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Thursday 11 December, 2008

European Conv Prop

Final Results

RNS Number : 9081J
European Convergence Property CoPLC
11 December 2008
 



11 December 2008


European Convergence Property Company plc


Final Results for the year ended 30 June 2008


European Convergence Property Company PLC ('ECPC', the 'Company' or the  'Group')a property company established to invest in commercial, retail and industrial property in South-East Europe with a view to taking advantage of high yields and the potential for capital appreciation, announces its final results for the year ended 30 June 2008.  


The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at Third Floor, Britannia House, St George's Street Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 1JE, British Isles, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SH on 31 December 2008 at 10 a.m.


Highlights


During the reporting year the Company completed the sale of the subsidiary companies holding its Romanian investment properties to DEGI Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilienfonds m.b.H.


The net consideration for the disposed companies was approximately €17.2m. The properties were acquired for a combined cost of €89.1m, and had been re-valued in early 2007 at €97.5m. The value attributable to the properties in arriving at the sale proceeds was approximately €110.5m after transaction costs and adjustments of €5.5m for the net current assets of the companies being sold. As at 31 December 2007 this increased the unaudited NAV per share to €1.21.


Due to considerable yield compression in the market the Company decided not to pursue further acquisitions and instead to return the proceeds of the sale along with any un-invested cash to Shareholders. As a result Shareholder approval was sought to facilitate an efficient mechanism for returning these monies to Shareholders and at the end of January 2008 an initial return of capital of €58.9 million (€0.94 per share) was made to Shareholders.


The Company now has one remaining investment assetMall Veliko Turnovo, in Bulgaria  This has been subject to several offers which were subsequently withdrawn for various reasonsThere remains interest from other potential buyers and the Company is still actively pursuing several sales strategies.


A valuation of Mall Veliko Turnovo was recently carried out by SHM Smith Hodgkinson, an independent firm of chartered surveyors. The property has now been valued at 31.56 mcompared with its valuation of €32.55m in January 2007.


The consolidated net assets of the Company as at 30 June 2008 were €15.832m, giving a net asset value per share of €0.25.


Erwin Brunner

Chairman



Enquiries:


Charlemagne Capital (UK) Limited

+44 (0)20 7518 2100

Christopher Fitzwilliam Lay/Varda Lotan




Galileo Fund Services Limited


Ian Dungate, Company Secretary

+44 (0)1624 692600



Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited

+44 (0)20 7459 3600

Hugh Morgan/Stuart Gledhill




Smithfield Consultants

+44 (0)20 7360 4900

John Kiely/Gemma Froggatt




www.europeanconvergence.com



Report of the Manager


During the year, a number of offers were received and considered for the Company's one remaining asset, Mall Veliko Turnovo ('MVT') in Bulgaria. However for various reasons, including the economic environment, these were all subsequently withdrawn. The Manager is still actively seeking a buyer for the property with several sales options being considered.


Operation of Mall Veliko Turnovo

September 2008 marks the second anniversary of the opening of MVT. During the year the Manager focussed on consolidation of the tenant mix and continued marketing of MVT through various promotional activities. In general this has resulted in an increase in the quality of tenants and the level of rents received.


Through careful management of expenses, operational costs for 2008 were slightly lower than in 2007, although the effects of current energy prices and Bulgarian inflation mean that this is not expected to continue. 


By June 2008, occupancy was near 100%, and although two key tenants were lost in August, one of these has already been replaced, and negotiations with a replacement for the restaurant area, which is the remaining vacancy (approx 5% of the mall), are close to finalisation with catering businesses more suited to a shopping mall than the previous tenant. These two changes in tenants will result in a slight increase in monthly rental income.


The area where MVT is located is becoming the main retail destination for the city. This year a number of new operators have opened in the vicinity; however these new operators increase competition for customer attention and retail spend. There are possible plans for two further malls for Veliko Turnovo, both within the MVT retail destination area which if realised will further increase competition. 


As well as increasing competition the impacts of the global credit conditions together with the effects of commodity and food price increases may lead to a softening in the leasing/tenant market.


Valuation of Mall Veliko Turnovo

SHM Smith Hodgkinson, an independent firm of chartered surveyors has recently carried out a valuation of the property, and it has been valued at €31.56m, giving an exit yield of 7.5%. There have been recent sales of at least two larger malls in Bulgaria. City Centre Sofia is believed to have been sold by Equest to Heitman at an initial yield in the region of 7 - 7.25%. In addition, during 2008 the Uzanov Mall in Varna was sold for an exit yield of approximately 7.65%. The manager is confident that the current valuation is reasonable.



Charlemagne Capital (IOM) Limited

5 December 2008



Report of the Directors


The Directors hereby submit their annual report together with the audited consolidated financial statements of European Convergence Property Company plc (the 'Company') for the financial year ended 30 June 2008.


The Company

The Company is incorporated in the Isle of Man and was established to enable investors to take advantage of opportunities that exist in the property markets of South-East Europe. It subsequently acquired 4 property assets in Romania and Bulgaria, of which 3 were sold during the year leaving a single property asset, Mall Veliko Turnovo, in Bulgaria.


