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Niche-Tech Semiconductor Materials Limited — Interim / Quarterly Report 2021
May 11, 2021
51470_rns_2021-05-11_ad151152-3cce-4bcf-8a4c-2c18454ac23c.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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NICHE-TECH GROUP LIMITED 駿碼科技集團有限公司
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability) (Stock Code: 8490)
FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT 2021
CHARACTERISTICS OF GEM (“GEM”) OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED (THE “STOCK EXCHANGE”)
GEM has been positioned as a market designed to accommodate small and mid-sized companies to which a higher investment risk may be attached than other companies listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange. Prospective investors should be aware of the potential risks of investing in such companies and should make the decision to invest only after due and careful consideration.
Given that the companies listed on GEM are generally small and mid-sized companies, there is a risk that securities traded on GEM may be more susceptible to high market volatility than securities traded on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange and no assurance is given that there will be a liquid market in the securities traded on GEM.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the Stock Exchange take no responsibility for the contents of this report, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this report.
This report, for which the board (the “ Board ”) of directors (the “ Directors ”) of Niche-Tech Group Limited (the “ Company ”) collectively and individually accept full responsibility, includes particulars given in compliance with the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on GEM (the “ GEM Listing Rules ”) for the purpose of giving information with regard to the Company and its subsidiaries (together, the “ Group ”). The Directors, having made all reasonable enquiries, confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief the information contained in this report is accurate and complete in all material respects and not misleading or deceptive, and there are no other matters the omission of which would make any statement herein or this report misleading.
CONTENTS
Condensed Consolidated Statement of 2 Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Condensed Consolidated Statement of 4 Changes in Equity
5 Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
13 Management Discussion and Analysis
17 Other Information
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The Board is pleased to present the unaudited condensed consolidated results of the Group for the three months ended 31 March 2021 together with the comparative unaudited figures for the corresponding period in 2020 as follows:
| NOTES | Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|---|---|
| Revenue 4 Cost of sales Gross profit Other income, other gains and losses 5 Impairment losses reversed (recognised) under expected credit loss model Selling and distribution expenses Administrative expenses Finance costs 6 Profit before taxation Income tax expense 7 Profit (loss) for the period 8 |
54,985 35,681 (42,950) (28,810) |
| 12,035 6,871 267 2,259 312 (490) (2,611) (2,613) (7,026) (5,665) (294) (290) |
|
| 2,683 72 (978) (572) |
|
| 1,705 (500) |
2 First Quarterly Report 2021
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| NOTES | Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (1,607) (4,540) 272 554 (1,335) (3,986) 370 (4,486) 0.24 (0.07) |
|---|---|
| Other comprehensive (expense) income Item that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: Exchange differences on translation from functional currency to presentation currency Item that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations Other comprehensive expense for the period Total comprehensive income (expense) for the period Earnings (loss) per share – basic_(HK cents) _9 |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
| Share capital Share premium Other reserve Capital reserve Exchange reserve Statutory reserve Retained earnings (Accumulated losses) Total equity HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 |
|
|---|---|
| At 1 January 2020 (audited) 7,055 128,115 100,000 1 (19,058) 7,248 8,066 231,427 Loss for the period – – – – – – (500) (500) Exchange differences arising on translation from functional currency to presentation currency – – – – (4,540) – – (4,540) Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations – – – – 554 – – 554 Total comprehensive expense for the period – – – – (3,986) – (500) (4,486) At 31 March 2020 (unaudited) 7,055 128,115 100,000 1 (23,044) 7,248 7,566 226,941 At 1 January 2021 (audited) 7,055 128,115 100,000 1 (4,315) 8,564 (7,362) 232,058 Profit for the period – – – – – – 1,705 1,705 Exchange differences arising on translation from functional currency to presentation currency – – – – (1,607) – – (1,607) Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations – – – – 272 – – 272 Total comprehensive (expense) income for the period – – – – (1,335) – 1,705 370 At 31 March 2021 (unaudited) 7,055 128,115 100,000 1 (5,650) 8,564 (5,657) 232,428 |
7,055 128,115 100,000 1 (19,058) 7,248 8,066 231,427 |
| – – – – (1,335) – 1,705 370 |
|
| 7,055 128,115 100,000 1 (5,650) 8,564 (5,657) 232,428 |
4 First Quarterly Report 2021
Niche-Tech Group Limited
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability on 21 February 2017 under the Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands. The shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Company have been listed on the GEM of the Stock Exchange since 30 May 2018.
