RE: Just checked in15 Jun 2023 22:07
Solely on its stated strategy as a 'pure play' fintech group and has removed a non-core loss making business from the Group.
EMS, based in Singapore, provides wireless, electronic cabling, security, and other solutions to clients operating in the infrastructure development space. In the period it saw revenues decline and it continued to be loss making, as a limited number of new contracts were won and trading conditions remained difficult. The binding agreement entered into on 17 July 2022 has subsequently seen EMS disposed of to Teo Chiah Chiu Raphael ("Raphael Teo"), the Chairman of EMS. The consideration paid was the transfer to the Company, by way of a share buyback, 60,000,000 ordinary shares of no par value in GST held by him (the "Consideration Shares"). At the closing mid-price of 1.09p of the Company's shares on 15 July 2022, the Consideration Shares were valued at GBP654,000 and they represented approximately 3.87 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital. The Company intends to hold the Consideration Shares in treasury for future issue or cancellation in due course.
The primary focus for the Group has, since early 2021, been on the 'GS Fintech' subsidiaries in the UK and Singapore and the Company's expansion into blockchain related technologies applied to the financial services sector, specifically its plans to launch a borderless neobanking platform providing next-generation digital money solutions. During the period the Company has made significant progress in implementing its stated strategy to roll-out a suite of offerings under its GS Money banner based on three initial use-cases: international money transfers, borderless accounts, and private stablecoin.
Following the completion of the acquisition of Angra, a UK-based foreign exchange and payment services company, announced on 8 March 2022, Angra has been successfully integrated within the Group and was a consolidated subsidiary throughout the period.
Angra, which operates under the AngraFX brand name, is an established Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") approved Authorised Payment Institution ("API"), conducting fast, secure, and low-cost foreign exchange business and payment services internationally, the first pillar of GS Money. Angra has provided the Group with an operating business in the UK and an API licence in order to be able to connect to traditional banking payment systems and agent networks, operate a remittance business in the UK and ultimately grow revenues from the stablecoin network and applications that are being developed. During the period Angra traded profitably, in line with the Board's expectations.