|
Report No. : |
331523 |
|
Report Date : |
15.07.2015 |
IDENTIFICATION DETAILS
|
Name : |
PRISTINE DIAMONDS NV |
|
|
|
|
Registered Office : |
Hoveniersstraat 2-Bus 511, 2018 Antwerpen |
|
|
|
|
Country : |
Belgium |
|
|
|
|
Financials (as on) : |
31.12.2013 |
|
|
|
|
Date of Incorporation : |
19.06.1998 |
|
|
|
|
Com. Reg. No.: |
463650694 |
|
|
|
|
Legal Form : |
Public Limited Liability Company |
|
|
|
|
LINE OF BUSINESS : |
WHOLESALE
OF DIAMONDS AND OTHER PRECIOUS STONES. |
|
|
|
|
No. of Employees : |
2 |
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 – March 31, 2015
|
Country Name |
Previous Rating (31.12.2014) |
Current Rating (31.03.2015) |
|
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 shifts in foreign demand, particularly in Belgium’s EU trade partners.
Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries. In 2014
Belgian GDP grew by 0.9%, the unemployment rate stabilized at 8.5%, and the the
budget deficit was 3.2% of GDP. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL’s center-right
government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure
to reduce Belgium’s high public debt, which remains above 100% of GDP, but such
efforts could also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public
spending, low wage growth and high unemployment promise to curtail a more
robust recovery in private consumption. The government has pledged to pursue an
reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to tax
policy, labor market rules, and welfare benefits. These changes risk worsening
tensions with trade unions and triggering extended strikes.
|
Source
: CIA |
Business number 463650694
Branche Unit Number 2087581936
Company name PRISTINE DIAMONDS
NV
Address HOVENIERSSTRAAT 2-BUS
511, 2018 ANTWERPEN
Number of staff 2
Date of establishment 19/06/1998
Telephone number 032341370
The business was established over 17 years ago.
The business has 1 employees.
The business has been at the address for over 16 years.
Operating Result in the latest trading period decreased 55% on the
previous trading period.
Pre-tax profits decreased by 58% compared to the previous trading
period.
The business saw an increase in their Cash Balance of 116% during the
latest trading period.
ACCOUNTS
|
DATE
OF LATEST ACCOUNTS |
TURNOVER |
PROFIT
BEFORE TAX |
NET WORTH |
WORKING
CAPITAL |
|
31/12/2013 |
37,099,583 |
65,500 |
2,071,444 |
1,533,560 |
|
31/12/2012 |
46,375,921 |
157,942 |
2,120,960 |
1,674,629 |
|
31/12/2011 |
37,549,270 |
159,384 |
2,050,984 |
1,604,482 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACCOUNTS |
|
|
|
|
|
DATE
OF LATEST ACCOUNTS |
BALANCE
TOTAL |
NUMBER
OF EMPLOYEES |
CAPITAL |
CASHFLOW |
|
31/12/2013 |
12,072,320 |
2 |
59,953 |
138,144 |
|
31/12/2012 |
13,036,411 |
2 |
62,665 |
199,629 |
|
31/12/2011 |
8,008,141 |
1 |
63,906 |
175,536 |
Payment
expectations
|
||||
|
Past payments |
|
Payment expectation days |
94.34 |
|
|
Industry average payment expectation days |
105.30 |
Industry
average day sales outstanding |
183.16 |
|
|
Day sales outstanding |
43.43 |
|
|
|
|
BANKRUPTCY DETAILS |
||||
|
Court action type |
no |
|
|
|
|
PROTESTED BILLS |
||||
|
Bill amount |
||||
|
NSSO DETAILS |
||||
|
Date of summons |
-- |
|
|
|
|
Business
number |
463650694 |
Company name |
PRISTINE
DIAMONDS NV |
|
Fax number |
|
Date founded |
19/06/1998 |
|
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.0463.650.694
Check VAT Number |
|
Belgian
Bullettin of Acts |
moniteur
belge |
|
|
Significant Events
Event Date 26/05/2009
Event Description re-appointment of
director(s)
Event Details Commentaar 26-05-2009:
Op de algemene vergadering werd beslist volgende bestuurders te herbenoemen
voor een periode van 6 jaar: Ali abdul Bazzy (tevens gedelegeerd bestuurder),
Mohammad Abdul Bazzy, Wassila Bazi.