The Company is an investment holding company. The Group is principally engaged in the development, manufacture and sales of semiconductor packaging materials.
The functional currency of the Company is Renminbi (“ RMB ”). The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in Hong Kong dollars (“ HK$ ”) as the Group’s management believes HK$ is the appropriate presentation currency for the users of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (“ HKFRSs ”) issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“ HKICPA ”). In addition, the condensed consolidated financial statements include applicable disclosures required by Chapter 18 of the GEM Listing Rules.
The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but have been reviewed by the audit committee (“ Audit Committee ”) of the Company and were approved for issue by the Board.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
3. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis.
Other than changes in accounting policies resulting from application of new and amendments to HKFRSs, the accounting policies and methods of computation used in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended 31 March 2021 are the same as those followed in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2020.
The HKICPA has issued certain new and revised HKFRSs. For those which are effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 January 2021, the adoption has no material impact on how the results and financial positions of the Group for the current and prior periods have been prepared and presented. For those which are not yet effective and have not been early adopted in prior accounting periods, the Group is in the process of assessing their impact on the Group’s results and financial positions.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
4. REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION
An analysis of revenue by major products is as follows:
| Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|
|---|---|
| Bonding wire Encapsulant Others |
40,419 28,963 12,287 4,891 2,279 1,827 |
| 54,985 35,681 |
Geographical information
The Group’s revenue is mainly derived from customers located in the People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”) and Hong Kong. Information about the Group’s revenue by the geographical location in which the customers operate is detailed below:
| Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|
|---|---|
| PRC excluding Hong Kong Hong Kong |
54,395 35,427 590 254 |
| 54,985 35,681 |
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
5. OTHER INCOME, OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES
| Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|
|---|---|
| Bank interest income Government subsidy income Loss on disposal of plant and equipment Net foreign exchange losses Others |
19 202 355 2,296 (22) – (90) (254) 5 15 |
| 267 2,259 |
6. FINANCE COSTS
| FINANCE COSTS | |
|---|---|
| Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|
| Interests on bank borrowings Interests on bank overdraft Interests on lease liabilities Interests on discounted bills with recourse |
70 94 24 – 180 159 20 37 |
| 294 290 |
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
7. INCOME TAX EXPENSE
| INCOME TAX EXPENSE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three months | ended | |
| 31.3.2021 | 31.3.2020 | |
| HK$’000 | HK$’000 | |
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |
| The income tax expense comprises: | ||
| PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) | 978 | 572 |
Under the Law of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax (“ EIT Law ”) and Implementation Regulation of the EIT Law, the standard tax rate of PRC entities is 25% for both periods. Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, 汕頭市駿碼凱撒有限公司 is granted tax incentives as a High and New Technology Enterprise and is entitled to a concessionary tax rate of 15% for 3 years from November 2018 to November 2021.