As previously reported, the Directors determined not to invest surplus cash or re-invest the proceeds from the properties sold earlier in the year. To facilitate an efficient mechanism for returning monies to shareholders, the Company was re-registered during the year as a company governed by the Isle of Man Companies Act 2006. Following this re-registration, a capital return of €58.9m (€0.94 per share) was returned to shareholders on 31 January 2008 


Results and Dividends

The results and position of the Group and the position of the Company at the year end is set out on pages 9 to 13 of the financial statements.


Following the return of capital earlier in the year, the Directors do not intend to declare a dividend.


Directors

The Directors during the year and up to the date of this Report were:


Erwin Brunner

James C. Rosapepe

Donald C. McCrickard

Anderson A. Whamond


Directors' and Other Interests

Save as disclosed in Note 8.1, none of the Directors had any interest during the year in any material contract for the provision of services which was significant to the business of the Company.  None of the other directors have a direct or indirect interest of the shares in the Company.


Charlemagne Capital (Investments) Limited (a subsidiary of Charlemagne Capital Limited, the parent of the Investment Manager) holds 97,478 shares in the Company.  


Independent Auditors

KPMG Audit LLC Isle of Man have expressed a willingness to continue in office in accordance with Isle of Man company law. 


Corporate Governance

As an AIM listed company, the Company is not required to follow the provisions of the Combined Code as set out in the UK Financial Services Authority Listing Rules, however, the Board is committed to high standards of corporate governance and a summary of the main elements of corporate governance are described below:


Board of Directors


The composition of the Board is set out above.  The Board currently comprises a non-executive chairman and three other non-executive directors.


The Board meets regularly and is provided with relevant information on financial, business and corporate matters prior to meetings. 


Audit Committee


The Audit Committee consists of the Board members. To be quorate at least two offshore directors must be present, with the majority of the Committee also being independent of the management of the Company. The Committee overviews the adequacy of the Company's internal controls, accounting policies and financial reporting and provides a forum through which the Company's external auditors report to the Company. 


Internal Control


The Directors are responsible for establishing and maintaining the Company's system of internal control.  This system of internal control is designed to safeguard the Company's assets and to ensure that proper accounting records are maintained and that financial information produced by the Company is reliable.  There are inherent limitations in any system of internal control and such a system can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurances against material misstatement or loss.  The Directors, through the Audit Committee, have reviewed the effectiveness of the Company's system of internal controls.


Statement of Directors' Responsibilities in respect of the Directors' Report and the Financial Statements


The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.


Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which meet the requirements of Isle of Man company law. In addition, the Directors have elected to prepare the Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.


The Company's financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Parent Company and of the Group's profit or loss for that period.  


In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

state whether applicable International Financial Reporting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Parent Company will continue in business.


The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Parent Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Isle of Man Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 


On behalf of the Board

Erwin Brunner

Chairman

5 December 2008



Report of the Independent Auditors, KPMG Audit LLC, to the members of European Convergence Property Company plc


We have audited the Group and Parent Company financial statements (the 'financial statements') of European Convergence Property Company plc for the year ended 30 June 2008 which comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared under the accounting policies set out therein.

This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.


Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditors

The Directors' responsibilities for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable Isle of Man company law and International Financial Reporting Standards are set out in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).

 We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view. We also report to you whether in our opinion the information given in the Directors' Report is consistent with the financial statements.

In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the Company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law regarding directors' transactions with the Company is not disclosed. 

We read the Directors' Report and any other information accompanying the financial statements and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or inconsistencies within it.


Basis of opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the UK Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgments made by the Directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group's and Company's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.


Opinion

In our opinion:

  • the financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, of the state of the Group's and Parent Company's affairs as at 30 June 2008 and of the Group's profit and cash flows for the year then ended; and

  • the information given in the Directors' Report is consistent with the financial statements.


KPMG Audit LLC, Isle of Man

Chartered Accountants, Heritage Court, 41 Athol Street Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1HN

9 December 2008


Consolidated Income Statement



Note

Year ended
30 June 2008

Year ended
30 June 2007



€'000

€'000





Realised gain on sale of subsidiaries

2  

6,825

-

Net (loss)/gain from fair value adjustment on investment property

10

(940)

13,124





Net rent and related income

5

4,374

5,766





Manager's fees

8.3

(2,504)

(2,343)

Audit and professional fees

9.5

(1,857)

(258)

Other expenses

9

(876)

(1,771)

Administrative expenses


(5,237)

(4,372)





Net operating profit before net
financing expense


5,022

14,518





Financial income

6

889

743

Financial expenses

6

(2,352)

(2,923)

Net financing expense


(1,463)

(2,180)





Profit before tax


3,559

12,338





Income tax expense

20

5,276

(5,890)





Retained profit for the year


8,835

6,448





Basic and diluted earnings per share (€)

