578,000 (2020: HK$30,364,000) arising from impairment allowance of loan and interest
receivables; and HK$56,351,000 (2020: HK$7,104,000) arising from impairment allowance of debt
instruments of FVTOCI, no deferred tax assets had been recognised due to the unpredictability of future
profits streams.
137
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
30. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorised:
Ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each
At 1 January 2020, 31 December 2020 and
31 December 2021
Issued and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each
At 1 January 2020, 31 December 2020 and
31 December 2021
31. SHARE OPTION SCHEME
Number
of ordinary
shares
’000
Share
capital
HK$’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.
138
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
31. 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
Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong 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$0.53 per share and the exercisable period was from 4 May 2017 to 3 May 2020
(both dates inclusive).
In the annual general meeting of the Company held on 22 June 2017, the shareholders of the Company
approved the refreshment of the Scheme Mandate Limit (the “Scheme Mandate Limit Refreshment”).
The total number of shares of the Company available for issue under the Share Option Scheme is
436,712,182 shares as refreshed, representing approximately 10% of the issued shares of the Company
as at the date of approval of the Scheme Mandate Limit Refreshment and approximately 8.3% of the
issued shares of the Company as at the date of this annual report.
On 4 May 2020, all the outstanding share options was lapsed. At 31 December 2021 and 31 December
2020, there were no outstanding share options.
139
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202131. SHARE OPTION SCHEME (continued)
Details of the movements in the number of share options during the year ended 31 December 2020
under the Share Option Scheme were as follows:
Name or category
of participant
Date of grant
Exercisable
Period
(both dates inclusive)
Directors:
Mr. Liu Zhiyi (Note (iii))
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Mr. Sue Ka Lok
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Mr. Yiu Chun Kong
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Mr. Chan Shui Yuen
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Mr. Pun Chi Ping
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Ms. Leung Pik Har, Christine
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Employees:
In aggregate
Others
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
4 May 2017
4 May 2017 - 3 May 2020
Granted/forfeited/
exercised/lapsed
during the
year ended
31 December 2020
(Note (ii))
Outstanding at
1 January 2020
Exercise
price
HK$
(Note (i))
Outstanding at
31 December 2020
0.53
0.53
0.53
0.53
0.53
0.53
0.53
0.53
43,500,000
(43,500,000)
22,800,000
(22,800,000)
600,000
900,000
300,000
300,000
(600,000)
(900,000)
(300,000)
(300,000)
68,400,000
(68,400,000)
368,010,000
(368,010,000)
300,000
(300,000)
436,710,000
(436,710,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Notes:
(i)
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.
(ii)
All the outstanding share options were lapsed on 4 May 2020.
(iii)
Mr. Liu Zhiyi resigned as director of the Company on 30 June 2020.
No share options were granted and no share-based payments expense was recognised during the years
ended 31 December 2021 and 2020.
140
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
32.
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.
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.
141
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202132.
JOINT OPERATIONS (continued)
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 will not be forfeited
any right in respect of the wells already drilled.
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 becomes 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 17).
142
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202132.
JOINT OPERATIONS (continued)
In May 2019, the Group was notified by Chañares that the CHE Concession had been terminated
according to the 2019 Decree (Note 17). 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 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).
As disclosed in the Company’s announcement dated 16 March 2021, the Group’s interest in the CHE
Concession had been taken over by the new concessionaire on 13 March 2021 and the joint operation
arrangement terminated accordingly.
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
2021
HK$’000
–
–
–
–
2020
HK$’000
3,461
2,287
14,097
16,744
Note: At 31 December 2020, the assets represented other tax recoverable of HK$609,000, trade and other
receivables of HK$2,407,000 and bank balances and cash of HK$445,000.
143
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
33. RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The table below details the changes in the Group’s liabilities arising from financing activities, including
both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash
flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the Group’s consolidated statement of cash flows as
cash flows from financing activities.
