MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report No. :

309535

Report Date :

24.02.2015

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

SUSHANG  EXPORTS  NV

 

 

Registered Office :

Hoveniersstraat 2, 2018 Antwerpen

 

 

Country :

Belgium

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2013

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

04.03.1985

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

426932236

 

 

Legal Form :

Public Limited Liability Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Wholesale of Diamonds and Other Precious Stone.

 

 

No. of Employees :

1

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

Ba

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

Satisfactory

 

 

Status :

Satisfactory

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Slow but correct 

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

NOTES:

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail: infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

 

ECGC Country Risk Classification List – December 31, 2014

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(30.09.2014)

Current Rating

(31.12.2014)

Belgium

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 


 

BELGIUM - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

This modern, open, and private-enterprise-based economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and Belgium has benefited most from its proximity to Germany. In 2013 Belgian GDP grew by 0.1%, the unemployment rate increased to 8.8% from 7.6% the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6% of GDP in 2009 to 3.2%. Despite the relative improvement in Belgium's budget deficit, public debt hovers around 100% of GDP, a factor that has contributed to investor perceptions that the country is increasingly vulnerable to spillover from the euro-zone crisis. Belgian banks were severely affected by the international financial crisis in 2008 with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government, and the nationalization of the Belgian retail arm of a Franco-Belgian bank.

 

Source : CIA

Company summary

 

Business  number

426932236

Branche  Unit  Number

2026596452

Company  name

SUSHANG  EXPORTS  NV

Address

HOVENIERSSTRAAT  2

 

2018 ANTWERPEN

Number  of  staff

1

Date  of  establishment

04/03/1985

Telephone  number

032310404

Fax  number

032252234

 

 

Commentary

 

The business was established over 29 years ago.

The business has 1 employees.

The business has been at the address for over 3 years.

Operating Result in the latest trading period increased 43% on the previous trading period.

The business saw a decrease in their Cash Balance of 98% during the latest trading period.

 

 

Accounts

 

DATE  OF  LATEST 

 ACCOUNTS

TURNOVER

PROFIT  BEFORE  TAX

NET  WORTH

WORKING  CAPITAL

31/12/2013

25,818,766

120,355

4,449,612

4,380,732

31/12/2012

25,059,600

134,762

4,354,512

4,279,302

31/12/2011

24,142,470

149,252

4,249,986

4,168,633

Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

DATE  OF  LATEST 

ACCOUNTS

BALANCE  TOTAL

NUMBER  OF  EMPLOYEES

CAPITAL

CASHFLOW

31/12/2013

11,838,203

1

3,830,000

101,967

31/12/2012

11,602,933

1

3,830,000

111,329

31/12/2011

11,249,342

1

3,830,000

122,219

 

 

Payment expectations

 

Past  payments

 

Payment  expectation  days

36.47

Industry  average  payment

expectation  days

126.89

Industry  average  day  sales

outstanding

186.01

Day  sales  outstanding

110.05

 

 

 

Court Data Summary

 

BANKRUPTCY DETAILS

Court action type                      No

PROTESTED BILLS

Bill amount                              -

NSSO DETAILS

Date of summons                     -

 

 

Company Information

 

Business  number

426932236

Company  name

SUSHANG  EXPORTS  NV

Fax  number

032252234

Date  founded

04/03/1985

Company  status

active

Company  type

Public  Limited  Liability

 

 

 

Company  (BE)

Currency

Euro  (€)

Date  of  latest  accounts

31/12/2013

Activity  code

46761

Liable  for  VAT

yes

Activity  description

Wholesale  of  diamonds 

and other precious 

stones

VAT  Number

BE.0426.932.236 

Check VAT number

Belgian  Bullettin  of  Acts

Publications

moniteur  belge

 

 

 

 

Contractor details

 

Registered  contractor number

-

Contractor  description Date  struck  off  register

-

 

 

Personnel  (NSSO  classification)

Code

-

Description

-

 

 

Joint  Industrial  Committee  (JIC)

JIC  Code

218

Description Category

Additional  national  joint  committee  for  the  employees

 

 

Significant  Events

 

Event  Date

28/06/2013

Event  Description

Re-Appointment  of  Director(s)

Event  Details

Commentaar  28-06-2013:  Herbenoemd  als  bestuurders  voor  een  periode 

van  zes  jaar :  Kothari Mehul  (tevens  gedelegeerd  bestuurder)  en  Kothari  Shila.

