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Time Interconnect Technology Limited Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2020

Mar 30, 2020

50124_rns_2020-03-30_b4d249cc-6bbc-4dd0-9700-5b02fc4744d2.pdf

Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement

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THIS CIRCULAR IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of this circular or as to the action to be taken, you should consult your licensed securities dealer, bank manager, solicitor, professional accountant or other professional adviser.

If you have sold or transferred all your Shares, you should at once hand this circular and the accompanying proxy form to the purchaser(s) or the transferee(s) or to the bank, licensed securities dealer, registered institution in securities or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser(s) or transferee(s).

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this circular, 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 circular.

This circular is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any securities of the Company.

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(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 1729)

(1) EXTREME AND CONNECTED

TRANSACTION IN RELATION TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE TARGET COMPANY;

(2) PROPOSED CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS; AND (3) NOTICE OF EGM

Financial advisers to the Company

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Independent financial adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders

Capitalised terms used on this cover page shall have the same meanings as those defined in the section headed ‘‘Definitions’’ in this circular.

A letter from the Board is set out on pages 17 to 35 of this circular. The letter from the Independent Board Committee is set out on pages 36 to 37 of this circular. The letter from the Independent Financial Adviser is set out on pages 38 to 57 of this circular, which contains its advice to the Independent Board Committee and Independent Shareholders.

A notice convening the EGM to be held at Salon Room I, L/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 at 2:30 p.m. is set out on pages EGM-1 to EGM-2 of this circular. A proxy form for use at the EGM is enclosed. Whether or not you intend to attend the EGM, you are requested to complete the enclosed proxy form in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return the same to the branch share registrar and transfer office of the Company in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong, as soon as possible but in any event not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the EGM or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the proxy form shall not preclude you from attending and voting in person at the EGM or any adjournment thereof should you so wish.

30 March 2020

CONTENTS

Page
Summary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Definitions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Glossary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Letter from the Board
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Letter from the Independent Board Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Letter from the Independent Financial Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Risk factors relating to the Target Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Industry overview relating to the Target Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Regulatory overview relating to the Target Group
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
History and development of the Target Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Business of the Target Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Relationship with the Controlling Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Continuing connected transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Directors and senior management of the Target Group
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Financial information of the Target Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Appendix I

Financial information of the
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
Appendix II

Accountants’ report on the Target Group
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1
Appendix III —
Unaudited pro forma financial information
of the Enlarged Group
. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-1
Appendix IV —
Valuation report of the Properties . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV-1
Appendix V

General information . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V-1
Notice of EGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EGM-1

– i –

SUMMARY

This summary aims to provide you with an overview of the information relating to the Target Group contained in this circular and should be read in conjunction with the full text of this circular. As it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should read the whole circular before making a decision as to how you would cast your votes at the EGM in relation to the Acquisition and the appropriate course of action for yourself.

There are risks associated with any business. You should read the section headed ‘‘Risk Factors’’ of this circular carefully before making a decision on the Acquisition.

OVERVIEW OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group is a long established cable manufacturer with its manufacturing facilities located in the PRC. Founded in 1993, the Target Group has over 26 years of business operation and currently owns three and leases another industrial complexes situated in Shanghai and Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group focuses on the manufacturing of different networking cables with copper as the transmission media and has an annual production capacity of approximately 4 million kft of networking cables.

The networking cable products of the Target Group are marketed and sold to large enterprises including multinational corporations and which are usually the end users, such as international networking infrastructure companies, which mainly incorporate the Target Group’s products in their networking solutions services. While the Target Group sells a small proportion of its products on the Target Group’s brand names, and , a majority of the networking cables are sold on the OEM basis. The major suppliers of the Target Group include sellers of copper, plastic materials and cable reels.

For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group recognised revenue of approximately HK$1,328,298,000, HK$1,498,697,000, HK$1,676,557,000 and HK$735,340,000 and profit for the year/period of approximately HK$26,946,000, HK$33,586,000, HK$43,953,000 and HK$22,661,000, respectively.

– 1 –

SUMMARY

CUSTOMERS

The Target Group’s key customers include network infrastructure providers, communications equipment manufacturers, cable management companies, and cable designers that operate globally or in the PRC.

The following table sets out a breakdown of the Target Group’s revenue by geographical regions based on place of delivery:

The PRC
Singapore
Hong Kong
India
The United
States
The United
Kingdom
Others
Total
2017
HK$’000
%
565,716
42.6
139,953
10.5
135,263
10.2
104,672
7.9
90,663
6.8
76,919
5.8
215,112
16.2
1,328,298
100.0
Year ended 31 March
2018
HK$’000
%
714,902
47.7
167,776
11.2
182,227
12.2
44,079
2.9
90,812
6.1
96,266
6.4
202,635
13.5
1,498,697
100.0
2019
HK$’000
%
879,199
52.4
185,452
11.1
175,334
10.5
25,547
1.5
85,039
5.1
129,516
7.7
196,470
11.7
1,676,557
100.0
2019
HK$’000
%
879,199
52.4
185,452
11.1
175,334
10.5
25,547
1.5
85,039
5.1
129,516
7.7
196,470
11.7
1,676,557
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
1,328,298 1,498,697 1,676,557 100.0 894,119 100.0 735,340 100.0

For further details, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Business of the Target Group — Customers’’ in this circular.

PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group’s principal products are various categories of networking cables, including Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7, Cat 7A and Cat 8 cables, which may be designed as different twisted-pair cables, such as UTP, F/UTP, S/F/UTP and SFTP. For more details, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Business of the Target Group — The Target Group’s Products’’ in this circular. The table below sets forth the breakdown of revenue and volumes of products sold by the Target Group during Track Record Period:

Cat 5/5e cables
Cat 6/6A cables
Cat 7/7A cables
Others
Total
‘000
kft
929
1,915
46
53
2,943
2017
HK$’000
295,555
913,840
43,965
74,938
% of
revenue
22.3
68.8
3.3
5.6
Yea

‘000
kft

836

1,869

94

84
r ended 31 M
2018
HK$’000
310,217
1,001,464
91,462
95,554
arch
% of
revenue
20.7
66.8
6.1
6.4
‘000
kft
654
1,879
253
65
2019
HK$’000
256,605
1,035,780
264,176
119,996
% of
revenue
15.3
61.8
15.8
7.1
‘000
kft
339
901
173
37
Si
2018
HK$’000
(unaudited)
136,713
508,009
190,876
58,521
x months ende
% of
revenue
15.3
56.8
21.4
6.5
d 30 September
2019
‘000
kft
HK$’000
312
120,826
880
476,538
98
88,375
26
49,601
d 30 September
2019
‘000
kft
HK$’000
312
120,826
880
476,538
98
88,375
26
49,601
% of
revenue
16.4
64.8
12.0
6.8
1,328,298 100.0 2,883 1,498,697 100.0 2,851 1,676,557 100.0 1,450 894,119 100.0 1,316 735,340 100.0

– 2 –

SUMMARY

The Target Group has production facilities in owned (with aggregate gross floor area of approximately 68,689.10 sq.m.) and leased premises located in Shanghai and Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, which are primarily used for production, processing, warehouse, offices, dormitory and ancillary purposes. These premises with production facilities are located at close distances and traveling time by vehicle from one factory to any other factory is usually within an hour under normal traffic condition. The table below sets out the Target Group’s designed production capacity, actual production volume and utilisation rate for the periods indicated:

Six months ended
Year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
Design annual (half year for
the six months ended
30 September 2019)
production capacity (kft) 3,873,443 4,139,016 4,036,328 2,028,787
Actual production capacity (kft) 2,939,819 2,951,739 2,759,508 1,335,619
Utilisation rate (Note) 75.9% 71.3% 68.4% 65.8%

Note: The utilisation rate equals the actual production capacity divided by the design annual production capacity.

The Target Group reviews the function and efficiency of its machinery and makes replacements regularly, which caused the slight change in design annual production capacity for the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019. In addition, as there was rising trend for the production of Cat 6 and Cat 7 cables, machinery were adjusted and added for this purpose and some machinery for production of Cat 5 cables were replaced. Generally, it takes more time to produce Cat 7 cables than Cat 6 and Cat 5 cables, hence the actual production capacity in terms of length of cables reduced in the year ended 31 March 2019 due to the significantly more production orders for Cat 7 cables. The utilisation rate of the Target Group decreased slightly to 65.8% for the six months ended 30 September 2019 due to the economic uncertainties which significantly affected the sales orders received from the customers. For details of the Target Group’s production, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Business of the Target Group — Production’’ in this circular.

SUPPLIERS

Raw materials for the Target Group’s products are primarily copper, insulating materials, sheath materials such as PVC and packaging materials including cable reels. For the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the total cost of raw materials accounted for 86.3%, 86.2%, 86.4% and 85.2% of the total cost of goods sold of the Target Group, respectively. During the Track Record Period, around 66% to 72% of the cost of raw materials was attributable to copper, and around 20% to 23% of cost of raw materials was attributable to plastic materials. Price of copper, as a commodity, was relatively volatile during the Track Record Period, and was relatively higher during the year ended 31 March 2018 and lower during the year ended 31 March 2017.

– 3 –

SUMMARY

The Target Group sources its raw materials from over 250 suppliers in the PRC, the United States, Hong Kong and other countries. The Target Group has procedures to select suppliers based on a set of criteria, including but not limited to track record, product quality, past relationship, price of the products, timeliness of delivery, financial strengths, and acceptable after-sales services. The suppliers may be required to source their raw materials from specified vendors.

For further details, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Business of the Target Group — Procurement and Suppliers’’in this circular.

COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

The Target Group’s competitive strengths include the following:

  • . established operating history and proven track record

  • . strong research and development capability and supplies a wide range of networking cables

  • . experienced and professional management team

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

The Target Group plans to pursue the following strategies:

  • . expand customer list

  • . increase product offering

– 4 –

SUMMARY

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Highlights of combined statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Revenue
Gross profit
Profit before taxation (Note)
Profit for the year/period (Note)
Profit (loss) for the year/period attributable
to owners of the Target Company
— from continuing operation
— from discontinued operation
Profit for the year/period attributable to
non-controlling interest
— from continuing operation
Year
2017
HK$’000
1,328,298
196,851
51,887
26,946
40,844
(14,666)
26,178
768
768
26,946
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
1,498,697
1,676,557
211,515
229,018
43,257
56,957
33,586
43,953
33,159
43,460


33,159
43,460
427
493
427
493
33,586
43,953
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
894,119
735,340
122,574
106,593
41,348
26,725
30,922
22,661
30,508
22,384


30,508
22,384
414
277
414
277
30,922
22,661
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
894,119
735,340
122,574
106,593
41,348
26,725
30,922
22,661
30,508
22,384


30,508
22,384
414
277
414
277
30,922
22,661
22,384
22,384
277
277
22,661

Note:

Profit before taxation and profit for the year/period include the financial performance of Linkz Ind Tech as well as certain bank charges and finance costs related to bank borrowings obtained by Linkz International, which were utilised by the Vendor’s other subsidiaries not forming part of the Target Group. For details of the adjusted profit before taxation and adjusted profit for the year/period, which exclude the abovementioned items, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Letter from the Board — Information on the Parties — Financial Information’’ in this circular.

– 5 –

SUMMARY

Highlights of combined statements of financial position

As at
As at 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Non-current assets 618,866 691,513 595,121 507,725
Current assets 1,087,537 1,415,535 1,611,228 1,953,172
Current liabilities 1,133,367 1,344,269 1,574,930 1,888,994
Net current (liabilities)
assets (45,830) 71,266 36,298 64,178
Non-current liabilities 23,054 215,085 83,455 9,523
Net assets 549,982 547,694 547,964 562,380

Highlights of combined statements of cash flows

Six months ended
Year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2018 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
(unaudited)
Net cash from (used in) operating
activities 62,262 (25,385) 148,429 207,386 280,974
Net cash used in investing activities (69,322) (220,806) (234,089) (327,341) (652,922)
Net cash (used in) from financing
activities (33,331) 317,056 74,541 23,834 330,824
Net (decrease) increase in cash and
cash equivalents (40,391) 70,865 (11,119) (96,121) (41,124)

For details of the financial information of the Target Group and its basis of preparation, please refer to Appendix II to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in this circular.

– 6 –

SUMMARY

Summary of key financial ratios

As at or for
the six
months ended
As at or for the year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
Gross profit margin 14.8% 14.1% 13.7% 14.5%
Net profit margin 2.0% 2.2% 2.6% 3.1%
Current ratio 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.0
Quick ratio 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9
Gearing ratio 161.1% 236.1% 254.0% 299.0%
Net debt to equity ratio 142.2% 199.2% 223.6% 278.2%
Return on equity 4.8% 6.2% 8.0% 8.1%
Return on total assets 1.6% 1.6% 2.0% 1.8%
Interest coverage 2.7 times 2.0 times 1.9 times 1.8 times

For details on the formula of the key financial ratios, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Financial Information of the Target Group — Key financial ratios’’ in this circular.

RISK FACTORS

There are certain risks involved in the Target Group’s operations and in connection with the Acquisition: (i) risks relating to the Acquisition; (ii) risks relating to the business of the Target Group; (iii) risks relating to the industry in which the Target Group operates; (iv) risks relating to conducting business in the countries where the Target Group operates; and (v) risks relating to this circular. A detailed discussion of the risk factors is set forth in the section headed ‘‘Risk factors relating to the Target Group’’ in this circular.

CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

Upon Completion, sales and purchases of networking cables or cable assemblies between the Group and the Target Group will no longer be subject to the connected transactions requirements under the Listing Rules. On 24 March 2020, the Target Group and the Vendor entered into the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions, including (i) the office sharing costs paid by the Target Group to the Vendor; and (ii) the provision of office administrative support, information technology support and/or other services to the Target Group by the Vendor, which will be effective upon Completion. After Completion, the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions carried out by the Target Group (as part of the Enlarged Group) will constitute continuing connected transactions of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules and will be subject to applicable or exemption of connected transactions requirements under the Listing Rules. For details, please refer to the sections headed ‘‘Continuing Connected Transactions’’ and ‘‘Relationship with the Controlling Shareholders’’ in this circular.

– 7 –

DEFINITIONS

In this circular, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:

  • ‘‘2019 June NAV’’

  • the unaudited net assets value of the Target Group as at 30 June 2019 based on the unaudited management accounts of the Target Group, including the net assets value of the Assets and Liabilities as at 30 June 2019

  • ‘‘Acquisition’’

  • the acquisition of the Sale Shares and the Sale Loan as contemplated under the S&P Agreement

  • ‘‘Announcement’’

  • the announcement of the Company dated 24 March 2020 in relation to the Acquisition and the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions

  • ‘‘Assets and Liabilities’’

  • certain assets and liabilities of Linkz International relating to its business of trading in networking cables, mainly comprised of the property, plant and equipment, trade and other receivables, inventories, trade and other payables, customer lists, supplier lists, business records and intellectual properties to be transferred to the Target Group upon completion of the Reorganisation

  • ‘‘associate(s)’’ has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules

  • ‘‘Board’’ the board of Directors

  • ‘‘business day(s)’’

  • any day(s) except Saturday, Sunday or public holiday on which banks are open in Hong Kong to the general public for business

  • ‘‘BVI’’ the British Virgin Islands

  • ‘‘Caitong International Capital’’

  • Caitong International Capital Co., Limited (財通國際融資 有限公司), a licensed corporation permitted to carry on Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) regulated activities under the SFO

  • ‘‘Chairman’’

  • the chairman of the Board

  • ‘‘Chief Executive Officer’’

  • the chief executive officer of the Company

  • ‘‘Company’’

  • Time Interconnect Technology Limited (匯聚科技有限公 司), an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and the Shares of which are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange

  • ‘‘Completion’’

  • the completion of the Acquisition pursuant to the terms and conditions of the S&P Agreement

– 8 –

DEFINITIONS

  • ‘‘Completion Date’’

  • the date of Completion, which shall take place on the tenth business days after the issue of the notice by the Company that the last of the conditions precedent under the S&P Agreement has been satisfied, or any other date as the Vendor and the Company may agree

  • ‘‘Completion NAV’’

  • the aggregate of (i) consolidated net assets value of the Target Group; (ii) the fair value gain of the Properties over their book value; and (iii) the Sale Loan as at the Completion Date

  • ‘‘Completion Valuation Report’’ the valuation report to be issued by an independent qualified surveyor acceptable to the Company and the Vendor to report on the market value of the Properties as at the Completion Date

  • ‘‘connected person(s)’’

  • has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules

  • ‘‘Consideration’’

  • the purchase price of the entire issued share capital of the Target Company and the Sale Loan initially determined at HK$802,679,700 payable by the Company to the Vendor for the Acquisition, subject to adjustment in accordance with the S&P Agreement

  • ‘‘Controlling Shareholder(s)’’

  • has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules

  • ‘‘CRI’’

  • China Research and Intelligence Co., Ltd (上海元哲信息諮 詢有限公司), a company established in China, being an Independent Third Party and a professional market research company

  • ‘‘CRI Report’’

  • the market research report commissioned by the Company and prepared by CRI in relation to the industry development trends, market demand and competitive landscape of the networking cable industry in the PRC, the content of which is disclosed in this circular

  • ‘‘Director(s)’’

  • the director(s) of the Company

  • ‘‘EGM’’

  • the extraordinary general meeting of the Company to be convened and held to consider and, if thought fit, approve the S&P Agreement, the Acquisition and the transactions contemplated thereunder

  • ‘‘Enlarged Group’’

  • the Group as enlarged by the Acquisition upon Completion

  • ‘‘Financial Adviser(s)’’

  • Caitong International Capital and Frontpage

– 9 –

DEFINITIONS

‘‘Frontpage’’ Frontpage Capital Limited (富比資本有限公司), a licensed corporation permitted to carry on Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) regulated activities under the SFO

  • ‘‘GFA’’

gross floor area

  • ‘‘Group’’ the Company and its subsidiaries

  • ‘‘HIBOR’’ Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate

  • ‘‘HKFRS(s)’’ Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standard(s)

  • ‘‘HK$’’ Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of Hong Kong

  • ‘‘Hong Kong’’

the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China

  • ‘‘Hover (Kunshan)’’

  • Hover (Kunshan) Electronic Material Co., Ltd. (豪和(昆山) 電子材料有限公司), a company established in the PRC with limited liability and registered and paid-up capital of HK$30,000,000

  • ‘‘Hover Manufacturing’’

Hover Manufacturing Company Limited (豪和製造有限公 司), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and issued and paid-up capital of HK$8,000,000

  • ‘‘Independent Board Committee’’

  • ‘‘Independent Shareholders’’

the independent board committee of the Company comprising Mr. Ho Hin Shun, Mr. Luk Wai Shing and Mr. Chan Chung Shun Eric, being all the independent non-executive Directors, which is formed to advise the Independent Shareholders on the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder Shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at the EGM, other than: (i) the Vendor and its associates; and (ii) all other Shareholders (if any) who are involved or interested in the Acquisition

  • ‘‘Independent Financial Adviser’’

First Capital International Finance Limited (首控國際金融 有限公司), a licensed corporation permitted to carry on Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) regulated activities under the SFO, being the independent financial adviser appointed by the Company to advise the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition

– 10 –

DEFINITIONS

  • ‘‘Independent Third Party(ies)’’ individual(s) or company(ies) who or which as far as the Directors are aware after having made all reasonable enquiries is/are not connected with the Company and its connected persons

  • ‘‘kft’’ kilo-feet

  • ‘‘Kunshan Deqin’’

  • Kunshan Deqin Machinery Limited* (昆山市德勤機械有限 公司), a company established in the PRC with limited liability and registered and paid-up capital of RMB10,000,000

  • ‘‘Latest Practicable Date’’

  • 24 March 2020, being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this circular for the purpose of ascertaining certain information for inclusion in this circular

  • ‘‘Linkz (HK)’’

  • Linkz (HK) Limited (華迅香港有限公司), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and issued and paid-up share capital of HK$10,000,000

  • ‘‘Linkz (Shanghai)’’

  • Linkz Industries (Shanghai) Limited (領迅電線工業(上海) 有限公司), a company established in the PRC with limited liability and registered and paid-up capital of US$15,000,000

  • ‘‘Linkz Ind Tech’’

  • Linkz Industries Technology Limited (華迅工業科技有限公 司), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and issued and paid-up share capital of HK$10,000

  • ‘‘Linkz Ind (Suzhou)’’

  • Linkz Industries (Suzhou) Limited (華迅工業(蘇州)有限公 司), a company established in the PRC with limited liability and registered and paid-up capital of US$30,000,000

  • ‘‘Linkz International’’

  • Linkz International Limited (領先工業國際有限公司), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and issued and paid-up share capital of HK$2,000,000

  • ‘‘Linkz Technology’’

  • Linkz Technology Limited (領先工業科技有限公司), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and issued and paid-up share capital of HK$10,000

  • ‘‘Listing Committee’’

  • the Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange

  • ‘‘Listing Rules’’

  • the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time

– 11 –

DEFINITIONS

  • ‘‘Long Stop Date’’

  • ‘‘Mr. Paul Lo’’

  • ‘‘NAV’’

  • ‘‘Nickson Holdings’’

  • ‘‘Post Completion Accounts’’

  • ‘‘PRC’’ or ‘‘China’’

  • ‘‘PRC Legal Adviser’’

  • ‘‘Preliminary Valuation’’

  • ‘‘Properties’’

  • ‘‘Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions’’

  • ‘‘Reorganisation’’

  • 30 June 2020

  • Mr. Lo Chung Wai Paul, a non-executive Director, the Chairman and a Controlling Shareholder of the Company

  • net assets value

  • Nickson Holdings Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the BVI with limited liability, a Controlling Shareholder of the Company and is wholly owned by Mr. Paul Lo

  • the audited consolidated financial statements of the Target Group comprising the audited consolidated profit and loss account for the period from 31 March 2019 to the Completion Date and the audited consolidated balance sheet as at the Completion Date

  • the People’s Republic of China, which for the purpose of this circular shall exclude Hong Kong, the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC and Taiwan

  • Shu Jin Law Firm, the legal adviser as to PRC laws of the Company

  • the fair market value of the Properties as at 30 June 2019 stated in the preliminary property valuation report of the Properties prepared by an independent firm of qualified surveyors in Hong Kong engaged by the Company

  • the land use rights of three parcels of industrial land and the properties erected thereon which are legally owned by the Target Group and located at (i) No.5 Luopu Road, Anting Town, Jiading District, Shanghai, the PRC, (ii) No.88 Huaxun Road, Huaqiao Town, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, the PRC, and (iii) No.910, Ji Ming Tang Nan Road, Hua Qiao Town, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, the PRC

  • the transactions between the Target Group and the Vendor which will constitute continuing connected transactions of the Company upon Completion

  • the reorganisation of the Target Group to be implemented before Completion, a summary of which is set out in the section headed ‘‘Letter from the Board — Reorganisation’’ in this circular

– 12 –

DEFINITIONS

  • ‘‘Reorganisation Memorandum’’ the reorganisation memorandum setting out the steps involved in restructuring the Group to achieve the corporate structure of the Target Group at Completion

  • ‘‘RMB’’ or ‘‘Renminbi’’ Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC

  • ‘‘S&P Agreement’’ the conditional sale and purchase agreement dated 24 March 2020 entered into between the Company and the Vendor in relation to the Acquisition

  • ‘‘Sale Loan’’ the shareholder’s loan owed by the Target Group to the Vendor at Completion

  • ‘‘Sale Shares’’ the entire issued share capital of the Target Company at Completion

  • ‘‘SFO’’ Securities and Futures Ordinance, Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong

  • ‘‘Share(s)’’ the ordinary share(s) of the Company

  • ‘‘Shareholder(s)’’ the holder(s) of the Share(s)

  • ‘‘sq.m.’’ square metre

  • ‘‘Stock Exchange’’ The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

  • ‘‘subsidiary(ies)’’ has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules

  • ‘‘Target Company’’ Linkz Cables Limited (華迅電纜有限公司), a company incorporated under the laws of the BVI with limited liability and an issued share capital of US$50,000

  • ‘‘Target Group’’ the Target Company and its subsidiaries after the implementation of the Reorganisation, namely Linkz Ind (Suzhou), Linkz Technology, Linkz (Shanghai), Linkz (HK), Hover Manufacturing, Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin

  • ‘‘Time Holdings’’ Time Interconnect Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in the BVI with limited liability, a Controlling Shareholder of the Company and is wholly owned by the Vendor

  • ‘‘Track Record Period’’ the period comprising the three financial years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019

  • ‘‘United States’’ or ‘‘U.S.’’

the United States of America

– 13 –

DEFINITIONS

‘‘US$’’ United States Dollars, the lawful currency of the United States ‘‘Vendor’’ or ‘‘Linkz Linkz Industries Limited, a company incorporated under Industries’’ the laws of Hong Kong with limited liability and a Controlling Shareholder of the Company ‘‘WFOE’’ Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise in the PRC ‘‘%’’ per cent

In this circular, if there is any inconsistency between the official Chinese name of the PRC laws or regulations or the PRC government authorities or the PRC entities and their English translation, the Chinese version shall prevail. English translations of official Chinese names are marked with * and for identification purposes only.

Unless the context requires otherwise, amounts in RMB in this circular have been translated into HK$ at the rate of RMB1 = HK$1.1. No representation is made that any amounts in HK$ and RMB have been or could be converted at the above rate or at any other rates or at all.

– 14 –

GLOSSARY

This glossary contains explanations of certain terms used in this circular in connection with the Enlarged Group and its business. These terms and their meanings may not always correspond to standard industry meanings or usage of these terms.

  • ‘‘5G’’ an acronym for fifth generation of mobile communication standards

  • ‘‘big data’’ a data set that is too large and complex to be processed by traditional database management technologies and tools, and that requires the use of new data processing and management technologies in order to create value from the set in a speedy and economic manner. It has revolutionary long-term implications for the development of informationisation, smart applications and business models of society

  • ‘‘bit’’ the basic unit of information in computing and digital communication

  • ‘‘B2B’’ business-to-business, a business model where one business makes a commercial transaction with another, in contrast with retailing (business-to-customer)

  • ‘‘CAGR’’ compound annual growth rate ‘‘Ethernet’’ a family of computer networking technologies commonly used in LANs and WANs

  • ‘‘FTP’’ foiled twisted pair cables, designed and constructed with a twisted pair or multiple twisted pairs of cores with an overall foil tape shield wound around the assembly with improved reduction against cross–talk and electromagnetic interference

  • ‘‘GB’’ gigabyte, a measure of computer data storage capacity that is roughly equivalent to 1 billion bytes

  • ‘‘Gbps’’ gigabits per second, presenting billions of bits per second and commonly used as a measure of bandwidth on a digital data transmission medium such as networking cables

  • ‘‘internet-of-things’’ or ‘‘IOT’’ a massive network connecting all sorts of information sensory devices, such as radio frequency identification units, ultra-red sensors, global positioning systems and laser scanners, to the internet with the aim of connecting all things to the network for easy identification and management

– 15 –

GLOSSARY

  • ‘‘ISO’’ an acronym for a series of quality management and quality assurance standards published by International Organizations for Standardization, a non-government organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, for assessing the quality systems of business organisations

  • ‘‘LAN(s)’’ local area network(s), a group of computers and peripheral devices that share a common communications line or wireless link to a server within a distinct geographic area

  • ‘‘LED’’ light-emitting diode, a semi-conductor light sources that is used for lighting and illumination

  • ‘‘Mhz’’ megahertz, one million cycles per second, used to measure the transmission speed of the networking cable

  • ‘‘OEM’’ original equipment manufacturer, refers to a business model that the manufacturer makes parts or subsystems that are used in another company’s products

  • ‘‘UTP’’ unshielded twisted pair cable, a type of copper cabling used in telephone wiring and LANs

  • ‘‘WAN(s)’’ wide area network(s), a geographically distributed private telecommunications network that interconnects multiple LANs

– 16 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

==> picture [225 x 41] intentionally omitted <==

(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 1729)

Executive Directors: Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon (Chief Executive Officer) Mr. Wong Chi Kuen

Non-executive Director:

Mr. Lo Chung Wai Paul (Chairman)

Registered office: P.O. Box 1350 Clifton House 75 Fort Street Grand Cayman KY1-1108 Cayman Islands

Independent non-executive Directors: Mr. Ho Hin Shun Mr. Luk Wai Shing Mr. Chan Chung Shun Eric

Head office and principal place

of business in Hong Kong: Unit 601, Photonics Centre 2 Science Park East Avenue Hong Kong Science Park Shatin, Hong Kong

30 March 2020

To the Shareholders

Dear Sir or Madam,

(1) EXTREME AND CONNECTED

TRANSACTION IN RELATION TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE TARGET COMPANY;

(2) PROPOSED CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS; AND (3) NOTICE OF EGM

INTRODUCTION

References are made to the announcement of the Company dated 5 July 2019 and the Announcement.

On 24 March 2020 (after trading hours), the Company entered into the S&P Agreement with the Vendor, pursuant to which the Company has conditionally agreed to acquire, and the Vendor has conditionally agreed to sell, (i) the Sale Shares, being the entire issued share

– 17 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

capital of the Target Company upon completion of the Reorganisation; and (ii) the Sale Loan, at the total initial Consideration of HK$802,679,700, subject to an adjustment mechanism as stipulated in the S&P Agreement.

The Listing Committee has resolved that the Acquisition, and as announced by the Company on 24 March 2020, constitutes an extreme transaction. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the reporting, announcement, circular and shareholders’ approval requirements under the Listing Rules and the enhanced disclosure and due diligence requirement applicable to an extreme transaction.

The purpose of this circular is to provide you with, among other things, (i) further details of the Acquisition; (ii) the letter of recommendation of the Independent Board Committee to the Independent Shareholders; (iii) the letter of advice from Independent Financial Adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders; (iv) further details of the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions; (v) further information of the Target Group; (vi) the financial information on the Group and the Target Group; (vii) the unaudited pro forma financial information of the Enlarged Group; (viii) the valuation report in respect of the Properties prepared by RHL Appraisal Limited (an independent professional property valuer) as set out in Appendix IV to this circular; (ix) other information required under the Listing Rules and/or by the Stock Exchange in relation to enhanced disclosure; and (x) the notice to convene the EGM.

THE S&P AGREEMENT

Set out below are the principal terms of the S&P Agreement:

Date: 24 March 2020 Parties: (i) the Company as purchaser; (ii) the Vendor as vendor; and (iii) Nickson Holdings and Mr. Paul Lo (as warrantors).

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor, which is ultimately and beneficially owned by Mr. Paul Lo as to 59.82% of its effective interest, is a Controlling Shareholder of the Company interested in 63.86% of the Company through Time Holdings. As such, the Vendor is a connected person of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

Assets to be acquired

Pursuant to the S&P Agreement, the Company conditionally agreed to acquire, and the Vendor conditionally agreed to sell, (i) the Sale Shares; and (ii) the Sale Loan, subject to the terms and conditions of the S&P Agreement. Upon Completion, the Target Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the assets, liabilities and the financial results of the Target Group will be consolidated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company. For detailed information on the Target Group, please refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘Information on the Target Group’’ below.

– 18 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

Consideration

The Consideration is initially determined at HK$802,679,700, being a discount of 5% to the sum of (i) approximately HK$713,456,000 for the consideration for the acquisition of the Sale Shares calculated based on (1) 2019 June NAV of approximately HK$419,466,000, which takes into account the net assets value of the Target Group as well as the Assets and Liabilities and excludes any assets and liabilities not relating to the Target Group’s networking cable business; and (2) the fair value gain of approximately HK$293,990,000 of the Properties with reference to the difference in the market value of the Properties as at 30 June 2019 given by the Preliminary Valuation and their respective book value as at 30 June 2019 in the respective accounts of the Target Group; and (ii) the Sale Loan of approximately HK$131,470,000 as at 30 June 2019, representing all obligations, liabilities and debts owing or incurred by the Target Group to the Vendor as at 30 June 2019.

The initial Consideration will be payable by the Company to the Vendor in cash 10 business days after the Completion. Based on initial discussion with four leading banks in Hong Kong, HK$700 million of the Consideration will be financed by club deal coordinated among these leading banks and the remaining approximately HK$103 million of the Consideration will be financed by internal resources of the Group and possible equity financing by way of placing of new Shares to not less than six independent investors pursuant to the general mandate granted to the Directors at the Company’s annual general meeting on 28 August 2019. According to the latest status of the negotiations with the arranging banks of the club deal and according to the indicative term sheet, a term loan facility in the amount of HK$700 million shall be made available to the Group which will have a maturity of 4 years and carry an interest rate of applicable HIBOR plus an agreed margin per annum with a total estimated finance costs (including the transaction costs) of approximately HK$80.8 million. The term loan, which will be available within three months from the date of signing of the facility agreement, will be guaranteed by the Group and the Target Group jointly and severally. The term loan will be repaid by quarterly instalments throughout the loan period and the Group expects to repay the instalments by self-generated cash of the Enlarged Group. With reference to the unaudited pro forma financial information set out in Appendix III to this circular, assuming the Completion took place on 1 April 2018, the Enlarged Group generated a combined net cash inflow from its operations of approximately HK$268.1 million for the year ended 31 March 2019, which is expected to be sufficient for the repayment of the maximum annual instalments of the club deal during the loan period of approximately HK$216.7 million based on the current interest rate. Hence, the Directors believe the Enlarged Group is able to and it is the plan of the Enlarged Group to generate sufficient funds from operations to repay the club deal after the Completion. The issue of new Shares under the general mandate will not result in a change of control of the Company and save for such issue, the Company will not issue further new Shares for the purpose of settling the Consideration. The Company will negotiate with potential underwriters and/or investors for the issue of new Shares. As at the date of this circular, no binding agreement has been reached as to the price and number of Shares to be issued. The net proceeds from the initial public offering of the Company raised in February 2018 will not be used to finance the Acquisition.

– 19 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

Adjustment to Consideration

Pursuant to the S&P Agreement, the initial Consideration is subject to adjustment. Within two months following Completion, the Company shall deliver the (i) Post Completion Accounts; and (ii) Completion Valuation Report to the Vendor, by reference to which adjustment shall be made to the Consideration. The Company shall appoint its auditors (or other qualified public accountants firm acceptable to or agreed by the Company and the Vendor) as soon as practicable to prepare the Completion NAV within 10 business days from the finalisation of the Post Completion Accounts.

In case 95% of the Completion NAV, which is the aggregate of (a) the consolidated net assets value of the Target Group as at the Completion Date; (b) the fair value gain of the Properties over their book value as at the Completion Date; and (c) the Sale Loan:

  • (i) shall exceed the initial Consideration, the Company shall pay the excess amount on a dollar-for-dollar basis in cash to the Vendor within 10 business days from the finalisation of the Completion NAV; or

  • (ii) shall be less than the initial Consideration, the Vendor shall refund the shortfall on a dollar-for-dollar basis in cash to the Company within 10 business days from the finalisation of the Completion NAV.

The final Consideration represents a discount of 5% to the Completion NAV and is determined between the Company and the Vendor after arm’s length negotiations, and is based on, among other things, (i) the consolidated net assets value of the Target Group as at the Completion Date; (ii) the market value of the Properties; (iii) the Sale Loan; (iv) business and financial performance of the Target Group in the recent years; and (v) the future prospect of the 5G markets and the telecommunication industry and the benefits that can be brought to the Group by integrating the Target Group’s networking cable business.

In determining the Consideration, the price-to-earnings ratio (‘‘PE ratio’’) of the Target Group and the Group was also compared for reference. Given that part of the finance costs were related to bank borrowings which were utilised by the Vendor’s other subsidiaries not forming part of the Target Group, the Target Group’s PE ratio would be approximately 10.5 times if such finance costs were excluded. Such PE ratio would further be adjusted to approximately 6.7 times as excluded the property valuation of the Target Group, which is similar to the Group’s PE ratio of approximately 7.8 times as calculated by using one-year average share price.

Taking into account the above-mentioned, the Directors (including the independent non-executive Directors who express their view after considering the advice from the Independent Financial Adviser) consider that the Consideration is fair and reasonable and on normal commercial terms and the entering into the S&P Agreement is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

– 20 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

Conditions precedent

Unless otherwise agreed by the Vendor and the Company in writing, Completion is conditional upon the following conditions precedent being satisfied on or before the Long Stop Date:

  • (a) the Company having obtained all necessary corporate authorisations including board resolutions and Independent Shareholder’s resolutions approving the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated under the S&P Agreement;

  • (b) the Vendor having obtained all necessary corporate authorisations including board resolutions and shareholder’s resolutions approving the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated under the S&P Agreement;

  • (c) the Reorganisation having been completed in accordance with the terms set out in the Reorganisation Memorandum and Schedule 8 to the S&P Agreement, as amended or varied with the express written consent of the Company;

  • (d) each of the representations and warranties made by the Vendor in the S&P Agreement remaining true and accurate in all material respects at the Completion Date;

  • (e) the legal and financial due diligence on the business and operations of the Target Group and the Properties by or on behalf of the Company having completed to the satisfaction of the Company;

  • (f) the Company and the Vendor having obtained all necessary regulatory approvals, consents and certificates required pursuant to all applicable laws, statutes, regulations or ordinances and all necessary approvals, licenses, authorisations, consents, waivers or notifications necessary from third parties, governmental or regulatory authorities in the PRC, Hong Kong, the BVI and the Cayman Islands in connection with the transactions required to be obtained having been granted and in effect;

  • (g) the Company having obtained a term loan facility made available to the Group with arranging banks of a club deal in connection with the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein; and

  • (h) the Company having obtained all necessary regulatory approvals, consents and certificates required under the Listing Rules and the Stock Exchange’s approval on and clearance for the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated under the S&P Agreement.

If any of the conditions is not satisfied on or before the Long Stop Date, then, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the S&P Agreement and the terms and conditions hereof will immediately and automatically terminate, in which case, no party to the S&P Agreement shall have any further obligations or liabilities under or arising from the S&P Agreement.

– 21 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

Completion

Completion shall take place on the tenth business day (or on such other day as the Vendor and the Company may agree in writing) following the notice issued by the Company to the Vendor informing the satisfaction of all the conditions precedent in the S&P Agreement. As at the Latest Practicable Date, save for the completion of the deregistration of Linkz Ind Tech on 3 January 2020 as part of the Reorganisation as mentioned in condition (c) above, none of the conditions precedent has been fulfilled.

Continuing connected transactions

Upon Completion, sales and purchases of networking cables or cable assemblies between the Group and the Target Group will no longer be subject to the connected transactions requirements under the Listing Rules. On 24 March 2020, the Target Group and the Vendor entered into the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions, including (i) the office sharing costs paid by the Target Group to the Vendor (the ‘‘Property Sharing Agreement’’); and (ii) the provision of office administrative support, information technology support and/or other services to the Target Group by the Vendor (the ‘‘Administrative Services Agreement’’), which will be effective upon Completion. After Completion, the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions carried out by the Target Group (as part of the Enlarged Group) will constitute continuing connected transactions of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules and will be subject to applicable or exemption of connected transactions requirements under the Listing Rules.

Pursuant to Rule 14A.81 of the Listing Rules, the transactions contemplated under the Property Sharing Agreement are required to be aggregated with the transactions under the existing property sharing arrangements between the Group and the Vendor contemplated under the existing property sharing agreement (the ‘‘Existing Property Sharing Agreement’’) (which are also continuing connected transactions for the Company). As each of the applicable percentage ratios (other than the profits ratio) in respect of the total annual sharing costs under the Property Sharing Agreement and the Existing Property Sharing Agreement will be less than 5%, the transactions contemplated under the Property Sharing Agreement and the Existing Property Sharing Agreement are subject to the reporting, annual review and announcement requirements but are exempt from the independent shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

Pursuant to Rule 14A.81 of the Listing Rules, the transactions contemplated under the Administrative Services Agreement are required to be aggregated with the transactions under the existing administrative services agreement between the Group and the Vendor (the ‘‘Existing Administrative Services Agreement’’) (which are also continuing connected transactions for the Company). As the administrative fees are identifiable and allocated to the Enlarged Group by the Vendor on a fair and equitable basis, the transactions contemplated under the Administrative Services Agreement and the Existing Administrative Services Agreement will be exempt from the reporting, annual review, announcement and independent shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

– 22 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

  1. THE PROPERTY SHARING AGREEMENT

Date: 24 March 2020

Parties: the Target Company and the Vendor Principal terms: Pursuant to the Property Sharing Agreement, the Target Group shares a portion of the Vendor’s Hong Kong office and continues to pay annual sharing costs to the Vendor, for a term commencing from the Completion Date and ending on 31 March 2023.

  • Pricing policy: The annual sharing costs were determined after arm’s length negotiations between the relevant parties with reference to the prevailing market rates of local properties in the neighbourhood with a similar scale and quality and the Target Group will also obtain listings of other acceptable office premises. The Target Group will compare such information to decide whether the quotation offered by the Vendor is no less favourable than those given by the real estate agent and whether the office sharing terms will continue to be fair and reasonable.

  • Reasons for the The Target Group had been sharing a portion of the Hong transaction: Kong office of the Vendor for use as headquarter since 1994 and does not have any plan to relocate its present headquarter shared with the Vendor.

  • Historical amounts:

HK$’000
Year ended 31 March 2017 2,638
Year ended 31 March 2018 3,000
Year ended 31 March 2019 1,536
Six months ended 30 September 2019 768
  • Annual caps: Together with the Existing Property Sharing Agreement between the Group and the Vendor, the annual sharing costs payable by the Enlarged Group to the Vendor shall not exceed HK$3,036,000, HK$3,236,000 and HK$3,436,000 for the years ending 31 March 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

  • Basis of caps:

The annual caps were determined based on the historical transaction amounts between the Target Group and the Vendor taking into account the pricing policy of the Target Group as stated above and the prevailing market rates of the same or similar properties in the same locality.

– 23 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

  1. THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

Date: 24 March 2020

Parties: the Target Company and the Vendor

Principal terms:

Pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Vendor will continue to provide services in ancillary to the office sharing arrangement under the Property Sharing Agreement, which includes office administrative support, information technology support and/or other services to the Target Group for a term commencing from the Completion Date and ending on 31 March 2023.

Pricing policy:

The administrative services fees charged were determined on a cost basis whereby the costs are identifiable and are allocated to the parties and calculated based on actual consumption and/or the time spent by the staff on the provision of relevant services.

  • Reasons for the transaction:

  • Given the Target Group had been sharing a portion of the Hong Kong office of the Vendor under the Property Sharing Agreement, the administrative arrangements between the Target Group and the Vendor as contemplated under the Administrative Services Agreement further enables the Target Group to enjoy cost saving by sharing the administrative costs of the Vendor and enhance operational convenience.

Historical amounts:

HK$’000
Year ended 31 March 2017 10,710
Year ended 31 March 2018 11,250
Year ended 31 March 2019 5,664
Six months ended 30 September 2019 2,832

The decrease in historical amount for the year ended 31 March 2019 as compared to that for 2018 was due to the discontinuing of the management fee charged by the Vendor as a result of the management restructuring of the Target Group such that wages of the management of the Target Group are borne by itself instead of the Vendor. Previously, the management fee was charged by the Vendor for its central management services provided to the Target Group and other business units of the Vendor.

– 24 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

Annual caps: Together with the Existing Administrative Services Agreement between the Group and the Vendor, the annual administrative services fees payable by the Enlarged Group to the Vendor shall not exceed HK$10,543,000, HK$11,014,000 and HK$11,484,000 for the years ending 31 March 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Basis of caps:

The annual caps were determined based on the historical transaction amounts between the Target Group and the Vendor taking into account the pricing policy of the Target Group as stated above and the estimation of rising costs due to inflation.

Reorganisation

Currently, certain companies owned by the Target Group have little or no operations and the Company does not intend to acquire such companies. Further, Linkz International serves as the Vendor’s intra-group treasury function and obtains bank borrowings for the Vendor’s other businesses, Linkz International will not be included in the Target Group but its assets and liabilities relating to the networking cable business, which comprised mainly its property, plant and equipment, trade and other receivables, inventories, trade and other payables, customer lists, supplier lists, business records and intellectual properties, will be transferred to the Target Group as part of the Reorganisation. Pursuant to the S&P Agreement, the Vendor and the Target Company shall undertake and complete the Reorganisation in accordance with the terms set out in the Reorganisation Memorandum prior to Completion. The principal steps of the Reorganisation will involve:

  1. Deregistration of Linkz Ind Tech by the Target Company;

  2. Transfer of the entire issued share capital of Hover Manufacturing from the Vendor to the Target Company; and

  3. Transfer of the business of trading of networking cables conducted by Linkz International to the Target Group by way of transfer of the Assets and Liabilities to Linkz Technology.

Upon completion of the Reorganisation, the Target Company will become the holding company of the subsidiaries comprising the Target Group.

– 25 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

The following charts illustrate the shareholding structure of the Target Group before and after the Reorganisation and the shareholding structure of the Target Group upon Completion:

  • (I) Shareholding structure of the Target Group as at the Latest Practicable Date

==> picture [387 x 163] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

Vendor
(Hong Kong)
100% 100% 100%
Target Company
Linkz International (BVI) Hover Manufacturing
(Hong Kong) (Hong Kong)
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Linkz Ind Tech
Assets and Liabilities Linkz Ind (Suzhou) Linkz (HK) Linkz Technology Hover (Kunshan)
(Hong Kong)
(Note 1) (PRC) (Hong Kong) (Hong Kong) (PRC)
(Note 2)
95% 100%
Linkz (Shanghai) Kunshan Deqin
(PRC) (PRC)
----- End of picture text -----

Notes:

  1. The Assets and Liabilities mainly comprise the property, plant and equipment, trade and other receivables, inventories, trade and other payables, customer lists, supplier lists, business records and intellectual properties of Linkz International. According to the Vendor, Linkz International has a subsidiary in the United States which has ceased to have operations.

  2. As at the Latest Practicable Date, Linkz Ind Tech has been deregistered.

  3. (II) Shareholding structure of the Target Group immediately upon completion of the Reorganisation but prior to Completion

==> picture [305 x 209] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

Vendor
(Hong Kong)
100%
Target Company
(BVI)
100% 100% 100% 100%
Linkz Technology Linkz (HK) Linkz Ind (Suzhou) Hover Manufacturing
(Hong Kong) (Hong Kong) (PRC) (Hong Kong)
95% 100%
Assets and Liabilities Linkz (Shanghai) Hover (Kunshan)
(PRC) (PRC)
100%
Kunshan Deqin
(PRC)
----- End of picture text -----

– 26 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

(III) Shareholding structure of the Target Group immediately upon Completion

==> picture [305 x 209] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

Company
(Cayman Islands)
100%
Target Company
(BVI)
100% 100% 100% 100%
Linkz Technology Linkz (HK) Linkz Ind (Suzhou) Hover Manufacturing
(Hong Kong) (Hong Kong) (PRC) (Hong Kong)
95% 100%
Assets and Liabilities Linkz (Shanghai) Hover (Kunshan)
(PRC) (PRC)
100%
Kunshan Deqin
(PRC)
----- End of picture text -----

INFORMATION ON THE PARTIES

Information on the Group

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the manufacturing and sales of cable assembly products.

Information on the Vendor

The Vendor is a limited liability company incorporated in Hong Kong, which, with its group of subsidiaries, are engaged in the manufacturing and sales of a range of products including networking cables, LED video display screens as well as leasing of LED video display screens. The LED business is considered to be clearly delineated from the businesses of the Target Group and the Group as (i) the types of products manufactured are totally different and thus the customer base is clearly distinct; (ii) except for certain cable assembly products as produced by the Group may be applied to the LED products in accordance with the specifications and requirements, different raw materials are used for the production and hence the suppliers are clearly distinct; (iii) different technical know-hows are applied in the production process; and (iv) notwithstanding that Mr. Paul Lo and Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan hold certain directorships in the Target Group, the Group and the LED business, they are only involved in high-level decision making process, the LED business of the Vendor has an independent management team responsible for the daily operations. After the Completion, such LED business will continue to be carried out by the Vendor.

– 27 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the shareholding structure of the Vendor is as follows:

Name of shareholder
Mr. Paul Lo
GP Industries
Nickson Holdings
Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon
Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan
Mr. Li Ping Kuen
Mr. Chan Ting Hei
Ms. Lo Ching Yee
Mr. Wong Wai Hung
Total
Approximate
shareholding
percentage
39.68%
38.13%
20.14%
1.09%
0.72%
0.09%
0.09%
0.04%
0.02%
100.00%

Information on the Target Group

The Target Company was established by the Vendor under the laws of the BVI with limited liability on 5 December 2006 and is principally engaged in investment holding. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vendor. The Vendor owns a group of subsidiaries whose principal businesses are the manufacture and sales of a wide range of products including networking cables, LED video display screens as well as leasing of LED video display screens. The networking cable business of the Vendor is conducted by the Target Company and its operating subsidiaries, together with Hover Manufacturing, which in turn directly and indirectly owns the entire equity interest in Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin, respectively. Following the completion of the Reorganisation, all the subsidiaries of the Vendor which carry on manufacturing and sales of networking cables business will become subsidiaries of the Target Company. In addition, the Target Group holds the Properties, which are three major industrial complexes situated in Shanghai and Kunshan City (in Jiangsu Province). The production facilities of the Target Group are located within the Properties.

Financial information

Upon the completion of the Reorganisation, Linkz Ind Tech has been deregistered and the Target Company will become the holding company of the Target Group with the Assets and Liabilities being transferred to the Target Group. As each member of the Target Group, Linkz Ind Tech and Linkz International have been under the common control of the Vendor throughout the Track Record Period and before and after the Reorganisation, the financial statements were prepared on a combined basis as if the Target Company had always been the holding company throughout the Track Record Period in accordance with applicable HKFRSs and the principle of merger accounting under Accounting Guideline 5 ‘‘Merger Accounting for Common Control Combination’’ issued by the Hong Kong Institution of Certified Public Accountants.

– 28 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

For details of the financial information of the Target Group and its basis of preparation, please refer to Appendix II to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in this circular.

Based on the audited combined financial statements of the Target Group as extracted from the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II of this circular for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the selected financial statements items are as follows:

As at/for
As at/for As at/for As at/for the six
the year the year the year months
ended ended ended ended 30
31 March 31 March 31 March September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Revenue 1,328,298 1,498,697 1,676,557 735,340
Gross profit 196,851 211,515 229,018 106,593
Profit before taxation 51,887 43,257 56,957 26,725
Adjusted profit before taxation(Note) 68,337 69,458 99,507 49,222
Profit after taxation from
continuing operation 41,612 33,586 43,953 22,661
Adjusted profit after taxation(Note) 55,348 55,464 79,482 41,447
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 479,438 545,552 510,941 488,716
Deposit paid for acquisition of
property, plant and equipment 120,710 128,224 67,380 1,225
Inventories 172,274 280,504 241,318 205,320
Trade and other receivables 596,085 651,736 656,481 417,489
Amount due from the Vendor 206,380 278,321 535,364 1,207,655
Bank balances and cash 103,588 202,050 166,870 117,065
Liabilities
Trade and other payables 261,602 256,885 257,102 204,329
Amount due to the Vendor 283,133 283,231 272,673 217,743
Unsecured bank borrowings
— Amount due within one year 585,289 802,111 1,044,227 1,463,640
— Amount due after one year 17,500 207,500 75,000
Net assets 549,982 547,694 547,964 562,380

Note: The profit before and after taxation have been adjusted to exclude the financial performance of Linkz Ind Tech and add back certain bank charges and finance costs of approximately HK$16,450,000, HK$26,201,000, HK$42,550,000 and HK$22,497,000 less the income tax expected to be charged for the corresponding cost saving of approximately HK$2,714,000, HK$4,323,000, HK$7,021,000 and HK$3,712,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. These finance costs were related to bank borrowings obtained by Linkz International, which were utilised by the Vendor’s other subsidiaries not forming part of the Target Group. Following Completion, those subsidiaries of the Vendor not forming part of the Target Group will not utilise the bank borrowings obtained by the Group or the Target Group.

– 29 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

The Target Group’s revenue increased from approximately HK$1,328,298,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$1,498,697,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018 mainly because of an increase in average selling price of the products as the average price of copper, one of the major components of the Target Group’s products, increased as compared with preceding year. For the year ended 31 March 2019, the Target Group’s revenue further increased to approximately HK$1,676,557,000, which was mainly due to the increase in sales demands of Cat 7 cables as a result of the rapid development of 5G cellular network technology in recent years. As driven by the increase in the revenue, the Target Group’s gross profit also increased from approximately HK$196,851,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$211,515,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018 and further to approximately HK$229,018,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019. The adjusted profit after taxation of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$55,348,000, HK$55,464,000 and HK$79,482,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. A higher profit was attained for the year ended 31 March 2019 primarily due to the streamlining of the Target Group’s management structure that the Target Group no longer relied on the central management of the Vendor and thus decreased the management fee payable to the Vendor, which represents the reimbursement of management costs incurred by the Vendor on the Target Group. For a detailed financial analysis of the Target Group, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Financial Information of the Target Group’’ in this circular.

REASONS FOR AND BENEFITS OF THE ACQUISITION

The recent escalation of the trade tensions between the United States and China has brought uncertainties to the global economy. In order to weather any disturbance from a potential trade war, the Group regularly reviews its business and strives to grasp every business opportunity available. Over the past years, a significant portion of the Group’s revenue was derived from a limited number of major customers. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, the aggregate revenue attributable to the Group’s largest customer accounted for 48.5%, 39.4% and 41.5% of the Group’s total revenue, respectively, while the aggregate revenue attributable to the Group’s five largest customers accounted for 85.8%, 87.9% and 85.2% of the Group’s total revenue, respectively. Although the Group has been taking considerable efforts to acquire new customers, the Group will continue to have business relationship with the existing major customers and does not intend to reduce the scale of business dealings. However, it came to the Directors’ attention that one of the Group’s major customers headquartered in the PRC had its mobile products and telecommunication equipment specifically targeted by the United States (‘‘Customer A’’). This has concerned the Directors that should the sales to Customer A decline, orders from Customer A may consequently reduce and the Group may not immediately have a new major customer that can sufficiently replace or make up the orders for this existing major customer. Since the Group first delivered 5G related cable assembly products to Customer A in 2018, the Group’s sales to Customer A achieved a growth of 19.4% for the year ended 31 March 2019. While it was expected that the growth would be maintained given the rapid development of 5G technology, the Directors noted that the shipment of cable assembly products to Customer A has in fact been decreasing after the inclusion of Customer A in the so-called trade ‘‘blacklist’’ by the United States government, which means that companies from the United States will not be permitted to sell goods or services to Customer A, in the second quarter of 2019. The Directors note that the financial effect was quite immediate. The sales of Customer A

– 30 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

decreased by 18.2% from approximately HK$333,132,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$272,668,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019. In addition, the value of the confirmed orders of Customer A also decreased from approximately HK$116,371,000 as at 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$96,353,000 as at 30 September 2019, representing a drop of 17.2%. The drop in sales to Customer A is an alarming signal to the Directors provided that the Group’s revenue had decreased by 4.0% period-on-period for the six months ended 30 September 2019. To the Directors’ understanding, the Target Group has distinct customer base as compared with the Group and its major customers are reputable multinational corporations that have presence in the PRC. Although certain major customers of the Target Group are headquartered in the United States, the Target Group directly deals with the local branches in the PRC and Asia Pacific, which have made their decisions for their purchase from the Target Group. The products of the Target Group as ordered by these major customers headquartered in the United States are shipped to the destinations in the PRC or Asia Pacific instead of the United States and are not subject to the tariffs imposed by the United States. Given that the majority of the Target Group’s products were sold within the PRC and the sales to the United States only accounted for 5.1% to 6.9% of the total revenue of the Target Group during the Track Record Period, it is unlikely that the Target Group will be materially affected by the additional tariffs to be imposed by the United States. Moreover, the Target Group has a stable income stream that is not prone to significant fluctuation due to deterioration in any single customer’s orders because the Target Group has larger customer base out of the United States and Customer A was not a customer of the Target Group. After the Completion, the Group’s revenue base will be enlarged and the business risks currently exposed to the Group such as the risk of customer concentration will be mitigated by the diverse customer base of the Target Group. For the year ended 31 March 2019, Customer A’s revenue to the Group was approximately HK$545,727,000, or 41.5% of the total revenue of the Group. With reference to the unaudited pro forma financial information of the Enlarged Group in Appendix III to this circular, assuming Completion took place on 1 April 2018, Customer A’s revenue to the Enlarged Group would decrease to 18.4%. The Acquisition thus strategically improves the Group’s defence position amid the global economic uncertainties.

The Target Group’s revenue decreased by 17.8% from approximately HK$894,119,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$735,340,000 for the same period in 2019. The Target Group’s performance was affected by the negotiations of trade deals between the PRC and the United States. Given the profound impacts that may possibly be brought, customers in the PRC and other countries had been wary of any breakdown of negotiation or failure to reach a trade agreement and hence withheld or postponed their orders and negatively affected the demand of the Target Group’s products. The Directors expect that the signing of the first phase of the trade deal between the PRC and the United States in January 2020 would help foster the confidence of customers of the Target Group about the upcoming state of the economy.

– 31 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

As disclosed in the paragraph headed ‘‘Information on the Target Group’’ in this section, the Target Group is principally engaged in the manufacturing and sales of networking cables. In the past, the Target Group was a supplier of networking cables to the Group. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Group mainly purchased networking cables, including Cat 5, Cat 6 and Cat 7 cables, from the Target Group, which amounted to approximately HK$8,876,000, HK$15,191,000, HK$19,277,000 and HK$13,189,000, representing 1.3%, 1.6%, 1.9% and 2.1% of the total cost of sales of the Group as well as 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.1% and 1.8% of the total revenue of the Target Group for the corresponding periods, respectively. The Group also sold certain cable assemblies products to the Target Group to accommodate the occasional demand of some Target Group’s customers, which amounted to approximately HK$414,000, HK$80,000, HK$168,000 and HK$128,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, representing 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.01% and 0.02% of the total revenue of the Group as well as 0.04%, 0.01%, 0.01% and 0.02% of the total cost of sales of the Target Group for the corresponding periods, respectively. Before January 2018 when the Group was preparing the Listing, 5G technology was under testing without a clear and known launch date and many things on the road to 5G were uncertain. The Directors believed that mobile operators may not invest huge capital in 5G infrastructures as the then technology was still sufficient to support the increased traffic for a few years throughout 2020 to 2025. With the faster than expected introduction of the 5G cellular network technology and the announced deployment by different operators in the second half of 2019, the Directors changed their view and noted that there will be gradual and large scale replacement by 5G devices and equipment and foresee that the Group’s cable assembly products in the telecommunication sector and the Target Group’s networking cables will be in ample demand. In this regard, the Directors believe that the Acquisition can better position the Group and the Target Group to capture the opportunities expectedly brought by the rapid development of 5G technology by (i) integrating the research and development resources to produce new products that can meet the highest standards and specifications capable for the 5G era; and (ii) combining sales and marketing efforts and network to introduce both the Group’s and the Target Group’s products to the enlarged customer base. At present, the Target Group has technical know-how in the nextgeneration networking cables, such as Cat 8 cables, PoE, hybrid cables and compatibility with the HDBaseT standard, which the Group has its strategy to increase its cable assembly product mix by increasing the intragroup purchase from the Target Group after the Completion and when these new cables have a wider use. The Directors are of the view that this strategy will be effective given that individual customer of either the Group or the Target Group should require both groups’ products.

The Target Group is a supplier of networking cables and certain cable assembly materials of the Group and the Target Group’s products have so far satisfied the Company’s quality standard. The Directors understand that the Target Group has efficient, reliable and highly automated production lines that implement stringent quality requirements and have high production capacity. Upon Completion, transactions between the Group and the Target Group will no longer be subject to the connected transaction requirements under the Listing Rules. Accordingly, the Enlarged Group will be able to (i) achieve better inventory management in response to fast changing demand; (ii) formulate the production schedule in a more flexible

– 32 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

manner; (iii) ensure the quality of raw materials that meets the specifications and standards through the stringent production and quality control procedures; and (iv) enhance the ability in managing the fluctuations in procurement costs of raw materials.

LISTING RULES IMPLICATIONS

As one or more of the applicable percentage ratios in respect of the Acquisition exceeds 100%, the Acquisition shall constitute a very substantial acquisition of the Company under the Listing Rules. In addition, as the Acquisition may have the effect of achieving a listing of the Target Group, the Listing Committee has resolved that the Acquisition is an extreme transaction under Rule 14.06C of the Listing Rules and the reverse takeover rules do not apply. The Acquisition is therefore subject to the notification, announcement, circular, Shareholders’ approval and accountants’ report requirements under Chapter 14 of the Listing Rules. The Company is required to prepare a transaction circular under an enhanced disclosure comparable to prospectus standard and Caitong International Capital has been appointed as the financial adviser of the Company to conduct due diligence on the Target Group.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor, which is ultimately and beneficially owned by Mr. Paul Lo as to 59.82% of its effective interest, is a Controlling Shareholder of the Company interested in 63.86% of the Company through Time Holdings. As such, the Vendor is a connected person of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules. The Acquisition is therefore subject to the reporting, announcement, circular and Independent Shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

Mr. Paul Lo and his associates are regarded as having a material interest in the Acquisition and therefore they are required to abstain from voting on the resolution proposed to be passed at the EGM for approving the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder. As at the Latest Practicable Date, Time Holdings, an associate of Mr. Paul Lo, held 1,175,070,000 Shares, representing approximately 63.86% of the issued share capital of the Company. Accordingly, Time Holdings will abstain from voting at the EGM in respect of the resolution proposed to be passed for approving the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder.

To the best of the Directors’ knowledge, information and belief having made all reasonable enquiries, save as disclosed above, no other Shareholders are required to abstain from voting at the EGM.

The Independent Board Committee has been established to advise the Independent Shareholders as to whether the terms of the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder are fair and reasonable, on normal commercial terms or better and in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Group and in the interests of the Company and the Independent Shareholders as a whole. The Independent Financial Adviser has been appointed to advise the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in the same regard.

– 33 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

EGM

The EGM will be convened and held at Salon Room I, L/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 at 2:30 p.m. to consider and, if thought fit, approve the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder. In compliance with the Listing Rules, the resolution will be voted on by way of poll at the EGM.

A notice convening the EGM to be held at Salon Room I, L/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 at 2:30 p.m. is set out on pages EGM-1 to EGM-2 of this circular. A proxy form for use at the EGM is enclosed. Whether or not you intend to attend the EGM, you are requested to complete the enclosed proxy form in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return the same to the branch share registrar and transfer office of the Company in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong, as soon as possible but in any event not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the EGM or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the proxy form shall not preclude you from attending and voting in person at the EGM or any adjournment thereof should you so wish.

CLOSURE OF REGISTER OF MEMBERS

For determining the entitlement to attend and vote at the EGM, the register of members of the Company will be closed from Friday, 24 April 2020 to Wednesday, 29 April 2020, both dates inclusive, during which period no transfer of Shares will be registered. In order to be eligible to attend and vote at the EGM, unregistered holders of Shares shall ensure that all transfer documents accompanied by the relevant Share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company’s Hong Kong branch share registrar, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, 23 April 2020.

RECOMMENDATION

Your attention is drawn to (i) the letter from the Independent Board Committee containing its recommendation to the Independent Shareholders in relation to the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder set out on pages 36 to 37 of this circular; and (ii) the letter from Independent Financial Adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders containing its advice in respect of the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder set out on pages 38 to 57 of this circular.

The Directors (including members of the Independent Board Committee having considered the advice from the Independent Financial Adviser) consider that the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder are fair and reasonable and in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Directors (including members of the Independent Board Committee having considered the advice from the Independent Financial Adviser) recommend that the Independent Shareholders vote in favour of the resolution approving the Acquisition at the EGM.

– 34 –

LETTER FROM THE BOARD

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Your attention is drawn to the additional information set out in the appendices to this circular.

By order of the Board Time Interconnect Technology Limited Cua Tin Yin Simon Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer

– 35 –

LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT BOARD COMMITTEE

==> picture [225 x 41] intentionally omitted <==

(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability) (Stock Code: 1729)

30 March 2020

To the Independent Shareholders

Dear Sir or Madam,

EXTREME AND CONNECTED TRANSACTION IN RELATION TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE TARGET COMPANY

We refer to the circular dated 30 March 2020 issued by the Company (the ‘‘Circular’’) of which this letter forms part. Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Circular.

We have been appointed as members of the Independent Board Committee to advise the Independent Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition, details of which are set out in the ‘‘Letter from the Board’’ contained in the Circular. First Capital International Finance Limited has been appointed as the Independent Financial Adviser to advise us and the Independent Shareholders in this regard. We wish to draw your attention to the letter from the Board set out on pages 17 to 35 of the Circular and the letter from the Independent Financial Adviser set out on pages 38 to 57 of the Circular.

Having taken into account the advice of, and the principal factors and reasons considered by the Independent Financial Adviser in relation to the Acquisition as stated in its letter, we consider that the terms of the Acquisition and the transactions contemplated under the S&P Agreement are fair and reasonable so far as the Independent Shareholders are concerned, on normal commercial terms, in the ordinary and usual course of the Company’s business, and in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

– 36 –

LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT BOARD COMMITTEE

Accordingly, we recommend that the Independent Shareholders vote in favour of the ordinary resolutions to be proposed at the EGM in respect of the Acquisition.

Yours faithfully, For and on behalf of

Independent Board Committee

Mr. Ho Hin Shun Independent Non-executive Director

Mr. Luk Wai Shing Mr. Chan Chung Shun Eric Independent Independent Non-executive Director Non-executive Director

– 37 –

LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

The following is the text of a letter of advice from First Capital International Finance Limited prepared for the purpose of inclusion in this circular, setting out its advice to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in respect of the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder.

==> picture [109 x 35] intentionally omitted <==

FIRST CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL FINANCE LIMITED

Unit 4511, 45th Floor The Center 99 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong

30 March 2020

  • To the Independent Board Committee and the Indepdendent Shareholders of Time Interconnect Technology Limited

Dear Sirs,

EXTREME AND CONNECTED TRANSACTION IN RELATION TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE TARGET COMPANY

INRODUCTION

We refer to our engagement as the independent financial adviser to advise the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders of Company in relation to the Acquisition. Details of the Acquisition are disclosed in the Announcement and in the letter from the Board (the ‘‘Letter from the Board’’) contained in the circular issued by the Company to its shareholders dated 30 March 2020 (the ‘‘Circular’’), of which this letter forms part. Terms used in this letter shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Circular unless the context otherwise defined.

On 24 March 2020 (after trading hours), the Company entered into the S&P Agreement with the Vendor, pursuant to which the Company has conditionally agreed to acquire, and the Vendor has conditionally agreed to sell, (i) the Sale Shares, being the entire issued share capital of the Target Company upon completion of the Reorganisation; and (ii) the Sale Loan, at the total initial Consideration of HK$802,679,700, subject to an adjustment mechanism as stipulated in the S&P Agreement. Upon Completion, the Target Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the assets, liabilities and the financial results of the Target Group will be consolidated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

– 38 –

LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

As one or more of the applicable percentage ratios in respect of the Acquisition exceed 100%, the Acquisition shall constitute a very substantial acquisition for the Company under the Listing Rules. In addition, as the Acquisition may have the effect of achieving a Listing of the Target Group, the Listing Committee has resolved that the Acquisition is an extreme transaction under Rule 14.06C of the Listing Rules and the reverse takeover rules do not apply. The Acquisition is therefore subject to the reporting, announcement and shareholders’ approval requirements pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Listing Rules. The Company is required to prepare a transaction circular under an enhanced disclosure comparable to prospectus standard and Caitong International Capital has been appointed as the financial adviser of the Company to conduct due diligence on the Target Group.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor, which is ultimately and beneficially owned by Mr. Paul Lo as to 59.82% of its effective interest, is a Controlling Shareholder of the Company interested in 63.86% of the Company through Time Holdings. Therefore, the Vendor is a connected person of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules. The Acquisition is therefore subject to the reporting, announcement, circular and Independent Shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules

Mr. Paul Lo and his associates are regarded as having a material interest in the Acquisition and therefore they are required to abstain from voting on the resolution proposed to be passed at the EGM for approving the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder. As at the Latest Practicable Date, Time Holdings, an associate of Mr. Paul Lo, held 1,175,070,000 Shares, representing approximately 63.86% of the issued share capital of the Company. Accordingly, Time Holdings will abstain from voting at the EGM in respect of the resolution proposed to be passed for approving the S&P Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder.

To the best of the Directors’ knowledge, information and belief having made all reasonable enquiries, save as disclosed above, no other Shareholders are required to abstain from voting at the EGM.

The Independent Board Committee comprising three independent non-executive Directors have been established to advise the Independent Shareholders as to whether the terms and conditions of the S&P Agreement and transactions contemplated thereunder are fair and reasonable, on normal commercial terms and in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Group and in the interests of the Company and the Independent Shareholders as a whole, and to advise the Independent Shareholders on how to vote, taking into account the recommendations of the Independent Financial Adviser. None of the members of the Independent Board Committee has any direct or indirect interest in the Acquisition. We have been appointed by the Company as the Independent Financial Adviser to advise the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders in this respect, and such appointment has been approved by the Independent Board Committee.

– 39 –

LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

OUR INDEPENDENCE

As at the Latest Practicable Date, we did not have any relationships or interests with Company, Vendor, and Target Group and/or their respective substantial shareholders, directors or chief executive, or any of their respective associates any other parties that could reasonably be regarded as relevant to our independence. In the last two years, we have not acted as the independent financial adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders for any transaction.

With regard to our independence from the Company, it is noted that, apart from normal professional fees paid or payable to us in connection with the current appointment as the Independent Financial Adviser, no arrangements exist whereby we had received or will receive any fees or benefits from the Company or any other parties that could reasonably be regarded as relevant to our independence.

BASIS OF OUR OPINION

In formulating our opinion to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders, we have relied on the statements, information, opinions and representations contained or referred to in the Circular and the information and representations as provided to us by the Directors and the management of the Company (the ‘‘Management’’). We have assumed that all information and representations that have been provided by the Management, for which the Directors are solely and wholly responsible, are true and accurate at the time when they were made and continue to be so as at the Latest Practicable Date. We have also assumed that all statements of belief, opinion, expectation and intention made by the Directors in the Circular were reasonably made after due enquiry and careful consideration. We have no reason to suspect that any material facts or information have been withheld or to doubt the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information and facts contained in the Circular, or the reasonableness of the opinions expressed by the Company, its advisers and/or the Directors, which have been provided to us. Our opinion is based on the representation and confirmation of the Management that there are no undisclosed private agreements/arrangements or implied understanding with anyone concerning the Acquisition. We consider that we have taken sufficient and necessary steps on which to form a reasonable basis and an informed view for our opinion in compliance with Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

The Directors have collectively and individually accepted full responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in the Circular and have confirmed, having made all reasonable enquiries, which to the best of their knowledge and belief, that the information contained in the Circular 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 in the Circular or the Circular as a whole misleading. We, as the Independent Financial Adviser, take no responsibility for the contents of any part of the Circular, save and except for this letter of advice.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

We consider that we have been provided with sufficient information to reach an informed view and to provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. We have not, however, carried out any independent verification of the information provided by the Management, nor have we conducted any independent in-depth investigation into the business and affairs of any members of the Group, the counter party(ies) to the Acquisition or their respective subsidiaries or associates. We also have not considered the taxation implication on the Group or the shareholders of the Company as a result of the Acquisition. We have not carried out any feasibility study on the past, and forthcoming investment decision, opportunity or project undertaken or to be undertaken by the Group. Our opinion has been formed on the assumption that any analysis, estimation, anticipation, condition and assumption provided by the Group are feasible and sustainable. Our opinion shall not be constructed as to give any indication to the validity, sustainability and feasibility of any past, existing and forthcoming investment decision, opportunity or project undertaken or to be undertaken by the Group.

