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Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c.

Report & Consolidated Financial Statements

31 December 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company registration number: C 37513                     

 


Contents

Directors’ report

Statement by the directors on the financial statements and other information included in the annual report

Directors’ statement of compliance with the Code of Principles Of Good Corporate Governance

Other disclosures in terms of capital markets rules

Remuneration statement

Statements of total comprehensive income

Statements of financial position

Statements of changes in equity

Statements of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Independent auditor’s report


 

Directors’ report

 

The directors present their report together with the audited financial statements of Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. (the Company) and the consolidated financial statements of the group for the year ended 31 December 2022. The group comprises the Company, its two subsidiaries, Palm City Ltd and Palm Waterfront Ltd, and its associate, Medina Tower Joint Stock Company for Real Estate Investment and Development.

Principal activities

Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. was incorporated as a private limited liability company on 12 December 2005 as Mediterranean Investments Holding Limited and was, on 6 November 2007, converted into a public limited liability company. The principal activities of the group are to directly or indirectly acquire, develop and operate real estate projects in Libya and invest in any related trade or business venture.

Review of the business

Throughout the year under review, occupancy at Palm City Residences, the only operational asset of the group, remained relatively stable, so that occupancy for the year averaged at 51.6%. Management continued to receive enquiries for the leasing of units at Palm City and remained in touch with potential client leads. However as is often the case when dealing with certain entities, progress is gradual and dependant on several factors beyond the Company’s control.   During the year, Palm City generated €25.0 million in revenue at an average rent rate of €8,907 per residential unit per month.

 

During the year, management continued to strengthen its maintenance and support capabilities enabling the Company to capture revenue from many short-term lease opportunities that continued to present themselves, while preparing for and servicing longer term requirements, both in the residential areas and also in back-end system operations. During 2022, management continued to carefully implement further measures to improve the product and spent money in areas that needed to be refurbished to ensure that all new business could be serviced to client expectations. Providing secure accommodation with a 24 x 7 service continues to be a key criterion to this day.

 

The stable performance at Palm City level contributed to improve the group’s performance and cashflow. From operating activities, the group generated €18.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. At a financing level, this enabled the group to reduce bond indebtedness by €10.0 million when the €40.0 million 5% bond matured during the year under review. The remaining €30.0 million was financed through the issue of a five-year bond carrying a 5.25% coupon rate. The group also settled a €5.0 million loan in full and €2.0 million in dividends to the shareholders.

 

Results

IAS 40 requires that the value of the group’s properties as at the reporting date be tested for impairment. In view of the uncertain political situation in Libya, such a test would necessarily need to take into account a number of alternative scenarios. Notwithstanding the stable performance of the Group, and in consideration of the various scenarios possible in the current political climate, the directors have prudently opted to keep the value of the investment property unchanged in this reporting period.

Given the nature of the leases, which are in their majority medium and long term, and the fact that the group’s clientele have significant vested interests in Libya, the business continued to be resilient despite the political situation remaining unpredictable. The calm environment which prevailed throughout 2021 and 2022, resulted in a slow but steady return of interest in the leasing of units at Palm City, although the uncertainty surrounding the elections delayed expected growth that business enquiries continue to suggest. Notwithstanding this, the effective occupancy closed at 52.5% at the end of December 2022.

Total revenue of €25.0 million for 2022 was 4.25% higher than 2021’s revenue of €24.0 million, with such increase being driven by higher average rates. Operating and other expenses for the year under review were retained at relatively low levels. Operating profit amounted to €17.5 million, which was €1.4 million lower than last year , although in the prior year, there was an exceptional amount of € 2.1 million recorded as other income.

Finance costs decreased substantially from last year. 2021 was negatively impacted by the devaluation of the Libyan Dinar. There was also a reduction in bond interest costs in 2022 following the redemption of the 6.0% bond in 2021 and a reduction of €10.0 million in bonds this year. Additionally, the other loan was settled in full in February 2022.

The group registered a consolidated profit after tax of €10.8 million compared to €10.7 million in 2021.

At parent company level, since the parent company measures the investment in Palm City Limited at fair value through other comprehensive income, a resulting gain on fair value was reported in other comprehensive income, which primarily reflects the net profit for the year of the subsidiary. 

As at the end of 2022, the group’s assets amounted to €306.0 million, down from €310.9 million as at the end of 2021 primarily as a result of the decrease in current assets, notably cash and cash equivalents and debtor balances.

In parallel with the above, included in liabilities, bond indebtedness decreased by €10.0 million and the loan of €5.0 million payable to Lafico was settled in full in February 2022. Total liabilities decreased from €122.3 million to €106.5 million by the end of 2022. The split between non-current and current liabilities has also changed from last year. In 2021, the €40.0 million bond was classified as a current liability, and this has been redeemed as mentioned earlier. By the end of 2022, the €20.0 million 5.5% bond is classified as a current liability as it is due for redemption on 31 st July 2023. It is the intention of the Company to issue a bond of €20.0 million to replace the maturing bond.

Directors

The following have served as directors of the Company during the year under review:

Mr Alfred Pisani (Chairman)

Mr Joseph Fenech (deceased 3 August 2022)

Mr Alfred Camilleri (appointed 4 August 2022)

Mr Faisal J S Alessa

Mr. Mario P. Galea

Mr Joseph M. Pisani

Mr Ahmed Wahedi

Mr Ahmed Yousri Helmy

 

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, the present directors remain in office.

Disclosure of information to the auditor

At the date of making this report the directors confirm the following:

-

As far as each director is aware, there is no relevant information needed by the independent auditor in connection with preparing the audit report of which the independent auditor is unaware, and

-

Each director has taken all steps that he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant information needed by the independent auditor in connection with preparing the audit report and to establish that the independent auditor is aware of that information.

 

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

The Companies Act, Cap 386 requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and the Company as at the end of the financial year and of the profit or loss of the group and the Company for that year.  In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

-

adopt the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and the Company will continue in business;

-

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

-

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

-

account for income and charges relating to the accounting period on an accruals basis;

-

value separately the components of asset and liability items; and

-

report comparative figures corresponding to those of the preceding accounting period.

 

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act, Cap 386.  This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and the Company and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2022 are included in the Annual Report 2022, which is made available on the Company’s website.  The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Annual Report on the website in view of their responsibility for the controls over, and the security of, the website.  Access to information published on the Company’s website is available in other countries and jurisdictions, where legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from requirements or practice in Malta.

Auditor

The auditor Grant Thornton has intimated its willingness to continue in office and a resolution proposing its reappointment will be put to the Annual General Meeting.

 

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors on 25 April 2023 by Alfred Pisani (Chairman) and Ahmed Wahedi (Director) as per the Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report.

 

 

 

Registered office:

22, Europa Centre,

Floriana FRN 1400,

Malta

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement by the directors on the financial statements and other information included in the annual report

Pursuant to Capital Markets Rule 5.68, we, the undersigned, declare that to the best of our knowledge, the financial statements included in the Annual Report, and prepared in accordance with the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company and the group, and that this report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and position of the group and the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

 

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors on 25 April 2023 by Alfred Pisani (Chairman) and Ahmed Wahedi (Director) as per the Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Directors’ statement of compliance with the Code of Principles Of Good Corporate Governance

 

Listed companies are subject to The Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance (the “Code”). The adoption of the Code is not mandatory, but listed companies are required under the Capital Markets Rules issued by MFSA to include a Statement of Compliance with the Code in their Annual Report, accompanied by a report of the independent auditor.

The board of directors (the “directors” or the “board”) of Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. (“MIH” or the “Company”) restate their support for the Code and note that the adoption of the Code has resulted in positive effects to the Company.

The board considers that during the reporting period, the Company has been in compliance with the Code to the extent that was considered adequate with the size and operations of the Company. Instances of divergence from the Code are disclosed and explained below.

A.        COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE

Principles 1 and 4:   The board

The board of directors is entrusted with the overall direction and management of the Company, including the establishment of strategies for future development, and the approval of any proposed acquisitions by the Company in pursuing its investment strategies.

Its responsibilities also involve the oversight of the Company’s internal control procedures and financial performance, and the review of business risks facing the Company, ensuring that these are adequately identified, evaluated, managed and minimised. All the directors have access to independent professional advice at the expense of the Company, should they so require.

Further to the relevant section in Appendix 5.1 to the Capital Markets Rules, the board of directors acknowledge that they are stewards of the Company’s assets and their behaviour is focused on working with management to enhance value to the shareholders.

The board is composed of persons who are fit and proper to direct the business of the Company with the shareholders as the owners of the Company.

All directors are required to:

Exercise prudent and effective controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed to achieve continued prosperity to the Company;

Be accountable for all actions or non-actions arising from discussion and actions taken by them or their delegates;

Determine the Company’s strategic aims and the organisational structure;

Regularly review management performance and ensure that the Company has the appropriate mix of financial and human resources to meet its objectives and improve the economic and commercial prosperity of the Company;

Acquire a broad knowledge of the business of the Company;

Be aware of and be conversant with the statutory and regulatory requirements connected to the business of the Company;

Allocate sufficient time to perform their responsibilities; and

Regularly attend meetings of the board.

 

In terms of Capital Markets Rules 5.117 – 5.134, the board has established an audit committee to monitor the Company’s present and future operations, threats and risks in the external environment and current and future strengths and weaknesses.  The audit committee ensures that the Company has the appropriate policies and procedures in place to ensure that the Company and its employees maintain the highest standards of corporate conduct, including compliance with applicable laws, regulations, business and ethical standards.  The audit committee has a direct link to the board and is represented by the chairman of the audit committee in all board meetings.

Principle 2:   Chairman and Chief Executive

The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are carried out respectively by Mr Alfred Pisani and Mr Reuben Xuereb.

In terms of Principle 3.1, which calls for the appointment of a senior independent director, the board has appointed Mr Mario Galea as the indicated senior independent director.

The chairman is responsible to:

 

Lead the board and set its agenda;

Ensure that the directors of the board receive precise, timely and objective information so that they can take sound decisions and effectively monitor the performance of the Company;

Ensure effective communication with shareholders; and

Encourage active engagement by all members of the board for discussion of complex or contentious issues.

 

Principle 3:   Composition of the board

The board of directors consists of one executive director and six non-executive directors.   Three directors are appointed by each of the two major shareholders, that is CPHCL Company Limited of Malta (“CPHCL”) and National Real Estate Company of Kuwait (“NREC”) and are officers of these two companies. The other is an independent director jointly appointed by the two major shareholders.   The present mix of executive directors, non-executive directors and independent director is considered to create a healthy balance and serves to unite all shareholders’ interests, whilst providing direction to the Company’s management to help maintain a sustainable organisation.

The non-executive directors constitute a majority on the board and their main functions are to monitor the operations of the executive directors and their performance as well as to analyse any investment opportunities that are proposed by the executive directors. In addition, the non-executive directors have the role of acting as an important check on the possible conflicts of interest of the executive directors, which may exist as a result of their dual role as executive directors of the Company and their role as officers of MIH’s 50% shareholder, CPHCL.

For the purpose of Capital Markets Rules 5.118 and 5.119, Mr Mario P. Galea and Mr Ahmed Yousri Helmy are the non-executive directors who are considered independent.  The board believes that the independence of its directors is not compromised because of long service or the provision of any other service to the group.  Each director is mindful of maintaining independence, professionalism and integrity in carrying out his duties, responsibilities and providing judgement as a director of the Company.

The board considers that none of the independent directors of the Company:

 

Are or have been employed in any capacity by the Company;

Have or have had, over the past three years, a significant business relationship with the Company;

Have received or receives significant additional remuneration from the Company in addition to its director’s fee;

Have close family ties with any of the Company’s executive directors or senior employees; and

Have been within the last three years an engagement partner or a member of the audit team or past external auditor of the Company.