 

 

Company Accounts

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual  accounts

31-12-2013

%

31-12-2012

%

31-12-2011

%

31-12-2010

%

31-12-2009

Weeks

52

 

52

 

52

 

52

 

52

Currency

EUR

 

EUR

 

EUR

 

EUR

 

EUR

Total  fixed  assets

68,880

-8.42

75,210

-7.55

81,353

-8.88

89,280

7.67

82,917

Intangible  fixed  assets

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Tangible  fixed  assets

66,391

-8.70

72,721

-7.79

78,864

-7.79

85,525

6.34

80,427

Land  &  building

60,539

-5.00

63,725

-4.76

66,912

-4.55

70,098

-4.35

73,284

Plant  &  machinery

5,751

-35.05

8,856

-24.21

11,685

-22.27

15,032

370

3,192

Furniture  &  Vehicles

100

-28.63

140

-47.72

267

-32.33

395

-90.00

3,951

Leasing  &  Other  Similar  Rights

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other  tangible  assets

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Financial  fixed  assets

2,490

0

2,490

0

2,490

-33.70

3,755

50.80

2,490

Total  current  assets

11,769,323

2.10

11,527,723

3.22

11,167,989

-10.84

12,525,303

10.41

11,344,493

Inventories

3,384,917

-33.80

5,113,382

25.96

4,059,632

32.68

3,059,622

-44.43

5,505,657

Raw  materials  &  consumables

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Work  in  progress

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Finished  goods

3,384,917

-33.80

5,113,382

25.96

4,059,632

32.68

3,059,622

-44.43

5,505,657

Other  stocks

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Trade  debtors

7,784,601

35.39

5,749,900

-12.47

6,569,379

-26.38

8,923,005

67.39

5,330,678

Other  amounts  receivable

346,462

-35.52

537,356

7.18

501,347

0.29

499,913

120

226,211

Cash

1,397

-98.88

124,510

252

35,344

16.15

30,428

3.33

29,448

Miscellaneous  current  assets

1,946

-24.43

2,575

12.55

2,288

-81.46

12,335

393

2,499

Total  Assets

11,838,203

2.03

11,602,933

3.14

11,249,342

-10.82

12,614,583

10.39

11,427,410

 

LIABILITIES

 

Total  shareholders  equity

4,449,612

2.18

4,354,512

2.46

4,249,986

2.78

4,134,923

2.50

4,034,026

Issued  share  capital

3,830,000

0

3,830,000

0

3,830,000

0

3,830,000

0

3,830,000

Share  premium  account

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Revaluation  reserve

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Reserves

619,612

18.13

524,512

24.89

419,986

37.74

304,923

49.45

204,026

Provisions  for  Liabilities  &  Charges

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Deffered  taxes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Creditors

7,388,591

1.93

7,248,421

3.56

6,999,356

-17.46

8,479,660

14.69

7,393,384

Other  long  term  loans

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Long  term  group  loans

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other  long  term  liabilities

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Total  long  term  debts

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Current  portion  of  long  term  debt

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Financial  debts

4,848,708

68.42

2,878,990

-15.38

3,402,269

-16.56

4,077,533

17.04

3,483,808

Trade  creditors

2,528,702

-41.93

4,354,448

21.81

3,574,693

-18.41

4,381,103

12.27

3,902,286

Amounts  Payable  for  Taxes, Remuneration  &  Social  Security

4,542

2.55

4,429

-69.96

14,744

30.76

11,276

571

1,679

Miscellaneous  current  liabilities

6,639

-37.09

10,553

37.95

7,650

-21.52

9,748

73.73

5,611

Total  current  liabilities

7,388,591

1.93

7,248,421

3.56

6,999,356

-17.46

8,479,660

14.69

7,393,384

Total  Liabilities

11,838,203

2.03

11,602,933

3.14

11,249,342

-10.82

12,614,583

10.39

11,427,410

 

 

RATIO ANALYSIS

 

TRADING  PERFORMANCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit  Before  Tax