Hong Kong Profits Tax is calculated at 16.5% of the estimated assessable profits for both periods. No provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax is made since the relevant group entities had no assessable profits for both periods.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
8. PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD
| PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD | |
|---|---|
| Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|
| Profit (loss) for the period has been arrived at after charging: Directors’ remuneration Fees Other emoluments, salaries and other benefits Retirement benefit scheme contributions Other staff costs: Staff salaries and allowances Retirement benefit scheme contributions Total staff costs Capitalised in intangible assets Capitalised in inventories |
120 110 940 824 15 12 |
| 1,075 946 |
|
| 6,264 5,728 645 485 |
|
| 6,909 6,213 |
|
| 7,984 7,159 (734) (891) (2,011) (1,509) |
|
| 5,239 4,759 |
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
| Three months ended 31.3.2021 31.3.2020 HK$’000 HK$’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) |
|
|---|---|
| Depreciation of plant and equipment Capitalised in intangible assets Capitalised in inventories Amortisation of intangible assets Capitalised in inventories Depreciation of right-of-use assets Capitalised in intangible assets Capitalised in inventories Auditor’s remuneration Cost of inventories recognised as cost of sales Research and development costs (excluding staff costs and depreciation of plant and equipment) recognised as expenses (included in administrative expenses) Minimum operating lease rentals in respect of rented premises |
2,363 1,981 (383) (379) (995) (723) |
| 985 879 |
|
| 1,948 1,485 (1,894) (1,435) |
|
| 54 50 |
|
| 604 683 (72) (64) (131) (117) |
|
| 401 502 |
|
| 238 300 42,950 28,810 299 141 25 36 |
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended 31 March 2021
9. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
| EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three months | ended | |
| 31.3.2021 | 31.3.2020 | |
| HK$’000 | HK$’000 | |
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |
| Earnings (loss): | ||
| Earnings (loss) for the purpose of basic earnings (loss) | ||
| per share: | ||
| Profit (loss) for the period attributable | ||
| to owners of the Company | 1,705 | (500) |
| Number of shares: | ||
| Weighted average number of ordinary Shares | ||
| for the purpose of basic earnings (loss) | ||
| per share | 705,500,000 | 705,500,000 |
No diluted earnings (loss) per share is presented for periods ended 31 March 2021 and 2020 as there is no potential ordinary shares in issue during both periods.
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MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
BUSINESS REVIEW
The Group is an established semiconductor packaging materials manufacturer specializing in the development, manufacture, and sales of the bonding wire and encapsulant with headquarters in Hong Kong and production facilities in Shantou, the PRC. During the three months ended 31 March 2021 (the “ Period ”), the Group continued to sell its products directly to more than 400 customers, including renowned manufacturers of LEDs, camera modules, and ICs primarily in the PRC.
During the Period, the Group recorded a significant sales growth against the corresponding period of 2020 due to the PRC domestic market gradually recovering from the adverse impact of novel coronavirus pandemic (“ COVID-19 ”). During the Period, the Group’s revenue and gross profit increased by approximately 54.1% and 75.2%, respectively. Such increase was primarily attributable to (i) the strong customer demand from both Semi-Conductor and LED industries which resulted in strong demand of the products of the Group; (ii) customer’s deployment of new product lines for Mini-LED related products; and (iii) the Group’s better product mix and strong new product sales.
The Group will continue to focus on innovation of materials for advanced semiconductors which could be applied to Mini-LED, artificial intelligence and 5G industries.
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MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Revenue
The Group’s revenue principally represents income derived from its main products, namely bonding wire and encapsulant. During the Period, the Group recorded a revenue of approximately HK$55.0 million, increased by 54.1% from approximately HK$35.7 million for three months ended 31 March 2020. The revenue of bonding wire products recorded a increase of 39.6% to approximately HK$40.4 million during the Period (three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$29.0 million). The revenue of encapsulant products recorded increase by 151.2% to approximately HK$12.3 million during the Period (three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$4.9 million). The increase in the revenue of both bonding wire and encapsulant products was due to the strong demand of the Group’s products, benefiting from the recovery of the PRC market from the impact of COVID-19.
Cost of sales and gross profit
The Group’s cost of sales mainly comprised direct material costs, direct labour costs and manufacturing overhead. During the Period, the Group’s cost of sales increased by 49.1% to approximately HK$42.9 million (three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$28.8 million). The gross profit of the Group increased by 75.2% to approximately HK$12.0 million for the Period (three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$6.9 million). Gross profit margin improved to approximately 21.9% for the Period (three months ended 31 March 2020: 19.3%). Better product mix and strong new product sales resulted in the improvement on the gross profit margin of the Group during the Period.