14

0.1409

0.1028


Consolidated Balance Sheet



Note

At 30 June 2008

At 30 June 2007



€'000

€'000





Investment property

10

31,560

131,971

Property, plant and equipment

11

-

62





Total non-current assets


31,560

132,033





Trade and other receivables

16

4,510

3,977

Cash and cash equivalents

12

2,552

23,107

Total current assets


7,062

27,084

Total assets


38,622

159,117





Issued share capital

13

3,762

62,696

Retained earnings


12,070

3,235

Foreign currency translation reserve


-

1,758

Total equity


15,832

67,689





Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

15

19,232

80,108

Deferred tax liability

20

187

5,045

Total non-current liabilities


19,419

85,153





Trade and other payables

17

3,371

6,275

Total current liabilities


3,371

6,275

Total liabilities


22,790

91,428

Total equity & liabilities


38,622

159,117


Approved by the Board of Directors on 5 December 2008.



Donald McCrickard

Anderson Whamond

Director

Director




Company Balance Sheet



Note

At 30 June 2008

At 30 June 2007



€'000

€'000





Investment in subsidiaries

2

-

-





Total non-current assets


-

-





Intragroup balances


16,375

44,061

Trade and other receivables

16

12

36

Cash and cash equivalents

12

1,175

17,145

Total current assets


17,562

61,242

Total assets


17,562

61,242





Issued share capital

13

3,762

62,696

Retained losses


13,735

(1,517)

Total equity


17,497

61,179





Trade and other payables

17

65

63

Total current liabilities


65

63

Total liabilities


65

63

Total equity & liabilities


17,562

61,242



The profit earned by the Company for the year ended 30 June 2008 was 15,251,402 (2007452,207).


Approved by the Board of Directors on 5 December 2008.



Donald McCrickard

Anderson Whamond

Director

Director



Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity



Share capital

Retained earnings

Foreign currency
translation reserve

Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000











Balance at 1 July 2006

62,696

(3,213)

(122)

59,361

Foreign exchange translation differences

-

-

1,880

1,880

Retained profit for the year

-

6,448

-

6,448

Balance at 30 June 2007

62,696

3,235

1,758

67,689






Balance at 1 July 2007

62,696

3,235

1,758

67,689

Capital distribution

(58,934)

-

-

(58,934)

Foreign exchange translation differences

-

-

(1,758)

(1,758)

Retained profit for the year

-

8,835

-

8,835

Balance at 30 June 2008

3,762

12,070

-

15,832



Consolidated Cash Flow Statement



Note

Year ended
30 June 2008

Year ended
30 June 2007



€'000

€'000





Operating activities




Group profit for the year


8,835

6,448

Adjustments for:




   Gain from sale of subsidiaries 


(6,825)

-

  Net loss/(gain) from fair value adjustment on investment property


940

(13,124)

   Financial income


(889)

(743)

  Foreign currency translation differences


(1,758)

1,880

   Financial expense


2,352

2,923

  Depreciation


62

-

  Income tax (credit)/expense


(5,276)

5,890

Operating (loss)/profit before changes in
working capital


(2,559)

3,274





Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables


2,614

(3,696)

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables


(1,173)

5,118





Cash (used in)/generated from operations


(1,118)

4,696

Interest paid


(2,352)

(2,923)

Income and corporation tax received/(paid)


418

(852)

Interest received


889

743

Cash flows (used in)/generated from operating activities


(2,163)

1,664





Investing activities




Staged payments relating to property acquisitions


-

(88,425)

Sale of subsidiary companies


12,929

-

Cash sold with subsidiary companies


(6,728)


Repayment of loans by former subsidiaries 


34,341

-

Purchase of property, plant and equipment


-

(62)

Cash flows generated from/(used in) investing activities


40,542

(88,487)





Financing activities




Proceeds from long term loans


-

67,108

Repayment of long term loans


-

(750)

Capital distribution


(58,934)

-

Cash flows (used in)/generated from financing activities


(58,934)

66,358





Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(20,555)

(20,465)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year


23,107

43,572

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

12

2,552

23,107



Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


1    The Company


European Convergence Property Company plc (the 'Company') was originally incorporated and registered in the Isle of Man under the Isle of Man Companies Acts 1931 to 2004 on 1 June 2005 as a public company with registered number 113616C.  On 21 December 2007 with the approval of Shareholders in general meeting, the Company was re-registered as a company under the Isle of Man Companies Act 2006 with registered number 002085v.


Pursuant to a prospectus dated 15 June 2005 there was an original placing of up to 100,000,000 Ordinary Shares. Following the close of the placing on 24 June 2005 62,696,333 Shares were issued.


The Shares of the Company were admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange ('AIM') on 28 June 2005 when dealings also commenced.


The Company's agents and the Manager perform all significant functions. Accordingly, the Company itself has no employees.


Capital Distribution

Following approval of the Company's Shareholders in general meeting and as a consequence of the Directors having determined not to invest surplus cash or reinvest monies received from the sale of certain property assets an amount of approximately 58.9m or 0.94 per share was returned to shareholders pro rata by way of a capital distribution on 31 January 2008.