0.47

-12.96

0.54

-12.90

0.62

40.91

0.44

37.50

0.32

Return  on  capital  employed

2.70

-12.62

3.09

-11.97

3.51

11.08

3.16

109

1.51

Return  on  total  assets  employed

1.02

-12.07

1.16

-12.78

1.33

27.88

1.04

96.23

0.53

Return  on  net  assets  employed

2.70

-12.62

3.09

-11.97

3.51

11.08

3.16

109

1.51

Sales  /  net  working  capital

5.89

0.51

5.86

1.21

5.79

-21.86

7.41

52.16

4.87

Stock  turnover  ratio

13.11

-35.74

20.40

21.28

16.82

64.74

10.21

-64.30

28.60

Creditor  days

36.47

-43.31

64.33

17.56

54.72

1.79

53.76

-28.15

74.82

Debtor  days

110.05

31.40

83.75

-15.68

99.32

-8.62

108.69

7.52

101.09

SHORT  TERM  STABILITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current  ratio

1.59

0

1.59

-0.62

1.60

8.11

1.48

-3.27

1.53

Liquidity  ratio  /  acid  ratio

1.13

28.41

0.88

-13.73

1.02

-8.93

1.12

41.77

0.79

Current  debt  ratio

1.66

0

1.66

0.61

1.65

-19.51

2.05

12.02

1.83

Liquidity  ratio  reprocessed

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Cashflow

101,967

-8.41

111,329

-8.91

122,219

9.84

111,267

55.32

71,635

Net  worth

4,449,612

2.18

4,354,512

2.46

4,249,986

2.78

4,134,923

2.50

4,034,026

LONG  TERM  STABILITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gearing

108.97

64.81

66.12

-17.40

80.05

-18.82

98.61

14.18

86.36

Equity  in  percentage

37.59

0.16

37.53

-0.66

37.78

15.25

32.78

-7.14

35.30

Total  debt  ratio

1.66

0

1.66

0.61

1.65

-19.51

2.05

12.02

1.83

Working  capital

4,380,732

2.37

4,279,302

2.65

4,168,633

3.04

4,045,643

2.39

3,951,109

 

 

PROFIT AND LOSS

 

Operating  Income

25,831,243

3.08

25,059,877

3.80

24,142,854

-19.44

29,969,846

55.66

19,253,494

Turnover

25,818,766

3.03

25,059,600

3.80

24,142,470

-19.43

29,963,846

55.68

19,247,494

Total  operating  expenses

25,308,071

2.44

24,704,755

3.60

23,845,668

-19.84

29,745,978

56.26

19,035,648

Gross  Operating  Margin

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Operating  Charges

25,320,548

2.49

24,705,032

3.60

23,846,051

-19.85

29,751,978

56.25

19,041,648

Employee  costs

47,860

6.91

44,768

-20.58

56,367

-8.74

61,768

8.64

56,854

Wages  and  salary

39,747

5.10

37,818

-22.07

48,527

2.20

47,482

14.68

41,403

Employee  pension  costs

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Social  security  contributions

6,399

11.00

5,765

-24.60

7,646

-16.97

9,208

98.53

4,638

Other  employee  costs

1,715

44.68

1,185

510

194

-96.17

5,078

-53.04

10,813

Director  remuneration

79,400

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Amortization  and  depreciation

6,867

0.95

6,803

-4.94

7,156

-30.99

10,370

-36.57

16,348

Operating  result

510,695

43.92

354,845

19.56

296,803

36.23

217,868

2.84

211,846

Total  financial  income

38,731

6.14

36,489

-45.59

67,069

-66.29

198,960

-77.67

890,936

Total  financial  expenses

429,071

67.23

256,572

19.55

214,619

-24.98

286,093

-72.54

1,041,779

Results  on  ordinary  operations before  taxation

120,355

-10.69

134,762

-9.71

149,252

14.16

130,735

114

61,003

Extraordinary  Income

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Extraordinary  Charges

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Extraordinary  items

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

-

0

Results  for  the  Year  Before Taxation

120,355

-10.69

134,762

-9.71

149,252

14.16

130,735

114

61,003

Other  appropriations

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Taxation

25,255

-16.48

30,236

-11.56

34,189

14.58

29,838

422

5,716

Results  on  ordinary  operations after  taxation

95,100

-9.02

104,526

-9.16

115,063

14.04

100,897

82.50

55,287

Net Result

95,100

-9.02

104,526

-9.16

115,063

14.04

100,897

82.50

55,287

Profit (Loss) for the year to be appropriated

95,100

-9.02

104,526

-9.16

115,063

14.04

100,897

82.50

55,287

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

Social Balance sheet details

 