At 1 January 2020
Financing cash flows
New lease entered
Exchange adjustment
Interest expense (Note 10)
At 31 December 2020
Financing cash flows
New lease entered
Interest expense (Note 10)
At 31 December 2021
34. RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES
Lease
liabilities
HK$’000
3,612
(4,761)
3,724
32
166
2,773
(1,441)
2,961
101
4,394
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. 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$853,000 (2020: HK$1,354,000) represents
contribution paid/payable to these schemes by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the schemes.
The Group’s contribution to the MPF Scheme and other employees’ pension schemes vest fully and
immediately with employees, thus there are no forfeited contributions available to the Group to reduce
the existing level of contributions to the MPF Scheme and other employees’ pension schemes.
144
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
35. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Compensation of key management personnel
The remuneration of directors and other members of key management during the year was as follows:
Short-term employee benefits
Retirement benefit schemes contributions
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
5,774
546
6,320
6,484
641
7,125
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.
36. CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Group’s objectives when managing capital structure 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.
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial risk management objectives
Financial instruments are fundamental to the Group’s daily operations. The Group’s major financial
instruments include prepayment on acquisition of non-current assets, 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 and lease liabilities. 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.
145
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Categories of financial instruments
Financial assets
Financial assets at FVTPL
Financial assets at amortised cost
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Financial liabilities
Amortised cost
Lease liabilities
Interest rate risk
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
6,724
317,833
78,396
25,097
309,955
132,198
8,070
4,394
1,246
2,773
The Group is exposed to fair value interest rate risk in relation to loan and interest receivables, debt
instruments at FVTOCI and lease liabilities. The Group is also exposed to cash flow interest rate risk
relates primarily to the Group’s short-term deposits placed with banks and variable-rate bank balances
that are interest-bearing at market interest rates. The Group currently does not have an interest rate
hedging policy. However, the management monitors interest rate exposure and will consider hedging
significant interest rate exposure should the need arise.
Total interest revenue/income from financial assets that are measured at amortised cost or at FVTOCI is
as follows:
Interest revenue
Financial assets at amortised cost
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Other income and losses, net
Financial assets at amortised cost
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
13,182
8,871
83
17,870
10,142
741
Revenue/interest income under effective interest method
22,136
28,753
146
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Interest rate risk (continued)
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, (loss) profit after tax
for the year ended 31 December 2021 of the Group would decrease/increase by HK$959,000 (2020:
increase/decrease HK$673,000).
If interest rates had been 50 basis points higher or lower and all other variables were held constant, the
Group’s other comprehensive expense for the year ended 31 December 2021 would increase/decrease
by HK$327,000 (2020: other comprehensive income decrease/increase by HK$552,000) as a result of the
changes in the fair value of debt instruments at FVTOCI.
Foreign currency risk management
Several subsidiaries of the Company have assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
which expose the Group to foreign currency risk. During the year under review, the Group had not
experienced any significant exchange rate exposure to United States dollars as Hong Kong dollars
and United States dollars exchange rate is pegged. Besides, the Group continuously monitors foreign
exchange exposure of Renminbi and will consider a formal foreign currency hedging policy for it should
the needs arise. As for the Group’s petroleum operation in Argentina, the oil selling proceeds are
quoted at United States dollars and converted into Argentina Peso for settlement at official exchange
rate on a monthly basis, and a majority of the investment and operating costs including infrastructure
and equipment, drilling costs, completion costs and workover jobs are based on United States dollars
and converted into Argentina Peso for payments. The functional currency of the Argentina group
entities is United States dollars. The Group currently does not have a formal foreign currency hedging
policy for Argentina Peso, however, the management regularly monitors foreign exchange exposure of
Argentina Peso and will undertake appropriate hedging measures should significant exposures arise.