Our opinion is necessarily based on the financial, economic, market and other conditions in effect and the information made available to us as at the Latest Practicable Date. Shareholders should note that subsequent developments (including any material change in market and economic conditions) may affect and/or change our opinion and we have no obligation to update this opinion to take into account events occurring after the Latest Practicable Date or to update, revise or reaffirm our opinion. In addition, nothing contained in this letter should be construed as a recommendation to hold, sell or buy any Shares or any other securities of the Company. We expressly disclaim any liability and/or any loss arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this letter. Lastly, where information in this letter has been extracted from published or otherwise publicly available sources, we are not obligated to conduct any independent in-depth investigation into the accuracy and completeness of those information.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

PRINCIPAL FACTORS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION

1. Business and financial information of the Group

The Company is an investment holding company. The Group is principally engaged in the manufacturing and sales of cable assembly products. A summary of (i) the audited financial information of the Group for the financial years ended 31 March 2017 (‘‘FY2017’’), 31 March 2018 (‘‘FY2018’’) and 31 March 2019 (‘‘FY2019’’), as extracted from the 2018 and 2019 Annual Report; and (ii) the unaudited financial information of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2018 (‘‘1H2019’’) and 30 September 2019 (‘‘1H2020’’) as extracted from 2019 interim report, is set out as below:

Table 1: Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the Group

Six months ended
Year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2018 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Revenue 864,571 1,238,374 1,314,389 835,570 801,882
Gross Profit 156,644 272,995 279,348 184,436 174,807
Profit before taxation 97,344 171,014 145,980 106,910 98,078
Profit for the year/period
attributable to owners
of the Group 81,684 132,120 122,934 88,400 77,356

Table 2: Consolidated statement of financial position of the Group

As at
As at 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Non-current assets 101,188 112,664 261,886 283,267
Current assets 400,859 770,242 628,690 733,038
Current (liabilities) (380,514) (423,713) (340,681) (411,078)
Non-current (liabilities) (271) (471) (817) (36,681)
Net asset 121,262 458,722 549,078 568,546

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

(i) 1H2020 VS 1H2019

Total revenue in 1H2020 was approximately HK$801.9 million, representing a decrease of approximately 4.0% from approximately HK$835.6 million in 1H2019, such decrease was mainly attributable to the RMB depreciation impact, during the 1H2020 the average foreign currency exchange rate from converting Renminbi into Hong Kong dollars was 4.8% lower than the same period last year. The Renminbi revenue converted in Hong Kong dollars decreased HK$18.9 million which represented 2.4% of the Group’s revenue. Telecommunication, medical equipment and industrial equipment sectors were also affected by this impact and reduced revenue. Meanwhile, the trade and tariff disputes between the United States and China caused the overall slowdown of global macro-economy. It created different degree of impact on the telecommunication and industrial equipment sector.

Total profit in 1H2020 of the Company was HK$77.4 million, a decrease of HK$11.0 million or 12.5% as compared to the last financial period. Such decrease was mainly due to the decrease in gross profit.

As at 30 September 2019, the Group had total assets of approximately HK$1,016.3 million and total liabilities of approximately HK$447.8 million. Bank balances and cash of the Group as at 30 September 2019 amounted to approximately HK$233.4 million. The Group recorded net assets of approximately HK$568.5 million as at 30 September 2019.

(ii) FY2019 vs FY2018

Total revenue in FY2019 was approximately HK$1,314.4 million, representing an increase of approximately 6.1% from approximately HK$1,238.4 million in FY2018. The growth was mainly driven by higher sales in telecommunication and medical equipment sectors. The Group recorded a 2.3% increase in gross profit to HK$279.3 million in FY2019 compared to HK$273.0 million in FY2018. Gross profit margin slightly decreased from 22.0% in FY2018 to 21.2% in FY2019, mainly attributable to the change in product mix.

Profit for the year amounted to approximately HK$122.9 million in FY2019, representing a decrease of approximately 7.0% from approximately HK132.1 million in FY2018. Such decrease in FY2019 was mainly due to (i) the foreign exchange loss of approximately HK$9.8 million in FY2019; (ii) the increase in other staff costs in FY2019; and (iii) no imputed financial guarantee income was generated in FY2019.

As at 31 March 2019, the Group had total assets of approximately HK$890.6 million and total liabilities of approximately HK$341.5 million. Bank balances and cash of the Group as at 31 March 2019 amounted to approximately HK$223.8 million. The Group recorded net assets of approximately HK$549.1 million as at 31 March 2019.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

(iii) FY2018 vs FY2017

Total revenue in FY2018 was approximately HK$1,238.4 million, representing an increase of approximately 43.2% from approximately HK$864.6 million in FY2017, such increase was mainly attributable to the strong revenue increase from the data centre, telecommunication and medical equipment sectors. Gross profit for FY2018 was HK$273.0 million, an increase of HK$116.4 million or 74.3% compared to the HK$156.6 million recorded in FY2017. Gross profit margin also increased from 18.1% in FY2017 to 22.0% in FY2018. The increase in gross profit and gross profit margin was mainly attributable to the change in product mix to products with relatively higher selling price, including those sold to data centre and medical equipment sectors.

Total profit for the year of the Group for FY2018 was HK$132.1 million, a substantial increase of HK$50.5 million or 61.9% as compared to the last financial year. Such increase in FY2018 was mainly due to (i) the significant increase in gross profit in FY2018; and (ii) foreign exchange gain and gain on disposal of property and equipment of approximately HK$10.2 million in FY2018.

As at 31 March 2018, the Group had total assets of approximately HK$882.9 million and total liabilities of approximately HK$424.2 million. Bank balances and cash of the Group as at 31 March 2018 amounted to approximately HK$279.6 million. The Group recorded net assets of approximately HK$458.7 million as at 31 March 2018.

2. Information of the Vendor

The Vendor is a limited liability company incorporated in Hong Kong, which, with its group of subsidiaries, are engaged in the manufacturing and sales of a range of products including networking cables, LED video display screens as well as leasing of LED video display screens. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor, which is ultimately and beneficially owned by Mr. Paul Lo as to 59.82% of its effective interest, is a Controlling Shareholder of the Company interested in 63.86% of the Company through Time Holdings. As such, the Vendor is a connected person of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

3. Information of the Target Group

The Target Company was established by the Vendor under the laws of the BVI with limited liability on 5 December 2006 and is principally engaged in investment holding. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vendor. The networking cable business of the Vendor is conducted by the Target Company and its operating subsidiaries, together with Hover Manufacturing, which in turn directly and indirectly owns the entire equity interest in Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin, respectively. Following the completion of the Reorganisation, all the subsidiaries of the Vendor which carry on manufacturing and sales of networking cables business will become subsidiaries of the Target Company. In addition, the Target Group holds the Properties, which are three major industrial complexes situated in Shanghai and Kunshan City (in Jiangsu Province). The production facilities of the Target Group are located within the Properties.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

A. Financial information of the Target Group

A summary of the audited financial information of the Target Group for the financial years ended 31 March 2017 (‘‘FY2017’’), 31 March 2018 (‘‘FY2018’’) and 31 March 2019 (‘‘FY2019’’), and for the six months ended 30 September 2018 (‘‘1H2019’’) and 30 September 2019 (‘‘1H2020’’) as extracted from Appendix II to the Circular is set out below:

Table 3: Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the Target Group

Six months ended
Year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2018 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
(unaudited)
Revenue 1,328,298 1,498,697 1,676,557 894,119 735,340
Gross Profit 196,851 211,515 229,018 122,574 106,593
Profit before taxation 51,887 43,257 56,957 41,348 26,725
Profit for the year/
period attributable
to owners of the
Target Group 26,178 33,159 43,460 30,508 22,384

Table 4: Statement of financial position of the Target Group

As at
As at 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Non-current assets 618,866 691,513 595,121 507,725
Current assets 1,087,537 1,415,535 1,611,228 1,953,172
Current (liabilities) (1,133,367) (1,344,269) (1,574,930) (1,888,994)
Non-current (liabilities) (23,054) (215,085) (83,455) (9,523)
Net asset 549,982 547,694 547,964 562,380

(i) 1H2020 vs 1H2019

The Target Group’s revenue decreased by 17.8% from approximately HK$894.1 million for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to HK$735.3 million for the same period of 2019. The decrease is mainly due to the decrease in sales demand of products, especially, Cat 7 cables (including Cat 7A cables) which the revenue decreased by 53.7% from approximately HK$190.9 million for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to HK$88.4 million for the six months ended 30 September

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

  1. The management of the Target Group is of the view that the sales demand of the six months ended 30 September 2019 was negatively affected by the uncertainties arising from the progress of the US-China trade deal negotiation.

As at 30 September 2019, current assets of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$1,953.1 million, among which, trade and other receivable amounted to approximately HK$417.5 million, amount due from ultimate holding company amounted to approximately HK$1,207.7 million and bank balances and cash amounted to approximately HK$117.1 million. As at 30 September 2019, net current assets of the Target Group increased to approximately HK$64.2 million, as an increase in amount due from ultimate holding company.

(ii) FY2019 vs FY2018

In FY2019, the revenue generated from the Target Group increased by approximately 11.9% from approximately HK$1,498.7 million to HK$1,676.6 million. Such increase was mainly due to the significant increase in sales demands of Cat 7 cables (including Cat 7A cables) as a result of the rapid development of 5G cellular network technology in recent years and Cat 7 and Cat 7A cables have higher signal transmission speed than Cat 6 and Cat 5 cables in general. Regarding Cat 7 cables, the revenue increased by 188.8% from approximately HK$91.5 million for the year ended 31 March 2018 to approximately HK$264.2 million for the year ended 31 March 2019.

As at 31 March 2019, current assets of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$1,611.2 million, among which, trade and other receivable amounted to approximately HK$656.5 million, amount due from ultimate holding company amounted to approximately HK$535.4 million and bank balances and cash amounted to approximately HK$166.9 million. As at 31 March 2019, net current assets of the Target Group decreased to approximately HK$36.3 million, as certain of the bank borrowing became due within one year according to the repayment schedule, which increased the balance of bank borrowing as classified in current liabilities.

(iii) FY2018 vs FY2017

In FY2018, the revenue generated from the Target Group increased by approximately 12.8% from approximately HK$1,328.3 million to HK$1,498.7 million. Such increase was mainly due to an increase in average selling price of the products as the average price of copper, one of the major components of the Target Group’s products, increased as compared with preceding year.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

The financial position of the Target Group improved from net current liabilities position of approximately HK$45.8 million as at 31 March 2017 to net current assets of approximately HK$71.3 million as at 31 March 2018, which was primarily attributable (i) the profitable operation which enhanced the overall assets base of the Target Group; and (ii) the increase in bank and cash balance as financed by bank borrowings granted by the financial institution.

4. Industry

According to the CRI Report, in 2018, the global market size of LAN cables reached US$6.79 billion, representing a CAGR of 10.7% from 2014 to 2018.

Market size of global LAN cables 2014–2018

Market size (US$ Market size (US$ billion)
2014–2018
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 CAGR
Fixed broadband 2.19 2.54 2.74 2.89 3.07 8.8%
Consumer electronics 0.91 1.10 1.30 1.55 1.92 20.4%
Personal computers 0.90 0.87 0.84 0.82 0.88 -0.3%
Others 0.53 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.92 15.0%
Total 4.52 5.12 5.57 6.05 6.79 10.7%

Source: CRI Report

The global market size of LAN cables for fixed broadband, a major part of the global LAN cable market, reached US$3.07 billion, representing a CAGR of 8.8% from 2014 to 2018. The global market size of LAN cables for consumer electronics, another major part of the global LAN cable market, reached US$1.92 billion, representing a CAGR of 20.4% from 2014 to 2018. As the global sales of personal computers have been declining in recent years, the global demand for LAN cables from personal computers is shrinking. In 2018, the global market size of LAN cables for personal computers reached US$0.88 billion, representing a negative CAGR of 0.3% from 2014 to 2018. The decline in personal computer market has been offset by other new products which have processing power and require networking usage. Other industries such as the blockchain (including distributed ledgers and cryptocurrencies) applications, cloud computing and network attached storage (NAS) also have an increasing demand for LAN cables. In 2018, the global market size of LAN cables for the blockchain applications, NAS, etc. reached US$920 million, representing a CAGR of 15.0% from 2014 to 2018.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

In 2018, the market size of LAN cables in China reached RMB18.10 billion, representing a CAGR of 11.9% from 2014 to 2018. The structure of China’s LAN cable market was similar to that of the global LAN cable market.

Market size of the PRC’s LAN cables industry from 2014–2018

Market size (RMB Market size (RMB billion)
2014–2018
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 CAGR
Fixed broadband 4.01 4.27 5.94 6.98 7.73 17.8%
Consumer electronics 1.91 2.46 3.07 3.64 4.08 21.0%
Personal computers 4.21 3.77 3.48 3.68 3.68 -3.3%
Others 1.43 1.66 1.93 2.24 2.61 16.2%
Total 11.55 12.16 14.43 16.54 18.10 11.9%

Source: CRI Report

The market size of LAN cables for fixed boardband in China reached RMB7.73 billion representing a CAGR of 17.8% from 2014 to 2018. The market size of LAN cables for consumer electronics reached RMB4.08 billion, representing a CAGR of 21.0% from 2014 to 2018. As the production and sales volumes of personal computers in China have declined for many years, the demand for LAN cables on China’s personal computers market is decreasing. In 2018, the market size of LAN cables for personal computers in China reached RMB3.68 billion, representing a negative CAGR of 3.3%. China’s other industries such as the blockchain and NAS also have an increasing demand for LAN cables. In 2018, the market size of LAN cables for the blockchain, NAS, etc. reached RMB2.61 billion, representing a CAGR of 16.2% from 2014 to 2018.

The significant increase in the market size of Global and PRC’s LAN cables industry, which will favor the development of Target Group for the long term. In this regard, we are of the view that the Acquisition represents a good opportunity for the Group to further expand its business and is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

5. Reasons for and benefits of the Acquisition

We have discussed with the Management in respect of the reasons for and benefits of the Acquisition. As disclosed in the Letter from the Board, the Acquisition is considered to be in the interest of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole due to the following reasons:

i) The Acquisition is considered to diverse and distinct customer base.

As further described in the paragraph headed ‘‘Information of the Company and the Group’’ in the Letter from the Board, the Group is principally engaged in the manufacturing and sales of cable assembly products. The acquisition of the Target Group, which owns and operates three major industrial complexes situated in Shanghai

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

and Kunshan City (in Jiangsu Province), to manufacture and sell a wide range of products including networking cables, LED video display screens as well as leasing of LED video display screens.

As disclosed in the announcement of the Company dated 24 March 2020, in view of the changing global economy, any disturbance from a potential trade war, and the need to ensure the business growth and diversification of customer base of the Group, the Directors discussed and agreed to embark on seeking the possibility of seizing future opportunities in diverse and distinct customer base.

As disclosed in the Letter from the Board, the Target Group has diverse and distinct customer base and its major customers are reputable multinational corporations that have presence in the PRC. Given that the majority of the Target Group’s products were sold within the PRC and the sales to the United States only accounted for approximately 5.1%–6.9% of the total revenue of the Target Group during the Track Record Period, it is unlikely that the Target Group will be materially affected by the additional tariffs to be imposed by the United States. After the Completion, the Group’s revenue base will be enlarged and the business risks currently exposed to the Group such as the risk of customer concentration will be mitigated by the diverse customer base of the Target Group. The Acquisition thus strategically improves the Group’s defence position amid the global economic uncertainties. We concur with the view of the Directors that the Acquisition allows the Group to diverse and distinct customer base.

ii) The profitable track record of the business of the Target Group

As noted from the section headed ‘‘Financial Information of the Target Group’’ in the Circular, the Target Group has been continuously recording net profit during the Track Record Period.

We concur with the view that the Acquisition represents an attractive investment opportunity for the Group to expand and diversify its business/investment portfolio and to enhance the Group’s income source, and long-term development potential.

  • iii) The Acquisition will create synergies between the Target Group’s manufacturing and sales of networking cables business and the Group’s manufacturing and sales of cable assembly products business

As disclosed in the Letter from the Board, with the faster than expected introduction of the 5G cellular network technology, the Directors believe that there will be gradual and large scale replacement of 5G devices and equipment and foresee that the Group’s cable assembly products in the telecommunication sector and the Target Group’s networking cables will have ample demand. In this regard, the Directors believe that the Acquisition can better position the Group and the Target Group to capture the opportunities expectedly brought by the rapid development of 5G technology by (i) integrating the research and development resources to produce new products that can meet the highest standards and specifications capable for the 5G era; and (ii) combining sales and marketing efforts and network to introduce both the Group’s and the Target Group’s products to the enlarged customer base.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

Upon Completion, transactions between the Group and the Target Group will no longer be subject to the connected transaction requirements under the Listing Rules. Accordingly, the Group will be able to (i) achieve better inventory management in response to fast changing demand; (ii) formulate the production schedule in a more flexible manner; (iii) ensure the quality of raw materials that meets the specifications and standards through the stringent production and quality control procedures; and (iv) enhance the ability in managing the fluctuations in procurement costs of raw materials.

Leveraging on the reasons above, coupled with the steady growth of the Target Group’s industry as mentioned in the section headed ‘‘Industry Overview’’ to the Circular and our review on the financial information on the Group and the Target Group as discussed in the sub-sections headed ‘‘Financial Information of the Target Group’’ above, we concur with the Directors’ view that the Acquisition is beneficial to and in the interest of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

6. Principal terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement

Date: 24 March 2020
Parties
Purchaser: Time Interconnect Technology Limited
Vendor: Linkz Industries Limited
Warrantors: Nickson Holdings Limited
Lo Chung Wai Paul

As set out in the Letter from the Board, the principal terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement are summarized as below:

Assets to be acquired

Pursuant to the S&P Agreement, the Company conditionally agreed to acquire, and the Vendor conditionally agreed to sell, (i) the Sale Shares; and (ii) the Sale Loan, subject to the terms and conditions of the S&P Agreement. Upon Completion, the Target Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the assets, liabilities and the financial results of the Target Group will be consolidated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company. For detailed information on the Target Group, please refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘Information on the Target Group’’.

Consideration

The Consideration is initially determined at HK$802,679,700, being a discount of 5% to the sum of (i) approximately HK$713,456,000 for the consideration for the acquisition of the Sale Shares calculated based on (1) 2019 June NAV of approximately HK$419,466,000, which takes into account the net assets value of the Target Group as well as the Assets and Liabilities and excludes any assets and liabilities not relating to the Target Group’s networking cable business; and (2) the fair value gain of approximately HK$293,990,000 of the Properties with reference to the difference in the market value of the Properties as at 30 June 2019 given by the Preliminary Valuation and their respective book value as at 30 June 2019 in the respective accounts of the Target

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

Group; and (ii) the Sale Loan of approximately HK$131,470,000 as at 30 June 2019, representing all obligations, liabilities and debts owing or incurred by the Target Group to the Vendor as at 30 June 2019.

Adjustment to Consideration

Pursuant to the S&P Agreement, the initial Consideration is subject to adjustment. Within two months following Completion, the Company shall deliver the (i) Post Completion Accounts; and (ii) Completion Valuation Report to the Vendor, by reference to which adjustment shall be made to the Consideration. The Company shall appoint its auditors (or other qualified public accountants firm acceptable to or agreed by the Company and the Vendor) as soon as practicable to prepare the Completion NAV within 10 business days from the finalisation of the Post Completion Accounts.

In case 95% of the Completion NAV, which is the aggregate of (a) the consolidated net assets value of the Target Group as at the Completion Date; (b) the fair value gain of the Properties over their book value as at the Completion Date; and (c) the Sale Loan:

  • (i) shall exceed the initial Consideration, the Company shall pay the excess amount on a dollar-for-dollar basis in cash to the Vendor within 10 business days from the finalisation of the Completion NAV; or

  • (ii) shall be less than the initial Consideration, the Vendor shall refund the shortfall on a dollar-for-dollar basis in cash to the Company within 10 business days from the finalisation of the Completion NAV.

The final Consideration represents a discount of 5% to the Completion NAV and is determined between the Company and the Vendor after arm’s length negotiations, and is based on, among other things, (i) the consolidated net assets value of the Target Group as at the Completion Date; (ii) the market value of the Properties; (iii) the Sale Loan; (iv) business and financial performance of the Target Group in the recent years; and (v) the future prospect of the 5G markets and the telecommunication industry and the benefits that can be brought to the Group by integrating the Target Group’s networking cable business.

Payment arrangement

The initial Consideration will be payable by the Company to the Vendor in cash 10 business days after the Completion. Based on initial discussion with four leading banks in Hong Kong, subject to approval, approximately HK$700 million of the Consideration will be financed by club deal coordinated among these leading banks and the remaining approximately HK$103 million of the Consideration will be financed by internal resources of the Group and possible equity financing by way of placing of new Shares to not less than six independent investors pursuant to the general mandate granted to the Directors at the Company’s annual general meeting on 28 August 2019. According to the latest status of the negotiations with the arranging banks of the club deal, a term loan facility in the amount of HK$700 million shall be made available to the Group which will have a maturity of 4 years and carry an interest rate of applicable HIBOR plus an

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

agreed margin per annum. The term loan, which will be available within three months from the date of signing of the facility agreement, will be guaranteed by the Group and the Target Group jointly and severally. The term loan will be repaid by quarterly instalments throughout the loan period and the Group expects to repay the instalments by self-generated cash of the Enlarged Group. Given that the Enlarged Group has generated a combined net cash inflow from its operations of approximately HK$268.1 million as reference to the unaudited pro forma financial information as set out in Appendix III, the Directors believe the Enlarged Group is able to generate sufficient funds to repay the club deal after the Completion. The issue of new Shares under the general mandate will not result in a change of control of the Company and the Company will not issue further new Shares for the purposes of settling the Consideration. The Company will negotiate with potential underwriters and/or investors for the issue of new Shares. As at the date of this circular, no binding agreement has been reached as to the price and number of Shares to be issued. The net proceeds from the initial public offering of the Company raised in February 2018 will not be used to finance the Acquisition.

The Directors (including the independent non-executive Directors who express their view after considering our advice) consider the terms and conditions of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, which have been arrived at after arm’s length negotiations between the Purchaser and the Vendor, are on normal commercial terms, fair and reasonable and in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

7. Valuation Reports

The results of the Valuation conducted by the Valuer were set out in Appendix IV to the Circular. Based on the Valuation Reports, the aggregate market value of the Properties, which were three major industrial complexes situated in Shanghai and Kunshan City (in Jiangsu Province), as at 31 January 2020 was approximately RMB333 million. We have reviewed, among others, the valuation of the Properties as detailed in the Valuation Reports prepared by the Valuer, the texts of which are set out in Appendix IV to the Circular and discussed with the Valuer regarding the methodology of and the principal bases and assumptions adopted for the valuation of the Properties.

For our due diligence purpose, we have assessed the qualification and experience of the Valuer for its engagement as the independent professional valuer for the Propeties. We note that the Valuer has over 40 years of experience in valuation of properties in Hong Kong and PRC. We are of the view that the Valuer possesses sufficient experience in performing the valuation.

We have also discussed and confirmed with the Valuer that i) it is independent from the Company; ii) all relevant material information provided by the Company had been incorporated in the Valuation Reports; and iii) they were not aware of any serious defects or other matters that would cause it to question the truthfulness or reasonableness of the information provided by the Company. Based on the engagement letters between the Company and the Valuer and our interview with the Valuer in relation to their terms of engagement, in

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

particular, their scope of work, we noted as there is no limitation on the scope of work which might adversely impact on the degree of assurance given by them in their report. We consider that their scope of work is appropriate to the opinion required to be given.

Based on the Valuation Reports, the Valuer had adopted the direct comparison approach by making reference to the comparable market transactions/asking cases as available. As confirmed by the Valuer, the direct comparison approaches is commonly adopted for valuation and is also consistent with normal market practice. Further details of the basis and assumptions of the Valuation are included in the Valuation Report as contained in Appendix IV of the Circular. Based on our interview with the Valuer on their work conducted, we have performed due diligence to assess the fairness and reasonableness of the assumptions, the basis and the methodology adopted for the Valuation Reports.

Based on our discussion with the Valuer and our understanding of the work conducted by the Valuer, we consider that the assumptions, the basis and the methodology adopted for the Valuation Reports are fair and reasonable. We are of the view that the value of Properties is fair and reasonable.

8. Comparative Analysis

In order to assess the fairness and reasonableness of the Consideration, we have attempted to compare the price-to-earnings ratio (‘‘PE ratio’’) and the price-to book ratio (‘‘PB ratio’’), both of which are commonly used valuation multiples in assessing value of a company. In identifying the comparable companies, we mainly focused on the companies with 1) similar business nature (i.e. manufacturing and sales of metal-core networking cable), 2) similar business model (i.e. manufacturing through self owned or leased premises situated in PRC), and 3) similar target markets (i.e. the PRC and global market) with the Target Group. Due to Target Group’s unique business nature, no listed companies that have the exact same business can be identified with the business size or business model comparable to the Target Group.

In order to have a more comprehensive valuation comparison, we considered that it is necessary to make reference to the valuation of the listed companies in the similar industries in Hong Kong and the PRC markets and thus decided to extend the selection criteria to include those listed companies which have principal business including manufacturing and sales of all types of networking cables including optical fibre and/or metal-core networking cables. In particular, the comparable companies were selected primarily based on the following criteria: (i) listed companies in Hong Kong and the PRC which manufacture and sell of networking cables and networking equipment contributed over 50% of their revenue in their latest reported financial year; (ii) companies which are profitable. We consider the business nature of the Group (i.e. manufacturing and sales of cable assembly products) are different from the Target Group, therefore we have not included the companies with similar business nature to the Group as our comparable companies.

We identified 7 listed companies in Hong Kong and the PRC are among the most relevant peers to the Target Group in terms of manufacturing and sales of networking cables market. As each of the comparable companies has its own unique nature and characteristics in terms of, inter alia, business operation and environment, size, profitability and financial

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

position, the comparison of the PE ratio and the PB ratio between the comparable companies and those implied by the Consideration may not represent an identical comparison. We, however, consider such comparison could be treated as an indication as to the reasonableness and fairness of the Consideration.

The relevant details of the comparable companies are set forth in Table 5 below:

Table 5: Details of the comparable companies

Net assets
Profit attributable to
attributable to equity holders
Market equity holders based on the
capitalization in the latest latest published
as at full financial financial
24 March 2020 year prior to statements prior
The Stock (being the date the date of the to the date of
Exchange where of the Sale and Sale and the Sale and
the comparable Purchase Purchase Purchase
Stock code are listed Name Principal activates Agreement Agreement Agreement PE ratio PB ratio
(Note 1)(Note 2) (Note 1) (Note 2)
(HK$’million) (HK$’million) (HK$’million) (times) (times)
1720.HK Hong Kong Putian Communication Manufacturing and sales of 1,364 93.5 472.3 14.6 2.9
Group Limited optical fibre cables, copper
cables, and other
communication products
1617.HK Hong Kong Nanfang Communication Manufacturing and sales of 3,573 155.6 915.8 23.5 3.9
Holdings Limited optical fibre cables
6869.HK Hong Kong Yangtze Optical Fibre Manufacturing and sales of 5,027 1,638.1 9,436.1 3.0 0.5
and Cable Joint Stock optical fibre cables
Limited Company
002491.SZ Shenzhen Tongding Manufacturing and sale of 9,561 621 5,633.5 16.5 1.7
Interconnection optical fibre cables and
Information Co.,Ltd. communication equipment
000070.SZ Shenzhen Shenzhen SDG Manufacturing and sale of 9,063 303 2,946.0 33.6 3.0
Information Co., Ltd. optical fibre cables and
communication equipment
300394.SZ Shenzhen Suzhou TFC Optical Manufacturing and sale of 10,104 149 1,243.7 69.2 8.1
Communication Co.,Ltd optical fibre cables and
communication equipment

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

Stock code
The Stock
Exchange where
the comparable
are listed
Name
Principal activates
600345.SH
Shanghai
Wuhan Yangtze
Communications
Industry Group Co.,
Ltd
Manufacturing and sale of
optical fibre cables and
communication equipment
Target Company
Market
capitalization
as at
24 March 2020
(being the date
of the Sale and
Purchase
Agreement
Profit
attributable to
equity holders
in the latest
full financial
year prior to
the date of the
Sale and
Purchase
Agreement
Net assets
attributable to
equity holders
based on the
latest published
financial
statements prior
to the date of
the Sale and
Purchase
Agreement
(Note 1)(Note 2)
(Note 1)
(HK$’million)
(HK$’million)
(HK$’million)
5,305
226
2,126.4
Maximum:
Minimum:
Average:
Average (exclude two extreme figures)
Median:
Consideration
(HK$’000)
(HK$’000)
(HK$’000)
(Note 2)
802,679
40,900
562,380
PE ratio
(Note 2)
(times)
21.0
69.2
3.0
26.0
21.9
21.0
PE ratio
(times)
(Note 2)
19.6
PB ratio
(times)
2.5
8.1
0.5
3.2
2.8
2.9
PB ratio
(times)
1.4

Source: The Hong Kong Stock Exchange website, Shenzhen Stock Exchange website, Shanghai Stock Exchange website and respective announcements by the relevant listed companies

Notes:

  1. For illustrative purpose, amounts denominated in RMB have been converted to HK$ at a rate of RMB1.0 to HK$1.1

  2. The calculation of profit attributable to equity holders and PE ratio are excluding government grants

As set out in Table 5 above, the PE ratios of the comparable companies ranged from approximately 3.0 times to approximately 69.2 times with an average of approximately 26.0 times. The PE ratio implied by the Consideration of approximately 19.6 times falls within the range of the PE ratios of the comparable companies and is lower than the average PE ratios of the comparable companies. In addition, given that part of the finance costs were related to bank borrowings which were utilised by the Vendor’s other subsidiaries not forming part of the Target Group, the Target Group’s PE ratio would be approximately 10.5 times if such finance costs were excluded. Such PE ratio would further be adjusted to approximately 6.7 times as excluded the property valuation of the Target Group, which is similar to the Group’s PE ratio of approximately 7.8 times as calculated by using one-year average share price.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

The PB ratios of the comparable companies ranged from approximately 0.5 times to approximately 8.1 times with an average of approximately 3.2 times. The PB ratio implied by the Consideration of approximately 1.4 time falls within the range of the PB ratios of the comparable companies and is lower than the average of the PB ratios of the comparable companies.

In view of the above, in particular, (i) the Consideration was arrived at after arm’s length negotiations among the parties to the Sale and Purchase Agreement; (ii) the PE ratio implied by the Consideration of approximately 19.6 times falls within the range of the PE ratios of the comparable companies and is lower than the median and the average of the PE ratio of the comparable companies; (iii) the adjusted PE ratio of the Target Group is similar to that of the Group; and (iv) the PB ratio implied by the Consideration of approximately 1.4 times falls within the range of the PB ratios of the comparable companies and is lower than the median and average of the PB ratios of the comparable companies, we are of the view that the Consideration is fair and reasonable so far as the Independent Shareholders are concerned.

9. Financial effects of the Acquisition

Based on the pro forma financial information of the Enlarged Group as set out in Appendix III to the Circular, the Acquisition will have the following financial effects on the Group after Completion:

A. Effect on earnings

Following the Completion, the Target Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the Group will be able to consolidate assets, revenue and costs from the Target Group. The audited profit of the Company for FY2019 as extracted from 2019 Annual Report was approximately HK$122.9 million. Based on the Accountant’s Report of the Target Company as set out in Appendix II to the Circular, the Target Company recorded profit of approximately HK$43.5 million in FY2019. According to the unaudited pro forma financial information of the Enlarged Group as set in Appendix III to the Circular, as if the Acquisition had been completed on 1 April 2018, the pro forma profit of the Enlarged Group attributable to the owners of the Company would have been approximately HK$151.8 million in FY2019.

B. Effect on assets, liabilities and net assets

The unaudited consolidated total assets, total liabilities and net assets of the Group as at 30 September 2019, as extracted from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement set out in the published review report, were approximately HK$1,016.3 million, HK$447.8 million and HK$568.5 million, respectively. Based on the unaudited pro forma financial position of the Enlarged Group as set out in Appendix III to the Circular, assuming Completion had taken place on 30 September 2019, the pro forma total assets, total liabilities and net assets of the Enlarged Group would have been increased to approximately HK$2,164.5 million, HK$1,835.2 million and HK$329.3 million, respectively.

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LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

C. Effect on working capital

The audited consolidated cash and cash equivalents of the Group as at 31 March 2019, as extracted from the 2019 Annual Report, were approximately HK$223.8 million. Based on the unaudited pro forma financial position of the Enlarged Group as at 30 September 2019 as set out in Appendix III to the Circular, assuming Completion had taken place on 30 September 2019, the pro forma bank balances of the Enlarged Group were approximately HK$252.3 million.

OPINION

Having taken into account the above principal factors and reasons, we consider that the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement are on normal commercial terms and are fair and reasonable and the Acquisition is in the interests of the Group and the Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, we recommend the Independent Board Committee to advise the Independent Shareholders to vote in favour of the relevant resolution at the EGM to approve the Acquisition.

Yours faithfully, for and on behalf of

FIRST CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL FINANCE LIMITED Frankie Yan

Managing Director

Mr Frankie Yan is a licensed person registered with the Securities and Futures Commission and as a responsible officer of First Capital to carry out Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) regulated activities under the SFO and has over 10 years of experience in corporate finance industry.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

When considering the Acquisition, please carefully consider the risk factors set out below and other information set forth in this circular. The business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects of the Company may be adversely affected by any of the following events. The risks and uncertainties described below are not exhaustive of all the risks faced by the Company or the Target Group. Any other risks and uncertainties which the Company is not aware of or deems to be immaterial currently may also have an adverse impact on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of the Company and the Target Group.

The Acquisition involves various risks, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks can be categorized as (i) risks relating to the Acquisition; (ii) risks relating to the business of the Target Group; (iii) risks relating to the industry in which the Target Group operates; (iv) risks relating to conducting business in the countries where the Target Group operates; and (v) risks relating to this circular.

RISKS RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION

The Acquisition is subject to the fulfilment of the conditions precedent as set out in the S&P Agreement, and the Acquisition may or may not proceed

Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the fulfillment of a number of conditions precedent to Completion as set out in the S&P Agreement and the section headed ‘‘Letter from the Board’’ in this circular. A number of these conditions precedent have not been fulfilled as at the Latest Practicable Date and involve the actions and approvals of third parties including relevant regulatory authorities, which are not within the control of the contracting parties to the S&P Agreement. The Enlarged Group cannot assure you that all or any of the conditions precedent as set out in the S&P Agreement and this circular will be fulfilled or the Completion of the Acquisition will proceed accordingly.

The Acquisition is subject to the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing as set out in the S&P Agreement, and the Acquisition may or may not proceed

Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the fulfilment of a number of conditions precedent to Completion, one of which is the Company having obtained a term loan facility made available to the Group with arranging banks of a club deal in connection with the S&P Agreement. The fulfilment of such condition precedent depends on the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing and involves the approvals of third parties including arranging banks, the economic condition, prevailing interest rate, which are not within the control of the Company. The Enlarged Group cannot assure you that the Company will be able to fulfil this condition precedent or the Completion of the Acquisition will proceed accordingly.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Finance costs for loan to settle the Consideration of the Acquisition may affect future financial performance of the Enlarged Group and the Company’s dividend payout after Completion

Pursuant to the S&P Agreement, part of the Consideration will be financed by a club deal coordinated by four leading banks in Hong Kong and a term loan facility in the amount of HK$700 million shall be made available to the Group under the club deal. The term loan will be guaranteed by the Group and the Target Group jointly and severally and will be repaid by self-generated cash of the Enlarged Group. The total estimated finance costs (including the transaction costs) for the term loan is approximately HK$80.8 million.

Upon the term loan being made available to the Group for the Acquisition, the Enlarged Group is expected to incur a significant amount of interest expense relating to the term loan thus affecting the Enlarged Group’s finance costs. Future increases in the HIBOR benchmark interest rate, relating to the interest rate charged for the term loan, may lead to higher interest rates, which may increase finance costs of the Enlarged Group thereby materially and adversely affecting its business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, as the declaration of dividends and the amount of any dividends payout depend on various factors such as the reserve of the Company in the future, there is no assurance that the Company will pay dividends in the future.

RISKS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

A significant portion of the Target Group’s revenue during the Track Record Period was derived from a limited number of major customers

The Target Group derived a significant portion of its revenue from its major customers during the Track Record Period. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s five largest customers accounted for 85.5%, 80.5%, 76.3% and 76.8% of the Target Group’s revenue, respectively. The concentration of revenue from a few customers exposes the Target Group to certain business risks including (i) the Target Group may have to spend considerable resources on managing customer relationship with these major customers and prioritise its production capacity to meet their needs and in turn the Target Group’s ability to engage with new customers may be limited; (ii) the Target Group may be subject to certain business risks of its major customers which incorporate products of the Target Group to produce theirs or supply their services and the decrease in demand of the major customers’ respective products or services may in turn decrease the demand of products of the Target Group; and (iii) major customers of the Target Group, generally do not engage the Target Group on an exclusive basis and even if the major customers provide the Target Group with their demand projection, the actual order they finally placed to the Target Group can be significantly reduced without any or sufficient compensation, business operations and results of operations of the Target Group may thus be materially and adversely affected.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Further, the Target Group has a concentration of credit risks associated with its limited number of major customers. As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, 62%, 59%, 69% and 73% of trade receivables were due from the Target Group’s five largest customers, respectively. In case major customers of the Target Group encounter any financial difficulties or opt to default payments to the Target Group for whatever reasons, liquidity position and cash flows of the Target Group may be materially and adversely affected as well.

High gearing ratio may expose the Target Group to liquidity risk

The gearing ratio of the Target Group was 161.1%, 236.1%, 254.0% and 299.0% as of 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and as of 30 September 2019, respectively. High gearing ratio could have significant implications to the Target Group, which include: (i) increasing its vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions; (ii) requiring the Target Group to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to repay its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow for its business expansion, working capital and other general corporate purposes; (iii) limiting its flexibility in adapting or reacting to changes in the business and industry in which the Target Group operates; (iv) placing the Target Group at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors with lower levels of indebtedness; (v) limiting its ability to incur additional debts; and (vi) increasing its cost of additional financing.

High gearing ratio would expose the Target Group to liquidity risk which could restrict its ability to make necessary capital expenditure, settle the payment due to the suppliers on time or pursue strategic business opportunities, and the financial condition and results of operations of the Target Group could be materially and adversely affected.

The Target Group derives a significant part of its total revenue in the PRC

During the Track Record Period, the Target Group’s revenue derived in the PRC accounted for a significant part of its total revenue and amounted to 42.6%, 47.7%, 52.4% and 52.2% of its total revenue for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. The Target Group expects that revenue derived in the PRC will continue to account for a significant portion of its revenue in the near future. Any event negatively affecting the networking cable industry such as economic downturn or if additional restrictions or burdens on the industry in general such as more stringent standards and regulations, the overall business and results of operations of the Target Group may be materially and adversely affected.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The business of Target Group is subject to liquidity risk arising from long cash conversion cycle

During the Track Record Period, the Target Group recorded a shorter creditors’ turnover days than the sum of its inventory turnover days and debtors’ turnover days as there were often time lags between receiving sales proceeds from the Target Group’s customers and making payments to its suppliers. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the creditors’ turnover days of the Target Group amounted to approximately 73.5 days, 67.0 days, 58.2 days and 58.5 days, respectively, whereas the inventory turnover days of Target Group amounted to approximately 51.5 days, 64.2 days, 65.8 days and 65.0 days, respectively, and the debtors’ turnover days of the Target Group amounted to approximately 125.1 days, 116.2 days, 108.1 days and 108.9 days, respectively. If the Target Group fails to properly manage the timing and the amounts of cash to be received from customers and the timing and amounts of cash to be paid to suppliers in an effective manner, it will tighten the liquidity position of the Target Group and the overall cash conversion cycle will be lengthened. If the Target Group is unable to generate sufficient cash flows from its operations or obtain sufficient financing, the liquidity position and the operations of the Target Group will be materially and adversely affected.

Research and development efforts of the Target Group may not yield the benefits that it had expected

The Target Group has a team of research and development personnel for the continuous technological development to cope with rapid changes on various industrial standards and certifications and updates on new technical standards to better serve its customers’ needs. The research and development efforts of the Target Group were crucial for its business and for maintaining its competitive position and business growth. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s cost incurred in research and development expenses amounted to approximately HK$14,211,000, HK$15,511,000, HK$19,761,000 and HK$14,262,000, respectively.

Costs spent on research and development may not necessarily result in successful outcome which enables the Target Group to upgrade its existing products or develop products which its customers require. Further, the Target Group may not be able to anticipate accurately or be aware of the technological development trends and such inability in turn may have a material and adverse impact on its business, financial position and results of operations.

The Target Group does not enter into long-term contracts with its customers generally

The Target Group does not enter into any long-term sales agreement with its customers and sales of the Target Group are made on the basis of individual purchase orders without fixed timing each year. The Target Group may enter into manufacturing agreements with its customers which govern the conduct of each sales transaction between the Target Group and its customers. There is no assurance that any of the customers of the Target Group will place purchase orders with the Target Group in the future at the same level as in prior periods, or

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

that the volume of the customers’ purchase orders will be consistent with the expectation of the Target Group when planning its expenditures. As a result, the results of operations of the Target Group may vary from period to period and may fluctuate significantly.

If the Target Group fails to implement its inventory management measures effectively or its inventories become obsolete, future performance and operating results of the Target Group will be adversely affected

The Target Group implements inventory management measures and determines raw materials, components and finished products based on the amount of the actual or projected purchase orders and its procurement cycle for raw materials and components. The Target Group’s major customers sometimes enter into vendor-managed inventory arrangements with the Target Group whereby its customers would provide production forecasts to it. The Target Group usually allocates its internal resources to plan its production and manages its inventory level in accordance with its production forecasts. Please refer to section headed ‘‘Business of the Target Group — Inventory management’’ in this circular for details of the Target Group’s inventory management. If the actual demand for the Target Group’s target products lags significantly behind internal projections of the Target Group or those of its customers, the Target Group may result in underutilising its production capacities or producing more networking cable products than the Target Group can sell, which may have a material adverse effect as to the financial performance and cash flow of the Target Group and could increase write-offs of obsolete inventory.

The Target Group’s business relies on its ability to attract and retain its senior management and technical personnel

The Target Group depends on its senior management (for biographies of the Target Group’s senior management, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Directors and Senior Management of the Target Group’’ in this circular) for the smooth operation of its factories and execution of its business plans. The continuing services of the directors, senior management team and technical personnel of the Target Group is critical to maintain the quality of its products and its future success. If members of senior management as set out in the section headed ‘‘Directors and Senior Management of the Target Group’’ in this circular are unable or unwilling to continue their services with the Target Group, the Enlarged Group may not be able to replace them with qualified and experienced candidates who have sufficient technical knowledge in the networking cable industry or are familiar with and capable of the management and operation of highly automated manufacturing in a timely manner, or at all, which may result in business disruption and materially and adversely affect its financial conditions and results of operations.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Fluctuations in the prices of major raw materials of the Target Group could materially and adversely affect its business, financial conditions and results of operations

The Target Group is dependent upon raw materials used in the manufacture of networking cables that it sells to its customers and it may from time to time experience increase in costs of raw materials. For the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the total cost of raw materials accounted for 86.3%, 86.2%, 86.4% and 85.2% of the total cost of goods sold of the Target Group, respectively. In particular, copper, being the principal raw material of networking cables that the Target Group makes, is a kind of commodity with its price having demonstrated a considerable volatility in the past. If the Target Group cannot manage the risk of price fluctuations of the raw materials at all time and is not able to shift such the price increase to its customers in a timely manner, or even if the price increase is able to be passed on to the Target Group’s customers, the demand of such products may consequently decrease, there may be material and adverse effect on its business, financial conditions and results of operations.

The Target Group may experience labour shortage or unrest or may incur high labour costs

The availability of automation technology or production procedures cannot fully replace labour for the production processes of the Target Group. For the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the salaries and employee benefit expenses accounted for 5.5%, 5.3%, 5.4% and 6.0% of the total cost of goods sold of the Target Group, respectively. As a result of changes in the labour market conditions or industry practices or otherwise, the Target Group may be required to increase the wages for its workers. In addition, the Target Group may face labour unrest or may raise wages for its employees and contract workers, whether due to labour unrest or as a result of the wage rise of other manufacturing companies in China. Labour unrest will disrupt its production and the higher wages will result in increased labour costs. If the Target Group cannot increase its product prices to offset the additional labour costs in a timely manner or in a sufficient amount or if the Target Group experience labour shortage or labour unrest, its business, financial conditions and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to maintain an effective quality control system could result in product returns, warranty claims or product liability claims against the Target Group

The Target Group places emphasis on the quality of its products and has adhered to stringent quality control measures. In order to meet customers’ requirements and expectations for the quality and safety of its products, the Target Group has adopted a stringent quality control system incorporating inspection and testing procedures throughout its manufacturing process. Despite its quality control systems having been prepared and reviewed by designated management staff and every step of the manufacturing process of the Target Group having been monitored and managed, there is no assurance that the quality control system in place will be effective in every circumstance. Any significant failure or deterioration in the efficacy of the Target Group’s quality control system could result in damage to or defects in its

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

products, resulting in cancellation or loss of orders from customers, loss of customer’s confidence in its products, a decrease in demand for its products overall and the Target Group’s business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Availability of substitutes of the Target Group’s products could adversely affect its financial performance

Some of the Target Group’s products may be easily replicated and the Target Group faces pricing pressure for its products due to availability of substitutes of the Target Group’s products. In the face of pricing pressure of a given product, the Target Group may resort to cost reduction in order to maintain profitability. Although the Target Group works consistently towards reducing its production costs, there is no assurance that the Target Group will be able to achieve the desirable level of reduced costs to sustain its normal operation. As such, if the Target Group considers it commercially infeasible to offer an existing product, it may either withdraw from offering the product or remain to offer it at reduced profit or even a loss, which may in turn adversely affect its scale of operation, profitability and future prospect.

The Target Group’s insurance coverage may not fully cover all risks related to its business and operations

The Target Group has maintained necessary insurance such as product liability and public liabilities insurance and these insurance policies are generally in accordance with customary industry practices, including deductibles and limits of coverage. There is no assurance that the Target Group is fully insured against all potential hazards incidental to its business. If the Target Group incurs a significant liability for which it was not fully insured, result in an adverse effect on its results of operations. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies may increase substantially and, in some instances, certain insurances may become unavailable at a reasonable cost or available only for certain risks. If for any reason the Target Group is no longer covered by its existing insurance, there is no assurance that the Target Group would be able to obtain replacement insurance on acceptable terms or at all, which may have an adverse effect on its results of operations.

The Target Group may be subject to liability in relation to industrial accidents at production facilities

Given the nature of its business operation, the Target Group is subject to the risks of potential liability associated with industrial accidents at its production facilities. There is no assurance that industrial accidents, whether due to malfunction of equipment or other reasons, will not occur in the future at production facilities of the Target Group. Under such circumstances, the Target Group may be subject to employee claims for compensation or penalties imposed by relevant government authorities.

The Target Group may also experience interruptions in its operations or may be required to change in the manner it operates, as a result of governmental investigations or the implementation of safety measures due to accidents. Any of the foregoing events could materially and adversely affect the Target Group’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Any unanticipated or prolonged interruption of operations at production facilities would have a material and adverse effect on the business, financial conditions and results of operations of the Target Group

The Target Group is dependent on the continued and uninterrupted performance of its production facilities. However, these facilities are subject to operating risks, including equipment failures, failures to comply with applicable regulations, disruptions in power supply, industrial accidents, labour shortages, strike, riot, fire, earthquake or other natural calamities, and acts of sabotage. If any unanticipated or prolonged interruption of operations at any of the production facilities of the Target Group occurs as a result of any of the foregoing or other risks or factors, the Target Group may be unable to deliver products to its customers in a timely manner or at all. Consequently, the business operation, reputation and customer relationship of the Target Group may be damaged, and the Target Group may be subject to compensation claims from customers and its ability to attract new businesses may also be adversely affected.

The Target Group may be subject to civil and criminal liabilities for its defective products and any significant product liability claim could have a material and adverse effect on its financial condition

The Target Group is exposed to a certain level of risks of product liability and claims for the manufacture and sale of its products. There is no assurance that the Target Group will not receive any complaints or claims which may adversely affect its reputation and operation. The Target Group may also be liable for loss and injury due to defective products sold in jurisdictions where it operates and its insurance coverage may not be sufficient, resulting in a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition.

The intellectual property rights of the Target Group may not be sufficient to prevent others from unauthorised use of its intellectual property

The Target Group relies on a combination of trademark and copyright laws, nondisclosure agreements, technical knowhow and other methods to protect its intellectual property rights. In particular, the Target Group relies on various registered patents in its production process. For more details of the Target Group’s intellectual properties, please refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘General Information — Intellectual Properties of the Target Group’’ in Appendix V to this circular. The registered trademarks, patents, trade names, technologies etc. of the Target Group may be inadequate in preventing misappropriation and unauthorised use of its intellectual properties. Failure to prevent others from unauthorised use of the intellectual property of the Target Group could harm its business, reputation and competitive positions and the Target Group may have to enforce its intellectual property rights through litigation and such potential litigation may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Any change in the tax treatment of the Target Group could reduce its profitability

The Target Group’s income tax filing positions and consolidated income tax provisions and accruals are based on interpretations of applicable tax laws, including income tax treaties between the various countries and regions in which the Target Group operates, and significant judgment and the use of estimates are required in determining such income tax provisions. The final determination of the relevant tax authorities could be materially different from the Target Group’s historical income tax provision and accruals. The Target Group may face adverse tax consequences and there could have a material effect on the financial statements of the Target Group in the period or periods for which that determination is made.

The Target Group is subject to certain laws and regulations and failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in financial losses

The Target Group is subject to laws, rules and regulations that regulate all aspects of its business. Compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations may restrict the Target Group’s business activities and require the Target Group to incur increased expense and to devote considerable time to such compliance efforts. Failure to comply with any of the applicable laws, rules and regulations could result in fines, suspension of the Target Group’s business licenses or, in extreme cases, business license revocation, each of which would have a material adverse effect on the Target Group’s business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Laws, rules, regulations and regulatory interpretations may change from time to time and such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Target Group’s business.

RISKS RELATING TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THE TARGET GROUP OPERATES

The Target Group faces significant competition and its inability to compete effectively with its peers would be detrimental to its business and prospects for future growth

The Target Group operates in a highly competitive industry where the entry barrier is not high. As such, the Target Group faces significant competition and pricing pressure in its business. The industry and markets for products of the Target Group are characterised by factors such as rapid technological change and new product development, rapid product obsolescence, evolving industry standards and significant price erosion over the life of a product.

The Target Group faces significant competition with its peers in the networking cable industry on the following aspects: product functionality, quality and reliability; design, technical and manufacturing capabilities; ability to meet customers’ delivery schedules; customer relationships and services; stability of raw material procurement; and product price. There is no assurance that the Target Group will maintain its competitiveness in any of these areas with respect to any of its products. Many of the existing and potential competitors of the Target Group may have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, sales, marketing, technology and other resources. If the Target Group fails to compete effectively with its peers in the future, its business and prospects for future growth would be materially and adversely affected.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group may not be able to develop, manufacture and introduce new and technologically enhanced products that meet its customers’ requirements consistently

The industry of the Target Group is characterised by rapid changes caused by the frequent emergence of new technologies and industry standards. In order to maintain its competitiveness in the industry, the Target Group is required to anticipate and respond rapidly to changes in industry standards and customer needs and to develop, manufacture and introduce new and enhanced products on a timely and cost effective basis. Failure to anticipate and respond to customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends timely and accurately, to develop, manufacture and introduce products that meet the evolving needs of customers could adversely affect its relationships with customers, thus resulting in loss of market share. If this occurs, it may have a material and adverse effect on the business, financial conditions and results of operations of the Target Group.

Products of the Target Group are required to meet industry technical standards certifications, and/or client’s specifications and customers of the Target Group place significant emphasis on product quality, timeliness of delivery and reliability, any quality, delivery or reliability issue can affect the Target Group’s reputation and its customer’s decision in selecting suppliers. As a result, if products of the Target Group experience quality deficiency issues, its business, financial conditions and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

RISKS RELATING TO CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE THE TARGET GROUP OPERATES

The Target Group’s results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by volatile or uncertain conditions and could be disrupted by geopolitical events such as the U.S.-China trade war

There is a risk that, when global economic conditions are unstable or volatile, the Target Group may experience a decline in its business.

China’s economic growth may slow down due to weakened exports as well as recent developments surrounding the tension relating the trade issues with the United States. Starting in March 2018, the United States imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from China, and later on 6 July 2018, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on US$34 billion worth of Chinese goods as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs policy. In retaliation, the PRC responded with similarly sized tariffs on United States’ products. On 17 September 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on approximately US$200 billion worth of Chinese goods and announced to further increase the rate to 25% in January 2019. In return, the PRC responded with tariffs on US$60 billion of U.S. goods. The rhetoric surrounding the trade war continues to escalate. On 10 May 2019, the U.S. increased tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese products from 10% to 25%. U.S. President Donald Trump also announced that he would come up with new tariffs of 25% on an additional US$325 billion worth of Chinese goods, which would cover essentially all remaining Chinese products. On 13 May 2019, China announced that it would increase tariffs on US$60 billion worth of U.S. goods from 1 June 2019 in response to the tariff increases imposed by the U.S. on 10 May 2019. Moreover, up until May 2019, the U.S. has banned six Chinese technology firms from

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

exporting certain sensitive U.S. goods. In September 2019, U.S. and China held trade talks and in December 2019, both China and U.S. has exempted goods from their respective tariff lists. On 13 January 2020, U.S. removed its designation of China as a currency manipulator and on 15 January 2020, U.S. and China signed phase one trade deal, with China agreeing to purchase at least an additional US$200 billion worth of U.S. goods, which has for the time eased the tension of the U.S.-China trade war.

Although phase one trade deal was signed, many of the bans and tariffs imposed still remain. The amicable resolution of such a trade war remains elusive, and the lasting impacts any trade war may have on the PRC economy and the industries the Target Group’s customers operate in remain uncertain. Such volatile economic conditions may cause customers to reduce or defer projects for which they utilise the Target Group’s products, thereby negatively affecting demand for them. To the extent participants in such industries are targeted by U.S. tariffs or otherwise adversely affected by the trade war such as U.S.’s ban on exports of certain suppliers, their demand for the Target Group’s products may decrease. As a result, the Target Group’s business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. Some of the Target Group’s customers are China-based technology companies that may be adversely affected by the trade war if it escalates or becomes protracted. If this happens, the Target Group’s business with such customers may be harmed.

Any occurrence of natural disasters, widespread health epidemics or other events could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Target Group

The Target Group’s business is susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or floods, widespread health epidemics, such as swine flu, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Ebola, Zika, coronavirus or other events, such as wars, acts of terrorism, environmental accidents, power shortage or communication interruptions.

The occurrence of a disaster or a prolonged outbreak of an epidemic illness or other adverse public health developments in the PRC or in other regions could materially disrupt the business and operations of the Target Group. For the recent outbreak of a new type of coronavirus, which is known as COVID-19, the measures implemented by the PRC government to fight and control the spread of the virus have significantly disrupted travel and local businesses. The outbreak could severely disrupt operations of the Target Group if any of the employees of the Target Group were suspected of contracting an epidemic disease as such, requiring the Target Group to quarantine some or all of the employees or disinfect the facilities used for the Target Group’s operations and cause a temporary closure to the production facilities of the Target Group. The Target Group’s profitability could also be materially affected to the extent that any natural disasters, health epidemics or other events harm the PRC and the global economy in general.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group is vulnerable to adverse changes in political, economic and social conditions, laws, regulations and policies in the PRC

During the Track Record Period, the Target Group’s manufacturing operations were conducted in the PRC and a substantial portion of its revenue was derived from the PRC market. As a result, the Target Group is susceptible to changes in political, economic and social conditions in the PRC. The economy of PRC differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the degree of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. In the past, the PRC government has implemented measures emphasising the utilisation of market forces for economic reform. However, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industrial development and the allocation, production, pricing and management of resources. The Target Group may not be able to capitalise on the economic reform measures adopted by the PRC government.

In addition, the implementation of the laws in the PRC and regulations involves a degree of uncertainty. The Target Group cannot predict the future development of the PRC’s legal system, including any promulgation of new laws, change to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the pre-emption of local regulations by national laws, and the effect it may have on the Target Group. Changes in the political, economic and social conditions or the relevant policies of the PRC government, such as changes in laws and regulations (or the interpretation thereof) and fiscal or financial measures, could have an adverse effect on the overall economic growth of the PRC and in turn have an adverse effect on the Target Group’s business, growth strategies, financial condition and results of operations.

Material fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may adversely affect the Target Group’s business and performance

The Target Group mainly operates in Hong Kong and the PRC. The Target Group’s sales, purchases, expenses and payments are mainly denominated in RMB, HK$ and US$. Therefore, the Target Group is subject to currency risks. For the years ended 31 March 2017 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group recorded the net foreign exchange gain of approximately HK$5,870,000, HK$953,000 and HK$11,611,000 and the net foreign exchange loss of approximately HK$5,567,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018, respectively. The exchange rates of different currencies are subject to fluctuations affected by international political and economic conditions and changes in the relevant government’s economic and monetary policies. Any possible material fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may adversely affect the Target Group’s business and performance.

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Company may be considered a ‘‘resident enterprise’’ under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and income tax on the dividends that it receives from its PRC operating subsidiaries may increase

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law 《( 企業所得稅法》) (the ‘‘EIT Law’’), enterprises established under the laws of foreign countries or regions and whose ‘‘de facto management bodies’’ are located within the PRC are considered ‘‘resident enterprises’’ and thus will generally be subject to enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their global income. If the Target Group was considered a PRC resident enterprise, the Target Group would be subject to enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on the Target Group global income, and any dividend or gain on the sale of shares of the Target Group received by the Target Company may be subject to a withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%.

In addition, although the EIT Law provides that dividend payments between qualified PRC resident enterprises are exempted from enterprise income tax, it remains unclear as to the detailed qualification requirements for this exemption and whether dividend payments by the Target Group’s PRC operating subsidiaries to the Target Company would meet such qualification requirements. If the Target Group’s global income were to be taxed under the EIT Law, the Target Group’s financial position and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

RISKS RELATING TO THIS CIRCULAR

This circular contains forward looking statements.

This circular contains forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to:

  • the business strategies and plans to execute these strategies;

  • the operations and business prospects, including development plans for the existing and new businesses;

  • the financial conditions;

  • availability of bank loans and other forms of financing;

  • the ability to reduce costs;

  • the dividend policy;

  • the future developments trends, conditions and competitive environment in the industry;

  • the effect of the global financial markets and economic crisis;

  • changes or volatility in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and overall market changes;

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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

  • the regulatory environment for the industry in general; and

  • the general economic trend of the PRC and general economic conditions.

The words ‘‘anticipate’’, ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘consider’’, ‘‘could’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘expect’’, ‘‘going forward’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘ought to’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘potential’’, ‘‘project’’, ‘‘seek’’, ‘‘will’’, ‘‘would’’, and similar expressions and the negative of these words, as they relate to the Company or the Target Group, are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Directors with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risk factors described in this circular. Investors are cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. The uncertainties in this regard include, but are not limited to, those identified in the section headed ‘‘Risk Factors relating to the Target Group’’ of this circular, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of forward looking statements in this circular should not be regarded as representations by the Company or the Directors that its plans or objectives will be achieved. If any or all of these risks or uncertainties materialise, or the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the financial condition of the Company or the Target Group may be materially and adversely affected and actual outcomes may differ materially from those described in this circular as anticipated, believed or expected.

Subject to the requirements of the Listing Rules, the Company does not intend to publicly update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements in this circular, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. As a result of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this circular might not occur in the way the Company expects, or at all. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. All forward-looking statements in this circular are qualified by reference to this cautionary statement.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Except as otherwise provided in this circular, the information that appears in this Industry Overview section is derived from the CRI Report prepared by CRI and reflects estimates of market conditions based on publicly available sources and interviews with industry experts and participants, and is prepared primarily as a market research tool. The Directors believe that the sources of information contained in this Industry Overview section are appropriate sources for such information and have taken reasonable care in reproducing such information. The Directors have no reason to believe that such information is false or misleading or that any material fact has been omitted that would render such information false or misleading. The information prepared by CRI and set out in this Industry Overview section has not been independently verified by the Group, the Financial Advisers, their respective affiliates or advisers, or any other parties involved in the Acquisition. No representation is given as to the accuracy or completeness of such information, and the information should not be relied upon in making, or refraining from making, any investment decision. The Company has engaged CRI to prepare the reports for use in whole or in part in this circular.

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

The Company has commissioned CRI to assess the industry development trends, market demand and competitive landscape of networking cable industry in the PRC, in which the Target Group operates, at a fee of HK$190,000 and the Directors consider that such fee reflects market rates. Founded in 2007, CRI is a research and consulting company focusing on various industries and markets. CRI provides customised industry research services and produces a variety of market research reports, industry analytical reports and publications covering different industries.

The information contained in the CRI Report is derived by means of data and intelligence gathering through: (i) primary research, including face-to-face interviews with industrial insiders and experts and phone interviews with key stakeholders in the PRC, such as relevant manufacturers, distributors and customers; and (ii) secondary research, involved analysing data from various publicly available data sources. To ensure the reliability, the market specialists at CRI assessed and recalculated, if necessary, relevant data from different institutions according to actual conditions. Nevertheless, the Company cannot assure you that the accuracy or completeness of the factors, forecasts and statistics in this circular obtained from sources such as government publications, market data providers and the CRI Report.

Except as otherwise noted, all the data and forecast in this section are derived from the CRI Report. The Directors confirm that, after taking reasonable care, there is no material adverse change in the market information since the date of the CRI Report which may qualify, contradict or have a material impact on the information in this section.

DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION

Networking cables are cables used to transmit internet data. By raw material, networking cables are classified into metal-core Ethernet cables (mainly copper-core Ethernet cables) and optical fibre cables.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The major downstream industries of Ethernet cables are networking cables that used in Ethernet environments such as local area networks, metropolitan networks and wide area networks. For the purposes of the CRI Report, the industry of networking cables with metal core which are commonly known as LAN cables is studied.

Market size of networking cables in the PRC

In 2018, the market size of networking cables in the PRC reached RMB39.91 billion, representing a CAGR of 24.5% from 2014 to 2018. The fast growth was attributable to the growing demand resulting from development of the 4G industry, fixed broadband, data centres, etc. Having a large number of downstream consumers, manufacturers of LAN cables have strong bargaining power. From 2014 to 2018, the PRC’s LAN cable market maintained steady growth. With telecom operators (fixed broadband connection) and data centres as the major users, manufacturers of optical fibre cables had weak bargaining power. In 2018, the market size of optical fibre cables in the PRC reached RMB21.81 billion, representing a CAGR of 44.1% from 2014 to 2018. From 2014 to 2017, driven by the development of industries such as optical fibre broadband and data centres, the PRC’s optical fibre cable market grew rapidly. From 2018 to 2019, as the PRC had basically completed 4G construction and had not started large-scale 5G construction, the growth rate of the data centre industry moderated. Therefore, the PRC’s optical fibre cable market shrank. As the PRC accelerates 5G construction, the growth rate of the PRC’s optical fibre cable market will pick up from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, the market size of networking cables in the PRC is expected to reach RMB66.80 billion, representing a CAGR of 13.8% from 2019 to 2023. Specifically, the market size of LAN cables is expected to reach RMB32.47 billion, representing a CAGR of 12.6% from 2019 to 2023; the market size of optical fibre cables is expected to reach RMB 34.33 billion, representing a CAGR of 15.0% from 2019 to 2023.

Market size (RMB billion)
Optical fibre Networking
LAN cables cables cables
2014 11.55 5.06 16.61
2015 12.16 6.81 18.97
2016 14.43 11.20 25.63
2017 16.54 19.69 36.23
2018 18.10 21.81 39.91
2019F 20.21 19.63 39.84
2020F 22.65 22.57 45.22
2021F 25.46 25.96 51.42
2022F 28.71 29.85 58.56
2023F 32.47 34.33 66.80
2014–2018 CAGR 11.9% 44.1% 24.5%
2019–2023F CAGR 12.6% 15.0% 13.8%

Note: The years specified in the table are for the period from April to March of relative year.

Source: CRI Report

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Market size of LAN cables

In 2018, the global market size of LAN cables reached US$6.79 billion, representing a CAGR of 10.7% from 2014 to 2018. The global market size of LAN cables for fixed broadband, a major part of the global LAN cable market, reached US$3.07 billion, representing a CAGR of 8.8% from 2014 to 2018. The global market size of LAN cables for consumer electronics, another major part of the global LAN cable market, reached US$1.92 billion, representing a CAGR of 20.4% from 2014 to 2018. As the global sales of personal computers have been declining in recent years, the global demand for LAN cables from personal computers is shrinking. In 2018, the global market size of LAN cables for personal computers reached US$0.88 billion, representing a negative CAGR of 0.3% from 2014 to 2018. The decline in personal computer market has been offset by other new products which have processing power and require networking usage. Other industries such as the blockchain (including distributed ledgers and cryptocurrencies) applications, cloud computing and network attached storage (NAS) also have an increasing demand for LAN cables. In 2018, the global market size of LAN cables for the blockchain applications, NAS, etc. reached US$0.92 billion, representing a CAGR of 15.0% from 2014 to 2018.

Market size of global LAN cables 2014–2018

2014–
Market size (US$ billion) 2018
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 CAGR
Fixed broadband 2.19 2.54 2.74 2.89 3.07 8.8%
Consumer electronics 0.91 1.10 1.30 1.55 1.92 20.4%
Personal computers 0.90 0.87 0.84 0.82 0.88 –0.3%
Others 0.53 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.92 15.0%
Total 4.53 5.11 5.58 6.06 6.79 10.7%

Note: The years specified in the table are for the period from April to March of relative year.

Source: CRI Report

In 2018, the market size of LAN cables in China reached RMB18.10 billion, representing a CAGR of 11.9% from 2014 to 2018. The structure of China’s LAN cable market was similar to that of the global LAN cable market. The market size of LAN cables for fixed broadband in China reached RMB7.73 billion, representing a CAGR of 17.8% from 2014 to 2018. The market size of LAN cables for consumer electronics reached RMB4.08 billion, representing a CAGR of 21.0% from 2014 to 2018. As the production and sales volumes of personal computers in China have declined for many years, the demand for LAN cables on China’s personal computers market is decreasing. In 2018, the market size of LAN cables for personal computers in China reached RMB3.68 billion, representing a negative CAGR of 3.3%. China’s other industries such as the blockchain and NAS also have an increasing demand for LAN cables. In 2018, the market size of LAN cables for the blockchain, NAS, etc. reached RMB2.61 billion, representing a CAGR of 16.2% from 2014 to 2018.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Market size of the PRC’s LAN cables industry from 2014–2018

2014–
Market size (RMB billion) 2018
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 CAGR
Fixed broadband 4.01 4.27 5.94 6.98 7.73 17.8%
Consumer electronics 1.91 2.46 3.07 3.64 4.08 21.0%
Personal computers 4.21 3.77 3.48 3.68 3.68 –3.3%
Others 1.43 1.66 1.93 2.24 2.61 16.2%
Total 11.56 12.16 14.42 16.54 18.10 11.9%

Note: The years specified in the table are for the period from April to March of relative year. Source: CRI Report

The Target Group has a wide variety of products for different application scenarios. From 2017 to 2019, the Target Group’s major products Cat 5/5e cables, Cat 6/6A cables and Cat 7/7A cables accounted for over 90% of the total revenue of the Target Group. Cat 5/5e cables and Cat 6/6A cables have similar structures and mainly differ in terms of transmission speed and performance. Cat 5/5e cables are mainly used in fields such as fixed broadband, consumer electronics and personal computers. Having higher performance and prices, Cat 6/ 6A cables are mainly used in fields such as fixed broadband for enterprises and high-end consumer electronics and personal computers. With structure different from those of Cat 5/5e cables and Cat 6/6A cables and much higher transmission speed, Cat 7/7A cables are mainly used in fields such as data centers and fixed broadband for enterprises. As the access rate of global fixed broadband increases, Cat 5/5e cables and Cat 6/6A cables are expected to take up a smaller share of the LAN cable market while the market share of Cat 7/7A cables will gradually increase.

Global LAN cables market by product type

Market size (US$ million)
2017 2018 2019F 2020F 2021F 2022F 2023F
Cat 5/5e cables 1,422.81 1,473.57 1,496.64 1,492.99 1,462.56 1,407.24 1,320.04
Cat 6/6A cables 3,802.22 4,203.40 4,588.19 5,027.25 5,519.98 6,073.36 6,695.35
Cat 7/7A cables 157.42 373.48 740.76 1,062.81 1,556.92 2,179.64 2,913.61
Others 672.04 740.18 733.21 851.94 896.40 920.53 963.27
Total 6,054.49 6,790.63 7,558.80 8,434.99 9,435.86 10,580.77 11,892.27

Note: The years specified in the table are for the period from April to March of relative year.

Source: CRI Report

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

There are many LAN cable manufacturers in the world. By the end of 2018, the number of LAN cable manufacturers in the world was over 1,000, representing a low market concentration ratio. By revenue, the global top five LAN cable manufacturers in 2018 were Amphenol Corporation, CommScope Holding Company, Inc., TE Connectivity Ltd., Schneider Electric and the Target Group. Amphenol Corporation took up the largest market share of 6.2%. The Target Group took up the fifth largest market share of about 3.2%. The market share of top five LAN cable manufacturers was 23.8%. All of the top five LAN cable manufacturers except the Target Group are listed companies. And the LAN cable is not the main business of these leading companies.

Global Top 5 LAN cable manufacturers in 2018

Revenue of
LAN cable Global
Ranking Enterprise business market share
(US$ million) %
1 Amphenol Corporation 420.1 6.2%
2 CommScope Holding Company, Inc. 365.5 5.4%
3 TE Connectivity Ltd. 346.5 5.1%
4 Schneider Electric 264.2 3.9%
5 The Target Group 216.3 3.2%
Total 1,612.6 23.8%

Note: The revenues are for the period from April 2018 to March 2019. Source: CRI Report

There are also many small and medium-sized LAN cable manufacturers (including manufacturers that have their own brands, OEMs and ODMs) in the global and China markets. These manufacturers take orders at low prices but they have uneven product quality and low profit margins. It is expected that as downstream clients put forward higher technical and quality requirements for LAN cables, less competitive LAN cable manufacturers will close down, and the global and China LAN cable markets will become more concentrated.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Competitive advantages of the Target Group in the market

  • (1) The Target Group ranked fifth in the global LAN cable market in terms of revenue.

  • (2) Having produced different cables for over 26 years, the Target Group has advanced technologies and various products.

  • (3) The Target Group keeps long-term cooperation with some excellent and international clients, which secures the sustained growth of its revenue.

  • (4) The LAN cables of the Target Group’s self-owned brand are well known to the China market.