 

Each of the directors hereby declares that he undertakes to:                   

 

Maintain in all circumstances his independence of analysis, decision and action;

Not to seek or accept any unreasonable advantages that could be considered as compromising his independence; and

Clearly express his opposition in the event that he finds that a decision of the board may harm the Company.

 

The board also believes that the independence of its directors is not compromised because of long service or the provision of any other service to the Corinthia Group.  Each director is mindful of maintaining independence, professionalism and integrity in carrying out his duties, responsibilities and providing judgement as a director of the Company.

The board is made up as follows:

Executive directors                                                              Date of first appointment

Mr Alfred Pisani – Chairman                                          12 December 2005

Mr Joseph Fenech – Executive Director                         25 August 2006 (deceased 3 August 2022)

 

Non-executive directors                                                       Date of first appointment

Mr Faisal J S Alessa                                                        24 June 2009                                         

Mr Mario P. Galea                                                         15 January 2014

Mr Joseph M. Pisani                                                      12 June 2015

Mr Alfred Camilleri                                                       4 August 2022

Mr Ahmed Wahedi                                                       14 March 2018

Mr Ahmed Yousri Helmy                                             14 March 2018

 

Company secretary                                                            Date of first appointment

Mr Stephen Bajada                                                       18 April 2012

 

In accordance with the Articles of Association, the directors are appointed for an indefinite period.

Principle 5:   Board meetings

During the year under review the board of directors met four times to discuss the operations and strategy of the Company.

The number of board meetings attended by the directors for the year under review is as follows:

Mr Alfred Pisani                                     - 4 times

Mr Joseph Fenech                                  - 2 times

Mr Alfred Camilleri                                - 2 times

Mr Joseph M Pisani                                - 4 times

Mr Ahmed Wahedi                                 - 4 times

Mr Ahmed Yousri                                  - 4 times

Mr Faisal Sultan Alessa                           - 0 times

Mr Mario P Galea                                  - 4 times

Principle 6:   Information and professional development

The Company ensures that it provides directors with relevant information to enable them to effectively contribute to board decisions.  The Company is committed to provide adequate and detailed induction training to directors who are newly appointed to the board.  The Company pledged to make available to the directors all training and advice as required.

Principle 8:   Committees

Audit committee

The audit committee’s primary objective is to assist the board in fulfilling its supervisory responsibilities over the financial reporting processes, financial policies and internal control structure as well as the risk management of the Company. The committee is made up of non-executive directors and reports directly to the board of directors. The committee oversees the conduct of the internal and external audit and acts to facilitate communication between the board, management and, upon the direct request of the audit committee, the internal audit team and the external auditors.

During the year under review, the committee met four times. The internal and external auditors were invited to attend these meetings.

During the year under review, Mr Mario P. Galea served as Chairman. Mr Joseph M. Pisani and Mr Ahmed Yousri served as members whilst Mr Stephen Bajada acted as secretary to the committee.

The board of directors, in terms of Capital Markets Rules 5.118, has indicated Mr Mario P. Galea as the independent non-executive member of the audit committee who is considered to be competent in accounting and/or auditing in view of his considerable experience at a senior level in the audit and advisory field. 

The audit committee is also responsible for the overview of the internal audit function. The role of the internal auditor is to carry out systematic risk-based reviews and appraisals of the operations of the Company (as well as of its subsidiary) for the purpose of advising management and the board, through the audit committee, on the efficiency and effectiveness of management policies, practices and internal controls. The function is expected to promote the application of best practices within the organisation.

The directors are fully aware that the close association of the Company with CPHCL and its other subsidiaries is central to the attainment by the Company of its investment objectives and implementation of its strategies. The audit committee ensures that transactions entered into between related parties are carried out on an arm’s length basis and are for the benefit of the Company, and that the Company, and its subsidiary, accurately report all related party transactions in the notes to the financial statements.

In the year under review the Audit Committee oversaw the implementation of the necessary measures to ensure compliance in terms of the Market Abuse Directive and Regulations.  The board of directors approved the new terms of reference of the Audit Committee, bringing them in line with both the changes in the Capital Markets Rules, as well as best international practice.

Pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 of Title III of the provisions of the Statutory Audit Regulations the Audit Committee has been entrusted with overseeing the process of appointment of the statutory auditors or audit firms.

 

Principle 9:   Relations with shareholders and with the market

 

The Company is highly committed to having an open and communicative relationship with its bondholders and investors.  In this respect, over and above the statutory and regulatory requirements relating to the Annual General Meeting, the publication of interim and annual financial statements, the Company seeks to address the diverse information needs of its bondholders and investors by providing the market with regular, timely, accurate, comparable and comprehensive information.

 

Principle 10:   Institutional shareholders

 

The Company ensures that it is constantly in close touch with its principal institutional investors.  The Company is aware that institutional investors who are mainly bondholders have the knowledge and expertise to analyse market information and make their independent and objective conclusions of the information available.

Institutional investors are expected to give due weight to relevant factors drawn to their attention when evaluating the Company’s governance arrangements in particular those relating to board structure and composition and departure from the Code of Corporate Governance.

 

Principle 11:   Conflicts of interest

 

The directors are fully aware of their obligations regarding dealings in securities of the Company as required by the Capital Markets Rules in force during the year.  Moreover, they are notified of blackout periods, prior to the issue of the Company’s interim and annual financial information, during which they may not trade in the Company’s bonds.

 

None of the other directors of the Company have any interest in the shares of the Company or the Company’s subsidiaries or investees or any disclosable interest in any contracts or arrangements either subsisting at the end of the last financial year or entered into during this financial year.

 

Principle 12: Corporate social responsibility

The Company understands that it has an obligation towards society at large to put into practice sound principles of Corporate Social Responsibility. This responsibility is carried out by its Maltese shareholder, CPHCL and by its subsidiary Palm City Limited.

B.         NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE

Principle 7:   Evaluation of the board’s performance

Under the present circumstances, the board does not consider it necessary to appoint a committee to carry out a performance evaluation of its role, as the board’s performance is always under the scrutiny of the shareholders.

Principle 8:   Nomination Committee

The Board does not consider it necessary to appoint a nomination committee. Appointments to the Board of Directors are determined by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association

Principle 8:   Remuneration Committee

The Board of Directors considers that the size and operation of the Company does not warrant the setting up of a remuneration committee. Given that the Company does not have any employees of its own, and any remuneration to the Board of Directors is determined by the shareholders in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, it is not considered necessary for the Company to maintain a remuneration committee.

 

 

Other disclosures in terms of capital markets rules

 

Statement by the directors pursuant to Capital Markets Rule 5.70.1

Contracts of significance

Loan agreement with Palm Waterfront Ltd

The Company has advanced amounts to its subsidiary, Palm Waterfront Ltd. The terms of the relevant agreement are set out in the Company’s financial statements.

Loan agreements with shareholders and an ultimate shareholder

The shareholders of the Company have advanced funds to the Company by way of shareholders’ loans. The terms of the relevant agreement are set out in the Company’s financial statements. 

Build – Operate – Transfer agreements

Palm City Ltd is party to a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement wherein it was engaged by CPHCL Company Limited (CPHCL – holder of legal title to the Janzour land) to finalise the construction of the project in accordance with the specifications agreed upon by both parties.  All costs and expenses related to the completion of the project, construction and development shall be borne by Palm City Ltd.  In return Palm City Ltd will operate the project for its own benefit for a specific period of 65 years.  Upon expiry of this 65 year term, Palm City is bound to transfer the operation back to CPHCL. The Company and CPHCL Company Limited have applied to the competent authorities in Libya, for approval of the assignment of the 99-year lease (which expires on 4 July 2105), from CPHCL Company Limited to Palm City Ltd. Both parties have agreed that upon such approval being granted, the Build-Operate-Transfer agreement will be terminated.

On 5 December 2013, Palm Waterfront Ltd entered into a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement with CPHCL Company Limited. The arrangement gives Palm Waterfront Ltd the right to develop a site located in Shuhada Sidi Abuljalil, Janzour in Libya. It also gives it the right to construct, implement, manage and operate the project to be developed on said site at its discretion. The term of the Build-Operate-Transfer agreement is for a period of 80 years from date of signing of said agreement.

Pursuant to Capital Markets Rule 5.70.2

Company secretary and registered office

Stephen Bajada

22 Europa Centre, Floriana FRN 1400, Malta

Telephone (+356) 21 233 141

 

 

 

Remuneration statement

 

With the exception of the independent director who is jointly appointed by the shareholders, the other directors are officers of the shareholders and none is paid any remuneration.   In the circumstances, the need for the appointment of a Remuneration Committee does not arise.

Remuneration of senior executives

The total remuneration of the senior executives of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2022 amounted to €264,740.

The above amount represents fixed remuneration. There are no variable remuneration considerations nor share options .

 

 

 

 

Statements of total comprehensive income

Group

Company

Notes

2022

2021

2022

2021

Revenue

6, 7

24,996,297

23,977,985

244,334

      232,699

Dividend income

-

 -

-

  53,713,904

Operating expenses

(5,085,332)

(4,368,617)

-

 - 

Gross profit

19,910,965

19,609,368

244,334

 53,946,603

Other income

9

-

2,082,643

-

 555,828

Administrative expenses

(2,099,620)

(2,621,032)

(723,859)

    (692,803)

Marketing expenses

(313,655)

(213,386)

(312,708)

    (211,914)

Operating profit

17,497,690

18,857,593

792,233

 53,597,714

 

 

Finance income

10

-

113,522

3,791,427

    3,084,665

Finance costs

10

(4,695,128)

(8,483,883)

(4,107,602)

 (4,657,117)

Share of (loss) gain of equity accounted investment

(50,498)

2,711,995

-

 - 

Profit (loss) before tax

11

12,752,064

13,199,227

(1,108,408)

 52,025,262

Tax (expense) income

 

 

-   Current tax

12

(2,196,929)

(2,527,714)

-

(3,713,904)

-   Deferred tax

12

195,577

2,664

192,911

 - 

Profit (loss) for the year

10,750,712

10,674,177

(915,497)

 48,311,358

Other comprehensive income:

Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Fair value through other comprehensive income:

-      current year gains (losses)

-

 - 

11,670,476

(37,633,060)

Difference on exchange

111,623

(6,874,800)

111,623

 (6,874,800)

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive (loss) income

12, 26

(39,068)

3,185,005

(4,084,666)

 12,659,430

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax

72,555

(3,689,795)

7,697,433

(31,848,430)

Total comprehensive income for the year

10,823,267

6,984,382

6,781,936

 16,462,928

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

13

0.22

0.22

(0.02)

1.01

Statements of financial position

Group

Company

Notes

2022

2021

2022

2021

Assets

Non-current

Intangible assets

2,258

2,258

-

-

Property, plant and equipment

14

10,426,379

9,539,784

2,949

1,151

Investment property

15

272,567,609

272,567,609

-

-

Investment accounted for using the equity method

16

8,084,098

8,022,973

-

-

Investments in subsidiaries

17

-

-

190,024,039

178,303,065

Investment in associate

16

-

-

8,084,098

8,022,973

291,080,344

290,132,624

198,111,086

 186,327,189

Current

 

Inventories

19

1,521,062

1,195,522

-

-

Trade and other receivables

20

5,920,709

7,710,278

65,684,516

77,023,369

Cash and cash equivalents

21

6,891,963

10,886,366

695,472

1,770,068

Tax recoverable

555,828

1,019,967

555,828

1,019,967

14,889,562

20,812,133

66,935,816

79,813,404

Total assets

305,969,906

310,944,757

265,046,902

266,140,593

Equity

Share capital

22

48,002,000

48,002,000

48,002,000

48,002,000

Other components of equity

(4,662,790)

(4,735,345)

59,354,647

51,657,214

Retained earnings

156,134,574

145,383,862

52,318,216

 53,233,713

Total equity

199,473,784

188,650,517

159,674,863

 152,892,927

Liabilities

Non-current

Bonds

24

40,535,041

30,740,648

40,535,041

30,740,648

Shareholders’ loan

25

5,203,300

5,203,300

5,203,300

5,203,300

Deferred tax liability

26

21,479,129

21,635,638

35,430,428

31,538,673

Other non-current liabilities

27

3,540,570

4,822,306

-

-

70,758,040

62,401,892

81,168,769

 67,482,621

Current

 

 

Bank and other borrowings

23

3,946

5,003,946

-

-

Bonds

24

19,910,050

39,929,870

19,910,050

39,929,870

Trade and other payables

27

13,513,606

14,958,532

4,293,220

5,835,175

Current taxation

2,310,480

-

-

-

35,738,082

59,892,348

24,203,270

45,765,045

Total liabilities

106,496,122

122,294,240

105,372,039

 113,247,666

Total equity and liabilities

305,969,906

310,944,757

265,046,902

 266,140,593

 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 April 2023.  The financial statements were signed on behalf of the Board of Directors by Alfred Pisani (Chairman) and Ahmed Wahedi (Director) as per the Directors’ Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report.