The carrying amounts of the group entities’ foreign currency denominated monetary assets and
monetary liabilities, at the reporting date were as follows:
ARS
US$
RMB
C$
Assets
Liabilities
2021
HK$’000
24
110,342
11
11
2020
HK$’000
2,040
154,290
11
–
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
(1,924)
–
–
–
(1,964)
(390)
–
–
147
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. 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 Hong Kong dollars and United States dollars will be immaterial as most US$
denominated monetary assets are held by group entities having Hong Kong dollars as their functional
currency, and therefore no sensitivity analysis has been prepared against United States dollars. In
addition, since the Renminbi and Canadian dollars denominated monetary assets held by the Group are
immaterial, no sensitivity analysis has been prepared against Renminbi and Canadian dollars.
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 and other receivables, bank balances, trade and
other payables and lease liabilities that are denominated in Argentina Peso. A negative number below
indicates a decrease in loss after tax (2020: a positive number indicated a decrease in profit after tax)
where Hong Kong dollars being 10% (2020: 10%) strengthened against Argentina Peso. For Hong Kong
dollars being 10% (2020: 10%) weaken against Argentina Peso, there would be an equal and opposite
impact on the (loss) profit after tax.
ARS impact
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
Decrease in loss after tax (2020: decrease in profit after tax)
(133)
5
In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis reflects the exposure at the year end, but not the
exposure during the year.
Other price risk
The Group is exposed to price risk from investments in listed equity securities. The management
manages this exposure by maintaining a portfolio of investments with different risk profiles.
Sensitivity analysis
Financial asets 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, loss after tax for the year ended 31 December 2021 would
decrease/increase by HK$1,123,000 (2020: profit after tax would increase/decrease by HK$4,191,000) as
a result of the change in fair value of financial assets at FVTPL.
148
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
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 prepayment for acquisition of non-current assets, 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.
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
149
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. 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
Internal
12m or
2021
Gross
2020
Gross
carrying
carrying
amount/
amount/
credit rating
credit rating
lifetime ECL
fair value
fair value
Notes
HK$’000
HK$’000
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Investments in listed bonds
22
BB+ (2020:
Low risk
12m ECL
15,675
117,743
BB- to B+)
B
Medium risk
12m ECL
–
14,455
BB- to B-
High risk
Lifetime ECL
RD
Loss
Lifetime ECL-credit
57,640
5,081
–
–
impaired
Financial assets at amortised cost
Loan and interest receivables
23
N/A
Low risk
12m ECL
Medium risk
12m ECL
High risk
Lifetime ECL
–
15,025
–
1,810
19,894
–
Loss
Lifetime ECL-credit
134,891
189,379
impaired
Other receivables and deposits
21
N/A
and prepayment
(Note (i))
Write-off
12m ECL
Lifetime ECL-credit
impaired
10,820
1,680
12,919
–
Trade receivables
21
N/A
(Note (ii))
Lifetime ECL
194
1,027
(simplified
approach)
Bank balances
26
BBB- to AA
N/A
12m ECL
191,791
134,564
(2020:
BBB- to AA)
Notes:
(i)
For the purpose of internal credit assessment, the Group assesses whether credit risk has increased
significantly since initial recognition based on the financial background, financial condition and historical
settlement records of the counterparties, and both the quantitative and qualitative information including
reasonable and supportive forward-looking information available without undue cost or effort.
(ii)
The Group has applied the simplified approach in HKFRS 9 to measure the loss allowance for trade
receivables on lifetime ECL basis.
150
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)
Trade receivables
At 31 December 2021, the Group had concentration of credit risk for its trade receivables as 100% (2020:
100%) of the amount was attributable to the Group’s trading customer in Hong Kong (2020: Argentina) and
it contributed to 3% (2020: 32%) of the Group’s revenue. However, since the trade receivables are due from
a major power company (2020: 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 2021 and 2020.
Other receivables and deposits and prepayments
For other receivables and deposits of HK$946,000 (2020: HK$12,919,000), the management assessed the
credit risk individually on the recoverability based on the financial background, financial condition and
historical settlement records of the counterparties, and also quantitative and qualitative information that
is reasonable and supportive forward-looking information. The management considers that there is no
significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition and thus no loss allowance recognised during the
years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020.