Duration

In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, Shareholders will be given the opportunity to vote on the life of the Company after approximately 7 years.  


Dividend Policy

The Directors anticipate that in respect of any 12 month accounting period they will recommend the payment as a dividend of substantially all of the Company's net profits (excluding profits arising from unrealised gains).  The Directors may pay half-yearly interim dividends if they believe that the financial position of the Company justifies it. If the Company's funds are fully invested, the Directors may be required to re-invest some of the Company's profits into the maintenance of the Company's property portfolio. Debt amortisation payments may cause actual dividends to be less than net profits.


In the current year, no dividend was declared due to the return of capital made on 31 January 2008.


Property Valuation Policy

The Directors have appointed an internationally recognised firm of surveyors as property valuers for properties in Romania and Bulgaria. It is the Directors' intention that approximately half of the Company's property portfolio will receive a valuation from the Company's appointed property valuer in each annual financial period.


Financial Year End

The financial year end of the Company is 30 June in each year.


2    The Subsidiaries


For efficient portfolio management purposes, the Company established the following subsidiary companies:-



Country of
incorporation

Percentage of
shares held

European Convergence Property Company Bulgaria EOOD

Bulgaria

100%

European Property Acquisitions EOOD 1

Bulgaria

100%

European Convergence Property Company (Cayman) Limited

Cayman Islands

100%

ECPC (Cyprus) Limited

Cyprus

100%

European Convergence Property Company (Malta) Limited

Malta

100%

European Property Millenium Company SRL 2

Romania

100%

European Property Imobiliar Invest SRL

Romania

100%

European Property Development Corporation SRL

Romania

100%

Convergence Property Invest SRL

Romania

100%

Orange Convergence Finance BV

The Netherlands

100%

European Convergence Property Company Real Estate Trading and Management Limited

Turkey

100%

Paris Development SRL 3

Romania

100%

Millennium Estates SRL 3

Romania

100%

European Property Development Invest SRL 3

Romania

100%


1 Subsequent to the year end, European Property Acquisitions EOOD, a dormant company, was sold for nominal value.


2 During the year ended 30 June 2007 European Property Millenium Company SRL was merged with Millennium Estate SRL and consequently, European Property Millenium Company SRL was deregistered on 17 September 2007.


3 Pursuant to a share sale and purchase agreement dated 31 July 2007 Millennium Estate SRL, Paris Developments SRL and Convergence Property Invest SRL were sold to a third party.


3    Significant Accounting Policies


The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are set out below.


The annual report of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2008 comprises the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group').


The annual report was authorised for issue by the Directors on 5 December 2008.


3.1    Basis of presentation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards  ('IFRS')  promulgated by the International Accounting Standards BoardManagement has concluded that the report fairly represents the entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the Group has adopted IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements - Capital Disclosures. The adoption of IFRS 7 and the amendment to IAS 1 impacted the type and amount of disclosures made in these financial statements, but had no impact on the reported profits or financial position of the Group. In accordance with the transitional requirements of the standards, the Group has provided full comparative information.


The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires the Board of Directors to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Company's accounting policiesThe most significant area requiring estimation and judgement by the Directors is the valuation of investment property, see Note 10.


The Company is denominated in Euros ('') and therefore the amounts shown in these financial statements are presented in €.


3.2    Foreign currency translation

Euro is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ('The functional currency'). The functional currency of the Romanian subsidiaries was the Romanian Lei, and the functional currency of the Bulgarian subsidiary is the Bulgarian Lev. Otherwise the euro is the functional currency of the subsidiaries. 


Euro is also the currency in which the annual financial statements are presented ('The presentation currency'). 


Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies as at the date of these financial statements are translated to € at exchange rates prevailing on that date. Realised and unrealised gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are charged or credited to the income statement as foreign currency gains and losses. Expenses are translated into € based on exchange rates on the date of the transaction.


The accounts are presented in Euros by translating the assets and liabilities at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Items of revenue and expense are translated at exchange rates on the date of the relevant transactions. Components of equity are translated at the date of the relevant transaction and not retranslated. All resulting exchange differences are recognised in equity. 


3.3    Investment property

Investment properties are those which are held either to earn rental income or for capital appreciation or both. Investment properties are stated at fair value. Any gain or loss arising from a change in fair value is recognised in the income statement.


An external, independent valuation company, SHM Smith Hodgkinson (Romania) Srl, having an appropriate recognised professional qualification and recent experience in the location and category of property being valued, values 50% of the investment property portfolio every year on the basis of the Income approach. The fair values are based on market values, being the estimated amount for which property could be exchanged on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm's length transaction after property marketing wherein parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.


3.4    Property, plant and equipment


All property, plant and equipment (other than investment properties) is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.


Depreciation, based on a component approach, is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost over the asset's estimated useful lives. For the majority of the assets this is estimated at 5 years, with the following exceptions;

computers in Paris Developments, 3 years

floor carpet in Millennium, 10 years

- security access system in Millennium, 12 years


3.5    Deposit interest

Deposit interest is accounted for on an accruals basis.