 

 


Statements of changes in equity

 

Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Share

components

Retained

Total

 

capital

of equity

earnings

equity

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2021

48,002,000

(1,045,550)

134,709,685

181,666,135

 Total recognised income for the year

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

-

10,674,177

10,674,177

Other comprehensive loss

(3,689,795)

(3,689,795)

Total comprehensive (loss) income for the year

-

(3,689,795)

10,674,177

6,984,382

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

48,002,000

(4,735,345)

145,383,862

188,650,517

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2022

48,002,000

(4,735,345)

145,383,862

188,650,517

  Total recognised income for the year

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

-

-

10,750,712

10,750,712

Other comprehensive income

-

72,555

-

72,555

Total comprehensive income for the year

-

72,555

10,750,712

10,823,267

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2022

48,002,000

(4,662,790)

156,134,574

199,473,784

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Share

components

Retained

Total

 

capital

of equity

earnings

e quity

 

       

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2021

48,002,000

83,505,644

4,922,355

136,429,999

  Total recognised income for the year

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

-

 -

48,311,358

 48,311,358

Other comprehensive loss

-

 (31,848,430)

 -

 (31,848,430)

Total comprehensive (loss) income for the year

-

 (31,848,430)

48,311,358

16,462,928

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

48,002,000

 51,657,214

53,233,713

152,892,927

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2022

48,002,000

        51,657,214

    53,233,713

152,892,927

  Total recognised income for the year

 

 

 

 

Loss for the year

-

-

(915,497)

(915,497)

Other comprehensive income

-

7,697,433

-

7,697,433

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year

-

7,697,433

(915,497)

6,781,936

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2022

48,002,000

59,354,647

52,318,216

159,674,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of cash flows

Group

Company

Notes

2022

2021

2022

2021

Operating activities

Profit (loss) before tax

12,752,064

13,199,227

(1,108,408)

52,025,262

Adjustments

28

4,549,579

4,034,710

317,285

(52,696,536)

Net changes in working capital

28

1,632,891

(3,737,360)

15,786,156

11,246,119

Tax paid

(1,273,168)

(156,575)

-

  - 

Tax refunded

464,139

309,361

464,139

       309,361

Net cash generated from operating activities

18,125,505

13,649,363

15,459,172

10,884,206

Investing activities

Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment

(183,437)

(85,488)

(2,908)

 (1,534)

Net cash (used in) generated from investing activities

(183,437)

(85,488)

(2,908)

 (1,534)

Financing activities

Dividends paid

(2,000,000)

(7,000,000)

(2,000,000)

 (7,000,000)

Proceeds from issue of bond

29,499,345

  -  

29,499,345

  -  

Repayment of bonds

(40,000,000)

(11,950,000)

(40,000,000)

(11,950,000)

Repayment of other borrowings

 

(5,000,000)

-

-

-

Interest paid

(4,230,008)

(4,972,528)

(4,030,008)

 (4,752,444)

Net cash used in financing activities

(21,730,663)

(23,922,528)

(16,530,663)

(23,702,444)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(3,788,595)

(10,358,653)

(1,074,399)

(12,819,772)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

10,882,420

25,632,066

1,770,068

   14,589,840

Cash and cash equivalents before effect of foreign exchange rate changes

7,093,825

15,273,413

695,669

     1,770,068

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

(205,808)

(4,390,993)

(197)

  -  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

21

6,888,017

10,882,420

695,472

1,770,068

 

 

 

 

 


Notes to the financial statements

1       Nature of operations

 

The group’s principal activity is to directly or indirectly acquire and develop real estate opportunities in Libya and invest in any related trade or business venture.

 

The Company’s principal activity is to act as a holding company and its revenue is derived from management fees and dividends.

 

 

2       General information and statement of compliance with IFRSs

 

Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. is a public limited liability company and is incorporated and domiciled in Malta.  The address of the Company's registered office is 22 , Europa Centre, Floriana FRN 1400, Malta. The Company is 50% owned by CPHCL Company Limited of 22, Europa Centre, Floriana, FRN 1400, 40% owned by National Real Estate Company of PO Box 64585, Shuwaikh B 70456, Kuwait, and 10% owned by Libya Projects General Trading and Contracting Co. of Office 16/Mezzanine Block 12, Al Asfour International Company, Al Manqaf, Kuwait.

The financial statements of the group and the Company have been prepared in accor­dance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union, and in accordance with the Companies Act, Cap 386.

 

The financial statements are presented in euro (€), which is also the functional currency of the group and its subsidiaries.

 

3       Going concern

 

The going concern basis underlying the preparation of these financial statements assumes that the group’s and the Company’s lenders and creditors will continue to provide the financial support necessary to enable the group and the Company to meet their debts as and when they fall due.

 

At the reporting date the group had a working capital deficiency of €21 million and the Company had a positive working capital position of €43 million ( 2021 deficiency of : €39 million and positive €34 million respectively).

 

In the case of the group, the working capital deficiency in 2021 was primarily due to the €40 million bond  which  matured in July 2022 and thus had been classified as a current liability. The Company successfully issued a new €30 million bond during the financial year, the proceeds of which were to partially redeem the maturing bond, with the remaining €10 million being settled out of operational cash. The working capital deficiency in 2022 is primarily related to the €20 million bond which matures in July 2023 and is therefore classified as a current liability. The Company is in the process of seeking regulatory approval for the listing of a €20 million bond, which will be supported by a corporate guarantee of CPHCL Company Limited. The proceeds of this bond will be utilised to repay the maturing bond.

 

In the case of the Company, notwithstanding the maturity of bonds, the positive working capital position was achieved in 2021 through the declaration of a dividend by its wholly owned subsidiary, Palm City Limited with the resultant current account balance due to the Company, MIH Plc. This balance is being settled in instalments throughout the year as cash is generated by the operation.

  

The directors have taken and are still taking various measures to ensure that the group and the Company will continue to have adequate levels of cash to sustain its operations.

 

 

4    New or revised standards or interpretations

4.1 New standards adopted as at 1 January 2022

Some accounting pronouncements which have become effective from 1 January 2022 and have therefore been adopted do not have a significant impact on the company’s financial results or position. Accordingly, the company has made no changes to its accounting policies in 2022.

 

Other Standards and amendments that are effective for the first time in 2022 and could be applicable to the company are:

• Reference to the Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3)

• COVID-19 – Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021 (Amendments to IFRS 16)

• Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds Before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16)

• Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37)

• Annual Improvements (2018-2020 Cycle):

– Fees in the ‘10 per cent’ Test for Derecognition of Liabilities (Amendments to IFRS 9)

– Lease Incentives (Amendments to IFRS 16)

 

These amendments are not applicable to the entity or do not have a significant impact on these financial statements and therefore no additional disclosures have been made.

 

 

4.2 Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Company

 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, several new, but not yet effective, Standards and amendments to existing Standards, and Interpretations have been published by the IASB. None of these Standards or amendments to existing Standards have been adopted early by the company.

 

Other Standards and amendments that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the company include:

• Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to IAS 1)

• Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2)

• Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities from a Single Transaction

• Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1)

• Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8)

 

These amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the financial statements in the period of initial application and therefore no disclosures have been made.

 

Management anticipates that all relevant pronouncements will be adopted for the first period beginning on or after the effective date of the pronouncement. New standards, amendments and interpretations not adopted in the current year have not been disclosed as they are not expected to have a material impact on the company’s financial statements.

 

 

5       Summary of accounting policies

5.1    Overall considerations

The consolidated and separate financial statements have been prepared using the significant accounting policies and measurement bases summarised below. The accounting policies have been consistently applied by the group and the Company and are consistent with those in previous years.

5.2    Presentation of financial statements

The consolidated and separate financial statements are presented in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (Revised 2007).  The group and the Company have elected to present the ‘statement of total comprehensive income’ in one statement.

5.3    Basis of consolidation

The group financial statements consolidate those of the parent Company and all of its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 December 2022. Subsidiaries are all entities over which the group has power to control the financial and operating policies. MIH p.l.c. obtains and exercises control through voting rights. All subsidiaries have a reporting date of 31 December.

Intra-group balances, transactions and unrealised gains and losses on transactions between the group companies are eliminated. Where unrealised losses on intra-group asset sales are reversed on consolidation, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment from the group perspective. Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the group.

Profit or loss and other comprehensive income of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are recognised from the effective date of acquisition, or up to the effective date of disposal, as applicable.

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of a subsidiary’s profit or loss and net assets that is not held by the group. The group attributes total comprehensive income or loss of subsidiaries between the owner of the parent and the non-controlling interests based on their respective ownership interests.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the financial statements of the following companies comprising the group.

 

Company

Nature of business

% ownership

 

 

 

Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c.

Holding company

 

 

 

 

Palm City Ltd

Owns, operates and rents a residential compound

100%

 

 

 

Palm City Waterfront Ltd

Invest, develop and operate real estate projects

99.9%

 

5.4    Revenue

Revenue is mainly derived from leasing out the investment property owned by the subsidiary, and the sales generated from the food and beverage outlets within the Palm City residential complex.

To determine whether to recognise revenue, the group follows a 5-step process:

1.       Identifying the contract with a customer

2.       Identifying the performance obligations

3.       Determining the transaction price

4.       Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations

5.       Recognising revenue when/as performance obligation(s) are satisfied.

The group often enters into transactions involving a range of products and services.  In all cases, the total transaction price for a contract is allocated amongst the various performance obligations based on their relative stand-alone selling prices. The transaction price for a contract excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties.

Revenue is recognised either at a point in time or over time, when (or as) the group satisfies performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to its customers.

The group recognises deferred income for consideration received in respect of unsatisfied performance obligations and reports these amounts as other liabilities in the statement of financial position. Similarly, if the group satisfies a performance obligation before it receives the consideration, the group recognises either a contract asset or a receivable in its statement of financial position, depending on whether something other than the passage of time is required before the consideration is due.

Interest income is reported on an accrual basis using effective interest rate method. Dividend income, other than those from investments in associates, is recognised at the time to receive payment is established.

5.5     Investments in associates

Associates are those entities over which the group is able to exert significant influence but which are neither subsidiaries nor joint ventures. Investments in associates are initially recognised at cost and subsequently accounted for using the equity method. Any goodwill or fair value adjustment attributable to the group’s share in the associate is not recognised separately and is included in the amount recognised as investment in associates.

The carrying amount of the investments in associates is increased or decreased to recognise the group’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the associate. These changes include subsequent depreciation, amortisation or impairment of the fair value adjustment of assets and liabilities.