Other income, other gains and losses
Other income, other gains and losses of approximately HK$0.3 million were recorded during the Period (Three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$2.3 million). An one-off government subsidy income of approximately HK$2.0 million was received from the PRC government as a support in respect of the unemployment insurance to enterprises for stabilizing employment during the three months ended 31 March 2020. No such government subsidy was received during the Period.
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MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Expenses
Selling and distribution expenses amounted to approximately HK$2.6 million for the Period (three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$2.6 million). Administrative expenses for the Period increased by approximately HK$1.3 million to approximately HK$7.0 million (three months ended 31 March 2020: approximately HK$5.7 million). The increase in administrative expenses was mainly due to (i) the increase in depreciation and amortization; (ii) the increase in expense on research activities; and (iii) the increase in staff costs.
Profit/loss and other comprehensive income/expenses for the Period
As at result of the foregoing, profit attributable to owners of the Company for the Period was approximately HK$1.7 million (three months ended 31 March 2020: loss attributable to owners of the Company was approximately HK$0.5 million).
Future strategies and prospects
After a tough and challenging year in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the global economy has seen signs of recovery, with the launch of vaccines and sequentially implementation of economic recovery measures. Despite the possibility of another wave of pandemic and uncertainties of the macro-economy caused by the tensions among various countries, the Group remains confident about the industry and the Group’s future development. According to SEMI, the global semiconductor equipment sales is expected to recover and reach a new record of US$66.8 billion in 2021. With the growth of semiconductor equipment, the demand for semiconductor packaging related encapsulants is likely to increase accordingly. Particularly for China, whose economic activities are rebounding substantially due to its effective control of COVID-19 and the rapid growth of the 5G industry, its market demand for bonding wires and semiconductor packaging related encapsulants are expected to experience an outstanding growth in the coming years.
In addition, the Group’s three series of new products of Die Attach Adhesive, namely Non-conductive Epoxy Based Adhesive, Non-conductive Silicon Based Adhesive and Electrical Conductive Silver Adhesive are being launched for LED applications, and will be extended to other semiconductors and 5G industries after formulary modification. The Directors believe these new products will become another growth momentum for the Group in the future.
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MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Looking ahead, the Directors are prudently optimistic about the future of the industry. To seize the opportunities arising from the expected market recovery and the fast-growing 5G industry, the Group will continue to enhance its R&D capabilities, so as to develop advanced and high-quality products to meet the demand from the emerging markets of 5G network, automotive electrification, industrial automation, internet of things and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the Group will focus on expanding its customer base and business network for the Group’s sustainable business growth. With the effective control of COVID-19 in China and substantial economic recovery, the Directors strongly believe that the Group’s established position in the bonding wire and encapsulant industry, competitive strengths and flexible business strategies, will facilitate its long-term growth.
DIVIDEND
The Board does not recommend the payment of any dividend for the Period (three months ended 31 March 2020: Nil).
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Segment information for the Group is presented as disclosed on note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
MATERIAL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS OF SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
There were no material acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures during the Period.
FUTURE PLANS FOR MATERIAL INVESTMENTS AND CAPITAL ASSETS
Save as disclosed in this report, the Group does not have other plans for material investments and capital assets during the Period.
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS HELD
During the Period, the Group did not hold any significant investments.