For the prepayment for acquisition of non-current assets, the amount of HK$9,874,000 was paid to a
reputable company in Hong Kong with low credit risk and thus no loss allowance recognised during the
year ended 31 December 2021.
During the year ended 31 December 2021, the management considers that the counterparty of other
receivables and deposits held for petroleum exploration and production is in financial difficulty since initial
recognition and thus the amount totalling HK$1,680,000 (2020: nil) was written off.
Loan and interest receivables
At 31 December 2021, the carrying amount of loan and interest receivables was HK$115,001,000 (2020:
HK$161,382,000). The Group had concentration of credit risk for its loan and interest receivables as 100%
(2020: 85%) of the carrying amount at 31 December 2021 was due from five (2020: five) borrowers which
amounted to HK$115,001,000 (2020: HK$137,203,000) at 31 December 2021. 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 certain collaterals are higher than the related loan balances
individually.
151
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202137. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)
Loan and interest receivables (continued)
At 31 December 2021, included in the Group’s loan and interest receivables balance were debtors with
aggregate gross carrying amount of HK$92,344,000 (2020: HK$75,358,000) which were past due as at
the reporting date, of which HK$34,134,000 (2020: HK$1,411,000) had been past due for less than 30
days, HK$537,000 (2020: HK$1,830,000) had been past due for more than 30 days but less than 90 days
and HK$57,673,000 (2020: HK$72,117,000) 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.
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
At 31 December 2021, the carrying amount of debt instruments at FVTOCI was HK$78,396,000 (2020:
HK$132,198,000). The Group had concentration of credit risk for its debt instruments at FVTOCI as
78% (2020: 77%) of the carrying amount at 31 December 2021 was due from four (2020: six) debt
instruments at FVTOCI which amounted to HK$61,519,000 (2020: HK$101,932,000) at 31 December
2021.
During the year ended 31 December 2021, provision of ECL on debt instruments at FVTOCI amounting
to HK$49,247,000 (2020: HK$4,574,000) was recognised in profit or loss with corresponding adjustment
to other comprehensive income. At 31 December 2021, the cumulative impairment allowance for debt
instruments at FVTOCI amounted to HK$56,351,000 (2020: HK$7,104,000).
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. At 31 December 2021, included in the Group’s debt instruments balance were
issuer with carrying amount of HK$78,396,000 (2020: HK$132,198,000), of which HK$15,675,000 (2020:
HK$132,198,000) which is under 12m ECL, due to low credit risk; HK$57,640,000 (2020: nil) which is
under lifetime ECL (not credit impaired), due to significant deterioration in the internal credit rating and
adverse change in the business during the reporting period; HK$5,081,000 under lifetime ECL (credit
impaired), as certain issuers are engaging in businesses that are unstable and in significant financial
difficulties.
152
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202137. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Credit risk and impairment assessment (continued)
Debt instruments at FVTOCI (continued)
The Group had engaged an independent professional valuer to perform ECL assessment on the debt
instruments and the Company’s management works closely with the qualified external valuer to
establish the appropriate valuation techniques and inputs to the model. In making that evaluation, the
Group assessed the ECL for debt instruments at FVTOCI by reference to the credit rating of the debt
instruments estimated by the recognised rating agency (i.e. Moody’s, Fitch), the macroeconomic factors
affecting each issuer, and the probability of default and loss given default of each debt instrument.
The Group also took into account forward-looking information that was reasonably and supportably
available to the Group without undue cost or effort, including information such as GDP growth rate and
unemployment rate.
At 1 January 2020
Changes due to debt instruments at FVTOCI
recognised at 1 January 2020:
– Impairment allowance recognised
– Impairment allowance reversed (Note (i))
New debt instruments purchased (Note (ii))
At 31 December 2020
Changes due to debt instruments at FVTOCI
recognised at 1 January 2021:
– Transferred to lifetime ECL (Note (iii))
– Impairment allowance reversed (Note (iv))
– Impairment allowance recognised
Lifetime ECL
(not credit
impaired)
HK$’000
Lifetime ECL
(credit
impaired)
HK$’000
12m ECL
HK$’000
2,530
4,476
(324)
422
7,104
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Total
HK$’000
2,530
4,476
(324)
422
7,104
(6,588)
(434)
–
3,281
–
15,967
3,307
–
33,714
–
(434)
49,681
At 31 December 2021
82
19,248
37,021
56,351
Notes:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
The impairment allowance reversed of HK$324,000 was attributed to the derecognition of debt instruments
with carrying amount of HK$15,600,000.