Unrealised gains and losses on transactions between the group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the group’s interest in those entities. Where unrealised losses are eliminated, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment.

Amounts reported in the financial statements of associates have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies of the group.

5.6     Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The separate and consolidated financial statements are presented in euro, which is also the functional currency of the parent company.

 

Foreign currency transactions and balances

 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the respective group entity, using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions (spot exchange rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the remeasurement of monetary items denominated in foreign currency at year-end exchange rates are recognised in profit or loss.

 

Non-monetary items are not retranslated at year-end and are measured at historical cost (translated using the exchange rates at the transaction date), except for non-monetary items measured at fair value which are translated using the exchange rates at the date when fair value was determined.

 

5.7     Operating expenses

Operating expenses are recognised in profit or loss upon utilisation of the service or as incurred.

 

When an intangible asset is disposed of, the gain or loss on disposal is determined as the difference between the proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in profit or loss within ‘other income’ or ‘administrative expenses’.

5.8     Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs primarily comprise interest on the group’s borrowings. Borrowing costs incurred on specific fixed asset projects prior to their commissioning are capitalised as part of the cost of the asset. The capitalisation rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation is based on the average rate of interest on bank borrowings. All other borrowing costs are amortised on an effective interest basis over the life of the loan facility agreement.

5.9     Employee benefits

Contributions towards the state pension in accordance with local legislation are recognised in profit or loss when they are due.

5.10   Intangible assets

Trademarks are measured initially at purchase cost. Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets are stated at cost less any accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

5.11   Property, plant and equipment

All items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at acquisition cost including any costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. They are subsequently measured at acquisition cost or manufacturing cost less subsequent depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation is calculated, using the straight-line method, to write off the cost or valuation of assets over their estimated useful lives on the following bases:

 

-         Computer equipment           

-         Computer software

-         Office furniture and equipment

-         Motor vehicles

-         Tools

-         Machinery and equipment

 

%

25

20

25

25

33

25

 

5.12   Investment property

Investment property is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation and is accounted for using the fair value model.

Investment property is revalued annually and is included in the statement of financial position at its fair value. This is determined by the directors based either on management’s estimates of expected future cash flows or market values. When based on management’s estimates of future cash flows, the value of the property is determined by applying a suitable discount rate.

Any gain or loss resulting from either a change in the fair value or the sale of an investment property is immediately recognised in profit or loss within ‘fair value gain on investment property’.

Rental income and operating expenses from investment property are reported within ‘revenue’ and ‘operating expenses’ and are recognised as described in notes 5.4 and 5.7 respectively.

5.13   Leased assets

The Group as a lessee

The group considers whether a contract is, or contains a lease. A lease is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration’. To apply this definition, the group assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluations which are whether:

 

the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being identified at the time the asset is made available to the group;

the group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract;

the group has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use.  The group assesses whether it has the right to direct ‘how and for what purpose’ the asset is used throughout the period of use.

 

Measurement and recognition of leases as a lessee

At lease commencement date, the group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the statement of financial position. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease payments made in advance of the commencement date (net of any incentives received).

The group depreciates the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The group also assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators exist.

At lease commencement date, the group measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments (including in substance fixed), variable payments based on an index or rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised.

Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced by lease payments that are allocated between repayments of principal and finance costs.

The lease liability is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or modification, or if there are changes in in-substance fixed payments. When the corresponding adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset, or profit and loss if the right-of-use asset is already reduced to zero.

On the statement of financial position, right-of-use asset has been included in property, plant and equipment and lease liabilities disclosed separately.

 

5.14  Impairment testing of tangible and intangible assets

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent cash inflows (cash-generating units).  As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-generating unit level. 

All individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.  The recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. To determine the value in use, the group’s management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating unit and determines a suitable interest rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows.  Discount factors are determined individually for each cash-generating unit and reflect their respective risk profiles as assessed by the group ’s management.

Impairment losses are recognised in the profit or loss. Impairment losses for cash-gener­ating units are charged pro rata to the assets in the cash-generating unit.  All assets are subsequently re­ass­essed for indications that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist.  An impairment charge that has been recognised is reversed if the cash-generating unit’s recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

 

5.15   Investment in subsidiaries

Investment in subsidiaries is included in the Company’s financial statements at fair value (refer to note 5.16).

5.16   Financial instruments

Recognition and derecognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the group and the Company become a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.

Classification and initial measurement of financial assets

Except for those trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component and are measured at the transaction price in accordance with IFRS 15, all financial assets are initially measured at fair value adjusted for transaction costs (where applicable).

Financial assets are classified into the following categories:

• amortised cost

• fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

• fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

In the periods presented the group and the Company do not have any financial assets categorised at FVTPL.

The classification is determined by both:

• the entity’s business model for managing the financial asset; and

• the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.

All income and expenses relating to financial assets that are recognised in profit or loss are presented within ‘finance costs’ or ‘finance income’, except for impairment of trade receivables which is presented in ‘administrative expenses’.

Subsequent measurement of financial assets

Financial assets at amortised cost

Financial assets are measured at amortised cost if the assets meet the following conditions (and are not designated as FVTPL):

 

they are held within a business model whose objective is to hold the financial assets and collect its contractual cash flows; and

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

 

After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.  The group’s and the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

The group and the Company accounts for financial assets at FVOCI if the assets meet the following conditions:

 

they are held within a business model whose objective is to hold to collect the associated cash flows and sell; and

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

 

The Company made the irrevocable election to account for the investment in subsidiaries and associate at FVOCI.

Any gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income will be recycled upon derecognition of the asset.

Impairment of financial assets

IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ‘expected credit loss (ECL) model’.  Instruments within the scope of the new requirements included FVOCI, trade receivables and contract assets recognised and measured under IFRS 15.

Recognition of credit losses is no longer dependent on the group and Company first identifying a credit loss event. Instead the group and Company consider a broader range of information when assessing credit risk and measuring expected credit losses, including past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of the future cash flows of the instrument.

In applying this forward-looking approach, a distinction is made between:

 

financial instruments that have not deteriorated significantly in credit quality since initial recognition or that have low credit risk (‘Stage 1’) and

financial instruments that have deteriorated significantly in credit quality since initial recognition and whose credit risk is not low (‘Stage 2’).

 

‘Stage 3’ would cover financial assets that have objective evidence of impairment at the reporting date.

‘12-month expected credit losses’ are recognised for the first category while ‘lifetime expected credit losses’ are recognised for the second category.

Measurement of the expected credit losses is determined by a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses over the expected life of the financial instrument.

Trade and other receivables

The group and Company make use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables as well as contract assets and record the loss allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash flows, considering the potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. In calculating, the group and Company use their historical experience, external indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses using a provision matrix.

The group and Company assess impairment of trade receivables on a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk characteristics.  Refer to note 30.1 for a detailed analysis of how the impairment requirements of IFRS 9 are applied.

Classification and measurement of financial liabilities

The group’s and the Company’s financial liabilities include borrowings, bonds, trade and other payables.

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, and, where applicable, adjusted for transaction costs unless the Company designates a financial liability at fair value through profit or loss.

Subsequently, financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method except for derivatives and financial liabilities designated at FVTPL, which are carried subsequently at fair value with gains or losses recognised in profit or loss (other than derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedging instruments).

All interest-related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument’s fair value that are reported in profit or loss are included within ‘finance costs’ or ‘finance income’.


5.17  Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less any applicable selling expenses.

The cost of inventories is based on the weighted average principle and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. 

5.18  Income taxes

Tax expense recognised in profit or loss comprises the sum of deferred tax and current tax not recognised directly in the statement of comprehensive income or equity.

Current income tax assets and/or liabilities comprise those obligations to, or claims from, fiscal authorities relating to the current or prior reporting periods, that are unpaid at the reporting date. Current tax is payable on taxable profit, which differs from profit or loss in the financial statements. Calculation of current tax is based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of goodwill, or on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction is a business combination or affects tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with shares in subsidiaries and joint ventures is not provided if reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the group and it is probable that reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated, without discounting, at tax rates that are expected to apply to their respective period of realisation, provided they are enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. Deferred tax liabilities are always provided for in full.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be able to be utilised against future taxable income.  Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax income or expense in profit or loss, except where they relate to items that are recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income or equity (such as the revaluation of land) in which case the related deferred tax is also recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income or equity respectively.

5.19  Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and demand deposits, net of bank balance overdrawn. In the statement of financial position the bank balance overdrawn is included within bank borrowings in current liabilities.

5.20  Equity, reserves and dividend payments

Share capital represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued.

Other components of equity include movements in fair value of financial assets at FVOCI.

Retained earnings/accumulated losses include all current and prior period results, less dividend distributions.

All transactions with owners are recorded separately within equity. Dividend distributions payable to equity shareholders are included in 'trade and other payables' when the dividends have been approved in a general meeting prior to the reporting date.

5.21  Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets

Provisions are recognised when present obligations as a result of a past event will probably lead to an outflow of economic resources from the group and Company and amounts can be estimated reliably. Timing or amount of the outflow may still be uncertain. A present obligation arises from the presence of a legal or constructive commitment that has resulted from past events. Restructuring provisions are recognised only if a detailed formal plan for the restructuring has been developed and implemented, or management has at least announced the plan's main features to those affected by it. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the estimated expenditure required to settle the present obligation, based on the most reliable evidence available at the reporting date, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the present obligation. Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole.  Where the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted to their present values.

Any reimbursement that the group and the Company can be virtually certain to collect from a third party with respect to the obligation is recognised as a separate asset. However, this asset may not exceed the amount of the related provision.

All provisions are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate.

In those cases where the possible outflow of economic resources as a result of present obligations is consi­dered improbable or remote, no liability is recognised.

5.22  Significant management judgement in applying accounting policies and estimation uncertainty

When preparing the financial statements, management undertakes a number of judgements, estimates and assumptions about the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal actual results.  The estimates, assumptions and management judgements that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are described below.

The fair value of investment property is determined by using valuation techniques.  Further details of the judgements and assumptions made are disclosed in note 15.

This note highlights information about the fair value estimation of the investment property.

In the opinion of the directors, the accounting estimates and judgements made in the course of preparing these financial statements are, with the exception of those described hereunder, not difficult, subjective or complex to a degree which would warrant their description as critical in terms of the requirements of IAS 1.

(a)   Income taxes

In order to establish the taxation provisions, management exercises significant judgement in view of the fact that the group and the Company operate in various jurisdictions and as a result there are diverse transactions for which the ultimate tax determination is somewhat uncertain.  In the event that the amount of actual tax due differs from the original amounts provided for, such variances will have an impact on the taxation charges for future periods.

(b)  Impairment of trade and other receivables

 

The group applies the simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables.  In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables are assessed on a collective basis as they possess shared credit characteristics.  They have been grouped according to the past due dates and geographical location.  The group has concluded that the expected credit losses for trade receivables is not material.

 

(c) Useful lives of depreciable assets

 

Management reviews the useful lives of depreciable assets at each reporting date, based on the expected utility of the assets to the group and Company.   The carrying amounts are analysed in note 14.  Actual results, however, may vary due to technical obsolescence, particularly relating to software and IT equipment.

(d) Inventories

Management estimates the net realisable values of inventories, taking into account the most reliable evidence available at each reporting date. The future realisation of these inventories may be affected by expiry, obsolescence, future technology or other market-driven changes that may reduce future selling prices.

(e) Fair value of investment property

At each reporting date the investment property is revalued by the directors based either on management’s estimates of expected future cash flows or market values.  The group has not recognised a fair value uplift to the investment property during the year under review.  When based on management’s estimates of expected future cash flows the value of each property is determined by applying a suitable discount rate.