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OTHER INFORMATION
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS
(a) Director’s and chief executives’ interests and short positions in the Shares, underlying shares and debentures of the Company and its associated corporations
As at 31 March 2021, the interests or short positions of the Directors and chief executives of the Company in the Shares, underlying shares or debentures of the Company and its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the laws of Hong Kong) (the “ SFO ”)), which are required (a) to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 of Part XV of the SFO (including interests or short positions which they are taken or deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO); or (b) pursuant to Section 352 of the SFO, to be recorded in the register referred to therein; or (c) to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to the required standards of dealing by directors as referred to in Rules 5.46 to 5.67 of the GEM Listing Rules were as follows:
(i) Long positions in the Shares
| Percentage of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| issued share | |||
| Nature of interest/ | Number of | capital of the | |
| Name of Director | holding capacity | Shares held | Company |
| (Note 1) | |||
| Mr. Chow Bok Hin Felix | Interest in a controlled | 357,000,000 | 50.60% |
| (“Mr. Chow”)(Note 2) | corporation | ||
| Professor Chow Chun Kay | Interest in a controlled | 357,000,000 | 50.60% |
| Stephen (“Professor Chow”) | corporation |
||
| (Note 2) | |||
| Beneficial owner | 510,000 | 0.07% | |
| Mr. Li Chiu Fan | Beneficial owner | 16,050,000 | 2.27% |
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OTHER INFORMATION
Notes:
-
(1) As at 31 March 2021, the Company’s issued share capital was HK$7,055,000 divided into 705,500,000 Shares of HK$0.01 each.
-
(2) Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited is beneficially owned as to 40% by Mr. Chow and 60% by Professor Chow. By virtue of SFO, Mr. Chow and Professor Chow are deemed to be interested in the Shares held by Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited.
-
(ii) Interests in shares of the associated corporations of the Company
| Number of | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| shares held/ | ||||
| Nature of | interested in | |||
| Name of associated | interest/holding | the associated | Percentage of | |
| Name of Director | corporation | capacity | corporations | shareholding |
| Professor Chow | Chows Investment Group | Beneficial owner | 6 | 60.00% |
| (Notes 1 and 2) | Limited | |||
| Mr. Chow | Chows Investment Group | Beneficial owner | 4 | 40.00% |
| (Notes 1 and 2) | Limited | |||
| Professor Chow | Niche-Tech Investment | Interest in a controlled | 10,000,000 | 100.00% |
| (Notes 1 and 2) | Holdings Limited | corporation | ||
| Mr. Chow | Niche-Tech Investment | Interest in a controlled | 10,000,000 | 100.00% |
| (Notes 1 and 2) | Holdings Limited | corporation |
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OTHER INFORMATION
Notes:
-
(1) Chows Investment Group Limited holds 100% interest in Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited. Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited in turn holds 50.60% interest in the Company. Therefore, Chows Investment Group Limited and Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited are the associated corporations of the Company for the purpose of the SFO.
-
(2) Mr. Chow and Professor Chow are interested in as to 40% and 60% of the issued share capital of Chows Investment Group Limited. Chows Investment Group Limited holds 100% interest in Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited. Mr. Chow and Professor Chow are therefore deemed to be interested in 100% of Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited for the purpose of the SFO.
Save as disclosed above, as at 31 March 2021, none of the Directors nor chief executives of the Company had or was deemed to have any other interests or short positions in the Shares, underlying shares or debentures of the Company or its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) which are required (a) to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 of Part XV of the SFO (including interests or short positions which they are taken or deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO); or (b) pursuant to Section 352 of the SFO, to be recorded in the register referred to therein; or (c) to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to the required standards of dealing by directors as referred to in Rules 5.46 to 5.67 of the GEM Listing Rules.