3.6    Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash deposited with banks and bank overdrafts repayable on demand.


3.7    Revenue and expense recognition

Interest income is recognised in the financial statements on an accruals basis. Dividend income is recorded when declared.


Rental income from investment property leased out under operating lease is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.


Expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are charged to the income statement except for expenses incurred on the acquisition of an investment property which are included within the cost of that investment. Expenses arising on the disposal of an investment property are deducted from the disposal proceeds.


3.8    Basis of consolidation


Subsidiaries


Subsidiaries are those enterprises controlled by the Company. Control exists where the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an enterprise so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control effectively commences until the date that control effectively ceases.


Transactions eliminated on consolidation


Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised gains arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.


Financial statements of foreign operations


The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated to € at the foreign currency exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised directly in equity.


3.9    Dividends

Dividends are recognised as a liability in the year in which they are declared and approved. There was no dividend declared as at 30 June 2008 (2007: Nil).


3.10    Financial assets

The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, and available for sale. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition. At 30 June 2008 and 2007 the Group did not have any financial assets at fair value through profit or loss or available for sale.  Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. These are classified as non-current assets.  The Group's loans and receivables comprise 'trade and other receivables' and cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet.


3.11    Other receivables

Trade and other receivables are stated at their cost which approximates their market value less provision for any bad and doubtful debts.


3.12    Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are stated at their cost which approximates their market value.


3.13    Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, less attributable transaction costs.  Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in the income statement over the year of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.


3.14    Share Capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effect.


3.15    Future changes in accounting policies

IFRS and IFRIC Interpretations not applied. 


IASB (International Accounting Standards Board) and IFRIC (International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee) have issued the following standards and interpretations with an effective date after the date of these financial statements:


International Accounting Standards Board (IAS/IFRS)

Effective date (accounting periods
commencing after)



IFRS 8    Operating segments

1 January 2009


IFRS 8 introduces the 'management approach' to segment reporting, with information based on internal reports. Management are currently assessing the impact of this on the disclosures to be presented regarding segmental reporting.  The Directors do not expect the adoption of the other standards and interpretations to have a material impact on the Group's financial statements in the period of initial application. 


  • Comparative figures

Where necessary, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation for the current year.


4    Segment Reporting


Segment information is presented in respect of the Group's business and geographical segments.  The segments are managed on a worldwide basis, but operate in three principal geographical areas, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey The location of the customers is the same as the location of the assets.


Year ended 30 June 2008

Bulgaria

Romania

Turkey

Unallocated

Total


€'000

€'000

€000

€'000

€'000

Net rent and associated income

2,777

1,597

-

-

4,374

Segment results

3,147

9,654

(5)

(3,961)

8,835

Segment assets

33,064

-

-

5,558

38,622

Segment liabilities

(19,497)

-

-

(3,293)

(22,790)


Year ended 30 June 2007

Bulgaria

Romania

Turkey

Unallocated

Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Net rent and associated income

1,660

4,106

-

-

5,766

Segment results

2,223

6,119

(6)

(1,888)

6,448

Segment assets

33,846

107,380

-

17,891

159,117

Segment liabilities

(19,973)

(70,040)

-

(1,415)

(91,428)


5    Net Rent and Related Income



2008

2007


€'000

€'000

Gross lease payments collected/accrued

4,374

5,766


5    Net Rent and Related Income continued


The group leases out its investment property under operating leases. The future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases are as follows:



2008

2007


€'000

€'000

Less than one year

428

56

Between one and five years

-

7,361

More than five years

-

3,204


428

10,621


The Group has raised specific provisions for doubtful debts of €125,685 (2007nil) against rental income.


6    Net Financing Expense



2008

2007


€'000

€'000

Interest income

889

743

Financial income

889

743

Gross interest expense

(1,880)

(2,300)

Bank facility fee

-

(217)

Bank charges

(472)

(406)

Financial expenses

(2,352)

(2,923)

Net financing expense

(1,463)

(2,180)


7    Net Asset Value per Share


The net asset value per share as at 30 June 2008 is €0.2525 based on net assets of €15,831,839 and 62,696,333 ordinary shares in issue (30 June 2007: €1.0796).


8    Related Party Transactions


8.1    Directors of the Company

Anderson Whamond is a director of the Manager, Charlemagne Capital (IOM) Limited. Mr Whamond is a director and shareholder of Charlemagne Capital Limited ('CCL') the parent of the Manager and the Placing Agent.


Charlemagne Capital (Investments) Limited, an entity associated with the Manager, holds 97,478 ordinary shares in the Company.


Save as disclosed above, none of the Directors had any interest during the year in any material contract for the provision of services which was significant to the business of the Company.


8.2    Directors of the Subsidiaries

James Houghton and Jane Bates are directors of the Manager and have been appointed director(s) to a number of the Group subsidiaries. In compliance with local regulations, certain subsidiaries have appointed directors who are employees of or are associated with, the relevant registered office service provider.


8.3    Manager fees


Annual fees

The Manager is entitled to an annual management fee of 1.25% of the net asset value of the Company from time to time plus borrowings of the Group, payable quarterly in arrears.