The carrying amount of new debt instruments purchased amounting to HK$7,903,000 during the year ended
31 December 2020.
The impairment allowance of HK$6,588,000 was transferred from 12m ECL to lifetime ECL (not credit-
impaired) and lifetime ECL (credit-impaired) with debt instruments of carrying amount of HK$57,640,000
and HK$5,081,000 respectively.
(iv)
The impairment allowance reversed of HK$434,000 was attributed to the decrease in credit risk of debt
instrument with carrying amount of HK$15,675,000.
153
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk reflects the risk that the Group will have insufficient resources to meet its financial
liabilities as they fall due. In managing liquidity risk, the Group monitors and maintains sufficient funds
to meet all its potential liabilities as they fall due, including shareholder distributions. It is applicable to
normal market conditions as well as negative projections against expected outcomes, so as to avoid any
risk of incurring contractual penalties or damaging the Group’s reputation.
The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities based
on the agreed repayment terms.
For non-derivative financial liabilities, the table has been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash
flows of financial liabilities, and on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The
table includes both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate,
the undiscounted amount is derived from interest in effect at the end of the reporting period.
Liquidity table
At 31 December 2021
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables
Lease liabilities
At 31 December 2020
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables
Lease liabilities
Weighted
average
interest rate
%
On demand
or less than
1 month
HK$’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$’000
–
–
3.41
–
–
3.50
129
7,941
8,070
141
8,211
526
720
1,246
113
1,359
–
–
–
706
706
–
–
–
564
564
–
–
–
847
847
–
–
–
677
677
–
–
–
3,387
3,387
–
–
–
1,518
1,518
129
7,941
8,070
5,081
129
7,941
8,070
4,394
13,151
12,464
526
720
1,246
2,872
4,118
526
720
1,246
2,773
4,019
154
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
37. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
Fair value measurements of financial instruments
Fair value of the Group’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Some of the Group’s financial assets are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period.
The following table gives information about how fair values of these financial assets are determined (in
particular, the valuation technique(s) and inputs used).
Financial assets
Debt instruments at FVTOCI
Listed debt securities
Fair value
hierarchy
Valuation technique(s)
and key input(s)
Fair value
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
33,259
132,198
45,137
–
Level 1
Quoted bid prices
in active markets
Level 2 Quoted market prices with
credit risk adjustment
Financial assets at FVTPL
Listed equity securities
6,724
25,097
Level 1
Quoted bid prices
in an active market
During the year, the fair value of the debt instruments of HK$45,137,000 was measured using quoted
market prices with credit risk adjustment and classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the
quoted prices do not represent their fair value.
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.
155
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
38. PARTICULARS OF PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES
Details of the Company’s principal subsidiaries, which are limited liability companies, at 31 December
2021 and 2020, 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
EPI Energy Investments Limited
Hong Kong
Have Result Finance Limited
Hong Kong
EPI Management Limited
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
The PRC
Mobilewise (Hong Kong)
Limited (Note (iii))
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) and (iii))
Notes:
ARS303,600
(2020: ARS303,600)
US$10,000
(2020: US$10,000)
HK$1
(2020: HK$1)
HK$100
(2020: HK$100)
HK$1
(2020: HK$1)
N/A
(2020: HK$1)
RMB60,824,578
(2020: RMB60,824,578)
N/A
(2020: US$1,400,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
100%
(2020: 100%)
Petroleum exploration
and production
100%
(2020: 100%)
Petroleum exploration
and production
100%
(2020: 100%)
100%
(2020: 100%)
Sales of electricity
Money lending
100%
(2020: 100%)
Investment in securities
and management
–
(2020: 100%)
Investment in securities
and management
100%
(2020: 100%)
Investment holding and
money lending
–
(2020: 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).