  • (5) The Target Group keeps developing new LAN cables according to market trends and latest technologies, which helps to create new growth areas, such as Cat 8 cables, optical fibre cables, etc.

Entry barriers

Capital

Purchase of LAN cable manufacturing equipment and research and development of new product require constant and massive funds because the downstream clients’ requirements on quality, performance and specification of cable for fixed broadband, consumer electronics and other industries constantly leveling up, which creates a fund barrier to enterprises. In addition, to improve profit margin and save labour costs, substantial investment in automation machines is needed for routine and repetitive procedures.

Sales channel

Qualified LAN cable suppliers should not only comply with the industry standards but also satisfy the qualification requirements set out by the clients. Qualification procedures are usually stringent as part of the total quality control process, especially for global corporations. Once the supplier is authorised by the clients, the partnership usually stays long in the absence of unexpected events. Corporates may set high bar in authorising suppliers and the cost of switching suppliers may be significant. Such authorisation mechanism and industry phenomenon of long-term partnerships forms a solid barrier to new entrants.

Technology

Varieties and specifications of LAN cable for downstream industries are numerous and complicated, which requires high-level design and techniques. Manufacturers should have fast research and development ability to respond to the speedy upgrading of downstream products in short time horizon, which constitutes a technical barrier to new entrants.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Key drivers

  • (1) Global fixed broadband networks have huge demand for LAN cables and the demand is growing steadily.

  • (2) With the development of global economy, the rise of people’s disposable income and the advancement of new technologies such as 4K or even 8K video[(Note)] and virtual reality, consumers are increasingly reliant on the internet and demanding on network transmission. The demand of stable signal and high volume transmission is also growing. To achieve faster network transmission, LAN cables with higher performance and prices will gain popularity in the future.

  • (3) As a major LAN cable manufacturing country, China has mature LAN cable manufacturing technologies, which is favourable to the development of the industry. China-made LAN cables are not only sold domestically but also exported to overseas markets.

  • (4) The theoretical download speed of 5G is 20 Gbit/s (according to the ITU IMT-2020 standard), which is more than 60 times the peak download speed of 100 Mbit/s to 150 Mbit/s of 4G. The download speed of 5G will exceed the average download speed below 100 Mbit/s of the current mainstream fixed network broadband services. The popularization of 5G will inevitably impact the fixed broadband market. To compete with 5G operators, fixed broadband operators will increase broadband speed by providing fixed broadband with download speed of 1 Gbit/s or higher. On one hand, the number of fixed broadband users will increase. On the other hand, old fixed broadband users need new LAN cables for service upgrade. Therefore, the development of 5G will boost the global demand for Cat 7 cables, Cat 7A cables and Cat 8 cables and stimulate the business growth of the Target Group.

To compete with 5G operators, fixed broadband operators will promote 4K and 8K video streaming, smart homes and other value-added services. The popularization of these services will also drive up the demand for LAN cables and the business growth of the Target Group.

As the global 5G market grows, the 5G-related telecommunications equipment market will also grow and the demand for Cat 7 cables, Cat 7A cables and Cat 8 cables will expand.

  • Note: 4K and 8K resolution, also called 4K and 8K, refers to the horizontal display resolution of approximately 4,000 pixels and 8,000 pixels, respectively.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Threats and challenges

Technical risks

In the 5G era, internet data will be transmitted much faster than in the 4G era, which put forwards higher technical requirements for telecommunications equipment including LAN cables, and new category of LAN cables with higher frequency and better performance is being developed. If LAN cable manufacturers cannot timely upgrade technologies and develop products that meet market needs, they will lose the market.

As users put forward higher technical requirements for the transmission performance and stability of LAN cables, the market size of mainstream Cat 5/5e cables and Cat 6/6A cables is shrinking while the market size of Cat 7/7A cables and Cat 8 cables is expanding. Cat 7/7A cables and Cat 8 cables have different structures from Cat 5/5e cables and Cat 6/6A cables and require high research and development and production capacities.

Fluctuations in the prices of upstream raw materials

The fluctuations in the prices of upstream raw materials, such as copper, polyethylene and PVC, directly affect the profitability of the LAN cable business.

Cost of copper accounts for over a half of the total cost of copper cables. The price of #1 electrolytic copper on China market fluctuated during 2016 to 2018. The highest average quarterly price of #1 electrolytic copper in China was RMB54,539 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2017, while the lowest average quarterly price was RMB36,569 per ton in the second quarter of 2016. The fluctuation of #1 electrolytic copper price was mainly due to multiple factors, such as the changes in export volumes, the exchange rate of RMB, etc.

Polyethylene (PE) and PVC are the major materials for producing cable jackets and connectors. Major raw material of PE is petroleum; major raw materials of PVC are petroleum or petroleum products. Price of raw materials of both PE and PVC are influenced by the international crude oil price. The prices of the two products fluctuated during 2016 to 2018.

If raw material prices fluctuate wildly in the short term, LAN cable buyers may restrict their purchase size and manufacturers will face certain operational risks as well.

Quality of LAN cables

The quality of LAN cables made in China is patchy. Some manufacturers produce cheap products for the low-end market to obtain a larger market share, resulting in lower profit margins of the industry.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

There are large quantities of poor-quality LAN cables on both the PRC market and the global market. Poor-quality networking cables obtain market share by low prices that are only half of those regular products. Poor-quality networking cables are made with poor-quality raw materials for cost reduction. For example, the replacement of oxygen-free copper with recycled copper results in poor data transmission performance and short service life. Counterfeit products may exist in the low-end market by selling at low price, for instance, Cat 3 cables may be disguised as Cat 5/5e cables or Cat 6/6A cables. Poor-quality networking cables not only harm the interests of the networking cable industry, intensify competition and decrease industry profit margins but also harm the interests of customers.

Future trends

  • (1) At the end of 2018, the bandwidths of the mainstream fixed broadbands in the world were between 20 Mbps and 100 Mbps. It is expected that they will increase to 100 Mbps to 1Gbps from 2019 to 2023. The increase in bandwidths will put forward higher technical requirements and industry standard for LAN cables. Taking twisted pairs for example, Cat 5 cables’ will gradually be obsoleted as similar to Cat 1 to Cat 4 cables, Cat 6 will become the mainstream and Cat 7 and the developing Cat 8 cables will grow popular.

  • (2) With the increasing performance and larger screens of mobile phones, the global sales volume of personal computers will continue to drop from 2019 to 2023 but it will remain above 200 million units per year. As 4K video and other networking and cloud applications require larger bandwidths, technological improvements of the LAN cables for personal computers is expected.

  • (3) With the popularisation of smart TVs, the highest resolution of panels is increasing from 4K to 8K. It is expected that the 2020 Summer Olympic to be held in Tokyo will be broadcasted by use of 8K4K (7,680×4,320) signals, which will promote the application of 8K resolution in global TV programmes and online videos and put forward higher technical requirements for the LAN cables for smart TVs.

It is expected that the global market size of LAN cables will continue to grow from 2019 to 2023. It will reach US$11.90 billion in 2023, representing a CAGR of 12.0% from 2019 to 2023. The LAN cables for fixed broadband will keep the largest share of the global LAN cable market. In 2023, the global demand for LAN cables for fixed broadband will reach US$4.73 billion, representing a CAGR of 9.0% from 2019 to 2023. The global demand for LAN cables for consumer electronics such as smart TVs will reach US$4.42 billion in 2023, representing a CAGR of 18.2% from 2019 to 2023. The global demand for LAN cables for personal computers will reach US$929.09 million in 2023, representing a CAGR of 1.0% from 2019 to 2023. The global demand for LAN cables for other industries such as the blockchain and NAS will reach US$1.82 billion in 2023, representing a CAGR of about 14.6% from 2019 to 2023.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Forecast on global market size of LAN cables 2019–2023F

2019–
Market size (US$ billion) 2023F
2019F 2020F 2021F 2022F 2023F CAGR
Fixed broadband 3.35 3.65 3.98 4.34 4.73 9.0%
Consumer electronics 2.26 2.68 3.16 3.74 4.42 18.2%
Personal computers 0.89 0.90 0.91 0.92 0.93 1.0%
Others 1.05 1.21 1.38 1.59 1.82 14.6%
Total 7.55 8.44 9.43 10.59 11.90 12.0%

Note: The years specified in the table are for the period from April to March of relative year. Source: CRI Report

China’s LAN cable market will also keep growing from 2019 to 2023. It is expected that the market size of LAN cables in China will reach RMB 32.46 billion in 2023, representing a CAGR of about 12.6%. The structure of China’s LAN cable market will be similar to that of the global LAN cable market. The LAN cables for fixed broadband will continue to take up the largest share of China’s LAN cable market from 2019 to 2023. The demand for LAN cables for fixed broadband in China will reach RMB 13.32 billion in 2023, representing a CAGR of 11.5% from 2019 to 2023. The demand for LAN cables for consumer electronics in China will reach RMB9.98 billion in 2023, representing a CAGR of about 19.6% from 2019 to 2023. The demand for LAN cables for personal computers in China will reach RMB3.77 billion, in 2023 representing a CAGR of about 0.5% from 2019 to 2023. The demand for LAN cables for other industries such as the blockchain and NAS in China will reach RMB5.39 billion, representing a CAGR of 15.6% from 2019 to 2023.

Forecast on market size of China’s LAN cables 2019–2023F

2019–
Market size (RMB billion) 2023F
2019F 2020F 2021F 2022F 2023F CAGR
Fixed broadband 8.62 9.61 10.72 11.95 13.32 11.5%
Consumer electronics 4.88 5.84 6.98 8.35 9.98 19.6%
Personal computers 3.70 3.72 3.74 3.75 3.77 0.5%
Others 3.02 3.49 4.03 4.66 5.39 15.6%
Total 20.22 22.66 25.47 28.71 32.46 12.6%

Note: The years specified in the table are for the period from April to March of relative year.

Source: CRI Report

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Raw materials

Direct upstream raw materials of LAN cable are copper cables and connectors, which are customised products but not standard products. Therefore, CRI conducted alternative research on major raw materials. Major raw materials for copper cables are copper wires and other materials such as PE and PVC. For the above reasons, CRI analyses the price trend of upstream raw material for copper, PE and PVC for reference. The following charts illustrate the price of #1 electrolytic copper, PE and PVC in China during the years indicated.

Copper

Cost of copper accounts for over half of the total cost of copper cables. The price of #1 electrolytic copper in China market fluctuated during 2016 to 2018. The highest average quarterly price of #1 electrolytic copper in China was RMB54,539 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2017, while the lowest average quarterly price was RMB36,569 per ton in the second quarter of 2016. The fluctuation of #1 electrolytic copper price was mainly due to multiple factors, such as the changes in export volumes, the exchange rate of RMB, etc.

Price Trend of #1 Electrolytic Copper on China Market, 2016–2018

==> picture [345 x 159] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

RMB per ton
60,00060000
50,500 49,774 50,389
46,751
50,00050000 54,539
51,425
37,667 37,722 48,229
40,040 0 000 44,729 46,338
30,00030000 36,569
20,00020000
10,0001000 0
0 0
2016Q1 2016Q2 2016Q3 2016Q4 2017Q1 2017Q2 2017Q3 2017Q4 2018Q1 2018Q2 2018Q3 2018Q4
----- End of picture text -----

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China; CRI

PE and PVC

Polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are the major materials for producing cable jackets and connectors. Major raw material of PE is petroleum while major raw materials of PVC are petroleum or petroleum products. Price of raw materials of both PE and PVC are influenced by the international crude oil price. The prices of the two products fluctuated during 2016 to 2018.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The production volume of PE is so low in China that China has not achieved selfsufficiency in PE. More than half of the PE needs in China are satisfied by imports. As the global production capacity of PE keeps expanding in recent years, low-price PE is flocking to China from abroad. The highest average quarterly price of PE in China was RMB10,360 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2016, while the lowest average quarterly price was RMB8,900 per ton in the second quarter of 2016. With the fluctuation of PE prices in the global market, PE prices in the China market also fluctuated from 2016 to 2018.

The highest average quarterly price of PVC in China was RMB6,718 per ton in the second quarter of 2018, while the lowest average quarterly price was RMB5,300 per ton in the first quarter of 2016. During 2016 to 2018, the price of PVC fluctuated greatly due to various reasons, such as changes in supply and demand, the in-the-making of the Sino-US trade war in 2018, etc. While China’s demand of PVC is rising steadily as a result of urbanisation and growing economy, the domestic supply of PVC also depended on the import price of PVC polymer in primary form, which was affected by changing demand in other countries.

It is expected that from 2019 to 2023, the prices of the major raw materials for LAN cables (electrolytic copper, PE and PVC) will stay at a low level, which will help LAN cable manufacturers to control costs.

Price Trend of PE and PVC on China Market, 2016–2018

==> picture [345 x 178] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

RMB per ton
12,0001200 0
10,360
9,525 9,735
10,0001000 0 9,095 9,145 9,267 9,317
9,500 9,740 9,405 9,722
8,08 0 00 0 8,900
6,650 6,356 6,718 6,556
5,732
6,000600 0 5,175 6,905 6,924
6,450 6,202 6,435
4,000400 0 5,300
2,000200 0
0 0
PE PVC
2016Q1 2016Q2 2016Q3 2016Q4 2017Q1 2017Q2 2017Q3 2017Q4 2018Q1 2018Q2 2018Q3 2018Q4
----- End of picture text -----

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China; CRI

– 83 –

REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

This section summarises the principal laws and regulations of the PRC and Hong Kong which are relevant to the Target Group’s business.

THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE PRC

The following sets forth a summary of the most related aspects of PRC laws and regulations relating to the business operations of the Target Group in the PRC:

Provision on Foreign Investment

The establishment, operation and management of foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC are governed by (i) the Catalogue of Industries for Encouraging Foreign Investment (2019 Version) 《( 鼓勵外商投資產業目錄(2019年版)》) jointly promulgated by the National Development and Reform Commission (中華人民共和國國家發展和改革委員會) (the ‘‘NDRC’’) and the Ministry of Commerce (國家商務部) (the ‘‘MOFCOM’’) and became effect on 30 July 2019; (ii) the Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2019 Edition) 《( 外商投資准入特別管理措施(負面清單) (2019年 版)》) jointly promulgated by the NDRC and the MOFCOM and became effect on 30 July 2019; (iii) the Company Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國公司法》), which was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (全國人民代表大會常務委員會) (the ‘‘NPCSC’’) on 29 December 1993 and was last amended on 26 October 2018; (iv) the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國外商投資法》) promulgated on 15 March 2019 and became effective on 1 January 2020; (v) the Implementing Regulation for the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國外商投資法實施條例》) promulgated on 26 December 2019 and became effective on 1 January 2020; and (vi) the Measures for Reporting Foreign Investment Information 《( 外商投資信息報告辦法》) jointly promulgated by the MOFCOM and the State Administration for Market Regulation (國家市場監督管理總局) on 30 December 2019 and became effective on 1 January 2020. According to those laws and regulations aforesaid, the State adopts the management system of pre-establishment national treatment and negative list for foreign investment. For the fields not included in the negative list for foreign investment access, management shall be conducted under the principle of consistency for domestic and foreign investment. The State establishes a foreign investment information report system, which indicates that foreign investors or foreign-funded enterprises shall submit investment information to the competent department for commerce concerned through the enterprise registration system and the enterprise credit information publicity system. Where a foreign investor or foreign-funded enterprise fails to report the investment information as required to the foreign investment information report system, it shall be ordered to make correction within a time limit by the competent commerce department; and, if it fails to correct by the prescribed deadline, a fine of not less than RMB100,000 but not more than RMB500,000 shall be imposed thereon.

According to the Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2019 Edition), the business activities conducted by the subsidiary of the Target Company established in the PRC are not included in the negative list.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Provisions on Investment Made by Foreign-Invested Enterprises in the PRC

The Interim Provisions on Investment Made by Foreign-Invested Enterprises in the PRC 《( 關於外商投資企業境內投資的暫行規定》), which were jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (對外貿易經濟合作部) (now integrated into the MOFCOM) and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the PRC (國家工商行 政管理總局) on 25 July 2000 and amended on 28 October 2015, stipulates that the investment in the PRC by foreign-invested enterprises shall be conducted with reference to the Interim Provisions on Guiding Foreign Investment Direction (repealed by the Regulations on Guiding Foreign Investment Direction 《( 指導外商投資方向規定》) and the Regulations on the Catalogue of Industries for Guiding Foreign Investment. Foreign investment enterprises shall not invest in fields in which foreign investment is prohibited.

Provisions on Product Quality

The Product Quality Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國產品質量法》) promulgated by the NPCSC on 22 February 1993 and latest amended on 29 December 2018, applies to all production and marketing activities within the territory of the PRC. Producers and sellers are responsible for the quality of their products.

Responsibilities and obligations of producers for the products include: (i) be responsible for the quality of the products they produce; (ii) marks on the products or on the packages thereof shall be true to the fact; (iii) not to produce products expressly phased out by state laws or decrees; (iv) not to forge the place of origin, or forge or illegally use the name and address of another producer; (v) not to forge or illegally use product quality marks, such as authentication marks; (vi) not to mix impurities or imitations into the products, or substitute a fake product for a genuine one, a defective product for a high-quality one, or pass off a substandard product as a qualified one in the production; and (vii) to ensure that, for products that are fragile, inflammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or radioactive, products that should be kept upright during storage and transportation, or other products with special requirements, the packaging thereof must meet the corresponding requirements, and carry warning marks or warning notes to highlight the way of handling that calls for attention.

A producer in breach of the above responsibilities and obligations shall be liable for civil compensation. The authorities shall order the suspension of production, confiscate the products illegally produced, impose a fine and confiscate the unlawful proceeds (if any) therefrom. Where the case is serious, business licenses shall be revoked. Where a criminal offence is constituted, the offenders will be pursued for criminal liabilities.

Provisions on Consumer Protection

The Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和 國消費者權益保護法》) (the ‘‘Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests’’), which came into force on 1 January 1994, and was amended on 27 August 2009 and on 25 October 2013, respectively, stipulates that the merchandise or services provided by business operators should meet safety requirements. Business operators must fulfill their obligation in protecting the safety of their customers. Business operators are forbidden to impose unfair and unreasonable rules such as exclusion or restriction of customer rights, mitigation or exemption

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

of the responsibility of business operators, increase of consumer responsibility through standard terms, notices, disclaimers and store notices. When a business operator violates the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests and causes bodily or property damage to consumers, they are required to undertake civil compensation responsibilities. They may also receive administrative penalties including warnings, confiscation of illegal earnings, fines, orders to suspend business and revocation of business license from administrative departments.

Provisions on Import and Export Goods

The Customs Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國海關法》) (the ‘‘Customs Law’’) was adopted by the NPCSC on 22 January 1987, being effective on 1 July 1987, latest amended on 4 November 2017 and came into force since 5 November 2017. According to the Customs Law, where a consignee or consignor of import or export goods or a customs-clearing enterprise goes through customs declaration procedures, they shall be subject to registration by customhouse. Unless otherwise stipulated, the consignee or consignor of import and export goods may take import and export goods through Customs declaration procedures and pay tax themselves.

According to the Notice of General Administration of Customs on Promoting the Related Matters of Integration of Customs and Inspection and Quarantine and Optimizing the Registration of Customs Declaration Agencies 《( 海關總署關於推進關檢融合優化報關單位註 冊登記有關事項的公告》) effected on 29 October 2018, the registration certificates of Customs Declaration Unit (海關報關單位註冊登記證書) issued by customs can reflect the qualifications of customs declaration and inspection declaration of enterprises.

Provisions on Environmental Protection

The Environmental Protection Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國環境保護法》) (the ‘‘Environmental Protection Law’’) implemented on 26 December 1989 and amended on 24 April 2014 stipulates that construction projects which may have environmental impacts shall conduct environmental impact assessment and installations for the prevention and control of pollution in construction projects must be designed, built and commenced operation together with the main body of the project. Enterprises and institutions engaged in discharge of pollutants shall establish an environmental protection accountability system to specify the responsibilities of the person(s)-in-charge and the relevant personnel of the organization. If enterprises or other production operators violate the relevant regulations of the Environmental Protection Law, they may be liable to legal responsibilities including administrative penalties such as fines, corrective actions, suspension of production for improvement, suspension of business or being shut down. Direct management and direct persons in charge may be subject to detainment, and liable to criminal responsibility if their violations constitute a criminal offense.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Pursuant to Environmental Impact Assessment Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國環境影 響評價法》) promulgated on 28 October 2002 and amended on 2 July 2016 and 29 December 2018 respectively, the State implement classified administration of environmental impact assessment for construction projects in accordance with the degree of environmental impacts of construction projects and the construction entity shall produce environmental impact reports and environmental impact statements or complete environmental impact registration forms according to the list for classified administration of environmental impact assessment for construction projects.

Provision on Taxation

Enterprise Income Tax

The Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國企業所得稅法》)(the ‘‘EIT Law’’) promulgated by the NPC on 16 March 2007, effective on 1 January 2008 and last amended on 29 December 2018, as well as Regulation on the Implementation of the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law 《( 中華人民共和國企業所得稅法實施條例》), which was promulgated on 6 December 2007 and became effective on 1 January 2008 and was last amended on 23 April 2019, impose a uniform enterprises income tax rate of 25% on both domestic and foreign-invested enterprise, unless they qualify for certain exceptions, and terminate most of the tax exemptions, reductions and preferential treatments available under previous tax laws and regulations.

According to the EIT Law, its Implementation Regulations and the Administrative Measures on Accreditation of High-tech Enterprises 《( 高新技術企業認定管理辦法》) promulgated by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC (科學技術部) (the ‘‘MOST’’), the Ministry of Finance (財政部) (the ‘‘MOF’’), the State Administrative of Taxation (國家稅務總局) (the ‘‘SAT’’) on 4 April 2008 and came into force on 1 January 2008, amended on 29 January 2016 and effective as of 1 January 2016, an accredited Hightech Enterprises is entitled to enjoy a reduced enterprise income tax rate of 15% from the year of issue stated on the High-tech Enterprise certificate.

According to the EIT Law and its Implementation Regulations, the research and development expenses of an enterprise for developing new technologies, new products and new processes may be deducted when computing the taxable amount of income; for the actual expenses that intangible assets are yet to be formed and included in the profit and loss for the current period, 50% of the research and development expenses may be deducted on the basis of actual deduction pursuant to the provisions; where intangible assets are formed, 150% of the cost of intangible assets may be amortized. In light of the Notice on Increasing the Rate of Additional Deduction of Pre-tax Research and Development Expenses 《( 關於提高研究開發費 用稅前加計扣除比例的通知》) promulgated by the SAT, the MOF, the MOST on 20 September 2018 and came into force on the same date, for the actual expenses that intangible assets are yet to be formed and included in the profit and loss for the current period, during the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020, 75% of the actual amount of research and development expenses may be deducted; where intangible assets are formed, 175% of the cost of intangible assets may be amortized.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Value-added tax

The Provisional Regulations on Value-added Tax of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國增值稅暫 行條例》) (the ‘‘VAT Provisional Regulations’’) was officially implemented on 1 January 1994 and amended on 6 February 2016 and 19 November 2017, and its implementing rules 《( 中華人民共和國增值稅暫行條例實施細則》) was promulgated by MOF on 25 December 1993 and amended by the MOF and the SAT on 15 December 2008 and 28 October 2011 respectively. The VAT Provisional Regulations provides that value-added tax is payable on the sale or import of goods, the sale of services, intangible assets and real estate and the provision of processing, repair and assembly services in the PRC. The tax rate for taxpayers engaging in sale of or import of goods shall be 17% and the tax rate for taxpayers engaging in sale of services and intangible assets shall be 6%, unless otherwise stipulated in the VAT Provisional Regulations.

According to the Notice of the MOF and the SAT on Adjusting the Value-added Tax Rate 《( 財政部、稅務總局關於調整增值稅稅率的通知》), effected on 1 May 2018, the VAT tax rates on sales or imported goods are adjusted from 17% and 11% to 16% and 10% respectively.

According to the Notice of the Relating Policies on Deepening Value-added Tax Reform 《( 關於深化增值稅改革有關政策的公告》) promulgated on 20 March 2019 and be effected on 1 April 2019, the VAT tax rates on sales or imported goods are adjusted from 16% and 10% to 13% and 9% respectively.

Since 1 January 1994, business tax and value-added tax are implemented together upon different sorts of business incomes. From 1 January 2012, the SAT and the MOF had promulgated several notices on including more industries on switching from business tax to value-added tax.

On 23 March 2016, the SAT and the MOF promulgated Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Overall Implementation of the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-added Tax 《( 財政部、國家稅務總局關於全面 推開營業稅改徵增值稅試點的通知》(財稅[2016]36號)), according to which the pilot program of replacing business tax with value-added tax shall be implemented nationwide effective from 1 May 2016 and all business tax payers in construction industry, real estate industry, finance industry, consumer service industry, etc. shall be included in the scope of the pilot program and pay value-added tax instead of business tax. The tax rate of general tax activities (excluding the provision of services in transportation, postal services, basic telecommunications, construction or real property lease, the sale of real property or the transfer or land use right, the provision of tangible personal property lease services, the crossborder taxable activities, etc.) applied to general tax payers will be 6%. On 19 November 2017, the State Council promulgated the Decision on Abolition of the Provisional Regulations on Business Tax of the PRC and Revision of the VAT Provisional Regulations 《( 國務院關於 廢止《中華人民共和國營業稅暫行條例》和修改《中華人民共和國增值稅暫行條例》的決 定》), the Business Tax of the PRC have been abolished since 19 November 2017.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Provisions relating to Foreign Exchange

Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administrative Regulations of the PRC 《( 中華人民共 和國外匯管理條例》), which was promulgated on 29 January 1996 and became effective on 1 April 1996, and amended on 14 January 1997 and 5 August 2008 respectively and became effective on 5 August 2008, conversion of RMB and remittance of the foreign currency outside the PRC for capital account items, such as direct equity investment, loans and repatriation of investment, are subject to the obtaining of prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (國家外匯管理局) and/or one of its branches.

Provisions on Labor Services

The Labor Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國勞動法》) (the ‘‘Labor Law’’) was promulgated by the NPCSC, implemented on 1 January 1995 and amended on 27 August 2009 and 29 December 2018. The Labor Law stipulates that workers are entitled to have equal opportunities in employment, selection of occupations, receiving wages and remuneration, rest days and holidays, protection of occupational safety and health, the rights to social insurance and welfare, etc.

According to the Labor Law, where an enterprise fails to follow the stipulations to provide normal rest days and holidays for the laborers due to the characteristic of its production, it may, with the approval of the administrative department of labor, adopt other rules on working hours and rest.

The Labor Contract Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國勞動合同法》), which was implemented on 1 January 2008 and amended on 28 December 2012, stipulates that written labor contracts must be executed in order to establish a labor relationship between the employer unit and the laborer. When an employer unit is recruiting laborers, it should inform the laborers truthfully the content of work, working conditions, place of work, occupational hazards, safe production conditions, labor remuneration and other circumstances requested to be known by the laborers.

The Social Insurance Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國社會保險法》), which was promulgated on 28 October 2010 and became effective on 1 July 2011 and was subsequently amended and came into force on 29 December 2018, stipulates that employer units must purchase social insurance for laborers. Such insurance includes pension insurance, unemployment insurance, childbirth insurance, work injury insurance and medical insurance. When an employer unit fails to complete social insurance registration or does not pay the full amount of social insurance fees on time, it may be subject to administrative penalties such as order of correction within a specific timeframe, order of payment within a specific timeframe, or top-up, increase of penalty fees and fines by the social insurance administrative authorities.

The Administrative Provisions for Housing Provident Funds 《( 住房公積金管理條例》) promulgated on 3 April 1999, which became effective on 3 April 1999 and was subsequently amended on 24 March 2002 and 24 March 2019,stipulates that employer units must register housing provident fund deposits with the housing provident fund management center and set up housing provident fund accounts for its employees. Failure to do so may result in penalties such as order to register within a specific timeframe or fines by the housing provident fund

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

management center. If an employer unit fails to make deposits after the due date, the housing provident fund management center may apply for enforcement with the People’s Court.

Provisions on work health and safety

The Law of the PRC on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases 《( 中華人民 共和國職業病防治法》) promulgated on 27 October 2001,which became effective on 1 May 2002 and was last amended 29 December 2018, stipulates that employers shall create work environment and conditions meeting the national occupational health standards and health requirements and take measures to ensure that employees receive occupational health protection. When the employer fails to provide occupational disease protective facilities and occupational disease protective items for personal use or provides occupational disease protective facilities and occupational disease protective items for personal use which do not meet the national occupational health standards and health requirements, the work safety administrative department shall issue a warning and order to make correction within a prescribed time limit; if no correction is made within the prescribed time, a fine shall be imposed and for serious circumstances, the enterprise will be ordered to cease operations causing occupational disease hazards or be ordered a shutdown.

The Work Safety Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國安全生產法》) promulgated on 29 June 2002 and becoming effective on 1 November 2002 and amended in 2009 and 2014, respectively, stipulates that employees are entitled to safeguards for work safety and shall perform work safety obligations. Enterprise units shall meet the work safety conditions prescribed by this law and other relevant laws, administrative regulations, and national or industry standards. Enterprise units not meeting such conditions shall not be engaged in production and other business activities. Enterprise units shall provide their employees with work safety education and training to ensure that their employees (i) have necessary work safety knowledge; (ii) are familiar with the relevant work safety policies and rules and safe operating procedures; (iii) possess the safe operating skills for their respective posts; (iv) know the emergency response measures for accidents; and (v) are informed of their rights and obligations in terms of work safety. The Labour union supervises work safety and protects the lawful rights and interests of employees in terms of work safety. If the enterprise unit fails to establish a work safety management section or employ work safety management personnel as required, or fails to provide work safety education and training for its employees as required, it may be ordered to take corrective actions and fined or even ordered to a shutdown. Further, the person in-charge or the personnel directly responsible may be imposed with an administrative punishment or fine. If any crime has been committed, the offender may be liable to criminal liabilities.

Provision relating to Intellectual Property

The products in the PRC shall be subject to the intellectual laws, which mainly include the Patent Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國專利法》) (the ‘‘Patent Law’’), the Trademark Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國商標法》) (the ‘‘Trademark Law’’) and the Copyright Law of the PRC 《( 中華人民共和國著作權法》).

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

According to the Trademark Law last amended on 23 April 2019 and its implementation regulations last amended on 29 April 2014, registered trademarks include commodity trademarks, service trademarks, collective marks and certification marks. Registered trademarks are granted on a term of ten years, commencing from the date of registration. Twelve months prior to the expiration of the ten-year term, an applicant can renew the application and reapply for trademark protection. Infringement on the exclusive rights of registered trademarks may result in the imposition of fines, confiscation and destruction of the infringing commodities. Where the infringement constitutes a criminal offence, the criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the relevant law.

According to the Patent Law last amended on 27 December 2008 and effective on 1 October 2009, there are three types of patents, including invention patents, design patents and utility model patents. Invention patents are valid for 20 years, while design patents and utility model patents are valid for ten years, in each case commencing on their respective application dates. Persons or entities who use patents without the consent of the patent owners, make counterfeits of patented products, or engage in activities that infringe upon patent rights are held liable to the patent owner for compensation and may be subject to fines and even criminal punishment.

The Computer Software Protection Regulations 《( 計算機軟件保護條例》) promulgated by the State Council on 4 June 1991 and latest amended on 30 January 2013, are intended to protect the rights and interests of the computer software copyright holders. Software developed by PRC citizens, legal person or other organizations is automatically protected immediately after its development, whether published or not.

THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF HONG KONG

Employment Ordinance (Chapter 57 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

The Employment Ordinance provides for, amongst other things, the protection of the wages of employees, to regulate general conditions of employment, and for matters connected therewith. Under section 25 of the Employment Ordinance, where a contract of employment is terminated, any sum due to the employee shall be paid to him as soon as it is practicable and in any case not later than seven days after the day of termination. Any employer who wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravenes section 25 of the Employment Ordinance commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of HK$350,000 and to imprisonment for a maximum of three years. Further, under section 25A of the Employment Ordinance, if any wages or any sum referred to in section 25(2)(a) are not paid within seven days from the day on which they become due, the employer shall pay interest at a specified rate on the outstanding amount of wages or sum from the date on which such wages or sum become due up to the date of actual payment. Any employer who wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravenes section 25A of the Employment Ordinance commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$10,000.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 282 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

The Employees’ Compensation Ordinance establishes a no-fault and non-contributory employee compensation system for work injuries and lays down the rights and obligations of employers and employees in respect of injuries or death caused by accidents arising out of and in the course of employment, or by prescribed occupational diseases.

Under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, if an employee sustains an injury or dies as a result of an accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, his employer is in general liable to pay compensation even if the employee might have committed acts of faults or negligence when the accident occurred. Similarly, an employee who suffers incapacity or dies arising from an occupational disease is entitled to receive the same compensation as that payable to employees injured in occupational accidents.

According to section 40 of the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, all employers (including contractors and subcontractors) are required to take out insurance policies to cover their liabilities both under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance and at common law for injuries at work in respect of all their employees (including full-time and part-time employees). An employer who fails to comply with the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance to secure an insurance cover is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

According to section 48 of the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, an employer shall not, without the consent of the Commissioner for Labour, terminate, or give notice to terminate, the contract of service of an employee (who has suffered incapacity or temporary incapacity in circumstances which entitle him to compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance) before occurrence of certain events. Any person who commits breach of this provision is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000.

Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

The MPF Scheme is defined contribution retirement scheme managed by authorised independent trustees. The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance provides that an employer shall participate in an MPF Scheme and make contributions for its employees aged between 18 and 65. Under the MPF Scheme, an employer and its employee are both required to contribute 5% of the employee’s monthly relevant income as mandatory contribution for and in respect of the employee, subject to the minimum and maximum relevant income levels for contribution purposes. The maximum level of relevant income for contribution purposes is currently HK$30,000 per month or HK$360,000 per year.

Occupiers Liability Ordinance (Chapter 314 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

The Occupiers Liability Ordinance regulates the obligations of a person occupying or having control of premises on injury resulting to persons or damage caused to goods or other property lawfully on the land.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The Occupiers Liability Ordinance imposes a common duty of care on an occupier of a premise to take reasonable care of the premise in all circumstances so as to ensure that his visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which he is invited or permitted by the occupier to be there.

Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Chapter 509 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance provides for the safety and health protection to employees in workplaces, both industrial and non-industrial.

Employers must as far as reasonably practicable ensure the safety and health in their workplaces by:

  • (i) providing and maintaining plant and work systems that are safe and without risks to health;

  • (ii) making arrangement for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances;

  • (iii) providing all necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision for ensuring safety and health;

  • (iv) providing and maintaining safe access to and egress from the workplaces; and

  • (v) providing and maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.

Failure to comply with the above provisions constitutes an offence and the employer is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$200,000. An employer who fails to do so intentionally, knowingly or recklessly commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$200,000 and to imprisonment for six months. The Commissioner for Labour may also issue improvement notices against non-compliance of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance or the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Chapter 59 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or suspension notices against activity of workplace which may create imminent hazard to the employees. Failure to comply with such notices constitutes an offence punishable by a fine of HK$200,000 and HK$500,000, respectively and imprisonment of up to one year.

Transfer pricing adjustments in Hong Kong and the PRC

Hong Kong

Regulations concerning transfer pricing between associated enterprises can be found in the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Chapter 112 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the ‘‘IRO’’) and the comprehensive double taxation agreements (the ‘‘DTAs’’) between Hong Kong and other countries or territories, including the PRC.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

Pursuant to section 20(2) of the IRO, a non-resident person shall be liable to Hong Kong profits tax where it carries on business with a closely connected resident person and such business is so arranged that it produces to the resident person either no profits which arise in or derive from Hong Kong or less than the ordinary profits which might be expected to arise in or derive from Hong Kong.

Under section 60 of the IRO, where it appears to an assessor that for any year of assessment any person chargeable with tax has not been assessed or has been assessed at less than the proper amount, the assessor may, within the year of assessment or within 6 years after the expiration thereof, assess such person at the amount or additional amount which according to his judgment such person ought to have been assessed, and, provided that where the non-assessment or under-assessment of any person for any year of assessment is due to fraud or wilful evasion, such assessment or additional assessment may be made at any time within 10 years after the expiration of that year of assessment.

Section 61A of the IRO stipulates that where it would be concluded that person(s) entered into or carried out transactions for the sole or dominant purpose to obtain a tax benefit (which means the avoidance or postponement of the liability to pay tax or the reduction in the amount thereof), liability to tax of the relevant person(s) will be assessed (a) as if the transaction or any part thereof had not been entered into or carried out; or (b) in such other manner as the supervising authority considers appropriate to counteract the tax benefit which would otherwise be obtained.

The DTAs contain provisions mandating the adoption of arm’s length principle for pricing transactions between associated enterprises. The arm’s length principle uses the transactions of independent enterprises as a benchmark to determine how profits and expenses should be allocated for the transactions between associated enterprises. The basic rule for DTA purposes is that profits tax charged or payable should be adjusted, where necessary, to reflect the position which would have existed if the arm’s length principle had been applied instead of the actual price transacted between the enterprises.

The Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 45 − Relief from Double Taxation due to Transfer Pricing or Profit Reallocation Adjustments issued by the Inland Revenue Department in April 2009 makes it available that where double taxation arises as a result of transfer pricing adjustments made by the tax authorities of another country, a Hong Kong taxpayer may potentially claim relief under the tax treaty between Hong Kong and that country (countries entered into tax arrangements with Hong Kong includes the PRC).

The Inland Revenue Department also issued a Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 46 in December 2009 which provides a comprehensive guideline on transfer pricing and further issued a Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 48 in March 2012 which provides a mechanism for taxpayers to pre-agree their transfer pricing arrangements with the Inland Revenue Department.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The PRC

Pursuant to the EIT Law, and its Implementation Regulations and the Implementation Regulations for Special Tax Adjustments (Trial) 《( 特別納稅調整實施辦法(試行)》) (the ‘‘STA Rules’’), transactions in respect of the purchase, sale and transfer of products between, among others, enterprises under direct or indirect control by the same third party are defined as related party transactions, which should comply with the arm’s length principle (獨立交易 原則). If the related party transactions fail to comply with arm’s length principle which result in the reduction of the enterprise’s taxable income, the tax authority has the power to make an adjustment (特別納稅調整) following certain procedures within ten years from the tax paying year that the non-compliant related party transaction had occurred.

Pursuant to the Law of the PRC on the Administration of Tax Collection 《( 中華人民共 和國稅收徵收管理法》) promulgated on 4 September 1992, latest amended on 24 April 2015 and its implementing rules 《( 中華人民共和國稅收徵收管理法實施細則》) promulgated on 7 September 2002, latest amended on 6 February 2016, taxpayers have an obligation to provide the local tax authorities with information on prices, expenditure standard and others concerning business transactions with the related party. The taxpayer may propose to the competent tax authorities a pricing principle and calculation method for business transactions with the related party. The competent tax authorities may, after examination and approval, agree upon the items of pricing with the taxpayer in advance and supervise over the implementation. Pursuant to the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Relevant Matters relating to Improvement of the Filing of Related Party Transactions and the Management of Contemporaneous Documentation 《( 國家稅務總局關於完善關聯申報和同期 資料管理有關事項的公告》) (‘‘Circular 42’’) promulgated by the SAT and became effective on 29 June 2016, any resident enterprise subject to audit collection and any non-resident enterprise which has establishments or offices in China and honestly reports and pays enterprise income tax shall, in filing a tax return for the annual enterprise income tax with a tax authority, make related filings with regard to its business transactions with any related party and attach thereto the Annual Report on the Related Party Transactions (年度關聯業務 往來報告). Enterprises shall prepare contemporaneous documentation (同期資料) based on a tax year, and submit contemporaneous documentation for the related party transactions to the tax authority if required by the same. Contemporaneous documentation includes the master file (主體文檔), local file (本地文檔) and special issue file (特殊事項文檔), each of which is applied to different circumstances in relation to the related party transactions of the PRC enterprises.

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW RELATING TO THE TARGET GROUP

The SAT has published an announcement on issuing the Administrative Measures for Special Tax Adjustment and Investigation and Mutual Consultation Procedures 《( 特別納稅調 查調整及相互協商程序管理辦法》) (the ‘‘Circular 6’’) which came into effect from 1 May 2017. According to the Circular 6, the tax authorities exercise special tax adjustment monitoring and management of enterprises via review of the reporting of related party transactions, management of contemporaneous documentation, profit level monitoring and other means. If an enterprise receives a special tax adjustment risk warning from tax authorities or detects in itself any special tax adjustment risk, the enterprise may carry out voluntary adjustments regarding tax payment matters and the relevant tax authority may still proceed with special tax investigation adjustment procedures according to the relevant provisions. Besides, pursuant to the tax treaties signed by China, the SAT may activate mutual consultation procedures either upon application by an enterprise or upon request by the competent tax authority of the contracting counter-party of a tax treaty to consult and negotiate with the latter, so as to avoid or eliminate international double taxation triggered by special tax adjustment.

As confirmed by the directors of the Target Group, the transfer pricing arrangements of the Target Group have not been challenged, investigated or penalised by any relevant tax authority in the PRC, nor has it received any special tax adjustment risk warning from tax authorities in the PRC during the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date.

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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group’s networking cables business commenced when the Vendor established Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) in 1993. In 2006, the Target Company was incorporated as an investment holding company in order to formalise the business operations of the Target Group. In the same year, with an aim to capture growth opportunities and to provide manufacturing support to the Target Group in the networking cables business, the Target Group established Linkz Ind (Suzhou), which currently has the largest manufacturing capacity in the Target Group. In 2014, with a view to further expand the manufacturing capabilities of the Target Group, the Vendor acquired Hover Manufacturing together with its operating subsidiaries, Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin.

Since then, the Target Group has mainly conducted its business operations through its operating subsidiaries, namely Linkz (Shanghai), Linkz Ind (Suzhou), Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin. The Target Group is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of networking cables, electronic components, semi-conductors and machinery components.

MILESTONES OF THE TARGET GROUP

The following table sets forth certain key milestones in the Target Group’s history:

Year Event
1993 The Target Group first carried out networking cables manufacturing business
through Linkz (Shanghai)
1999 Linkz (Shanghai) was awarded National Key New Products — Unshielded
Twisted Pair Cable
2001 Linkz (Shanghai) was awarded National Key New Products — CAT 6
Twisted Pair Cable
2003 Linkz (Shanghai) was honored as ‘‘2000–2002 China Top 100 Overseas
Chinese Enterprises* (2000–2002 全國百家明星僑資企業)’’
2006 The Target Company was incorporated
2006 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) was established
2007 Linkz (Shanghai) was accredited as a Shanghai Municipal Enterprise
Technology Center
2007 Linkz (Shanghai) was awarded National Key New Products — CAT 6A
Twisted Pair Cable
2017 Linkz
Ind
(Suzhou)
was
accredited
with
ISO
9001:2015
and
ISO
14001:2015 management system standard
2018 Linkz (Shanghai) was accredited with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015
management standard
2019 Hover (Kunshan) was accredited with GB/T 19001–2016/ISO 9001:2015
quality management systems model for quality assurance

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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

THE SHAREHOLDER

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor owned 100% of the shares of the Target Company. The Vendor is also a Controlling Shareholder of the Company. The Vendor, with its group of subsidiaries, conducted businesses in the manufacture and sales of a range of products including networking cables, LED video display screens as well as leasing of LED video display screens.

Mr. Paul Lo, one of the Controlling Shareholders of the Company, together with two individuals who were Independent Third Parties co-founded the Vendor in 1981.

For further details on the shareholder structure of the Vendor, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Letter from the Board — Information on the Parties — Information on the Vendor’’ in this circular.

MEMBERS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Details of the members of the Target Group are set forth below:

Date of Place of Principal business
No. Name incorporation incorporation activities
1 Linkz Cables Limited 5 December 2006 BVI Investment holding
2 Linkz Technology 16 March 2007 Hong Kong Investment holding(Note)
3 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 19 December 2006 PRC Research and manufacture
of networking cables,
optical fibre and
connectors
4 Linkz (HK) 21 February 2007 Hong Kong Investment holding
5 Linkz (Shanghai) 7 December 1993 PRC Sales and manufacture of
networking cables
6 Hover Manufacturing 13 June 1997 Hong Kong Investment holding
7 Hover (Kunshan) 18 August 2006 PRC Research and manufacture
semiconductors and cable
components
8 Kunshan Deqin 2 November 2004 PRC Processing and
manufacture of metal
hardware, electric
components and
machinery equipment

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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

  • Note: Upon completion of the Reorganisation, the trading of networking cables conducted by Linkz International will be transferred to Linkz Technology by way of transfer of the Assets and Liabilities. For further details, please refer to the section headed “Letter from the Board – Reorganisation” in this circular.

Linkz Cables Limited

Linkz Cables Limited was incorporated in the BVI as a limited liability company on 5 December 2006 with an initial authorised share capital of 50,000 shares with a par value of US$1.00 each and was wholly-owned by the Vendor.

Linkz Cables Limited is an investment holding company.

Linkz Technology

Linkz Technology is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Target Company. It was incorporated in Hong Kong as a limited liability company on 16 March 2007 with an initial share capital of HK$10,000, divided into 10,000 shares of HK$1.00 each and the Target Company held all 10,000 shares.

Linkz Technology is an investment holding company.

Linkz Ind (Suzhou)

Linkz Ind (Suzhou) was established in the PRC as a WFOE on 19 December 2006 with an initial registered capital of US$15,000,000 and was wholly-owned by the Target Company. The initial registered capital was fully paid by the Target Company on 26 May 2008. On 10 October 2008, Linkz Ind (Suzhou) increased its registered capital to US$30,000,000. The additional capitals were fully paid on 27 September 2010.

Linkz Ind (Suzhou) runs a business in research and manufacture of networking cables, optical fibre and connectors.

Linkz (HK)

Linkz (HK) is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Target Company. It was incorporated in Hong Kong as a limited liability company on 21 February 2007 with an initial share capital of HK$10,000, divided into 10,000 shares of HK$1.00 each and the Target Company held all 10,000 shares. On 26 April 2012, the share capital was increased to HK$10,000,000 by the creation of an additional 9,990,000 shares of HK$1.00 each and all were allotted to the Target Company.

Linkz (HK) is an investment holding company.

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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

Linkz (Shanghai)

Linkz (Shanghai) was established in the PRC as a sino-foreign equity joint venture on 7 December 1993 with an initial registered capital of US$2,300,000, under its former name Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂庭電線工業有限公司). Linkz (Shanghai) was initially owned as to 30% and 70% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited* (上海安亭實業總 公司) and Rawin Industries Limited (惠榮實業有限公司) (currently known as Belden Grass Valley Asia Limited, 百通草谷亞洲有限公司), respectively. The initial registered capital was fully paid up by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and Rawin Industries Limited on 20 September 1994. On 8 April 1994, Linkz (Shanghai) agreed to amend its articles due to the name of change of its shareholder, Rawin Industries Limited to LTK Wiring Company Limited (樂庭電線有限公司).

On 9 February 1995, Linkz (Shanghai) increased its registered capital to US$3,750,000 and was owned as to 20% and 80% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and LTK Wiring Company Limited, respectively. The additional capitals were fully paid on 12 December 1995.

On 15 December 1995, Linkz (Shanghai) increased its registered capital to US$6,250,000 and was owned as to 12% and 88% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and LTK Wiring Company Limited, respectively.

On 29 February 1996, Linkz (Shanghai) increased its registered capital to US$8,250,000 and was owned as to 9.09% and 90.91% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and LTK Wiring Company Limited, respectively. The additional capitals were fully paid on 25 April 1997.

On 21 December 1999, Linkz (Shanghai) increased its registered capital to US$10,000,000 and was owned as to 7.5% and 92.5% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and LTK Wiring Company Limited, respectively. The additional capitals were fully paid on 30 November 1999.

On 13 September 2000, Linkz (Shanghai) further increased its registered capital to US$15,000,000 and was owned as to 5% and 95% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and LTK Wiring Company Limited, respectively. All additional capitals were fully paid.

On 11 April 2007, LTK Wiring Company Limited transferred its entire equity interest, being 95% of the equity interest in Linkz (Shanghai) to Linkz (HK) at a consideration of US$14,250,000 and as a result, Linkz (Shanghai) was owned as to 5% and 95% by Shanghai Anting Industrial Limited and Linkz (HK), respectively.

On 27 August 2007, Linkz (Shanghai) changed to its current name.

Linkz (Shanghai) runs a business in sales and manufacture of networking cables.

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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

Hover Manufacturing

Hover Manufacturing was incorporated in Hong Kong as a limited liability company on 13 June 1997 with an initial registered share capital of HK$10,000 divided into 10,000 shares of HK$1.00 each. On 10 February 2009, Hover Manufacturing increased its share capital to HK$8,000,000. After a number of shares issuances and transfers, on 26 March 2014, the Vendor became the sole shareholder of Hover Manufacturing, holding all 8,000,000 issued shares of Hover Manufacturing. Prior to Completion, the Target Group shall undertake Reorganisation and the entire issued share capital of Hover Manufacturing would be transferred from the Vendor to the Target Company.

Hover Manufacturing is an investment holding company.

Hover (Kunshan)

Hover (Kunshan) was established in the PRC as a limited liability company on 18 August 2006 with an initial registered capital of HK$8,000,000 and was wholly owned by Hover Manufacturing. The initial registered capital was fully paid by Hover Manufacturing on 6 June 2007.

On 21 April 2011, Hover (Kunshan) increased its registered capital to HK$30,000,000 and the additional capitals were fully paid on 18 July 2011.

Hover (Kunshan) runs a business in research and manufacture of semiconductors and cable components.

Kunshan Deqin

Kunshan Deqin was established in the PRC as a limited liability company on 2 November 2004 with an initial registered capital of RMB1,000,000. The initial registered capital was fully paid. Prior to becoming a member of the Target Group, Kunshan Deqin provided manufacturing support to the Target Group on lower-end networking cables.

On 4 March 2011, Hover (Kunshan) acquired the entire equity interest of Kunshan Deqin from the then shareholders of Kunshan Deqin, both Independent Third Parties.

On 7 April 2011, Kunshan Deqin increased its registered capital to RMB10,000,000 and the additional registered capital was fully paid.

Kunshan Deqin runs a business in processing and manufacture of metal hardware, electric components and machine equipment.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

OVERVIEW

The Target Group is a long established cable manufacturer with its manufacturing facilities located in the PRC. Founded in 1993, the Target Group has over 26 years of business operation and currently owns three and leases another industrial complexes situated in Shanghai and Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group focuses on the manufacturing of different networking cables with copper as the transmission media and has an annual production capacity of approximately 4 million kft of networking cables.

The networking cable products of the Target Group are marketed and sold to large enterprises including multinational corporations and which are usually the end users, such as international networking infrastructure companies, which mainly incorporate the Target Group’s products in their networking solutions services. While the Target Group sells a small proportion of its products on the Target Group’s brand names, and , a majority of the networking cables are sold on the OEM basis. The major suppliers of the Target Group include sellers of copper, plastic materials and cable reels.

For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group recognised revenue of approximately HK$1,328,298,000, HK$1,498,697,000, HK$1,676,557,000 and HK$735,340,000 and profit for the year/period of approximately HK$26,946,000, HK$33,586,000, HK$43,953,000 and HK$22,661,000, respectively.

COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

The Target Group’s management believes that the following competitive strengths have contributed to the Target Group’s success and will continue to drive its future growth:

The Target Group has an established operating history and proven track record

The Target Group commenced its cable manufacturing business in 1993 and has accumulated more than 26 years of industry experience. Over the years, the Target Group was capable of producing different types of signal transmission cables. Before focusing on manufacturing copper networking cables in present years, the Target Group was a maker of one of the best known high-end audio and video cables, and the Target Group was at time a cable supplier for most of the prominent video game console developers in the world. The Target Group’s persistence of upholding quality standards and consistence of compliance with different customers’ specifications and requirements make the Target Group an excellent business-to-business partner. At present, the Target Group’s networking cables are delivered to the highly respected networking infrastructure companies that have presence all around the world.

The Target Group has established its reputation in manufacturing high-end cable products that can meet the specifications and requirements for the top class corporations which incorporate the Target Group’s networking cables into their products or network solutions.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The management of the Target Group believe that the Target Group will continue to appeal to the most prestigious networking companies and will maintain its ability to provide timely services and adapt to the ever changing technology.

The Target Group has strong research and development capability and supplies a wide range of networking cables

The Target Group has a strong research and development team to keep the Target Group’s products up-to-date and incorporate the latest technologies for performance enhancement and satisfying customer’s new requirements. The research and development team also facilitates the Target Group to develop new products with its customers which allows the Target Group to enjoy longer product life cycle. Besides, the Target Group has managed to receive different industry certifications, such as UL certification, for the products offered. The management of the Target Group considers that the efforts spent by the Target Group in product development and upholding stringent technological and quality standard are recognised by its customers and will bolster the Target Group’s image, customers’ confidence and marketing effectiveness.

In addition, the Target Group is a versatile manufacturer of networking cables and it offers a portfolio of networking cables that are in use nowadays, including the widely used Cat 5 to Cat 7 cables, as well as the development of next-generation of category of cables. The flexible manufacturing resources of the Target Group makes it a reliable and capable supplier for its key customers.

The Target Group has an experienced and professional management team

The Target Group’s senior management possess relevant operational expertise and experience, and are familiar with the cable manufacturing industry, who enable them to successfully achieve a competitive position in the cable manufacturing industry. Each of the members of the Target Group’s management team is an industry veteran and has been working in the network cable industry for over 20 years. For the biographical details of the senior management team, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Directors and senior management of the Target Group’’ in this circular.

Leveraging their foresight and in-depth industry knowledge, the Target Group’s management team is able to formulate sound business strategies, assess and manage risks. Its engineering capability enables the Target Group to engage with and provide valuable and sound advice for the customers in the preliminary stages of the new product development process and design as well as develop a custom-made product based on the customers’ technical, design and performance requirements.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group also encourages continuous professional development of the staff. They are carefully selected in hiring process with a focus on recruiting and training employees who have the potential to become long-term members of the management. Training programmes on technical knowledge are conducted as and when required so as to ensure that their employees are updated with the latest development in the industry where they operate. The Target Group’s senior management team has regular interactive meetings with other senior employees to provide on the job training to ensure the Target Group’s guidances and standards are met.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

The Target Group’s goal is to further enhance its leading position in the networking cable business and capture the opportunities arising from the upcoming 5G development and the advancement in networking communication technology.

Expand customer list

As at the Latest Practicable Date, other than the Group being a customer of the Target Group, each group has its own customers with no material overlapping. The Directors are of the view that customers of the Target Group and the Group may need both networking cable and cable assembly products. Following Completion, the Group and the Target Group are expected to investigate the product types that can be offered to each other’s customers with an aim to commence cross selling.

Increase product offering

In view of the increasing networking data traffic demand, the rapid development of the 5G technology and the rise of internet-of-things devices, the Target Group plans to strengthen and increase its product offering in high-speed copper-based networking cables, including but not limited to Cat 8 cables, power over Ethernet cables and cables with HDBaseT applications. While some of these new applications are being developed and tested, the Enlarged Group will integrate the research and development workforce of both the Group and the Target Group to develop new networking cables as well as cable assembly products. The management of the Enlarged Group is strived to create long term value to the Shareholders.

THE TARGET GROUP’S PRODUCTS

The Target Group’s principal products are various categories of networking cables, including Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7, Cat 7A and Cat 8 cables, which may be designed as different twisted-pair (‘‘TP’’) cables, such as UTP, F/UTP, S/F/UTP and SFTP. The following provide a description of the above cable categories and designs:

Cat 5e cables

Cat 5e cable is a variant of the Cat 5 cable which provides performance of up to frequency of 100 MHz, where the ‘‘e’’ stands for ‘‘enhanced’’. The Cat 5e cable specification improves upon the Cat 5 cable specifications by revising and introducing new specifications to further mitigate the amount of electromagnetic interference.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Cat 6 cables

Cat 6 cable is a standardised TP cable for Ethernet and other network physical layers that is backward compatible with the Cat 5e cable standard. It has a standard performance of up to frequency of 250 MHz.

Cat 6A cables

Cat 6A cable has standard for enhanced performance for TP cable systems and has a performance for frequencies of up to 500 MHz, which is double of the Cat 6 cable. Compared to Cat 6 cable, Cat 6A cable also has an improved alien crosstalk specification.

Cat 7 cables

Cat 7 cable allows 10 Gigabit Ethernet over 100 metres of copper cabling. Similar to Cat 6 and Cat 5 cables, Cat 7 cables contain four twisted copper wire pairs and offer extensive shielding to reduce signal attenuation. With transmission frequencies of up to 600 MHz, Cat 7 cables are suitable for use in datacenters and large enterprise networks.

Cat 7A cables

Cat 7A cable is defined at frequencies up to 1000 MHz, suitable for multiple applications. Cat 7A cable was intended to support 40 Gigabit Ethernet.

Cat 8 cables

Cat 8 cable is defined up to 2,000 MHz with a distance with a range of 30 metres. Cat 8 cable standard is currently designed for data centers where distances between switches and servers are short. Unshielded twisted-pair cables Unshielded twisted-pair (‘‘UTP’’) cable is a copper cable that consists of up to 100 UTPs surrounded by an outer jacket. UTP cables have no metallic shield and hence they are not protected against electrical interference. The twist has the function of reducing electromagnetic radiation.

Foiled twisted-pair cables

Foiled twisted-pair (‘‘FTP’’) cable offers an additional layer of protection with shielding (also called screening) wrapped around the individual twisted wires which improves protection against electrical interference.

Shielded/screened or foiled unshielded twisted pair cables

Shielded/screened or foiled unshielded twisted pair (‘‘S/F/UTP’’) cables offer an overall foil or braid screen covering the four pairs of unshielded twisted pairs.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Screened fully shielded twisted-pair cables

Screened fully shielded twisted-pair (‘‘SFTP’’) is a type of cable that uses multiple versions of metal shielding to block outside electrical interference from disruption signals transmitted across the wires. One metal shielding is the electromagnetic shielding to add another layer of protection against electromagnetic interference. Another is the screened protection which is the outer layer of metal shielding that surrounds the entire set of twisted wires within the cable and is then covered by the cable’s insulation.

There can be other specifications added in the networking cables including power over Ethernet cable solutions and high speed cable solutions.

The following table summarises the Target Group’s product capability:

Cable category
Cable design type Cat 5e Cat 6 Cat 6A Cat 7 Cat 7A Cat 8
UTP
FTP
S/F/UTP
SFTP

Power over Ethernet

The unused pair of wires in networking cables are treated as single conductor by power over Ethernet (‘‘PoE’’) to carry electrical current. The Target Group’s Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7 and Cat 7A cables are designed to comply with PoE specifications for applications of 100 metres.

High speed cable solutions

The Target Group’s high speed cable solutions provide up to four channels of data transfer in one pluggable interface and each channel is capable of transferring data up to 26 Gigabits per second.

In addition to the above, the Target Group is capable of supplying cables that comply with construction products regulation, HDBaseT standard and other major industrial standards.

Compliance with the quality and industry standards

The Target Group’s cable products are optimised to comply with international safety and telecommunication standards, including those from the Telecommunications Industry Association, International Electrotechnical Commission and European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation.

The Target Group’s products also received the UL certifications from a reputed safety testing and certification organisation.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

PRODUCTION

Production process

Before the production begins, the Target Group’s production team procures the necessary and sufficient raw materials and ensures other resources such as labour and machinery for the production procedure.

The production process of networking cables can be described as highly automated and consists of the following steps:

==> picture [290 x 338] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

Metallic foil Raw materials
Insulation extrusion Filler extrusion
Pair twisting
If necessary
Shielding Cabli n g
Jacketing
If necessary
Rewinding
Bulk cable testing
Packaging
FQC inspection
Delivery
----- End of picture text -----

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Insulation extrusion

A process that melts plastic raw materials into a continuous profile, whereby the molten polymer is shaped and hardened on the copper wire when cooling.

Pair twisting

Insulated copper wires of the same diameter are cut to be at the same length and are twisted together to form twisted-pair wires. As a single networking cable normally consists of a number of twisted-pair wires, the pair twisting production lines are capable of forming twisted-pairs wires of different twist rates for the purposes of minimising crosstalk.

Cabling

The wires are grouped together to form a multi-unit cable core. The units are also twisted together on a rotating core truck to help control electrical interference and provide flexibility. Depending on customer’s specifications, an additional insulation may be inserted in the rotating core where the wires are twisted out.

Jacketing

Jacketing includes gel-filling, armouring, jacketing and printing to produce the finished networking cable. Different colours of the jacket as specified by customer may be applied and controlled. The cables are then stored in a big cable reel.

Rewinding

This process unwinds the cables from the big cable reel into the customer’s specified reels which also specify the cable length per reel for delivery. The process is also automated to increase cable production efficiency.

Bulk cable testing

The cables are normally tested for different properties of the cables such as electrical interference insulation, uniformity of the cable materials, mechanical and flammability.

Packaging and final quality control (FQC) inspection

Conduct overall quality checking which include the final product and packaging inspection in order to ensure the product appearance, cable size, colour and packaging comply with the specifications and standards.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Production facilities

The Target Group has production facilities in owned (with aggregate GFA of approximately 68,689.10 sq.m.) and leased premises located in Shanghai and Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, which are primarily used for production, processing, warehouse, offices, dormitory and ancillary purposes. These premises with production facilities are located at close distances and traveling time by vehicle from one factory to any other factory is usually within an hour under normal traffic condition.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had major equipment and machinery including insulation and sheath extruding machines, cable making machines, pair twisting machines, plastic injection mould making machines, wire braiding machines, and cable rewinding machines. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had 417 staff responsible for the production which work for 10 hours a shift and two shifts per day.

Production capacity

The table below sets out the Target Group’s designed production capacity, actual production volume and utilisation rate for the periods indicated:

Six months ended
Year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
Design annual (half year for
the six months ended
30 September 2019)
production capacity (kft) 3,873,443 4,139,016 4,036,328 2,028,787
Actual production capacity (kft) 2,939,819 2,951,739 2,759,508 1,335,619
Utilisation rate (Note) 75.9% 71.3% 68.4% 65.8%

Note: The utilisation rate equals the actual production capacity divided by the design annual production capacity.

The Target Group reviews the function and efficiency of its machinery and makes replacements regularly, which caused the slight change in design annual production capacity for the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019. In addition, as there was rising trend for the production of Cat 6 and Cat 7 cables, machinery were adjusted and added for this purpose and some machinery for production of Cat 5 cables were replaced. Generally, it takes more time to produce Cat 7 cables than Cat 6 and Cat 5 cables, hence the actual production capacity in terms of length of cables reduced in the year ended 31 March 2019 due to the significantly more production orders for Cat 7 cables. The utilisation rate of the Target Group decreased slightly to 65.8% for the six months ended 30 September 2019 due to the economic uncertainties which affected the sales orders received from the customers.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Machinery and equipment

The principal production machines owned by the Target Group and used in its production process includes insulation extension machines, wire twisting machines, jacketing machines, cable winding machines, quality checking and testing machines, etc. These equipment were purchased by the Target Group from independent suppliers. For the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, total capital expenditures spent on acquisition of production machinery and equipment by the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$24,041,000, HK$43,405,000, HK$27,156,000 and HK$16,829,000, respectively. As at 30 September 2019, net book value of the production machinery and equipment amounted to approximately HK$364,991,000 and the production machinery and equipment had ages of 10 to 15 years. The production machinery and equipment are depreciated on reducing balance basis, as the case may be, over respective useful lives. Please refer to Note 16 of the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II to the circular for further details of the treatment of depreciation.

The Target Group conducts regular maintenance on machinery and equipment, including checking for normal wear and tear, injecting lubricant, keeping records on machines configurations, adjustment settings, system maintenance, and care for fittings. The normal maintenance services are generally conducted 1 to 3 times a year. Maintenance costs incurred for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019 amounted to approximately HK$11,540,000, HK$13,594,000, HK$13,857,000 and HK$7,295,000, respectively. The Target Group had no material disruption of business operations or production processes as a result of insufficient equipment during the Track Record Period.

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

The inventory of the Target Group mainly comprises raw materials, work in progress and finished products. Dedicated personnel are responsible for monitoring the inventory level to meet the delivery schedule and minimise waste level due to obsolete or damage. As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the inventory of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$172,274,000, HK$280,504,000, HK$241,318,000, and HK$205,320,000, respectively, or 15.8%, 19.8%, 15.0% and 10.5% of its total current assets, respectively.

Raw materials

The Target Group has procurement plan for purchases of raw materials that are regularly used in the manufacturing of networking cables and normally, the Target Group keeps regular raw materials level sufficient for the its production plans in the next 7 to 15 days and such level should normally not exceed 2 months. The procurement plan is also mainly based on the prevailing sales order amount as the Target Group’s products are mainly made to order. The Target Group’s warehouse can keep the raw materials at the appropriate humidity level and at an optimal temperature. During the Track Record Period, the Target Group had not experienced any material delay in the delivery or insufficient raw materials that cause interruption in its production.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Finished products

The Target Group monitors the inventory level of finished goods and keeps an appropriate inventory level. Dedicated staff determine the required inventory level based on existing orders. The Target Group basically does not accumulate customer’s finished products and keeps an insignificant amount of finished products of the Target Group’s brands.

Vendor-managed inventory arrangements

Some of the major customers of the Target Group may enter into vendor-managed inventory arrangements with the Target Group whereby the Target Group should maintain certain level of inventory to be consigned to such customers at the designated warehouse facility. The ownership of the inventory should remain with the Target Group until the customers take possession. The customers will take record of any withdrawal of inventory and notify the Target Group of the level of inventory regularly.

SALES AND MARKETING

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had 37 employees in its sales and marketing department which is responsible for sales and marketing. The sales and marketing department formulates marketing strategies and performs the following tasks:

Customer relationship management

The management of the Target Group considers that the customer relationships between the Target Group and its major customers are good. The management of the Target Group believes that owing to the Target Group’s strict adherence to quality standard, responsiveness to customers’ demand and technology update, and the investments in production machinery and production automation, the Target Group has been able to meet with the customers’ different specifications and requirements, as well as co-operate with the customers to solve technical problems. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group has a team of 37 sales and marketing staff, responsible for sales and customer relationship management. Regular factory visits to the Target Group’s production premises are organised to ensure that the Target Group’s production techniques are satisfactory.

Marketing

The Target Group acquires new customers mainly by way of referrals from existing customers and suppliers. The Target Group also promotes its products by the use of its website, where information on its production facilities, technology, products and management are showcased. With respect to target potential customers, the Target Group’s designated sales and marketing personnel generally maintain close contacts by emails, telephone calls and site visits. Given the Target Group’s business-to-business nature, the overall expenses incurred on marketing were considered not material during the Track Record Period.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

CUSTOMERS

The Target Group’s key customers include network infrastructure providers, communications equipment manufacturers, cable management companies, and cable designers that operate globally or in the PRC.

The following table sets out a breakdown of the Target Group’s revenue by geographical regions based on place of delivery:

The PRC
Singapore
Hong Kong
India
The United
States
The United
Kingdom
Others
Total
2017
HK$’000
%
565,716
42.6
139,953
10.5
135,263
10.2
104,672
7.9
90,663
6.8
76,919
5.8
215,112
16.2
1,328,298
100.0
2017
HK$’000
%
565,716
42.6
139,953
10.5
135,263
10.2
104,672
7.9
90,663
6.8
76,919
5.8
215,112
16.2
1,328,298
100.0
Year ended 31 March
2018
HK$’000
%
714,902
47.7
167,776
11.2
182,227
12.2
44,079
2.9
90,812
6.1
96,266
6.4
202,635
13.5
1,498,697
100.0
Year ended 31 March
2018
HK$’000
%
714,902
47.7
167,776
11.2
182,227
12.2
44,079
2.9
90,812
6.1
96,266
6.4
202,635
13.5
1,498,697
100.0
2019
HK$’000
%
879,199
52.4
185,452
11.1
175,334
10.5
25,547
1.5
85,039
5.1
129,516
7.7
196,470
11.7
1,676,557
100.0
2019
HK$’000
%
879,199
52.4
185,452
11.1
175,334
10.5
25,547
1.5
85,039
5.1
129,516
7.7
196,470
11.7
1,676,557
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
%
HK$’000
%
(unaudited)
487,198
54.5
384,194
52.2
83,924
9.4
72,498
9.9
92,644
10.4
77,563
10.5
14,706
1.6
8,004
1.1
41,498
4.6
50,505
6.9
64,098
7.2
67,350
9.2
110,051
12.3
75,226
10.2
894,119
100.0
735,340
100.0
1,328,298 100.0 1,498,697 100.0 100.0 894,119 100.0 735,340 100.0

The customers of the Target Group have stringent quality requirements on the networking cable products supplied by the Target Group and the Target Group’s management is experienced in complying with different product specifications and performance requirements. The Target Group was able to maintain a long-lasting relationship with its major customers, and the top 5 customers for the Track Record Period had a business relationship with the Target Group ranging from 2 to 20 years.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Sales arrangements/contracts with major customers

The following tables set forth the details of the Target Group’s five largest customers for each of the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019:

For the year ended 31 March 2017

Rank
Customer
Background and principal business
Year of first
becoming the
customer of the
Target Group
Credit terms
1
Customer A
A global leader in providing
infrastructure solutions for
communications network whose
portfolio includes wireless, fibre optics
and copper solutions. It is listed on
NASDAQ and the revenue for the year
ended 31 December 2018 exceeded
US$4.5 billion.
2015
90 days
2
Customer B
A privately held international provider
of infrastructure products and services
for data networks and electrical power
applications. The company is based in
Illinois, the United States and has more
than 60 years of history. It has more
than 5,000 employees globally and
operates in more than 100 countries.
2006
90 days
3
Customer C
A Swiss-headquartered technology
group that designs and manufactures
connectivity and sensor products for
and is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. Its telecom, enterprise and
wireless businesses were sold to
Customer A in 2015. The Company’s
net sales exceeded US$13 billion in the
fiscal year 2019.
2000
90 days
4
Customer D
A leading global provider of switches,
sockets, miniature circuit breakers and
distribution boards based in France. It
operates in nearly 90 countries and has
a workforce of over 38,000 staff. The
company is listed on Euronext Paris
and generated revenue of
approximately €6.0 billion for the year
ended 31 December 2018.
2008
120 days
5
Customer E
A global information technology
infrastructure solution and services
providers for data centers, local area
networks and intelligent buildings that
is headquartered in the United States.
It has more than 116 years’ history and
holds over 400 patents specific to
structured cabling and ISO 9001 world
class manufacturing.
2001
90 days
Total :
Revenue
HK$’000
414,312
263,124
192,635
137,262
129,297
1,136,630
% of
revenue of
the Target
Group
31.2
19.8
14.5
10.3
9.7
85.5

– 113 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the year ended 31 March 2018

Rank
Customer
Background and principal business
Year of first
becoming the
customer of the
Target Group
Credit terms
1
Customer A
A global leader in providing
infrastructure solutions for
communications network whose
portfolio includes wireless, fibre optics
and copper solutions. It is listed on
NASDAQ and the revenue for the year
ended 31 December 2018 exceeded
US$4.5 billion.
2015
90 days
2
Customer B
A privately held international provider
of infrastructure products and services
for data networks and electrical power
applications. The company is based in
Illinois, the United States and has more
than 60 years of history. It has more
than 5,000 employees globally and
operates in more than 100 countries.
2006
90 days
3
Customer D
A leading global provider of switches,
sockets, miniature circuit breakers and
distribution boards based in France. It
operates in nearly 90 countries and has
a workforce of over 38,000 staff. The
company is listed on Euronext Paris
and generated revenue of
approximately €6.0 billion for the year
ended 31 December 2018.
2008
120 days
4
Customer E
A global information technology
infrastructure solution and services
providers for data centers, local area
networks and intelligent buildings that
is headquartered in the United States.
It has more than 116 years’ history and
holds over 400 patents specific to
structured cabling and ISO 9001 world
class manufacturing.
2001
90 days
5
Customer C
A Swiss-headquartered technology
group that designs and manufactures
connectivity and sensor products for
and is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. Its telecom, enterprise and
wireless businesses were sold to
Customer A in 2015. The Company’s
net sales exceeded US$13 billion in the
fiscal year 2019.
2000
90 days
Total :
Revenue
HK$’000
560,218
305,333
145,217
120,311
74,943
1,206,022
% of
revenue of
the Target
Group
37.4
20.4
9.7
8.0
5.0
80.5

– 114 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the year ended 31 March 2019

Rank
Customer
Background and principal business
Year of first
becoming the
customer of the
Target Group
Credit terms
1
Customer A
A global leader in providing
infrastructure solutions for
communications network whose
portfolio includes wireless, fibre optics
and copper solutions. It is listed on
NASDAQ and the revenue for the year
ended 31 December 2018 exceeded
US$4.5 billion.
2015
90 days
2
Customer B
A privately held international provider
of infrastructure products and services
for data networks and electrical power
applications. The company is based in
Illinois, the United States and has more
than 60 years of history. It has more
than 5,000 employees globally and
operates in more than 100 countries.
2006
90 days
3
Customer D
A leading global provider of switches,
sockets, miniature circuit breakers and
distribution boards based in France. It
operates in nearly 90 countries and has
a workforce of over 38,000 staff. The
company is listed on Euronext Paris
and generated revenue of
approximately €6.0 billion for the year
ended 31 December 2018.
2008
120 days
4
Customer F
A Sino-Hong Kong equity joint venture
which distributes data cable and LAN
cables in the PRC and is based in
Kunshan, Suzhou Province.
2018
150 days
5
Customer E
A global information technology
infrastructure solution and services
providers for data centers, local area
networks and intelligent buildings that
is headquartered in the United States.
It has more than 116 years’ history and
holds over 400 patents specific to
structured cabling and ISO 9001 world
class manufacturing.
2001
90 days
Total :
Revenue
HK$’000
540,640
399,570
149,950
110,642
80,314
1,281,116
% of
revenue of
the Target
Group
32.2
23.8
8.9
6.6
4.8
76.3

– 115 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

Rank
Customer
Background and principal business
Year of first
becoming the
customer of the
Target Group
Credit terms
1
Customer A
A global leader in providing
infrastructure solutions for
communications network whose
portfolio includes wireless, fibre optics
and copper solutions. It is listed on
NASDAQ and the revenue for the year
ended 31 December 2018 exceeded
US$4.5 billion.
2015
90 days
2
Customer B
A privately held international provider
of infrastructure products and services
for data networks and electrical power
applications. The company is based in
Illinois, the United States and has more
than 60 years of history. It has more
than 5,000 employees globally and
operates in more than 100 countries.
2006
90 days
3
Customer D
A leading global provider of switches,
sockets, miniature circuit breakers and
distribution boards based in France. It
operates in nearly 90 countries and has
a workforce of over 38,000 staff. The
company is listed on Euronext Paris
and generated revenue of
approximately €6.0 billion for the year
ended 31 December 2018.
2008
120 days
4
Customer E
A global information technology
infrastructure solution and services
providers for data centers, local area
networks and intelligent buildings that
is headquartered in the United States.
It has more than 116 years’ history and
holds over 400 patents specific to
structured cabling and ISO 9001 world
class manufacturing.
2001
90 days
5
Customer G
A limited liability company which
distributes data cables and LAN cables
in the PRC and is based in Huizhou,
Guangdong Province
2018
90 days
Total :
Revenue
HK$’000
243,868
173,859
65,588
49,486
31,883
564,684
% of
revenue of
the Target
Group
33.2
23.7
8.9
6.7
4.3
76.8

Note: Revenue amounts may aggregate amounts sold to the respective customer’s parent company or its fellow subsidiaries, if applicable.