The group’s investment property is situated in Libya which is still experiencing prolonged political instability. The estimated fair values were arrived at using projected cash flows from the operation of the investment property. On the basis of the valuation carried out by the directors, no uplift was recognised in these financial statements. The significant uncertainty which is still prevailing in Libya and the significant judgements surrounding the valuation of the investment property situated in that country render the valuation of any uplift of the property extremely difficult and judgemental. 

5.23  Segment reporting

 

The standard requires a ‘management approach’ under which segment information is presented on the same basis as that used for internal reporting purposes.  The chief operating maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the group board of directors.

 

An operating segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing services that are subject to risks and returns that are different from that of other segments.  The operating segments can be classified as investment property rental, income from food and beverages and others.

 

The group is engaged in the ownership and leasing of its investment property. The group’s country of domicile is Malta and the operation is in Libya.

 

The board of directors assesses performance based on the measure of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

 

The group is not required to report a measure of total assets and liabilities for each reportable segment since such amounts are not regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker.  However, in accordance with IFRS 8, non-current assets (other than financial instruments and deferred tax assets) are divided into geographical areas in note 6.

6       Segment reporting

 

 

2022

2021

Libya

Libya

Revenue (note 1)

Investment property rental

23,774,009

22,385,238

Income from food and beverages operations

435,340

469,205

Other

786,948

1,123,542

24,996,297

23,977,985

 

EBITDA

18,594,295

19,050,923

Depreciation

(300,104)

(73,019)

Segment operating profit

18,294,191

18,977,904

 

 

Non current assets (note 2)

274,017,668

273,162,554

 

During the year, €13,099,529 or 52% (2021: € 9,993,235 or 42%) of the group’s revenues depended on four (2021: three) single customers in the investment property rental segment.

 

Note 1: Revenue comprises amounts attributable to the group’s country of domicile, Malta, amounting to €10,507 (2021: €109,728), Libya, amounting to €10,641,193 (2021: €5,445,705), United States of America, amounting to €2,916,267 (2021: €2,987,799) and other foreign countries amounting to €11,428,330 (2021: €15,434,753).

 

Note 2: All non-current assets are located in Libya.

 

7       Revenue     

 

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Income from management fees

-

-

244,334

232,699

Income from residential leases

22,782,169

21,415,823

-

-

Income from commercial leases

991,840

969,415

-

-

Income from food and beverage operations

435,340

469,205

-

-

Administration fees

787

522

-

-

Water, electricity, internet and telephone

-

-

recharges

393,608

384,107

-

-

Miscellaneous income

392,553

738,913

-

-

24,996,297

23,977,985

244,334

232,699

 

8       Staff costs      

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Wages and salaries

1,869,015

1,867,271

-

-

Directors’ fees and remuneration

264,740

235,383

-

-

Social security costs

75,627

65,231

-

2,209,382

2,167,885

-

 

 

 

The average number of persons employed by the group during the year was:

2022

2021

No.

No.

Operating

67

77

Administrative

30

15

97

92

During the years 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any employees.

 

9       Other income

 

Group

 

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax recovery

 

 

-

555,828

 

Reversal of accrual for interest payable

 

 

-

1,526,815

 

 

 

 

-

2,082,643

 

 

10      Finance income and finance costs

Finance income and finance costs may be analysed as follows:

 

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Interest charged on loan to subsidiary company

-

-

3,791,624

3,084,304

Difference on exchange

-

 113,522

(197)

361

Finance income

-

 113,522

3,791,427

3,084,665

 

Interest on bonds

3,553,403

4,099,563

3,553,403

4,099,563

Interest charged on loan from shareholders

278,972

270,008

278,972

270,008

Bank interest and other charges

21,191

20,084

-

-

Interest on other loans

24,378

200,000

-

-

Difference on exchange

541,957

 3,606,682

-

-

Amortisation of bond issue costs

275,227

287,546

275,227

287,546

Finance costs

4,695,128

8,483,883

4,107,602

4,657,117

 

 

11      Profit (loss) before tax

The profit (loss) before tax is stated after charging:

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

301,214

73,402

1,110

383

Auditor’s remuneration

 

 

 

 

-         Annual statutory audit

28,875

27,500

10,500

10,000

 

12      Tax (expense) income

 

The relationship between the expected tax (expense) income based on the effective tax rate of the group and the Company and the actual tax (expense) income recognised in the statements of total comprehensive

income can be reconciled as follows:

 

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Profit (loss) before tax

12,752,064

 13,199,227

(1,108,408)

 52,025,262

Tax rate

35%

35%

35%

35%

Expected tax (expense) income

(4,463,222)

 (4,619,729)

387,943

 (18,208,842)

 

 

Adjustment for non-deductible expenses

(330,847)

 (1,653,022)

(195,032)

 (229,728)

Adjustment for income not subject to tax

4,989,646

 6,275,415

-

 14,724,666

Unrelieved foreign tax

(2,196,929)

 (2,527,714)

-

 - 

Actual tax income (expense), net

(2,001,352)

 (2,525,050)

192,911

 (3,713,904)

Comprising:

Current tax

(2,196,929)

 (2,527,714)

-

 (3,713,904)

Deferred tax on unabsorbed capital

 

 

allowances and unused tax losses

195,577

 2,664

192,911

 - 

Tax (expense) income

(2,001,352)

 (2,525,050)

192,911

 (3,713,904)

 

 

Deferred tax income (expense), recognised

 

 

directly in other comprehensive income

(39,068)

 3,185,005

(4,084,666)

 12,659,430

 

See note 26 for information on the group’s and Company’s deferred tax liability.

 

 

13      Earnings per share

 

The calculation of earnings per share is based on the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares (2022 and 2021: 48,002,000) outstanding during the year. There was no dilution of share capital during the reporting periods presented.

 

 

 

14     Property, plant and equipment

 

The group’s and Company’s property, plant and equipment comprise of asset in the course of construction, computer equipment, computer software, motor vehicles, office furniture and equipment, tools and machinery and equipment. The carrying amount can be analysed as follows:

 

Group

Asset in the course of construction

Computer equipment

Computer software

Motor vehicles

Office furniture and equipment

Tools

Machinery and equipment

Right of use asset

Total

Gross carrying amount

At 1 January 2021

 8,898,080

 330,434

 217,350

 190,376

 539,376

 120,050

 478,070

 638,897

 11,412,633

Additions

 45,608

 8,056

 - 

 29,525

 2,299

  -

 - 

 - 

 85,488

Disposals

 - 

 (7,071)

 - 

  -

  -

  -

 - 

 (239,136)

 (246,207)

At 31 December 2021

 8,943,688

 331,419

 217,350

 219,901

 541,675

 120,050

 478,070

 399,761

 11,251,914

Depreciation

At 1 January 2021

 - 

 241,698

 215,871

 139,721

 527,764

 120,050

 385,449

 254,381

 1,884,934

Depreciation for the year

 - 

         26,442

 1,479

 29,596

 5,823

 - 

 2,449

 7,613

         73,402

Release on disposal

 - 

 (7,071)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 (239,135)

 (246,206)

At 31 December 2021

 - 

 261,069

 217,350

 169,317

 533,587

 120,050

 387,898

 22,859

     1,712,130

Carrying amount at 31 December 2021

 8,943,688

 70,350

 - 

 50,584

 8,088

 - 

 90,172

 376,902

 9,539,784

Gross carrying amount

At 1 January 2022

 8,943,688

 331,419

 217,350

 219,901

 541,675

 120,050

 478,070

 399,761

 11,251,914

Additions

31,941

13,315

-

82,639

4,486

3,319

1,052,109

-

1,187,809

Disposals

-

-

-

(13,399)

-

-

-

-

(13,399)

At 31 December 2022

8,975,629

344,734

217,350

289,141

546,161

123,369

1,530,179

399,761

12,426,324

Depreciation

At 1 January 2022

 -

 261,069

 217,350

 169,317

 533,587

 120,050

 387,898

 22,859

     1,712,130

Depreciation for the year

-

29,279

-

40,633

5,344

109

218,234

7,615

301,214

Release on disposal

-

-

-

(13,399)

-

-

-

-

(13,399)

At 31 December 2022

-

290,348

217,350

196,551

538,931

120,159

606,132

30,474

1,999,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount at 31 December 2022

8,975,629

54,386

-

92,590

7,230

3,210

924,047

369,287

10,426,379

 


 

Company

 

Computer equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

 

At 1 January 2021

 

6,033

Additions

 

1,534

At 31 December 2021

 

7,567

Depreciation

 

 

At 1 January 2021

 

6,033

Depreciation for the year

 

383

At 31 December 2021

 

6,416

Carrying amount at 31 December 2021

 

1,151

 

Gross carrying amount

 

 

At 1 January 2022

 

7,567

Additions

 

2,908

At 31 December 2022

 

10,475

Depreciation

 

 

At 1 January 2022

 

6,416

Depreciation for the year

 

1,110

At 31 December 2022

 

7,526

Carrying amount at 31 December 2022

 

2,949

 

 

 

 

The group’s property, plant and equipment comprises an asset that is being constructed on land located in Shuhada Sidi Abuljalil, Janzour in Libya. This land is earmarked for development for residential units, tourism, leisure and restaurant facilities by one of the subsidiaries, Palm Waterfront Ltd. Costs directly associated with the development of the land have also been included.

 

The right to construct the asset was acquired by means of a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement with CPHCL Company Limited was signed on 5 December 2013. The arrangement gives Palm Waterfront Ltd the right to develop the site, construct, implement, manage and operate the project at its discretion. The term of the BOT agreement is for a period of 80 years from date of signing of said agreement.

 

 

 

15       Investment property

 

Group

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount as at 1 January

272,567,609

272,567,609

 

Carrying amount as at 31 December

272,567,609

272,567,609

 

 

 

 

 


Investment property includes the Palm City Residences in Janzour, Libya, which is held to earn rentals and for capital appreciation. Due to the lack of comparable properties in the market, the determination of fair value cannot be objectively established on the basis of current active market prices.  Therefore, the fair value is determined on the basis of the discounted value of future earnings expected from the operation of the property

Rental income for 2022 amounting to €23,774,009 (2021: €23,385,238) is included within ‘revenue’. No contingent rents were recognised. Direct operating expenses of €5,085,332 (2021: €4,368,617) were reported within ‘operating expenses’.

 

The fair value of the investment property was determined by discounting the forecast future cash flows generated by Palm City Residences for the remaining period of 49 years of the Build-Operate-Transfer agreement signed between CPHCL Company Limited and Palm City Ltd in 2007. A valuation exercise was carried out by the directors to determine the fair value of the investment property, and a composite pre-tax discount rate of 13.14% (2021: 17.21%) in real terms was applied to the projected cash flows.

The operating performance of the asset has remained relatively stable when compared to last year. 

The valuation arrived at when using all the above inputs, combined with the projected income streams amounts to €274,352,000 (2021: €282,846,000).  This figure is €1,785,000 higher than the carrying value of the investment property as at the end of the reporting period.

If the discount rate varies by 100 basis points, the fair value of the investment property would fluctuate by €27 million and €20 million (2021: €23 million and €27 million) respectively.

 

There are no material contractual obligations pertaining to investment property at the end of the reporting periods presented, except for repairs and maintenance expenses incurred in the normal running of the operation.

 

 

Leasing arrangements for residential units at the end of the reporting periods presented are as follows:

2022

2021

%

%

Within 1 year

17

23

1-5 years

83

77

100

100

 


16     Other investments

 

16.1 Investment accounted for using the equity method

 

Group

 

In the group financial statements, the investment in MTJSC is accounted for using the equity method.

 

 

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares in associate company (unquoted )

 

 

 

8,084,098

8,022,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2 Investment in associate

 

Company

 

In the Company financial statements, the investment in MTJSC is shown as FVOCI. The fair value has been derived based on the latest financial information available.