The Manager shall also be entitled to recharge to the Company all and any costs and disbursements reasonably incurred by it in the performance of its duties including costs of travel save to the extent that such costs are staff costs or other internal costs of the Manager. Accordingly, the Company shall be responsible for paying all the fees and expenses of all valuers, surveyors, legal advisers and other external advisers to the Company in connection with any investments made on its behalf.  All amounts payable to the Manager by the Company shall be paid together with any value added tax, if applicable.


Annual management fees payable for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to €1,108,733 (2007: €1,460,350).


Performance fees

The Manager is entitled to a performance fee equal to 15% of the total profits generated by the Company. In order for the performance fee to be payable, the Company must firstly have returned to its Shareholders an amount equal to the amount subscribed pursuant to the Placing (ignoring any initial charge paid by Shareholders). Thereafter the Manager shall be entitled to 15% of any further distributions of profit or capital. In determining amounts paid to Shareholders and the amount payable to the Manager pursuant to the performance fee full account will be taken of any dividends paid, other distributions made and distributions made on a winding up of the Company. 


Payment of the Manager's annual fees and any performance fees shall be paid by a subsidiary of the Company.


Performance fees accrued for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to €1,395,673 (2007882,749).


9    Charges and Fees


9.1    Nominated Adviser and Broker fees

As Nominated Adviser and Broker to the Company for the purposes of the AIM Rules, the nominated advisor and broker is entitled to receive an annual fee of £30,000. 


The Nominated Adviser also received a one-off fee of £25,000 for work carried out in relation to the fundamental business change.


Advisory fees payable to the Nominated Adviser and Broker for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to 89,446 (2007:  52,864).


9.2    Custodian fees

The Custodian is entitled to receive fees calculated as 1 basis point per annum of the value of the debt securities held on behalf of the Company, subject to a minimum monthly fee of €500, payable quarterly in arrears.


The Custodian expects to review and, subject to written agreement between the Company and the Custodian, may amend the foregoing fees six months after Admission and annually thereafter.


Custodian fees payable for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to 7,050 (20077,050).


9.3    Administrator and Registrar fees

The Administrator is entitled to receive a fee of 4 basis points of the net assets of the Company plus borrowings, subject to a minimum monthly fee of €5,000, payable quarterly in arrears.


The Administrator shall assist in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company for which it shall receive a fee of €2,500 per set.

The Administrator shall provide general secretarial services to the Company for which it shall receive a minimum annual fee of €7,500. Additional fees based on time and charges, will apply where the number of Board meetings exceeds four per annum. For attendance at meetings not held in the Isle of Man, an attendance fee of €500 per day or part thereof will be charged.


The Administrator may utilise the services of a CREST accredited registrar for the purposes of settling share transactions through CREST. The cost of this service will be borne by the Company. It is anticipated that the cost will be in the region of £6,000 per annum subject to the number of CREST settled transactions undertaken.


The Administrator expects to review and, subject to written agreement between the Company and the Administrator, may amend the foregoing fees on an annual basis.


Administration fees payable for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to 70,500 (200770,500).


9.4    Other operating expenses

It is anticipated that the costs of managing any properties in the Company's investment portfolio will be satisfied out of the service charges generated by tenants. However, to the extent that this is not the case, all such costs, to include the costs of all other third party service providers, shall be chargeable to and payable by the Company.  The costs associated with maintaining the Company's subsidiaries, to include the costs of incorporation and third party service providers shall be chargeable to each subsidiary and payable by the Company.


9.5    Audit fees

Audit fees payable for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to 81,502 (2007€100,512).


10    Investment Property



30 June 2008

30 June 2007


Group

Group


€000

€'000

At beginning of year

131,971

24,522

Additions through:



  direct acquisitions of property

-

94,325

Disposals through sale of subsidiaries

(99,471)

-

Net (loss)/gain from fair value adjustments on investment property

(940)

13,124

Balance at end of year

31,560

131,971


The Group's investment properties were revalued at 30 September 2008 by an independent valuation agent, SHM Smith Hodgkinson.


Security

At 30 June 2008, there was a first rank mortgage on the above property securing the bank loans of €19.2 million (see Note 15).


11    Property, Plant & Equipment



Group


Fixtures & Fittings


€'000

Net book amount at 1 July 2007

62

Additions

-

Depreciation charge

(62)

Net book amount at 30 June 2008

-

Net book amount at 30 June 2007

62


There were no impairment charges in 2008.


12    Cash and Cash Equivalents



Group

Group

Company

Company


30 June 2008

30 June 2007

30 June 2008

30 June 2007


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000






Bank balances

2,552

23,107

1,175

17,145

Bank overdrafts

-

-

-

-

Cash and cash equivalents 

2,552

23,107

1,175

17,145


13    Capital and Reserves


Share capital



2008

2008

Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each

Number

€'000




In issue at the start of the year

62,696,333

62,696

Return of capital

-

(58,934)

In issue at 30 June 2008

62,696,333

3,762



2007

2007

Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each

Number

€'000




In issue at the start of the year

62,696,333

62,696

Issued during the year

-

-

In issue at  30 June 2007

62,696,333

62,696


At incorporation the authorised share capital of the Company was €300 million divided into 300 million Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each. 