– 116 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, none of the directors of Target Company, their respective close associates or any shareholders of the Target Company who or which, own more than 5% of the issued share capital of the Target Company as at the Latest Practicable Date, had any interest in any of the five largest customers of the Target Group.

Overlapping of certain major customers as suppliers

During the Track Record Period, two of the major customers of the Target Group were also its suppliers. As designated by these customers, the Target Group purchased raw materials directly from them to manufacture the ordered networking cables.

Set out below are the revenue and purchase cost related to these customers which were also the suppliers during the Track Record Period:

Six months
ended
Year ended 31 March 30 September
2017 2018 2019 2019
Revenue from these customers
(HK$’000) 677,436 865,551 940,210 417,727
As a percentage of
total revenue 51.0% 57.8% 56.1% 56.8%
Purchase from these customers
(HK$’000) 12,263 17,798 39,509 13,952
As a percentage of total cost of
goods sold 1.1% 1.4% 2.7% 2.2%

To the best knowledge and belief of the management of the Target Group, these entities and their ultimate beneficial owners are Independent Third Parties.

The management of the Target Group confirmed that, during the Track Record Period, the materials purchased from these customers and/or their related companies were not directly re-sold to these customers. The management of the Target Group also confirmed that the terms and the pricing policies of transactions with these entities were in line with the market and similar to those transactions with other customers and suppliers.

– 117 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Pricing policy

The pricing of the Target Group’s networking cable products is on a cost-plus basis with an aim to optimise the Target Group’s profitability and sustainable growth. Since networking cables are usually classified by categories and each product has its own specifications, performance benchmarks and requirements, the pricing of each product is negotiated on arm’s length and determined case-by-case with individual customers. The price of a product of the Target Group is set generally with reference to (i) product specifications, performance and quality requirements; (ii) manufacturing costs; (iii) delivery schedule and volume; (iv) prevailing price of major components such as copper and PVC; (v) price and availability of competitors; and (vi) payment terms and credibility of the customer. The management of the Target Group believes that the Target Group can generally pass on the risks arising from any fluctuation in the costs of raw materials to its customers during the Track Record Period.

Credit policy

The credit period offered by the Target Group to its customers generally ranges from 30 to 150 days. However, depending on a number of reasons including (i) length of relationship with the customer; (ii) past settlement record; (iii) financial standing of the customer; and (iv) size of the order placed by the customer, the credit period offered may accordingly be lengthened or shortened.

The Target Group’s accounting department monitors settlement status of customers, especially overdue status of trade receivables. In the event of prolonged overdue, the Target Group would determine follow-up actions to collect such overdue payment, such as communication with the customers and sending payment reminders.

The customers of the Target Group usually settle payments by way of bank transfer, letter of credit or cheques. During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group did not encounter any material difficulties in collecting overdue payments which caused a material adverse impact to its business operations.

Delivery

The Target Group makes timely delivery of its finished products to the customers in the PRC by using logistics companies who are Independent Third Parties. For international customers, the finished products are delivered to the port in Shanghai for international shipment through logistics companies who are Independent Third Parties. The Target Group purchases transit insurance coverage for the products to be delivered.

– 118 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, freight and transportation charges of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$21,908,000, HK$20,300,000, HK$23,036,000 and HK$8,721,000, representing 1.6%, 1.4%, 1.4% and 1.2% of the Target Group’s revenue, respectively.

After-sales services

The Target Group generally provides limited product warranties depending on the products and customers’ specific requirements. Generally, the warranty period of the products covers 15 years or longer during which period the products if proven defective may be replaced. It is not uncommon in the industry for high-end networking cable manufacturers to warrant for long lasting performance or provide other specifications that may enhance the products. Products sold to customers are not returned except for instances of quality defects. All products returns are subject to the Target Group’s approval. The Target Group incurred sales return for defective products of approximately HK$1,142,000, HK$1,026,000, HK$292,000 and HK$25,000, or 0.09%, 0.07%, 0.02% and 0.003% of the Target Group’s revenue for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively.

For the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had not received any material complaints or product liability claims from its customers. There was also no provision made for warranty expenses for the aforesaid period accordingly.

KEY CONTRACTUAL TERMS WITH CUSTOMERS

The Target Group does not enter into any committed long-term sales agreement with its customers. However, the Target Group may enter into manufacturing agreements with its customers which govern the conduct of each sales transaction between the Target Group and its customers. The terms and conditions are set out in such manufacturing agreement or sales orders as agreed between the Target Group and its customers and the Target Group manufactures and delivers the networking cables to the customers according to the sales orders issued by its customers from time to time.

The terms and conditions of sales with different customers may be different subject to various factors, such as historical and general practice of the customers, business relationship, purchase amount, types of products, product specifications, etc. A summary of the key contractual terms with the Target Group’s customers are set out below:

Key terms Description Scope : The description of the products, technical requirements of the products, including the performance requirements, certification requirements, packaging and labeling, quantities, etc.

– 119 –

BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Key terms Description

  • Pricing : The unit price of the products, certain customers may adopt a pricing mechanism with the Target Group such that a base price is agreed every year with adjustments in accordance with the recognised copper wire and cable price indices.

  • Delivery : The products are required to be delivered to the designated location before the required or promised delivery date. Certain customers may impose liquidated damage of a percentage of the order value per day to the Target Group. The cost of delivery is normally included in the price of the sales order.

  • Quality : The Target Group shall ensure the networking cables are provisions manufactured in full accordance with the customer’s product specific quality requirements. Customers may have periodic access to the Target Group’s production premises for inspection for compliance with quality and environmental regulations.

  • Warranty : The Target Group shall warrant its networking cable products for a specified number of years against defects in material and workmanship.

PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIERS

Raw materials for the Target Group’s products are primarily copper, insulating materials, sheath materials such as PVC and packaging materials including cable reels. For the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the total cost of raw materials accounted for 86.3%, 86.2%, 86.4% and 85.2% of the total cost of goods sold of the Target Group, respectively. During the Track Record Period, around 66% to 72% of the cost of raw materials was attributable to copper, and around 20% to 23% of the cost of raw materials was attributable to plastic materials. Price of copper, as a commodity, was relatively volatile during the Track Record Period, and was relatively higher during the year ended 31 March 2018 and lower during the year ended 31 March 2017.

The Target Group sources its raw materials from over 250 suppliers in the PRC, the United States, Hong Kong and other countries. The Target Group has procedures to select suppliers based on a set of criteria, including but not limited to track record, product quality, past relationship, price of the products, timeliness of delivery, financial strengths, and acceptable after-sales services. The suppliers may be required to source their raw materials from specified vendors.

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The Target Group does not enter into any long term commitment with any of the material suppliers which require the Target Group to commit purchase of a minimum amount. Indicative purchase amounts may be specified in a framework agreement with a few major suppliers for them to prepare sufficient stocks for delivery. Such framework agreement also sets out key terms, among others, pricing mechanism, delivery, settlement mechanism, and quality provision. The Target Group places purchase order every occasion when it needs the supply of raw materials. Subsequent to the issue of purchase orders to the suppliers, the suppliers should deliver the specified products to the agreed place at the contracted price to the Target Group.

The purchase prices for the raw materials are agreed between the Target Group and its suppliers at the time the purchase order is made and are negotiated on arm’s length. The Target Group manages fluctuations in raw materials costs by agreeing with customers that the product price is based on the benchmark price of the major raw material and setting wastage reduction target for its production lines. Please also refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘Inventory management’’ in this section above.

The suppliers of the Target Group typically offer a credit period ranging from 15 to 120 days. The payment terms with the Target Group vary and payments are mainly made through bank transfer in RMB and US$.

The Target Group has maintained long-term business relationships with its key suppliers in order to secure stable supply and timely delivery and in a cost-effective manner. The Target Group has quality control procedures in place to monitor the quality of the delivered products and keep the products at an appropriate condition. Please refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘Quality control’’ in this section below.

During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had not encountered any difficulties in procuring the raw materials which are essential for the manufacturing process that resulted in a material interruption to the Target Group’s operation or caused a material delay in its delivery schedule. In addition, the Target Group has maintained business relationship with several suppliers for the similar raw materials to diversify the risks of excessive dependence on a single supplier or group for suppliers.

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The Target Group purchased approximately HK$634,170,000, HK$814,914,000, HK$806,996,000 and HK$366,720,000 from its top five suppliers for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, which represented 56.0%, 63.3%, 55.8% and 58.4% of the Target Group’s total cost of goods sold for the corresponding year, respectively. The largest supplier of the Target Group accounted for 25.0%, 26.7%, 19.3% and 31.2% of the Target Group’s cost of goods sold for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. The table below sets out information relating to the Target Group’s top five suppliers during the Track Record Period:

Year ended 31 March 2017

Supplier
Background
Types of
goods/
services
provided by
the suppliers
Supplier A
A manufacturer of bare copper
wire, wire and cable and
specialty steel that is listed on
the Taiwan Stock Exchange
copper
Supplier B
A group of PRC companies
engaged in research and
development and manufacture
of copper conductors
copper
Supplier C
A manufacturer and supplier of
conductors based in the PRC
copper
Supplier D
The Shanghai branch of a
Japanese corporation that
trades, among many products,
power, energy and metals
products.
copper
Supplier E
A manufacturer of copper,
nickel and silver plated wire
in the PRC
copper
Total
Purchase
amount
HK$’000
282,340
134,711
90,847
79,664
46,608
634,170
% of cost
of goods
sold
Year of first
becoming
the supplier
of the
Target
Group
25.0
2014
11.9
2012
8.0
2000
7.0
2016
4.1
2001
56.0

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Year ended 31 March 2018

Supplier
Background
Types of
goods/
services
provided by
the suppliers
Supplier A
A manufacturer of bare copper
wire, wire and cable and
specialty steel that is listed on
the Taiwan Stock Exchange
copper
Supplier B
A group of PRC companies
engaged in research and
development and manufacture
of copper conductors
copper
Supplier D
The Shanghai branch of a
Japanese corporation that
trades, among many products,
power, energy and metals
products.
copper
Supplier C
A manufacturer and supplier of
conductors based in the PRC
copper
Supplier E
A manufacturer of copper,
nickel and silver plated wire
in the PRC
copper
Total:
Purchase
amount
HK$’000
343,124
217,786
118,532
70,044
65,428
814,914
% of cost
of goods
sold
Year of first
becoming
the supplier
of the
Target
Group
26.7
2014
16.9
2012
9.2
2016
5.4
2000
5.1
2001
63.3

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Year ended 31 March 2019

Supplier
Background
Types of
goods/
services
provided by
the suppliers
Supplier B
A group of PRC companies
engaged in research and
development and manufacture
of copper conductors
copper
Supplier A
A manufacturer of bare copper
wire, wire and cable and
specialty steel that is listed on
the Taiwan Stock Exchange
copper
Supplier D
The Shanghai branch of a
Japanese corporation that
trades, among many products,
power, energy and metals
products.
copper
Supplier E
A manufacturer of copper,
nickel and silver plated wire
in the PRC
copper
Supplier C
A manufacturer and supplier of
conductors based in the PRC
copper
Total:
Purchase
amount
HK$’000
279,835
276,418
121,118
77,972
51,653
806,996
% of cost
of goods
sold
Year of first
becoming
the supplier
of the
Target
Group
19.3
2012
19.1
2014
8.4
2016
5.4
2001
3.6
2000
55.8

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Six months ended 30 September 2019

Supplier
Background
Types of
goods/
services
provided by
the suppliers
Supplier B
A group of PRC companies
engaged in research and
development and manufacture
of copper conductors
copper
Supplier E
A manufacturer of copper,
nickel and silver plated wire
in the PRC
copper
Supplier D
The Shanghai branch of a
Japanese corporation that
trades, among many products,
power, energy and metals
products.
copper
Supplier F
A Sino-foreign joint venture
enterprise which manufactures
material for cable jacketing
sheath
material
Supplier A
A manufacturer of bare copper
wire, wire and cable and
specialty steel that is listed on
the Taiwan Stock Exchange
copper
Total:
Purchase
amount
HK$’000
196,015
71,654
50,214
26,308
22,529
366,720
% of cost
of goods
sold
Year of first
becoming
the supplier
of the
Target
Group
31.2
2012
11.4
2001
8.0
2016
4.2
2011
3.6
2014
58.4

Note: Purchase amounts may aggregate amounts purchased from the respective supplier’s parent company or its fellow subsidiaries, if applicable.

None of the directors and shareholders of the Target Company and their respective close associates who or which, own more than 5% of the issued share capital of the Target Company as at the Latest Practicable Date, had any interest in any of the top five suppliers of the Target Group during the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date.

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QUALITY CONTROL

The Target Group’s products are subject to various industry standards, including production procedure, use of chemicals and raw materials, performance standards and technical specifications. Products of the Target Group are in general subject to warranty provisions against defective materials and workmanship. The Target Group has to maintain high quality standard for its products and minimise defects and returns of defective products to maintain good customer ratings and reputation.

The Target Group has set stringent production and quality control benchmark and procedures to ensure its products meet the industry standards and quality requirements, as well as the production produce can minimise wastage. On-the-job trainings are provided to production staff to ensure they are familiar with each of the production steps. The management of the Target Group also regularly visits the production facilities to review and inspect the production processes.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had 74 quality control staff to control the quality of procurement of raw materials, inspection of delivered materials, production and packaging quality control, as well as testing and final quality inspection. The quality control procedure of the Target Group covers all necessary aspects, including suppliers, raw materials, production, handling finished products until delivery to the customers and after-sales services.

The Target Group has obtained various international certifications for its quality control and safety systems which can demonstrate its efforts in pursuing quality assurance. Please refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘Certifications, awards and recognitions’’ in this section below for further details of the Target Group’s certifications.

For the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had not had any material product recall or quality-related third party claim from its customers or end users of its products for any damage or loss sustained arising from any defective products other than insignificant product quality problems.

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CERTIFICATIONS, AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

The table below sets out the details of some of the certifications the Target Group obtained for the operations and management system, as at the Latest Practicable Date:

Certifying
Certification Date of issue Expiry date organisation Main content
ISO 14001: 6 June 2017 5 June 2020 SGS United Design and manufacture of
2015 Kingdom Ltd communication cables,
electronic wires and cables,
optical cables, communication
cable assemblies, network
cable assemblies
ISO 9001: 13 June 2017 12 June 2020 SGS United Design and manufacture of
2015 Kingdom Ltd communication cables,
electronic wires and cables,
optical cables, communication
cable assemblies, network
cable assemblies
ISO 9001: 11 February 8 January SGS United Design and manufacture of
2015 2018 2023 Kingdom Ltd communication cables
ISO 14001: 11 February 8 January SGS United Design and manufacture of
2015 2018 2023 Kingdom Ltd communication cables
GB/T 19001– 4 September 3 September SHKC Manufacture of semiconductor
2016/ISO 2019 2022 Certification and electronic components
9001:2015 Co., Ltd (electronic wires, data cables
and LAN cables)

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The table below sets out the major awards and recognitions accredited to the Target Group as at the Latest Practicable Date:

Year of
recognition/ Recognising/awarding
award Award/title organisation or authority
1999 National Key New Ministry of Science and Technology of the
Products People’s Republic of China, State Taxation
(國家重點新產品) Administration, Ministry of Foreign Trade
and Economic Cooperation of the People’s
Republic of China, State Bureau of Quality
and Technical Supervision, The State
Environmental Protection Administration
(中華人民共和國科學技術部, 國家稅務總
局, 中華人民共和國對外貿易經濟合作部,
國家質量技術監督局, 國家環境保護總局)
2000 National Torch Program Torch High-Tech Industry Development
Project Certificate Center, Ministry of Science and Technology
(國家級火炬計劃項目 (科學技術部火炬高技術產業開發中心)
證書)
2001 National Key New Ministry of Science and Technology of the
Products People’s Republic of China, State Taxation
(國家重點新產品) Administration, Ministry of Foreign Trade
and Economic Cooperation of the People’s
Republic of China, State General
Administration of the People’s Republic of
China for Quality Supervision and
Inspection and Quarantine, The State
Environmental Protection Administration
(中華人民共和國科學技術部, 國家稅務總
局, 中華人民共和國對外貿易經濟合作部,
中華人民共和國國家質量監督檢驗檢疫總
局, 國家環境保護總局)
2001 The Brand Name The Shanghai Brand Recommendation
Products of Shanghai Committee* (上海市名牌產品推薦委員會)
(上海名牌產品)
2002 National Torch Program Torch High-Tech Industry Development
Hi-Tech Enterprise Center, Ministry of Science and Technology
Certificate (科學技術部火炬高技術產業開發中心)
(國家火炬計劃重點高
新技術企業)

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Year of
recognition/ Recognising/awarding
award Award/title organisation or authority
2002 Shanghai Model Staff Shanghai Municipal Federation of Trade
Family Unions (上海市總工會)
(模範職工之家)
2003 2000–2002 China Top Top 100 Overseas Chinese Enterprise
100 Overseas Chinese Selection Panel Overseas Chinese Affairs
Enterprises* Office of the State Council
(2000–2002全國百家 (國務院僑務辦公室全國百家明星僑資企業
明星僑資企業) 評選委員會)
2007 Shanghai Municipal Shanghai State Tax Bureau, Shanghai
Enterprise Technology Municipal Tax Service State Taxation
Center Administration, Shanghai Municipal
(上海市認定企業技術 Finance Bureau, Shanghai Customs
中心) (上海市經濟委員會, 上海市國家稅務局, 上
海市財政局, 上海海關)
2007 National Key New Ministry of Science and Technology of the
Products People’s Republic of China, Ministry of
(國家重點新產品) Commerce of the People’s Republic of
China, State General Administration of the
People’s Republic of China for Quality
Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine,
The State Environmental Protection
Administration
(中華人民共和國科學技術部, 中華人民共
和國商務部, 中華人民共和國國家質量監督
檢驗檢疫總局, 國家環境保護總局)
2008 Pioneer worker Shanghai Municipal Federation of Trade
(工人先鋒號) Unions (上海市總工會)
2012 Research and Science and Technology Bureau of Suzhou
Development (蘇州市科學技術局)
Institutions of Foreign
Investment in Suzhou
City
(蘇州市研發外資機構)
2014 Jiangsu Famous Jiangsu Administration for Industry and
Trademark Commerce
(2014–2017) (江蘇省工商行政管理局)

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Year of

Year of
recognition/ Recognising/awarding
award Award/title organisation or authority
2018 Pioneer worker Jiangsu Province Federation of Trade Unions
(工人先鋒號) (江蘇省總工會)
2019 The 10 Best Foreign Kunshan Municipal Government
Invested Enterprises (昆山市委員會昆山市人民政府)
(2018十佳外商投資
企業)
2019 The 10 Best Kunshan Municipal Government
Environment Friendly (昆山市委員會昆山市人民政府)
Enterprises
(2018十佳生態環境友
好型企業)
2019 National Standard for Ministry of Industry and Information
Green Factories Technology of People’s Republic of China
(綠色工廠) (中華人民共和國工業和信息化部)
2019 Certificate of enterprise Suzhou Administration of Market Regulation
with credit in (蘇州市市場監督管理局)
honoring contracts
(守合同重信用企業公
示證書)

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS

The Target Group’s PRC operations are subject to occupational health and safety laws and regulations set by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (全國人民代 表大會常務委員會) and the relevant government occupational health and safety authorities, such as National Health Commission of the PRC (國家衛生健康委員會) and Ministry of Emergency Management of the PRC (應急管理部). For further details, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Regulatory overview relating to the Target Group’’ in this circular.

For the purposes of ensuring compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, the Target Group’s human resources department, which is responsible for the formulation and implementation of human resources policies, will from time to time make adjustment, if necessary, to its human resources policies to accommodate material changes to relevant labour and safety laws and regulations to ensure their compliance. The Target Group also seeks legal advice from external legal advisers on labour and safety related compliance matters as and when required.

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To ensure a safe production and working environment for the Target Group’s employees, the Target Group implements applicable safety guidelines and procedures in relation to its production processes, such as fire safety, electricity safety, warehouse safety, work-related injuries prevention, noise protection and emergency and evacuation procedures.

In the case of an accident or emergency, the Target Group immediately reports the incident to their administrative department and the appropriate responsive actions are taken. The department supervisor that is responsible shall record the accident in detail, including the location, date and time, causation and description of the injuries suffered, loss analysis and the responsive actions taken. The Target Group’s administrative department informs the relevant authority of the workplace injuries and is responsible for the safety compliance record keeping.

For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, two, nil, four and three employees of the Target Group sustained personal injuries during the production processes of the Target Group, respectively. From 1 October 2019 to the Latest Practicable Date, four employees sustained personal injuries during the production processes of the Target Group. These injuries were primarily due to the employee’s breach of safety guidelines and unfamiliarity with the production process, operation of machinery and safety requirements of the Target Group.

Relevant departments of the Target Group have informed the authorities immediately after the accidents occurred and as at the Latest Practicable Date, save for six accidents, all of the injured employees were compensated through mandatory occupation injury insurance. The management of the Target Group is of the view that the outstanding amount involved would be immaterial and would have no material impact on the Target Group.

The management of the Target Group confirms, and its PRC Legal Adviser is of the view, that the Target Group complies with the applicable health and safety laws and regulations in the PRC in all material respects, and that, during the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, it was not in breach of such laws and regulations. The Target Group has not encountered any safety-related accidents that had any material impact on its operations during the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date.

The Target Group’s operations are also subject to PRC environmental laws and regulations including the Environmental Protection Law of the PRC. The Target Group would be subject to fines, suspension of business or cessation of operations if there is any failure to comply with present or future laws and regulations.

The Target Group believes that its production processes do not generate waste that have any significant adverse effect on the environment and their environmental protection measures are adequate to comply with all applicable current local and national PRC regulations.

INSURANCE

The Target Group currently maintains property insurance, transit insurance, public liability insurance, product liability insurance and occupation injury insurance. In addition, the Target Group maintains credit insurance policies to insure against counter-party risk with its

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customers. The management of the Target Group considers that the insurance coverage for the Target Group is adequate and consistent with relevant industry practice. During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had not made, and had not been the subject of, any material insurance claims.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

As at Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had 30 patents active in the PRC relating to manufacturing technology. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had 6 registered trademarks in the PRC. The Target Group also has registered two domain names. For further details of the Target Group’s intellectual properties, please see the paragraph headed ‘‘General Information — Intellectual Properties of the Target Group’’ in Appendix V to this circular.

The Target Group has not been involved in any material intellectual property rights infringement claims or litigation during the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date.

PROPERTIES

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group owned the land use rights of three parcels of land and the buildings erected thereon with an aggregate GFA of 68,689.10 sq.m. The following table summarises the information regarding the Target Group’s owned properties as at the Latest Practicable Date:

GFA of the Use of the
Address Site area building(s) property Land nature Expiry date
(sq. m.) (sq. m.)
No. 5, Luopu Road, 26,795 15,608.42 Industrial use Allocating and
Anting Town, Jiading collective
District, Shanghai, land
the PRC
No. 88, Huaxun Road, 68,116.7 46,936.61 Industrial use State-owned 24 March 2057
Huaqiao Economic land
Development Zone,
Kunshan City, Jiangsu
Province, the PRC
No. 910, Jimingtang South 9,268.10 6,144.07 Industrial use Collective land 19 September 2054
Road, Huaqiao Town,
Kunshan City, Jiangsu
Province, the PRC

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group entered into 3 tenancy agreements in relation to the lease of offices and factory. The following table summarises the information regarding the Target Group’s leased properties as at the Latest Practicable Date:

Use of
Approximate the
Address area Rent property Leased term
(sq. m.)
Units 601–610, 446.8 Monthly rent of Office 1 April 2019 to 31
6/F Photonics Centre, HK$128,000 March 2020
2 Science Park East
Avenue, Hong Kong
Science Park, New
Territories, Hong Kong
17/F, Block 20, Universal 435 1 January 2019 – Office 1 January 2019 to
Hi-Tech Plaza, No. 958 31 December 2019: 31 December
Zhenbei Road, Shanghai monthly rent of 2021
RMB50,278.75; 1 January
2020 – 31 December 2020:
monthly rent of
RMB52,925; 1 January
2021 – 31 December 2021:
monthly rent of
RMB55,571.25
Rooms No.4 and No.5 and 2,773.52 Yearly rent of Factory 1 January 2020 to
auxiliary room, No. 83 RMB931,902.72 31 December
Shuanghua Road, 2022
Huaqiao Town, Kunshan
City, Jiangsu Province

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

EMPLOYEES

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had 705 employees of which 687 were based in the PRC, and 18 were based in Hong Kong.

The table below sets forth the aggregate number of employees, categorised by function and geographical location, as at the Latest Practicable Date:

Function
Production
Quality control and quality assurance
Procurement and logistic
Research and development
Administration and finance
Sales and marketing
Total
Number of employees
Hong Kong
The PRC

417

74
1
52
4
33
5
82
8
29
18
687
Number of employees
Hong Kong
The PRC

417

74
1
52
4
33
5
82
8
29
18
687
687

The Target Group recruits its employees based on a number of factors such as their working experience, educational background, qualifications or certifications possessed and vacancy.

The management of the Target Group believes that the experience and skills of its labour are crucial for maintaining its operation efficiency and the quality of its products. For those newly recruited employees, they are required to attend the orientation programme, which includes an introduction to corporate culture, workplace safety, products, operation manual, production process and rules of conduct. The Target Group also offers continuous training to existing employees to enhance their skills and knowledge for the latest trends and techniques in respect of the production process.

The Target Group enters into individual employment agreements with its employees, specifying terms regarding, among other things, salaries, benefits, training, workplace safety and hygiene, confidentiality obligations relating to trade secrets, non-competition and grounds for termination. The remuneration package of its employees includes salary, bonuses, paid leave, accommodation and allowances. Its employees also receive welfare benefits including medical care, retirement pension and other miscellaneous benefits, as well as social insurance and housing provident fund required by the PRC laws and mandatory provident funds required by Hong Kong laws and regulations, where applicable.

The Target Group has implemented an incentive programme to provide rewards with a view to attract, retain and incentivise employees who contribute significant value. The Target Group conducts an annual review and appraisal for its employees and offers bonus to employees with outstanding performance.

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The Target Group has maintained good relationships with its employees. The management of the Target Group believes that its employees are among the most valuable assets and have contributed to the success of the Target Group. During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had not been subject to any disruption to business operations of the Target Group due to labour disputes. The Target Group has adopted a labour union for its employees in the PRC.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Target Group has a team of research and development staff who are assigned to cope with speedy changes on various industrial standards and certifications bodies such as UL, Intertek’s ETL certification programme, Telecommunication Industry Association/Electronic Industries Alliance standards and IEC certification. The Target Group has objectives to update itself on new technical standards to better serve for customer’s requests.

Thanks to the Target Group’s research and development efforts, it was the first cable manufacturing company that was awarded the Restricted Substances Compliance Solutions (RSCS) approval from UL. The Target Group was also the first manufacturer in Asia which obtained UL certifications for Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat 6 cables. The Target Group is also capable of mass producing the newer Cat 7 and Cat 7A cables. The Target Group is also developing the latest Cat 8 cables. The development of new cables generally involves the use of cable materials and testing equipment as well as incurs expenses for registering patents. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s cost incurred in research and development amounted to approximately HK$14,211,000, HK$15,511,000, HK$19,761,000 and HK$14,262,000, respectively. Such expenses are charged to the combined statements of profit or loss of the Target Group during the relevant year/period.

MARKET AND COMPETITION

According to the CRI Report, in 2018, the global market size of LAN cables, the subset of networking cables which the Target Group principally manufactures and sells, reached US$6.79 billion. The growth of the LAN cable market size showed a CAGR of 10.7% from 2014 to 2018, while the market size of LAN cables in the PRC reached RMB18.10 billion, with a CAGR of 11.9% from 2014 to 2018. Such growth was mainly driven by the increasing demand of LAN cables for fixed broadband, consumer electronics, blockchain or cryptocurrencies applications and network attached storage.

There are over 1,000 LAN cable manufacturers in the world and more than half of the LAN cable manufacturers in the PRC. According to the CRI Report, the Target Group ranked fifth among the LAN cable manufacturers in the world, with a global market share of 3.2% in terms of revenue generated from the LAN cable manufacturing business for the period from April 2018 to March 2019.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The management of the Target Group believes that the Target Group is able to compete on the basis of its long history of cable manufacturing, its relatively large market value in the high-end LAN cable manufacturing business, its long-term business relationships with the major networking infrastructure companies in the world and its unremitting efforts in research and development to keep up its technologies and market trends. For details of the competitive strengths of the Target Group, please refer to the paragraph headed ‘‘Competitive strengths’’ in this section above. Please also refer to the section headed ‘‘Industry Overview’’ in this circular for the details of the industry where the Target Group operates its business and the competition it faces.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, LICENSES AND PERMITS

The directors of the Target Company, as advised by the PRC Legal Adviser, confirm that, during the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had complied with the relevant PRC regulatory requirements in all material aspects, and there were no non-compliance incident which constitute material non-compliance or systemic noncompliance. The directors of the Target Company, as advised by the PRC Legal Adviser, also confirm that the Target Group has obtained all the approvals, permits, consents, licenses and registrations required for its business and operations in the PRC and all of them are in force.

INTERNAL CONTROL

The Company has engaged the Sam K. M. Ng CPA Limited (‘‘IC Consultant’’), an independent internal control advisor, to perform evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Target Group’s internal control system, including the areas of financial, operation, corporate governance, compliance and risk management under the Internal Control — 2013 Integrated Framework released by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the results of the IC Consultant’s review, the IC Consultant has identified certain area of weaknesses or deficiencies in the internal control system and provided recommendation to the Target Group for addressing them. Details of the major findings and recommendations provided by the IC Consultant are set out below:

Major findings

Recommendations

The Target Group had yet to retain documentation for at least two offers received from external parties for the disposal of fixed assets.

The Target Group should enhance the fixed assets disposal policies and procedures regarding the retention of documentations on at least two offers received from external parties.

The Target Group should retain comparison analysis for the sale of disposed fixed assets based on offers received and for future reference.

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BUSINESS OF THE TARGET GROUP

Major findings

Recommendations

The Target Group had yet to retain monthly inventory count report. It would be difficult for the management to verify if there are any discrepancies identified and any relevant follow up actions to be performed.

The Target Group should enhance the policies and procedures regarding to inventory count.

The Target Group should retain the inventory count report and the reviewer of inventory count should countersign on the inventory count report as evidence for review.

The Target Group did not establish formal written policies and procedures regarding taxes.

The Target Group should establish written policies and procedures regarding taxes to ensure the practice is consistent and effective.

The IC Consultant performed its review for the period between 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 and a follow-up review to understand the status of the implementation status of remedial actions in September 2019. The Directors and the IC Consultant acknowledge that all recommendations provided by the IC Consultant had been adopted as at the Latest Practicable Date.

Based on the findings of the IC Consultant and the Target Group’s adoption of the recommendation measures and remedial action to such findings, the Target Group considered that it has a sufficient and effective internal control system in place.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, there was no litigation or arbitration or administrative proceedings pending or threatened against the Target Group or the directors of the Target Company which could have a material adverse effect on the Target Group’s financial condition or results of operations.

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RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS

THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor, being a Controlling Shareholder of the Company, held the entire issued shares of the Target Company and the entire issued shares of Time Holdings, which owned 63.86% of the equity interest in the Company.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Vendor was owned as to 39.68% by Mr. Paul Lo, 20.14% by Nickson Holdings, 38.13% by GP Industries Limited (which is owned by 85.47% by Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited), 1.09% by Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon, 0.72% by Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan, 0.09% by Mr. Li Ping Kuen, 0.09% by Mr. Chan Ting Hei, 0.04% by Ms. Lo Ching Yee and 0.02% by Mr. Wong Wai Hung, respectively.

For the purpose of the Listing Rules, Mr. Paul Lo, Nickson Holdings, Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited, GP Industries Limited, Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon, Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan, Mr. Li Ping Kuen, Mr. Chan Ting Hei, Ms. Lo Ching Yee and Mr. Wong Wai Hung are a group of Controlling Shareholders by virtue of their holding interests through a common investment holding company, being the Vendor.

INDEPENDENCE FROM THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS

The Target Group is capable of carrying on its business independently of, and does not place undue reliance on, the Controlling Shareholders of the Group, taking into account the following factors:

(i) Operational and administrative independence

The Target Group does not share any business operations with the Controlling Shareholders of the Company, save for the office sharing and administrative services arrangement between the Target Group and the Vendor.

During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group and the Vendor had arrangement on sharing the office premises in Hong Kong. The Target Group will continue to share the office premises with the Vendor upon Completion. In addition to the office sharing arrangement, the Vendor also provided certain administrative services to the Target Group which are administrative support in nature. Directors of the Target Company consider that the provision of administrative services by the Vendor represents a cost and operational efficient arrangement which is in the ordinary and usual course of the Target Group’s business. For more details on the office sharing and administrative services arrangement between the Target Group and the Vendor, please refer to the section headed ‘‘Continuing Connected Transactions’’ in this circular.

(ii) Financial independence

The Company believes that following Completion, the business of the Target Group will be able to be funded independently by its operational cash flow and external banks and finance facilities without credit support from the Vendor.

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RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS

As at 30 September 2019, the Target Group had banking borrowings with an aggregate principal amount of approximately HK$1,463,640,000 which were secured, among others, by personal guarantee by Mr. Paul Lo, corporate guarantee by the Vendor and Lighthouse Technologies Limited. To ensure the financial independence of the Target Group, the Target Group will obtain its own banking facilities upon the Completion and the abovementioned personal and corporate guarantees provided will be released and replaced by a corporate guarantee to be provided by the Company as soon as practicable upon Completion. During the Track Record Period, the Vendor had the function of central treasurer which had been collecting and assigning funds among different subsidiaries, and hence resulting in a balance of amount due from and to the Vendor. As at 30 September 2019, the Target Group recorded the amount due from the Vendor of approximately HK$1,207,655,000 and the amount due to the Vendor of approximately HK$217,743,000. After the Completion, the above function of the Vendor will be ceased and no more proceeds will be assigned to and from the Vendor. It is also expected that there will be no outstanding balance between the Vendor and the Target Group upon the Completion.

Having considered the above factors, the Directors consider that there is no financial dependence on the Controlling Shareholders of the Company upon Completion.

(iii) Management independence

Mr. Paul Lo, non-executive Director of the Group, is also a director of the Target Group and the Vendor. Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan, director of the Vendor, is also a director of the Target Group. Save for Mr. Paul Lo and Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan, none of the senior management team of the Target Group has an overlapping position in the Vendor. The directors of the Target Company are satisfied that the independent senior management team, is able to perform the managerial role in the Target Group independently.

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CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

Upon Completion, sales and purchases of networking cables or cable assemblies between the Group and the Target Group will no longer be subject to the connected transactions requirements under the Listing Rules. On 24 March 2020, the Target Group and the Vendor entered into the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions, including (i) the office sharing costs paid by the Target Group to the Vendor (the ‘‘Property Sharing Agreement’’); and (ii) the provision of office administrative support, information technology support and/or other services to the Target Group by the Vendor (the ‘‘Administrative Services Agreement’’), which will be effective upon Completion. After Completion, the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions carried out by the Target Group (as part of the Enlarged Group) will constitute continuing connected transactions of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules and will be subject to applicable or exemption of connected transactions requirements under the Listing Rules.

A summary of the above continuing connected transactions of the Enlarged Group with duration up to 31 March 2023 is set out as follows:

Proposed annual cap Proposed annual cap Proposed annual cap
for the year ending 31 March
Nature of transaction 2021 2022 2023
(HK$’000) (HK$’000) (HK$’000)
Non-exempt continuing connected
transaction
Property Sharing Agreement 3,036 3,236 3,436
Fully-exempt continuing connected
transaction
Administrative Services Agreement 10,543 11,014 11,484

1. THE PROPERTY SHARING AGREEMENT

Date: 24 March 2020 Parties: the Target Company and the Vendor Principal terms: Pursuant to the Property Sharing Agreement, the Target Group shares a portion of the Vendor’s Hong Kong office and continues to pay annual sharing costs to the Vendor, for a term commencing from the Completion Date and ending on 31 March 2023.

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CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

Pricing policy:

  • Reasons for the transaction:

  • Historical amounts:

  • Annual caps:

  • Basis of caps:

The annual sharing costs were determined after arm’s length negotiations between the relevant parties with reference to the prevailing market rates of local properties in the neighbourhood with a similar scale and quality and the Target Group will also obtain listings of other acceptable office premises. The Target Group will compare such information to decide whether the quotation offered by the Vendor is no less favourable than those given by the real estate agent and whether the office sharing terms will continue to be fair and reasonable.

  • The Target Group had been sharing a portion of the Hong Kong office of the Vendor for use as headquarter since 1994 and does not have any plan to relocate its present headquarter shared with the Vendor.
HK$’000
Year ended 31 March 2017 2,638
Year ended 31 March 2018 3,000
Year ended 31 March 2019 1,536
Six months ended 30 September 2019 768
  • Together with the Existing Property Sharing Agreement between the Group and the Vendor, the annual sharing costs payable by the Enlarged Group to the Vendor shall not exceed HK$3,036,000, HK$3,236,000 and HK$3,436,000 for the year ending 31 March 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

  • The annual caps were determined based on the historical transaction amounts between the Target Group and the Vendor taking into account the pricing policy of the Target Group as stated above and the prevailing market rates of the same or similar properties in the same locality.

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CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

2. THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

Date:

24 March 2020

Parties: the Target Company and the Vendor

Principal terms:

Pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Vendor will continue to provide services in ancillary to the office sharing arrangement under the Property Sharing Agreement, which includes office administrative support, information technology support and/or other services to the Target Group for a term commencing from the Completion Date and ending on 31 March 2023.

Pricing policy:

The administrative services fees charged were determined on a cost basis whereby the costs are identifiable and are allocated to the parties and calculated based on actual consumption and/or the time spent by the staff on the provision of relevant services.

  • Reasons for the Given the Target Group had been sharing a portion of the Hong transaction: Kong office of the Vendor under the Property Sharing Agreement, the administrative arrangements between the Target Group and the Vendor as contemplated under the Administrative Services Agreement further enables the Target Group to enjoy cost saving by sharing the administrative costs of the Vendor and enhance operational convenience.
Historical amounts: HK$’000
Year ended 31 March 2017 10,710
Year ended 31 March 2018 11,250
Year ended 31 March 2019 5,664
Six months ended 30 September 2019 2,832

The decrease in historical amount for the year ended 31 March 2019 as compared to that for 2018 was due to the discontinuing of the management fee charged by the Vendor as a result of the management restructuring of the Target Group such that wages of the management of the division of the Target Group were then borne by itself instead of the Vendor. Previously, the management fee was charged by the Vendor for its central management services provided to the Target Group and other business units of the Vendor.

Annual caps:

Together with Existing Administrative Services Agreement between the Group and the Vendor, the annual administrative services fees payable by the Enlarged Group to the Vendor shall not exceed HK$10,543,000, HK$11,014,000 and HK$11,484,000 for the year ending 31 March 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

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CONTINUING CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

Basis of caps: The annual caps were determined based on the historical transaction amounts between the Target Group and the Vendor taking into account the pricing policy of the Target Group as stated above and the estimation of rising costs due to inflation.

Pursuant to Rule 14A.81 of the Listing Rules, the transactions contemplated under the Property Sharing Agreement are required to be aggregated with the transactions under the existing property sharing arrangements between the Group and the Vendor contemplated under the Existing Property Sharing Agreement (which are also continuing connected transactions for the Company). As each of the applicable percentage ratios (other than the profits ratio) in respect of the total annual sharing costs under the Property Sharing Agreement and the Existing Property Sharing Agreement will be less than 5%, the transactions contemplated under the Property Sharing Agreement and the Existing Property Sharing Agreement are subject to the reporting, annual review and announcement requirements but are exempt from the independent shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

Pursuant to Rule 14A.81 of the Listing Rules, the transactions contemplated under the Administrative Services Agreement are required to be aggregated with the transactions under the Existing Administrative Services Agreement between the Group and the Vendor (which are also continuing connected transactions for the Company). As the administrative fees are identifiable and allocated to the Enlarged Group by the Vendor on a fair and equitable basis, the transactions contemplated under the Administrative Services Agreement and the Existing Administrative Services Agreement will be exempt from the reporting, annual review, announcement and independent shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

DIRECTORS’ VIEWS

In the view of the Directors (including the independent non-executive Directors), it is in the interests of the Target Group (as part of the Enlarged Group) to continue with the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions after Completion, and such transactions were entered into in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Enlarged Group on normal commercial terms, and the terms of such transactions and the relevant proposed annual caps are fair and reasonable and are in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. After the Completion, the Directors will continue to closely monitor the transactions contemplated under the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions and the Enlarged Group will take necessary actions to ensure the compliance with applicable Listing Rules in relation to the Proposed Continuing Connected Transactions.

Directors with conflicted interest in the continuing connected transactions described in this section shall be required to abstain from voting on relevant Board resolutions in relation to such continuing connected transactions.

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DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

DIRECTORS

The following sets out certain information of the directors of the Target Company as of the date of this circular and their roles and responsibilities in the Target Group:

Relationship
Date of with other
Present position appointment as directors and
in the Target Date of joining director of the senior
Name Age Group Target Group Target Company Roles and responsibilities management
Mr. Paul Lo 71 Director 5 December 2006 5 December 2006 Overall strategic management N/A
(羅仲煒) and corporate development
of the Target Group
Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan 55 Director 31 January 2011 31 January 2011 Overall strategic management N/A
(施毓燦) and corporate development
of the Target Group

Mr. Paul Lo (羅仲煒), aged 71, is a director of the Target Company and its subsidiaries, Linkz (Shanghai), Linkz (HK), Linkz Ind (Suzhou) and Hover Manufacturing. On 5 December 2006, Mr. Paul Lo was appointed as a director of the Target Company. Mr. Paul Lo is responsible for the overall strategic management and corporate development of the Target Group.

Mr. Paul Lo has over 40 years of experience in the electronics industry. Mr. Paul Lo is the chairman and non-executive Director and a Controlling Shareholder of the Company. He is the chairman of Linkz Industries which is also a Controlling Shareholder of the Company. Mr. Paul Lo is one of the co-founders of and served as an executive director for Gold Peak, a company listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange from 1977 to 2011. From July 1990 to August 1997, Mr. Paul Lo also served as a director in GP Batteries International Limited, a company listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (stock code:GD8). From March 1998 to December 2014, Mr. Paul Lo was a supervisor of Lingsen Precision Industries, Ltd., a company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (stock code:2369). Mr. Paul Lo is currently the general councilor of the Sixth Council of Guangdong Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment and the Vice President of the Seventh Council of Huizhou Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment of China.

Mr. Sy Yuk Tsan (施毓燦) (‘‘Mr. Sy’’), aged 55, is a director of the Target Company and its subsidiaries, Linkz (HK) and Linkz Technology. He also currently holds directorships in Linkz International, Huizhou Light Engine Limited (惠州元暉光電股份有限公司) and Light Engine Limited (元暉光電有限公司). On 31 January 2011, Mr. Sy was appointed as a director of the Target Company. Mr. Sy is responsible for the overall strategic management and corporate development of the Target Group.

Mr. Sy has over 30 years of experience in the electronics industry. Mr. Sy started his career with LTK Industries Limited (currently known as Linkz Industries) in July 1988 and worked in several positions before being promoted to sales manager in February 1990. He

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DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

then worked in LTK International Limited (currently known as Linkz International) as general manager and as a vice president of its subsidiary in the U.S in 1993. He also took the position as general manager of LTK Industries Limited (currently known as Linkz Industries) in 1994. Mr. Sy joined COTCO Holdings Limited as general manager in 2005 and was later promoted to managing director in November of the same year. During the period of 2007 and 2019, Mr. Sy also worked for a multinational LED manufacturer company and held a number of positions during his course of employment with his last position as a special consultant.

Mr. Sy was awarded a master’s degree in business administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in November 2001 and a degree of bachelor of science in engineering from the University of Hong Kong in November 1988. Mr. Sy was awarded Young Industrialist Award of Hong Kong in 2006.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

The following table sets out certain information in respect of the senior management of the Target Group as of the date of this circular and their roles and responsibilities in the Target Group:

Relationship
with other
Date of Directors and
Date of joining appointment as senior
Name Age Present position Target Group senior management Roles and responsibilities management
Mr. Cao Zhenyi 66 General Manager — 1 February 2007 1 February 2007 Overseeing and managing N/A
(曹振毅) Manufacturing of the overall operation of
Networking Cables the production facilities
Business of the networking
cables business
Mr. Li Put Tung 41 General Sales 1 February 2002 1 April 2013 Business development, N/A
(李渤東) Manager of sales and product
Networking Cables strategies of the
Business networking cables
business
Mr. Ling Zhen 45 Assistant Financial 13 September 1 April 2011 Overseeing the function of N/A
(凌真) Controller of 1995 finance, accounting and
Networking Cables internal control of the
Business networking cables
business
Mr. Liu Yaliang 45 Deputy Chief 16 March 2000 14 July 2008 Driving the product N/A
(劉雅樑) Engineer of development and new
Networking Cables technology of the
Business networking cables
business

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DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

Relationship
with other
Date of Directors and
Date of joining appointment as senior
Name Age Present position Target Group senior management Roles and responsibilities management
Mr. Fu Kuanlin 49 Director of 1 November 1 November 2019 Product development, N/A
(傅寬林) Manufacturing- 2019 production and
Speciality Cables manufacturing process
of Networking improvement of
Cables Business speciality cables
Mr. Li Yuebin 55 General Manager of 12 June 2004 1 June 2007 Overseeing the N/A
(李岳斌) Linkz Ind management of Linkz
(Suzhou) Ind (Suzhou) and
establishing and
maintaining
relationships with
stakeholders
Mr. Yao Honglin 54 Factory Manager of 1 November 1 October 2011 Overseeing and managing N/A
(姚宏林) Linkz Ind 1999 the factory operations
(Suzhou) of Linkz Ind (Suzhou)
Mr. Qin Jianjun 47 Factory Manager of 16 March 2000 1 April 2010 Overseeing and managing N/A
(秦建軍) Linkz (Shanghai) the factory operations
of Linkz (Shanghai)

Mr. Cao Zhenyi (曹振毅) (‘‘Mr. Cao’’), aged 66, is the general manager — manufacturing of the networking cables business of the Target Group. Mr. Cao is also the director of Linkz Ind (Suzhou), Linkz (Shanghai), Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin. Mr. Cao is primarily responsible for overseeing and managing the overall operation of the production facilities of the networking cables business and the strategic development of the Target Group.

Mr. Cao has over 40 years of experience in the wires and cables industry. He has taken various positions in manufacturing and factory operations prior to joining Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂庭電線工業有限公司, currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) in April 1994 with his last position held as assistant to general manager in December 2006. Mr. Cao later joined Hover (Kunshan) in February 2007 as general manager and continued working for Hover (Kunshan) after it was acquired by the Target Group in March 2014 and was promoted to his current position in April 2018.

Mr. Cao was awarded a higher diploma in Planning Statistics from Shanghai Luwan Sparetime University* (上海市盧灣區業餘大學) in January 1989.

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DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

Mr. Li Put Tung (李渤東) (‘‘Mr. Victor Li’’), aged 41, is the director of Hover Manufacturing, Linkz Ind (Suzhou) and Linkz (Shanghai). Mr. Victor Li was appointed as director of Hover Manufacturing in March 2014 and as director of Linkz Ind (Suzhou) and Linkz (Shanghai) in June 2017. He is also the general sales manager of the networking cables business of the Target Group. He is primarily responsible for business development, formulating sales and product strategies of the networking cables business.

Mr. Victor Li first joined LTK Industries Limited (currently known as Linkz Industries) in February 2002 as a project engineer and took various positions with his last position held as general sales manager of the networking cables business of Linkz Industries in April 2015 before transferring to his current role in April 2018.

Mr. Victor Li was awarded a master of science degree in Communications, Computer and Human Centred Systems (Multimedia Computer Systems) in July 2003 and a bachelor’s degree of Engineering (Electronic and Communication Engineering) in July 2000 from the University of Birmingham.

Mr. Ling Zhen (凌真) (‘‘Mr. Ling’’), aged 45, is the assistant financial controller of the networking cables business of the Target Group. Mr. Ling is also the supervisor of Linkz Ind (Suzhou), Linkz (Shanghai), Hover (Kunshan) and Kunshan Deqin. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the function of finance, accounting and internal control of the networking cables business.

Mr. Ling started his career with Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂庭電線工業有 限公司, currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) in September 1995 and took various positions with his last position held as assistant to financial controller in December 2008 before he was appointed to his current position in April 2011.

Mr. Ling was awarded an associate degree in International Accounting and Finance from East China Normal University in July 1995. Mr. Ling also obtained an accountancy certificate issued and approved by the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Finance of the PRC in May 2002.

Mr. Liu Yaliang (劉雅樑) (‘‘Mr. Liu’’), aged 45, is the deputy chief engineer of the networking cables business of the Target Group. He is primarily responsible for driving the product development and new technology of the networking cables business.

Mr. Liu started his career with LTK Electric Wire (Huizhou) Limited (樂庭電線工業(惠 州)有限公司) in July 1998 before he transferred to Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂 庭電線工業有限公司, currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) as an assistant engineer in the manufacturing department in March 2000 where he took various positions with his last position held as manager of the product development department in July 2006 before being appointed to his current position in July 2008.

Mr. Liu was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Electrical Engineering from Nanjing University of Science and Technology in July 1998.

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DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

Mr. Fu Kuanlin (傅寬林) (‘‘Mr. Fu’’), aged 49, is the director of manufacturingspeciality cables of the networking cables business of the Target Group. He is primarily responsible for the product development, production and manufacturing process improvement of the speciality cables of the networking cables business.

Mr. Fu has over 25 years of experience in wires and cables industry. Mr. Fu started his career with LTK Electric Wire (Huizhou) Limited (樂庭電線工業(惠州)有限公司) in July 1993 and was promoted to assistant quality assurance manager in April 1999 before he transferred to Shanghai LTK Electronic Cables Limited (上海樂庭電子線纜有限公司) with his last position held as factory manager in April 2007. He later took various management roles in different companies in the networking cables industry and rejoined Linkz Ind (Suzhou) in his current position in November 2019.

Mr. Fu was awarded a master degree in Business Administration from Xi’an Jiaotong University in June 2013 and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering — Mechanical Manufacturing Technology and Equipment from Hunan University in July 1993.

Mr. Li Yuebin (李岳斌) (‘‘Mr. Li’’), aged 55, is the director and general manager of Linkz Ind (Suzhou). Mr. Li first joined Linkz Ind (Suzhou) in September 2006 and was promoted to his current position in October 2011. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the management of Linkz Ind (Suzhou) and establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.

Mr. Li has over 35 years of experience in audit and accounting and factory management. Mr. Li took various positions in accounting before joining Coretech Industries (Huizhou) Limited (高達(惠州)電纜製品有限公司) in February 1993 as an accounting supervisor. He was subsequently transferred to Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂庭電線工業有限公 司, currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) in June 2004 as audit manager. Mr. Li then transferred to Linkz Ind (Suzhou) in September 2006 which he was promoted to various roles with his last position held as factory manager before he was appointed to his current position in October 2011.

Mr. Li was awarded a master’s degree in Business Administration from Macau University of Science and Technology in November 2003 and a higher diploma in Business Administration from Party School of Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China in June 1998. Mr. Yao Honglin (姚宏林) (‘‘Mr. Yao’’), aged 54, is the factory manager of Linkz Ind (Suzhou). Mr. Yao first joined Linkz Ind (Suzhou) as an assistant factory manager in October 2011 before being appointed to his current position in April 2016. He is primarily responsible for overseeing and managing the overall factory operations of Linkz Ind (Suzhou).

Mr. Yao has over 30 years of experience in technology development, quality control and production management. Mr. Yao joined Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂庭電線工 業有限公司, currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) in November 1999 and was promoted to various roles with his last position held as deputy chief engineer — quality assurance for the networking cables business in April 2010 before he transferred to Linkz Ind (Suzhou) in October 2011.

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DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET GROUP

Mr. Yao was awarded an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering — Mechanical Manufacturing Technology and Equipment from Nantong University (formerly known as Nantong Textile Engineering College) in July 1987. Mr. Yao obtained a Quality Professional certificate issued by the State General Administration of the People’s Republic of China for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine in June 2002.

Mr. Qin Jianjun (秦建軍) (‘‘Mr. Qin’’), aged 47, is the factory manager of Linkz (Shanghai). Mr. Qin is primarily responsible for overseeing and managing the overall the factory operations of Linkz (Shanghai).

Mr. Qin has over 25 years of experience in the wires and cables industry. He started his career with LTK Electric Wire (Huizhou) Limited (樂庭電線工業(惠州)有限公司) in the production department in May 1994 and he transferred to Shanghai LTK Electric Wire Ltd. (上海樂庭電線工業有限公司, currently known as Linkz (Shanghai)) in March 2000 where he took various positions, with his last position held as assistant factory manager in April 2010 before he was appointed to his current role in October 2011.

Mr. Qin was awarded an associate degree in Economics and Management from Xi’an Politics Institute of the People’s Liberation Army in June 2004.

The business of the Target Group will continue to be operated and managed by the existing management of the Target Group.

Save as disclosed above, no directors or members of the senior management of the Target Group held any directorships in any other listed companies within the three years immediately preceding the date of this circular, nor has he or she held any other positions with the Target Group or the Company.

Save as disclosed above, there is no other information relating to the relationship of any of the directors or members of the senior management of the Target Group with other directors or members of the senior management of the Target Group or any other information that should be disclosed pursuant to Rule 13.51(2) of the Listing Rules. None of the directors or members of the senior management of the Target Group is interested in any business which competes or is likely to compete, either directly or indirectly, with the business of the Target Group or the Group.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Set out below is the management discussion and analysis of the Target Group for the three years ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019. The financial information has been prepared in accordance with HKFRS and interpretations promulgated by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. You should read the Accountant’s Report on the Target Group included as Appendix II to this circular in its entirety and should not merely rely on the information contained in this section.

OVERVIEW

The Target Group is a long established networking cable manufacturer with its manufacturing facilities located in the PRC. Founded in 1993, the Target Group has over 26 years of business operation and currently owns three and leases another industrial complexes situated in Shanghai and Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group focuses on the manufacturing of different networking cables with copper as the transmission media and has an annual production capacity of approximately 4 million kft of networking cables.

The networking cable products of the Target Group are marketed and sold to large enterprises including multinational corporations and which are usually the end users, such as international networking infrastructure companies, which mainly incorporate the Target Group’s products in their networking solutions services. While the Target Group sells a small proportion of its products on the Target Group’s brand names, and , a majority of the networking cables are sold on the OEM basis. The major suppliers of the Target Group include sellers of copper, plastic materials and cable reels.

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The Target Company was incorporated and registered as an exempted company with limited liability in the BVI on 5 December 2006. Upon the Completion, the companies comprising the Target Group underwent the Reorganisation and the Target Company became the holding company of the subsidiaries comprising the Target Group. The principal steps of the Reorganisation involve:

  1. Deregistration of Linkz Ind Tech by the Target Company;

  2. Transfer of the entire issued share capital of Hover Manufacturing from the Vendor to the Target Company; and

  3. Transfer of the business of trading of networking cables conducted by Linkz International to the Target Group by way of transfer of the Assets and Liabilities to Linkz Technology.

The Target Group resulting from the Reorganisation continued to be controlled by the Vendor and is regarded as a continuing entity. Accordingly, the combined statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, and the combined statements of cash flows of the Target Group for the Track Record Period have been prepared to include the results, changes in equity and cash flows and the combined statements of changes in equity of the entities now comprising the Target Group as if the group structure upon completion of the Reorganisation

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

had been in existence throughout the Track Record Period, or since their respective dates of incorporation or establishment where this is a shorter period. The combined statements of financial position of the Target Group as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019 have been prepared to present the assets and liabilities of the entities now comprising the Target Group as if the current group structure upon completion of the Reorganisation had been in existence at those dates taking into account their respective dates of incorporation/ establishment or their respective dates of disposal whichever is applicable.

However, for the purpose of preparation of the historical financial information of the Target Group, it also includes the financial information of the non-core business of Linkz International (‘‘Non-core Business’’) that are not relevant to the business of trading of networking cables and the financial information of Linkz Ind Tech. As the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the Non-core Business to be retained by Linkz International can only be determined upon completion of the Reorganisation, which is yet to be completed as at the end of the Track Record Period, such assets and liabilities are thus still included in the historical financial information of the Target Group as set out to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II in this circular, while its financial effect upon completion of the Reorganisation is reflected in note 3 in the unaudited pro forma financial information in Appendix III as part of the pro forma adjustments as if the Acquisition was completed on 30 September 2019. The carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of such Non-core Business can be cross-referenced to Note 42 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II in this circular.

For more information on the basis of preparation of the financial information included herein, please refer to Note 2 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group set out in Appendix II to this circular.

KEY FACTORS AFFECTING THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The results of operations have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by a number of factors, which primarily include the following:

Demand for networking cables

A majority of the Target Group’s products are sold to networking infrastructure companies, and the development of telecommunication technology and the demand of networking infrastructure may have a direct impact on the demand of the Target Group’s products. However, there is no assurance that the demand of networking infrastructure on networking cables will not substantially decrease or the Target Group will continue to develop new networking cables that can comply with the ever changing technological standards or there will be no adverse change in the demand of the Target Group’s products. In addition, copper networking cables that the Target Group manufactures and sells are not the only type of networking cables for the transmission of network signals and there are other faster networking cables, such as optical fibres, that may in the future substitute the use of copper networking cables. A reduced demand due to economic reasons or availability of new viable substitutions could adversely affect the Target Group’s results of operations and negatively affect its cash flow.

– 151 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Product mix

The Target Group’s networking cable products are divided into several categories based on industry standard, and different categories often carry different selling prices and the profit margin generally varies according to the technical specifications and performance requirements. The change in technology and demand of customers would result in change of demand of networking cables of different categories, which may include introducing new categories or obsoleting existing ones. Accordingly, the results of operations, including profit margin, of the Target Group may vary from period-to-period as a result of the changes in product mix with reference to the products placed by its customers.

Foreign currency risk

The Target Group’s combined financial statements are prepared in Hong Kong dollars. In connection with the preparation of the combined financial statements, the results of operations of the PRC subsidiaries, which adopt RMB as the reporting currency, were translated into Hong Kong dollars using average rates. For the sales out of the PRC, they are generally settled in US$; and the manufacturing and material costs are generally settled in RMB, the Target Group would recognise exchange gain/loss as the exchange rate of RMB against US$ depreciates or appreciates. Fluctuations in the value of these exchange rates from one year to the next impact the combined results of operations and, depending on the magnitude of these fluctuations, could obscure underlying trends that would have been apparent if the combined financial statements had been prepared on a constant basis.

In addition, as sales to the customers for the products are generally denominated in RMB and US$ while the major costs for operations are denominated in RMB, the Target Group is exposed to foreign currency risk. Certain items in the combined statement of financial position are also denominated in currencies other than the currencies the Target Group’s entities used to prepare for the financial statements. As a result, any significant fluctuations in the exchange rate in future will also have an impact on the reported costs and earnings, and therefore, the operation results as a result of the foreign exchange gain or loss recognised in the combined financial statements. For the years ended 31 March 2017 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the net foreign exchange gain amounted to approximately of HK$5,870,000, HK$953,000 and HK$11,611,000, respectively, while the Target Group recorded a foreign exchange loss of approximately HK$5,567,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018.

The following sensitivity analysis illustrates the impact of hypothetical fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate on profit before taxation during the Track Record Period, holding all other variables constant.

– 152 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

To illustrate the potential effect on the Target Group’s financial performance, the sensitivity analysis below shows the impact on the profit before taxation with a 1.0% and 2.8% increase or decrease in the net foreign exchange gains or losses for the periods as indicated 1.0% and 2.8% representing the historical percentage changes in average exchange rates of RMB against Hong Kong dollars during the Track Record Period:

Hypothetical fluctuations -2.8% -1.0% 1.0% 2.8%
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
(Decrease)/increase in
net foreign exchange gain
or exchange loss
Year ended 31 March 2017 (164) (59) 59 164
Year ended 31 March 2018 (156) (56) 56 156
Year ended 31 March 2019 (27) (10) 10 27
Six months ended 30 September 2019 (325) (116) 116 325
Increase/(decrease) in
profit before taxation
Year ended 31 March 2017 (164) (59) 59 164
Year ended 31 March 2018 156 56 (56) (156)
Year ended 31 March 2019 (27) (10) 10 27
Six months ended 30 September 2019 (325) (116) 116 325

Cost of raw materials

Cost of raw materials is the major component of the Target Group’s cost of goods sold. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, cost of raw materials accounted for 86.3%, 86.2%, 86.4% and 85.2% of the Target Group’s cost of goods sold, respectively. Any unfavourable fluctuation in the market price of the raw materials may have a material adverse impact on the cost of goods sold. If the Target Group is unable to pass on the increased costs to the customers, its business, results of operations, financial condition and profitability may also be materially and adversely affected.

The following sensitivity analysis illustrates the impact of hypothetical fluctuations in costs of raw materials on profit before taxation during the Track Record Period, holding all other variables constant.

– 153 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

To illustrate the potential effect on financial performance, the sensitivity analysis below shows the impact on the profit before taxation with a 12.7% and 13.7% increase or decrease in the cost of raw materials for the periods as indicated 12.7% and 13.7% representing the change in cost of raw materials during the Track Record Period:

Hypothetical fluctuations -13.7% -12.7% 12.7% 13.7%
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
(Decrease)/increase in cost of
raw materials
Year ended 31 March 2017 (133,768) (124,004) 124,004 133,768
Year ended 31 March 2018 (152,061) (140,961) 140,961 152,061
Year ended 31 March 2019 (171,319) (158,814) 158,814 171,319
Six months ended
30 September 2019 (73,416) (68,057) 68,057 73,416
Increase/(decrease) in profit
before taxation
Year ended 31 March 2017 133,768 124,004 (124,004) (133,768)
Year ended 31 March 2018 152,061 140,961 (140,961) (152,061)
Year ended 31 March 2019 171,319 158,814 (158,814) (171,319)
Six months ended
30 September 2019 73,416 68,057 (68,057) (73,416)

Business relationships with customers

The Target Group’s top five customers for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019 accounted for 85.5%, 80.5%, 76.3% and 76.8% of the Target Group’s total revenue and such top customers remained dominant customers of the Target Group throughout the Track Record Period. Although the management of the Target Group considers that there is no undue dependency on any of the top customers, the change in relationship between the Target Group and its top customers may affect the business terms, profitability and results of operations of the Target Group.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Target Group has identified below the accounting policies that its management believes are the most critical to the combined financial statements. Notes 4 and 5 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group included in Appendix II to this circular set out in detail the significant accounting policies and accounting judgments and estimates. These accounting policies require management of the Target Group to make judgments, estimates and assumptions, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The management of the Target Group will continue to evaluate the estimates and associated assumptions and base them on the historical experience and various other factors, including expectation of future events that they believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The following paragraphs summarise the critical accounting policies and estimates applied in the preparation of the Target Group’s combined financial statements.

– 154 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Revenue from contracts with customers

The Target Group recognised 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 Target Group’s performance as the Target Group performs;

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

  • . the Target Group’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Target Group and the Target 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.

A contract liability represents the Target Group’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Target Group has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer.

The revenue of the Target Group is recognised at a point in time. Under the transfer-ofcontrol approach in HKFRS 15, revenue from sales of goods to the Target Group’s customers in connection with the production of networking cables are recognised when the goods are physically passed to the customers, which is the point of time when the customer has the ability to direct the use of the goods and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the goods upon customer acceptance.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment including buildings held for use in production of goods, or for administrative purpose are stated in the combined statements of financial position at cost less subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any.

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

– 155 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

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 sale proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in profit or loss.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for inventories less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale.

RESULTS OF OPERATION DURING THE TRACK RECORD PERIOD

The following table sets forth the Target Group’s combined results of operation during the Track Record Period:

Continuing operation
Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Other income
Other gains and losses
Distribution and selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Research and development
expenses
Finance costs
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Profit for the year/period from
continuing operation
Discontinued operation
Loss for the year/period from
discontinued operation
Profit for the year/period
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
1,328,298
1,498,697
1,676,557
(1,131,447)
(1,287,182)
(1,447,539)
196,851
211,515
229,018
2,218
4,388
3,668
1,950
(5,653)
1,387
(29,242)
(29,152)
(36,242)
(75,278)
(80,187)
(58,049)
(14,211)
(15,511)
(19,761)
(30,401)
(42,143)
(63,064)
51,887
43,257
56,957
(10,275)
(9,671)
(13,004)
41,612
33,586
43,953
(14,666)


26,946
33,586
43,953
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
894,119
735,340
(771,545)
(628,747)
122,574
106,593
181
424
5,072
11,709
(19,095)
(15,366)
(27,956)
(29,920)
(9,577)
(14,262)
(29,851)
(32,453)
41,348
26,725
(10,426)
(4,064)
30,922
22,661


30,922
22,661

– 156 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Revenue

The Target Group derived revenue from manufacture and sales of networking cable products. The revenue primarily represents the amount received and receivable for the goods sold, net of discount and sales related taxes.

The tables below set forth the breakdown of revenue and volumes of products sold of the Target Group by (i) products types; and (ii) geographical regions during the Track Record Period:

(i) By product type

Cat 5/5e cables
Cat 6/6A cables
Cat 7/7A cables
Others
Total
‘000
kft
929
1,915
46
53
2017
HK$’000
295,555
913,840
43,965
74,938
% of
revenue
22.3
68.8
3.3
5.6
Yea
‘000
kft
836
1,869
94
84
r ended 31 M
2018
HK$’000
310,217
1,001,464
91,462
95,554
arch
% of
revenue
20.7
66.8
6.1
6.4
‘000
kft
654
1,879
253
65
2019
HK$’000
256,605
1,035,780
264,176
119,996
% of
revenue
15.3
61.8
15.8
7.1
‘000
kft
339
901
173
37
Si
2018
HK$’000
(unaudited)
136,713
508,009
190,876
58,521
x months end
% of
revenue
15.3
56.8
21.4
6.5
ed 30 September
2019
‘000
kft
HK$’000
312
120,826
880
476,538
98
88,375
26
49,601
ed 30 September
2019
‘000
kft
HK$’000
312
120,826
880
476,538
98
88,375
26
49,601
% of
revenue
16.4
64.8
12.0
6.8
2,943 1,328,298 100.0 2,883 1,498,697 100.0 2,851 1,676,557 100.0 1,450 894,119 100.0 1,316 735,340 100.0

(ii) By geographical region

The PRC
Singapore
Hong Kong
India
The United States
United Kingdom
Others
Total
‘000
kft
1,392
255
291
221
159
167
458
2017
HK$’000
565,716
139,953
135,263
104,672
90,663
76,919
215,112
% of
revenue
42.6
10.5
10.2
7.9
6.8
5.8
16.2
Yea
‘000
kft
1,473
288
354
77
152
177
362
r ended 31 M
2018
HK$’000
714,902
167,776
182,227
44,079
90,812
96,266
202,635
arch
% of
revenue
47.7
11.2
12.2
2.9
6.1
6.4
13.5
‘000
kft
1,518
278
320
35
139
220
341
2019
HK$’000
879,199
185,452
175,334
25,547
85,039
129,516
196,470
% of
revenue
52.4
11.1
10.5
1.5
5.1
7.7
11.7
‘000
kft
775
124
167
19
66
109
190
Si
2018
HK$’000
(unaudited)
487,198
83,924
92,644
14,706
41,498
64,098
110,051
x months end
% of
revenue
54.5
9.4
10.4
1.6
4.6
7.2
12.3
ed 30 September
2019
‘000
kft
HK$’000
723
384,194
115
72,498
142
77,563
13
8,004
84
50,505
109
67,350
130
75,226
ed 30 September
2019
‘000
kft
HK$’000
723
384,194
115
72,498
142
77,563
13
8,004
84
50,505
109
67,350
130
75,226
% of
revenue
52.2
9.9
10.5
1.1
6.9
9.2
10.2
2,943 1,328,298 100.0 2,883 1,498,697 100.0 2,851 1,676,557 100.0 1,450 894,119 100.0 1,316 735,340 100.0

The Target Group’s revenue increased by 12.8% from approximately HK$1,328,298,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to HK$1,498,697,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018. Such increase was mainly due to an increase in average selling price of the products as the average price of copper, one of the major components of the Target Group’s products, increased as compared with preceding year.