 

 

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares in associate company (unquoted )

 

 

8,084,098

8,022,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The below table sets out the financial information of the associate.

 

Associate company

Percentage holding in ordinary shares

Nature of business

Capital and reserves 31.12. 2022

%

Medina Tower Joint Stock Company

25

Property development

32,336,393

for Real Estate Investment and

Development (MTJSC)

Suite 107, Tower 2, Level 10

Tripoli Towers, Tripoli, Libya

(LYD165,840,424)

 

Summarised financial information for MTJSC is as follows:

 

2022

2021

Total assets

36,072,873

 35,730,557

Total liabilities

(3,736,480)

  (3,638,666)

Profit for the year

(219,800)

 10,847,979

 

A reconciliation of the above summarised financial information to the carrying amount of the investment is set out below:

 

2022

2021

Total net assets

32,336,393

32,091,891

Proportion of ownership held by group

25%

25%

Carrying amount of investment

8,084,098

8,022,973

 

 

 

 

17     Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

Company

 

 

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares in subsidiary companies (unquoted )

 

17.1

 

183,024,039

171,303,065

Loans to subsidiary companies

 

17.2

 

7,000,000

7,000,000

 

 

 

 

190,024,039

178,303,065

 

17.1   Shares in subsidiary companies (unquoted)

 

Subsidiary company

Percentage holding in ordinary shares

Nature of business

Palm City Ltd

100%

Property development

22, Europa Centre, Floriana, Malta

Palm Waterfront Ltd

99.90%

Property development

22, Europa Centre, Floriana, Malta

 

Shares in subsidiary company are being shown at fair value based on the latest available financial statements .

 

17.2  Loan to subsidiary company

 

The loan to Palm Waterfront Ltd is unsecured, is interest free and is repayable after more than 5 years. The carrying amount of the loans is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

 

18     Leases

 

Group

 

The group has leases for the right to operate the Palm City Residences and power generators.

 

On 2 October 2007, CPHCL Company Limited entered into a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement with Palm City Ltd effective from 6 July 2006. The arrangement, which gives Palm City Ltd the right to operate the Palm City Residences in Janzour, Libya for a period of 65 years, contains a lease element which is classified as an operating lease. The payment for the operating lease element has been estimated at €494,827 on the basis of the original lease granted by the Government of Libya to CPHCL Company Limited, and is classified as a lease prepayment. At 1 January 2019, the remaining lease prepayment amounting to €384,516 was classified as right-of-use asset under property, plant and equipment (Note 14).

 

  

19      Inventories

Inventories comprise mainly of food and beverage stocks used by the food and beverage department, together with stock of electrical materials and spare parts used by the maintenance and technical department of Palm City Ltd.

 

Group

2022

2021

 

 

Food and beverage stocks

22,607

29,399

Electrical materials and spare parts

1,515,316

1,182,984

Less: Provision for obsolescence

(16,861)

(16,861)

Total inventories

1,521,062

1,195,522

 

 

 

 

In 2022, a total of €138,283 (2021: €174,044) of inventories was included in profit and loss as an expense.

 

20    Trade and other receivables

 

Group

Company

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables, gross

5,371,633

6,377,316 

-

-

Allowance for credit losses

(683,323)

(683,323) 

-

-

Trade receivables

4,688,310

5,693,993 

-

-

Amount due by subsidiary

-

61,521,693

73,619,753

Amounts due by other related companies

288,451

265,983 

262,888

262,270

Accrued income

180,465

194,934 

3,792,240

3,084,304

Financial assets

5,157,226

6,154,910 

65,576,821

76,966,327

 

 

 

 

 

Advance payments to creditors

281,901

1,162,633 

-

-

VAT refundable

200,607

118,731 

105,974

57,042

Deposits

96,978

96,978 

-

-

Other prepayments

221,830

213,250 

-

-

Other receivables

(37,833)

(36,224) 

1,721

-

Non-financial assets

763,483

1,555,368 

107,695

57,042

 

 

 

 

 

Total trade and other receivables

5,920,709

7,710,278 

65,684,516

77,023,369

 

 

 

 

 

All amounts are short-term. The net carrying value of trade and other receivables is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

The amounts due by group and related parties are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

All of the group’s trade and other receivables have been reviewed for indicators of impairment. Certain trade receivables were found to be impaired and a provision was recorded accordingly. The impaired trade receivables were with respect to rent receivable.

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance 1 January

683,323

344,624

 

 

Reversal of provision for bad debts

-

(6,817)

 

 

Impairment loss

-

457,000

 

 

Revaluation adjustment

-

(111,484)

 

 

Balance 31 December

683,323

683,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group continuously monitors defaults of customers and other counterparties and incorporates this information into its credit risk controls. The group’s policy is to deal only with creditworthy counterparties.

 

An analysis of unimpaired trade receivables that are past due is given in note 30.1.

 

 

21    Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include the following components:

 

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Cash at bank and in hand:

-       euro

3,887,204

 7,907,625

658,061

1,733,672

-       Libyan dinar

2,957,474

 2,837,258

-

 -

-       US dollar

37,046

 130,676

27,172

25,589

-       Pound sterling

10,239

10,807

10,239

10,807

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position

6,891,963

10,886,366

695,472

1,770,068

 

 

Bank balance overdrawn (note 2 3 )

(3,946)

 (3,946)

-

 -

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cashflows

6,888,017

10,882,420

695,472

1,770,068

 

The group has a bank deposit amounting to €1,409,119 (2021: €1,343,269) which is specifically designated for

security deposits from lessees. This is not available for general use by the group.

 

 

22    Share capital

 

The share capital of Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. consists of fully paid ordinary ‘A’ shares and ‘B’ shares with a par value of €1 each. All shares are equally eligible to receive dividends and the repayment of capital and represent one vote at the shareholders’ meeting of Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c .

 

 

 

Group and Company

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued and fully paid

 

 

 

 

24,001,000 ordinary ‘A’ shares of €1 each

 

 

24,001,000

24,001,000

24,001,000 ordinary ‘B’ shares of €1 each

 

 

24,001,000

24,001,000

 

 

 

48,002,000

48,002,000

 

 

 

 

 

Shares authorised

 

 

 

 

50,000,000 ordinary ‘A’ shares of €1 each

 

 

50,000,000

50 ,000,000

50,000,000 ordinary ‘B’ shares of €1 each

 

 

50,000,000

50,000,000

 

 

 

100,000,000

100,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 


23    Bank and other borrowings

 

Borrowings include the following financial liabilities:

 

 

Group

Company

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

-       Bank balance overdrawn

3,946

3,946

-

-

-       Other borrowings

-

5,000,000

-

-

 

3,946

5,003,946

-

-

 

Other borrowings comprise of a loan from LAFICO amounting to €5,000,000 to the group. The loan was advanced to support the group in its corporate needs and working capital requirements and was fully repaid on its due date in February 2022.

The carrying amount of bank borrowings is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

24   Bonds

 

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Notes

Interest rate

Bond VII

24.1

5%

-

39,929,870

-

39,929,870

Bond VIII

24.2

5.50%

19,910,050

19,761,197

19,910,050

19,761,197

Bond IX

24.3

6%

10,990,970

10,979,451

10,990,970

10,979,451

Bond X

24.4

5.25%

 

29,544,071

-

29,544,071

-

60,445,091

70,670,518

60,445,091

70,670,518

 

 

Comprising:

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Current

19,910,050

39,929,870

19,910,050

39,929,870

Non-current

40,535,041

30,740,648

40,535,041

30,740,648

60,445,091

70,670,518

60,445,091

70,670,518

 

 

In 2017, the Company issued a €40 million 5% bond maturing in 2022 (Bond VII). This bond was redeemed in full during the year under review.

 

In 2020, the Company issued a €20 million 5.5% bond maturing in 2023 (Bond VIII), and an €11 million

unlisted 6% bond maturing in 2025 (Bond IX).

 

During the year under review, the Company redeemed Bond VII and issued a €30 million 5.25% bond maturing in 2027 (Bond X).

 

All of the bonds constitute general, direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuer and will rank pari passu, without any priority or preference, with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.  Redemption of the bonds shall be made at the face value of the bonds. The Company also reserves the right to purchase from the market at any time after issue, bonds for cancellation.

 

The carrying amount of bonds issued by the Company is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 


24.1    Bond VII

 

Group

Company

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2021

39,929,870

39,929,870

Amortisation of transaction costs

70,130

70,130

Redemption of bond

(40,000,000)

(40,000,000)

Balance at 31 December 2022

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction costs in connection with the Bond VII issue were expensed in the period under review.

 


24.2    Bond VIII

 

Group

Company

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2021

19,761,197

19,761,197

Amortisation of transaction costs

148,853

148,853

Balance at 31 December 2022

19,910,050

19,910,050

 

 

 

Transaction costs in connection with the Bond VIII issue were expensed in the period under review.

 


24.3    Bond IX

 

Group

 Company

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2021

10,979,451

10,979,451

Amortisation of transaction costs

11,519

11,519

Balance at 31 December 2022

10,990,970

11,990,970

 

 

 

Transaction costs in connection with the Bond IX issue were expensed in the period under review.


24.4    Bond X

 

Group

 Company

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue

29,499,346

29,499,346

Amortisation of transaction costs

44,725

44,725

Balance at 31 December 2022

29,544,071

29,544,071

 

 

 

Transaction costs in connection with the Bond X issue were expensed in the period under review.


25    Shareholders’ loan

 

The loan from shareholders is unsecured, bears interest at 5% per annum and is repayable between two and five years. The carrying amount of the shareholders’ loan is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

 

 26    Deferred tax liability

 

 Group

 Deferred tax arising from temporary differences can be summarised as follows:

 

2022

2021

Non-current assets

Investment property

25,858,540

25,858,540

 

Unused tax losses and capital allowances

(193,160)

(249)

Other temporary differences

(4,186,251)

(4,222,653)

21,479,129

21,635,638

 

 

2022

2021

 

The movement can be analysed as follows:

 

 

Movement for the year

156,509

3,187,669

Recognised directly in equity:

Deferred tax relating to difference on exchange

(39,068)

3,185,005

 

Recognised in profit or loss:

 

Deferred tax on unabsorbed capital allowances and unused tax losses

192,911

-

Deferred tax on other temporary differences

2,666

2,664

156,509

 3,187,669

 

Company

2022

2021

Non-current assets

Investment in subsidiaries and associate

36,846,451

32,761,785

 

Unused tax losses and capital allowances

(193,160)

(249)

Other temporary differences

(1,222,863)

(1,222,863)

35,430,428

31,538,673

2022

2021

The movement can be analysed as follows:

 

 

Movement for the year

(3,891,755)

12,659,430

Recognised directly in equity

Deferred tax on gain on fair value of investment in subsidiaries and associate

(4,084,666)

12,659,430

 

Recognised in profit or loss

 

Deferred tax on unabsorbed capital allowances and unused tax losses

192,911

(3,891,755)

12,659,430

See note 12 for information on the group’s and the Company’s tax (expense) income.