Social  Balance  Sheet  Details

 

 

 

Social  Balance  Sheet

 

Total

 

During  the  reporting  year ended  31-12-2013

 

 

 

Full-time  Employees

 

1

 

Part-time  Employees

 

-

 

Total  Fte  Employees

 

1

 

 

Number  of  hours  worked

 

 

 

Full-time  Employees

 

1,756

 

Part-time  Employees

 

-

 

Total

 

1,756

 

 

Personnel  Charges

 

 

 

Full-time  Employees

 

47,860

 

Part-time  Employees

 

-

 

Total

 

47,860

 

Benefits  In  Addition  To  Wages

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During  the  previous  reporting  year

Average  number  employees  in  Fte

 

1

 

Actual  working  hours

 

1,809

 

Personnel  Charges

 

44,768

 

Benefits  In  Addition  To  Wages

 

-

 

 

 

 

Type  of  Contract

Full-Time

Part-Time

Total  Fte

Unlimited  Duration Contracts

1

-

1

Limited  Duration  Contracts

-

-

-

Contracts  For  Specific  Work

-

-

-

Contracts  Regarding Substitution

-

-

-

 

 

Gender  and  Education

 

 

 

Level

 

 

 

Men

Full-Time

Part-Time

Total  Fte

Primary  education

-

-

-

Secondairy  education

1

-

1

Higher  education  (non university)

-

-

-

Higher  education(university)

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

Women

Full-Time

Part-Time

Total  Fte

Primary  education

-

-

-

Secondairy  education

-

-

-

Higher  education  (non university)

-

-

-

Higher  education (university)

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

Working  Category

Full-Time

Part-Time

Total  Fte

Management

-

-

-

White  collar  worker

1

-

1

Blue  collar  worker

-

-

-

Other

-

-

-

 

Temporary  personnel

 

Total

 

Average  number  of  temporary  staff

 

-

 

Actual  working  hours

 

-

 

Cost  of  temporary  staff

 

-

 

 

 

New  staff  and  leavers

Full-Time

Part-Time

Total  Fte

New  Starters

-

-

-

Leavers

-

-

-

 

 

Industry comparison

 

Activity code                            46761

Activity description                  Wholesale of diamonds and other precious stones

industry average credit

rating                                       64.48

Industry average credit limit     140177.31

 

 

Payment Information

 

Payment  Information  Summary

 

Total  number  of  Invoices  available

8

Total  number  of  Invoices  paid  within  or  up  to  30  days  after  the  due  date

3

Total  number  of  Invoices  paid  more  than  30  days  after  the  due  date

4

Total  number  of  Invoices  currently  outstanding  where  the  due  date  has  not  yet  been  reached

0

Total  number  of  Invoices  currently  outstanding  beyond  the  due  date

0

 

 

Suspension  of  payments  /  moratorium  history

Amount

-

Details

-

 

 

Payment expectations

 

Payment  expectation  days

36.47

Day  sales  outstanding

110.05

 

 

Industry  comparison

Activity  code

46761

Activity  description

Wholesale  of  diamonds  and  other  precious  stones

Industry  average  payment

expectation  days

126.89

Industry  average  day 

sales outstanding

186.01

 

 

Industry  quartile  analysis

Payment  expectations

 

Company  result

36.47

Lower

120.44

Median

74.63

Upper

45.81

 

Day  Sales  Outstanding

 

Company  Result

110.05

Lower

101.92

Median

54.07

Upper

24.07

 

 

Shareholders details

 

Summary

Group  -  Number  of  Companies

0

Linkages  -  Number  of  Companies

0

Number  of  Countries

0

 

Group Structure

No group  structure  for  this  company.