The Target Group’s revenue then further increased by 11.9% to approximately HK$1,676,557,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019 which was mainly due to the significant increase in sales demand of Cat 7 cables (including Cat 7A cables) as a result of the rapid development of 5G cellular network technology in recent years and Cat 7 and Cat 7A cables have higher signal transmission speed than Cat 6 and Cat 5 cables in general. Regarding Cat 7 cables, the revenue increased by 188.8% from approximately HK$91,462,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018 to approximately HK$264,176,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019.

– 157 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group’s revenue decreased by 17.8% from approximately HK$894,119,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to HK$735,340,000 for the same period of 2019. The decrease is mainly due to the decrease in sales demand of products, especially, Cat 7 cables (including Cat 7A cables) which the revenue decreased by 53.7% from approximately HK$190,876,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to HK$88,375,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019. The management of the Target Group is of the view that the sales demand of the six months ended 30 September 2019 was negatively affected by the uncertainties arising from the progress of the US-China trade deal negotiation.

Cost of goods sold

The Target Group’s cost of goods sold primarily included raw materials, labour costs and various manufacturing overheads. The table below sets forth the breakdown of cost of goods sold of the Target Group during the Track Record Period:

Cost of raw materials
Salaries and employee benefits
expenses
Depreciation
Utilities expenses
Repair and maintenance
Subcontracting expenses
Freight and transportation
charges
Consumable expenses
Other miscellaneous expenses
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
976,409
62,205
30,816
28,013
11,540
4,921
4,414
6,351
6,778
1,131,447
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
1,109,933
1,250,506
67,640
77,745
28,993
31,432
27,538
28,139
13,594
13,857
20,812
24,454
3,724
3,904
8,973
10,286
5,975
7,216
1,287,182
1,447,539
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
670,292
535,880
40,541
37,817
16,034
15,180
14,995
13,684
7,124
7,295
11,734
9,027
1,802
1,213
5,047
5,051
3,976
3,600
771,545
628,747
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
670,292
535,880
40,541
37,817
16,034
15,180
14,995
13,684
7,124
7,295
11,734
9,027
1,802
1,213
5,047
5,051
3,976
3,600
771,545
628,747
628,747

– 158 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Cost of raw materials

Raw materials primarily used in the production are mainly copper and plastic materials. The following table sets forth the cost of raw materials by nature during the Track Record Period:

Copper
Plastic materials
Others
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
648,189
221,645
106,575
976,409
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
791,733
889,800
227,536
258,953
90,664
101,753
1,109,933
1,250,506
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
481,882
376,527
136,740
109,855
51,670
49,498
670,292
535,880
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
481,882
376,527
136,740
109,855
51,670
49,498
670,292
535,880
535,880

The Target Group’s cost of goods sold increased by approximately HK$155,735,000 or 13.8%, from HK$1,131,447,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$1,287,182,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018 and further increased by approximately HK$160,357,000 or 12.5% to approximately HK$1,447,539,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019. The increase in cost of goods sold was mainly due to the increase in cost of raw materials as a result of the increase in the average price of copper, one of the major components of the Target Group’s products. In addition, the subcontracting expenses also increased as the Target Group had decided to outsource the plastic pelletising process to a selected subcontractor in the PRC since January 2017, i.e. the last quarter of the year ended 31 March 2017, in order to enhance production capacity by assigning more production space for other more technical production processes, and the full year subcontracting expenses are mainly reflected in the years ended 31 March 2018 and 2019.

The Target Group’s cost of goods sold decreased by approximately HK$142,798,000 or 18.5% from approximately HK$771,545,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$628,747,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019, which was in line with the decrease in the Target Group’s revenue throughout the periods of comparison.

– 159 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Gross profit and gross profit margin

The table below sets forth a breakdown of the Target Group’s gross profit and gross profit margin by products during the Track Record Period:

Cat 5/5e cables
Cat 6/6A cables
Cat 7/7A cables
Others
Total
2017
Gross
profit
Gross
profit
margin
HK$’000
24,608
8.3%
150,007
16.4%
17,122
38.9%
5,114
6.8%
196,851
14.8%
Year ended 31 March
2018
Gross
profit
Gross
profit
margin
HK$’000
21,846
7.0%
143,287
14.3%
23,370
25.6%
23,012
24.1%
211,515
14.1%
2019
Gross
profit
Gross
profit
margin
HK$’000
16,870
6.6%
127,344
12.3%
62,476
23.6%
22,328
18.6%
229,018
13.7%
Six months ended 30 September
2018
2019
Gross
profit
Gross
profit
margin
Gross
profit
Gross
profit
margin
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
8,271
6.0%
9,884
8.2%
59,149
11.6%
65,581
13.8%
44,839
23.5%
21,491
24.3%
10,315
17.6%
9,637
19.4%
122,574
13.7%
106,593
14.5%

The gross profit of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$196,851,000, HK$211,515,000, HK$229,018,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The increasing trends in the gross profit of the Target Group from the year ended 31 March 2017 to the year ended 31 March 2019, is mainly due to the increase in revenue as driven by the sales of Cat 7 and Cat 7A cables which have a higher profit margin among the products offered by the Target Group. However, the Target Group’s gross profit margin decreased from 14.8% for the year ended 31 March 2017 to 14.1% for the year ended 31 March 2018 and further decreased to 13.7% for the year ended 31 March 2019 as a result of the increase in the price of raw materials for production and the increased in subcontracting expenses for certain outsourced production process.

The gross profit of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$122,574,000 and HK$106,593,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in the gross profit of the Target Group is mainly due to the decrease in revenue because less sales orders were received from customers. However, the Target Group’s gross profit margin increased from 13.7% for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to 14.5% for the six months ended 30 September 2019 as a result of the decrease of the price of raw materials.

– 160 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Other income

The following table sets forth the breakdown of other income during the Track Record Period:

Bank interest income
Imputed interest income from
deposits and prepayments for a
life insurance policy
Government grants
Others
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
294
688
986
250
2,218
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
332
270
174

3,583
3,053
299
345
4,388
3,668
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
130
161



174
51
89
181
424
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
130
161



174
51
89
181
424
424

The Target Group’s other income amounted to approximately HK$2,218,000, HK$4,388,000 and HK$3,668,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Such increase was mainly derived from various government grants which represented export and other incentive payment received by the Target Group from relevant government departments.

The other income increased from approximately HK$181,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$424,000 for the corresponding period of 2019, which was mainly due to the receipts of government grants from relevant government departments.

– 161 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Other gains and losses

The following table sets forth the breakdown of other gains and losses during the Track Record Period:

Net foreign exchange
gain/(loss) (Note)
(Loss)/gain on disposal/write off
of property, plant and
equipment
Fair value loss on foreign
currency forward contracts
Gain on change in fair value of
financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
5,870
(2,470)
(1,450)

1,950
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(5,567)
953
(86)
252



182
(5,653)
1,387
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
5,032
11,611
(49)



89
98
5,072
11,709
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
5,032
11,611
(49)



89
98
5,072
11,709
11,709

Note: The net foreign exchange gain/(loss) arose as the sales of products by the PRC subsidiaries of the Target Group out of the PRC are usually denominated in US$ whereas the major costs of its operation are denominated in Renminbi, leading to a gain or loss recognised on these transactions as a result of fluctuation of exchange rate between Renminbi and US$ from time to time.

The Target Group’s other gains and losses decreased from a net gain of approximately HK$1,950,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to a net loss of approximately HK$5,653,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018, which were mainly attributable to the significant net foreign exchange loss for the year. Thereafter, the Target Group improved its other gains at approximately HK$1,387,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019 due to the net foreign exchange gain of approximately HK$953,000.

The other gains and losses increased from approximately HK$5,072,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$11,709,000 for the corresponding period of 2019, which was mainly attributable to the improvement of net foreign exchange gains for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

– 162 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Distribution and selling expenses

The following table sets forth the breakdown of distribution and selling expenses during the Track Record Period:

Salaries and employee benefits
Insurance expenses
Travelling and entertainment
expenses
Freight charges and
transportation charges
Rental expenses
Others
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
4,468
2,863
2,705
17,494

1,712
29,242
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
4,529
8,938
3,080
3,253
2,303
2,983
16,576
19,132

161
2,664
1,775
29,152
36,242
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
4,596
4,511
1,529
1,413
1,630
1,202
10,207
7,508


1,133
732
19,095
15,366
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
4,596
4,511
1,529
1,413
1,630
1,202
10,207
7,508


1,133
732
19,095
15,366
15,366

The Target Group’s distribution and selling expenses remained stable at approximately HK$29,242,000 and HK$29,152,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Thereafter, the distribution and selling expenses of the Target Group increased to approximately HK$36,242,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019, which was mainly attributable to (i) the increase in salaries and employee benefits due to the management restructuring of the Target Group such that wages of the management of the Target Group are borne by itself instead of the Vendor; and (ii) freight charges increased by approximately HK$2,556,000.

The distribution and selling expenses for the six months ended 30 September 2018 decreased from approximately HK$19,095,000 to approximately HK$15,366,000 for the corresponding period in 2019. Such decrease was mainly attributable from the decrease in sales orders which in turn reduced freight services during the period of comparison.

– 163 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Administrative expenses

The following table sets forth the breakdown of administrative expenses for the Track Record Period:

Salaries and employee benefits
Rental expenses
Utilities expenses
Insurance expenses
Repairs and maintenance
Travelling and entertainment
expenses
Motor vehicles expenses
Legal and professional fee
Office expenses
Depreciation
Bank charges
Other taxes expenses
Management fee(Note)
Administrative services fee(Note)
Office sharing expenses(Note)
Others
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
16,850
59
2,296
402
1,059
580
450
165
1,059
3,969
4,564
2,321
24,367
10,710
2,638
3,789
75,278
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
17,802
27,615
69
104
1,938
1,459
451
573
2,618
2,041
665
772
475
553
154
983
1,135
1,074
4,191
3,791
5,026
5,398
2,436
2,357
24,000

11,250
5,664
3,000
1,536
4,977
4,129
80,187
58,049
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
13,419
13,752
53
50
711
773
251
295
1,066
1,177
296
590
361
278
197
1,112
547
667
2,108
1,652
2,369
2,775
1,229
1,094


2,832
2,832
768
768
1,749
2,105
27,956
29,920
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
13,419
13,752
53
50
711
773
251
295
1,066
1,177
296
590
361
278
197
1,112
547
667
2,108
1,652
2,369
2,775
1,229
1,094


2,832
2,832
768
768
1,749
2,105
27,956
29,920
29,920

Note: The management fee, administrative services fee and office sharing expenses were charged by the Vendor to reimburse the costs of management and administration provided by the Vendor to the Target Group. The management fee was charged by the Vendor for the central management services provided to the Target Group and other business units of the Vendor. The costs of the management services were allocated to the Target Group as management fee based on actual time spent by central management staff on the provision of such management services. For the administrative services fee, the Target Group paid the Vendor for the services ancillary to the head office shared with the Vendor, which included the provision of office administrative support, information technology support and/or such other services. The administrative fees charged were determined on a cost basis whereby the costs are identifiable and are allocated to the Target Group based on actual consumption and/or the time spent by the staff on the provision of relevant services.

In respect of the various administrative and management arrangements, the management of the Target Group considers that they would have incurred similar expenses as those administrative and management are charged based on actual consumption or time spent by those staff on the provision of services. Since 1 April 2018, the Target Group decided to discontinue the central management arrangement provided by the Vendor by handling relevant services with its independent and delineated management team. As a result, the Target Group’s salaries and employee benefits expenses increased significantly, while the management fee ceased to be incurred and the administrative services fee reduced substantially during the year ended 31 March 2019.

– 164 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the year ended 31 March 2018, administrative expenses of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$80,187,000, representing an increase of approximately HK$4,909,000, or 6.5%, as compared to approximately HK$75,278,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. This increase was mainly attributable to an increase in repair and maintenance of approximately HK$1,559,000 incurred for the repairing programme for factory and staff dormitory in Shanghai.

For the year ended 31 March 2019, administrative expenses of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$58,049,000, representing a decrease of approximately HK$22,138,000, or 27.6%, as compared to approximately HK$80,187,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018. The decrease was attributable to the net effect of (i) the discontinuing of the management fee charged by the Vendor due to the management restructuring of the Target Group such that wages of the management of the division of the Target Group are borne by itself instead of the Vendor; (ii) the decrease in administrative services fee of approximately HK$5,586,000; and (iii) the increase in salaries and employee benefits of approximately HK$9,813,000.

For the six months ended 30 September 2019, administrative expenses of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$29,920,000, representing an increase of approximately HK$1,964,000, or 7.0%, from approximately HK$27,956,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018. Such increase was mainly attributable to the increase in legal and professional fee of approximately HK$915,000 mainly for the consultancy fee paid in respect of marketing research and provision of technical advice on product development.

Research and development expenses

The following table sets forth the breakdown of research and development expenses for the Track Record Period:

Material and design costs
Salaries and employee benefits
expenses
Travelling and entertainment
expenses
Testing expenses
Others
Total
Year
2017
HK$’000
6,985
2,211
220
3,370
1,425
14,211
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
8,999
11,016
2,390
4,043
192
227
2,798
3,390
1,132
1,085
15,511
19,761
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
5,263
8,946
2,075
2,158
113
79
2,026
2,705
100
374
9,577
14,262
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
5,263
8,946
2,075
2,158
113
79
2,026
2,705
100
374
9,577
14,262
14,262

– 165 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group’s research and development expenses increased by approximately HK$1,300,000 or 9.1%, from approximately HK$14,211,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$15,511,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018 and further increased by 27.4% to approximately HK$19,761,000. In view of the approaching 5G technology, more staff were hired in research and development department. Accordingly, more expenses on material and design costs and salaries and employee benefits expenses were incurred.

The Target Group’s research and development expenses increased by approximately HK$4,685,000 or 48.9%, from approximately HK$9,577,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$14,262,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019, which is mainly due to the increase in the relevant expenses for the research, development and testing of products relating to 5G technology.

Finance costs

For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, the finance costs of the Target Group amounted to approximately HK$30,401,000, HK$42,143,000 and HK$63,064,000, respectively, which were in line with the increase in bank borrowings throughout the years.

The finance costs for the six months ended 30 September 2018 increased from approximately HK$29,851,000 to approximately HK$32,453,000 for the corresponding period of 2019, which was in line with the increase in bank borrowings throughout the periods of comparison.

The finance costs during the Track Record Period included the finance costs related to bank borrowings obtained by Linkz International, which were utilised by the Vendor’s other subsidiaries.

Income tax expenses

Taxation consists of current and deferred tax expenses for jurisdictions in which the Target Company and its subsidiaries are subject to profits tax. During the Track Record Period, The Target Group had operations in several jurisdictions and the income tax expenses arising from each jurisdiction was calculated at the prevailing rates in each relevant jurisdiction.

(i) BVI profits tax

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the BVI, the Target Group is not subject to any income tax in the BVI.

(ii) Hong Kong profits tax

Under the Hong Kong law, the Target Company’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong profits tax at the statutory tax rate of 16.5%.

– 166 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

(iii) PRC enterprise income tax (‘‘EIT’’)

PRC enterprise income tax has been generally provided at the applicable enterprise income tax rate of 25% on the estimated assessable profits of the PRC companies in the Target Group during the Track Record Period. The withholding tax is charged at 10% of dividend income received from subsidiaries incorporated in PRC for the year ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019.

Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, one entity of the Target Group operating in the PRC was awarded the Advanced-Technology Enterprise Certificate and is eligible for tax concessionary rate of 15% for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019. Since 1 January 2019, another two entities operating in the PRC are qualified as small and micro enterprises and are entitled to a reduced EIT rate of 20% on 25% of its first RMB1 million taxable income. For the portion over first RMB1 million and up to RMB3 million, only 50% of the taxable income would be taxed at a reduced EIT rate of 20%.

According to relevant laws and regulations promulgated by the State Tax Bureau of the PRC that was effective from 2008 onwards, enterprises engaging in research and development activities are entitled to claim an additional 50%, 50%, 75% and 75% for the years ended 31 December 2017, 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively of their research and development expense so incurred as tax deductible expenses when determining their assessable profits for the respective year/period (‘‘Super Deduction’’). The Target Group made its best estimate for the Super Deduction to be claimed for the Target Group’s entities in ascertaining their assessable profits for that year/period ended.

The Target Group recorded income tax expenses of approximately HK$10,275,000, HK$9,671,000, HK$13,004,000 and HK$4,064,000 for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. Its effective tax rate for the corresponding period was 19.8%, 22.4%, 22.8% and 15.2%, respectively.

During the Track Record Period and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group confirms that it had fulfilled all tax obligations and have not had any unresolved tax issues or disputes with the relevant tax authorities.

Discontinued Operation

Prior to the year ended 31 March 2017, the Target Group had the business of LED panel leasing and stock of LED indicator panels. On 22 March 2017, the management of the Target Group considered that the LED indicator panels leasing business was deteriorating and decided to focus its resources on manufacturing and sales of networking cables business. The LED indicator panels leasing business was ceased and the LED indicator panels were written off as the management of the Target Group considered that these LED indicator panels had no transferrable value given that new and advanced types of LED panels were widely adopted by the market. The cessation of the LED indicator panels leasing business was not expected to have any material impact on its continuing operations during the Track Record Period. The

– 167 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

intra-group transactions between the discontinued operation and its continuing operations were immaterial. For more information, please refer to Note 13 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group set out in Appendix II to this circular.

The following table sets forth the results of operation of the discontinued operation for the periods indicated:

Rental income
Administrative expenses
Loss on write off of property, plant and equipment
Loss for the year
Year ended
31 March
2017
HK$’000
1,130
(5,040)
(10,756)
(14,666)

Profit for the year/period and net profit margin

As a result of the foregoing, the Target Group’s profit for the year increased from approximately HK$26,946,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$33,586,000 for the year ended 31 March 2018 and further increased to approximately HK$43,953,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019. The Target Group’s net profit margin are 2.0%, 2.2% and 2.6% for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, which remained stable throughout the three years ended 31 March 2019.

The Target Group’s profit for the period decreased from approximately HK$30,922,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2018 to approximately HK$22,661,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019. The Target Group’s net profit margin are 3.5% and 3.1% for the six months ended 30 September 2018 and 2019, respectively, which remained stable throughout periods of comparison.

LIQUIDITY, FINANCE RESOURCES AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Cash flows

The Target Group’s primary use of cash is to pay for the purchase of raw materials for production, employee salaries and purchase of equipment, to fund the working capital and other operating expenses, and to repay the borrowings as well as related interest expenses. The Target Group has historically financed its operations primarily through a combination of cash flow generated from the operating activities and external borrowings. The Target Group was able to repay its bank borrowings when they became due.

– 168 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The following table sets forth a summary of the Target Group’s cash flows during the Track Record Period.

Cash flows
Net cash from/(used in) operating
activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash (used in)/from financing
activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and
cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the year/period
Effect of foreign exchange rate
changes
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the year/period
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
62,262
(25,385)
148,429
(69,322)
(220,806)
(234,089)
(33,331)
317,056
74,541
(40,391)
70,865
(11,119)
153,906
102,829
189,923
(10,686)
16,229
(11,950)
102,829
189,923
166,854
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
207,386
280,974
(327,341)
(652,922)
23,834
330,824
(96,121)
(41,124)
189,923
166,854
(27,848)
(17,930)
65,954
107,800

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

The cash inflow from operating activities primarily from the receipts from sales of the networking cable products. The cash outflow from operating activities primarily includes payments for purchases of raw materials, staff costs and other manufacturing overhead costs. During the Track Record Period, the net cash flows from operating activities represented profit before tax adjusted for income tax paid in both Hong Kong and the PRC, non-cash items and change in working capital.

For the six months ended 30 September 2019, the net cash generated from operating activities was approximately HK$280,974,000, as a result of operating cash inflow before movements in working capital of approximately HK$76,056,000 adjusting for the increase in working capital of approximately HK$221,752,000 and tax payment of approximately HK$1,654,000. Net increase in working capital was primarily the combined effects of (i) the decrease in trade and other receivables and inventories of approximately HK$224,570,000 and HK$24,827,000, respectively; and (ii) the decrease in trade and other payables of approximately HK$43,015,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2019, the net cash generated from operating activities was approximately HK$148,429,000, as a result of operating cash inflow before movements in working capital of approximately HK$155,049,000 adjusting for the increase in working capital of approximately HK$38,361,000 and tax payment of approximately HK$13,549,000. Net increase in working capital was primarily the combined effects of (i) the decrease in inventories of approximately HK$24,467,000; (ii) the increase in trade and other receivables of approximately HK$24,364,000; and (iii) the increase in trade and other payables of approximately HK$6,982,000.

– 169 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

For the year ended 31 March 2018, the net cash used in operating activities was approximately HK$25,385,000, as a result of operating cash inflow before movements in working capital of approximately HK$118,713,000 adjusting for the decrease in working capital of approximately HK$106,711,000 and tax payment of approximately HK$8,394,000. The net decrease in working capital was primarily the net effect of (i) the increase in inventories of approximately HK$88,593,000; (ii) the increase in trade and other receivables of approximately HK$31,511,000; and (iii) the decrease in trade and other payables of approximately HK$14,808,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, the net cash generated from operating activities was approximately HK$62,262,000, as a result of operating cash inflow before movements in working capital of approximately HK$116,801,000 adjusting for the decrease in working capital of approximately HK$22,255,000 and tax payment of approximately HK$6,432,000. The net decrease in working capital was primarily the net effect of (i) the increase in inventories of approximately HK$34,992,000; (ii) the increase in trade and other receivables of approximately HK$54,235,000; and (iii) the increase in trade and other payables of approximately HK$35,377,000.

Explanation of fluctuation of the aforesaid items from the combined statements of financial position during the Track Record Period are set out in the paragraph headed ‘‘Discussion of certain statements of financial position items’’ in this section below.

Net cash used in investing activities

The cash outflow in investing activities mainly consists of the advance to Linkz Industries, the placement of pledged bank deposits, payment for foreign currency forward contracts, deposits paid and the payment for purchase of property, plant and equipment. The cash inflow from investing activities mainly represents the repayment from Linkz Industries, interest received from bank deposits, the withdrawal of pledged bank deposits, the refund of deposits paid as well as the proceeds from disposal of the property, plant and equipment.

For the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s net cash used in investing activities was approximately HK$652,922,000, which primarily consisted of net amount of advance to Linkz Industries of approximately HK$634,371,000 and the payment for the purchase of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$21,573,000, less net amount received from the release of pledged bank deposit of approximately HK$4,125,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2019, the Target Group’s net cash used in investing activities was approximately HK$234,089,000, which primarily consisted of net amount of advance to Linkz Industries of approximately HK$257,048,000, net amount paid for pledged bank deposit of approximately HK$8,046,000 and the payment for the purchase of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$34,374,000, less refund of deposits payment for the property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$61,990,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2018, the Target Group’s net cash used in investing activities was approximately HK$220,806,000, which primarily consisted of net amount of advances to Linkz Industries of approximately HK$169,937,000, the payment for the purchase of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$35,077,000 and deposit payment for

– 170 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

the acquisition of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$57,286,000, less net amount received from the release of pledged bank deposit of approximately HK$6,852,000 and refund of deposits payment for the property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$33,880,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, the Target Group’s net cash used in investing activities was approximately HK$69,322,000, which primarily consisted of deposit paid and purchases of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$75,441,000 and HK$16,036,000, respectively, payment for pledged bank deposits and foreign currency forward contracts of approximately HK$8,950,000 and HK$5,181,000, respectively, less net amounts repayments from Linkz Industries of approximately HK$35,406,000 and the proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$586,000.

Net cash generated (used in)/from financing activities

The Target Group’s cash inflow from financing activities mainly consist of proceeds from bank borrowings and the advances from Linkz Industries as well as its subsidiaries. The Target Group’s cash used in financing activities mainly consisted of payment of interest on the bank borrowings, repayments of bank borrowings and repayment to Linkz Industries as well as its subsidiaries.

For the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s net cash generated from financing activities was approximately HK$330,824,000, which primarily consisted of the net borrowings from banks of approximately HK$363,608,000, less the payment of interest on bank borrowings of approximately HK$32,453,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2019, the Target Group’s net cash generated from financing activities was approximately HK$74,541,000, which primarily consisted of the net borrowings from banks of approximately HK$148,162,000, less net amounts repaid to Linkz Industries as well as its subsidiaries of approximately HK$10,558,000 and the payment of interest on bank borrowings of approximately HK$63,064,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2018, the Target Group’s net cash generated from financing activities was approximately HK$317,056,000, which primarily consisted of net borrowings from banks of approximately HK$359,094,000 and net amount advanced from Linkz Industries as well as its subsidiaries of approximately HK$105,000, less the payment of interest on bank borrowings of approximately HK$42,143,000.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, the Target Group’s net cash used in financing activities was approximately HK$33,331,000, which primarily consisted of the net amount repaid to Linkz Industries and its subsidiaries of approximately HK$26,195,000 and the payment of interest on bank borrowings of approximately HK$30,401,000, less the net borrowings from banks of approximately HK$23,265,000.

– 171 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

NET CURRENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following table sets forth the breakdown of current assets and current liabilities as at the dates indicated.

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Prepaid lease payments
Amount due from the Vendor
Taxation recoverable
Pledged bank deposits
Bank balances and cash
Total current assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Amount due to the Vendor
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
Taxation payable
Unsecured bank borrowing
— amount due within one year
Lease liabilities
Total current liabilities
Net current (liabilities) assets
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
172,274
280,504
596,085
651,736
490
542
206,380
278,321


8,720
2,382
103,588
202,050
1,087,537
1,415,535
261,602
256,885
1,183
469
283,133
283,231
14
21
2,146
1,552
585,289
802,111


1,133,367
1,344,269
(45,830)
71,266
2019
HK$’000
241,318
656,481
507
535,364
443
10,245
166,870
1,611,228
257,102
283
272,673
22
623
1,044,227

1,574,930
36,298
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
205,320
417,489

1,207,655

5,643
117,065
1,953,172
204,329
457
217,743

2,228
1,463,640
597
1,888,994
64,178

The financial position of the Target Group improved from net current liabilities position of approximately HK$45,830,000 as at 31 March 2017 to net current assets of approximately HK$71,266,000 as at 31 March 2018, which was primarily attributable to (i) the profitable operation which enhanced the overall assets base of the Target Group; and (ii) the increase in bank and cash balance as financed by bank borrowings granted by the financial institutions. Thereafter, the Target Group’s net current assets position decreased to approximately HK$36,298,000 as at 31 March 2019 as certain of the abovementioned bank borrowing became due within one year according to the repayment schedule, which increased the balance of bank borrowing as classified in current liabilities. The financial position of the Target Group as at 30 September 2019 further improved to net current assets of approximately HK$64,178,000, which was primarily attributable to (i) the profitable operation which enhanced the overall assets base of the Target Group; and (ii) the decrease of amount due to the Vendor as a result of waiving the current account with Linkz Ind Tech by the Vendor of approximately HK$28,822,000.

– 172 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION ITEMS

Property, plant and equipment

The following table sets out the respective carrying values of the Target Group’s property, plant and equipment as at the respective dates as indicated:

As at:
31 March 2017
31 March 2018
31 March 2019
30 September 2019
Buildings
HK$’000
99,670
105,184
95,872
89,632
Plant and
machinery
HK$’000
353,749
409,312
382,811
364,991
Leasehold
improvements
HK$’000
12,977
17,384
16,566
15,696
Tools and
moulds
HK$’000
5,654
6,393
7,913
10,799
Motor
vehicles
HK$’000
1,533
1,769
2,162
2,048
Furnitures,
fixtures and
equipments
HK$’000
5,855
5,510
5,617
5,550
Total
HK$’000
479,438
545,552
510,941
488,716

The increase in net book value of the Target Group’s property, plant and equipment from 31 March 2017 to 31 March 2018 from approximately HK$479,438,000 to approximately HK$545,552,000 was mainly attributable to the purchase of plant and machinery as well as the upward currency realignment as a result of the appreciation of the exchange rate of RMB against HK$ throughout the year. Thereafter, the net book value of property, plant and equipment as at 31 March 2019 decreased to approximately HK$510,941,000, primarily due to the downward currency realignment as a result of the depreciation of the exchange rate of RMB against HK$. Since further depreciation of the exchange rate of RMB against HK$ which led to the downward currency realignment, the net book value as at 30 September 2019 further decreased to approximately HK$488,716,000. For details of the addition and disposal of property, plant and equipment, please refer to Note 16 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II to this circular.

Right-of-use assets

The right-of-use asset represents the carrying amounts of leasehold lands and leasehold properties in the PRC under operating lease arrangements. The following table sets out the respective carrying values of the Target Group’s right-of-use assets as at the respective dates as indicated:

As at:
31 March 2017
31 March 2018
31 March 2019
30 September 2019
Leasehold
lands
HK$’000



10,615
Leasehold
properties
HK$’000



1,330
Total
HK$’000
11,945

– 173 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The net book value of the Target Group’s right-of-use assets amounted to approximately nil, nil, nil and HK$11,945,000 as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively. The increase for right-of-use assets as at 30 September 2019 was primarily due to the adoption of HKFRS 16 from 1 April 2019 by the Target Group. For details of the right-of-use assets, please refer to Note 17 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group set out in Appendix II in this circular.

Prepaid lease payments

Prepaid lease payments represent prepayment for land use rights of the land on which the Target Group’s factories are located in the PRC. As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s prepaid lease payments amounted to approximately HK$12,123,000, HK$12,869,000, HK$11,545,000 and nil, respectively. The Target Group has adopted HKFRS 16 from 1 April 2019 and the relevant prepaid lease payments were transferred to the right-of-use assets. For more information relevant to the prepaid lease payments, please refer to Note 18 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group set out in Appendix II in this circular.

Deposits paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group had deposits paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment of approximately HK$120,710,000, HK$128,224,000, HK$67,380,000 and HK$1,225,000, respectively. Such deposits primarily related to the purchase of plant and machinery.

Deposit and prepayment for a life insurance policy/Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

The Target Group entered into the policy with an insurance company (the ‘‘Policy’’) to insure a director of a company of the Target Group, who is also a member of the senior management of the Target Group. Under the Policy, the beneficiary and policy holder is a subsidiary of the Target Company and the total insured sum is US$2,000,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$15,500,000). At the inception of the Policy, the Target Group paid an upfront payment of US$609,637 (equivalent to approximately HK$4,742,000) and a single premium charge of US$36,578 (equivalent to approximately HK$283,000). The Target Group will receive cash back based on the account value of the Policy at the date of withdrawal. The Target Group receives interests at interest rate guaranteed by the insurer.

The management of the Target Company expected that the Policy will be terminated at the 16[th] policy year in 2026 and there will be no surrender charge in accordance with the Policy. The expected life of the policy remained unchanged from the initial recognition and the management of the Target Group considered that the financial impact of the option to terminate the Policy was not significant.

– 174 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The effective interest rate of the deposit is 4.69% and 3.31% for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018, respectively which was determined on initial recognition by discounting the estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the Policy of 16 years. As at 31 March 2017 and 2018, the deposits and prepayment for a life insurance policy amounted to approximately HK$5,190,000 and HK$5,410,000, respectively.

At the date of initial application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018, the Target Group reclassified the payments for life insurance policy previously carried at amortised cost to financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and remeasured at fair value. As at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the financial assets at fair value through profit or loss amounted to approximately HK$5,633,000 and HK$5,724,000, respectively.

Inventories

The Target Group’s inventories primarily consist of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods. The following table sets forth a summary of the Target Group’s inventories balance as at the dates indicated.

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
Total
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
54,277
79,734
42,222
63,103
75,775
137,667
172,274
280,504
2019
HK$’000
89,838
38,687
112,793
241,318
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
68,659
27,295
109,366
205,320

The Target Group’s inventories increased by approximately HK$108,230,000, or 62.8% from approximately HK$172,274,000 as at 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$280,504,000 as at 31 March 2018, primarily due to production requirements as the Target Group’s procurement and manufacturing plans are largely in line with customers’ orders.

The inventories decreased by approximately HK$39,186,000, 14.0% from approximately HK$280,504,000 as at 31 March 2018 to approximately HK$241,318,000 as at 31 March 2019 and further decreased to approximately HK$205,320,000 as at 30 September 2019, as a result of the decrease in production orders from customers.

The following table sets forth the Target Group’s inventory turnover days for the periods indicated:

Average inventory turnover days Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
51.5
64.2
65.8
Six months
ended 30
September
2019
65.0

– 175 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Note: Average inventory turnover days is equal to the average inventory divided by cost of goods sold and multiplied by 365, 365, 365 and 183 days for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. Average inventory equals inventories at the beginning of the year/period plus inventories at the end of the year/period and divided by two.

The Target Group’s average inventory turnover days increased from 51.5 days for the year ended 31 March 2017 to 64.2 days for the year ended 31 March 2018, primarily due to the higher balance of inventories as at 31 March 2018 as a result of stocking up of inventories in order to meet the customers’ orders. Thereafter, the Target Group’s average inventory turnover days remained stable at approximately 65.8 days and 65.0 days for the year ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively.

Trade and other receivables

The Target Group’s trade and other receivables consisted of trade and bills receivables as well as deposits, prepayments and other receivables. The following table sets out the breakdown of trade and other receivables as at the dates indicated.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables from fellow
subsidiaries
Bills receivables
Trade and bills receivables
Deposits and prepayments to
suppliers
Other receivables
Value added tax receivable
Deposit and prepayments for a life
insurance policy
Deposits and prepayments
Deposit and prepayments and other
receivables
Trade and other receivables
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
458,515
491,375
3,354
1,070

153
461,869
492,598
111,057
126,044
9,071
6,372
6,298
11,589
56
38
9,629
15,095
136,111
159,138
597,980
651,736
2019
HK$’000
499,793
238
770
500,801
134,232
1,740
11,350

8,487
155,809
656,610
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
369,724
1,235
3,359
374,318
21,111
3,037
6,672

12,466
43,286
417,604

– 176 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Trade and bills receivables

During the Track Record Period, the Target Group’s trade and bills receivables represented amounts receivable from its customers and related parties, less any identified impairment losses, for goods sold to them.

The Target Group’s trade and bills receivables increased from approximately HK$461,869,000 as at 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$492,598,000 as at 31 March 2018 and further increased to approximately HK$500,801,000 as at 31 March 2019. Such increase was primarily in line with the trend of revenue in the three years ended 31 March 2019.

The trade and bills receivables then decreased to approximately HK$374,318,000 as at 30 September 2019, which is in line with the decrease in revenue for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

Aging analysis of trade receivables

The Target Group granted different credit periods, usually ranging from 30 days to 150 days, to its customers. Before accepting orders from any new customers, the Target Group has procedure to assess the credit quality of the potential customers and determine appropriate credit limits. The following table sets forth the aging analysis of its trade and bills receivables based on the invoice date, net of provision, as at the dates indicated:

0–30 days
31–60 days
61–90 days
91–180 days
Over 180 days
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
224,704
243,383
97,252
97,224
118,322
123,493
20,184
26,861
1,407
1,637
461,869
492,598
2019
HK$’000
189,626
128,884
145,543
34,304
2,444
500,801
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
130,056
116,251
97,603
27,627
2,781
374,318

– 177 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The following table sets forth the aging analysis of trade and bills receivables that are past due but not impaired for the dates indicated:

Overdue by:
1–90 days
91–180 days
Over 180 days
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
11,117
8,139
930
654
363
916
12,410
9,709
2019
HK$’000
19,056
1,785
1,880
22,721
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
13,584
1,994
718
16,296

As at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, included in the Target Group’s trade and bills receivables balances are trade and bills receivables which are past due at the end of the respective reporting period. An amount of HK$3,665,000 and HK$2,712,000 have been past due 90 days or more and are not considered as in default based on available financial information available in the market, credibility and good repayment records of these customers. Estimated loss rates are based on historical estimated loss rates are based on historical observed default rates over the expected life of the debtors and are adjusted for forward-looking information. At every reporting date, the default rates are reassessed and changes in the forward-looking information are considered. The Target Group does not hold any collateral over the trade and bills receivables balances.

Debtors’ turnover days

The following table sets forth the debtors’ turnover days for the periods indicated:

Debtors’ turnover days (Note) Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
125.1
116.2
108.1
Six months
ended 30
September
2019
108.9

Note: Debtors’ turnover days is equal to the average trade and bills receivables divided by revenue and multiplied by 365, 365, 365 and 183 days for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019. Average trade and bills receivables equals trade and bills receivables at the beginning of the year/period plus trade and bills receivables at the end of the year/ period and divided by two.

– 178 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

In general, the fluctuation of the Target Group’s debtors’ turnover days was mainly due to the different credit periods granted to different customers. The debtor’s turnover days decreased from approximately 125.1 days for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately 116.2 days for the year ended 31 March 2018 and subsequently decreased at approximately 108.1 days and 108.9 days for the year ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively, primarily due to the increase in sales to the major customers which have a shorter credit period.

Deposits, prepayments and other receivables

The Target Group’s deposits, prepayments and other receivables consisted of (i) deposits and prepayments to suppliers; (ii) other receivables; (iii) value added tax receivables; and (iv) other deposits and prepayments. The deposits and prepayments primarily represented the prepayment to the suppliers for purchases of raw materials. The other receivables primarily represented the advances to staff for the payment of expenses for the Target Group’s operations. The value added tax receivables represented the tax recoverable for the value added tax in the PRC. The other deposits and prepayment represented the prepayment of various expenses such as utility expenses and insurance expenses.

The Target Group’s deposits, prepayments and other receivables increased by approximately HK$23,027,000, or 16.9%, from approximately HK$136,111,000 as at 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$159,138,000 as at 31 March 2018. Such increase was mainly due to the combined effect of (i) the increase of deposits and prepayments to suppliers of approximately HK$14,987,000; (ii) the increase of other deposits and prepayments of approximately HK$5,466,000; and (iii) the increase of value add tax receivable of approximately HK$5,291,000. Thereafter, the deposits, prepayment and other receivables of the Target Group remain relatively stable at approximately HK$155,809,000 as at 31 March 2019. The deposits, prepayments and other receivables then decreased to approximately HK$43,286,000 as at 30 September 2019. Such decrease was mainly due to the net combined effects of (i) the decrease of deposits and prepayments to suppliers of approximately HK$113,121,000; (ii) the decrease of value added tax receivable of approximately HK$4,678,000; and (iii) an increase of deposits and prepayments of approximately HK$3,979,000.

Pledged bank deposits

The Target Group’s pledged bank deposits represented bank deposits placed in banks in order to secure certain bills payables issued by the banks under the general banking facilities granted to the Target Group. Such deposits carried fixed interest rate of 1.3% per annum and such bank deposits were pledged to the banks at 20% and 30% of the certain outstanding amount of bills payables granted to the Target Group. As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s pledged bank deposits amounted to approximately HK$8,720,000, HK$2,382,000, HK$10,245,000 and HK$5,643,000, respectively.

– 179 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Trade and other payables

The Target Group’s trade and other payables consisted of (i) trade and bills payables; and (ii) accruals and other payables. The following table sets out the breakdown of trade and other payables as at the dates indicated.

Trade payables
Bill payables
Trade and bills payables
Other payables
Staff and other staff related cost
Accrued expenses
Other tax payables
Accruals and other payables
Trade and other payables
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
68,745
81,123
172,492
150,379
241,237
231,502
1,153
1,149
9,723
11,162
7,432
12,054
2,057
1,018
20,365
25,383
261,602
256,885
2019
HK$’000
97,599
132,912
230,511
1,073
12,179
12,272
1,067
26,591
257,102
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
122,850
48,440
171,290
2,727
18,360
10,850
1,102
33,039
204,329

Trade and bills payables

The Target Group’s trade and bills payables primarily consist of payables for the purchase of raw materials for production from its suppliers. The Target Group generally received credit terms of 15 days to 120 days from its suppliers.

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Target Group’s trade and bills payables remained relatively stable at approximately HK$241,237,000, HK$231,502,000, HK$230,511,000, respectively. The trade and bills payables then decreased by approximately HK$59,221,000 or 25.7% to approximately HK$171,290,000 as at 30 September 2019, primarily reflected the decrease in cost of raw materials throughout the six month period.

– 180 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The following table sets forth an aging analysis of its trade and bills payables, based on the invoice date, as at the dates indicated.

0–30 days
31–60 days
61–90 days
91–180 days
181 days–1 year
Over 1 year
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
124,152
136,163
46,604
12,268
40,514
52,769
29,659
29,959


308
343
241,237
231,502
2019
HK$’000
109,603
41,100
18,884
60,594
128
202
230,511
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
98,259
28,780
8,710
19,249
16,292
171,290

The following table sets forth its creditors’ turnover days for the periods indicated.

Creditors’ turnover days(Note) Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
73.5
67.0
58.2
Six months
ended 30
September
2019
58.5

Note: Creditors’ turnover days is equal to the average trade and bills payables divided by cost of goods sold and multiplied by 365, 365, 365 and 183 days for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. Average trade and bills payables equals trade and bills payables at the beginning of the year/period plus trade and bills payables at the end of the year/period and divided by two.

The creditors’ turnover days of the Target Group decreased from approximately 73.5 days for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately 67.0 days for the year ended 31 March 2018 and subsequently decreased to approximately 58.2 days and 58.5 days for the year ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively, as less purchases were settled by bills payables, which generally took 180 days for settlement, throughout the periods. During the Track Record Period, the creditors’ turnover days were shorter than the sum of inventory turnover days and debtors’ turnover days. Having considered that (i) the quick assets of the Target Group as at 31 March 2019 could cover approximately 10 months of the average monthly working capital requirements of the Target Group with reference to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2019; (ii) the Target Group generated overall net cash inflow from operation (taking into account the net cash used in operating activities for the year ended 31 March 2018), together with its balance of bank balances and cash; (iii) despite of the high gearing ratio of the Target Group, the majority of the debt was bank borrowings of Linkz International, which will not be included in the Assets and Liabilities to be transferred to the Enlarged Group; and (iv) the Target

– 181 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Group had sufficient amount of unutilised bank borrowings to support its operation, the management of the Target Group considers that the cashflows were manageable for the increasing scale of operation of the Target Group.

Accruals and other payables

The Target Group’s accruals and other payables consisted of (i) other payables; (ii) salaries and staff related costs; (iii) accrued charges; and (iv) other tax payables. The other payables primarily represented general expenses payable for daily operation. The salaries and staff related cost primarily represented salaries payable to the staff and the accruals of the retirement benefits costs such as social insurance as well as housing provident fund. The accrued charges primarily represented the accruals of various expenses for the operation such as transportation expenses, insurance expenses and finance costs. Other tax payables represented tax payable for the value added tax in the PRC.

The Target Group’s accurals and other payables increased by approximately HK$5,018,000, or 24.6%, from approximately HK$20,365,000 as at 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$25,383,000 as at 31 March 2018. Such increase was mainly due to (i) the increase in staff and other staff related cost of approximately HK$1,439,000; and (ii) the increase in accrued charges of approximately HK$4,622,000. Thereafter, the accurals and other payables remained stable at approximately HK$26,591,000 as at 31 March 2019.

The Target Group’s accruals and other payables then increased by approximately HK$6,448,000, or 24.2% to approximately HK$33,039,000 as at 30 September 2019, mainly due to the increase in staff and other staff related cost of approximately HK$6,181,000.

Amount due from/(to) the Vendor and its subsidiary

The following table sets forth the details of the amount due from/(to) the Vendor and its subsidiary as at the dates indicated.

Amount due from the Vendor:
The Vendor
Amount due to the Vendor:
The Vendor
Amount due to the subsidiary of
the Vendor:
Linkz Inc.
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
206,380
278,321
283,133
283,231
14
21
2019
HK$’000
535,364
272,673
22
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
1,207,655
217,743

– 182 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Vendor, as the holding company of its subsidiaries, including the Target Group, has the function of central treasurer which had been collecting and assigning funds based on the prioritisation of different subsidiaries’ cashflow requirement and for their operating needs as well as general working capital during the Track Record Period. Since the Vendor is an investment holding company that has virtually no operation, the Vendor obtained bank borrowings through its operating subsidiaries, including the Target Group and Linkz International. The collection and assignment of funds by the Vendor aimed to utilise the available funding, including proceeds from bank borrowings, among the subsidiaries to support the funding needs of each other. During the Track Record Period, the Target Group received and provided funds to the Vendor under its central treasurer function, which resulted in the balance of amount due from/(to) the Vendor as at each of the reporting period. The amount due from/(to) the Vendor and its subsidiary are unsecured, non-trade and recoverable/ repayable on demand. As at 30 September 2019, the balance of amount due from the Vendor was substantially higher as fund was transferred to the Vendor as the Vendor was contemplating an investment. The amount due from the Vendor was mainly originated from the increased unsecured bank borrowings of Linkz International. The Assets and Liabilities do not consist of the unsecured bank borrowings of Linkz International, and hence such bank borrowings will not be assumed by the Enlarged Group following Completion. The Vendor expects that the amount due from it to the Target Group will be settled upon Completion. The Vendor will apply the proceeds of the Consideration to repay the short term bank borrowings of Linkz International.

Contract liabilities

The Target Group’s contract liabilities represent deposits received from its customers in relation to purchase orders placed with the Target Group and the Target Group does not expect to refund any of the deposits. When the Target Group receives a deposit before commencement of the production activity, contract liabilities are recorded. As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s contract liabilities amounted to approximately HK$1,183,000, HK$469,000, HK$283,000 and HK$457,000, respectively.

– 183 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

INDEBTEDNESS

The following tables sets forth the indebtedness of the Target Group as at the dates indicated:

Amount due to the Vendor (Note)
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
(Note)
Unsecured bank borrowings
Lease liabilities
Total
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
283,133
283,231
14
21
602,789
1,009,611


885,936
1,292,863
2019
HK$’000
272,673
22
1,119,227

1,391,922
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
217,743

1,463,640
1,352
1,682,735

Note: The amounts due to the Vendor/a fellow subsidiary are unsecured and unguaranteed.

Unsecured bank borrowings

The following table sets forth a breakdown of the Target Group’s unsecured bank borrowings as at the dates indicated:

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Import/export trade borrowings
Total
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
759
12,127
369,767
724,944
232,263
272,540
602,789
1,009,611
2019
HK$’000
16
714,041
405,170
1,119,227
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
9,265
929,146
525,229
1,463,640

The Target Group’s bank borrowings increase from approximately HK$602,789,000 as at 31 March 2017 to approximately HK$1,009,611,000 as at 31 March 2018 generally due to the increase in bank borrowings to finance the Target Group daily operation and finance within the subsidiaries of the Vendor (excluding the Group and Target Group). The Target Group’s bank borrowings further increased to approximately HK$1,119,227,000 and HK$1,463,640,000 as at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively, due to the increase in import/export trade borrowings to finance the purchases of raw materials and the increase in bank loans which was subsequently assigned to the Vendor.

– 184 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Among the unsecured bank borrowings balance as at 31 March 2017, 2018, 2019 and 30 September 2019, approximately HK$351,877,000, HK$495,987,000, HK$453,411,000 and HK$489,073,000 were utilized by the Target Group, respectively, while the remaining amounts were assigned to the Vendor.

The Target Group’s bank borrowings were denominated in Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi and US$. The range of effective interest rates on the borrowings as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively, is as follows:

As at 30
As at 31 March September
2017 2018 2019 2019
Effective interest rate:
Fixed-rate borrowings 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%
Variable-rate borrowings 1.90% to 2.63% to 3.29% to 2.88% to
5.00% 6.09% 6.29% 6.29%

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group had pledged bank deposits placed in a bank to secure general banking facilities granted to the Target Group.

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s certain bank borrowings are secured by:

  • (i) personal guarantee executed by Mr. Paul Lo;

  • (ii) corporate guarantee executed by Linkz Industries; and

  • (iii) corporate guarantee executed by Lighthouse Technologies Limited.

For details of these guarantees, please refer to Notes 26, 33 and 39 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group as set out in Appendix II of this circular. Save for the bank borrowings of Linkz International which are not included in Assets and Liabilities after the Reorganisation, all aforesaid personal and corporate guarantee executed will be released/ replaced upon the Completion.

The Target Group’s bank borrowings contain certain standard covenants that are commonly found in lending arrangements with commercial banks. The directors of the Target Group have confirmed that they had not defaulted or delayed in any payment or breached any of the material covenants pertaining to the Target Group’s bank borrowings during the Track Record Period.

– 185 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Lease liabilities

As at 30 September 2019, the Target Group had lease liabilities for future minimum lease payments in respect of the leasehold properties. The following table sets forth the lease liabilities of the Target Group as at the dates indicated:

Within one year
Within a period of more than one
year but not more than two years
Within a period of more than two
years but not more than five
years
Total
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000







2019
HK$’000



As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
597
594
161
1,352

The Target Group’s lease liabilities represented the present value of the lease payments that are not yet paid under the tenancy agreements for the office in the PRC, which were discounted by using the rate implicit in the lease. The lease liabilities of the leasehold properties was approximately nil, nil, nil and HK$1,352,000 as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively. The increase in lease liabilities as at 30 September 2019 was mainly due to the adoption of HKFRS 16 by the Target Group since 1 April 2019. For details of the lease liabilities, please refer to Note 27 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II in this circular.

Financial guarantees and contingent liabilities

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group had given cross guarantees of approximately HK$1,040,000,000, HK$385,000,000, HK$541,000,000 and HK$541,000,000, respectively to banks to secure certain general banking facilities granted to the Vendor, the Target Group and certain fellow subsidiaries. In addition, as at 31 March 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group has also given another guarantee of HK$63,000,000, HK$63,000,000 and HK$153,000,000 to a bank to secure another general banking facility granted to the Vendor. The management of the Target Group consider that the fair values of these guarantees were insignificant as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019. No provision of financial guarantee is recognised as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019. For details of the contingent liabilities, please refer to Note 33 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II in this circular.

– 186 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Disclaimer

Save as disclosed herein and apart from intra-group liabilities, the Target Group did not have any loan capital issued and outstanding or agreed to be issued, bank overdrafts, loans or other similar indebtedness, debentures, mortgages, charges, hire purchases commitments, guarantees or other material contingent liabilities.

The directors of the Target Group confirm that there has not been any material change in the indebtedness and contingent liabilities as at the Latest Practicable Date.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital expenditures

The following table sets out the Target Group’s capital expenditures during the Track Record Period:

Capital expenditures
Property, plant and equipment
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
30,828
51,384
34,830
Six months
ended 30
September
2019
HK$’000
23,009

The Target Group’s capital expenditures during the Track Record Period principally represented the addition of property, plant and equipment. For the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group incurred capital expenditures of approximately HK$30,828,000, HK$51,384,000, HK$34,830,000 and HK$23,009,000, respectively, primarily used for (i) the leasehold improvements for Target Group’s factories in the PRC; and (ii) the purchase of plant and machinery.

– 187 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

COMMITMENTS

Capital commitments

The Target Group’s capital commitments primarily related to acquisition of property, plant and equipment for production contracted for but not delivered as at the end of each reporting period. These commitments would be financed by the Target Group’s internal resources. The following table sets forth the total amounts of capital commitments as at the dates indicated:

Property, plant and equipment As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
31,450
66,114
2019
HK$’000
16,430
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
397

Operating lease commitment

The Target Group leased manufacture premises under operating lease arrangement for a term ranging from one year to three years. The following table sets forth the commitments for future minimum lease payments as at the dates indicated:

Within one year
In the second to fifth year inclusive
Total
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
450
1,176

866
450
2,042
2019
HK$’000
1,480
1,214
2,694

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the Track Record Period, related party transactions of the Target Group primarily consisted of (i) management fee paid to the Vendor, which amounted to approximately HK$24,367,000, HK$24,000,000, nil and nil for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively; (ii) services fee paid to the vendor, which amounted to approximately HK$10,710,000, HK$11,250,000, HK$5,664,000 and HK$2,832,000, for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018, 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively; (iii) rental expenses paid to the Vendor, which amounted to approximately HK$2,638,000, HK$3,000,000, HK$1,536,000 and HK$768,000, for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018, 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively; (iv) sales of goods to members of the Group namely Time Interconnect Limited and Time Interconnect Technology (Huizhou) Limited (formerly known as Huizhou Time Wire Products Limited), which amounted to approximately HK$8,876,000, HK$15,191,000, HK$19,277,000

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

and HK$13,189,000, for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively; (v) purchases of goods from a member of the Group, namely, Time Interconnect Technology (Huizhou) Limited, which amounted to approximately HK$414,000, HK$80,000, HK$168,000 and HK$128,000, for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively; and (vi) rental income received from a fellow subsidiary, Lighthouse Technologies Limited, which amounted to approximately HK$344,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017.

The Target Group is of the view that these transactions were conducted on an arm’s length basis with normal commercial terms, and would not distort the Target Group’s results of operations during the Track Record Period.

During the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Vendor has waived its current account with Linkz Ind Tech in the amount of approximately HK$28,822,000.

KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS

The following tables sets forth the key financial ratios of the Target Group as at the dates indicated or of the indicated periods.

As at or six
months
As at or for the ended 30
year ended 31 March September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Current ratio (1) 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.0
Quick ratio (2) 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9
Gearing ratio (3) 161.1% 236.1% 254.0% 299.0%
Net debt to equity ratio (4) 142.2% 199.2% 223.6% 278.2%
Return on equity (5) 4.8% 6.2% 8.0% 8.1%(8)
Return on total assets (6) 1.6% 1.6% 2.0% 1.8%(8)
Interest coverage (7) 2.7 times 2.0 times 1.9 times 1.8 times

Notes:

  • 1) Current ratio is calculated as total current assets divided by total current liabilities.

  • 2) Quick ratio is calculated as total current assets less inventories divided by total current liabilities.

  • 3) Gearing ratio is calculated as total debt (summation of amount due to the Vendor, amount due to a fellow subsidiary and unsecured bank borrowings) divided by total equity and multiplied by 100%.

  • 4) Net debt to equity ratio is calculated as total debt (summation of amount due to the Vendor, amount due to a fellow subsidiary and unsecured bank borrowings) less cash and cash equivalents divided by total equity and multiplied by 100%.

  • 5) Return on equity equals annualised net profit attributable to the owners of the Target Group for the year divided by ending total equity attributable to the owners of the Target Group and multiplied by 100%.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

  • 6) Return on total assets equals annualised net profit for the year divided by ending total assets and multiplied by 100%.

  • 7) Interest coverage equals profit before interest and tax divided by interest expenses.

  • 8) These figures have been annualised to be comparable to prior years for reference only, but are not indicative of the actual results.

  • 9) For the purpose of calculating the key financial ratios, the amounts were extracted from the balances as stated in the income statement or balance sheet during the Track Record Period or as at the respective year/period end date, which include the relevant assets and liabilities of the Non-core Business. For the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the Non-core Business as at 30 September 2019, please refer to Note 3 as set out in Appendix III for the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information of the Enlarged Group in this circular.

Current ratio

Attributable to the profit earned during the year ended 31 March 2018, the Target Group’s current ratio increased from 1.0 as at 31 March 2017 to 1.1 as at 31 March 2018, primarily due to the improvement in the net current assets position for the year as a result of (i) the profitable operation of the Target Group; and (ii) the increase in bank balances and cash as financed by bank borrowings granted by the financial institution. Thereafter, the current ratio slightly decreased to 1.0 as at 31 March 2019 as certain of the abovementioned bank borrowings become due within one year according to its repayment schedule, resulting in the increase in the bank borrowings as classified in current liabilities. Further, the current ratio of the Target Group remained stable at 1.0 as at 30 September 2019.

Quick ratio

As at 31 March 2017 and 2018, the Target Group’s quick ratio remained relatively stable at 0.8 and 0.8, respectively. Thereafter, the quick ratio of the Target Group increased slightly to 0.9 and 0.9 as at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively, primarily due to the decrease in the balance of inventory as at 31 March 2019 as a result of the decrease in production orders from customers.

Gearing ratio

The Target Group’s gearing ratio increased from 161.1% as at 31 March 2017 to 236.1% as at 31 March 2018. Such increase was mainly due to (i) the increase in the total debt as a result of the addition of the bank borrowings; and (ii) the decrease in the total equity resulting from the net effect of the declaration of the dividend to the shareholders by the members of the Target Group during the year. Attributable to the increase in total debts as a result of the addition of the bank borrowings, the Target Group’s gearing ratio further increased to 254.0% as at 31 March 2019. Additional bank borrowings were obtained by the Target Group during the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Target Group’s gearing ratio increased to 299.0% as at 30 September 2019.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

Net debt to equity

The Target Group’s net debt to equity ratio amounted to 142.2%, 199.2%, 223.6% and 278.2% as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively. The increase in the net debt to equity ratio as at 31 March 2018 was primarily due to the increase in net debt as the result of total debt being increased by approximately HK$406,927,000 but bank balances and cash having only increased by approximately HK$98,462,000. Thereafter, the increase in the net debt to equity ratio as at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019 were mainly attributable to the increase in the net debts by approximately HK$134,239,000 and HK$339,226,000 for the respective years.

Return on equity

The Target Group recorded an increase of return on equity from 4.8% for the year ended 31 March 2017 to 6.2% for the year ended 31 March 2018. Such increase was attributable to the increase in the net profits and the reduction of the total equity as a result of the dividend declared for the year ended 31 March 2018. The Target Group’s return on equity further increased to 8.0% for the year ended 31 March 2019 which was attributable to the increase in the net profits for the year as compared to last financial year. The Target Group’s return on equity for the six months ended 30 September 2019 remained stable at 8.1%.

Return on total assets

The Target Group’s return on total assets remained stable at 1.6% and 1.6% for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 2018, respectively. Thereafter, the return on total assets further increase to 2.0% for the year ended 31 March 2019 primarily due to the increase in profit for the year. Further, the return on total assets of the Target Group decreased to 1.8%, primarily due to the increase in the total assets primarily due to the advance made to the Vendor and hence increased the respective balance due from the Vendor as at 30 September 2019 accordingly.

Interest coverage

The Target Group’s interest coverage decreased from approximately 2.7 times for the year ended 31 March 2017 to approximately 2.0 times for the year ended 31 March 2018 and further decreased to approximately 1.9 times and 1.8 times for the year ended 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, respectively. Such decrease was mainly attributable to the increase of finance costs as a result of the increase in bank borrowings throughout the years/period.

DIVIDEND

During the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018, 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, Linkz International declared dividends of nil, HK$50,000,000, nil and nil, respectively, and Hover Manufacturing declared dividends of nil, HK$48,000,000, nil and nil, respectively, to their shareholders.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

During the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, Linkz (Shanghai) declared dividends of nil, nil, HK$27,761,000 and nil, respectively, Hover (Kunshan) declared dividends of nil, nil, HK$8,350,000 and nil, respectively and Kunshan Deqin declared dividends of nil, nil, HK$11,610,000 and nil, respectively, to their shareholders. For details, please refer to Note 15 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group in Appendix II in the circular.

CHARGE OF ASSETS

Save for the bank deposits that were pledged in order to secure general banking facilities granted to the Target Group, the Target Group did not have any pledges of its assets as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively.

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISKS

The Target Group is, in the ordinary course of business, exposed to a variety of financial risks, including market risk (including foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Target Group manages and monitors these exposures to ensure appropriate measures are implemented in a timely and effective manner.

Foreign currency risk

The Target Group is mainly exposed to the foreign currency risk arising from the carrying amounts of the Target Group’s monetary assets (mainly including trade and other receivables, amount due from the Vendor, pledged bank deposits and bank balances and cash) and monetary liabilities (mainly including trade and other payables, amounts due to the Vendor and a fellow subsidiary and unsecured bank borrowings) denominated in currencies other than the respective group entities’ functional currencies at the end of each reporting period.

The Target Group currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy in respect of foreign currency exposure. However, management of the Target Group monitors the related foreign currency exposure closely and will consider hedging significant currency exposure should the need arise.

Please also see Note 36 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group included in Appendix II to this circular for further details regarding the foreign currency rate sensitivity analysis.

Interest rate risk

The Target Group is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk in relation to variable-rate bank balances and variable-rate unsecured bank borrowings. Interest charged on the Target Group’s borrowings are mainly at variable rates and are mainly at the interest rate offered by the HIBOR. The Target Group does not have a policy on cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. However, the Target Group’s management monitors interest rate exposure and will consider hedging significant interest rate risk should the need arise.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

The Target Group is also exposed to fair value interest rate risk in relation to the fixed rate pledged bank deposits. However, the Target Group’s management considers the fair value interest rate risk on the fixed rate pledged bank deposits is insignificant as they are relatively short-term.

Please also see Note 36 to the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group included in Appendix II in this circular for further details of the sensitivity analysis on interest rate.

Credit risk

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, other than those financial assets whose carrying amounts best represent the maximum exposure to credit risk, the Target Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk which will cause a financial loss to the Target Group arising from the amount of financial guarantees provided by the Target Group. The Target Group does not hold any collateral or other credit enhancements to cover its credit risks associated with its financial assets and financial guarantee contracts.

As at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Target Group has concentration of credit risk as 62%, 59%, 69% and 73% of trade receivables were due from the Target Group’s five largest customers, respectively. The Target Group’s concentration of credit risk by geographical location is mainly in the PRC which accounted for 47%, 44%, 34% and 48% of trade receivables as at 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively.

Other than the concentration of credit risk of trade receivables as disclosed above, the Target Group does not have any other significant concentration of credit risk, with exposures spread over a number of counterparties.

Liquidity risk

In the management of the liquidity risk, the Target Group monitors and maintains a level of cash and cash equivalents deemed adequate by the Target Group’s management to finance the Target Group’s operations and mitigate the effects of fluctuations in cash flows.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group had not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangement.

EMPLOYEE AND REMUNERATION POLICIES

During the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended September 2019, the Target Group had an average total number of 676, 700, 776 and 719 employees. The total staff costs of the Target Group for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019 were approximately HK$85,734,000, HK$92,361,000, HK$118,341,000 and HK$58,238,000, respectively. Remuneration for employees is determined in accordance with performance, professional experience, and the prevailing market conditions. Management of the Target Group reviews the Target Group’s employee remuneration policy and arrangement on an annual basis.

– 193 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE TARGET GROUP

SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS, MATERIAL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS

Save as otherwise disclosed above and in this circular, the Target Group did not have any other significant investments, material acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries and associated companies during the Track Record Period.

NO MATERIAL CHANGE

The directors of the Target Company have confirmed that, up to the date of this circular, there has been no material adverse change in the Target Group’s financial or trading position since 30 September 2019, the end of period reported in the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group, and there has been no event since 30 September 2019 which has materially affected the information shown in the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group as set out in Appendix II of this circular.

Impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (‘‘outbreak’’) on the Target Group

The recent outbreak has impacted the business operations of various enterprises in different manner. For instance, the PRC government has implemented various measures to combat against the outbreak in the PRC such as temporary suspension of work in various provinces and quarantine order imposed to restrict the entry into and exit of certain provinces since January 2020.

As a result of the above, the manufacturing activities of the Target Group have been temporarily suspended until the operation of its production facilities gradually resumed according to the government measures since February 2020. Hence, the production capacity of the Target Group has dropped temporarily but to a lesser extent due to its automated production lines. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Directors confirm that the Target Group’s production facilities have resumed normal operation by end of February 2020.

Despite of the outbreak, the demand from customers of the Target Group remained relatively stable and there was no significant decrease or cancellation of sales orders from its customers as at the Latest Practicable Date. However, as mentioned above, the production capacity of the Target Group has dropped temporarily. Thus, the delivery of products for certain orders has been slightly delayed. The Target Group has proactively liaised with its customers to adjust the delivery schedule in order to minimise the impact. As at the Latest Practicable Date, it is expected the delayed delivery schedule for those sales orders will resume normal by end of March 2020 for the Target Group.

In relation to the supply chain, the Target Group works out the procurement plan for raw materials according to the actual or projected production schedule generally. During the outbreak and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group has not experienced any material disruption of the supply chain or any material delay in logistics delivery from its suppliers.

The directors of the Target Group believe that the outbreak has not resulted in a material impact on the Target Group’s operation and performance as at the Latest Practicable Date. Subject to the further development of the COVID-19 pandemic or changes in economic conditions arising thereof, should there be any material impact on the Target Group, the Company will announce updates by way of announcement as and when appropriate.

– 194 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

The audited consolidated financial information of the Group for each of the three years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2019 are disclosed in the following interim report, annual reports, and the prospectus of the Company which have been published on the websites of the Stock Exchange (http://www.hkexnews.hk) and the Company (http://www.time-interconnect.com/):

  • . The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2019 is disclosed in the 2019/2020 interim report of the Company published on 25 November 2019, from pages 29 to 56. Please also see below the link to the 2019/2020 interim report of the Company:

https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2019/1219/2019121900170.pdf

  • . The audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2019 is disclosed in the 2019 annual report of the Company published on 22 July 2019, from pages 105 to 207. Please also see below the link to the 2019 annual report of the Company:

https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2019/0722/ltn20190722097.pdf

  • . The audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2018 is disclosed in the 2018 annual report of the Company published on 27 July 2018, from pages 58 to 119. Please also see below the link to the 2018 annual report of the Company:

https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2018/0727/ltn20180727171.pdf

  • . The audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2017 is disclosed in the prospectus of the Company published on 30 January 2018, from pages I-1 to I-59 of Appendix I. Please also see below the link to the prospectus of the Company:

https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2018/0130/ltn20180130005.pdf

– I-1 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

2. STATEMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

As at 29 February 2020, being the latest practicable date for the purpose of this statement of indebtedness prior to the printing of this circular, the Enlarged Group had outstanding indebtedness as summarised below.

Amount due to ultimate holding
company
— unsecured and unguaranteed
Unsecured bank borrowings
— unsecured and guaranteed
Lease liabilities
— secured and unguaranteed (Note 2)
Lease liabilities
— unsecured and unguaranteed
As at 29 February 2020 at 29 February 2020
The Group
HK$’000
444
57,701
39,486

97,631
The Target
Group (Note 1)
HK$’000
217,843
1,384,586
1,140
2,843
1,606,412
The Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
218,287
1,442,287
40,626
2,843
1,704,043

Notes:

  1. Included the indebtedness of Non-core Business to be retained by Linkz International

  2. Lease liabilities are secured by rental deposits

Unsecured bank borrowings — unsecured and guaranteed

The following table sets forth a breakdown of the Enlarged Group’s unsecured bank borrowings as at the dates indicated:

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Import/export trade borrowings
As at 29 February 2020 As at 29 February 2020 As at 29 February 2020
The Group
HK$’000

50,000
7,701
57,701
The Target
Group(Note)
HK$’000
10,838
822,401
551,347
1,384,586
The Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
10,838
872,401
559,048
1,442,287

Note: Included the indebtedness of Non-core Business to be retained by Linkz International

– I-2 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

As at 29 February 2020, the Enlarged Group had unutilised banking facilities of approximately HK$817,651,000 available for drawdown, of which the unutilised banking facilities of the Group and the Target Group as at 29 February 2020 amounted to approximately HK$317,814,000 and HK$499,837,000, respectively.

As at 29 February 2020, the bank borrowings of the Group were secured by corporate guarantee executed by the Company, while the bank borrowings of the Target Group were secured by (i) personal guarantee executed by Mr. Paul Lo; (ii) corporate guarantee executed by Linkz Industries; (iii) corporate guarantee executed by subsidiaries of the Target Group; and (iv) corporate guarantee executed by Lighthouse Technologies Limited.

Financial guarantees and contingent liabilities

As at 29 February 2020, the Target Group had given cross guarantees of approximately HK$541,000,000 to banks to secure certain general banking facilities granted to the Vendor and the Target Group. In addition, the Target Group also given another guarantee of HK$153,000,000 to a bank to secure another general banking facility granted to the Vendor. The Group did not have any material contingent liabilities as at 29 February 2020.

Disclaimer

Save as disclosed herein and apart from intra-group liabilities, at the close of business on 29 February 2020, being the latest practicable date for determining indebtedness, the Group and the Target Group did not have any loan capital issued and outstanding or agreed to be issued, bank overdrafts, loans or other similar indebtedness, debentures, mortgages, charges, hire purchases commitments, guarantees or other material contingent liabilities.

3. WORKING CAPITAL

After taking into account the effect of the Acquisition and the successful arrangement of the related funding requirements, the financial resources available to the Enlarged Group, the internally generated funds, existing bank balances and cash, available banking facilities and the existing credit facilities, for the working capital needs of the Enlarged Group, the Directors, after due and careful enquiry, are of the opinion that the Enlarged Group will have sufficient working capital for its present requirements for at least the next 12 months from the date of this circular, in the absence of unforeseeable circumstances.

4. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Directors were not aware of any material adverse changes in the financial or trading position of the Group since 31 March 2019 (being the date to which the latest published audited financial statements of the Group were made up).

– I-3 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

5. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS ON THE GROUP

Set out below is the management discussion and analysis of performance and other information of the Group for each of the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019. Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms used therein shall have the same meanings as those ascribed in the abovementioned interim report, annual reports and the prospectus of the Company.

(i) For the six months ended 30 September 2019

Financial review

Revenue

The Group’s revenue for the six months ended 30 September 2019 slightly decreased by 4.0% to HK$801.9 million from HK$835.6 million in the previous financial period. One of the major reasons was RMB depreciation impact, during the six months ended 30 September 2019 the average foreign currency exchange rate from converting Renminbi into Hong Kong dollars was 4.8% lower than the same period last year. The Renminbi revenue converted in Hong Kong dollars decreased HK$18.9 million which represented 2.4% of the Group ’s revenue. Telecommunication, medical equipment and industrial equipment sectors were also affected by this impact and reduced revenue. Meanwhile, the trade and tariff disputes between the United States and China caused the overall slowdown of global macro-economy. It created different degree of impact on the telecommunication and industrial equipment sector.

Data centre sector: In April 2019, the Group has changed the supply source away from China for the certain major components of products to be shipped to the United States for avoidance of the additional tariffs. Besides, the Group also procured the ‘‘Country of origin and Marking Ruling’’ from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the fibre cable assembly products in February 2019. Accordingly, the fibre cable assembly products will not be subjected to additional tariffs when importing into the United States anymore even though the major components are purchased from China. The shipments of the data centre sector were back to the normal level as before the Sino-U.S. trade war since May 2019. The revenue has substantially increased by 22.5% to HK$396.5 million during the six months ended 30 September 2019 as compared to HK$323.7 million for the previous financial period.