 




27    Trade and other payables

 

 

Trade and other payables recognised in the statements of financial position can be analysed as follows:

 

 

Group

Company

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current

 

 

 

 

Security deposit

2,062,117

1,935,934

-

-

Taxation

1,478,453

2,886,372

-

-

Total non-current

3,540,570

4,822,306

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

527,150

390,359

143

43,501

Capital creditors

25,000

25,000

-

-

Amounts owed to shareholder

922,223

601,467

922,223

601,467

Amounts owed to other related companies

364,328

202,397

776

205

Dividend payable

1,000,000

3,000,000

1,000,000

3,000,000

Accrued expenses

2,422,013

2,804,237

1,687,293

1,825,674

Financial liabilities

5,260,714

7,023,460

3,610,435

5,470,847

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income

6,693,881

6,461,433

-

-

Security deposits

674,889

933,228

-

-

Other payables

884,122

540,411

682,785

364,328

Non-financial liabilities

8,252,892

7,935,072

682,785

364,328

 

 

 

 

 

Total current

13,513,606

14,958,532

4,293,220

5,835,175

 

 

 

 

 

Total trade and other payables

17,054,176

19,780,838

4,293,220

5,835,175

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts owed to shareholder and other related companies are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

The carrying value of financial liabilities is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 


28     Cash flow adjustments and changes in working capital

 

 

The following non-cash flow adjustments and adjustments for changes in working capital have been made to profit (loss) before tax to arrive at operating cash flow:

 

 

Group

Company

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

301,214 

73,402 

1,110

383 

Interest receivable

(3,791,624)

(3,084,304) 

Interest payable

3,877,944 

4,589,655 

3,832,375

4,369,571 

Amortisation of bond issue costs

275,227 

287,546 

275,227

287,546 

Difference on exchange

44,696 

3,540,046 

197

Increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses

338,699 

-

Dividend income

-

(53,713,904) 

Other income – tax recovery

(555,828) 

-

(555,828) 

Other income – reversal of accrual interest payable

(1,526,815) 

-

-

Share in net loss (gain) in investment

50,498 

(2,711,995) 

-

Inventories write-off

-

Total adjustments

4,549,579

4,034,710 

317,285 

(52,696,536) 

 

 

 

 

 

Net changes in working capital:

 

 

 

 

Change in trade and other receivables

1,018,966

(4,075,931) 

15,130,477

11,184,063 

Change in trade and other payables

939,465

422,529 

655,679

62,056 

Change in inventories

(325,540)

(83,958) 

-

Total changes in working capital

1,632,891

(3,737,360) 

15,786,156

11,246,119 

 

 

29    Related party transactions

 

The group's related parties include its associates, key management and others as described below.

 

The Company’s related parties include its subsidiaries, key management and others as described below.

 

Unless otherwise stated, none of the transactions incorporates special terms and con­di­tions and no guarantees were given or received. Outstanding balances are usually settled in cash.

 

 

29.1     Transactions with related parties

 

Group

Company

 

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consultancy and other services charged to subsidiary

-

-

244,334

       (232,699)

Interest charged by shareholder

278,972

270,008

278,972

270,008

Consultancy and other fees paid to related parties

213,976

97,540

-

-

Services and expenses recharged to related companies

22,532

4,220

-

-

 

 

 

 

Balances with related parties are disclosed in notes 16, 17 , 20, 25 and 27 .

 

 

 




30    Financial instrument risk

 

Risk management objectives and policies

The group and Company are exposed to various risks through use of financial instruments which result from its operating, investing and financing activities. The group and Company’s financial assets and liabilities by category are summarised in note 30.4. The main types of risks are credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk.

The group’s and the Company’s risk management is coordinated at its head office, in close co-operation with the board of directors, and focuses on actively securing the group’s and the Company’s short to medium-term cash flows by minimising the exposure to financial markets. Long-term financial investments are managed to generate lasting returns. 

The group and the Company do not actively engage in the trading of financial assets for speculative purposes. The most significant financial risks to which the group and the Company are exposed are described below.


30.1    Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty fails to discharge an obligation to the group and the Company. The group and the Company’s exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of financial assets recognised at the end of the reporting period, as summarised below:

 

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Notes

Classes of financial assets - carrying amounts

Loans to subsidiary company

17

-

-

7,000,000

7,000,000

Trade and other receivables

20

5,157,226

6,154,910

65,576,821

76,966,327

Cash and cash equivalents

21

6,891,963

 10,886,366

695,472

1,770,068

12,049,189

 17,041,276

73,272,293

85,736,395

 

The credit risk is managed based on the group’s and Company’s credit risk management policies and procedures.

 

 

Bank balances at year end are mainly held with a local financial institution which has a credit rating by an international credit rating agency, Standard & Poor’s of BBB-. Such rating translates into an immaterial expected credit loss. Included in cash and cash equivalents is an amount of €2,957,474 (2021: €2,837,258) which is held in Libyan banks for which no credit rating is available.

 

 

The Company continuously monitors defaults and the credit quality of customers and other counterparties, identified either individually or by group, and incorporates this information into its credit risk controls.  The Company’s policy is to deal only with creditworthy counterparties.  The standard credit terms given to customers is 60 days.  The credit terms as negotiated with customers are subject to an internal review process.  The ongoing credit risk is managed through regular review of ageing analysis, together with credit limits per customer.

 

 

Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers in various industries.

 

 

Trade receivables

 

The group applies IFRS 9 simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables as these items do not have a significant financing component.

 

 

In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables have been assessed on a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk characteristics.  They have been grouped based on the days past due and also according to the geographical location of customers.

 

Based on the length of time a trade receivable is outstanding, customer’s payment history as well as current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the customer’s ability to pay, management concluded that the credit quality of trade receivables including those that are past due but not impaired to be good. Furthermore, the Group has taken a full provision against old balances due from local government entities, such that the trade debtors primarily consist of government and non-government agencies situated outside of Libya. Over and above this, there is an amount of €6.7 million (2021: €6.5 million) in deferred income and €2.7 million (2021: €2.9 million) held in security deposits. Credit risk for trade receivables is considered low and expected credit losses for trade receivables are not material.

 

At 31 December the group had certain trade receivables that have not been settled by the contractual due date but are not considered to be impaired. The amounts at 31 December, analysed by the length of time past due, are:

 

 

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

Not more than 30 days

687,636

238,612

More than 30 days but not more than 120 days

21,381

305,305

More than 120 days

1,823,097

1,544,866

Total

2,532,114

2,088,783

 


30.2     Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is that the group and the Company may be unable to meet their obligations.

Management manages the group’s and the Company’s liquidity needs by carefully monitoring cash flows in day to day business.  Liquidity needs are monitored in various time bands, on a daily and weekly basis, as well as on the basis of rolling 30-day projections.  Long-term liquidity needs for a 6-monthly and yearly period are identified monthly.

The group and the Company maintain cash to meet their liquidity requirements for the short-term.  Funding for long-term liquidity needs is secured by an adequate amount of committed credit facilities.

 

As at 31 December 2022, the group’s and the Company’s liabilities have contractual maturities (including interest payments where applicable) as summarised below:

 

Group

 

 

 

Current

Non-current

 

within 6

months

6 to 12

months

2 to 5

years

later than

5 years

31 December 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds in issue

-

19,910,050

40,535,041

-

Interest on bonds in issue

-

3,335,000

7,620,000

-

Bank balance overdrawn

3,946

-

-

-

Trade and other payables

527,150

3,347,050

-

-

Shareholders’ loan

-

-

5,203,300

-

 

531,096

26,592,100

53,358,341

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

 

 

Current

Non-current

 

within 6

months

6 to 12

months

2 to 5

years

later than

5 years

31 December 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds in issue

-

19,910,050

40,535,041

-

Interest on bonds in issue

-

3,335,000

7,620,000

-

Trade and other payables

143

2,223,778

-

-

Shareholders’ loan

-

-

5,203,300

-

 

143

25,468,828

53,358,341

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

This compares to the maturity of the group’s and the Company’s contractual maturities in the previous reporting period as follows:

 

Group

 

Current

Non-current

 

within 6

months

6 to 12

months

2 to 5

years

later than

5 years

31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Other borrowings

5,000,000

-

-

-

Interest on other borrowings

200,000

-

-

-

Bonds in issue

39,929,870

30,740,648

Interest on bonds in issue

3,760,000

3,080,000

Bank balance overdrawn

3,946

Trade and other payables

390,359

5,039,989

Shareholders’ loan

5,203,300

 

5,594,305

48,729,859

39,023,948

 

Company

Current

Non-current

within 6

6 to 12

2 to 5

later than

months

Months

years

5 years

31 December 2021

Bonds in issue

39,929,870

30,740,648

Interest on bonds in issue

3,760,000

3,080,000

Trade and other payables

43,501

3,834,234

Shareholders’ loan

5,203,300

43,501

47,524,104

39,023,948

 



30.3    Market risk

Foreign currency risk

Group

Exposure to currency exchange rates mainly arises from certain transactions and payments denominated in Libyan dinars. Cash inflows and cash outflows in foreign currency are matched at subsidiary level, hence, the group is only exposed to foreign currency risk as shown below.

 

Foreign currency denominated financial liabilities, translated into euro at the closing rate, are as follows:

 

Short term

Long term

 

LYD

LYD

 

31 December 2022

 

Financial assets

5,551,590

-

Financial liabilities

(1,279,144)

-

Total exposure

4,272,446

-

 

 

31 December 2021

 

Financial assets

4,615,242

-

Financial liabilities

(175,183)

-

Total exposure

4,440,059

-

 

 

 

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the net result for the year in regards to the group’s financial liabilities and the LYD/euro exchange rate.

 

 

The following table assumes a +/- 1% change of the LYD/euro exchange rate at year end (2021: 14%). This percentage has been determined based on the average market volatility in exchange rates in the previous 12 months. The sensitivity analysis is based on the group’s foreign currency financial instruments held at the end of the reporting period.

 

 

If the euro had strengthened or weakened against the LYD by 1% (2021: 14%), then this would have had the following impact on the net result for the year.

 

 

Net result for the year LYD

 

31 December 2022

+ /- 42,724

31 December 2021

+ / - 621,608

 

The analysis above is considered to be representative of the group’s exposure to currency risk.

 

Interest rate risk

 

The Group had no liabilities bearing interest at variable rates at the end of the reporting period under review and therefore is not exposed to any interest rate risk. Interest exposure on its interest-bearing financial assets is considered to be not significant.

 

30.4    Categories of financial assets and liabilities

The carrying amounts presented in the statements of financial position relate to the following categories of assets and liabilities:

 

   

Group

Company

2022

2021

2022

2021

Financial assets at FVTPL

Notes

-       Shares in subsidiary company

17

-

-

183,024,039

171,303,065

-       Shares in associate company

16

-

-

8,084,098

8,022,973

-

-

191,108,137

179,326,038

Financial assets at amortised cost

-       Loans to subsidiary companies

17

-

-

7,000,000

7,000,000

-       Trade and other receivables

20

5,157,226

6,154,910

65,576,821

76,966,327

-       Cash and cash equivalents

21

6,891,963

10,886,366

695,472

1,770,068

12,049,189

17,041,276

73,272,293

85,736,395

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Non-current

-       Bonds

2 4

40,535,041

30,740,648

40,535,041

30,740,648

-       Shareholders’ loan

25

5,203,300

5,203,300

5,203,300

5,203,300

45,738,341

35,943,948

45,738,341

35,943,948

Current

 

 

-       Borrowings

23

3,946

5,003,946

-

-       Bonds

24

19,910,050

 39,929,870

19,910,050

39,929,870

-       Trade and other payables

27

5,260,714

 7,023,460

3,610,435

5,470,847

25,174,710

51,957,276

23,520,485

45,400,717

 

See note 5.16 for a description of the accounting policies for each category of financial instruments. The fair values are presented in the related notes. 

 

 

31    Fair value measurement

 

 

31.1 Fair value measurement of financial instruments 

 

 

The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the group’s and the Company’s statements of financial position in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.  This hierarchy groups financial assets and liabilities into three levels based on the significance of inputs used in measuring the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

 

 

-     Level 1: based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets;

-     Level 2: based on information other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

-     Level 3: information for the asset that is not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

The level within which the financial asset or liability is classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant input to the fair value measurement.