The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. All shares rank equally with regard to the Company's assets.


An initial return of capital of €58.9 million (€0.94 per share) was made to Shareholders on 31 January 2008.


The Group does not have any externally imposed capital requirements.


14    Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share


Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the number of ordinary shares in issue during the year:



2008

2007

Profit attributable to equity holders of the
Company (€'000)

8,835

6,448

Number of ordinary shares in issue (thousands)

62,696

62,696

Basic and diluted earnings per share (€ per share)

0.1409

0.1028


15    Interest-Bearing Loans and Borrowings


This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings. For more information about the Group's exposure to interest rate and currency risk see Note 20.


Non-current liabilities


Group

Group


30 June 2008

30 June 2007


€'000

€'000

Secured bank loans

19,232

80,108


Terms and debt repayment schedule:


Loan Amount

Bank

Effective interest rate

Final Maturity date



30 June 2008


€19,232,391

Alpha Bank Sofia SA

EURIBOR 1M+1.955%

October 2011


16    Trade and Other Receivables



Group

Group

Company

Company


30 June 2008

30 June 2007

30 June 2008

30 June 2007


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Trade receivables

208

3,768

-

-

Deferred sale proceeds

4,276

-

-

-

Other

26

209

12

36

Total

4,510

3,977

12

36


17    Trade and Other Payables



Group

Group

Company

Company


30 June 2008

30 June 2007

30 June 2008

30 June 2007


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Taxation

11

-

-

-

Trade payables

131

3,597

-

-

Rental deposits

-

763

-

-

Accruals

3,229

1,415

65

63

Other

-

500

-

-

Total

3,371

6,275

65

63


Accruals include a performance fee of €2.278m and other accruals of €951k (2007 - €883k and €532k respectively).


18    Exchange Rates


The following exchange rates were used to translate assets and liabilities into the reporting currency at 30 June 2008:


Bulgarian Lev

1.9558

Turkish Lira

1.9251


19    Directors' Remuneration


The Company

The maximum amount of remuneration payable to the Directors permitted under the Articles of Association is €300,000 p.a. Each Director currently is paid a fee of €22,500 p.a. The Directors are each entitled to receive reimbursement of any expenses 


incurred in relation to their appointment. Total fees and expenses paid to the Directors for the year ended 30 June 2008 amounted to €90,000 (2007: €90,000).


The Subsidiaries

No fees are paid to the directors of the subsidiaries except in circumstances where a director is appointed in compliance with local regulations and in such cases the fees payable are nominal.


20    Taxation


Group income tax expense


Year to 30 June 2008

Year to 30 June 2007


€'000

€'000

Current tax (credit)/expense

(418)

852

Movement in deferred tax liability

(4,858)

5,038

Income tax (credit)/expense for the year

(5,276)

5,890


Deferred income tax is based on temporary differences between revalued amounts of investment property in the books of the subsidiaries and their respective tax bases. The deferred tax position as at 30 June 2008 is based on the capital gains tax rate of 10% in Bulgaria.


Isle of Man

The Isle of Man has introduced a general zero per cent tax rate for companies with effect from 6 April 2006, with the exception of certain banking income and income from Isle of Man land and property which is taxed at 10 per cent.


There are no corporation, capital gains or inheritance taxes payable in the Isle of Man.


No Isle of Man stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax will be payable on the issue, transfer, conversion or redemption of Ordinary Shares.


Shareholders resident outside the Isle of Man will not suffer any income tax in the Isle of Man on any income distributions to them.


Shareholders resident in the Isle of Man will, depending upon their particular circumstances, be liable to Manx income tax on dividends received from the Company.


United Kingdom

The affairs of the Company are conducted so that the central management and control of the Company is not exercised in the UK and so that the Company does not carry out any trade in the UK (whether or not through a permanent establishment situated there). On this basis, the Company should not be liable for UK taxation on its income and gains, other than certain income deriving from a UK source.


Other

The subsidiaries of the Company are taxed in accordance with the applicable tax laws in the countries in which they were incorporated.


21    Financial Instruments


The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, cashflow risk, interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk, and liquidity risk.


Market risk

Property and property related assets are inherently difficult to value due to the individual nature of each property. As a result, valuations may be subject to substantial uncertainty. There is no assurance that the estimates resulting from the valuation process will reflect the actual sales price even where such sales occur shortly after the valuation date. The performance of the Company would be adversely affected by a downturn in the property market in terms of higher capitalisation rates/yields or a weakening of rent levels. Any future property market recession could materially adversely affect the value of property held. The Company's market risk is monitored by the Manager on a day to day basis and by the Directors at Board Meetings.


Price risk

The Group is exposed to property price and market rental risks. The value of the property held at 30 June 2008 is disclosed in Note 10.