Telecommunication sector: It recorded a decrease of revenue from HK$391.1 million in the previous financial period to HK$313.0 million for the six months ended 30 September 2019, representing a decrease of 20.0%. Besides the RMB depreciation impact, the decrease was mainly attributable to the impact from the United States had added the Company’s largest customer to the entity list under Export Administration Regulations. The Company has been seeking for any kind of measures to mitigate the impact of trade war on its businesses.

– I-4 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Medical equipment sector: The revenue recorded a mild decrease of 12.6% from HK$74.8 million for the previous financial period to HK$65.4 million for the six months ended 30 September 2019. Such decrease was due to slowdown of orders by the largest medical equipment customer in order to consume the inventory backlog. Orders are expected to resume in the rest of the year.

Industrial equipment sector: The revenue dropped 41.3% from HK$46.0 million for the previous financial period to HK$27.0 million for the six months ended 30 September 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the turmoil from the Sino-U.S. trade war and the overall slowdown on the growth of the global economy.

Gross profit/margin

Gross profit for the six months ended 30 September 2019 was HK$174.8 million, a decrease of HK$9.6 million or 5.2% compared to the HK$184.4 million recorded in the previous financial period. Gross profit margin slightly decreased from 22.1% to 21.8%. Although the Group has 1.1% improvement on the cost of materials as a percentage of revenue due to the materials cost savings program during the financial period. But for the direct labour costs and manufacturing overheads as a percentage of revenue, they were higher than the same period last year due to the labour shortage and depreciation of new factory increase.

Other income

Other income comprising of primarily bank interest income, government grants, handling income was in aggregate HK$1.6 million for the six months ended 30 September 2019, representing a decrease of 52.9% as compared with the previous financial period due to the decrease of government grants and bank interest income.

Other gains and losses

Other gains and losses were recorded a loss of HK$2.3 million for the six months ended 30 September 2019 compared to a loss of HK$11.9 million for the previous financial period. Such loss was due to the exchange loss from RMB depreciation at HK$2.3 million, which was attributable to the Group’s operations in the ordinary course of business, as compared to an exchange loss of HK$11.9 million in the previous financial period.

Distribution and selling expenses

Distribution and selling expenses decreased from HK$11.9 million to HK$11.6 million, a decrease of 2.5% compared with the previous financial period. It was mainly attributable to the decrease of freight and transportation cost. As a percentage of the Group’s revenue, distribution and selling expenses remain stable at 1.4%, same as the last financial period.

– I-5 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses increased from HK$30.9 million to HK$32.4 million over the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to the increase of share option expenses HK$2.8 million. Administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 3.7% to 4.0% for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

Research and development expenses

During the six months ended 30 September 2019, the research and development expenses were HK$23.9 million, which represented a decrease of 5.2% compared with the previous financial period. It was mainly attributable to the decrease of materials cost and testing fee. Research and development expenses as a percentage of the Group’s revenue remain stable at 3.0%, same as the last financial period. The Company continuously increased its efforts in research and development by expanding the team to further enhance its research and development capabilities in respect of launching new products and technologies.

Finance costs

The finance costs represent bank loan interest HK$1.1 million for bank borrowings and interest expenses HK$1.4 million on the lease liabilities under adoption of HKFRS 16, which is effective from 1 April 2019. For the six months ended 30 September 2019, the finance costs was recorded at HK$2.5 million against HK$1.1 million for the last financial period.

Taxation

Taxation represents the tax expenses arising from the assessable profit generated by the Group in Hong Kong and the PRC. Taxation was provided at the respective tax rate of 16.5% and 25% based on the profit from operating activities. Taxation charges increased from HK$18.5 million in the last financial period to HK$20.7 million in the six months ended 30 September 2019. The effective tax rate increased from 17.3% to 21.1%.

Profit for the period

Total profit of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2019 was HK$77.4 million, a decrease of HK$11.0 million as compared to the last financial period. By excluding the professional fees for the Possible Acquisition, total profit was HK$83.0 million and net profit margin was recorded at 10.4% as compared to 10.6% in the previous financial period.

Liquidity and financial resources

As at 30 September 2019, the Group had bank balances and cash of HK$233.4 million, representing an increase of 4.3% as compared to HK$223.8 million as of 31 March 2019. It was mainly due to the increase in cash generated from operating

– I-6 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

activities during the six months ended 30 September 2019. As at 30 September 2019, the Group’s bank loan was HK$65.6 million, an increase of 33.3% from HK$49.2 million as of 31 March 2019. The Group maintained sufficient banking facilities and did not have any outstanding long-term bank borrowings as at 30 September 2019.

Capital commitments

As at 30 September 2019, the Group had capital expenditure contracted for but not provided in the condensed consolidated financial statements in respect of the property, plant and equipment in amount of HK$2.4 million.

Charge on group assets

Save for the bank deposits that were pledged in order to secure the bills payables issued by the bank under the general banking facilities granted to the Group, as at 30 September 2019 and 31 March 2019, banking facilities extended to the Group were not secured with the Group’s assets. Pledged bank deposits amounted to HK$13.6 million and HK$16.3 million as at 30 September 2019 and 31 March 2019 respectively.

Gearing ratio

Gearing ratio is calculated as total debt (total of unsecured bank borrowings) divided by total equity and multiplied by 100%. As at 30 September 2019, the Group’s gearing ratio was 11.5% as compared to 9.0% as of 31 March 2019.

Capital structure

The shares of the Company were successfully listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange on 13 February 2018. There has been no change in the capital structure of the Group since then. The share capital of the Group only comprises of ordinary shares.

As at 30 September 2019, the Company’s issued share capital was HK$18.4 million and the number of its issued ordinary shares were 1,840,000,000 of HK$0.01 each.

Significant investments held, material acquisition and disposals of subsidiaries and affiliated companies and plans for material investments or capital assets

Save as disclosed in the Company’s published interim report for the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Group did not have any significant investments held, material acquisition or disposal of subsidiaries and associations for the six months ended 30 September 2019. There is no other plan for material investments or capital assets for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

– I-7 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Foreign exchange exposure

Most of the Group’s receipts and payments are denominated in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi and Euro. The Group’s management monitors the risk of related foreign exchange risk exposure by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts. Foreign currency exchange rates are volatile and may have an impact on the Group’s results. The Group’s management evaluates the Group’s foreign currency exposure on a continuing basis and takes actions to minimise the Group’s exposure whenever necessary.

Treasury policies

As an internal treasury policy, the Group continues to implement a prudent policy on financial management policy and does not participate in any high risk speculative activities. However, the Group’s management monitors exchange exposure and will consider hedging significant foreign currency exposure should the need arise. Save for the net proceeds from the listing, the Group will also monitor and maintain a Hong Kong dollar cash balance in order to minimise the need for unnecessary foreign exchange conversion which may result in exchange loss.

The reporting currency of the Group is presented in Hong Kong dollars, as the Directors consider that it is more relevant to the users of the condensed consolidated financial statements as the Company listed its shares on the Stock Exchange.

Employee

As of 30 September 2019, the total headcount for the Group was approximately 2,161 employees (30 September 2018: approximately 1,955). Fair and competitive remuneration package and benefits are offered to employees as well as discretionary bonuses and share option. Various types of trainings were provided to the employees. Total employee benefit expenses including Directors’ remuneration for the six months ended 30 September 2019 were approximately HK$118.1 million, as compared to approximately HK$99.9 million in the last financial period. Remuneration is determined with reference to performance skills, qualifications and experience of the staff concerned and in accordance with the prevailing industry practice.

Contingent liabilities

As of 30 September 2019, the Group had not provided any form of guarantee for any company outside the Group and has not been involved in any material legal proceedings for which provision for contingent liabilities was required.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

(ii) For the year ended 31 March 2019

Financial review

Revenue

The Group’s revenue for the year ended 31 March 2019 increased by 6.1% to HK$1,314.4 million from HK$1,238.4 million in the previous financial year. The increase in revenue was mainly driven by the higher sales in telecommunication and medical equipment sectors.

Telecommunication sector: It recorded an increase of revenue from HK$534.1 million for the previous financial year to HK$650.9 million for the year ended 31 March 2019, which represented an increase of 21.9%. Such increase was mainly attributable to the growing demand for new 5G products from its major customers in the sector, which remained as the main sales growth driver of the Group’s revenue in terms of amount and percentage.

Data centre sector: The revenue recorded a decrease of 19.0% from HK$571.6 million for the previous financial year to HK$462.9 million for the year ended 31 March 2019. Such decrease was mainly attributable to the decline in demand for products from the Group’s major customers in this sector.

Medical equipment sector: The revenue achieved a significant growth rate of 122.2% from HK$62.1 million for the previous financial year to HK$138.0 million for the year ended 31 March 2019. Such growth represented the highest growth rate among the Group’s market sectors and the increase was mainly attributable to the robust demand for products from both existing customers and new customers.

Industrial equipment sector: The revenue dropped 11.3% from HK$70.6 million for the last financial year to HK$62.6 million for the year ended 31 March 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the turmoil from the Sino-U.S. trade war.

Gross profit/margin

Gross profit for the year ended 31 March 2019 was HK$279.3 million, an increase of HK$6.3 million or 2.3% compared to the HK$273.0 million recorded in the previous financial year. Gross profit margin slightly decreased from 22.0% to 21.2%. The change in gross profit and gross profit margin was mainly attributable to the change in product mix. Cost of materials as percentage of the Group’s revenue was decreased as compared to the previous financial year as a result of its material cost savings program during the year. But for the direct labour costs and manufacturing overheads as a percentage of revenue, they were higher than last year due to the labour costs and depreciation increase.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Other income and other gain and loss

Other income and other gains and losses decreased from a gain HK$11.8 million for the year ended 31 March 2018 to a loss HK$4.9 million for the year ended 31 March 2019. Such decrease was mainly attributable to exchange loss of HK$9.8 million recognised for the year ended 31 March 2019, which arose from the Group’s operations in the ordinary course of business, as compared with an exchange gain of HK$9.7 million in the last financial year.

Distribution and selling expenses

Distribution and selling expenses increased from HK$20.2 million to HK$23.2 million during the year ended 31 March 2019, an increase of 14.9% compared with the last financial year. It was mainly attributable to the increase of staff cost, travel and entertainment, freight and transportation cost. As a percentage of Group’s revenue, distribution and selling expenses increased from 1.6% to 1.8%.

Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses increased from HK$34.4 million to HK$57.9 million over the last year. The increase was mainly due to the increase in staff cost, legal and professional fee, and depreciation. The staff cost increased due to headcount increase in I.T., salary and bonus increase, and the increase of share option expenses. The legal and professional fee increase was mainly due to expenses incurred in relation to the compliance of listing requirements and the acquisition of new factory. Administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 2.8% to 4.4%.

Research and development expenses

During the year ended 31 March 2019, the research and development expenses were HK$45.7 million, which represented an increase of 11.7% compared with the previous financial year. It was mainly attributable to the increase of staff cost, which including headcount increase and salary increment. Research and development expenses as a percentage of Group’s revenue slightly increased from 3.3% to 3.5%. The Group continuously expanded the size of its research and development team to enhance its research and development capabilities in respect of launching new products and technologies.

Finance costs

The finance costs mainly represent bank loan interest for bank borrowings. In line with the decrease in bank loan, the finance costs decreased by 30.4% from approximately HK$2.3 million for the last financial year to HK$1.6 million for the year ended 31 March 2019

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Taxation

Taxation represents the tax expenses arising from the assessable profit generated by the Group in Hong Kong and PRC. Taxation was provided at the respective tax rate of 16.5% and 25% based on the profit from operating activities. Taxation charges decreased from approximately HK$38.9 million in the last financial year to approximately HK$23.1 million in the year ended 31 March 2019. The effective tax rate decreased from 22.7% to 15.8%, due to overprovision tax amounting to HK$3.8 million in prior year and the additional tax deduction on research and development expenditures claim in the PRC amounting to approximately HK$5.6 million in the year ended 31 March 2019.

Profit for the year

Total profit for the year of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2019 was approximately HK$122.9 million, representing a decrease of HK$9.2 million or 7.0% as compared to the last financial year. Net profit margin dropped from 10.7% to 9.4%.

Liquidity and financial resources

As at 31 March 2019, the Group had bank balances and cash of HK$223.8 million, representing a decrease of 20.0% as compared to HK$279.6 million as of 31 March 2018. It was mainly due to HK$104.8 million was utilised from the net proceeds of HK$126.6 million received from the listing, and the increase in cash generated from operating activities during the current year. As at 31 March 2019, the Group’s bank loan was HK$49.2 million, an increase of 18.6% from HK$41.5 million in the last financial year. The Group maintained sufficient banking facilities and did not have any outstanding long-term bank borrowings as at 31 March 2019.

Capital commitments

As at 31 March 2019, the Group had capital expenditure contracted for but not provided in the consolidated financial statements in respect of the property, plant and equipment in amount of HK$3.6 million.

Charge on group assets

Save for the bank deposits that were pledged in order to secure the bills payables issued by the bank under the general banking facilities granted to the Group, as at 31 March 2019 and 2018, banking facilities extended to the Group were not secured with the Group’s assets. Pledged bank deposits amounted to HK$18.0 million and HK$16.3 million as at 31 March 2018 and 2019 respectively.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Gearing ratio

Gearing ratio is calculated as total debt (summation of amount due to ultimate holding company, and unsecured bank borrowings) divided by total equity and multiplied by 100%. As at 31 March 2019, the Group’s gearing ratio was 9.0% as compared to the last financial year 9.1%.

Capital structure

The shares of the Company were successfully listed on the Main Board of Stock Exchange on 13 February 2018. There has been no change in the capital structure of the Group since then. The share capital of the Group only comprises of ordinary shares.

As at 31 March 2019, the Company’s issued share capital was HK$18.4 million and the number of its issued ordinary shares were 1,840,000,000 of HK$0.01 each.

Significant investments held, material acquisition and disposals of subsidiaries and affiliated companies and plans for material investments or capital assets

Save as disclosed in the Company’s published annual report for the year ended 31 March 2019, the Group did not have any significant investments held, material acquisition or disposal of subsidiaries and associations for the year ended 31 March 2019. There is no other plan for material investments or capital assets as at 31 March 2019.

Foreign exchange exposure

Most of the Group’s receipts and payments are denominated in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi and Euro. The Group’s management monitors the risk of related foreign exchange exposure by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts. Foreign currency exchange rates are volatile and may have an impact on the Group’s results. The Group’s management evaluates the Group’s foreign currency exposure on a continuing basis and takes actions to minimise the Group’s exposure whenever necessary.

Treasury policies

As an internal treasury policy, the Group continues to implement a prudent policy on financial management policy and does not participate in any high risk speculative activities. However, the Group’s management monitors exchange exposure and will consider hedging significant foreign currency exposure should the need arise. Save for the net proceeds from the listing, the Group will also monitor and maintain a Hong Kong dollar cash balance in order to minimise the need for unnecessary foreign exchange conversion which may result in exchange loss.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

The reporting currency of the Group is presented in Hong Kong Dollars, as the Directors consider that it is more relevant to the users of the consolidated financial statements as the Company listed its shares on the Stock Exchange.

Employee

As of 31 March 2019, the total headcount for the Company was approximately 2,033, compared to 2,168 in the previous financial year. Fair and competitive remuneration package and benefits are offered to employees as well as discretionary bonuses and share option. Various types of trainings were provided to the employees. Total employee benefit expenses including Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2019 were approximately HK$201.6 million, as compared to approximately HK$156.7 million in the financial year 2018. Remuneration is determined with reference to performance skills, qualifications and experience of the staff concerned and in accordance with the prevailing industry practice.

Contingent liabilities

As of 31 March 2019, the Group had not provided any form of guarantee for any company outside the Group and has not been involved in any material legal proceedings for which provision for contingent liabilities was required.

(iii) For the year ended 31 March 2018

Financial review

Revenue

The Group’s revenue for the year ended 31 March 2018 significantly increased by 43.2% to approximately HK$1,238.4 million from HK$864.6 million in the previous financial year. All of the Group’s business sectors have different degrees of increase in revenue, and the increase in revenue was mainly driven by higher sales in data centre, telecommunication and medical equipment sectors.

The revenue of the data centre sector achieved a significant growth rate of 105.2% from approximately HK$278.6 million for the previous financial year to approximately HK$571.6 million for the year ended 31 March 2018. Such increase was mainly attributable to the growth in demand for products from one of the Group’s major customers, which was the main sales growth driver of the Group’s revenue in terms of amount and percentage, which represented 78.4% of the total increase in the Group’s revenue.

For the telecommunication sector, although it contributed the lowest growth rate of 9.9% among other market sectors compared to the previous financial year, it still recorded an increase of revenue of approximately HK$47.9 million or 12.8% which represented the second largest increase of the total increase of the Group’s revenue. The increase was driven by the sales of new 5G products in the last quarter of the year ended 31 March 2018.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

The increase of revenue generated from the industrial equipment sector was relatively small, at 14.4%, from approximately HK$61.7 million for the previous financial year to approximately HK$70.6 million for the year ended 31 March 2018.

The revenue of the medical equipment sector increased by 63.0% to approximately HK$62.1 million in the year ended 31 March 2018 as compared to HK$38.1 million for the previous financial year. It is primarily attributable to the robust demand for products from existing and new customers.

Gross profit/margin

Gross profit for the year ended 31 March 2018 was approximately HK$273.0 million, an increase of HK$116.4 million or 74.3% compared to the HK$156.6 million recorded in the previous financial year. Gross profit margin also increased from 18.1% to 22.0%. The increase in gross profit and gross profit margin was mainly attributable to the change in product mix to products with relatively higher selling price, including those sold to data centre and medical equipment sectors. Cost of materials as percentage of the Group’s revenue was decreased as compared to the previous financial year as a result of material cost savings program during the year. As for the direct labour costs and manufacturing overheads as a percentage of revenue, they were also lower than the same period last year as the Group continued to improve production yield and efficiency through automation and process improvement.

Other income and other gains and losses

Other income and other gains and losses increased from a loss of HK$0.2 million for the year ended 31 March 2017 to a gain of HK$11.8 million for the year ended 31 March 2018. Such increase was mainly attributable to exchange gain, which arises from the Group’s operations in the ordinary course of business was HK$9.7 million, as compared with an exchange loss of HK$2.0 million in the last financial year.

Distribution and selling expenses

Distribution and selling expenses increased from HK$16.9 million to HK$20.2 million, an increase of 19.5% compared with the last financial year. It was mainly attributable to the increase of staff cost, credit and marine insurance, freight and transportation cost. As a percentage of the Group’s revenue, distribution and selling expenses decreased from 2.0% to 1.6%.

Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses increased from HK$28.0 million to HK$34.4 million over the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to the increase in staff cost, auditors’ remuneration and legal and professional fees. For the previous financial year, the vendor, the controlling shareholder, provided management services to Linkz Group (i.e. the vendor and its subsidiaries but excluding the

– I-14 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Group) and the Group and the management services were allocated to each member of Linkz Group and the Group. Commencing from the year ended 31 March 2018 (April 2017 onwards), the abovementioned management services ceased and the Group established a strong and independent team to oversee the business by employing certain management personnel including the Directors. Hence the Group incurred additional expenses for salaries and employee benefits compared with the last financial year, which include salaries and MPF contribution. The auditor’s remuneration and the legal and professional fees (including compliance adviser, legal adviser, internal control and share registrars) also increased in accordance with the listing requirements. Even the administrative expenses increased by 22.9% as compared with the previous financial year, despite still being lower than the significant increase rate of the Group’s revenue. Administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 3.2% to 2.8%.

Research and development expenses

During the year ended 31 March 2018, the research and development expenses were HK$40.9 million, which represented an increase of 45.0% compared with the previous financial year. It was mainly attributable to the increase of staff cost, materials cost, testing fee and depreciation. Research and development expenses as a percentage of the Group’s revenue remain stable at 3.3%, same as last financial year. The Group continuously expanded the size of its research and development team to enhance its research and development capabilities in respect of launching new products and technologies.

Imputed financial guarantee income

Imputed financial guarantee income represents the amortisation of the Group’s financial guarantee liabilities arising from the financial guarantees provided by the Group to Linkz Industries as well as subsidiaries of Linkz Industries (other than the Group). Imputed financial guarantee income was recognised in profit or loss over the guarantee period on a straight-line basis. The imputed financial guarantee income decreased by 51.4% from HK$17.3 million for the previous financial year to HK$8.4 million for the year ended 31 March 2018 based on amortisation of existing financial guarantee liabilities. As the Group ceased to provide financial guarantee to Linkz Industries and its subsidiaries since August 2017, there is no more imputed financial guarantee income or loss since September 2017.

Listing expenses

The listing expenses incurred in connection with the Listing was approximately HK$49.2 million, which was borne by the then existing shareholder and who sold the sale shares during the share offering of the Company, and the Group in the ratio of 3:7, which amounted to approximately HK$14.7 million and HK$34.5 million, respectively. Of such amount borne by the vendor in connection with the sale of sale shares, approximately HK$7.4 million was set-off against the listing expenses of the Group and approximately HK$7.3 million was reimbursed by the vendor in its capacity as shareholder and was accounted for as capital contribution to the Group.

– I-15 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Of the aggregate listing expenses of approximately HK$49.2 million, approximately HK$7.4 million was borne by the vendor as stated above, and the Group charged approximately HK$24.4 million to profit or loss, while approximately HK$17.4 million was directly attributable to the issue of new shares and was accounted for as a deduction from equity in accordance with the relevant accounting standards.

Finance costs

The finance costs mainly represent bank loan interest for bank borrowings. In line with the decrease in bank loan, the finance costs decreased by 30.3% from approximately HK$3.3 million for the last financial year to HK$2.3 million for the year ended 31 March 2018.

Taxation

Taxation represents the tax expenses arising from the assessable profit generated by the Group in Hong Kong and PRC. Taxation was provided at the respective tax rate of 16.5% and 25% based on the profit from operating activities (listing expenses and imputed financial guarantee income are considered as nondeductible and non-taxable items, respectively for tax purpose). Taxation charges increased from approximately HK$15.7 million in the last financial year to HK$38.9 million for the year ended 31 March 2017. The effective tax rate increased from 16.1% to 22.7%, due to the increase in profit from the PRC at a higher tax rate.

Total profit for the year

Total profit for the year of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2018 was approximately HK$132.1 million, a substantial increase of HK$50.5 million or 61.9% as compared to the last financial year. By excluding the listing expenses and imputed financial guarantee income, net profit margin raised from 7.4% to 12.0%.

Liquidity and financial resources

As at 31 March 2018, the Group had bank balances and cash of HK$279.6 million, representing an increase of 553.3% as compared to HK$42.8 million as of 31 March 2017. It was mainly due to the net proceeds of HK$126.6 million received from the Listing, and the increase in cash generated from operating activities during the current year. As at 31 March 2018, the Group’s bank loan was HK$41.5 million, a decrease of 47.1% from HK$78.4 million in the last financial year. The Group maintained sufficient banking facilities and did not have any outstanding long-term bank borrowings as at 31 March 2018.

Capital commitments

As at 31 March 2018, the Group had capital expenditure contracted for but not provided in the consolidated financial statements in respect of the property, plant and equipment in amount of HK$3.29 million.

– I-16 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Charge on group assets

Save for the bank deposits that were pledged in order to secure the bills payables issued by the bank under the general banking facilities granted to us, as at 31 March 2018 and 2017, banking facilities extended to the Group were not secured with the Group’s assets. Pledged bank deposits amounted to HK$8.7 million and HK$18.0 million as at 31 March 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Gearing ratio

Gearing ratio is calculated as total debt (summation of amount due to ultimate holding company, and unsecured bank borrowings) divided by total equity and multiplied by 100%. As at 31 March 2018, the Group’s gearing ratio was 9.1% as compared to the last financial year of 118.6%.

Capital structure

The shares of the Company were successfully listed on the Main Board of Stock Exchange on 13 February 2018. There has been no change in the capital structure of the Group since then. The share capital of the Group only comprises of ordinary shares.

As at 31 March 2018, the Company’s issued share capital was HK$18.4 million and the number of its issued ordinary shares was 1,840,000,000 of HK$0.01 each.

Significant investments held, material acquisition and disposals of subsidiaries and affiliated companies and plans for material investments or capital assets

Save for the undertaking of the reorganisation in preparation for the listing as more particularly described in the prospectus, the Group did not have any significant investments held, material acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and associations for the year ended 31 March 2018. There is no other plan for material investments or capital assets for the year ended 31 March 2018.

Foreign exchange exposure

Most of the Group’s receipts and payments are denominated in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi and Euro. The Group’s management monitors the risk of related foreign exchange risk exposure by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts. Foreign currency exchange rates are volatile and may have an impact on the Group’s results. The Group’s management evaluates the Group’s foreign currency exposure on a continuing basis and takes actions to minimise the Group’s exposure whenever necessary.

– I-17 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Treasury policies

As an internal treasury policy, the Group continues to implement a prudent policy on financial management policy and does not participate in any high risk speculative activities. However, the Group’s management monitors exchange exposure and will consider hedging significant foreign currency exposure should the need arise. Save for the net proceeds from the Listing, the Group will also monitor and maintain a Hong Kong dollar cash balance in order to minimise the need for unnecessary foreign exchange conversion which may result in exchange loss.

The reporting currency of the Group is presented in Hong Kong dollars, as the Directors consider that it is more relevant to the users of the consolidated financial statements as the Company listed its shares on the Stock Exchange.

Employee

The average number of employees for the year ended 2018 was around 2,168, compared to 1,905 in the previous financial year. Fair and competitive remuneration package and benefits are offered to employees as well as discretionary bonuses. Staff related costs for the year ended 31 March 2018 were approximately HK$156.7 million, as compared to approximately HK$126.6 million in the financial year 2017.

Contingent liabilities

As of 31 March 2018, the Group had not provided any form of guarantee for any company outside the Group and has not been involved in any material legal proceedings for which provision for contingent liabilities was required.

(iv) For the year ended 31 March 2017

Financial review

Revenue

The Group’s revenue decreased by approximately HK$47,022,000, or 5.2%, from approximately HK$911,593,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$864,571,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. Such decrease was mainly due to different sales performance of different market sectors and the overall decrease in units of products sold. Sales performance in each of the market sectors as discussed below:

(i) Telecommunication sector

Revenue derived from telecommunication sector decreased from approximately HK$630,649,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$486,240,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. Such decrease was due to (i) the decrease in sales volume by 26.1% resulting from the decrease in sales orders from the Group’s largest customer as the largest customer had sudden larger demand

– I-18 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

in previous year, resulting in decrease of revenue from this customer by 16.2% and (ii) the translation of RMB, the currency of the sales in the PRC and was in general depreciating, to Hong Kong dollars, the reporting currency.

In addition, during the year ended 31 March 2016, one of the Group’s major customers purchased a large quantity of LAN cables that the Group sourced from the Target Group. The purchase of LAN cables from this major customer became insignificant during the year ended 31 March 2017.

(ii) Data centre sector

Revenue generated from the data centre sector varied according to the demand of the customers. Revenue derived from data centre sector increased from approximately HK$154,167,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$278,477,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. Such increase was mainly due to the increase in sales volume by 139.7% in relation to the delivery schedule of products to the Group’s major customers in this sector. It was considered that overall amount of orders from customers in the two years remained relatively stable and the increase in revenue was the result of uneven orders and shipments, and the revenue recognition, throughout the year.

(iii) Industrial equipment sector

Revenue generated from the industrial equipment sector remained flat at approximately HK$61,979,000 and HK$61,726,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 and 2017, respectively, primarily due to the decrease in sales orders from one of the Group’s customers, which is a manufacturer of refrigeration systems, offset by the increase in sales to various smaller customers in this sector, including a new customer that the Group started to do business during the year.

(iv) Medical equipment sector

Revenue derived from medical equipment sector decreased from approximately HK$64,798,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$38,128,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017, due to the decrease in sales volume by 91.3%. In particular, one of the major customers in this sector had decreased demand on the Group’s products as medical equipment generally have longer product life cycle, and its products used by the customer should follow the customer’s product development schedule.

Gross profit and gross profit margin

Gross profit increased by approximately HK$14,088,000, or 9.9%, from approximately HK$142,556,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$156,644,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. During the year ended 31 March 2016, one of the Group’s major customers ordered a large quantity of LAN cables, apart from other cable assembly products. The sales of LAN cables are regarded as sales of copper cable assemblies in the telecommunication sector. The

– I-19 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

LAN cables required minimal additional work from us and profit margin realised from the sales of LAN cables was marginal, around 2%, hence the overall gross profit margin for the year ended 31 March 2016 was lowered. If sales of LAN cables to the major customer were not taken into account, the gross margin of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2016 would improve to 16.6%. Although at a low margin, the Directors considered that the sales of these LAN cables to the major customer could open new business with it which may order other products of higher profitability. That major customer had also placed orders for other cable assembly products from the Group. The amount of similar sales of low margin products conducted by the Group for the year ended 31 March 2017 was insignificant. Further, a larger proportion of the products sold during the year ended 31 March 2017 were optical fibre cables for the data centre, which had higher complexity that required longer time or extra steps to produce such that the Group was able to apply higher profit margin for these more complex products.

Other income and gains and losses

Other income and other gains and losses decreased from a gain of approximately HK$1,309,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to a loss of approximately HK$199,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 primarily due to the reclassification of translation reserves to profit or loss upon deregistration of the Group’s subsidiaries during the year ended 31 March 2016.

Distribution expenses

The distribution and selling expenses decreased by approximately HK$1,199,000, or 6.6%, from approximately HK$18,114,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$16,915,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017 as a result of decrease in travelling and entertainment expenses of approximately HK$634,000 and the decrease in freight charges of approximately HK$425,000.

Administrative expenses

The administrative expenses decreased by approximately HK$2,740,000 or 8.9%, from approximately HK$30,725,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$27,985,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017, partly due to the translation of RMB to Hong Kong Dollars and decrease in office expenses.

Research and development expenses

The Research and development expenses increased by approximately HK$3,681,000, or 15.0%, from approximately HK$24,542,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$28,223,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. The increase was primarily due to the increase in the salaries and employee benefits expenses with increased research and development staff and hence increased activities that incurred higher material and design costs.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Imputed financial guarantee income

Imputed financial guarantee income arising from the financial guarantee provided by the Group remained stable at approximately HK$16,239,000 and HK$17,299,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 and 2017, respectively. Imputed financial guarantee income is affected by the initial recognition at fair value, which was determined by independent external valuer, and the amortisation of financial guarantee liabilities for the year.

Finance costs

Finance costs slightly decreased by approximately HK$327,000, or 9.1%, from approximately HK$3,604,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$3,277,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. The decrease was primarily due to decrease in interest on revolving borrowings as a result of the net repayment for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Taxation

The taxation increased by approximately HK$4,140,000, or 35.9%, from approximately HK$11,520,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$15,660,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. This increase was mainly attributable to the increase profit before taxation for the year ended 31 March 2017 by approximately HK$14,225,000 as a result of the reasons discussed above. The effective tax rate increased from 13.9% for the year ended 31 March 2016 to 16.1% for the year ended 31 March 2017. If the imputed financial guarantee income, which is non-taxable in nature, were excluded for illustration purpose only, the effective tax rate would be 17.2% and 19.6% for the year ended 31 March 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Profit for the year

Profit for the year increased by approximately HK$10,085,000, or 14.1%, from approximately HK$71,599,000 for the year ended 31 March 2016 to approximately HK$81,684,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017. If the imputed financial guarantee income were excluded for illustration purpose only, net profit would be approximately HK$55,360,000 and HK$64,385,000 for the years ended 31 March 2016 and 2017, respectively. Such increase was primarily due to an increase in the gross profit and gross profit margin as discussed above.

Liquidity and financial resources

As at 31 March 2017, the Group had bank balances and cash of HK$42,823,000, representing a decrease of 37.1% as compared to HK$68,038,000 as of 31 March 2016. As at 31 March 2017, the Group’s bank loan was HK$78,420,000, representing an increase of 17.7% as compared to HK$66,654,000 as of 31 March 2016. Such increase was primarily due to the increase in import trade borrowings to finance the purchase of raw materials.

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Capital commitments

As at 31 March 2017, the Group had capital expenditure contracted for but not provided in the consolidated financial statements in respect of the property, plant and equipment in amount of HK$0.7 million.

Charge on group assets

As at 31 March 2017, the Group had pledged bank deposits placed in a bank to secure general banking facilities granted to the Group, which amounted to approximately HK$8,731,000.

Gearing ratio

The gearing ratio increased from 35.9% as at 31 March 2016 to 118.6% as at 31 March 2017 primarily attributable to (i) the increase in balance due to the ultimate holding company resulting in the increase in the total debt; and (ii) the reduction of total equity due to the declaration of the interim dividend.

Capital structure

As the Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on 15 June 2017, no share of Company was issued as at 31 March 2017.

Significant investments held, material acquisition and disposals of subsidiaries and affiliated companies and plans for material investments or capital assets

Save for the undertaking of the reorganisation in preparation for the listing as more particularly described in the prospectus of the Company dated 30 January 2018, the Group did not have any significant investments held, material acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and associations for the year ended 31 March 2017. There is no other plan for material investments or capital assets for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Foreign exchange exposure

The Group is mainly exposed to the foreign currency risk arising from the carrying amounts of the Group’s monetary and monetary liabilities denominated in currencies other than the respective group entities’ functional currencies at the end of each reporting period. As at 31 March 2017, the Group currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy in respect of net foreign currency exposure. However, the management monitors the related foreign currency exposure closely and will consider hedging significant currency exposure should the need arise.

– I-22 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Treasury policies

The Group monitors and maintains a level of cash and cash equivalents deemed adequate by the management to finance the Group’s operations. The management also monitors the utilisation of borrowings and ensures compliance with loan covenants.

Employees

The average number of employees for the year ended 31 December 2017 was around 1,905. Fair and competitive remuneration package and benefits are offered to employees as well as discretionary bonuses. For the year ended 31 March 2017, staff related costs amounted to approximately HK$126.6 million.

Contingent liabilities

Financial guarantee and contingent liabilities represent the financial guarantee liability recognised in respect of guarantees provided by the Group to financial institutions in relation to banking facilities granted to the Vendor and its subsidiaries. The financial guarantee liabilities amounted to approximately HK$8,712,000 as at 31 March 2017. For details regarding to the contingent liabilities, please refer to Note 28 of the Accountants’ Report in Appendix I to the prospectus of the Company dated 30 January 2018.

6. BUSINESS OVERVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The Group is a well-established supplier of customised cable assemblies which produces products based on the specifications and designs provided by individual customers. The cable assemblies of the Group are purchased by a number of established PRC and international customers. The Group’s cable assemblies products can be broadly categorised as (i) copper cable assemblies; and (ii) optical fibre cable assemblies, with reference to the respective transmission medium inside the cable. The Group’s products are supplied to customers from broadly four sectors, including (i) telecommunication; (ii) data centre; (iii) industrial; and (iv) medical equipment. The Directors are of the view that the rapid development of the 5G mobile communication standards will bring in higher demand for both networking cable products and cable assemblies for telecommunication and data centre sectors. In this regard, the Group’s plan in expanding its production capacity is already underway after the acquisition of two industrial buildings in Huizhou in 2018, details of which were disclosed in the Company’s circular to the Shareholders dated 7 September 2018. In addition, the Directors also expect that, with reference to the increasing popularity of IoT products, the 5G networking technology will facilitate further applications of IoT which in turn also requires new networking cable products and cable assembly products in different sectors, especially industrial and medical equipment sectors. The Enlarged Group will direct its resources towards research and development of new products that can meet such demands for IoT applications. Currently, the Group has been looking into the technical issues of PoE cables and hybrid cables. The Enlarged Group will thus review its strategies and work closely with its customers to serve them better with new products.

– I-23 –

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE GROUP

APPENDIX I

Following the Acquisition, the overall dependence on any single key customer of the Enlarged Group will be significantly reduced. The Enlarged Group will focus its efforts on developing the cable business and enhancing long-term shareholders value.

Impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (‘‘outbreak’’) on the Group

The recent outbreak has impacted the business operations of various enterprises in different manner. For instance, the PRC government has implemented various measures to combat against the outbreak in the PRC such as temporary suspension of work in various provinces and quarantine order imposed to restrict the entry into and exit of certain provinces since January 2020.

As a result of the above, the manufacturing activities of the Group has been temporarily suspended until the operation of its production facilities gradually resumed according to the government measures since February 2020. Hence, the production capacity of the Group has dropped temporarily. As at the Latest Practicable, the Directors confirm that the Group’s production facilities have resumed full operation by mid-March 2020.

Despite of the outbreak, the demand from customers of the Group remained relatively stable and there was no significant decrease or cancellation of sales orders from its customers as at the Latest Practicable Date. However, as mentioned above, the production capacity of the Group has dropped temporarily. Thus, the delivery of products for certain orders has been slightly delayed. The Group has proactively liaised with its customers to adjust the delivery schedule in order to minimise the impact. As at the Latest Practicable Date, it is expected the delayed delivery schedule for those sales orders will resume normal in April 2020 for the Group.

In relation to the supply chain, the Group works out the procurement plan for raw materials according to the actual or projected production schedule generally. During the outbreak and up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Group has not experienced any material disruption of the supply chain or any material delay in logistics delivery from its suppliers.

The Directors believe that the outbreak has not resulted in a material impact on the Group’s operation and performance as at the Latest Practicable Date. Subject to the further development of the COVID-19 pandemic or changes in economic conditions arising thereof, should there be any material impact on the Group, the Company will announce updates by way of announcement as and when appropriate.

– I-24 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The following is the text of a report set out on pages II-1 to II-75, received from the Target Company’s reporting accountants, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong, for the purpose of incorporation in this circular.

==> picture [70 x 35] intentionally omitted <==

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF COMBINED GROUP TO THE DIRECTORS OF TIME INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Introduction

We report on the historical financial information of Linkz Cables Limited (the ‘‘Target Company’’) and its subsidiaries (together, the ‘‘Combined Group’’) set out on pages II-4 to II-75, which comprises the combined statements of financial position of the Combined Group as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the statements of financial position of the Target Company as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, and the combined statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the combined statements of changes in equity and the combined statements of cash flows of the Combined Group for each of the three years ended 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019 (the ‘‘Relevant Periods’’) and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information (together, the ‘‘Historical Financial Information’’). The Historical Financial Information set out on pages II-4 to II-75 forms an integral part of this report, which has been prepared for inclusion in the circular of Time Interconnect Technology Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) dated 30 March 2020 (the ‘‘Circular’’) in connection with the proposed acquisition of Target Company.

Directors’ responsibility for the Historical Financial Information

The directors of the Target Company are responsible for the preparation of the Historical Financial Information that gives a true and fair view in accordance with the basis of preparation and presentation set out in note 2 to the Historical Financial Information, and for such internal control as the directors of the Target Company determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the Historical Financial Information that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

The directors of the Company are responsible for the contents of this Circular in which the Historical Financial Information of the Combined Group is included, and such information is prepared based on accounting policies materially consistent with those of the Company.

Reporting accountants’ responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Historical Financial Information and to report our opinion to you. We conducted our work in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Investment Circular Reporting Engagements 200 ‘‘Accountants’ Reports on Historical Financial Information in Investment Circulars’’ issued by the Hong Kong Institute of

– II-1 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Certified Public Accountants (the ‘‘HKICPA’’). This standard requires that we comply with ethical standards and plan and perform our work to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Historical Financial Information is free from material misstatement.

Our work involved performing procedures to obtain evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the Historical Financial Information. The procedures selected depend on the reporting accountants’ judgement, including the assessment of risks of material misstatement of the Historical Financial Information, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the reporting accountants consider internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation of Historical Financial Information that gives a true and fair view in accordance with the basis of preparation and presentation set out in note 2 to the Historical Financial Information in order to design procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Our work also included evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the management of the Target Company, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the Historical Financial Information.

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

Opinion

In our opinion, the Historical Financial Information gives, for the purposes of the accountants’ report, a true and fair view of the Combined Group’s financial position as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, of the Target Company’s financial position as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019 and of the Combined Group’s financial performance and cash flows for the Relevant Periods in accordance with the basis of preparation and presentation set out in note 2 to the Historical Financial Information.

Review of stub period comparative financial information

We have reviewed the stub period comparative financial information of the Combined Group which comprises the combined statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the combined statement of changes in equity and the combined statement of cash flows for the six months ended 30 September 2019 and other explanatory information (the ‘‘Stub Period Comparative Financial Information’’). The directors of the Target Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Stub Period Comparative Financial Information in accordance with the basis of preparation and presentation set out in note 2 to the Historical Financial Information. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the Stub Period Comparative Financial Information based on our review. We conducted our review in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Review Engagements 2410, ‘‘Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity’’ issued by the HKICPA. A review consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with Hong Kong Standards on Auditing (‘‘HKSAs’’) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit.

– II-2 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion. Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Stub Period Comparative Financial Information, for the purposes of the accountants’ report, is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the basis of preparation and presentation set out in note 2 to the Historical Financial Information.

Report on matters under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange and the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance

Adjustments

The Historical Financial Information is stated after making such adjustments to the Underlying Financial Statements as defined on page II-4 as were considered necessary.

Dividends

We refer to note 15 to the Historical Financial Information which contains information about the dividends declared and paid by group entities comprising the Combined Group in respect of the Relevant Periods and no dividend was declared or paid by the Target Company in respect of the Relevant Periods and state that no dividend was declared or paid by the Target Company since its incorporation.

No historical financial statements for the Target Company

No financial statements have been prepared for the Target Company since its date of incorporation.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Certified Public Accountants Hong Kong

30 March 2020

– II-3 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COMBINED GROUP

Preparation of Historical Financial Information

Set out below is the Historical Financial Information which forms an integral part of this accountants’ report.

The Historical Financial Information in this report was prepared based on audited consolidated financial statements of Linkz Cables Limited and its subsidiaries, audited consolidated financial statements of Hover Manufacturing Company Limited and its subsidiaries and audited consolidated financial statements of Linkz International Limited and its subsidiary for the Relevant Periods. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies which conform with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (‘‘HKFRSs’’) issued by the HKICPA and were audited by us in accordance with Hong Kong Standards on Auditing (‘‘HKSAs’’) issued by the HKICPA (‘‘Underlying Financial Statements’’).

The Historical Financial Information is presented in Hong Kong dollars (‘‘HK$’’) and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (HK$’000) except when otherwise indicated.

– II-4 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

NOTES
Continuing Operation
Revenue
6
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Other income
7
Other gains and losses
8
Distribution and selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Research and development
expense
Finance costs
9
Profit before taxation
10
Taxation
12
Profit for the year/period from
continuing operation
Discontinued operation
13
Loss for the year/period from
discontinued operation
Profit for the year/period
Year
2017
HK$’000
1,328,298
(1,131,447)
196,851
2,218
1,950
(29,242)
(75,278)
(14,211)
(30,401)
51,887
(10,275)
41,612
(14,666)
26,946
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
1,498,697
1,676,557
(1,287,182)
(1,447,539)
211,515
229,018
4,388
3,668
(5,653)
1,387
(29,152)
(36,242)
(80,187)
(58,049)
(15,511)
(19,761)
(42,143)
(63,064)
43,257
56,957
(9,671)
(13,004)
33,586
43,953


33,586
43,953
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
894,119
735,340
(771,545)
(628,747)
122,574
106,593
181
424
5,072
11,709
(19,095)
(15,366)
(27,956)
(29,920)
(9,577)
(14,262)
(29,851)
(32,453)
41,348
26,725
(10,426)
(4,064)
30,922
22,661


30,922
22,661

– II-5 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Other comprehensive (expense)
income
Item that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences arising on
translating foreign operations
Total comprehensive (expense)
income for the year/period
Profit (loss) for the year/period
attributable to owners of the
Target Company
— from continuing operation
— from discontinued operation
Profit for the year/period
attributable to non-controlling
interest
— from continuing operation
Total comprehensive income
(expense) for the year/period
attributable to owners of the
Target Company
— from continuing operation
— from discontinued operation
Total comprehensive income
(expense) for the year/period
attributable to non-controlling
interest
— from continuing operation
Year
2017
HK$’000
(33,618)
(6,672)
40,844
(14,666)
26,178
768
768
26,946
7,807
(14,666)
(6,859)
187
(6,672)
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
62,126
(42,295)
95,712
1,658
33,159
43,460


33,159
43,460
427
493
427
493
33,586
43,953
94,247
1,859


94,247
1,859
1,465
(201)
95,712
1,658
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
(58,997)
(37,067)
(28,075)
(14,406)
30,508
22,384


30,508
22,384
414
277
414
277
30,922
22,661
(27,557)
(14,119)


(27,557)
(14,119)
(518)
(287)
(28,075)
(14,406)

– II-6 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

NOTES
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
16
Right-of-use assets
17
Prepaid lease payments
18
Deposits paid for acquisition of
property, plant and equipment
Deposit and prepayments for
a life insurance policy
19
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss (‘‘FVTPL’’)
19
Rental deposits
20
Other receivable
20
Current assets
Inventories
21
Trade and other receivables
20
Prepaid lease payments
18
Amount due from ultimate holding
company
22
Taxation recoverable
Pledged bank deposits
23
Bank balances and cash
23
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
479,438
545,552


11,633
12,327
120,710
128,224
5,190
5,410




1,895

618,866
691,513
172,274
280,504
596,085
651,736
490
542
206,380
278,321


8,720
2,382
103,588
202,050
1,087,537
1,415,535
2019
HK$’000
510,941

11,038
67,380

5,633
129

595,121
241,318
656,481
507
535,364
443
10,245
166,870
1,611,228
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
488,716
11,945

1,225

5,724
115
507,725
205,320
417,489

1,207,655

5,643
117,065
1,953,172

– II-7 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

NOTES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
24
Contract liabilities
25
Lease liabilities
27
Amount due to ultimate holding
company
22
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
22
Taxation payable
Unsecured bank borrowings
— amount due within one year
26
Net current (liabilities) assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Unsecured bank borrowings
— amount due after one year
26
Lease liabilities
27
Deferred tax liabilities
28
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Share capital
29
Reserves
Equity attributable to owners of
the Target Company
Non-controlling interest
Total equity
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
261,602
256,885
1,183
469


283,133
283,231
14
21
2,146
1,552
585,289
802,111
1,133,367
1,344,269
(45,830)
71,266
573,036
762,779
17,500
207,500


5,554
7,585
23,054
215,085
549,982
547,694
10,390
10,390
531,405
527,652
541,795
538,042
8,187
9,652
549,982
547,694
2019
HK$’000
257,102
283

272,673
22
623
1,044,227
1,574,930
36,298
631,419
75,000

8,455
83,455
547,964
10,390
529,511
539,901
8,063
547,964
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
204,329
457
597
217,743

2,228
1,463,640
1,888,994
64,178
571,903

755
8,768
9,523
562,380
10,390
544,214
554,604
7,776
562,380

– II-8 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TARGET COMPANY

NOTES
Non-current asset
Investments in subsidiaries
40
Current assets
Other receivables
20
Bank balances and cash
23
Current liabilities
Amount due to ultimate holding
company
22
Amounts due to subsidiaries
22
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
22
Net current liabilities
Total assets less current
liabilities
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Share capital
29
Reserves
30
Total equity
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
244,089
244,089
6
7
10
12
16
19
243,783
243,793




243,783
243,793
(243,767)
(243,774)
322
315
322
315
390
390
(68)
(75)
322
315
2019
HK$’000
244,089
8
12
20
243,805


243,805
(243,785)
304
304
390
(86)
304
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
244,089

18
18
217,743
17,957
8,115
243,815
(243,797)
292
292
390
(98)
292

– II-9 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

At 1 April 2016
Profit for the year
Exchange differences arising on
translating foreign operations
Total comprehensive (expense)
income for the year
At 31 March 2017
Profit for the year
Exchange differences arising on
translating foreign operations
Total comprehensive income for
the year
Dividends paid (note 15)
At 31 March 2018
Profit for the year
Exchange differences arising on
translating foreign operations
Total comprehensive (expense)
income for the year
Transfer
Dividend paid to non-controlling
interest
At 31 March 2019
Profit for the period
Exchange differences arising on
translating foreign operations
Total comprehensive (expense)
income for the period
Waiver of current account by
ultimate holding company
At 30 September 2019
At 1 April 2018
Profit for the period (unaudited)
Exchange differences arising on
translating foreign operations
(unaudited)
Total comprehensive (expense)
income for the period
(unaudited)
Transfer (unaudited)
Dividend paid to non-controlling
interest (unaudited)
At 30 September 2018 (unaudited)
Attributable to owners Attributable to owners of the Target Company of the Target Company of the Target Company Total
Non-controlling
interest
Total
equity
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
548,654
8,000
556,654
26,178
768
26,946
(33,037)
(581)
(33,618
Total
Non-controlling
interest
Total
equity
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
548,654
8,000
556,654
26,178
768
26,946
(33,037)
(581)
(33,618
Total
Non-controlling
interest
Total
equity
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
548,654
8,000
556,654
26,178
768
26,946
(33,037)
(581)
(33,618
Share
capital
HK$’000
10,390

General
reserve
HK$’000
(note a)
8,677

Other
reserve
HK$’000
(note b)


Capital
revaluation
reserve
HK$’000
(note c)
112,000

Enterprise
expansion
reserve
HK$’000
(note a)
7,182

Translation
reserve
Accumulated
profits
HK$’000
HK$’000
62,366
348,039

26,178
(33,037)
(33,037)
26,178
(6,859)
187
(6,672
10,390

8,677



112,000

7,182

29,329

61,088
374,217
33,159
541,795
33,159
61,088
8,187
427
1,038
549,982
33,586
62,126





61,088
33,159
94,247
1,465
(98,000)
(98,000)
95,712
(98,000
10,390

8,677



112,000

7,182

90,417
309,376

43,460
(41,601)
538,042
9,652
547,694
43,460
493
43,953
(41,601)
(694)
(42,295



3,805





1,577
(41,601)
43,460
1,859

(5,382)



(201)
1,658


(1,388)
(1,388
10,390

12,482



112,000

8,759

48,816
347,454

22,384
(36,503)
539,901
8,063
547,964
22,384
277
22,661
(36,503)
(564)
(37,067



28,822


(36,503)
22,384

(14,119)
(287)
(14,406
28,822

28,822
10,390 12,482 28,822 112,000 8,759 12,313 369,838 554,604 7,776 562,380
10,390

8,677



112,000

7,182

90,417
309,376

30,508
(58,065)
538,042
9,652
547,694
30,508
414
30,922
(58,065)
(932)
(58,997



3,153





1,603
(58,065)
30,508
(27,557)
(518)
(28,075

(4,756)






(1,411)
(1,411
10,390 11,830 112,000 8,785 32,352 335,128 510,485 7,723 518,208

– II-10 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Notes:

  • (a) The general reserve and enterprise expansion reserve are non-distributable and the transfer to these reserves are determined according to the relevant laws in the People’s Republic of China (the ‘‘PRC’’) and by the board of directors of the PRC subsidiaries in accordance with the Articles of Association of these subsidiaries. They can be used to make up for previous years’ losses or convert into additional capital of the PRC subsidiaries of the Target Company.

  • (b) The ultimate holding company has waived its current account with Linkz Industries Technology Limited.

  • (c) Capital revaluation reserve represents the difference between the consideration paid by Linkz Industries Limited, the ultimate holding company, for the acquisition of equity interest in a subsidiary, Hover Manufacturing Company Limited, and its carrying amount.

– II-11 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Operating activities
Profit for the year/period
Adjustments for:
Taxation
Interest income from bank deposits
Interest expenses
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Amortisation of life insurance expenses
Imputed interest income from deposit placed
for life insurance policy
Gain on changes in fair value of financial
assets at FVTPL
Loss (gain) on disposal/write-off of property,
plant and equipment
Amortisation of prepaid lease payments
Fair value loss on foreign currency forward
contracts
Operating cash flows before movements
in working capital
(Increase) decrease in inventories
(Increase) decrease in trade and other
receivables
Increase (decrease) in trade and
other payables
Increase (decrease) in contract liabilities
Cash generated from (used in) operations
Hong Kong Profits Tax paid
PRC Enterprise Income Tax paid
Net cash from (used in) operating activities
Year
2017
HK$’000
26,946
10,275
(294)
30,401
39,749

184
(688)

13,226
516
1,450
121,765
(34,992)
(54,235)
35,377
779
68,694
(509)
(5,923)
62,262
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
33,586
43,953
9,671
13,004
(332)
(270)
42,143
63,064
33,184
35,223


38

(174)


(182)
86
(252)
511
509


118,713
155,049
(88,593)
24,467
(31,511)
(24,364)
(14,808)
6,982
(792)
(156)
(16,991)
161,978
(1,266)
(1,866)
(7,128)
(11,683)
(25,385)
148,429
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
30,922
22,661
10,426
4,064
(130)
(161)
29,851
32,453
18,142
16,573

564




(89)
(98)
49

259



89,430
76,056
38,822
24,827
21,090
224,570
65,526
(43,015)
(319)
190
214,549
282,628
(278)
(390)
(6,885)
(1,264)
207,386
280,974

– II-12 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and
equipment
Withdrawal of pledged bank deposits
Placement of pledged bank deposits
Payment for foreign currency forward contracts
Deposit paid for acquisition of property, plant
and equipment
Refund of deposits paid for property, plant and
equipment
Interest received from bank deposits
Repayment from ultimate holding company
Advance to ultimate holding company
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities
Advance from ultimate holding company
Repayment to ultimate holding company
Repayment to a fellow subsidiary
Advance from a fellow subsidiary
New bank borrowings raised
Repayment of bank borrowings
Interest paid
Payment of lease liabilities
Net cash (used in) from financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in cash and
cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of the year/period
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year/
period
Analysis of the balance of cash and cash
equivalents
Bank balances and cash
Bank overdrafts
Year
2017
HK$’000
(16,036)
586

(8,950)
(5,181)
(75,441)

294
207,094
(171,688)
(69,322)
139
(3,838)
(22,510)
14
2,436,124
(2,412,859)
(30,401)

(33,331)
(40,391)
153,906
(10,686)
102,829
103,588
(759)
102,829
ended 31 March
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(35,077)
(34,374)
430
3,566
16,440
11,609
(9,588)
(19,655)


(57,286)
(447)
33,880
61,990
332
270
181,994
231,292
(351,931)
(488,340)
(220,806)
(234,089)
98
1,365

(11,923)


7
1
3,045,426
2,944,822
(2,686,332)
(2,796,660)
(42,143)
(63,064)


317,056
74,541
70,865
(11,119)
102,829
189,923
16,229
(11,950)
189,923
166,854
202,050
166,870
(12,127)
(16)
189,923
166,854
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
(16,724)
(21,573)
368

2,042
9,613
(7,696)
(5,488)



(1,264)
16,100

130
161
29,955
257,644
(351,516)
(892,015)
(327,341)
(652,922)

45
(10,593)
(80)

(22)
1

1,831,829
1,870,438
(1,767,552)
(1,506,830)
(29,851)
(32,453)

(274)
23,834
330,824
(96,121)
(41,124)
189,923
166,854
(27,848)
(17,930)
65,954
107,800
76,723
117,065
(10,769)
(9,265)
65,954
107,800

– II-13 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

NOTES TO THE HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1. GENERAL

Linkz Cables Limited (the ‘‘Target Company’’) was incorporated and registered as an exempted company with limited liability in the British Virgin Islands (‘‘BVI’’) on 5 December 2006. The ultimate and immediate holding company is Linkz Industries Limited (‘‘Linkz Industries’’), which is incorporated in Hong Kong. Its ultimate controlling shareholder is Mr. Lo Chung Wai, Paul, who is also the director of the Target Company.

The Target Company acts as an investment holding company. The principal activities of its subsidiaries are set out in note 40. The addresses of the registered office and the principal place of business of the Target Company are 2nd Floor, Abbott Building, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Unit 601, Photonics Centre, 2 Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, respectively.

The Historical Financial Information is presented in Hong Kong dollars (‘‘HK$’’) while the functional currency of the Target Company is United States dollars (‘‘USD’’). The reason for selecting HK$ as the Target Company’s presentation currency is that the directors of the Target Company consider that it is more relevant to the users of the Historical Financial Information as the holding company is a Hong Kong company.

2. GROUP REORGANISATION AND BASIS OF PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Historical Financial Information has been prepared based on the accounting policies set out in note 4 which conform with HKFRSs issued by the HKICPA and the principle of merger accounting under Accounting Guideline 5 ‘‘Merger Accounting for Common Control Combination (‘‘AG 5’’)’’ issued by HKICPA.

The Target Company and its subsidiaries resulting from reorganisation (the ‘‘Combined Group’’) are under the common control by Linkz Industries. Prior to the reorganisation, the Target Company, Hover Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (‘‘Hover Manufacturing’’) and Linkz International Limited (‘‘Linkz International’’) were directly wholly owned subsidiaries of Linkz Industries. As part of the reorganisation, the entire equity interest in Hover Manufacturing held by Links Industries, is transferred to the Target Company and the operating business of Linkz International is transferred to Linkz Technology Limited (‘‘Linkz Technology’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Target Company as detailed in Step 3 below. The reorganisation will be implemented before the completion of the Company’s acquisition of the Target Company (the ‘‘Date of the Reorganisation’’). Since then, the Target Company became the holding company of the companies now comprising the Combined Group on the Date of the Reorganisation. Major steps of the reorganisation (‘‘Combined Group Reorganisation’’) include the following:

  • Step 1: On 3 January 2020, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Target Company, Linkz Industries Technology Limited is deregistered.

  • Step 2: On the Date of the Reorganisation, the entire issued share capital in Hover Manufacturing is transferred from Linkz Industries to the Target Company.

  • Step 3: On the Date of the Reorganisation, pursuant to the sales and purchase agreement dated 24 March 2020 (the ‘‘Agreement’’) entered into between Time Interconnect Technology Limited and Linkz Industries in relation to the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of the Target Company and the companies to be subsidiaries of Target Company upon Completion of the reorganisation (the ‘‘Transaction’’), Linkz International transferred its business of trading of networking cables by way of transfer of certain assets and liabilities (mainly comprised property, plant and equipment, trade and other receivables, inventories, trade and other payables, etc) to Linkz Technology at a consideration equivalent to the carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities at the Date of the Reorganisation (‘‘Assets and Liabilities Transfer’’). Upon completion of Assets and Liabilities Transfer, the operating business in Linkz International is transferred to Linkz Technology and Linkz International did not form part of the Combined Group by then.

– II-14 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The Combined Group resulting from the Combined Group Reorganisation continued to be controlled by Linkz Industries and is regarded as a continuing entity. Accordingly, the combined statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, and the combined statements of cash flows of the Combined Group for the Relevant Periods have been prepared to include the results, changes in equity and cash flows and the combined statements of changes in equity of the entities now comprising the Combined Group as if the group structure upon the completion of the Combined Group reorganisation had been in existence throughout the Relevant Periods, or since their respective dates of incorporation or establishment where this is a shorter period. The combined statements of financial position of the Combined Group as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019 have been prepared to present the assets and liabilities of the entities now comprising the Combined Group as if the current group structure upon completion of the Combined Group reorganisation had been in existence at those dates taking into account their respective dates of incorporation/establishment or their respective dates of disposal whichever is applicable. The Historical Financial Information also includes the non-core business of Linkz International that does not form part of the business of trading of networking cables and the financial information of Linkz Industries Technology Limited. After the Assets and Liabilities Transfer as described in Step 3 above, the non-core business retained by Linkz International will no longer form part of the Combined Group, and Linkz Industries Technology Limited will no longer form part of the Combined Group as it was deregistered on 3 January 2020 as described in Step 1 above as part of Combined Group Reorganisation. In addition, the financial information of Linkz Inc. is not consolidated in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standard 10 ‘‘Consolidated Financial Statements’’ issued by the HKICPA as the effect of which is immaterial.

3. APPLICATION OF HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS

For the purpose of preparing and presenting the Historical Financial Information for the Relevant Periods, the Combined Group has consistently applied HKFRSs (which include all Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards, Hong Kong Accounting Standards (‘‘HKASs’’), amendments and interpretations) issued by HKICPA that are effective for the accounting period beginning on 1 April 2019 throughout the Relevant Periods except that the Combined Group adopted HKFRS 9 ‘‘Financial Instruments’’ since 1 April 2018, applied HKAS 39 ‘‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’’ for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 and adopted HKFRS 16 ‘‘Leases’’ on 1 April 2019. Specifically, the Combined Group has adopted HKFRS 15 ‘‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’’ on a consistent basis throughout the Relevant Periods. The accounting policies for financial instruments under HKFRS 9 and HKAS 39 are set out in note 4 below.

HKFRS 9 ‘‘Financial Instruments’’ and the related amendments

Since 1 April 2018, the Combined Group has applied HKFRS 9 and the related consequential amendments to other HKFRSs. HKFRS 9 introduces new requirements for 1) the classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, 2) expected credit losses (‘‘ECL’’) for financial assets and 3) general hedge accounting.

The Combined Group has applied HKFRS 9 in accordance with the transition provisions set out in HKFRS 9, i.e. applied the classification and measurement requirements (including impairment under ECL model) retrospectively to instruments that have not been derecognised as at 1 April 2018 (date of initial application) and has not applied the requirements to instruments that have already been derecognised as at 1 April 2018. The difference between carrying amounts as at 31 March 2018 and the carrying amounts as at 1 April 2018 are recognised in the opening accumulated profits and other components of equity, without restating comparative information.

Accordingly, certain comparative information may not be comparable as comparative information was prepared under HKAS 39 ‘‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’’.

– II-15 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Summary of effects arising from initial application of HKFRS 9

(a) Classification and measurement of financial assets

The management of the Combined Group reviewed and assessed the Combined Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities as at 1 April 2018 based on the facts and circumstances that existed at that date. All financial assets previously classified as loans and receivables are now classified as financial assets at amortised cost or financial assets at FVTPL. There is no material impact on the measurement on the Combined Group’s financial assets as at 1 April 2018.

(b) Impairment under ECL model

As at 1 April 2018, the management of the Combined Group reviewed and assessed the Combined Group’s existing financial assets for impairment using reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort in accordance with the requirements of HKFRS 9. Accounting policies resulting from application of HKFRS 9 are disclosed in note 4.

The Combined Group has applied the HKFRS 9 simplified approach to measure ECL using a lifetime ECL for trade and bills receivables (including trade receivables, trade receivables from fellow subsidiaries and bills receivables). To measure the ECL, the Combined Group assessed individually for trade and bills receivables. ECL for other financial assets at amortised cost, including other receivables, rental deposits, amount from ultimate holding company, deposit for life insurance, pledged bank deposits and bank balances, are assessed on 12-month ECL (‘‘12m ECL’’) basis as there had been no significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition.

For financial guarantees provided to the ultimate holding company of HK$242,529,000 and HK$301,245,000 as at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Combined Group considers there has been no significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition and hence the loss allowance is assessed on 12m ECL basis. As at 1 April 2018, the management of the Combined Group reviewed and assessed the Combined Group’s existing financial assets and the financial guarantees for impairment using reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort in accordance with the requirements of HKFRS 9. No additional impairment allowance was recognised at 1 April 2018.

(c) Financial assets designated as at FVTPL

At the date of initial application of HKFRS 9, deposit and prepayments for a life insurance policy of HK$5,448,000 has been classified as financial assets at FVTPL as these financial assets have contractual right to cash flows that do not represent contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. The fair value change related as at 1 April 2018 was insignificant and no adjustment was made to the opening accumulated profits.

HKFRS 16 ‘‘Leases’’

The Combined Group has applied HKFRS 16 ‘‘Leases’’ on 1 April 2019. HKFRS 16 introduces a comprehensive model for the identification of lease arrangements and accounting treatments for both lessors and lessees. HKFRS 16 will supersede HKAS 17 ‘‘Leases’’ and the related interpretation when it becomes effective. HKFRS 16 distinguishes lease and service contracts on the basis of whether an identified asset is controlled by a customer. In addition, HKFRS 16 requires sales and leaseback transactions to be determined based on the requirements of HKFRS 15 as to whether the transfer of the relevant asset should be accounted as a sale. HKFRS 16 also includes requirements relating to subleases and lease modifications.

– II-16 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The Combined Group has elected the practical expedient to apply HKFRS 16 to contracts that were previously identified as leases applying HKAS 17 and HK(IFRIC)–Int 4 ‘‘Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease’’ and not apply this standard to contracts that were not previously identified as containing a lease applying HKAS 17 and HK(IFRIC)-Int 4. Therefore, the Combined Group has not reassess whether the contracts are, or contain a lease which already existed prior to the date of initial application. Furthermore, the Combined Group has elected the modified retrospective approach for the application of HKFRS 16 as lessee and recognise the right-of-use asset at an amount equal to lease liabilities without restating comparative information.

Details of these new requirements are described in note 4.

Upon the application of HKFRS 16, the Combined Group recognises the right-of-use asset of HK$1,720,000 on 1 April 2019 at an amount equal to the lease liability, which is measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application, and adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognised in the combined statement of financial position immediately before the date of initial application.

When measuring lease liabilities, the Combined Group discounted lease payments using its incremental borrowing rate at 1 April 2019. The incremental borrowing rate applied is 4.75%.

Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 March 2019
Less: Practical expedient — leases with lease term ending within 12 months from the
date of initial application
Lease liabilities discounted at relevant incremental borrowing rate as at 1 April 2019
Analysed as:
Current
Non-current
At 1 April
2019
HK$’000
2,694
831
1,863
1,720
573
1,147
1,720

The carrying amount of right-of-use assets for own use as at 1 April 2019 comprises the following:

Right-of-use assets relating to operating leases recognised
upon application of HKFRS 16
Reclassified from prepaid lease payments (Note a)
Adjustments on rental deposits at 1 April 2019 (Note b)
By class:
Leasehold land
Leasehold properties
Right-of-use
assets
HK$’000
1,720
11,545
9
13,274
11,545
1,729
13,274

– II-17 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The following adjustments were made to the amounts recognised in the combined statement of financial position at 1 April 2019. Line items that were not affected by the changes have not been included.

Carrying Carrying
amounts amounts
previously under
reported at HKFRS 16 at
31 March 1 April
2019 Adjustments 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Non-current assets
Prepaid lease payments (Note a) 11,038 (11,038)
Right-of-use assets (Notes a and b) 13,274 13,274
Rental deposits (Note b) 129 (9) 120
Current assets
Prepaid lease payments (Note a) 507 (507)
Current liabilities
Lease liabilities (573) (573)
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities (1,147) (1,147)

Notes:

  • (a) Upfront payments for leasehold lands in the PRC for own used properties were classified as prepaid lease payments as at 31 March 2019. Upon application of HKFRS 16, the current and non-current portion of prepaid lease payments amounting to HK$507,000 and HK$11,038,000 respectively were reclassified to right-of-use assets.

  • (b) Before the application of HKFRS 16, the Combined Group considered refundable rental deposits paid as rights and obligations under leases to which HKAS 17 applied. Based on the definition of lease payments under HKFRS 16, such deposits are not payments relating to the right to use of the underlying assets and were adjusted to reflect the discounting effect at transition. Accordingly, HK$9,000 was adjusted to refundable rental deposits paid and right-of-use assets.

The transition to HKFRS 16 resulted in no material impact on accumulated profits at 1 April 2019.

New and amendments HKFRSs in issue but not yet effective

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

HKFRS 17 Insurance Contracts[1] Amendments to HKFRS 3 Definition of a Business[2] Amendments to HKFRS 10 and HKAS 28 Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture[3] Amendments to HKAS 1 and HKAS 8 Definition of Material[4]

Amendments to HKAS 1 and HKAS 8 Definition of Material Amendments to HKFRS 9, HKAS 39 and Interest Rate Benchmark Reform[4] HKFRS 7

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

  • 2 Effective for business combinations and asset acquisitions for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2020.

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

  • 4 Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020.

– II-18 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

In addition to the above new and amendments to HKFRSs, a revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting was issued in 2018. Its consequential amendments, the Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in HKFRS Standards, will be effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020.

Except for the new HKFRS mentioned below, the management of the Combined Group anticipate that the application of all other new and amendments to HKFRSs and interpretation will have no material impact on the financial statements of the Combined Group in the foreseeable future.

Amendments to HKFRS 3 Definition of a Business

The amendments:

  • . add an optional concentration test that permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. The election on whether to apply the optional concentration test is available on transaction-by-transaction basis;

  • . clarify that to be considered a business, an acquired set of activities and assets must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs; and

  • . narrow the definitions of a business and of outputs by focusing on goods and services provided to customers and by removing the reference to an ability to reduce costs.

The amendments are applied prospectively to all business combinations and asset acquisitions for which the acquisition date is on or after the first annual reporting period beginning on or after 1 January 2020, with early application permitted. The application of the amendments is not expected to have significant impact on the financial position and performance of the Combined Group but may affect the presentation and disclosures in the financial statements.

Amendments to HKAS 1 and HKAS 8 Definition of Material

The amendments provide refinements to the definition of material by including additional guidance and explanations in making materiality judgments. In particular, the amendments:

  • . include the concept of ‘‘obscuring’’ material information in which the effect is similar to omitting or misstating the information;

  • . replace threshold for materiality influencing users from ‘‘could influence’’ to ‘‘could reasonably be expected to influence’’; and

  • . include the use of the phrase ‘‘primary users’’ rather than simply referring to ‘‘users’’ which was considered too broad when deciding what information to disclose in the financial statements.

The amendments also align the definition across all HKFRSs and will be mandatorily effective for the Combined Group’s annual period beginning on 1 January 2020. The application of the amendments is not expected to have significant impact on the financial position and performance of the Combined Group but may affect the presentation and disclosures in the financial statements.

– II-19 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 2018 (the ‘‘New Framework’’) and the Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in HKFRS Standards

The New Framework:

  • . reintroduces the terms stewardship and prudence;

  • . introduces a new asset definition that focuses on rights and a new liability definition that is likely to be broader than the definition it replaces, but does not change the distinction between a liability and an equity instrument;

  • . discusses historical cost and current value measures, and provides additional guidance on how to select a measurement basis for a particular asset or liability;

  • . states that the primary measure of financial performance is profit or loss, and that only in exceptional circumstances other comprehensive income will be used and only for income or expenses that arise from a change in the current value of an asset or liability; and

  • . discusses uncertainty, derecognition, unit of account, the reporting entity and combined financial statements.

Consequential amendments have been made so that references in certain HKFRSs have been updated to the New Framework, whilst some HKFRSs are still referred to the previous versions of the framework. These amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020, with earlier application permitted. Other than specific standards which still refer to the previous versions of the framework, the Combined Group will rely on the New Framework on its effective date in determining the accounting policies especially for transactions, events or conditions that are not otherwise dealt with under the accounting standards.

4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Historical Financial Information have been prepared on the historical cost basis and in accordance with HKFRSs issued by the HKICPA. In addition, the Historical Financial Information include applicable disclosures required by the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the ‘‘Stock Exchange’’) and by the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

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 Combined Group takes into account the characteristics of the asset or liability if the 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 the Historical Financial Information is determined on such basis, except for share-based payment transactions that are within the scope of HKFRS 2 ‘‘Share-based Payments’’, leasing transactions that are accounted for in accordance with HKFRS 16 (since 1 April 2019) or HKAS 17 ‘‘Leases’’ (before application of 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’’.

– II-20 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

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:

Basis of combination

The Historical Financial Information incorporates the financial statements of the Target Company and entities controlled by the Target Company (its subsidiaries). Control is achieved when the Target 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 Combined 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.