(iii)
During the year ended 31 December 2021, the companies were disposed of.
156
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
38. PARTICULARS OF PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES (continued)
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.
39. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
At 31 December 2021, the Group had capital commitments of HK$34,203,000 and HK$187,000 in
relation to the acquisition and installation work of solar photovoltaic systems respectively, which were
capital expenditures contracted for but not provided in the consolidated financial statements.
40. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
On 9 February 2022, EP Resources Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company,
(“EP Resources”) as purchaser and RockEast Energy Corp. (“RockEast”) as vendor entered into an asset
purchase and sale agreement (the “APA”), pursuant to which EP Resources has conditionally agreed
to acquire, and RockEast has conditionally agreed to sell, an operating oil field which comprises the
petroleum and natural gas rights, the facilities and pipelines, together with all other properties and
assets located in Alberta Province of Canada at an initial consideration of C$22,500,000 (approximately
HK$138,375,000). The APA has been duly approved by the shareholders in a special general meeting
of the Company held on 29 March 2022 and the Group’s management is in the process of completing
the transactions contemplated thereunder. Further details of the transactions are contained in the
Company’s circular dated 11 March 2022.
157
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 202141. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANY
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Unlisted interests in subsidiaries
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Other receivables, prepayment and deposits
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Bank balances and cash
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
–
–*
35,210
35,210
468
198,758
171,712
–
–*
93
93
1,172
304,341
100,532
Total current assets
370,938
406,045
Current liabilities
Other payables
Amounts due to subsidiaries
Tax payable
Total current liabilities
Net current assets
2,438
6,630
146
4,238
6,691
3,092
9,214
14,021
361,724
392,024
Total assets less current liabilities
396,934
392,117
Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves (Note)
Total equity
52,403
344,531
52,403
339,714
396,934
392,117
*
The amount of investment in subsidiaries is less than HK$1,000.
158
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
41. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANY (continued)
Note:
Movements of the Company’s reserves are as follows:
Share
Share
options Accumulated
premium
HK$’000
reserve
HK$’000
losses
HK$’000
Total
HK$’000
918,270
201,645
(732,634)
387,281
–
–
(47,567)
(47,567)
918,270
201,645
(780,201)
339,714
–
–
4,817
4,817
At 1 January 2020
Loss and total comprehensive
expense for the year
At 31 December 2020
Profit and total comprehensive
income for the year
At 31 December 2021
918,270
201,645
(775,384)
344,531
159
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the year ended 31 December 2021
RESULTS
For the year ended 31 December
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
2019
HK$’000
2018
HK$’000
2017
HK$’000
Revenue
24,820
42,449
60,560
71,419
57,870
(Loss) profit before tax
Income tax credit (expense)
(31,626)
2,255
8,578
(440)
(137,327)
(772)
(115,087)
(140)
(48,424)
(6,431)
(Loss) profit for the year
(29,371)
8,138
(138,099)
(115,227)
(54,855)
Attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
(29,371)
–
8,519
(381)
(138,099)
–
(115,227)
–
(54,855)
–
(29,371)
8,138
(138,099)
(115,227)
(54,855)
At 31 December
2021
HK$’000
2020
HK$’000
2019
HK$’000
2018
HK$’000
2017
HK$’000
Total assets
Total liabilities
442,915
(16,925)
475,763
(16,265)
469,264
(25,368)
599,667
(24,614)
706,920
(147,804)
Equity attributable to owners
of the Company
425,990
459,498
443,896
575,053
559,116
Attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
425,990
–
459,879
(381)
443,896
–
575,053
–
559,116
–
425,990
459,498
443,896
575,053
559,116
160
EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021Five-Year Financial SummaryFor the year ended 31 December 2021