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OTHER INFORMATION
(b) Substantial Shareholders and other persons’ interests and short positions in the Shares or underlying shares of the Company
So far as is known to the Directors, as at 31 March 2021, the following entities (not being Directors or chief executive of the Company) had, or were deemed to have, interests or short positions (directly or indirectly) in the Shares or underlying shares of the Company that would fall to be disclosed to the Company and the Stock Exchange under the provision of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO for being recorded in the register required to be kept by the Company pursuant to Section 336 of the SFO were as follows:
Long positions in the Shares
| Percentage of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| issued share | |||
| Nature of interest/ | Number of | capital of the | |
| Name of Shareholder | holding capacity | Shares held | Company |
| (Note 1) | |||
| Niche-Tech Investment | Beneficial owner | 357,000,000 | 50.60% |
| Holdings Limited | |||
| Chows Investment Group | Interest in a controlled | 357,000,000 | 50.60% |
| Limited_(Note 2)_ | corporation | ||
| Mrs. Chow Fung Wai Lan Rita | Interest of spouse | 357,510,000 | 50.67% |
| (“Mrs. Chow”)(Note 3) | |||
| Mrs. Chow Kuo Li Jen_(Note 4)_ | Interest of spouse | 357,000,000 | 50.60% |
| Mr. Ma Ah Muk (“Mr. Ma”) | Beneficial owner | 152,490,000 | 21.61% |
| Ms. Cheng Pak Ching_(Note 5)_ | Interest of spouse | 152,490,000 | 21.61% |
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OTHER INFORMATION
Notes:
-
(1) As at 31 March 2021, the Company’s issued share capital was HK$7,055,000 divided into 705,500,000 Shares of HK$0.01 each.
-
(2) Chows Investment Group Limited holds 100% interest in Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited and is therefore deemed to be interested in the 357,000,000 Shares held by Niche-Tech Investment Holdings Limited for the purpose of the SFO.
-
(3) Mrs. Chow is the spouse of Professor Chow. Mrs. Chow is deemed to be interested in all the Shares in which Professor Chow is interested in for the propose of the SFO.
-
(4) Mrs. Chow Kuo Li Jen is the spouse of Mr. Chow. Mrs. Chow Kuo Li Jen is deemed to be interested in all the Shares in which Mr. Chow is interested in for the propose of the SFO.
-
(5) Ms. Cheng Pak Ching is the spouse of Mr. Ma. Ms. Cheng Pak Ching is deemed to be interested in all the Shares in which Mr. Ma is interested in for the purpose of the SFO.
Save as disclosed above, as at 31 March 2021, the Directors were not aware of any other persons (other than the Directors or the chief executive of the Company) who had, or was deemed to have, interest or short positions in the Shares or underlying shares of the Company would fall to be required to be disclosed to the Company and the Stock Exchange under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO for being recorded in the register required to be kept by the Company pursuant to Section 336 of the SFO.
SHARE OPTION SCHEME
Pursuant to the Company’s share option scheme (the “ Scheme ”) adopted on 8 May 2018 for the primary purpose of providing incentives to eligible persons including directors, eligible employees, consultant or adviser of the Group. The directors, employees, consultant or adviser of the Group may, at the discretion of the Directors, be granted options (the “ Options ”) to subscribe for Shares at a price determined by the Directors, but shall not be less than the highest of (i) the closing price of the Shares as stated in the Stock Exchange’s daily quotation sheet on the date of the offer of grant, which must be a trading day; (ii) the average closing price of the Shares as stated in the Stock Exchange’s daily quotation sheet for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the offer of grant; and (iii) the nominal value of the Shares on the date of grant of the Option.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Without prior approval from the Company’s shareholders, the total maximum number of Shares in respect of which Options may be granted under the Scheme is not permitted to exceed 10% of the Shares in issue at the time dealing in the Shares first commenced on the Stock Exchange which amounted to 68,000,000 Shares, representing approximately 9.6% of the Shares in issue as at the date of this report. The maximum number of Shares in respect of which Options may be granted to any individual in any one year is not permitted to exceed 1% of the Shares in issue at any point in time.
Unless terminated by resolution in general meeting, the Scheme will remain in force for a period of ten years from the date of the listing of the Shares on GEM. Options granted must be taken up not later than 30 days after the date of grant. A consideration of HK$1 is payable on acceptance of the offer of grant of an Option.
The exercisable period of an Option, which shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant, is determined by the Board at their discretion.