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

Profit or loss and each item of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the Combined Group and to the non-controlling interest. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Combined Group and to the non-controlling interest even if this results in the noncontrolling interest having a deficit balance.

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

All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Combined Group are eliminated in full on combination.

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

– II-21 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Merger accounting for business combination involving entities under common control

The Historical Financial Information incorporates the financial statements items of the combining entities or businesses in which the common control combination occurs as if they had been combined from the date when the combining entities or businesses first came under the control of the controlling party. The net assets of the combining entities or businesses are combined using the existing book values from the controlling party’s perspective. No amount is recognised in respect of goodwill or bargain purchase gain at the time of common control combination.

The combined statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income includes the results of each of the combining entities or businesses from the earliest date presented or since the date when the combining entities or businesses first came under the common control, where this is a shorter period.

Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries are included in the Target Company’s statements of financial position at cost less any identified impairment loss.

Revenue from contracts with customers

The Combined 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 Combined Group’s performance as the Combined Group performs;

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

  • . the Combined Group’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Combined Group and the Combined 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.

A contract liability represents the Combined Group’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Combined Group has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer.

A point in time revenue recognition

The revenue of the Combined Group is recognised at a point in time. Under the transfer-of-control approach in HKFRS 15, revenue from sales of goods to the Combined Group’s customers in connection with the production of networking cables are recognised when the goods are physically passed to the customers, which is the point of time when the customer has the ability to direct the use of the goods and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the goods upon customer acceptance.

– II-22 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment including buildings held for use in production of goods, or for administrative purpose are stated in the combined statements of financial position at cost less subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Ownership interests in leasehold land and building

When the Combined Group makes payments for a property interest which includes both leasehold land and building elements. Specifically, the entire consideration (including any lump-sum upfront payments) is allocated between the leasehold land and the building elements in proportion to the relative fair values at initial recognition.

To the extent the allocation of the relevant payments can be made reliably, interest in leasehold land is presented as ‘‘right-of-use assets’’ (upon application of HKFRS 16) or ‘‘prepaid lease payments’’ (before application of HKFRS 16) in the combined statements of financial position and is amortised over the lease term on a straight-line basis. When the consideration cannot be allocated reliably between non-lease building element and undivided interest in the underlying leasehold land, the entire property is generally classified as property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of items of assets less their residual values over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method or reducing balance 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.

Leases

Definition of a lease (upon application of HKFRS 16 in accordance with transitions in note 3)

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 or arising from business combinations on or after the date of initial application, the Combined 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 Combined Group as a lessee (upon application of HKFRS 16 in accordance with transitions in note 3)

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 Combined 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 nonlease components.

Short-term leases

The Combined Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to leases of warehouse and staff quarter 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.

– II-23 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

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;

  • . any initial direct costs incurred by the Combined Group; and

  • . an estimate of costs to be incurred by the Combined Group in dismantling and removing the underlying assets, restoring the site on which it is located or restoring the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease.

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 in which the Combined Group is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the underlying leased assets at the end of the lease term are depreciated from commencement date to the end of the useful life. Otherwise, right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated useful life and the lease term.

The Combined Group presents right-of-use assets as a separate line item on the combined 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 Combined 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;

  • . variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;

  • . amounts expected to be payable by the Combined Group under residual value guarantees;

  • . the exercise price of a purchase option if the Combined Group is reasonably certain to exercise the option; and

  • . payments of penalties for terminating a lease, if the lease term reflects the Combined Group exercising an option to terminate the lease.

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

– II-24 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The Combined Group remeasures lease liabilities (and makes a corresponding adjustment to the related right-of-use assets) whenever:

  • . the lease term has changed or there is a change in the assessment of exercise of a purchase option, in which case the related lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate at the date of reassessment.

  • . the lease payments change due to changes in market rental rates following a market rent review in which cases the related lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using the initial discount rate.

The Combined Group presents lease liabilities as a separate line item on the combined statements of financial position.

The Combined Group as a lessee (prior to 1 April 2019)

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Government grants

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

Government grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or for the purpose of giving immediate financial support to the Combined Group with no future related costs are recognised in profit or loss in the Relevant Periods in which they become receivable.

Research and development expenditure

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the Relevant Periods in which it is incurred.

An internally-generated intangible asset arising from development activities (or from the development phase of an internal project) is recognised if, and only if, all of the following have been demonstrated:

  • . the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;

  • . the intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;

  • . the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

  • . how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;

  • . the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset; and

  • . the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

The amount initially recognised for internally-generated intangible asset is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria listed above. Where no internally-generated intangible asset can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it is incurred.

– II-25 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Subsequent to initial recognition, internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses (if any), on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for inventories less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale.

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 marketplace.

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. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial assets 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.

Financial assets

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets (upon application of HKFRS 9 in accordance with transitions in note 3)

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 selling; 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 the date of initial application of HKFRS 9 initial recognition of a financial asset the Combined Group may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in fair value of an equity investment in other comprehensive income 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.

– II-26 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

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 Combined 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.

In addition, the Combined 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.

Amortised cost and interest income

Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method for financial assets measured subsequently at amortised cost. 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 creditimpaired. 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.

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 includes interest earned but excludes any dividend earned on the financial asset and is included in the other gains and losses line item.

Impairment of financial assets (upon application HKFRS 9 with transitions in accordance with note 3)

The Combined Group performs impairment assessment under ECL model on financial assets which are subject to impairment under HKFRS 9 (including trade and other receivables, amount due from ultimate holding company, pledged bank deposits and bank balances) and other items (financial guarantee contracts) which are subject to impairment 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, 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 Combined 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 Combined Group always recognises lifetime ECL for trade receivables. The ECL on these assets is assessed individually.

For all other instruments, the Combined Group measures the loss allowance equal to 12m ECL, unless when there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, the Combined 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.

– II-27 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

(i) Significant increase in credit risk

In assessing whether the credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition, the Combined 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 Combined 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.

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

The Combined 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 Combined 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 Combined Group, in full.

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

– II-28 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

(iii) Credit-impaired financial assets

A financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events of default 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:

  • (a) significant financial difficulty of the issuer or the borrower;

  • (b) a breach of contract, such as a default or past due event;

  • (c) 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;

  • (d) it is becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation;

  • (e) the disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties; or

  • (f) the purchase or origination of a financial asset at a deep discount that reflects the incurred credit losses.

(iv) Write-off policy

The Combined 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 one year past due, whichever occurs sooner. Financial assets written off may still be subject to enforcement activities under the Combined 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.

  • (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 by 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 Combined Group in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Combined Group expects to receive, discounted at the effective interest rate determined at initial recognition.

For a financial guarantee contract, the Combined Group is required to make payments only in the event of a default by the debtor in accordance with the terms of the instrument that is guaranteed. Accordingly, the expected losses is the present value of the expected payments to reimburse the holder for a credit loss that it incurs less any amounts that the Combined Group expects to receive from the holder, the debtor or any other party.

For ECL on financial guarantee contracts for which the effective interest rate cannot be determined, the Combined Group will apply a discount rate that reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks that are specific to the cash flows but only if, and to the extent that, the risks are taken into account by adjusting the discount rate instead of adjusting the cash shortfalls being discounted.

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.

– II-29 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

For financial guarantee contracts, the loss allowances are recognised at the higher of the amount of the loss allowance determined in accordance with HKFRS 9; and the amount initially recognised less, where appropriate, cumulative amount of income recognised over the guarantee period.

Except for financial guarantee contracts, the Combined Group recognises an impairment gain or loss in profit or loss for all financial instruments by adjusting their carrying amount, with the exception of trade receivables where the corresponding adjustment is recognised through a loss allowance account.

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets (before application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018)

Financial assets are classified as loans and receivables. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables (including trade and other receivables, deposit and prepayments for a life insurance policy, pledged bank deposits and bank balances and cash) are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment (see accounting policy on impairment loss of financial assets below).

Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables where the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

Deposit and prepayments for a life insurance policy (before application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018)

The life insurance policy (the ‘‘Policy’’) exposes the insurer to significant insurance risk. The Policy is initially recognised at the gross premium paid at inception of the Policy and are subsequently measured at the account value of the Policy (the ‘‘Account Value’’). Account value is the cash value net of surrender charge. Changes to the Account Value at the end of each reporting period (representing imputed interest income after deducting the annual cost of insurance and other applicable charges) are recognised in profit or loss. In the event of death of the insured person, the surrender of the Policy, or the Policy matures, the Policy will be derecognised and any resulting gain or loss will be recognised in profit or loss.

Impairment of financial assets (before application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018)

Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial assets, the estimate future cash flows of the financial assets have been affected.

Objective evidence of impairment could include:

  • . significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or

  • . breach of contract, such as default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or

  • . it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organisation.

For certain categories of financial assets, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence of impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the Combined Group’s past experience of collecting payments, an increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit period, observable changes in national or local economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of impairment loss recognised is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

– II-30 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The carrying amount of the financial assets is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognised in profit or loss. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to profit or loss.

For financial assets measured at amortised cost, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset at the date of the impairment loss is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments

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 Target Company are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Financial liabilities including trade and other payables, amount due to a fellow subsidiary/ultimate holding company and unsecured bank borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.

Financial guarantee contracts

A financial guarantee contract is a contract that requires the issuer to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance with the terms of a debt instrument.

Financial guarantee contracts are initially measured at their fair values and are subsequently measured at the higher of:

  • (i) the amount of obligation under the contract, as determined in accordance with HKFRS 9 (since 1 April 2018) or HKAS 37 ‘‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets’’ (before application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018); and

  • (ii) the amount initially recognised less, when appropriate, cumulative amortisation recognised over the guarantee period.

– II-31 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Derecognition

The Combined 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.

On derecognition of a financial asset 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.

The Combined Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Combined 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.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date when derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the end of the reporting period. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designed and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

Impairment loss on assets other than financial assets

At the end of the reporting period, the Combined Group reviews the carrying amounts of its assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the assets is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any.

The recoverable amount of assets are estimated individually. When it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Combined Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. In addition, the Combined Group assesses whether there is indication that corporate assets may be impaired. If such indication exists, corporate assets are allocated to individual cash-generating units, when a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.

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.

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 Combined Group compares the carrying amount of a group of cashgenerating 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. An impairment loss its recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or a cash-generating unit or a group of cash-generating units) is increased to 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 in profit or loss immediately.

– II-32 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

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 recorded in the respective functional currency (i.e. the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates) at the rates of exchanges prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date. 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 each of the reporting period in which they arise.

For the purposes of presenting the Historical Financial Information, the assets and liabilities of the Target Company’s foreign operations are translated into the presentation currency of the Target Company (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 year/period. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity under the heading of translation reserve (attributed to non-controlling interest as appropriate).

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Combined Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Combined 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 each 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).

Borrowing costs

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

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

Retirement benefits costs

Payments to government-managed retirement benefits schemes and the Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme are recognised as an expense when employees have rendered service entitling them to the contributions.

Short-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) after deducting any amount already paid.

– II-33 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Taxation

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

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year/period. Taxable profit differs from ‘‘profit before taxation’’ as reported in the combined statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Combined Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of each reporting period.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the Historical Financial Information and the corresponding tax base 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 assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, except where the Combined 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 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.

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 each reporting period.

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

For leasing transactions in which the tax deductions are attributable to the lease liabilities, the Combined 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. Temparary differences arising from subsequent revision to 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.

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 by the same taxation authority.

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

– II-34 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

5. KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

In the application of the Combined Group’s accounting policies, which are described in Note 4, the management of the Combined Group are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated 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.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

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

Impairment assessment of trade receivables

Before the application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018, in determining the recoverability of the trade receivables, the Combined Group monitors change in the credit quality of the trade receivables since the credit was granted and up to the end of each reporting period.

As at 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018, the carrying amounts of trade receivables are HK$461,869,000 and HK$492,598,000 respectively. Details of trade receivables are set out in note 20. No loss allowance was recognised during the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018.

The information about the impairment assessment are disclosed in note 20.

Upon application of HKFRS 9, the management of the Combined Group estimates the amount of lifetime ECL of trade receivables (including trade and bills receivables and trade receivables from fellow subsidiaries) based on individual assessment, after considering the financial background and the historical settlement records, including the past due dates and default rates of each trade receivable. Estimated loss rates are based on historical observed default rates over the expected life of the debtors and are adjusted for forward-looking information. At every reporting date, the default rates are reassessed and changes in the forward-looking information are considered.

The provision of ECL is sensitive to changes in estimates. As at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the carrying amounts of trade receivables are HK$500,801,000 and HK$374,318,000 and no loss allowance was recognised during the year ended 31 March 2019, six months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited) and 30 September 2019. The information about the impairment assessment of ECL on the Combined Group’s trade receivables are disclosed in notes 20 and 36.

Assessment of the net realisable value of inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable values. The management of the Combined Group is required to exercise judgement in estimating the net realisable value with reference to the ageing analysis of inventories and recent or subsequent usages or sales of inventories. Where the expectation on net realisable value is lower than the cost for certain items, a write down of inventories may arise.

As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the carrying amounts of inventories are HK$172,274,000, HK$280,504,000, HK$241,318,000 and HK$205,320,000. During the years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited) and 30 September 2019, no obsolete inventories are written off.

– II-35 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment

The Combined Group’s management determines the estimated useful lives and related depreciation charges for its property, plant and equipment as disclosed in note 16. These estimates are based on the historical experience of the actual useful lives of property, plant and equipment of similar nature and functions.

Management will increase the depreciation charge where useful lives are expected to be shorter than estimated, or it will write-off or write-down obsolete assets that have been abandoned or sold. Change in these estimations may have a material impact on the results of the Combined Group.

6. REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

Revenue represents the fair value of amounts received and receivable by the Combined Group in respect of the manufacturing and sales of Lan cable products during the years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019. For the purposes of resources allocation and performance assessment, the chief operating decision maker (i.e. the management of the Combined Group) reviews the overall results and financial position of the Combined Group as a whole prepared based on same accounting policies as set out in note 4. Accordingly, the Combined Group has only one single operating segment and no further analysis of this single segment is presented.

The revenue of the Combined Group derives from manufacturing and sales of Lan cable products. The Combined Group’s revenue is fixed price and short term contracts.

All the revenue of the Combined Group is recognised at a point in time. Under the transfer-of-control approach in HKFRS 15, revenue from sales of goods to the Combined Group’s customers in connection with the production of Lan cable products are recognised when the goods are physically passed to the customers, which is the point of time when the customer has the ability to direct the use of the goods and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the goods upon customer acceptance.

All sales contracts are for periods of one year or less. As permitted under HKFRS 15, the transaction price allocated to these unsatisfied contracts is not disclosed.

Segment information

Revenue from its major products

The following is an analysis of the Combined Group’s revenue by products:

Cat 6/6A cables
Cat 5/5e cables
Cat 7/7A cables
Others
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
913,840
1,001,464
1,035,780
295,555
310,217
256,605
43,965
91,462
264,176
74,938
95,554
119,996
1,328,298
1,498,697
1,676,557
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
508,009
476,538
136,713
120,826
190,876
88,375
58,521
49,601
894,119
735,340
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
508,009
476,538
136,713
120,826
190,876
88,375
58,521
49,601
894,119
735,340
735,340

– II-36 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Geographical information

Information about the Combined Group’s revenue from external customers presented based on the geographic location of the operations of the customers is as follows:

PRC
Singapore
Hong Kong
India
The United States of
America
United Kingdom
Others
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
565,716
714,902
879,199
139,953
167,776
185,452
135,263
182,227
175,334
104,672
44,079
25,547
90,663
90,812
85,039
76,919
96,266
129,516
215,112
202,635
196,470
1,328,298
1,498,697
1,676,557
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
487,198
384,194
83,924
72,498
92,644
77,563
14,706
8,004
41,498
50,505
64,098
67,350
110,051
75,226
894,119
735,340
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
487,198
384,194
83,924
72,498
92,644
77,563
14,706
8,004
41,498
50,505
64,098
67,350
110,051
75,226
894,119
735,340
735,340

Information about the Combined Group’s non-current assets (excluding rental deposits, other receivable, deposit and prepayments for a life insurance policy and financial assets at FVTPL) is presented based on the geographical location of the assets:

PRC
Hong Kong
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
587,602
678,570
582,502
24,179
7,533
6,857
611,781
686,103
589,359
Six months
ended 30
September
2019
HK$’000
495,257
6,629
501,886

Information about major customers

Revenues from customers of the corresponding years/periods contributing over 10% of the total revenue of the Combined Group during the Relevant Periods are as follows:

Customer A
Customer B
Customer C
Customer D
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
414,312
560,218
540,640
263,124
305,333
399,570
192,635
N/A
N/A

137,262
N/A
N/A
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
260,315
243,868
188,153
173,859
N/A
N/A

N/A
N/A
  • The corresponding revenue did not contribute over 10% of the total revenue of the Combined Group for the respective year/period.

– II-37 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

7. OTHER INCOME

Bank interest income
Imputed interest income from
deposits and prepayments for
a life insurance policy
Government grants (note)
Others
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
294
332
270
688
174

986
3,583
3,053
250
299
345
2,218
4,388
3,668
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
130
161



174
51
89
181
424
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
130
161



174
51
89
181
424
424

Note: Government grant represent export and other incentive payment received by the Combined Group from relevant government departments. There is no unfulfilled conditions attached to these grants.

8. OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES

Net foreign exchange gain (loss)
(Loss) gain on disposal/write off
of property, plant and
equipment
Fair value loss on foreign
currency forward contracts
Gain on change in fair value of
financial assets at FVTPL
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
5,870
(5,567)
953
(2,470)
(86)
252
(1,450)




182
1,950
(5,653)
1,387
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
5,032
11,611
(49)



89
98
5,072
11,709
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
5,032
11,611
(49)



89
98
5,072
11,709
11,709

9. FINANCE COSTS

Interest on bank overdrafts and
bank borrowings
Interest on lease liabilities
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
30,401
42,143
63,064



30,401
42,143
63,064
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
29,851
32,413

40
29,851
32,453
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
29,851
32,413

40
29,851
32,453
32,453

– II-38 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

10. PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

Continuing operation
Profit before taxation has been
arrived at after charging:
Directors’ emoluments (note 11)
Other staff costs
Retirement benefits schemes
contributions for other staff
Total staff costs
Less: included in cost of goods
sold
Less: included in research and
development expenses
Depreciation of property,
plant and equipment (note 16)
Depreciation of right-of-use
assets (note 17)
Less: included in cost of goods
sold
Amortisation of life insurance
expenses
Amortisation of prepaid lease
payment (note 18)
Auditor’s remuneration
Cost of inventories recognised as
an expense
Operating lease rental in respect
of rented premises
Short-term leases expense
Research and development
expenses
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000



78,859
82,782
106,645
6,875
9,579
11,696
85,734
92,361
118,341
(62,205)
(67,640)
(77,745)
(2,211)
(2,390)
(4,043)
21,318
22,331
36,553
34,785
33,184
35,223



(30,816)
(28,993)
(31,432)
3,969
4,191
3,791
184
38

516
511
509
846
811
754
1,131,447
1,287,182
1,447,539
3,353
3,854
2,895



14,211
15,511
19,761
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)


54,912
52,134
5,719
6,104
60,631
58,238
(40,541)
(37,817)
(2,075)
(2,158)
18,015
18,263
18,142
16,573

564
(16,034)
(15,180)
2,108
1,957


259

380
373
771,545
628,747
1,377


1,348
9,577
14,262

– II-39 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

11. DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND EMPLOYEES ‘ EMOLUMENTS

(a) Directors’ and executive’s emoluments

The emoluments were paid or payable to these directors of the Target Company (including emoluments for services as employees/directors of the group entities prior to becoming directors of the Target Company) by the entities comprising the Combined Group during the Relevant Periods are as follows:

For the year ended 31 March 2017

Directors
Lo Chung Wai, Paul
Sy Yuk Tsan
Ho Chun Chung, Patrick
Cua Tin Yin, Simon
Fees
HK$’000




Salaries and
allowance
HK$’000




Performance
related
incentive
payments
HK$’000




Retirement
benefits
scheme
contributions
HK$’000




Total
HK$’000



For the year ended 31 March 2018

Directors
Lo Chung Wai, Paul
Sy Yuk Tsan
Ho Chun Chung, Patrick
Cua Tin Yin, Simon
Fees
HK$’000




Salaries and
allowance
HK$’000




Performance
related
incentive
payments
HK$’000




Retirement
benefits
scheme
contributions
HK$’000




Total
HK$’000



For the year ended 31 March 2019

Directors
Lo Chung Wai, Paul
Sy Yuk Tsan
Ho Chun Chung, Patrick
Cua Tin Yin, Simon
(resigned on 2 May 2018)
Fees
HK$’000




Salaries and
allowance
HK$’000




Performance
related
incentive
payments
HK$’000




Retirement
benefits
scheme
contributions
HK$’000




Total
HK$’000



– II-40 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

For the six months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited)

Directors
Lo Chung Wai, Paul
Sy Yuk Tsan
Ho Chun Chung, Patrick
Cua Tin Yin, Simon
(resigned on 2 May 2018)
Fees
HK$’000




Salaries and
allowance
HK$’000




Performance
related
incentive
payments
HK$’000




Retirement
benefits
scheme
contributions
HK$’000




Total
HK$’000



For the six months ended 30 September 2019

Performance Retirement
related benefits
Salaries and incentive scheme
Fees allowance payments contributions Total
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
Directors
Lo Chung Wai, Paul
Sy Yuk Tsan
Ho Chun Chung, Patrick
(resigned on 1 July 2019)

Certain directors of the Combined Group are also directors of the ultimate holding company and received their emoluments from ultimate holding company for the years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018 and 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited) and 30 September 2019.

The directors’ emoluments shown above were for their services in connection with the management of the affairs of the Combined Group and the Target Company.

– II-41 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

(b) Employees’ emoluments

Of the five individuals with the highest emoluments in the Combined Group, none was directors of the Target Company for the years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited) and 30 September 2019 whose emoluments are included in the disclosures above. The emoluments of the five highest paid employees who are neither a director nor the chief executive of the Target Company are as follows:

Salaries and allowance
Performance related
incentive payments
Retirement benefits
scheme contributions
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
2,692
2,901
5,271
669
712
1,704
294
319
198
3,655
3,932
7,173
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
2,646
2,696
855
882
100
102
3,601
3,680
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
2,646
2,696
855
882
100
102
3,601
3,680
3,680

The performance related bonus are determined with reference to the operating results and individual performance during the Relevant Periods.

The number of the highest paid employees who are not directors of the Target Company whose remuneration fell within the following bands is as follows:

Nil to HK$1,000,000
HK$1,000,001 to
HK$1,500,000
HK$1,500,001 to
HK$2,000,000
HK$2,500,001 to
HK$3,000,000
Number of individuals
Year ended 31 March
Six months ended
30 September
2017
2018
2019
2018
2019
(unaudited)
5
5
2
4
4


1
1
1


1




1


5
5
5
5
5
Number of individuals
Year ended 31 March
Six months ended
30 September
2017
2018
2019
2018
2019
(unaudited)
5
5
2
4
4


1
1
1


1




1


5
5
5
5
5
5

Certain employees of the Combined Group are also employees of the ultimate holding company and received their emoluments for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018. Such amounts are reimbursed through charge of management fee to the Combined Group by the ultimate holding company, as disclosed in note 39.

During the Relevant Periods, no emoluments were paid by the Combined Group to the directors of the Target Company or the five highest paid individuals (including directors, chief executive and employees), as an inducement to join or upon joining the Combined Group or as compensation for loss in office. None of the directors of the Target Company waived any emoluments during the Relevant Periods.

– II-42 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

12. TAXATION

Hong Kong Profits Tax
Current tax
PRC Enterprise Income Tax
(‘‘EIT’’)
Current tax
Overprovision in respect of
prior years
Withholding tax
Deferred tax (note 28)
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
1,093
1,530
1,596
9,133
6,425
7,274
(459)
(315)
(390)


3,654
9,767
7,640
12,134
508
2,031
870
10,275
9,671
13,004
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
729
395
5,943
3,356


3,654

10,326
3,751
100
313
10,426
4,064
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
729
395
5,943
3,356


3,654

10,326
3,751
100
313
10,426
4,064
3,751
313
4,064

Hong Kong Profits Tax is calculated at 16.5% of the estimated assessable profits of subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong for the Relevant Periods.

Under the Law of the PRC on EIT (the ‘‘EIT Law’’) and Implementation Regulation of the EIT Law, the tax rate of the PRC subsidiaries is 25% for the Relevant Periods. The withholding tax is charged at 10% of dividend income received from subsidiaries incorporated in PRC for the year ended 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018.

Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, one entity of the Combined Group operating in the PRC was awarded the Advanced-Technology Enterprise Certificate and is eligible for tax concessionary rate of 15% for the years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019. Since 1 January 2019, another two entities operating in the PRC are qualified as small and micro enterprises and are entitled to a reduced EIT rate of 20% on 25% of its first RMB 1 million taxable income. For the portion over first RMB 1 million and up to RMB 3 million, only 50% of the taxable income would be taxed at a reduced EIT rate of 20%.

According to relevant laws and regulations promulgated by the State Tax Bureau of the PRC that was effective from 2008 onwards, enterprises engaging in research and development activities are entitled to claim an additional 50%, 50%, 75%, 75% and 75% for the years ended 31 December 2017, 31 December 2018, 31 December 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019 respectively of their research and development expense so incurred as tax deductible expenses when determining their assessable profits for the respective year/period (‘‘Super Deduction’’). The Combined Group has made its best estimate for the Super Deduction to be claimed for the Combined Group’s entities in ascertaining their assessable profits for the respective year/period ended.

– II-43 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Taxation for the Relevant Periods can be reconciled to the profit before taxation per the combined statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as follows:

Profit before taxation
Tax charge at Hong Kong Profits
Tax at 16.5%
Tax effect of expenses not
deductible for tax purposes
Tax effect of income not taxable
for tax purposes
Effect of tax concessions
Effect of different tax rates of
subsidiaries in jurisdiction
other than Hong Kong
Effect of deductible temporary
difference not recognised
Utilisation of deductible
temporary difference
previously not recognised
Overprovision in respect of prior
years
Super Deduction for research and
development expenses
Effect of withholding tax on
dividend income from PRC
subsidiaries
Others
Taxation for the year/period
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
51,887
43,257
56,957
8,561
7,137
9,398
532
880
438
(114)
(42)
(343)
(255)
(215)
(319)
2,096
1,342
1,595

791

(319)

(451)
(459)
(315)
(390)
(339)
(530)
(746)


3,654
572
623
168
10,275
9,671
13,004
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
41,348
26,725
6,822
4,410
223
165
(21)
(218)
(289)
(86)
1,055
699


(249)
(453)


(403)
(302)
3,654

(366)
(151)
10,426
4,064

13. DISCONTINUED OPERATION

The discontinued operation represented leasing of LED indicators panels.

On 22 March 2017, the management considered deterioration of the LED indicator panels and an amount of HK$10,756,000 was written off during the year ended 31 March 2017. The write-off was recognised during the year ended 31 March 2017.

– II-44 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The loss for the year from the discontinued leasing LED panels operation is set out below.

Rental income
Administrative expenses
Loss on write off of property, plant and equipment
Loss for the year
Loss for the year from discontinued operations has been arrived at after charging:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Loss on write off of property, plant and equipment
Auditors’ remuneration
Year ended
31 March
2017
HK$’000
1,130
(5,040)
(10,756)
(14,666)
Year ended
31 March
2017
HK$’000
4,964
10,756
30

No tax charge or credit arose on loss on discontinuance of the operations:

During the year ended 31 March 2017, the discontinued operation contributed HK$2,527,000 to the Combined Group’s net operating cash inflows and paid HK$2,503,000 in respect of financing activities.

14. EARNINGS PER SHARE

No earnings per share information is presented as its inclusion, for the purpose of this report, is not considered meaningful with regard to the Combined Group Reorganisation and the results for the Relevant Periods that is on a combined basis as set out in note 2.

15. DIVIDENDS

During the year ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019, Linkz International Limited declared dividends of nil, HK$50,000,000, nil, nil (unaudited) and nil, respectively, and Hover Manufacturing Company Limited declared dividends of and nil, HK$48,000,000, nil, nil (unaudited) and nil, respectively, to their shareholder. The rate of dividends and numbers of shares ranking for the dividends are not presented as such information is not considered meaningful having regard to the purpose of this report.

During the year ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 and six months periods ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019, Linkz Industries (Shanghai) Limited declared dividends of nil, nil, HK$27,761,000, HK$27,761,000 (unaudited) and nil, respectively, Hover (Kunshan) Electronic Material Company Limited declared dividends of nil, nil, HK$8,350,000, HK$8,350,000 (unaudited) and nil respectively and 昆山德勤機械有限公司 declared dividends of nil, nil, HK$11,610,000, HK$11,619,000 (unaudited) and nil, respectively, to their shareholders. The rate of dividends and numbers of shares ranking for the dividends are not presented as such information is not considered meaningful having regard to the purpose of this report.

No dividend was paid or declared by the Target Company during the Relevant Periods.

– II-45 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

16. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

THE COMBINED GROUP

COST
At 1 April 2016
Currency realignment
Additions
Disposals/write off
At 31 March 2017
Currency realignment
Additions
Disposals/write off
At 31 March 2018
Currency realignment
Additions
Disposals/write off
At 31 March 2019
Currency realignment
Additions
At 30 September 2019
ACCUMULATED
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2016
Currency realignment
Provided for the year
Eliminated on disposals/write off
At 31 March 2017
Currency realignment
Provided for the year
Eliminated on disposals/write off
At 31 March 2018
Currency realignment
Provided for the year
Eliminated on disposals/write off
At 31 March 2019
Currency realignment
Provided for the period
At 30 September 2019
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
Leasehold
improvements
Tools and
moulds
Motor
vehicles
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
Total
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
154,346
634,220
20,656
17,009
6,816
95,161
928,208
(7,644)
(36,249)
(1,365)
(1,028)
(410)
(1,815)
(48,511

24,041
4,358
1,498
202
729
30,828

(23,259)

(1,247)
(188)
(66,366)
(91,060
146,702
13,839
529
598,753
63,340
43,405
(1,788
23,649
2,815
4,816
)
16,232
1,801
1,354
(70
6,420
691
558
)
(404
27,709
2,980
722
)
(96
819,465
85,466
51,384
)
(2,358
161,070
703,710
31,280
19,317
7,265
31,315
953,957
(9,685)
(43,085)
(1,476)
(1,237)
(462)
(1,992)
(57,937

27,156
2,118
2,954
1,041
1,561
34,830

(5,888)


(667)
(148)
(6,703
151,385
681,893
31,922
21,034
7,177
30,736
924,147
(7,948)
(39,225)
(1,793)
(1,366)
(431)
(1,835)
(52,598

16,829
1,191
4,031
242
716
23,009
143,437 659,497 31,320 23,699 6,988 29,617 894,558
46,556
246,031
9,809
11,048
4,940
71,574
389,958
(2,725)
(14,488)
(640)
(668)
(304)
(1,383)
(20,208
3,201
26,355
1,503
1,203
420
7,067
39,749

(12,894)

(1,005)
(169)
(55,404)
(69,472
47,032
5,033
3,821
245,004
26,608
24,127
(1,341
10,672
1,265
1,959
)
10,578
1,192
1,205
(51
4,887
525
448
)
(364
21,854
2,413
1,624
)
(86
340,027
37,036
33,184
)
(1,842
55,886
294,398
13,896
12,924
5,496
25,805
408,405
(3,480)
(18,000)
(844)
(824)
(349)
(1,641)
(25,138
3,107
27,235
2,304
1,021
468
1,088
35,223

(4,551)


(600)
(133)
(5,284
55,513 299,082 15,356 13,121 5,015 25,119 413,206
(3,173)
(17,363)
(812)
(791)
(302)
(1,496)
(23,937
1,465
12,787
1,080
570
227
444
16,573
53,805 294,506 15,624 12,900 4,940 24,067 405,842

– II-46 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

CARRYING VALUES
At 31 March 2017
At 31 March 2018
At 31 March 2019
At 30 September 2019
Buildings
HK$’000
99,670
Plant and
machinery
HK$’000
353,749
Leasehold
improvements
HK$’000
12,977
Tools and
moulds
HK$’000
5,654
Motor
vehicles
HK$’000
1,533
Furnitures,
fixtures
and
equipments
HK$’000
5,855
Total
HK$’000
479,438
105,184 409,312 17,384 6,393 1,769 5,510 545,552
95,872 382,811 16,566 7,913 2,162 5,617 510,941
89,632 364,991 15,696 10,799 2,048 5,550 488,716

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment, using straight-line method or reducing balance method over the following useful lives:

Straight-line method:

Leasehold improvements Over the term of the lease or 5–15 years, whichever is shorter Tools and moulds 5–10 years Motor vehicles 5 years Furnitures, fixtures and equipment 5 years Reducing balance method: Buildings 30 years Plant and machinery 10–15 years

17. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

The Combined Group leased several assets including leasehold lands and leasehold properties for its operations. The lease terms ranges from 3 to 50 years throughout the Relevant Periods.

The Combined Group does not have the option to purchase the leasehold lands and leasehold properties for a nominal amount at the end of lease terms.

As at 1 April 2019
Carrying amount
As at 30 September 2019
Carrying amount
Leasehold
lands
HK$’000
11,545
10,615
Leasehold
properties
HK$’000
1,729
1,330
Total
HK$’000
13,274
11,945

– II-47 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The total cash outflow for lease amounts to HK$1,662,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

For the six months ended 30 September 2019
Depreciation charge for right-of-use assets
Exchange realignment
Interest expenses as lease liabilities
Leasehold
lands
HK$’000
258
672
930
Leasehold
properties
HK$’000
306
93
399
40
Total
HK$’000
564
765
1,329
40

None of the leases for leasehold lands and leasehold properties expired for the six months ended 30 September 2019. There is no addition to right-of-use assets for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

Expense relating to leases with lease term end within 12 months of the date of initial application of HKFRS 16 is HK$1,348,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2019.

18. PREPAID LEASE PAYMENTS

THE COMBINED GROUP

Land use rights situated in the PRC
At 1 April
Currency realignment
Released to profit or loss
At 31 March
Analysed for reporting purposes as:
Non-current assets
Current assets
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
13,432
12,123
(793)
1,257
(516)
(511)
12,123
12,869
11,633
12,327
490
542
12,123
12,869
2019
HK$’000
12,869
(815
(509
11,545
11,038
507
11,545

The prepaid lease payments are amortised using straight-line method over the remaining term of lease.

– II-48 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

19. DEPOSIT AND PREPAYMENTS FOR A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY/FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FVTPL

THE COMBINED GROUP

The Combined Group entered into a policy with an insurance company to insure a director of a company of the Combined Group (the ‘‘Policy’’). Under the Policy, the beneficiary and policy holder is a subsidiary of the Combined Group and the total insured sum is USD2,000,000 (equivalent to HK$15,500,000). At the inception of the policy, the Combined Group paid an upfront payment of USD609,637 (equivalent to HK$4,741,757) and a single premium charge of USD36,578 (equivalent to HK$283,480). The Combined Group will receive cash back based on the account value of the Policy at the date of withdrawal. The Combined Group receives interests at interest rates guaranteed by the insurer.

The management of the Target Company expected that the Policy will be terminated at the 16th policy year in 2026 and there will be no surrender charge in accordance with the Policy. The expected life of the policy remained unchanged from the initial recognition and the management of the Combined Group considered that the financial impact of the option to terminate the Policy was not significant.

The effective interest rate of the deposit is 4.69% and 3.31% for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 respectively which was determined on initial recognition by discounting the estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the policy of 16 years. Imputed interest income of HK$688,000 and HK$174,000 was recognised for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 respectively.

At the date of initial application of HKFRS 9 on 1 April 2018, the Combined Group reclassified the payments for life insurance policy previously carried at amortised cost to financial assets at FVTPL and remeasured at fair value. The management of the Combined Group consider that the carrying amount of the abovementioned life insurance policy which is measured at the account value of the policy approximates its fair value as at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019.

Financial assets mandatorily measured at FVTPL:
Deposit and prepayments for a life insurance policy
Analysed for reporting purposes as:
Non-current assets
As at
1 April
2018
HK$’000
5,448
5,448
As at
31 March
2019
HK$’000
5,633
5,633
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
5,724
5,724

In the opinion of the management of the Target Company, the amount is not expected to be withdrawn within twelve months from the end of each reporting period. Accordingly, the balance is classified as noncurrent.

– II-49 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

20. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

THE COMBINED GROUP
Trade receivables
Trade receivables from fellow subsidiaries
Bills receivables
Trade and bills receivable
Deposits and prepayments to suppliers
Other receivables
Value added tax receivable
Deposit and prepayments for
a life insurance policy — current
Deposits and prepayments
Deposit and prepayments and other receivables
Total trade and other receivables
Less: Amount shown as non-current asset
Rental deposits
Other receivable
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
458,515
491,375
499,793
3,354
1,070
238

153
770
461,869
492,598
500,801
111,057
126,044
134,232
9,071
6,372
1,740
6,298
11,589
11,350
56
38

9,629
15,095
8,487
136,111
159,138
155,809
597,980
651,736
656,610


129
1,895


596,085
651,736
656,481
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
369,724
1,235
3,359
374,318
21,111
3,037
6,672

12,466
43,286
417,604
115
417,489

As at 1 April 2016, the Combined Group’s trade receivables, trade receivables from fellow subsidiaries and bills receivables were HK$395,463,000, HK$53,062,000 and nil, respectively.

As at 30
As at 31 March September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
THE TARGET COMPANY
Other receivables 6 7 8

The Combined Group allows an average credit period of ranging from 30 days to 150 days to its trade customers. Before accepting any new customers, the Combined Group will internally assess the credit quality of the potential customers and define appropriate credit limits. The ageing analysis of trade and bills receivables, based on invoice date which approximates revenue recognition date, at the end of each reporting period is as follows:

– II-50 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The following is an aging analysis of trade and bills receivables presented based on invoice date:

0–30 days
31–60 days
61–90 days
91–180 days
Over 180 days
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
224,704
243,383
189,626
97,252
97,224
128,884
118,322
123,493
145,543
20,184
26,861
34,304
1,407
1,637
2,444
461,869
492,598
500,801
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
130,056
116,251
97,603
27,627
2,781
374,318

Included in the Combined Group’s trade receivable balances are trade receivables of HK$12,410,000 and HK$9,709,000 which are past due at 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018, respectively, for which the Combined Group has not provided for impairment loss. The Combined Group does not hold any collateral over these balances at the end of each reporting period. In determining the recoverability of the trade receivables, the Combined Group monitors change in the credit quality of the trade receivables since the credit was granted and up to the end of each reporting period. The trade receivables that are past due but not impaired at the end of each reporting period were either subsequently settled or had no historical default of payments and the management of the Combined Group consider that no impairment is required.

At 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, included in the Combined Group’s trade receivable balances are trade receivables of HK$22,721,000 and HK$16,296,000 which are past due at the end of the reporting period. An amount of HK$3,665,000 and HK$2,712,000 has been past due 90 days or more and is not considered as in default based on financial information available in the market, creditbility and good repayment records of these customers. Estimated loss rates are based on historical observed default rates over the expected life of the debtors and are adjusted for forward-looking information. At every reporting date, the default rates are reassessed and changes in the forward-looking information are considered. The Combined Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.

Details of impairment assessment of trade and other receivables for the year ended 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019 are set out in note 36.

The following is an ageing analysis of trade and bills receivables which are past due but not impaired:

Overdue by:
1–90 days
91–180 days
Over 180 days
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
11,117
8,139
19,056
930
654
1,785
363
916
1,880
12,410
9,709
22,721
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
13,584
1,994
718
16,296

During the year ended 31 March 2017, the Combined Group has disposed of some of the plant and machinery to an independent third party. Pursuant to the agreement, the sales proceeds totalling of HK$7,577,000 as at 31 March 2017 will be received by instalments. As at 31 March 2017, HK$1,895,000 will be received after one year from the end of the reporting period and is classified as non-current asset.

– II-51 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Included in trade and other receivables are the following amounts denominated in currencies other than functional currencies of the respective group entities:

HK$ Euro (‘‘EUR’’) As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
77,462
3,658
2,714
2,414
3,325
1,186
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
3,508
  1. INVENTORIES

THE COMBINED GROUP

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
54,277
79,734
89,838
42,222
63,103
38,687
75,775
137,667
112,793
172,274
280,504
241,318
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
68,659
27,295
109,366
205,320
  1. AMOUNTS DUE FROM (TO) ULTIMATE HOLDING COMPANY/A FELLOW SUBSIDIARY/ SUBSIDIARIES

THE COMBINED GROUP

The amounts are unsecured, non-trade nature, interest-free and repayable on demand.

Details of amount due from ultimate holding company is as follows:

Maximum amount outstanding during the
year/period
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
206,380
278,321
535,364
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
1,207,655

Included in amount due from ultimate holding company are the following amount denominated in a currency other than functional currencies of respective group entities:

As at 30
As at 31 March September
2017 2018 2019 2019
HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000 HK$’000
HK$ 152,627 272,558 509,113 1,207,655

– II-52 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Included in amount due to ultimate holding company are the following amounts denominated in a currency other than functional currencies of respective group entities:

HK$ As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
243,783
243,793
243,805
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
217,743

THE TARGET COMPANY

The amounts due to ultimate holding company, subsidiaries and a fellow subsidiary are non-trade nature, unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

23. PLEDGED BANK DEPOSIT/BANK BALANCES AND CASH

THE COMBINED GROUP

As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, pledged bank deposits represent deposits placed in a bank to secure general banking facilities granted to the Combined Group and carry fixed interest rate of 1.3% per annum, 1.3% per annum, 1.3% per annum and 1.3% per annum, respectively.

As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the bank balances carried interest at the prevailing market rate of 0.01% per annum, 0.01% per annum, 0.01% per annum and 0.01% per annum, respectively.

Included in the pledged bank deposits and bank balances and cash are the following amounts denominated in currencies other than functional currencies of respective group entities:

Renminbi (‘‘RMB’’)
HK$ EUR
Japanese Yen (‘‘JPY’’)
THE TARGET COMPANY
HK$
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
110
21
298
19,574
25,649
28,610
260
3,106
1,551
1
1
1
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
10
12
12
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
193
45,811
1,358
2
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
18

– II-53 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

24. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

THE COMBINED GROUP

Trade payables
Bill payables
Trade and bills payables
Other payables
Staff and other staff related cost
Accrued expenses
Other tax payables
Accruals and other payables
Trade and other payables
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
68,745
81,123
97,599
172,492
150,379
132,912
241,237
231,502
230,511
1,153
1,149
1,073
9,723
11,162
12,179
7,432
12,054
12,272
2,057
1,018
1,067
20,365
25,383
26,591
261,602
256,885
257,102
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
122,850
48,440
171,290
2,727
18,360
10,850
1,102
33,039
204,329

The average credit period of trade payables is 15 days to 120 days.

The following is an aging analysis of trade and bills payables presented based on invoice date at the end of each reporting period is as follows:

0–30 days
31–60 days
61–90 days
91–180 days
181 days–1 year
Over 1 year
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
124,152
136,163
109,603
46,604
12,268
41,100
40,514
52,769
18,884
29,659
29,959
60,594


128
308
343
202
241,237
231,502
230,511
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
98,259
28,780
8,710
19,249
16,292
171,290

Included in trade and other payables are the following amounts denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of the respective group entities:

EUR
HK$ British Pound (‘‘GBP’’)
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
13,783
22
30
54
115
237

20
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
126
85
112

– II-54 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

25. CONTRACT LIABILITIES

THE COMBINED GROUP

The amounts represent deposits received from customers in relation to their purchase orders placed with the Combined Group. At 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the deposits received from customers are contract liabilities and the Combined Group does not expect to refund any of the deposits.

The contract liabilities at 1 April 2016, 1 April 2017, 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019 were fully recognised as revenue during the year ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019 respectively. When the Combined Group receives a deposit before commencement of the production activity, this will give rise to contract liabilities at the inception of a contract.

26. UNSECURED BANK BORROWINGS

THE COMBINED GROUP

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Import/export trade borrowings
Carrying amount repayable based on the
scheduled repayment dates set out in the loan
agreements:
Within one year
More than one year, but not exceeding two
years
More than two years, but no exceeding five
years
Carrying amount of bank borrowings that are
not repayable within one year from the end of
reporting period but contain a repayment on
demand clause (shown under current
liabilities):
More than one year, but not exceeding two
years
More than two years, but not exceeding five
years
Less: Amounts due within one year shown
under current liabilities
Amount shown under non-current liabilities
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
759
12,127
16
369,767
724,944
714,041
232,263
272,540
405,170
602,789
1,009,611
1,119,227
543,469
755,471
1,013,767
10,000
132,500
75,000
7,500
75,000

560,969
962,971
1,088,767
20,680
16,180
30,460
21,140
30,460

602,789
1,009,611
1,119,227
(585,289)
(802,111)
(1,044,227)
17,500
207,500
75,000
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
9,265
929,146
525,229
1,463,640
1,461,020


1,461,020
2,620

1,463,640
(1,463,640)

– II-55 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The bank loans and import/export trade borrowings are carried at variable-rate. The interest rates are ranged from 1.75%–3% over Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (‘‘HIBOR’’) or 2% over London Interbank Offer Rate (‘‘LIBOR’’) per annum, for each of the three years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019.

The range of effective interest rates (which are also equal to contracted interest rates) on the Combined Group’s borrowings as at the end of the reporting period is as follows:

Effective interest rate:
Fixed-rate borrowings
Variable-rate borrowings
2017
5.00%
1.90% to 5.00%
As at 31 March
2018
5.00%
2.63% to 6.09%
2019
5.00%
3.29% to 6.29%
As at 30
September
2019
5.00%
2.88% to 6.29%

Included in unsecured bank borrowings are the following amounts denominated in a currency other than functional currency of the respective group entities:

HK$ As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
250,322
513,624
648,510
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
934,202

As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, details of bank borrowings guaranteed by related parties are set out in note 33.

27. LEASE LIABILITIES

Lease liabilities payable:
Within one year
Within a period of one year but not more than two years
Within a period of two years but not more than five years
Less: Amount due for settlement with 12 months shown under current liabilities
Amount due for settlement after 12 months shown under non-current liabilities
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
597
594
161
1,352
(597
755

– II-56 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

28. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

THE COMBINED GROUP

The movement in deferred tax liabilities during the Relevant Periods are as follows:

As at 1 April 2016
Charge to profit or loss (note 12)
As at 31 March 2017
Charge (credit) to profit or loss (note 12)
As at 31 March 2018
Charge to profit or loss (note 12)
As at 31 March 2019
Charge to profit or loss (note 12)
As at 30 September 2019
Accelerated
depreciation
HK$’000
5,249
468
5,717
2,181
7,898
816
8,714
309
9,023
Others
HK$’000
(203)
40
(163)
(150)
(313)
54
(259)
4
(255)
Total
HK$’000
5,046
508
5,554
2,031
7,585
870
8,455
313
8,768

At 31 March, 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Combined Group has unused tax losses of approximately HK$29,049,000 available for offset against future taxable profits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of such losses due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. The unused tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

Under the EIT Law of the PRC, withholding tax is imposed on dividends declared in respect of profits earned by the PRC subsidiaries from 1 January 2008 onwards. Deferred taxation has not been provided for in the combined financial statements in respect of temporary differences attributable to accumulated profits of the PRC subsidiaries amounting to HK$120,731,000, HK$159,038,000, HK$140,682,000 and HK$147,981,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and the six months ended 30 September 2019, as the Combined Group is able to control the timing of reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

29. SHARE CAPITAL

THE COMBINED GROUP

The share capital as at 1 April 2016, 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019 represented the combined share capital of the Target Company of HK$390,000, Hover Manufacturing of HK$8,000,000 and Linkz International of HK$2,000,000.

The followings are the movements of the share capital of the Target Company:

– II-57 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

THE TARGET COMPANY

Ordinary shares of USD1 each
Authorised:
At 1 April 2016, 31 March 2017,
31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and
30 September 2019
Issued and fully paid:
At 1 April 2016, 31 March 2017,
31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and
30 September 2019
Number of
shares
50,000
50,000
Amount
HK$ HK$’000
390,000
390
390,000
390
Amount
HK$ HK$’000
390,000
390
390,000
390
390

30. RESERVES OF THE TARGET COMPANY

The followings are the movements of the reserves of the Target Company:

THE TARGET COMPANY

At 1 April 2016
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year
At 31 March 2017
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year
At 31 March 2018
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year
At 31 March 2019
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the period
At 30 September 2019
Accumulated
losses
HK$’000
61
7
68
7
75
11
86
12
98

31. OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

THE COMBINED GROUP AS LESSEE

Minimum lease payments recognised in profit or
loss during the year/period
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
3,353
3,854
2,895
As at 30
September
2018
HK$’000
(unaudited)
1,348

– II-58 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

At the end of each reporting period, the Combined Group had commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases which fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth year inclusive
As at 31 March
2017
2018
HK$’000
HK$’000
450
1,176

866
450
2,042
2019
HK$’000
1,480
1,214
2,694

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Combined Group for manufacture premises. Leases are negotiated for a term ranging from one year to three years. Rentals are fixed at the date of signing of lease agreements.

32. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

THE COMBINED GROUP

Capital expenditure in respect of the acquisition
of property, plant and equipment contracted
but not provided for in the Historical
Financial Information
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
31,450
66,114
16,430
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
397

33. FINANCIAL GUARANTEES

At 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Combined Group had given cross guarantees of HK$1,040,000,000, HK$385,000,000, HK$541,000,000 and HK$541,000,000, respectively to banks to secure certain general banking facilities granted to ultimate holding company, the Combined Group and certain fellow subsidiaries.

Out of the banking facilities granted, HK$483,252,000, HK$49,533,000, HK$179,529,000 and HK$148,245,000 had been designated for use by the ultimate holding company and the Combined Group and certain fellow subsidiaries and the remaining banking facilities of HK$556,748,000, HK$335,467,000, HK$361,471,000 and HK$392,755,000 had been designated for use by the Combined Group as agreed among the parties as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively.

At 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Combined Group has also given another guarantees of nil, HK$63,000,000, HK$63,000,000 and HK$153,000,000 to a bank to secure another general banking facility granted to ultimate holding company.

At 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the amounts utilised by the ultimate holding company amounted to HK$45,000,000, HK$26,250,000, HK$11,250,000 and HK$150,000,000 respectively in respect of the banking facilities guaranteed by the Combined Group.

Financial guarantee contracts were initially recognised at fair value and calculated by using the default risk method for the banking facilities obtained by ultimate holding company, the Combined Group and certain fellow subsidiaries. The fair values were based on certain key assumptions on credit strength of the borrowers and default rate. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Combined Group measures the financial guarantee contract at the higher of: (i) the amount of obligation under the contract, as determined in accordance with HKAS 37 (before 1 April 2018) or HKFRS 9 (after 1 April 2018); and (ii) the amount initially recognised less, when appropriate, cumulative amortisation recognised over the guarantee period.

– II-59 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The management of the Combined Group considers the fair values and expected credit loss of these guarantees were insignificant as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 1 April 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019. No provision of financial guarantee is recognised as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 1 April 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019.

34. RETIREMENT BENEFITS SCHEMES

The Combined Group operates a Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme for all qualifying employees in Hong Kong. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Combined Group, in funds under the control of trustees. The Combined Group contributes 5% of the relevant payroll costs to the scheme, subject to a cap of monthly relevant income of HK$30,000 of employees, which contribution is matched by the employee. The Combined Group also makes voluntary contribution in addition to the mandatory contribution.

The employees of the Combined Group’s subsidiaries in the PRC are members of a state-managed retirement benefits scheme operated by the government of the PRC. The subsidiaries are required to contribute a specified percentage of payroll costs to the retirement benefits scheme to fund the benefits. The only obligation of the Combined Group with respect to the retirement benefits scheme is to make the specified contributions.

During the Relevant Periods, the Combined Group failed to promptly make full contributions to the social insurance plans and the housing provident fund for their employees of by the PRC subsidiaries. Pursuant to the《中 國人民共和國社會保險法》, the PRC subsidiaries may be ordered to make up for the shortfall in contribution within a specified time period and be subject to a daily fine amounting to 0.05% of the outstanding contributions from the date on which payment is overdue. If the outstanding contribution is not made within the specified time period, the Combined Group may be imposed a fine ranging from one to three times of the amount of shortfall in contribution. Besides, the Combined Group may also be subject to a fixed fine ranging from RMB10,000 to RMB50,000 in addition to the outstanding housing provident fund contributions underpaid if the employer failed to rectify such non-compliance within a specified period of time.

The management of the Target Company have, taking into account the facts that (i) advice had been sought from the Combined Group’s PRC legal adviser that the chance of the Combined Group being penalised and requested to repay the amount of shortfall in contribution by related social insurance bureaus are remote, considered that it is not probable that the Combined Group will be fined or penalised and therefore no provision for fines or penalties has been made, and that no provision of shortfall made as at each reporting date.

35. CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Combined Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Combined Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Combined Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged throughout the Relevant Periods.

The capital structure of the Combined Group consists of equity attributable to owners of the Target Company, comprising paid-in capital and reserves as disclosed in the combined statements of changes in equity.

The management of the Combined Group reviews the capital structure regularly. The Combined Group considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. Based on the recommendations of the management of the Combined Group will balance its overall capital structure through the payment of dividends as well as new share issues of the Target Company.

– II-60 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

36. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

a. Categories of financial instruments

THE COMBINED GROUP

Financial assets
Financial assets at amortised cost
Loans and receivables
(including cash and equivalents)
Financial assets at FVTPL
Financial liabilities
At amortised cost
THE TARGET COMPANY
Financial assets
Financial assets at amortised cost
Loans and receivables
(including cash and equivalents)
Financial liabilities
At amortised cost
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
N/A
N/A
1,215,149
794,874
987,171
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,633
1,128,326
1,525,515
1,623,506
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
N/A
N/A
20
16
19
N/A
243,783
243,793
243,805
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
1,707,833
N/A
5,724
1,855,400
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
18
N/A
243,815

b. Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Combined Group’s major financial instruments include trade and other receivables, deposit and prepayments for a life insurance policy/financial assets at FVTPL, rental deposits, pledged bank deposits, bank balances and cash, amounts due from (to) ultimate holding company and a fellow subsidiary, trade and other payables, bank overdrafts, unsecured bank borrowings and financial guarantee contracts. The Target Company’s major financial instruments include other receivables, bank balances and cash and amount due to ultimate holding company.

Details of these financial instruments are disclosed in respective notes. The risks associated with these financial instruments and the policies on how to mitigate these risks are set out below. The management manages and monitors these exposures to ensure appropriate measures are implemented on a timely and effective manner.

– II-61 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Market risk

(i) Foreign Currency risk

The carrying amounts of the Combined Group’s monetary assets (mainly including trade and other receivables, amount due from ultimate holding company, pledged bank deposits and bank balances and cash) and monetary liabilities (mainly including trade and other payables, amounts due to ultimate holding company and a fellow subsidiary and unsecured bank borrowings) denominated in currencies other than the respective group entities; functional currencies at the end of each reporting period are as follows:

Assets
HK$ against USD
RMB against USD
EUR against USD
USD against RMB
Liabilities
HK$ against USD
EUR against USD
USD against RMB
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
249,663
301,865
540,437
110
21
298
2,674
6,431
2,737
32,445
31,065
28,711
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
494,159
757,532
892,552
13,783
22
30
201,685
166,163
214,359
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
1,256,975
193
1,358
18,131
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
1,152,030
126
146,863

Other than above, several subsidiaries of the Target Company have the following intra-group receivables/payables denominated in USD which are foreign currency of the relevant group entities.

Amount due from Combined Group entities

As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
USD against RMB
44,434
100,979
25,819
Amount due to Combined Group entities
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
USD against RMB
78,804
66,839
85,498
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
36,071
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
367,252

The Combined Group currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy in respect of foreign currency exposure. However, management monitors the related foreign currency exposure closely and will consider hedging significant currency exposure should the need arise.

– II-62 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The Combined Group is mainly exposed to the foreign currency risk of HK$, RMB and EUR. Under the pegged exchange rate system, the financial impact on exchange difference between HK$ and USD is immaterial as most HK$ denominated monetary assets and liabilities are held by group entities having USD as their functional currency, and therefore no sensitivity analysis has been prepared.

The following table details the Combined Group’s sensitivity to a 5% increase and decrease in functional currency of respective group entity against the USD, EUR and RMB. 5% is the sensitivity rate used which represents management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding USD, EUR and RMB denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 5% change in foreign currency rates. The sensitivity analysis includes bank balances, trade and other receivables, amount due from (to) ultimate holding companies and trade and other payables. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit after taxation where functional currency strengthens 5% against the relevant foreign currency. For a 5% weakening of functional currency against the relevant foreign currency, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit after taxation:

THE COMBINED GROUP

RMB against USD
EUR against USD
USD against RMB
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
(5)
(1)
(12)
463
(268)
(113)
8,501
4,215
10,242
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
(8
(51
19,201

In the management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign currency risk as the year/period end exposures do not reflect the exposure during the respective year/ period.

THE TARGET COMPANY

HK$ against USD
(ii)
Interest rate risk
2017
HK$’000
10,177
As at March
2018
HK$’000
10,178
2019
HK$’000
10,178
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
10,179

The Combined Group is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk in relation to variable-rate bank balances (see note 23 for details) and variable-rate unsecured bank borrowings (see note 26 for details). Interest charged on the Combined Group’s borrowings are mainly at variable rates and are mainly at the interest rate offered by the HIBOR. The Combined Group does not have a policy on cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. However, the management monitors interest rate exposure and will consider hedging significant interest rate risk should the need arises.

The Combined Group is also exposed to fair value interest rate risk in relation to the fixed rate pledged bank deposits. However, the management considers the fair value interest rate risk on the fixed rate pledged bank deposits is insignificant as they are relatively short-term.

– II-63 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for variable-rate unsecured bank borrowings. The analysis is prepared assuming that variable-rate unsecured bank borrowings outstanding at the end of each reporting period were outstanding for the whole year. 50 basis point increase or decrease represents the management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in interest rates of unsecured bank borrowings. No sensitivity analysis is presented for bank balances and pledged bank deposits as the management of the Combined Group considered the Combined Group’s exposure to cash flow interest rate risk is not material.

If interest rate had been 50 basis points higher or lower and all other variables were held constant, the Combined Group’s post-tax profit for the year ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019 would decrease or increase by approximately HK$2,522,000, HK$4,214,000, HK$4,663,000 and HK$3,055,000, respectively.

In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent interest rate risk as the exposure at the end of each reporting period does not reflect the exposure during the year/period.

Credit risk and impairment assessment

As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, other than those financial assets whose carrying amounts best represent the maximum exposure to credit risk, the Combined Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk which will cause a financial loss to the Combined Group arising from the amount of financial guarantees provided by the Combined Group is disclosed in note 33. The Combined Group does not hold any collateral or other credit enhancements to cover its credit risks associated with its financial assets and financial guarantee contracts.

As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the Combined Group has concentration of credit risk as 62%, 59%, 69% and 73% of trade receivables were due from the Combined Group’s five largest customers, respectively. The Combined Group’s concentration of credit risk by geographical location is mainly in the PRC which accounted for 47%, 44%, 34% and 48% of trade receivables as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively.

Other than the concentration of credit risk of trade receivables as disclosed above, the Combined Group does not have any other significant concentration of credit risk, with exposures spread over a number of counterparties.

Trade balances (including trade and bills receivables and trade receivables from fellow subsidiaries)

THE COMBINED GROUP

In order to minimise the credit risk, the management of the Combined Group has delegated a team responsible for determination of credit limits and credit approvals. Before accepting any new customer, the Combined Group uses an internal credit scoring system to assess the potential customer’s credit quality and defines credit limits by customer. Limits and scoring attributed to customers are reviewed twice a year. Other monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that follow-up action is taken to recover overdue debts. In addition, the Combined Group performs impairment assessment under ECL model upon application of HKFRS 9 since 1 April 2018 (2017 and 2018: incurred loss model) on trade balances individually. In this regard, the management of the Combined Group considers that the Combined Group’s credit risk is significantly reduced.

– II-64 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

The Combined Group’s internal credit risk grading assessment of trade balances comprises the following categories:

Trade receivables/
trade receivables
Internal from fellow subsidiaries/
credit rating Description bills receivables
Low risk The counterparty has a low risk of default and Lifetime ECL
does not have any past due amounts — not credit-impaired
Watch list Debtor frequently repays after due dates but Lifetime ECL
usually settles in full — not credit-impaired
Doubtful There have been significant increases in credit risk Lifetime ECL
since initial recognition through information — not credit-impaired
developed internally or external resources
Loss There is evidence indicating the asset is credit- Lifetime ECL
impaired — credit-impaired
Write-off There is evidence indicating that the debtor is in Amount is written off
severe financial difficulty and the Combined
Group has no realistic prospect of recovery

As part of the Combined Group’s credit risk management, the Combined Group applies internal credit rating for its customers. The following table provides information about the exposure to credit risk for trade balances which are assessed individually as at 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019 within lifetime ECL (not credit-impaired).

As at 31 As at 30
March September
2019 2019
Gross Gross
External Internal 12m ECL or carrying carrying
2019 credit rating credit rating lifetime ECL amount amount
HK$’000 HK$’000
Trade receivables N/A Low risk Lifetime ECL 499,793 369,724
(not credit-impaired)
Trade receivables N/A Low risk Lifetime ECL 238 1,235
from fellow (not credit-impaired)
subsidiaries
Bills receivables N/A Low risk Lifetime ECL 770 3,359
(not credit-impaired)

During the year ended 31 March 2019 and six months ended 30 September 2019, trade receivables, trade receivables from fellow subsidiaries and bills receivables were assessed individually with considering the financial background and the historical settlement records, including the past due dates and default rates of each trade balance and forward-looking information is reasonable, supportable and available without undue costs or effort. Estimated loss rates are based on historical observed default rates over the expected life of the debtors and are adjusted for forward-looking information. No impairment allowance was recognised as amounts involved are insignificant.

– II-65 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Other receivables

Other receivables were assessed individually for ECL. The Combined Group has considered the consistently low historical default rate in connection with repayments and concluded that the credit risk inherent in the Combined Group’s other receivables is insignificant and no loss allowance was recognised.

Amount due from ultimate holding company

In determining the ECL for amount due from ultimate holding company, the management considers the probability of default is negligible as the ultimate holding company has the financial capacity to meet its contractual cash flow obligations in the near term, and conduced that the credit risk is insignificant. Accordingly, no loss allowance was made in the financial statements.

Pledged bank deposits and bank balances

For pledged bank deposits and bank balances, the management of the Combined Group considers the probability of default is negligible on the basis of high-credit-rating issuers as such amounts are receivable from or placed in banks with high external credit rating, no loss allowance was recognised as amounts involved are considered as insignificant.

Financial guarantee contracts

For the financial guarantees given to ultimate holding company, the Combined Group and certain fellow subsidiaries, the management of the Combined Group continuously monitors the credit quality and financial conditions of the guaranteed parties that the Combined Group issued financial guarantee contracts in favour of to ensure that the Combined Group will not suffer significant credit losses as a result of the failure of the guaranteed parties on the repayment of the relevant loans. In this regards, the management of the Combined Group considers that the Combined Group’s credit risk is significantly reduced.

Liquidity risk

In the management of the liquidity risk, the Combined Group monitors and maintains a level of cash and cash equivalents deemed adequate by the management to finance the Combined Group’s operations and mitigate the effects of fluctuations in cash flows.

The Combined Group relies on financial support from the ultimate holding company which has agreed to provide adequate funds for the Combined Group to meet in full its financial obligations as they fall due in foreseeable future.

The following table details the Combined Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its nonderivative financial liabilities. The table has been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Combined Group can be required to pay. The maturity dates for other financial liabilities are based on the agreed repayment dates.

– II-66 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Liquidity table

THE COMBINED GROUP

Weighted
average
interest rate
%
At 31 March 2017
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
N/A
Bank overdrafts
5.0
Unsecured bank borrowings (Note)
3.6
Amount due to ultimate
holding company
N/A
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
N/A
Financial guarantee contracts
N/A
At 31 March 2018
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
N/A
Bank overdrafts
5.0
Unsecured bank borrowings (Note)
4.1
Amount due to ultimate
holding company
N/A
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
N/A
Financial guarantee contracts
N/A
At 31 March 2019
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
N/A
Bank overdrafts
5.0
Unsecured bank borrowings (Note)
4.4
Amount due to ultimate
holding company
N/A
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
N/A
Financial guarantee contracts
N/A
At 30 September 2019
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
N/A
Bank overdrafts
5.0
Unsecured bank borrowings (Note)
4.5
Lease liabilities
4.8
Amount due to ultimate
holding company
N/A
Financial guarantee contracts
N/A
On demand
or less than
3 months
HK$’000
221,721
759
451,426
283,133
14
483,252
3 months
to 1 year
HK$’000
20,669

137,368


1 to 2
years
HK$’000


10,433


2 to 5
years
HK$’000


7,618


Total
undiscounted
cash flows
HK$’000
242,390
759
606,845
283,133
14
483,252
Total
carrying
amount
HK$’000
242,390
759
602,030
283,133
14
1,440,305 158,037 10,433 7,618 1,616,393 1,128,326
222,474
12,127
621,386
283,231
22
112,533
10,177

183,242




139,149




76,147


232,651
12,127
1,019,924
283,231
22
112,533
232,651
12,127
997,484
283,231
22
1,251,773 193,419 139,149 76,147 1,660,488 1,525,515
195,813
16
809,758
272,673
22
242,529
35,771

247,517




76,663







231,584
16
1,133,938
272,673
22
242,529
231,584
16
1,119,211
272,673
22
1,520,811 283,288 76,663 1,880,762 1,623,506
165,373
9,265
1,207,803
181
217,743
301,245
8,644

255,225
390




683




176

174,017
9,265
1,463,028
1,430
217,743
301,245
174,017
9,265
1,454,375
1,352
217,743
1,906,610 264,259 683 176 2,166,728 1,856,752

– II-67 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

  • Note: The Combined Group’s unsecured bank borrowings with a repayment on demand clause are included in the ‘‘On demand or within 1 month’’ time band in the above maturity analysis. As at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, the aggregate undiscounted principal amount of such unsecured bank borrowings in the Combined Group amounted to HK$290,744,000, HK$394,788,000, HK$508,904,000 and HK$852,676,000. Taking into account of the Combined Group’s financial position, the management of the Combined Group does not believe that it is possible that the banks will exercise their discretionary rights to demand immediate repayment. The management of the Combined Group believes that such unsecured bank borrowings of the Combined Group as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019 will be repaid one to four years, one to three years, one to two years and one to two years after the reporting date respectively in accordance with the scheduled repayment dates set out in the loan agreements and the aggregate principal and interest cash outflows according to the schedule payment dates are set out as follows:

For the purpose of managing liquidity risk, the management of the Combined Group reviewed the expected cash flow information of the Combined Group’s bank borrowings based on the scheduled repayment dates set out in the bank borrowings agreements as set out in the table below:

Unsecured bank
borrowings
Weighted
average
interest rate
%
As at 31 March 2017
2.9
As at 31 March 2018
3.7
As at 31 March 2019
4.3
As at 30 September 2019
4.6
1 to 3
months
HK$’000
187,500
314,389
388,568
967,908
3 months
to 1 year
HK$’000
64,394
29,677
95,570
45,701
1 to 2
years
HK$’000
21,619
17,530
30,996
2,649
2 to 5
years
HK$’000
21,686
30,902

Total
undiscounted
cash flows
HK$’000
295,199
392,489
515,134
1,016,258
Total
carrying
amount
HK$’000
290,744
394,788
508,904
1,011,710

– II-68 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

THE TARGET COMPANY

Weighted
average
interest rate
%
At 31 March 2017
Non-derivative financial liability
Amount due to ultimate holding company
N/A
At 31 March 2018
Non-derivative financial liability
Amount due to ultimate holding company
N/A
At 31 March 2019
Non-derivative financial liability
Amount due to ultimate holding company
N/A
At 30 September 2019
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Amount due to ultimate holding company
N/A
Amounts due to subsidiaries
N/A
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
N/A
On demand
or less than
3 months
HK$’000
243,783
243,793
243,805
217,743
17,957
8,115
243,815
Total
undiscounted
cash flows
HK$’000
243,783
243,793
243,805
217,743
17,957
8,115
243,815
Total
carrying
amount
HK$’000
243,783
243,793
243,805
217,743
17,957
8,115
243,815

c. Fair value

Fair value of the Combined Group’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Some of the Combined Group’s financial assets are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. The following table gives information about how the fair values of these financial assets are determined (in particular, the valuation techniques and key inputs used).

Financial assets
Financial assets at FVTPL
— Life insurance policy
Fair value at
31 March
30 September
Fair value
hierarchy
Valuation techniques
and key inputs
2017
2018
2019
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
N/A
N/A
5,633
5,724
Level 2
Quoted asset value
provided by financial
institution (note)

Note: Quoted prices provided by bank represent the fair value based on the quoted prices on the underlying investments.

Upon initial application of HKFRS 9, deposit and prepayments for a lifetime insurance policy which was classified as loans and receivables was reclassified to financial asset at FVTPL.

– II-69 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The management of the Combined Group consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the combined financial statements approximate their corresponding fair values.

There was no transfers between level 1, level 2 and level 3 during the Relevant Periods.

37. RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

The table below details changes in the Combined Group’s liabilities arising from financing activities. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the combined statements of cash flows as cash flows from financing activities.

At 1 April 2016
Financing cash flows
Finance cost recognised
Currency realignment
At 31 March 2017
Financing cash flows
Finance cost recognised
Currency realignment
At 31 March 2018
Financing cash flows
Finance cost recognised
Currency realignment
At 31 March 2019
Adjustment upon application of
HKFRS 16
At 1 April 2019 (restated)
Financing cash flows
Intra-group transfer to amount due
from ultimate holding company
Finance cost recognised
Waiver of current amount by
ultimate holding company
Currency realignment
At 30 September 2019
At 1 April 2018
Financing cash flows (unaudited)
Finance cost recognised
(unaudited)
Currency realignment (unaudited)
At 30 September 2018 (unaudited)
Interest
payable on
unsecured
bank
borrowings
HK$’000

(30,401)
30,401


(42,143)
42,143


(63,064)
63,064




(32,413)

32,413




(29,851)
29,851

Unsecured
bank
borrowings
HK$’000
609,572
23,265

(30,048)
602,789
359,094

47,728
1,009,611
148,162

(38,546)
1,119,227

1,119,227
363,608



(19,195)
1,463,640
1,009,611
64,277

(45,905)
1,027,983
Amount due
to ultimate
holding
company
HK$’000
286,832
(3,699)


283,133
98


283,231
(10,558)


272,673

272,673
(36)
(26,072)

(28,822)

217,743
283,231
(10,593)


272,638
Amount due
to a fellow
subsidiary
HK$’000
22,510
(22,496)


14
7


21
1


22

22
(22)





21
1


22
Lease
liabilities
HK$’000













1,720
1,720
(313)

40

(95)
1,352




Total
HK$’000
918,914
(33,331
30,401
(30,048
885,936
317,056
42,143
47,728
1,292,863
74,541
63,064
(38,546
1,391,922
1,720
1,393,642
330,824
(26,072
32,453
(28,822
(19,290
1,682,735
1,292,863
23,834
29,851
(45,905
1,300,643

– II-70 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

38. MAJOR NON-CASH TRANSACTION

During the year ended 31 March 2018, dividend of HK$98,000,000 was settled through the current account with ultimate holding company as detailed in note 15.

39. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(a) Related party transactions

In addition to the transactions and balances disclosed elsewhere in the Historical Financial Information, the Combined Group had entered into the following related party transactions during the Relevant periods:

Nature of related party
transaction
Management fee paid to
ultimate holding company
Administrative service fee paid
to ultimate holding
company
Sales to fellow subsidiaries
(Note a)
Rental expenses paid to
ultimate holding company
Expenses related to leases with
lease term ending within 12
months from the date of
initial application paid to
ultimate holding company
Purchase from a fellow
subsidiary (Note b)
Rental income received from a
fellow subsidiary (Note c)
Waiver of current account by
ultimate holding company
(Note d)
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
24,367
24,000

10,710
11,250
5,664
8,876
15,191
19,277
2,638
3,000
1,536



414
80
168
344




Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)


2,832
2,832
16,659
13,189
768


768
94
128



28,822

Notes:

  • (a) Sales to fellow subsidiaries include Time Interconnect Limited and Huizhou Time Wire Products Limited which changed its name to Time Interconnect Technology (Huizhou) Limited since 20 April 2018. The fellow subsidiaries are indirectly held by the Combined Group’s ultimate holding company.

  • (b) Purchases from a fellow subsidiary, Huizhou Time Wire Products Limited, which changed its name to Time Interconnect Technology (Huizhou) Limited since 20 April 2018. The fellow subsidiary is indirectly held by the Combined Group’s ultimate holding company.

  • (c) Rental income received from a fellow subsidiary, Lighthouse Technologies Limited. The fellow subsidiary is indirectly held by the Combined Group’s ultimate holding company.

  • (d) The ultimate holding company has waived its current account with Linkz Industries Technology Limited.

– II-71 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

(b) Compensation of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel during the Relevant Periods was as follows:

Salaries and allowance
Performance related
incentive payments
Retirement benefits
scheme contributions
Year ended 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
2,856
3,120
4,082
717
744
1,422
490
532
613
4,063
4,396
6,117
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
2,063
2,066
719
726
310
310
3,092
3,102
Six months ended
30 September
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
(unaudited)
2,063
2,066
719
726
310
310
3,092
3,102
3,102

The remuneration of key management personnel is determined by the management having regard to the performance of individuals and market trends.

(c) Guarantees given to banks by related parties are as follows:

Cross guarantees from ultimate holding
company
Cross guarantee from ultimate holding
company and fellow subsidiaries
Guarantees from ultimate holding
company
As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000

335,467
235,358
556,748

126,113
854,930
1,449,318
1,425,259
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
304,951
87,804
1,564,144

In addition, Mr. Paul Lo provided personal guarantees to banks for the banking facilities granted to ultimate holding company, the Combined Group and fellow subsidiaries of HK$955,857,000, HK$926,868,000, HK$1,021,140,000 and HK$1,111,790,000 as at 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 31 March 2019 and 30 September 2019, respectively.

(d) Guarantees given by the Combined Group to related parties are as follows:

Details of the guarantees given by the Combined Group are disclosed in note 33.

40. PARTICULARS OF SUBSIDIARIES OF THE TARGET COMPANY

THE TARGET COMPANY

Unlisted investment, at cost As at 31 March
2017
2018
2019
HK$’000
HK$’000
HK$’000
244,089
244,089
244,089
As at 30
September
2019
HK$’000
244,089

– II-72 –

APPENDIX II

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

During the Relevant Periods and as at the date of this report, the Combined Group has direct and indirect equity interests in the following subsidiaries:

Name of subsidiary
Place and date of
incorporation/
establishment
Issued and fully
paid capital/
registered capital
Note (a)
Linkz International
Hong Kong
23 December 1992
HK$2,000,000
Hover (Kunshan)
Electronic Material
Company Limited
豪和(昆山)電子材料
有限公司
PRC
18 August 2006
HK$30,000,000
Hover Manufacturing
豪和製造有限公司
Hong Kong
13 June 1997
HK$8,000,000
Linkz (HK) Limited
Hong Kong
21 February 2007
HK$10,000,000
Linkz Industries
(Shanghai) Limited
領迅電線工業(上海)
有限公司
PRC
7 December 1993
USD15,000,000
Linkz Industries (Suzhou)
Limited
華迅工業(蘇州)
有限公司
PRC
19 December 2006
USD30,000,000
Linkz Industries
Technology Limited
Hong Kong
6 February 2007
HK$10,000
Linkz Technology
Limited
Hong Kong
16 March 2007
HK$10,000
昆山市德勤機械有限公司
PRC
2 November 2004
RMB10,000,000
Shareholding/equity interest
attributable to the Combined Group as at
31 March
30 September
2019
the date
of this
report
Principal
activities
Notes
2017
2018
2019
%
%
%
%
%
100
100
100
100
100
Trading of wires
(a)
100
100
100
100
100
Manufacture of
wires
(d), (f)
100
100
100
100
100
Investment holding
(a)
100
100
100
100
100
Investment holding
(a)
95
95
95
95
95
Manufacture of
wires
(b), (g)
100
100
100
100
100
Manufacture of
wires
(c), (f)
100
100
100
100
100
Leasing of LED
panels
(a), (e)
100
100
100
100
100
Inactive
(a)
100
100
100
100
100
Manufacture of
wires
(d)

The companies incorporated in PRC are limited liability companies have adopted 31 December as their financial year end date. The remaining subsidiaries now comprising the Combined Group are limited liability companies and have adopted 31 March as their financial year end date.

– II-73 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

Notes:

  • (a) The statutory audited financial statements of these entities for the years ended 31 March 2017, 2018 and 2019 were prepared in accordance with HKFRSs issued by the HKICPA and were audited by us in accordance with HKSAs issued by the HKICPA.

  • (b) The statutory financial statements of the entity were prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles and regulations applicable to entities established in the PRC. The PRC statutory financial statements of Linkz Industries (Shanghai) Limited were audited by 上海匯永會計師事務所, certified public accountants registered in the PRC, for the years ended 31 December 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  • (c) The statutory financial statements of the entity were prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles and regulations applicable to entities established in the PRC. The PRC statutory financial statements of Linkz Industries (Suzhou) Limited were audited by 蘇州方本昆山新大華分行, certified public accountants, registered in the PRC, for the years ended 31 December 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  • (d) The statutory financial statements of these entities were prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles and regulations applicable to entities established in the PRC. The PRC statutory financial statements of Hover (Kunshan) Electronic Material Company Limited and 昆山市德勤機械有 限公司 were audited by 昆山民誠會計師事務所有限公司, certified public accountants, registered in the PRC, for the years ended 31 December 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  • (e) Linkz Industries Technology Limited was inactive since 22 March 2017. Details of discontinued operations are disclosed in note 13. It was deregistered on 3 January 2020.

  • (f) These companies are established as wholly foreign owned enterprises registered under the PRC law.

  • (g) The company is established as sino-foreign joint venture registered under the PRC law.

41. SUBSEQUENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

No audited financial statements of the Target Company or any of its subsidiaries have been prepared in respect of any period subsequent to the end of the Relevant Periods and up to the date of this report.

42. EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE RELEVANT PERIODS

Save as disclosed in the report, subsequent to 30 September 2019, the following significant events took place:

(a) Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus

The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (‘‘COVID-19’’) in the PRC and the subsequent quarantine measures imposed by the PRC government have had an impact on the operations of the Combined Group since January 2020, as the Combined Group had to stop its manufacturing activities located in the PRC for approximately two to three weeks from late January to mid- February 2020. The operations of the PRC factories of the Combined Group have been resumed gradually since mid-February 2020, and has been resumed fully end of February 2020.

As at the date of this report, the COVID-19 has not resulted in material impact on the Combined Group. There is no significant decrease or cancellation of sales orders from customers. The production capacity of the Combined Group has dropped temporarily and the delivery of products for certain order will be slightly delayed, and the Combined Group has proactively liaised with the customers to adjust the schedule of delivery. The Combined Group has no disruption of the supply chain or material delay in logistics delivery from suppliers. Pending on the development and spread of COVID-19 subsequent to the date of this report, further changes in economic conditions arising thereof may have impact on the financial results of the Combined Group, the extent of which could not be estimated as at the date of this report.

– II-74 –

ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE TARGET GROUP

APPENDIX II

(b) Assets and Liabilities Transfer

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Combined Group will undertake reorganisation, and Linkz International will transfer certain assets and liabilities to Linkz Technology which will be completed before the completion of Transaction, as detailed in Step 3 of the Combined Group reorganisation in note 2. The consideration will be settled by the current account with ultimate holding company. The carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities that will be transferred to Linkz Technology as at 30 September 2019 are disclosed as below:

Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Amount due to Linkz Industries (Suzhou) Limited
Amount due to Linkz Industries (Shanghai) Limited
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
6,628
40,255
192,052
(13,173)
(236,773)
(116,693)
(127,704)

The remaining assets and liabilities will remain in Linkz International and will be excluded from the Combined Group. As Linkz International, Linkz Industries Technology Limited and the Target Company are under the common control by Linkz Industries, merger accounting has been applied to prepare the Historical Financial Information under AG 5. Upon actual completion of the reorganisation, the remaining assets and liabilities would be accounted for as decrease in amount due from ultimate holding company. The carrying amounts of these remaining assets and liabilities that will be retained by Linkz International as at 30 September 2019 are disclosed as below:

Other receivables and prepayments
Amount due from ultimate holding company
Bank balances and cash
Bills and other payables
Unsecured bank borrowings
Taxation payable
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
5,670
1,207,655
60,430
(17,126)
(974,567)
(430)
281,632

The actual carrying amounts of the above assets and liabilities to be transferred to Linkz Technology will be determined as of the date of completion of Assets and Liabilities Transfer.

As one of the conditions precedent being stipulated in the Agreement, the Reorganisation of the Combined Group shall be completed before the completion of Acquisition. Accordingly, the Combined Group is being defined as the Target Company and its subsidiaries which shall be acquired according to the Agreement.

– II-75 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

The information set out in this Appendix does not form part of the Accountants’ Reports on the Combined Group issued by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the Company’s reporting accountants, as set out in ‘‘Appendix II — Accountants’ report on the Target Group’’ and is included herein for information only. The unaudited pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with ‘‘Financial Information of the Group’’ set out in Appendix I and ‘‘Financial Information of the Target Group’’ set out in this circular.

(A) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

On 24 March 2020, the Company entered into an agreement (‘‘Agreement’’) with Linkz Industries Limited, (the ‘‘Vendor’’), the parent company of the Company, pursuant to which the Group has conditionally agreed to acquire the entire share capital of Linkz Cables Limited (the ‘‘Target Company’’) and the companies to be subsidiaries of Linkz Cables Limited upon completion of the group reorganisation (collectively referred as the ‘‘Target Group’’) (the ‘‘Transaction’’).

The unaudited pro forma financial information is prepared to provide information on the Company and its subsidiaries hereinafter (collectively referred to as the ‘‘Group’’) and the Target Group (collectively referred to as the ‘‘Enlarged Group’’) as a result of the completion of the Transaction on the basis set out below for illustrating the effect of the Transaction, as if the Transaction had taken place on 30 September 2019 for the preparation of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position. For the preparation of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows, it is assumed that the Transaction had taken place on 1 April 2018.

The information is prepared for illustrative purposes only and because of its hypothetical nature, it does not purport to represent what the results and cash flows, or financial position of the Enlarged Group would have been upon completion of the Transaction for any future periods or on any future dates.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position of the Enlarged Group as at 30 September 2019 is prepared based on (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position of the Group as at 30 September 2019 as extracted from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set out in the published report of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2019 and (ii) the audited combined statement of financial position of the Combined Group as at 30 September 2019 as extracted from the Accountants’ Report on the Combined Group set out in Appendix II to this circular dated 30 March 2020 (the ‘‘Circular’’), after making pro forma adjustments to the Transaction, as if the Transaction had completed on 30 September 2019. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows of the Enlarged Group for the year ended 31 March 2019 are prepared based on (i) the audited consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the audited consolidated statement of cash flows of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2019 as extracted from the audited consolidated financial statements

– III-1 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

set out in the published annual report of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2019 and (ii) the audited combined statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the audited combined statement of cash flows of the Combined Group for the year ended 31 March 2019 as extracted from the Accountants’ Report on the Combined Group set out in Appendix II to this Circular, after making pro forma adjustments to the Transaction, as if the Transaction had taken place on 1 April 2018.

(I) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Deposits paid for acquisition of
property, plant and equipment
Rental deposits
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Contract assets
Amount due from ultimate holding
company
Pledged bank deposits
Bank balances and cash
The Group
as at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
(Unaudited)
160,914
118,793
2,841
719
The Combined
Group as at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)
488,716
11,945
1,225
115
5,724
Pro forma adjustments forma adjustments Unaudited
pro forma for
the Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
649,630
130,738
4,066
834
5,724
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)




Settlement
of the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 4)




Financing
for the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 5)




Elimination
of inter-
company
balance
HK$’000
(Note 6)




Transaction
costs related
to the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 7)




283,267 507,725 790,992
169,703
313,095
3,210

13,627
233,403
205,320
417,489

1,207,655
5,643
117,065

(5,670)

(1,079,951)

(60,430)



(127,704)

(718,682)





700,000

(1,235)








(19,070)
375,023
723,679
3,210

19,270
252,286
733,038 1,953,172 (1,146,051) (846,386) 700,000 (1,235) (19,070) 1,373,468

– III-2 –

APPENDIX III

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Lease liabilities
Amount due to ultimate holding
company
Amount due to a fellow subsidiary
Taxation payable
Unsecured bank borrowings-amount
due within one year
Net current assets (liabilities)
Total assets less current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Unsecured bank borrowing-amount
due after one year
Lease liabilities
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves
Equity attributable as owners of
the Company
Non-controlling interest
Total equity
The Group
as at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
(Unaudited)
325,990
351
4,096


15,057
65,584
The Combined
Group as at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)
204,329
457
597
217,743

2,228
1,463,640
Pro forma adjustments forma adjustments Unaudited
pro forma for
the Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
511,958
808
4,693


16,855
694,657
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)
(17,126)




(430)
(974,567)
Settlement
of the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 4)



(217,743)


Financing
for the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 5)






140,000
Elimination
of inter-
company
balance
HK$’000
(Note 6)
(1,235)





Transaction
costs related
to the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 7)






411,078 1,888,994 (992,123) (217,743) 140,000 (1,235) 1,228,971
321,960 64,178 (153,928) (628,643) 560,000 (19,070) 144,497
605,227 571,903 (153,928) (628,643) 560,000 (19,070) 935,489
848

35,833
8,768

755





560,000




9,616
560,000
36,588
36,681 9,523 560,000 606,204
568,546 562,380 (153,928) (628,643) (19,070) 329,285
18,400
550,146
10,390
544,214
(2,000)
(151,928)
(8,390)
(620,253)



(19,070)
18,400
303,109
568,546
554,604
7,776
(153,928)
(628,643)


(19,070)
321,509
7,776
568,546 562,380 (153,928) (628,643) (19,070) 329,285

– III-3 –

APPENDIX III UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

(II) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Other income
Other gains and losses
Distribution and selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Research and development
expenses
Finance costs
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive expense
Item that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences arising
on translating foreign
operations
Total comprehensive income
(expense) for the year
The Group
for the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
1,314,389
(1,035,041)
279,348
4,844
(9,786)
(23,227)
(57,878)
(45,672)
(1,649)
145,980
(23,046)
122,934
(4,712)
118,222
The
Combined
Group for
the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)
1,676,557
(1,447,539)
229,018
3,668
1,387
(36,242)
(58,049)
(19,761)
(63,064)
56,957
(13,004)
43,953
(42,295)
1,658
Pro forma adjustments
Elimination
of inter-
company
transactions
Transaction
costs related
to the
Transaction
HK$’000
HK$’000
(Note 6)
(Note 7)
(19,445)

19,646

201



(201)




(19,070)



(31,028)

(50,098)



(50,098)



(50,098)
Unaudited
pro forma for
the Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
2,971,501
(2,462,934
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)






3,217

39,333
42,550
(7,021)
35,529

35,529
Elimination
of inter-
company
transactions
HK$’000
(Note 6)
(19,445)
19,646
201

(201)








508,567
8,512
(8,600
(59,469
(131,780
(65,433
(56,408
195,389
(43,071
152,318
(47,007
105,311

– III-4 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

Pro forma adjustments

Profit (loss) for the year
attributable
— owners of the Company
— non-controlling interest
Total comprehensive income
(expense) for the year
attributable to
— owners of the Company
— non-controlling interest
The Group
for the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
122,934

122,934
118,222

118,222
The
Combined
Group for
the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)
43,460
493
43,953
1,859
(201)
1,658
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)
35,529

35,529
35,529

35,529
Elimination
of inter-
company
transactions
HK$’000
(Note 6)





Transaction
costs related
to the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 7)
(50,098)

(50,098)
(50,098)

(50,098)
Unaudited
pro forma for
the Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
151,825
493
152,318
105,512
(201
105,311

– III-5 –

APPENDIX III

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

(III) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

Cash flows from operating
activities
Profit before taxation
Adjustments for:
Interest income
Interest expense
Depreciation of property,
plant an equipment
Gain on change in fair value
of financial assets at
FVTPL
Gain on disposal of property,
plant and equipment
Write off of inventories
Amortisation of prepaid lease
payments
Share based payments
Operating cash flows before
movements in working capital
Decrease in inventories
Decrease (increase) in trade and
other receivables, rental
deposits
Decrease in contract assets
(Decrease) increase in trade and
other payables
Decrease in contract liabilities
Cash generated from operations
Hong Kong Profits Tax paid
PRC Enterprise Income Tax paid
Net cash generated from
operating activities
The Group
for the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
145,980
(1,344)
1,649
19,611


3,005
506
3,807
The
Combined
Group for
the year
ended 31
March 2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)
56,957
(270)
63,064
35,223
(182)
(252)

509
Pro forma adjustments Pro forma adjustments Pro forma adjustments Unaudited
pro forma
for the
Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
195,389
(1,614
56,408
54,834
(182
(252
3,005
1,015
3,807
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)
42,550

(39,333)





Settlement
of the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 4)








Financing
for the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 5)








Elimination
of inter-
company
balance
HK$’000
(Note 6)








Transaction
costs
related to
the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 7)
(50,098)

31,028





173,214
14,639
74,494
12,429
(103,289)
(6)
155,049
24,467
(24,364)

6,982
(156)
3,217
















239

(239)
(19,070)




312,410
39,106
50,369
12,429
(96,546
(162
171,481
(22,491)
(13,429)
161,978
(1,866)
(11,683)
3,217







(19,070)

317,606
(24,357
(25,112
135,561 148,429 3,217 (19,070) 268,137

– III-6 –

APPENDIX III

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

Pro forma adjustments

Cash flows from investing
activities
Acquisition of a subsidiary
Placement of pledged bank
deposits
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
Deposits paid for acquisition of
property, plant and equipment
Refund of deposits paid for
property, plant and equipment
Withdrawal of pledged bank
deposits
Interest received
Proceeds from disposal of
property, plant and equipment
Repayment from ultimate holding
company
Advance to ultimate holding
company
Net cash (used in) from
investing activities
Cash flows from financing
activities
Bank borrowings raised
Repayment of bank borrowings
Dividend paid
Interest paid
Advance from ultimate holding
company
Repayment to ultimate holding
company
Advance from a fellow
subsidiary
Acquisition of Target Company
Net cash (used in) from
financing activities
The Group
for the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
(166,826)
(35,393)
(13,320)
(2,420)

36,013
1,344


The
Combined
Group for
the year
ended 31
March 2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)

(19,655)
(34,374)
(447)
61,990
11,609
270
3,566
231,292
(488,340)
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)









Settlement
of the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 4)









Financing
for the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 5)









Elimination
of inter-
company
balance
HK$’000
(Note 6)









Transaction
costs
related to
the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 7)









Unaudited
pro forma
for the
Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
(166,826
(55,048
(47,694
(2,867
61,990
47,622
1,614
3,566
231,292
(488,340
(180,602) (234,089) (414,691
165,542
(157,834)
(36,800)
(1,649)



2,944,822
(2,796,660)

(63,064)
1,365
(11,923)
1



39,333



(60,106)







(1,023,198)
700,000
(140,000)















(31,028)



3,810,364
(3,094,494
(36,800
(56,408
1,365
(11,923
1
(1,083,304
(30,741) 74,541 (20,773) (1,023,198) 560,000 (31,028) (471,189

– III-7 –

APPENDIX III

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

Pro forma adjustments

Net (decrease) increase in cash
and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rate
changes
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of the year, represented by
bank balances and cash
Analysis of the balance of cash
and cash equivalents
Bank balances and cash
Bank overdrafts
The Group
for the year
ended
31 March
2019
HK$’000
(Note 1)
(75,782)
19,967
279,623
The
Combined
Group for
the year
ended 31
March 2019
HK$’000
(Note 2)
(11,119)
(11,950)
189,923
Excluded
Assets and
Excluded
Liabilities
HK$’000
(Note 3)
(17,556)

Settlement
of the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 4)
(1,023,198)

Financing
for the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 5)
560,000

Elimination
of inter-
company
balance
HK$’000
(Note 6)


Transaction
costs
related to
the
Transaction
HK$’000
(Note 7)
(50,098)

Unaudited
pro forma
for the
Enlarged
Group
HK$’000
(617,753
8,017
469,546
223,808 166,854 (17,556) (1,023,198) 560,000 (50,098) (140,019
223,808
166,870
(16)
(17,556)
(933,122)
(90,076)
560,000


(50,098)

(140,190
223,808 166,854 (17,556) (1,023,198) 560,000 (50,098) (140,190
  1. For the preparation of unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position, unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, and unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows, the amounts are extracted from the latest published consolidated financial statements of the Group as at 30 September 2019 and for the year ended 31 March 2019.

  2. The amounts are extracted from the Historical Financial Information in the Accountants’ Report on the Target Group as set out in Appendix II to this circular.

On 24 March 2020, the Group entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Linkz Industries Limited (the ‘‘Vendor’’), Nickson Holdings Limited and Mr. Lo Chung Wai Paul in relation to the Transaction. Nickson Holdings Limited and Mr. Lo Chung Wai Paul are the controlling shareholders of the Vendor. The Vendor is the ultimate holding company of the Group and the Target Company.

The acquisition of the Combined Group by the Group is prepared based on the principle of merger accounting under Accounting Guideline 5 ‘‘Merger Accounting for Common Control Combination issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

– III-8 –

APPENDIX III UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

  1. As part of the Transaction, Combined Group will undertake reorganisation, Linkz International Limited (‘‘Linkz International’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vendor, will transfer certain core assets and core liabilities which is relating to its business of trading in networking cables, including property, plant and equipment, inventory, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, current account with Linkz Industries (Suzhou) Limited and current account with Linkz Industries (Shanghai) Limited to Linkz Technology Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Target Company, at a consideration which will be settled by the current account with ultimate holding company. Certain assets and liabilities of Linkz International will remain in Linkz International (the ‘‘Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities’’). These non-core assets and non-core liabilities will remain in Linkz International and will not form part of the Target Group. The adjustments are to (i) take out the Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities and (ii) eliminate share capital and reserve of Linkz International.

For the purpose of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position, it assumed that the Transaction will be completed on 30 September 2019. The Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities are assumed to be disposed of, and settled at, their respective carrying amounts as at 30 September 2019. The equity contributions of Linkz International to the Combined Group are assumed to be adjusted at their respective carrying amounts as at 30 September 2019. The breakdown of Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities as at 30 September 2019, with reference to note 42(b) of Appendix II — Accountants’ Reports on the Target Group, are as follows:

Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities
Other receivables and prepayments
Amount due from ultimate holding company
Bank balances and cash
Bills and other payables
Unsecured bank borrowings
Taxation payable
Share capital and reserve of Linkz International
Carrying amount of share capital
Carrying amount of reserve
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
5,670
1,207,655
60,430
(17,126)
(974,567)
(430)
281,632
2,000
151,928
153,928

– III-9 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

Difference of HK$127,704,000 between the carrying amounts of Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities and the share capital and reserve of Linkz International will be adjusted to amount due from ultimate holding company and will be settled as part of the Shareholders’ loan in note 4.

The combined effect of the transfer of amount due from ultimate holding company of HK$1,207,655,000 and consideration from the transfer of Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities of HK$127,704,000 is HK$1,079,951,000.

For the purpose of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows, as it is assumed that the Transaction has been completed on 1 April 2018 and the related adjustments have been made for the Excluded Assets and the Excluded Liabilities of the Combined Group for the year ended 31 March 2019. The related adjustments are made on the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows to exclude administrative expenses of HK$3,217,000 arising from bank charges and finance costs of HK$39,333,000 arising from bank borrowings, which are derived from the actual bank charges and finance costs of the unsecured bank borrowings to be excluded from the Combined Group, and the resulting tax effect of HK$7,021,000. In addition, for the preparation of unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows, the bank balances and cash to be excluded from the Combined Group is HK$60,106,000, which is the sum of the bank balances and cash of Linkz International amounted to HK$60,023,000 as at 1 April 2018 and the bank balances and cash to be distributed after deregistration of Linkz Industries Technology Limited amounted to HK$83,000 as at 1 April 2018, assuming the Transaction is completed on 1 April 2018.

The actual consideration and actual carrying amounts of Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities are subject to change and will be determined as of the date of completion and may differ materially from the amount disclosed above in the pro forma financial information.

  1. Pursuant to the Agreement, the consideration is 95% of the Completion NAV, being defined as the sum of (i) consolidated net asset value of the Target Group at the date of completion (ii) the fair value gain of land and building of the Target Group, being the difference between the book value and the fair value of the land and building at the date of completion (the ‘‘Fair Market Value Gain on Properties’’); and (iii) the monetary value of all obligations, liabilities and incurred or owing by the Combined Group to the Vendor at the date of completion (the ‘‘Shareholders’ Loan’’). For the purpose of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position, it is assumed that the Transaction will be completed on 30 September 2019 and the consideration is based on (i) the consolidated net asset value of the Target Group at 30 September 2019, (ii) the Fair Market Value Gain on Properties, based on valuation performed as of 31 January 2020, assuming such value of the Properties is not materially different from those as at 30 September 2019, and (iii) the Shareholders’ Loan at 30 September 2019. Accordingly, a deemed distribution of HK$620,253,000, which represents the difference between the

– III-10 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

consideration of HK$718,682,000 and the sum of total Shareholders’ Loan of HK$90,039,000 and the total share capital of the Target Group of HK$8,390,000, is recognised.

Below are the calculation of the consideration of the Transaction at 30 September 2019:

Carrying amount of equity attributable to owners of the Target company
of the Combined Group
Equity attributable to non-controlling interest of the Combined Group
NAV of the Combined Group
Less: Equity of Linkz International
Consolidated net asset value of the Target Group
Fair Market Value Gain on Properties
Adjustment to amount due from ultimate holding company in note 3
Amount due to ultimate holding company from the Combined Group
Total Shareholders’ Loan
Completion NAV
Consideration (95% of Completion NAV)
As at
30 September
2019
HK$’000
554,604
7,776
562,380
(153,928)
408,452
258,016
(127,704)
217,743
90,039
756,507
718,682

The Fair Market Value Gain on Properties of HK$258,016,000 as at 31 January 2020 is arrived at with reference to the difference between the market value of the Properties amounted to RMB333,000,000 (equivalent to HK$372,893,000), with reference to Appendix IV — Valuation Report of the PRC Properties, derived from the property valuation report prepared by an independent firm of qualified surveyor in Hong Kong as at 31 January 2020, and the carrying amount of the Properties of HK$114,877,000 as at 31 January 2020. The exchange rate of Renminbi to Hong Kong dollars adopted in calculating such Fair Market Value Gain on Properties is 1.1198.

The Shareholders’ loan of HK$90,039,000 is the difference between the amount due to ultimate holding company of the Combined Group as at 30 September 2019 of HK$217,743,000 and the adjustment of HK$127,704,000 in note 3.

– III-11 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

For the purpose of preparing the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows of the Enlarged Group, the consideration of HK$1,023,198,000 is based on 95% of the sum of (i) the consolidated net asset value of the Target Group of HK$432,048,000 at 1 April 2018 which derives from NAV of the Combined Group of HK$547,694,000 (including carrying amount of equity attributable to owners of the Target Company of the Combined Group of HK$538,042,000 and equity attributable to non-controlling interest of the Combined Group of HK$9,652,000), less equity of Linkz International of HK$144,395,000 and deficiency of shareholders’ funds of Linkz Industries Technology Limited of HK$28,749,000 which is deregistered upon completion of the Transaction; (ii) the Fair Market Value Gain on Properties of HK$279,848,000, based on valuation performed as at 31 January 2020 assuming the fair value is not materially different from those as at 1 April 2018 and (iii) the Shareholders’ Loan of HK$365,154,000 at 1 April 2018.

The actual consideration payable by the Group and the actual purchase cost allocation of net assets to be acquired is subject to change and will be determined as of the date of completion and may differ materially from the amount disclosed above in the unaudited pro forma financial information.

The adjustment has no continuing effect.

  1. The adjustment represents expected proceeds based on a draft bank loan agreement of approximately HK$700,000,000, as part of pre-condition as per the Agreement, to be obtained by the Group for settlement of consideration of the Transaction. The term of the loan is 4 years, which is without a repayable on demand clause. According to the repayment terms, HK$140,000,000 and the remaining HK$560,000,000 were classified as current liabilities and non-current liabilities as at 30 September 2019 respectively for the preparation of unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position. For the preparation of unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows, there is a settlement of bank borrowings of HK$140,000,000 for the year ended 31 March 2019.

  2. The adjustments represent the elimination of the intercompany balance and transactions between the Combined Group and the Group as at 30 September 2019 and for the year ended 31 March 2019 upon the completion of the Transaction.

– III-12 –

APPENDIX III

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

  1. For the preparation of unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position, the adjustments represented the acquisition-related costs, including financial advisor fees, legal fees, printing costs, professional parties’ fee and other related expenses to be borne by the Group of approximately HK$19,070,000. For the preparation of unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, and unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows, the adjustment represents finance costs for bank borrowings to finance the consideration and acquisition-related costs, including financial advisor fees, legal fees, printing costs, professional parties’ fee, and other related expenses to be borne by the Group of approximately HK$31,028,000 and HK$19,070,000 respectively. The finance cost of HK$31,028,000 is sum of (i) HK$26,681,000 on the HK$700,000,000 loan in note 5 and calculated based on 4.29% per annum, which is based on the related term loan facility and (ii) the finance cost of HK$4,347,000 relating to bank overdrafts and is calculated based on 3.2% per annum, which is based on the effective interest rate of unsecured bank borrowings of the Group as at 31 March 2018. The adjustment may have continuing effect to the Enlarged Group and will be reflected in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and consolidated statement of cash flows of the Group in the year these expenses are actually incurred.

  2. Apart from the above, no adjustments have been made to the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position of the Enlarged Group, to reflect any trading results or other transactions of the Enlarged Group entered into subsequent to 30 September 2019 for the Group and the Combined Group where applicable and unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows of the Enlarged Group to reflect any trading results or other transactions of the Enlarged Group entered into subsequent to 31 March 2019 for the Group and the Target Group where applicable.

– III-13 –

APPENDIX III UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

(B) INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS’ ASSURANCE REPORT ON THE COMPILATION OF UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following is the text of a report, prepared for the sole purpose of inclusion in this circular, received from the reporting accountants, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong.

To the Directors of Time Interconnect Technology Limited

We have completed our assurance engagement to report on the compilation of unaudited pro forma financial information of Time Interconnect Technology Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and its subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively referred to as the ‘‘Group’’) by the directors of the Company (the ‘‘Directors’’) for illustrative purposes only. The unaudited pro forma financial information consists of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 September 2019, the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 March 2019, the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2019 and related notes as set out on pages III-1 to III-13 of the circular issued by the Company dated 30 March 2020 (the ‘‘Circular’’). The applicable criteria on the basis of which the Directors have compiled the unaudited pro forma financial information are described on pages III-1 to III-13 of the Circular.

The unaudited pro forma financial information has been compiled by the Directors to illustrate the impact of the proposed acquisition of the entire equity interest of Linkz Cables Limited (the ‘‘Transaction’’) on the Group’s financial position as at 30 September 2019 and its financial performance and cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2019 as if the Transaction had taken place at 30 September 2019 and 1 April 2018, respectively. As part of this process, information about the Group’s financial position has been extracted by the Directors from the Group’s condensed consolidated financial statements as included in the interim report for the six months ended 30 September 2019, on which a review report has been published and information about the Group’s financial performance and cash flows has been extracted by the Directors from the Group’s consolidated financial statements as included in the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2019, on which an auditor’s report has been published.

Directors’ Responsibilities for the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The Directors are responsible for compiling the unaudited pro forma financial information in accordance with paragraph 4.29 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the ‘‘Listing Rules’’) and with reference to Accounting Guideline 7 ‘‘Preparation of Pro Forma Financial Information for Inclusion in Investment Circulars’’ (‘‘AG 7’’) issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the ‘‘HKICPA’’).

– III-14 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

Our Independence and Quality Control

We have complied with the independence and other ethical requirements of the ‘‘Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants’’ issued by the HKICPA, which is founded on fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour.

Our firm applies Hong Kong Standard on Quality Control 1 ‘‘Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements’’ issued by the HKICPA and accordingly maintains a comprehensive system of quality control including documented policies and procedures regarding compliance with ethical requirements, professional standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Reporting Accountants’ Responsibilities

Our responsibility is to express an opinion, as required by paragraph 4.29(7) of the Listing Rules, on the unaudited pro forma financial information and to report our opinion to you. We do not accept any responsibility for any reports previously given by us on any financial information used in the compilation of the unaudited pro forma financial information beyond that owed to those to whom those reports were addressed by us at the dates of their issue.

We conducted our engagement in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Assurance Engagements 3420 ‘‘Assurance Engagements to Report on the Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information Included in a Prospectus’’ issued by the HKICPA. This standard requires that the reporting accountants plan and perform procedures to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Directors have compiled the unaudited pro forma financial information in accordance with paragraph 4.29 of the Listing Rules and with reference to AG 7 issued by the HKICPA.

For purposes of this engagement, we are not responsible for updating or reissuing any reports or opinions on any historical financial information used in compiling the unaudited pro forma financial information, nor have we, in the course of this engagement, performed an audit or review of the financial information used in compiling the unaudited pro forma financial information.

The purpose of unaudited pro forma financial information included in an investment circular is solely to illustrate the impact of a significant event or transaction on unadjusted financial information of the Group as if the event had occurred or the transaction had been undertaken at an earlier date selected for purposes of the illustration. Accordingly, we do not provide any assurance that the actual outcome of the event or transaction at 30 September 2019 or 1 April 2018 would have been as presented.

– III-15 –

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ENLARGED GROUP

APPENDIX III

A reasonable assurance engagement to report on whether the unaudited pro forma financial information has been properly compiled on the basis of the applicable criteria involves performing procedures to assess whether the applicable criteria used by the Directors in the compilation of the unaudited pro forma financial information provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the event or transaction, and to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence about whether:

  • . the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those criteria; and

  • . the unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the proper application of those adjustments to the unadjusted financial information.

The procedures selected depend on the reporting accountants’ judgment, having regard to the reporting accountants’ understanding of the nature of the Group, the event or transaction in respect of which the unaudited pro forma financial information has been compiled, and other relevant engagement circumstances.

The engagement also involves evaluating the overall presentation of the unaudited pro forma financial information.

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

Opinion

In our opinion:

  • . the unaudited pro forma financial information has been properly compiled on the basis stated;

  • . such basis is consistent with the accounting policies of the Group; and

  • . the adjustments are appropriate for the purposes of the unaudited pro forma financial information as disclosed pursuant to paragraph 4.29(1) of the Listing Rules.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Certified Public Accountants Hong Kong 30 March 2020

– III-16 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

The following is the text of a valuation report, prepared for the purpose of incorporation in this circular received from RHL Appraisal Limited., an independent valuer, in connection with its valuation as at 31 January 2020 of the Properties held by the Target Group.

==> picture [70 x 70] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [96 x 108] intentionally omitted <==

30 March 2020

The Board of Directors Time Interconnect Technology Limited

Unit 601, 6/F, Photonics Centre, 2 Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong

Dear Sir/Madam,

INSTRUCTIONS

We refer to your instruction for us to value the properties (‘‘the Properties’’) held by the Target Group (the ‘‘Corporate’’) located in the People’s Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’). We confirm that we have carried out properties inspection, made relevant enquiries and obtained such further information as we consider necessary for the purpose of providing you with our opinion of the market value of the Properties as at 31 January 2020 (the ‘‘Valuation Date’’).

This letter which forms part of our valuation report explains the basis and methodologies of valuation, clarifying assumptions, valuation considerations, title investigations and limiting conditions of this valuation.

– IV-1 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

BASIS OF VALUATION

The valuation is our opinion of the market value (‘‘Market Value’’) which we would define as intended to mean the estimated amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably prudently and without compulsion.

Market Value is understood as the value of an asset or liability estimated without regard to costs of sale or purchase and without offset for any associated taxes or potential taxes.

The market value is the best price reasonably obtainable in the market by the seller and the most advantageous price reasonably obtainable in the market by the buyer. This estimate specifically excludes an estimated price inflated or deflated by special terms or circumstances such as a typical financing, sale and leaseback arrangements, joint ventures, management agreements, special considerations or concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale, or any element of special value.

VALUATION METHODOLOGY

We have valued the Properties interest by using the direct comparison approach by making reference to the comparable market transactions/asking cases as available. Comparable properties of similar size, scale, nature, character and location are analysed and carefully weighed against all the respective advantages and disadvantages of each property in order to arrive at a fair comparison of market value.

VALUATION CONSIDERATIONS

In valuing the property interest, we have complied with all the requirements contained in Chapter 5 and Practice Note 12 to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the International Valuation Standards 2017.

VALUATION ASSUMPTION

In our valuation, unless otherwise stated, we have assumed that:

  • i. all necessary statutory approvals for the Properties or the subject building of which the Properties forms part of their use have been obtained;

  • ii. transferable land use rights in respect of the Properties for specific terms at nominal annual land use fees have been granted and that any premium payable has already been fully paid; and

  • iii. the Properties are connected to main services and sewers which are available on normal terms.

– IV-2 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

TITLE INVESTIGATION

We have been shown copies of various documents relating to the Properties. However, we have not examined the original documents to verify the existing titles to the Properties or any amendment which does not appear on the copies handed to us. We have relied considerably on the information given by the Company’s PRC legal adviser, Shu Jin Law Firm, concerning the validity of the titles to the Properties.

LIMITING CONDITIONS

We have conducted on-site inspections to the Properties on 10 August 2019 by our staff Mr. Charlie Chan (BSc in Land Surveying).

We have not carried out detailed on-site measurement to verify the correctness of the areas in respect of the Properties but have assumed that the areas shown on the documents handed to us are correct. All dimensions, measurements and areas are approximate.

We have not carried out any site investigation to determine the suitability of the ground conditions or the services for any property development erected or to be erected thereon. Nor did we undertake archaeological, ecological or environmental surveys for the Properties. Our valuation is prepared on the assumptions that these aspects are satisfactory and that no extraordinary expenses or delays will be incurred during the construction period. Should it be discovered that contamination, subsidence or other latent defects exists in the Properties or on adjoining or neighboring land or that the Properties had been or are being put to contaminated use, we reserve right to revise our opinion of value.

We have relied very considerable extent on the information provided by the Group and have accepted advices given to us on such matters, in particular, but not limited to tenure, planning approvals, statutory notices, easements, particulars of occupancy, size and floor areas and all other relevant matters in the identification of the Properties. The plans including but not limited to location plan, site plan, lot index plan, outline zoning plan, building plan, if any, in the report are included to assist the reader to identify the Properties for reference only and we assume no responsibility for their accuracy.

We have had no reason to doubt the truth and accuracy of the information provided to us by the Group. We have also been advised by the Group that no material fact has been omitted from the information supplied. We consider that we have been provided with sufficient information to reach an informed view, and we have no reason to suspect that any material information has been withheld.

We do not accept a liability for any interpretation which we have placed on such information which is more properly the sphere of the PRC legal adviser of the Company. Neither have we verified the correctness of any information supplied to us concerning the Properties.

– IV-3 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

REMARKS

We have valued the Properties in Renminbi (RMB).

We enclose herewith the ‘‘Property Particulars and Opinion of Value’’.

Serena S. W. Lau FHKIS, AAPI, MRICS, RPS(GP), MBA(HKU) Managing Director

Jessie X. Chen MRICS, MSc (Real Estate), BEcon Associate Director

Ms. Serena S. W. Lau is a Registered Professional Surveyor (GP) with over 20 years’ experience in valuation of properties in HKSAR, Macau SAR, mainland China and the Asia Pacific Region. Ms. Lau is a Professional Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an Associate of Australian Property Institute, a Fellow of The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors as well as a registered real estate appraiser in the PRC.

Ms. Jessie X. Chen is a Registered Professional Surveyor (Valuation) with over 10 years’ experience in valuation of properties in HKSAR, Macau SAR, mainland China and the Asia Pacific Region. Ms. Chen is a Professional Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

– IV-4 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

SUMMARY OF VALUES

No.
Properties in PRC
1.
An Industrial Complex located in
No. 5, Luopu Road, Anting Town
Jiading District, Shanghai
the PRC
2.
An Industrial Complex located in
No. 88, Huaxun Road, Huaqiao Economic Development Zone
Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province
the PRC
3.
An Industrial Complex located in
No. 910, Jimingtang South Road, Huaqiao Town
Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province
the PRC
Total:
Market Value
as at
31 January 2020
RMB
86,000,000
(under certain
assumption)
219,000,000
28,000,000
(under certain
assumption)
333,000,000

– IV-5 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

PROPERTY PARTICULARS AND OPINION OF VALUE

No. Property Description and tenure

Market Value as at Particulars of occupancy 31 January 2020 RMB

  • 1 An Industrial The property comprises an Complex located industrial complex with two in No. 5, Luopu steel constructed factories, Road, Anting a dormitory, a canteen and Town, Jiading some ancillary buildings District, completed in between 1985 Shanghai, and 2001. It erected on the PRC 4 parcels of land with the total site area of

  • (位於中華人民 approximately 26,795 sq.m. 共和國上海市嘉 (288,421.38 sq.ft). 定區安亭鎮洛浦 路5號之廠房) The total gross floor area of the property is approximately 15,608.42 sq.m. (168,009 sq.ft.).

As advised, the property is 86,000,000 owner-occupied for (RENMINBI EIGHTY SIX industrial use. MILLION ONLY) (please see Note 2 below for certain assumption)

The land use rights of the property have been granted for industrial use.

Notes:

  1. Pursuant to four Real Estate Ownership Certificates, the real estate ownership of the property with a total gross floor area of approximately 15,608.42 sq.m. have been vested in Linkz Industries (Shanghai) Limited (領迅電線工業(上海)有限公司) (‘‘Linkz (Shanghai)’’) for industrial use. Details of such certificates are listed as follows:
Real Estate Ownership Certificates
Hu Fang Di Jia Zi (2008) No. 002921滬房
地嘉字(2008)第002921號
Hu Fang Di Jia Zi (2008) No. 002910滬房
地嘉字(2008)第002910號
Hu Fang Di Jia Zi (2008) No. 002911滬房
地嘉字(2008)第002911號
Hu Fang Di Jia Zi (2008) No. 002920滬房
地嘉字(2008)第002920號
Total:
Site Area
Land Ownership
(sq.m.)
3,225
Allocating land
9,017
Collective Land
13,526
Collective Land
1,027
Collective Land
26,795
Approximate
Gross Floor Area
(sq.m.)
0
5,888.94
8,931.11
788.37
15,608.42

– IV-6 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

  1. According to the legal opinion issued by the Group’s PRC legal adviser, the transferability of allocating land ownership is subject to restriction and require further application. Certain additional land premium is also payable. Concerning the uncertainties, in our valuation, we have not taken into account the allocating land. There is no building erected on such land.

For collective land (title certificate reference: 滬房地嘉字(2008)第002911號, 滬房地嘉字(2008)第002920號 and 滬房地嘉字(2008)第002910號), in the opinion of the Group’s PRC legal adviser, according to the Land Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, effective on 1 January 2020, the land user obtaining the collective profit-oriented construction land use right by transfer is entitled to freely transfer, exchange, financing, give or mortgage it in the market unless otherwise stipulated by law or agreed in the written contract executed by the land owner or the land user. Therefore, in our valuation, we have assumed that there is no legal impediment for the Company to freely transfer, lease, mortgage or disposed of the collective profit-oriented construction land use right in the market and no additional land premium is payable.

  1. The property is situated at the north of Cao’an Road (曹安公路) and the south of Bao’an Road (寶安公路) in Anting Town. The subject locality comprises mainly industrial complexes and various residential developments.

  2. We have been provided with a legal opinion by the Group’s PRC legal adviser, Shu Jin Law Firm, regarding the legal title of the property, which contains, inter alia, the followings:

  3. (i) the property is legally held by Linkz (Shanghai);

  4. (ii) Linkz (Shanghai) is entitled to transfer, lease, mortgage or dispose of the collective land freely in the market upon obtaining approval from relevant authority; and

  5. (iii) the property is free from any mortgage or third parties’ encumbrance.

– IV-7 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

PROPERTY PARTICULARS AND OPINION OF VALUE

No. Property Description and tenure

  • 2 An Industrial The property comprises an Complex located industrial complex with a in No. 88, steel constructed factory, a Huaxun Road, dormitory and some ancillary Huaqiao buildings completed in around Economic 2008. It erected on a parcel of Development land with the total site area of Zone, Kunshan approximately 68,116.7 sq.m. City, Jiangsu (733,208.16 sq.ft). Province, the PRC The total gross floor area of the property is approximately

  • (位於中華人民共 46,936.61 sq.m. (505,225.67 和國江蘇省昆山 sq.ft.). 市花橋經濟開發 區華迅路88號之 The land use rights of the 廠房) property have been granted for a term expiring on 24 March 2057 for industrial use.

Market Value as at Particulars of occupancy 31 January 2020 RMB As advised, the property is 219,000,000 owner-occupied for (RENMINBI TWO industrial use. HUNDRED AND NINETEEN MILLION ONLY)

Notes:

  1. Pursuant to a Stated-owned Land Use Right Certificate -Kun Guo Yun (2007) No. 12007111064 (昆國 用(2007)第12007111064號), the land use rights of the property with a total site area of approximately 68,116.7 sq.m. were granted to Linkz Industries (Suzhou) Limited (華迅工業(蘇州)有限公司) (‘‘Linkz Ind (Suzhou)’’).

  2. Pursuant to 3 Building Ownership Certificates — Kun Fang Quan Zheng Hua Qiao Zi No. 131012571, 131012572 and 13102573 (昆房權證花橋字第 131012571 號,131012572 號 and 13102573 號), the building ownership of the property with a total gross floor area of approximately 46,936.61 sq.m. have been vested in Linkz Ind (Suzhou) for industrial use.

  3. The property is situated at the north east of National Highway No. G2 (京沪高速) in Huaxun Road, Huaqiao Economic Development Zone. The subject locality comprises mainly industrial complexes and various residential developments.

  4. We have been provided with a legal opinion by the Group’s PRC legal adviser, Shu Jin Law Firm, regarding the legal title of the property, which contains, inter alia, the followings:

  5. (i) the property is legally held by Linkz Ind (Suzhou);

  6. (ii) Linkz Ind (Suzhou) is entitled to transfer, lease, mortgage or dispose of the property freely in the market; portion of the property as set out in the Building Ownership Certificate – Kun Fang Quan Zheng Hua Qiao Zi No.131012571 with total gross floor area of 9,895.31 sq.m., cannot be separately transferred but can be transferred with other buildings together as a whole complex; and

  7. (iii) the property is free from any mortgage or third parties’ encumbrance.

– IV-8 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

PROPERTY PARTICULARS AND OPINION OF VALUE

No. Property Description and tenure

3 An Industrial The property comprises an Complex located industrial complex with two in No. 910, steel constructed factories and Jimingtang South some ancillary buildings. It Road, Huaqiao erected on a parcel of land Town, Kunshan with the total site area of City, Jiangsu approximately 9,268.10 sq.m. Province, (99,762 sq.ft). the PRC The total gross floor area of (位於中華人民共 the property is approximately 和國江蘇省昆山 6,144.07 sq.m. (66,135 sq.ft.). 市花橋鎮雞鳴塘 南路910號之廠 The land use rights of the 房) property have been granted for a term expiring on 19 September 2054 for industrial use.

Market Value as at Particulars of occupancy 31 January 2020 RMB As advised, the property is 28,000,000 owner-occupied for (RENMINBI TWENTY industrial use. EIGHT MILLION ONLY) (please see Note 3 below for certain assumption)

Notes:

  1. Pursuant to a Collective Land Use Right Certificate – Kun Ji Yun (2005) No. 22005111029 (昆集用(2005) 22005111029), the land use rights of the property with a total site area of approximately 9,268.10 sq.m. were granted to 昆山市德勤機械有限公司 (‘‘Kunshan Deqin’’).
Building Ownership Certificates
Usage
Total Storey
Kun Fang Quan Zheng Hua Qiao Zi Di
No. 131039097 昆房權證花橋字第131039097
Security Room
1
Kun Fang Quan Zheng Hua Qiao Zi Di
No. 131039098 昆房權證花橋字第131039098
Kitchen
1
Kun Fang Quan Zheng Hua Qiao Zi Di
No. 131039099 昆房權證花橋字第131039099
Factory 1
2
Kun Fang Quan Zheng Hua Qiao Zi Di
No. 131039100 昆房權證花橋字第131039100
Factory 2
2
Total:
Approximate
Gross Floor Area
(sq.m.)
43.99
85.10
3,351.66
2,663.32
6,144.07
  1. Pursuant to 4 Building Ownership Certificates, the building ownership of the Property with a total gross floor area of approximately 6,144.07 sq.m. have been vested in Kunshan Deqin for industrial use.

– IV-9 –

VALUATION REPORT OF THE PROPERTIES

APPENDIX IV

  1. For collective land (title certificate reference: Kun Ji Yun (2005) Di No. 22005111029), in the opinion of Group’s PRC legal advisor, according to the Land Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, effective on 1 January 2020, the land user obtaining the collective profit-oriented construction land use right by transferrable is entitled to freely transfer, exchange, financing, give or mortgage it in the market unless otherwise stipulated by law or agreed in the written contract executed by the land owner or the land user. Therefore, in our valuation, we have assumed that there is no legal impediment for the Company to freely transfer, lease, mortgage or disposed of the collective profit-oriented construction land use right in the market and no additional land premium is payable.

  2. The property is situated at the north east of National Highway No. G2 (京沪高速) in Huaxun Road, Huaqiao Economic Development Zone. The subject locality comprises mainly industrial complexes and various residential developments.

  3. We have been provided with a legal opinion by the Group’s PRC legal adviser, Shu Jin Law Firm, regarding the legal title of the property, which contains, inter alia, the followings:

  4. (i) the property is legally held by Kunshan Deqin;

  5. (ii) Kunshan Deqin is entitled to transfer, lease, mortgage or dispose of the property freely in the market upon obtaining approval from relevant authority; and

  6. (iii) the property is free from any mortgage or third parties’ encumbrance.

– IV-10 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

1. RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

This circular, for which the Directors collectively and individually accept full responsibility, includes particulars given in compliance with the Listing Rules for the purpose of giving information with regard to the Group. The Directors having made all reasonable enquiries, confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief the information contained in this circular 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 circular misleading.

2. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

(i) Directors’ and chief executives’ interests and short positions in shares, underlying shares and debentures of the Company or any associated corporations

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the interests or short positions of each of the Directors and the chief executive in the shares of the Company, underlying shares and debentures of the Company and its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) which will have to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 of Part XV of the SFO (including interests and short positions which he is taken or deemed to have taken under such provisions of the SFO) or which will be required, pursuant to Section 352 of the SFO, to be recorded in the register referred to therein or which will be required pursuant to the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers (‘‘Model Code’’) to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange are set out as follows:

Long position in shares of the Company

Number of Approximate
shares held/ percentage of
Name of Director Capacity/Nature interested interest
Mr. Paul Lo (Note) Interest of a controlled 1,175,070,000 63.86%
corporation/others

Note: Mr. Paul Lo beneficially owns the entire issued share capital of Nickson Holdings. Nickson Holdings and Mr. Paul Lo hold 20.14% and 39.68% of the issued ordinary share capital of Linkz Industries, respectively, and Time Holdings is wholly-owned by Linkz Industries. Accordingly, Mr. Paul Lo, is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares held by Time Holdings for the purpose of the SFO. Mr. Paul Lo beneficially owns 2.84% of the issued shares capital of Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited (‘‘Gold Peak’’).

– V-1 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

Long position in shares of associated corporation of the Company

Name of Number of Approximate
associated Name of Nature of Shares held/ percentage of
corporation Director interest interested interest
Linkz Industries Mr. Cua Tin Yin Others 12,838,618 0.70%
Simon (Note)

Note: Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon is the executive Director, holding 1.09% of the issued ordinary share capital of Linkz Industries. Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon is also holding 0.011% of the issued share capital of Gold Peak.

Long position in the underlying shares of the share options granted under the Share Option Scheme

Number of the
underlying Approximate
Shares interested percentage of the
and nature total issued
Name of the Directors of interests Shares (%)*
Executive Directors
Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon 10,488,000 0.570
Mr. Wong Chi Kuen 9,528,000 0.518
Non-executive Director
Mr. Paul Lo 1,824,000 0.099
Independent non-executive Directors
Mr. Ho Hin Shun 1,824,000 0.099
Mr. Luk Wai Shing 1,824,000 0.099
Mr. Chan Chung Shun, Eric 1,824,000 0.099

*: The percentage was calculated based on 1,840,000,000 shares in issue as at the Latest Practicable Date.

Save as disclosed above, as at the Latest Practicable Date, none of the Directors and chief executives of the Company had any interests or short positions in any Shares, underlying shares and debentures of the Company or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) which would have 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 were taken or deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO), or which were recorded in the register required to be kept by the Company pursuant to section 352 of the SFO, or which were required, pursuant to the Model Code to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange.

– V-2 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

(ii) Interests of Substantial Shareholders

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the following persons/entities (other than the Directors and chief executives of the Company) had or were deemed to have an interest or a short position in the shares or the underlying shares of the Company which would be required to be disclosed to the Company under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO, or which were recorded in the register of the Company required to be kept under section 336 of the SFO, or who were directly or indirectly, to be interested in 10% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital carrying rights to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of the Company or any other member of the Group:

Number of Approximate
Shares held/ percentage of
Name Capacity/Nature interested interest
Time Holdings Beneficial owner 1,175,070,000 63.86%
Linkz Industries Interest of controlled 1,175,070,000 63.86%
(Note 1) corporation
Ms. Ho Hsiu Lan Interest of spouse 1,175,070,000 63.86%
(Note 2)
Nickson Holdings Interest of controlled 1,175,070,000 63.86%
(Note 3) corporation
GP Industries Interest of controlled 1,175,070,000 63.86%
Limited (Note 4) corporation
Gold Peak (Note 5) Interest of controlled 1,175,070,000 63.86%
corporation
Datatech Beneficial owner 204,930,000 11.14%
Investment Inc.
Mr. Kwong Ping Interest of controlled 204,930,000 11.14%
Man (Note 6) corporation
Ms. Chan Kit Interest of spouse 204,930,000 11.14%
Sum (Note 7)

Notes:

  • 1) Time Holdings is wholly-owned by Linkz Industries. Therefore, Linkz Industries is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares held by Time Holdings for the purpose of the SFO.

  • 2) Ms. Ho Hsiu Lan is the spouse of Mr. Paul Lo. Accordingly, Ms. Ho Hsiu Lan is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares in which Mr. Paul Lo is interested for the purpose of the SFO.

  • 3) Nickson Holdings holds 20.14% of the issued ordinary share capital of Linkz Industries, and Time Holdings is wholly-owned by Linkz Industries. Therefore, Nickson Holdings is deemed to, or taken to be, interested in all the shares held by Time Holdings for the purpose of the SFO.

– V-3 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

  • 4) GP Industries Limited (‘‘GP Industries’’) holds 38.13% of the issued ordinary share capital of Linkz Industries, and Time Holdings is wholly-owned by Linkz Industries. Therefore, GP Industries is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares held by Time Holdings for the purpose of the SFO.

  • 5) Gold Peak holds 85.47% issued share capital of GP Industries. GP Industries holds 38.13% of the issued ordinary share capital of Linkz Industries, and Time Holdings is wholly-owned by Linkz Industries. Therefore, Gold Peak is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares held by Time Holdings for the purpose of the SFO.

  • 6) Mr. Kwong Ping Man beneficially owns the entire issued share capital of Datatech Investment Inc.. Therefore, Mr. Kwong Ping Man is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares held by Datatech Investment Inc. for the purpose of the SFO. Mr. Kwong Ping Man is the sole director of Datatech Investment Inc..

  • 7) Ms. Chan Kit Sum is the spouse of Mr. Kwong Ping Man. Accordingly, Ms. Chan Kit Sum is deemed, or taken to be, interested in all the shares in which Mr. Kwong Ping Man is interested for the purpose of the SFO.

Mr. Cua Tin Yin Simon is a director of Linkz Industries. Mr. Paul Lo is a director of each of Time Holdings, Linkz Industries and Nickson Holdings.

Save as disclosed above, so far as is known to the Directors, as at the Latest Practicable Date, the Company had not been notified by any persons (other than Directors or chief executive of the Company) who had interest or short positions in the shares or underlying shares or debentures of the Company which would fall to be disclosed to the Company under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO, or which were required, pursuant to section 336 of the SFO, to be recorded in the register referred to therein.

(iii) Competing interests

As at the Latest Practicable Date, none of the Directors or their respective associates was considered to have interests in businesses apart from the Enlarged Group’s businesses which compete, or are likely to compete, either directly or indirectly, with the businesses of the Enlarged Group pursuant to Rule 8.10 of the Listing Rules.

(iv) Other interests

As at the Latest Practicable Date, save for the Vendor which is ultimately and beneficially owned by Mr. Paul Lo as to 59.82% of its effective interest as set out in the section headed ‘‘Letter from the Board — Listing Rules implications’’ to this circular, none of the Directors had any direct or indirect material interest in any assets which have been acquired or disposed of by or leased to any member of the Enlarged Group, or are proposed to be acquired or disposed of by or leased to any member of the Enlarged Group since 31 March 2019 (the date to which the latest published audited consolidated financial statements of the Group were made up) up to the Latest Practicable Date.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, none of the Directors was materially interested in any contract or arrangement subsisting as at the date thereof and which was significant in relation to the business of the Enlarged Group as at the Latest Practicable Date.

– V-4 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

3. SERVICE CONTRACTS

As at the Latest Practicable Date, none of the Directors had any existing or proposed services contracts with any member of the Enlarged Group which is not expiring or determinable by the Enlarged Group within one year without payment of compensation (other than statutory compensation).

4. EXPERTS AND CONSENTS

The following is the name and qualification of the experts who have given opinion or advice which is referred to or contained in this circular:

Name Qualification
First Capital International A licensed corporation permitted to carry on Type 1
Finance Limited (dealing in securities) and Type 6 (advising on corporate
finance) regulated activities under the SFO
Shu Jin Law Firm Legal adviser to the Company as to PRC laws
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants
China Research and Independent market research consultant
Intelligence Co., Ltd
RHL Appraisal Limited Independent professional valuer
Sam K. M. Ng CPA Limited Internal control consultant

Each of the above experts had given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the issue of this circular with the inclusion of its letter, advice and opinion and references to its name in the form and context in which it appeared.

As at the Latest Practicable Date, each of the above experts did not have any shareholding in any member of the Enlarged Group or any rights (whether legally enforceable or not) to subscribe for or to nominate persons to subscribe for securities in any member of the Enlarged Group. In addition, each of the above experts did not have any interest in any assets which have been, since 31 March 2019 (being the date to which the latest published audited accounts of the Company were made up), acquired or disposed of by or leased to any member of the Enlarged Group, or are proposed to be acquired or disposed of by or leased to any member of the Enlarged Group.

5. MATERIAL LITIGATION

At the Latest Practicable Date, no member of the Enlarged Group was engaged in any litigation arbitration or claim of material importance and no litigation or claims of material importance was pending or threatened against any member of the Enlarged Group.

– V-5 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES OF THE TARGET GROUP

Set out below are the intellectual properties that are considered to be material to the business of the Target Group and with which the Target Group conducts the majority of its business:

Trademarks

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group has registered the following trademarks in the PRC:

Registration
No. Trademark Registered owner Class number Duration
1 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 9 7280521 21 November 2010 —
20 November 2030
2 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 9 10185599 14 January 2013 —
13 January 2023
3 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 9 10185654 7 February 2014 —
6 February 2024
4 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 9 15001999 21 September 2015 —
20 September 2025
5 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 9 15002003 7 January 2017 —
6 January 2027
6 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 9 15002042 28 October 2015 —
27 October 2025

Domain Names

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group has registered the following domain names:

No. Domain name Registrant Expiry date
1 huaxuncable.com Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 4 May 2024
2 华迅工业.com Linkz Ind (Suzhou) 10 November 2022

– V-6 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

Patents

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Target Group has registered the following patents in the PRC:

Description of Certificate
No. patent Registered owner Patent number number Date of application Term
1 Unshielded symmetrical ethernet Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201120265233.6 2152284 26 July 2011 10 years
data cable
以太網用屏蔽與非屏蔽對稱數據電纜
2 Unshielded symmetrical ethernet Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201120265232.1 2153530 26 July 2011 10 years
data cable
以太網用屏蔽與非屏蔽對稱數據電纜
3 Multifunction compound cable Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201120550440.6 2344949 26 December 2011 10 years
多功能複合電纜
4 Multipair Cat 6A Shielded Twisted Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201220010977.8 2380902 11 January 2012 10 years
Pair data communication cable
多對數超六類屏蔽數據通信對絞電纜
5 Double sheathed with new type of Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201220032590.2 2402424 2 February 2012 10 years
filler Cat 6A unshielded twisted
pair data communication cable
雙護套新型填充超六類非屏蔽數據通
信對絞電纜
6 Dual-header twin-screw continuous Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201220067984.1 2476625 28 February 2012 10 years
insulated extruder equipment
雙機頭雙螺杆連續絕緣押出設備
7 Antistatic symmetrical ethernet Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201420294549.1 3842265 5 June 2014 10 years
data cable
以太網用抗靜電對稱數據電纜
8 Data cable material processing Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201410462986.4 2279689 12 September 2014 20 years
equipment
數據綫材料加工設備
9 A new type of symmetrical ethernet Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201420294566.5 3846416 5 June 2014 10 years
data cable
一種新型以太網用對稱數據電纜
10 A type of (PTFE Insulated) CMP Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201520157419.8 4545569 19 March 2015 10 years
unshielded parallel symmetrical
ethernet data cable
以太網用發泡絕緣CMP級非屏蔽水
平對稱數據電纜
11 Water and UV resistant, parallel Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201520157420.0 4544966 19 March 2015 10 years
symmetrical high speed ethernet
data cable
高速以太網用阻水耐UV型水平對稱
數據電纜
12 Ultrasound scanner equipment Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201520157225.8 4545731 19 March 2015 10 years
connector cable
超聲波掃描設備連接綫
13 Unshielded (PTFE Insulated) Cat 6 Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201520157223.9 4824940 19 March 2015 10 years
symmetrical ethernet data cable
以太網用非屏蔽鐵氟籠發泡絕緣六類
水平對稱數據電纜
14 Unshielded twisted pair cable Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201620773777.6 5886495 22 July 2016 10 years
非屏蔽式扭絞綫對電纜

– V-7 –

APPENDIX V

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description of Certificate
No. patent Registered owner Patent number number Date of application Term
15 A type of communication cable Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201620773776.1 5904933 22 July 2016 10 years
一種通信電纜
16 A type of FTP exterior mould Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201720704115.8 6923989 16 June 2017 10 years
construction
一種FTP綫纜品外被模具結構
17 A type of symmetrical ethernet cable Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201720799641.7 6924370 4 July 2017 10 years
一種以太網用對稱數據電纜
18 A type of local area network cable Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201720799642.1 6924369 4 July 2017 10 years
with water resistant structure
一種具有阻水結構的局域網絡用綫
19 A type of cloud computing high Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201720798947.0 7208959 4 July 2017 10 years
speed transmission parallel pair
SFP+ cable
一種雲計算高速傳輸平行對SFP+綫
20 A new type of mould for extruding Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201720869173.6 7208321 18 July 2017 10 years
cable sheath
一種新型電纜護套押出用模具
21 A type of symmetrical ethernet Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201710774191.0 3320873 31 August 2017 20 years
data cable
一種以太網用對稱數據電纜
22 A type of shielded ethernet data cable Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201820501729.0 8108289 10 April 2018 10 years
一種以太網用屏蔽數據電纜
23 A type of symmetrical ethernet Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201820505834.1 8102162 11 April 2018 10 years
data cable
一種以太網用對稱數據電纜
24 A type of antistatic laminated tape Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201820505945.2 8438562 11 April 2018 10 years
for symmetrical data cable
一種對稱數據電纜用抗靜電金屬箔塑
料複合帶
25 A type of highly antistatic network Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201920256208.8 9548336 28 February 2019 10 years
cable for rail transit use
一種軌道交通用高強度抗靜電網絡線
26 A type of highly flame-retardant Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL201920256914.2 9545678 28 February 2019 10 years
network cable for rail transit use
一種高阻燃軌道交通用網絡線纜
27 A type of mold and extrusion device Linkz Ind (Suzhou) ZL20192025622 5.1 9940650 28 February 2019 10 years
for double co-extrusion rail transit
network cable
一種軌道交通用線纜雙層共擠外模具
及擠出裝置
28 Unshielded braided or slanted coated Linkz (Shanghai) ZL201120509571.X 2503480 8 December 2011 10 years
parallel ethernet data cable
以太網用非屏蔽編織或斜包對稱數據
電纜
29 Compound shielded symmetrical Linkz (Shanghai) ZL201621390271.3 6276204 16 December 2016 10 years
ethernet data cable
以太網用複合屏蔽對稱數據電纜
30 Multimedia combination cable Linkz (Shanghai) ZL200510029451.9 395601 7 September 2005 20 years
for elevators
電梯用多媒體組合電纜

– V-8 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

7. MATERIAL CONTRACTS

The S&P Agreement has been entered into by the Enlarged Group (not being contract entered into in the ordinary course of business) within two years immediately preceding the date of this circular and is or may be material.

8. GENERAL

  • (a) The registered office of the Company is P.O. Box 1350, Clifton House, 75 Fort Street, Grand Cayman, KY1-1108, Cayman Islands.

  • (b) The principal place of business of the Company in Hong Kong is at Unit 601, Photonics Centre, 2 Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong.

  • (c) The Hong Kong branch share registrar and transfer office of the Company is Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong.

  • (d) The company secretary of the Company is Ms. Ng Hoi Ying, who is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

  • (e) This circular is in both English and Chinese. In the event of inconsistency, the English text shall prevail over the Chinese text.

9. DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION

Copies of the following documents are available for inspection during normal business hours at the principal place of business of the Company in Hong Kong at Unit 601, Photonics Centre, 2 Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong from the date of this circular and up to and including the date which is 14 days from the date of this circular:

  • (a) the memorandum of association and articles of association of the Company;

  • (b) the letter from the Board, the text of which is set out in ‘‘Letter from the Board’’ in this circular;

  • (c) the letter of recommendation from the Independent Board Committee to the Independent Shareholders, the text of which is set out in ‘‘Letter from the Independent Board Committee’’ in this circular;

  • (d) the letter of advice from the Independent Financial Adviser to the Independent Board Committee and the Independent Shareholders, the text of which is set out in ‘‘Letter from the Independent Financial Adviser’’ in this circular;

  • (e) the accountant’s report on the Target Group from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the text of which is set out in Appendix II to this circular;

– V-9 –

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX V

  • (f) the report on the unaudited pro forma financial information of the Enlarged Group from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the text of which is set out in Appendix III to this circular;

  • (g) the valuation report on the Properties from RHL Appraisal Limited, the text of which is set out in Appendix IV to this circular;

  • (h) the legal opinion issued by Shu Jin Law Firm;

  • (i) the market research report prepared by CRI;

  • (j) the internal control report prepared by Sam K.M. Ng CPA Limited;

  • (k) the written consents referred to in the paragraph headed ‘‘Experts and consents’’ in this appendix;

  • (l) the material contract referred to in the paragraph headed ‘‘Material contracts’’ in this appendix;

  • (m) the annual reports of the Company for the years ended 31 March 2018 and 2019 and the interim report of the Company for the six months ended 30 September 2019;

  • (n) the Property Sharing Agreement;

  • (o) the Administrative Services Agreement; and

  • (p) this circular.

– V-10 –

NOTICE OF EGM

==> picture [225 x 41] intentionally omitted <==

(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 1729)

NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an extraordinary general meeting (the ‘‘EGM’’) of Time Interconnect Technology Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 at Salon Room I, L/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong for the following purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing with or without amendment, the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:

ORDINARY RESOLUTION

‘‘THAT:

  • (a) the S&P Agreement (as defined in the circular of the Company dated 30 March 2020 (the ‘‘Circular’’)) dated 24 March 2020, entered into between the Company as the purchaser, and Linkz Industries Limited as the vendor, pursuant to which the Company conditionally agreed to acquire and Linkz Industries Limited conditionally agreed to sell, the entire issued capital of Linkz Cables Limited (華迅電纜有限公司) (the ‘‘Target Company’’, together with its subsidiaries upon completion of reorganisation, the ‘‘Target Group’’) and the shareholder’s loan in the sum owed by the Target Group to Linkz Industries Limited as at Completion (as defined in the Circular) and the transactions contemplated thereunder be and are hereby approved, confirmed and ratified; and

  • (b) any one or more director of the Company be and is hereby authorised to do all acts and things and to execute all such documents (including the affixation of the common seal of the Company where execution under seal is required) and take all steps which, in his opinion deem necessary or expedient to carry out or to give effect to any matters relating to or in connection with the S&P Agreement.

By order of the Board Time Interconnect Technology Limited Cua Tin Yin Simon

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer

Hong Kong, 30 March 2020

– EGM-1 –

NOTICE OF EGM

Registered office: P.O. Box 1350 Clifton House 75 Fort Street Grand Cayman KY1-1108 Cayman Islands

Head office and principal place of business in Hong Kong: Unit 601, Photonics Centre 2 Science Park East Avenue Hong Kong Science Park Shatin Hong Kong

Notes:

  1. A form of proxy for the meeting is enclosed.

  2. Only members are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting (or at any adjournment thereof).

  3. Any member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of the Company shall be entitled to appoint one or more proxies (who must be an individual) to attend and vote instead of him/her. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

  4. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing, or if the appointor is a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney or other person duly authorised to sign the same.

  5. In order to be valid, the proxy form, together with the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed or a certified copy thereof, must be deposited at the Company’s Hong Kong branch share registrar, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be).

  6. Completion and return of a proxy form shall not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the meeting or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be) should the member so wish, and in such event, the proxy form shall be deemed to be revoked.

  7. Where there are joint holders of any share of the Company, any one of such joint holders may vote, either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he/she were solely entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at any meeting, the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register of members of the Company in respect of the joint holding.

– EGM-2 –