Foreign exchange risk

The Group's operations are conducted in jurisdictions which generate revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities in currencies other than the Euro (the functional currency). As a result, the Group is subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations with respect to these currencies. The currency giving rise to this risk is primarily Romanian Lei.


The Group may invest in financial instruments and enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. Consequently, the Group is exposed to risks that the exchange rate of its currency relative to other foreign currencies may change in a manner that has an adverse affect on the value of that portion of the Group's assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency.  The Group's policy is not to enter into any currency hedging transactions.


The following table sets out the Group's total exposure to foreign currency risk and the net exposure to foreign currencies of the assets and liabilities:


30 June 2008

Assets

Liabilities

Net Assets


€000

€000

€000

Romanian Lei

-

-

-

Bulgarian Lev

1,504

(85)

1,419

Euro

37,118

(22,705)

14,413

Total

38,622

(22,790)

15,832


30 June 2007

Assets

Liabilities

Net Assets


€000

€000

€000

Romanian Lei

7,967

(4,227)

3,740

Bulgarian Lev

1,296

(634)

662

Euro

149,854

(86,567)

63,287

Total

159,117

(91,428)

67,689


At 30 June 2008 there are no remaining Romanian Lei assets and the Bulgarian Lev is pegged to the Euro therefore there is no significant foreign exchange risk as at 30 June 2008.


Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.  Cash held by the Group is invested at short-term market interest rates.  The Group has interest-bearing loans (see Note 15). As a result, the Company is exposed to fair value interest rate risk due to fluctuations in the prevailing levels of market interest rates. It is also exposed to interest rate cash flow risk.


The table below summarises the Group's exposure to interest rate risk. It includes the Group's financial assets and liabilities at the earlier of contractual re-pricing or maturity date, measured by the carrying values of assets and liabilities:


30 June 2008

Less than 1 month

1-3 months

3 months to 1 year

1-5 years

Over 5 years

Non-interest bearing

Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Financial assets








Trade and other receivables

-

-

-

-

-

4,510

4,510

Cash and cash equivalents

2,552

-

-

-

-

-

2,552

Total financial assets

2,552

-

-

-

-

4,510

7,062

Financial liabilities








Interest bearing loans

-

-

-

(19,232)

-

-

(19,232)

Trade and other payables

-

-

-

-

-

(3,371)

(3,371)

Total financial liabilities

-

-

-

(19,232)

-

(3,371)

(22,603)

Total interest rate sensitivity gap

2,552

-

-

(19,232)

-




30 June 2007

Less than 1 month

1-3 months

3 months to 1 year

1-5 years

Over 5 years

Non-interest bearing

Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Financial assets








Trade and other receivables

-

-

-

-

-

3,977

3,977

Cash and cash equivalents

23,107

-

-

-

-

-

23,107

Total financial assets

23,107

-

-

-

-

3,977

27,084

Financial liabilities








Interest bearing loans

-

-

(4,850)

(75,153)

-

-

(80,003)

Trade and other payables

-

-

-

-

-

(6,275)

(6,275)

Total financial liabilities

-

-

-

-

-

(6,275)

(86,278)

Total interest rate sensitivity gap

23,107

-

(4,850)

(75,153)

-




If the interest rates to which the Group was exposed had been lower than those actually experienced by 200 basis points for the full year then this would have resulted in an increase in profit for the year and net assets at the period end of €0.47m. If interest rates had been higher by the same amount there would have been a similar decrease in profit for the year and net assets at the period end.


Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation or commitment that it has entered into with the Group.


The carrying amounts of financial assets best represent the maximum credit risk exposure at the balance sheet date. This relates also to financial assets carried at amortised cost.


Credit risk continued

At the reporting date, the Group's financial assets exposed to credit risk amounted to the following:



30 June 2008

30 June 2007


€'000

€'000

Trade and other receivables

4,510

3,977

Cash at bank

2,552

23,107


7,062

27,084


The Group manages its credit risk by monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties regularly and does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.


Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its obligations as they fall due. The Group manages its liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash balances for working capital, and obtains secured bank loans to fund purchases of investment property. The Group's liquidity position is monitored by the Manager and the Board of Directors.


At the reporting date, the residual undiscounted contractual maturities of financial liabilities are the following:



Less than 1 month

1-3 months

3 months to 1 year

1-5 years

Over 5 years

No stated maturity

Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Other creditors and accrued expenses

688

-

2,683

-

-

-

3,371

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

-

-

-

19,232

-

-

19,232


Comparatives as at 30 June 2007



Less than 1 month

1-3 months

3 months to 1 year

1-5 years

Over 5 years

No stated maturity

Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Other creditors and accrued expenses

6,275

-

5,045

-

-

-

11,320

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

-

-

-

80,108

-

-

80,108


Fair values

The carrying amounts of all the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities at the balance sheet date are approximated to their fair values.


Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on market conditions and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement (e.g., interest rates, volatility, estimated cash flows, etc) and therefore cannot be determined with precision.


22    Post Balance Sheet Events


There are no significant post balance sheet events.


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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