 

Minority  Shareholders

No minority  shareholders  found

 

Minority  Interests

No minority  interests  found

 

Companies  that  match  this  address

no Companies  Match  this  address

 

 

Linked Companies

 

Summary

Group  -  Number  of  Companies

0

Linkages  -  Number  of  Companies

0

Number  of  Countries

0

 

Summons

There  is  no  data  for  this  company

 

Protested  Bills

There  is  no  data  for  this  company

 

Bankruptcy  and  other  legal  events

There  is  no  data  for  this  company

 

 

Director details

 

Current Director Details

 

Name

MEHUL  ANANDLAL  KOTHARI

Position

Director

Start  Date

13/03/2007

Street

30 BELGIËLEI  ANTWERPEN

Post  code

2018

Country

Belgium

 

 

Name

HIRAL  PRAKASH  JOGANI

Position

Director

Start  Date

01/11/2013

End  Date

03/06/2019

Street

98 BELGIËLEI  ANTWERPEN

Post  code

2018

Country

Belgium

 

 

Former  Director  Details

 

Name

MEHUL  ANANDLAL  KOTHARI

Position

Managing  Director

Start  Date

09/09/2010

End  Date

03/06/2013

Street

30 BELGIËLEI  ANTWERPEN

Post  code

2018

Country

Belgium

 

 

Name

SHILA  MEHUL  KOTHARI

Position

Director

Start  Date

09/09/2010

End  Date

03/06/2013

Street

30 BELGIËLEI  ANTWERPEN

Post  code

2018

Country

Belgium

 

 

 

 

DIAMOND INDUSTRY – INDIA

 

-            From time immemorial, India is well known in the world as the birthplace for diamonds.  It is difficult to trace the origin of diamonds but history says that in the remote past, diamonds were mined only in India. Diamond production in India can be traced back to almost 8th Century B.C.  India, in fact, remained undisputed leader till 18th Century when Brazilian fields were discovered in 1725 followed by emergence of S. Africa, Russia and Australia.

-            The achievement of the Indian diamond industry was possible only due to combination of the manufacturing skills of the Indian workforce and the untiring and unflagging efforts of the Indian diamantaires, supported by progressive Government policies.

-            The area of study of family owned diamond businesses derives its importance from the huge conglomerate of family run organizations which operate in the diamond industry since many generations.

-            Some of the basic traits of family run business enterprises include spirit of entrepreneurship, mutual trust lowers transaction costs, small, nimble and quick to react, information as a source of advantage and philanthropy.

-            Family owned diamond businesses need to improve on many fronts including higher standard of corporate governance, long-term performance – focused strategies, modern management and technology.

-            Utmost caution is to be exercised while dealing with some medium and large diamond traders which are usually engaged in fictitious import – export, inter-company transactions, financially assisted by banks. In the process, several public sector banks lost several hundred million rupees. They mostly diverted borrowed money for diamond business into real estate and capital markets.

-            Excerpts from Times of India dated 30th October 2010 is as under –

 

-            Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council in its statistical data has shown the export of polished diamonds to have increase by 28 % in February 2013. Compared to $ 1.4 bn worth of polished diamond export in February, 2012, India exported $ 1.84 billion worth of polished diamonds in February 2013. A senior executive of GJEPC said, “Export of cut and polished diamonds started falling month-wise after the imposition of 2 % of import duty on the polished diamonds. But February, 2013 has given a new ray of hope to the industry as the export of polished diamonds has actually increased by 28 %. It means the industry  is on the track of recovery and round tripping of diamonds has stopped completely.” Demand has started coming from the US, the UK, Japan and China. India’s polished diamond export is expected to cross $ 21 bn in 2013-14.

 

-            The banking sector has started exercising restraint while following prudent risk management norms when lending money to gems and jewellery sector. This follows the implementation of Basel III accord – a global voluntary regulatory standard on bank capital adequacy, stress testing and market liquidity.

 

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.62.18

UK Pound

1

Rs.95.71

Euro

1

Rs.70.76

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

DIV

 

 

Report Prepared by :

NIT

 

               

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

 

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

 

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

 

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

 

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

 

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

 

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

 

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

Credit not recommended

 

--

NB

New Business

--

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                  Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                   Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

 

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.