No Options have been granted by the Company under the Scheme since its adoption date and up to the date of this report. Therefore, no Options lapsed or were exercised or cancelled during the Period and there were no outstanding Options as at 31 March 2021.
COMPETING INTERESTS
None of the Directors or the controlling shareholder of the Company or any of their respective close associates (as defined in the GEM Listing Rules) had any business or interest in a business that compete or may compete with the business of the Group and any other conflicts of interest which any such person has or may have with the Group during the Period.
INTEREST OF THE COMPLIANCE ADVISER
As notified by Titan Financial Services Limited (“ Titan Financial ”), the Company’s compliance adviser, save for the compliance agreement entered into between the Company and Titan Financial dated 1 September 2017 in connection with the Listing, none of Titan Financial or its directors, employees or close associates (as defined in the GEM Listing Rules) had any interest in the Group as at 31 March 2021, which is required to be notified to the Company pursuant to Rule 6A.32 of the GEM Listing Rules. The compliance agreement expired on 31 March 2021.
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Niche-Tech Group Limited
OTHER INFORMATION
CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Company complied with Code of Corporate Governance Practices (the “ Code ”) as set out in Appendix 15 of the GEM Listing Rules for the Period.
A.2 and A.2.1 of the Code stipulate that there should be a clear division of the management of the Board and the day-to-day management of the business. The Group has not appointed the chief executive officer. Day-to-day management of the business of the Group is carried out by the senior management and monitored by the executive Directors, while prior approvals by all executive Directors are required for all strategic decisions which are also considered and confirmed in formal Board meeting. The balance of power and authority of the Company is ensured by the operations of the Board which comprises experienced and competent individuals, with three of them being independent non-executive Directors. The Group believes that the existing management structure and decision making procedures are adequate and in the best interest of the Group to cope with the ever-changing economic environment.
The Company regularly reviews its corporate governance practices to ensure that the Company continues to meet the requirements of the Code.
DIRECTORS’ SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
The Company has adopted a code of conduct regarding securities transactions by the Directors (the “ Code of Conduct ”) on terms no less exacting than the required standard of dealings set out in Rules 5.48 to 5.67 of the GEM Listing Rules (the “ Required Standard Dealings ”). The Company had also made specific enquiry of all the Directors and each of them was in compliance with the Code of Conduct and Required Standard Dealings during the Period. Further, the Company was not aware of any non-compliance with the Required Standard Dealings regarding securities transactions by the Directors for the Period.
PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF LISTED SECURITIES
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries purchased, sold or redeemed any of the Company’s listed securities during the Period.
Niche-Tech Group Limited
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OTHER INFORMATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Company has established the Audit Committee with written terms of reference in compliance with the GEM Listing Rules. The primary duties of the Audit Committee are to review and supervise the financial reporting process and internal control systems of the Group. The members of the Audit Committee include three independent non-executive Directors, namely Mr. Poon Lai Yin Michael, Professor Ng Wang Wai Charles and Mr. Tai Chun Kit. Mr. Poon Lai Yin Michael is the chairman of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee has reviewed the unaudited condensed consolidated results of the Company for the Period and is of the opinion that such results complied with the applicable accounting standards and the requirements under the GEM Listing Rules, and that adequate disclosures have been made.
By Order of the Board Niche-Tech Group Limited Chow Bok Hin Felix
Executive Chairman and Executive Director
Hong Kong, 6 May 2021
As at the date of this report, the executive Directors are Mr. Chow Bok Hin Felix, Professor Chow Chun Kay Stephen and Mr. Shi Yiwu, the non-executive Director is Mr. Li Chiu Fan, and the independent non-executive Directors are Professor Ng Wang Wai Charles, Mr. Poon Lai Yin Michael and Mr. Tai Chun Kit.
This report will remain on the GEM’s website at http://www.hkgem.com on the “Latest Listed Company Information” page for a minimum period of seven days from the date of its publication. This report will also be published on the Company’s website at http://www.nichetech.com.hk.
First Quarterly Report 2021
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