 

 


The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statements of financial position are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:

 

 

Company

 

 

 

31 December 2022

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

Fair value through other comprehensive income

-

-

191,108,137

 

 

 

 

31 December 2021

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

Fair value through other comprehensive income

-

-

179,326,038

 

 

 

 

 

Measurement of fair value

The methods and valuation techniques used for the purpose of measuring fair value are as follows:

 

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

Fair value information for these financial assets has been obtained from the latest available financial information. 

 

 

Level 3 fair value measurements

The reconciliation of the carrying amounts of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income classified within Level 3 is as follows:

 

 

Company

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January

179,326,038

223,833,898

Gain (Loss) recognised in other comprehensive income

11,832,597

(47,219,855)

Other movement

(50,498)

2,711,995

Balance at 31 December

191,108,137

179,326,038

 

 

 

Changing inputs to the Level 3 valuations to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change significantly amounts recognised in profit or loss, total assets or total liabilities or total equity.

 

31.2 Fair value measurement of non-financial assets 

 

The following table shows the levels within the hierarchy of non-financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021.

 

 

Group

 

 

 

31 December 2022

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 

Investment property

-

-

272,567,609

 

 

 

 

31 December 2021

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 

Investment property

-

-

272,567,609

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value of the subsidiary’s investment property is estimated based on a valuation exercise carried out by the directors. The significant inputs and assumptions are developed in close consultation with management. The valuation processes and fair value changes are reviewed by the board of directors at each reporting date. During the year under review, the valuation arrived at when using these inputs amounted to €274,352,000 (see note 15).

 

32    Capital management policies and procedures

The board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investors’ and creditors’ and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business.  The board of directors monitors the return on capital, which the group defines as the profit for the year divided by total equity.

The directors seek to maintain a balance between the higher returns that might be possible with higher levels of borrowings and advantages and security afforded by a sound capital position.  The group and the Company seek to maximise the return on shareholders’ equity and to reduce the incidence of interest expenses. 

There were no changes in the group’s and the Company’s approach to capital management during the year.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

 

33    Post-reporting date events

 

No adjusting or significant non-adjusting events have occurred between the end of the reporting period and the date of authorisation by the board.

 

 

 

Independent auditor’s report 

 

To the shareholders of Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c.

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Mediterranean Investments Holding plc (the “Company”) and of the Group of which it is the parent, which comprise the statements of financial position as at 31 December 2022, and the statements of other comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity and statements of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Company and the Group as at 31 December 2022, and of their financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union (EU) , and have been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act, Cap. 386 (the “Act”).

 

Our opinion is consistent with our additional report to the audit committee.

 

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company and the Group in accordance with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA Code) together with the ethical requirements of the Accountancy Profession (Code of Ethics for Warrant Holders) Directive issued in terms of the Accountancy Profession Act, Cap. 281 that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Malta. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. In conducting our audit we have remained independent of the Company and the Group and have not provided any of the non-audit services prohibited by article 18A of the Accountancy Profession Act, Cap. 281.  Total remuneration payable to the parent company’s auditors in respect of the audit of the group’s and Company’s financial statements amounted to €28,875 (2021: €27,500) and €10,500 (2021: €10,000) respectively. Other fees payable to the parent company’s auditors in respect of tax compliance services rendered to the group and the Company amounted to €3,655 (2021: €3,575) and €1,155 (2021: €1,100) respectively.

 

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

 

Group’s going concern and significant uncertainty

Key audit matter

The political situation in Libya, which has remained unstable during the year under review is a cause of significant uncertainty. Given that the Group’s business is entirely conducted in Libya, we placed special focus on the Group’s assets in that country. These comprise the Palm City Residences with a carrying amount of €272 million, land under construction owned by Palm Waterfront Ltd with a carrying amount of €8.9 million and a 25% holding in an associate carried at €8.1 million which in turn owns land in Tripoli, Libya earmarked for development.

 

At balance sheet date the Group had net current liabilities amounting to €20.8 million which is primarily due to an €20.0 million bond maturing in 2023 and which is classified as a current liability. This deficiency also warrants specific audit focus. The future performance and the fair value of group’s property assets are heavily dependent on how the political situation in Libya will develop and on the time required for the situation to return to normality.

 

The directors are continuing to monitor the situation in Libya closely and are taking immediate and appropriate action in the best interests of all stakeholders. Palm City Residences is still fully operational. Moreover, the directors confirm that all the existing signed contracts are still in full force and effect. Furthermore, as explained in note 3 to these financial statements the directors have taken and are still taking various measures to ensure that the Group will continue to have adequate levels of cash to sustain its operations and to meet its obligations as they fall due.  

 

However, different scenarios in terms of the future political landscape in Libya are plausible, which scenarios, negative and positive, could significantly influence the timing and amount of projected cash flows. 

 

How the key audit matter was addressed in our audit      

We reviewed the plans prepared by management showing how the working capital deficiency of the Group is to be addressed. As part of this process, we reviewed cash flow projections prepared by management.

 

We attended meetings with management and those charged with governance and noted that they were able to provide satisfactory responses to our questions relating to the Group’s plans. We also assessed the adequacy of the disclosures made in Note 3, Going concern, which we consider to be of fundamental importance to the users’ understanding of the going concern assumption underlying the preparation of these financial statements.

 

Based on the audit work done, we concluded that management’s use of the going concern assumption in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

 

In addition to the above procedures, we have also conducted the procedures explained in the following Key Audit Matter for the valuation of investment property.

Valuation of investment property of the Group

Key audit matter

One of the subsidiaries of the Group has a property situated in Zanzour, Libya, held under a 65-year Build, Operate and Transfer agreement. The property consists of a number of individual units within a gated complex. The units were constructed to be leased out under short-term and long-term leases to third parties for use as accommodation. At 31 December 2022 the property is carried at €272 million.

Management has conducted an internal valuation of the property as at 31 December 2022. This valuation is based on the projected rental income streams discounted to present value. The underlying assumptions consist of the projected rental rates and occupancy levels of the units and take into consideration contracted rates for units that are leased out.

The valuation of the subsidiary’s investment property is inherently subjective mainly due to the judgemental nature of the factors used in arriving at the value. Moreover, the property is situated in Libya which is still passing through a period of great uncertainty. The significance of the estimates made, the judgement involved and the uncertainty in Libya could result in a material misstatement. Consequently, this warrants specific audit focus.

How the key audit matter was addressed in our audit      

We obtained an understanding of the methodology used by management to arrive at the valuation of the property at 31 December 2022 and tested the arithmetical accuracy of the workings. We also agreed the information in the valuation report to the accounting records.

We engaged our internal specialist resources to review and challenge the valuation methodology and the underlying assumptions.

We attended meetings with management and those charged with governance and noted that they were able to provide satisfactory responses to our questions.

We assessed the adequacy of the disclosures made in Notes 5.22 (e) and 16 of the financial statements including those regarding the key assumptions.

Based on the audit work done we concluded that the carrying amount of the investment property falls within a reasonable range of values.

The significant uncertainty in Libya and the significant judgements surrounding the valuation of the Group’s Investment Property situated in that country render the fair valuation of the property extremely difficult and judgemental. We consider this matter to be of fundamental importance to the users’ understanding of these financial statements because should the assumptions underlying the valuation not materialise the fair value of the investment property which, at 31 December 2022 is carried at €272 million would vary significantly.

 

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the (i) Chairman’s Statement, (ii) the Directors’ report, (iii) the Statement by the Directors on the Financial Statement and Other Information included in the Annual Report, (iv) the Directors’ Statement of Compliance with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance and (v) Other Disclosures in terms of the Capital Markets Rules (amend as required) which we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report, but does not include the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information, including the Directors’ report.

 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

 

With respect to the Directors’ report, we also considered whether the Directors’ report includes the disclosures required by Article 177 of the Act.

 

Based on the work we have performed, in our opinion:

 

·         the information given in the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements, and

·         the Directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with the Act.

 

In addition, in light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and the Group and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we are required to report if we have identified material misstatements in the Directors’ report and other information that we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report. We have nothing to report in this regard.

 

Responsibilities of those charged with governance for the financial statements

The directors are responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and are properly prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Company’s and the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. The directors are responsible for overseeing the Company’s and the Group’s financial reporting process.

 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

 

In terms of article 179A(4) of the Act, the scope of our audit does not include assurance on the future viability if the audited entity or on the efficiency or effectiveness with which the directors have conducted or will conduct the affairs of the entity.

 

As part of an audit in accordance with the ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 

-

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

 

-

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s and Group’s internal control.

 

-

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

 

-

Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s and Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However future events or conditions may cause the Company or the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

 

-

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

 

-

Obtain sufficient appropriate evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

 

 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

 

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with the relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

 

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefit of such communication.

 

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Report on compliance with the requirements of the European Single Electronic Format Regulatory Technical Standard (the “ESEF RTS”), by reference to Capital Markets Rule 5.55.6

We have undertaken a reasonable assurance engagement in accordance with the requirements of Directive 6 issued by the Accountancy Board in terms of the Accountancy Profession Act (Cap. 281) - the Accountancy Profession (European Single Electronic Format) Assurance Directive (the “ESEF Directive 6”) on the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements of Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. for the year ended 31 December 2022, entirely prepared in a single electronic reporting format.

Responsibilities of the directors

The directors are responsible for the preparation of the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements and the relevant mark-up requirements therein, by reference to Capital Markets Rule 5.56A, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.

Our responsibilities

Our responsibility is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements and the relevant electronic tagging therein, complies in all material respects with the ESEF RTS based on the evidence we have obtained. We conducted our reasonable assurance engagement in accordance with the requirements of ESEF Directive 6.

Our procedures included:

-

Obtaining an understanding of the entity's financial reporting process, including the preparation of the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.

 

-

Obtaining the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements and performing validations to determine whether the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the technical specifications of the ESEF RTS.

 

-

Examining the information in the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements to determine whether all the required taggings therein have been applied and whether, in all material respects, they are in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.

 

-

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

 

 

Opinion

In our opinion, the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 has been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.

Report on the statement of compliance with the Principles of Good Corporate Governance

The Capital Markets Rules issued by the MFSA (the “Capital Markets Rules”) require the directors to prepare and include in their Annual Report a Corporate governance statement providing an explanation of the extent to which they have adopted the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance and the effective measures that they have taken to ensure compliance throughout the accounting period with those Principles.

 

The Capital Markets Rules also require us, as the auditor of the Company, to include a report on the Statement of Compliance prepared by the directors.

 

We read the Statement of Compliance with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements included in the Annual Report. Our responsibilities do not extend to considering whether this statement is consistent with any other information included in the Annual Report.

 

We are not required to, and we do not, consider whether the Board’s statements on internal control included in the Statement of Compliance with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.

 

In our opinion, the Corporate governance statement has been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Capital Markets Rules.

 

Other matters on which we are required to report by exception

We also have responsibilities

 

·         under the Companies Act, Cap 386 to report to you if, in our opinion:

-         adequate accounting records have not been kept, or that returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us

-         the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns

-         we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit

-         certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made in the financial statements, giving the required particulars in our report.

 

·         in terms of Capital Markets Rules to review the statement made by the Directors that the business is a going concern together with supporting assumptions or qualifications as necessary.

 

We have nothing to report to you in respect of these responsibilities.

 

Auditor tenure

 

We were first appointed as auditors of the Company and the Group when the Company was registered on 12 December 2005 and our first audit was for the period ended 31 December 2006. Our appointment has been renewed annually by shareholders’ resolutions representing a total period of uninterrupted engagement appointment of 16 years. The Company first issued listed securities on the Malta Stock Exchange on 7 November 2007.

 

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Mark Bugeja.

 

Grant Thornton

Certified Public Accountants

Fort Business Centre

Triq L-Intornjatur, Zone 1,

Central Business District,

Birkirkara CBD 1050

Malta

 

25 April 2023