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 |
821,767 |
1.32 |
811,072 |
12.29 |
722,271 |
30.67 |
552,744 |
4.23 |
530,295 |
|
Intangible fixed assets |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
|
Tangible fixed assets |
816,496 |
1.36 |
805,563 |
12.41 |
716,653 |
30.75 |
548,122 |
4.27 |
525,665 |
|
Land & building |
735,567 |
1.28 |
726,299 |
67.47 |
433,681 |
-4.13 |
452,382 |
-7.32 |
488,087 |
|
Plant & machinery |
61,320 |
45.80 |
42,059 |
-23.47 |
54,956 |
45.31 |
37,820 |
7.53 |
35,171 |
|
Furniture & Vehicles |
19,609 |
-47.29 |
37,205 |
-37.81 |
59,825 |
3.29 |
57,920 |
2306 |
2,407 |
|
Leasing & Other Similar Rights |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Other tangible assets |
0 |
- |
0 |
-100 |
168,191 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
|
Financial fixed assets |
5,271 |
-4.32 |
5,509 |
-1.94 |
5,618 |
21.58 |
4,621 |
-0.19 |
4,630 |
|
Total current assets |
11,250,553 |
-7.97 |
12,225,339 |
67.80 |
7,285,870 |
9.20 |
6,671,953 |
-14.79 |
7,830,009 |
|
Inventories |
5,779,803 |
95.67 |
2,953,802 |
33.37 |
2,214,823 |
47.89 |
1,497,660 |
-70.48 |
5,073,277 |
|
Raw materials & consumables |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Work in progress |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
|
Finished goods |
5,779,803 |
95.67 |
2,953,802 |
33.37 |
2,214,823 |
47.89 |
1,497,660 |
-70.48 |
5,073,277 |
|
Other stocks |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
|
Trade debtors |
4,414,779 |
-49.70 |
8,777,408 |
130 |
3,816,040 |
-23.06 |
4,959,709 |
149 |
1,988,672 |
|
Other amounts receivable |
143,125 |
95.50 |
73,210 |
316 |
17,563 |
627 |
2,415 |
-15.47 |
2,857 |
|
Cash |
912,848 |
116 |
420,919 |
-65.98 |
1,237,443 |
483 |
212,170 |
-72.27 |
765,204 |
|
Miscellaneous current assets |
-1 |
- |
0 |
-100 |
1 |
100 |
-1 |
- |
0 |
|
Total Assets |
12,072,320 |
-7.40 |
13,036,411 |
62.79 |
8,008,141 |
10.84 |
7,224,697 |
-13.58 |
8,360,304 |
|
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity |
2,071,444 |
-2.33 |
2,120,960 |
3.41 |
2,050,984 |
8.68 |
1,887,252 |
3.24 |
1,827,979 |
|
Issued share capital |
59,953 |
-4.33 |
62,665 |
-1.94 |
63,906 |
3.27 |
61,880 |
-0.19 |
62,000 |
|
Share premium account |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Revaluation reserve |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Reserves |
2,011,491 |
-2.27 |
2,058,295 |
3.58 |
1,987,078 |
8.86 |
1,825,372 |
3.36 |
1,765,979 |
|
Provisions for Liabilities & Charges |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
0 |
|
Deffered taxes |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Creditors |
10,000,876 |
-8.38 |
10,915,452 |
83.23 |
5,957,157 |
11.61 |
5,337,446 |
-18.29 |
6,532,326 |
|
Other long term loans |
283,883 |
-22.17 |
364,742 |
32.26 |
275,769 |
-17.41 |
333,913 |
0.35 |
332,756 |
|
Long term group loans |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Other long term liabilities |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
- |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
-1 |
|
Total long term debts |
283,883 |
-22.17 |
364,741 |
32.26 |
275,769 |
-17.41 |
333,912 |
0.35 |
332,755 |
|
Current portion of long term debt |
65,074 |
-7.30 |
70,195 |
2.85 |
68,249 |
12.37 |
60,738 |
30.69 |
46,475 |
|
Financial debts |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trade creditors |
9,568,860 |
-7.50 |
10,345,036 |
89.68 |
5,453,885 |
14.21 |
4,775,133 |
-19.79 |
5,953,361 |
|
Amounts Payable for Taxes, Remuneration
& Social Security |
6,688 |
-81.05 |
35,292 |
-33.70 |
53,227 |
189 |
18,366 |
-53.83 |
39,782 |
|
Miscellaneous current liabilities |
76,371 |
-23.77 |
100,187 |
-5.51 |
106,027 |
-28.98 |
149,296 |
-6.66 |
159,952 |
|
Total current liabilities |
9,716,993 |
-7.90 |
10,550,710 |
85.71 |
5,681,388 |
13.55 |
5,003,533 |
-19.29 |
6,199,570 |
|
Total Liabilities |
12,072,320 |
-7.40 |
13,036,411 |
62.79 |
8,008,141 |
10.84 |
7,224,697 |
-13.58 |
8,360,304 |
|
RATIO
ANALYSIS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRADING
PERFORMANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit Before Tax |
0.18 |
-47.06 |
0.34 |
-19.05 |
0.42 |
90.91 |
0.22 |
29.41 |
0.17 |
|
Return on capital employed |
2.78 |
-56.22 |
6.35 |
-7.30 |
6.85 |
94.05 |
3.53 |
102 |
1.74 |
|
Return on total assets employed |
0.54 |
-55.37 |
1.21 |
-39.20 |
1.99 |
82.57 |
1.09 |
142 |
0.45 |
|
Return on net assets employed |
3.16 |
-57.58 |
7.45 |
-4.12 |
7.77 |
86.78 |
4.16 |
101 |
2.06 |
|
Sales / net working capital |
24.19 |
-12.64 |
27.69 |
18.33 |
23.40 |
10.43 |
21.19 |
54.45 |
13.72 |
|
Stock turnover ratio |
15.58 |
144 |
6.37 |
7.97 |
5.90 |
39.15 |
4.24 |
-81.31 |
22.68 |
|
Creditor days |
94.34 |
15.44 |
81.72 |
50.52 |
54.29 |
10.80 |
49.00 |
-47.88 |
94.02 |
|
Debtor days |
43.43 |
-37.13 |
69.08 |
86.25 |
37.09 |
-27.57 |
51.21 |
57.81 |
32.45 |
|
SHORT
TERM STABILITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current ratio |
1.16 |
0 |
1.16 |
-9.38 |
1.28 |
-3.76 |
1.33 |
5.56 |
1.26 |
|
Liquidity ratio / acid ratio |
0.56 |
-36.36 |
0.88 |
-1.12 |
0.89 |
-13.59 |
1.03 |
134 |
0.44 |
|
Current debt ratio |
4.69 |
-5.63 |
4.97 |
79.42 |
2.77 |
4.53 |
2.65 |
-21.83 |
3.39 |
|
Liquidity ratio reprocessed |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cashflow |
138,144 |
-30.80 |
199,629 |
13.73 |
175,536 |
41.33 |
124,202 |
46.08 |
85,022 |
|
Net worth |
2,071,444 |
-2.33 |
2,120,960 |
3.41 |
2,050,984 |
8.68 |
1,887,252 |
3.24 |
1,827,979 |
|
LONG TERM STABILITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gearing |
16.85 |
-17.84 |
20.51 |
22.30 |
16.77 |
-19.80 |
20.91 |
0.77 |
20.75 |
|
Equity in percentage |
17.16 |
5.47 |
16.27 |
-36.47 |
25.61 |
-1.95 |
26.12 |
19.49 |
21.86 |
|
Total debt ratio |
4.83 |
-6.21 |
5.15 |
77.59 |
2.90 |
2.47 |
2.83 |
-20.73 |
3.57 |
|
Working capital |
1,533,560 |
-8.42 |
1,674,629 |
4.37 |
1,604,482 |
-3.83 |
1,668,420 |
2.33 |
1,630,439 |
|
PROFIT
& LOSS |
|||||||||
|
Operating Income |
37,193,939 |
-20.02 |
46,504,413 |
23.78 |
37,569,465 |
6.21 |
35,372,836 |
57.98 |
22,390,394 |
|
Turnover |
37,099,583 |
-20.00 |
46,375,921 |
23.51 |
37,549,270 |
6.21 |
35,353,800 |
58.05 |
22,369,081 |
|
Total operating expenses |
37,023,117 |
-19.87 |
46,203,994 |
26.02 |
36,664,190 |
3.08 |
35,569,963 |
53.90 |
23,112,817 |
|
Gross Operating Margin |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Operating Charges |
37,117,472 |
-19.89 |
46,332,486 |
26.30 |
36,684,385 |
3.08 |
35,588,998 |
53.84 |
23,134,130 |
|
Employee costs |
37,123 |
-13.72 |
43,024 |
35.65 |
31,717 |
15.04 |
27,570 |
3.79 |
26,564 |
|
Wages and salary |
30,707 |
-3.65 |
31,871 |
28.61 |
24,781 |
14.45 |
21,653 |
4.95 |
20,632 |
|
Employee pension costs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Social security contributions |
4,839 |
-30.48 |
6,961 |
43.35 |
4,856 |
22.26 |
3,972 |
29.93 |
3,057 |
|
Other employee costs |
1,576 |
-62.40 |
4,192 |
101 |
2,080 |
6.94 |
1,945 |
-32.35 |
2,875 |
|
Director remuneration |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
123,426 |
16.46 |
105,985 |
|
Amortization and depreciation |
98,168 |
9.26 |
89,849 |
22.10 |
73,586 |
19.86 |
61,394 |
2.67 |
59,796 |
|
Operating result |
76,466 |
-55.52 |
171,927 |
-80.57 |
885,080 |
409 |
-216,163 |
29.06 |
-743,736 |
|
Total financial income |
16,863 |
69.39 |
9,955 |
73.77 |
5,729 |
-98.23 |
323,038 |
-60.14 |
810,457 |
|
Total financial expenses |
27,829 |
16.24 |
23,940 |
-96.73 |
731,425 |
2477 |
28,378 |
-2.30 |
29,045 |
|
Results on ordinary operations before taxation |
65,500 |
-58.53 |
157,942 |
-0.90 |
159,384 |
103 |
78,497 |
108 |
37,676 |
|
Extraordinary Income |
1 |
-99 |
9,523 |
- |
- |
- |
17,833 |
- |
- |
|
Extraordinary Charges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Extraordinary items |
1 |
-99 |
9,523 |
- |
0 |
-100 |
17,833 |
- |
0 |
|
Results for the Year Before Taxation |
65,501 |
-60.89 |
167,465 |
5.07 |
159,384 |
65.46 |
96,330 |
155 |
37,676 |
|
Other appropriations |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Taxation |
25,525 |
-55.75 |
57,685 |
0.44 |
57,434 |
71.33 |
33,522 |
169 |
12,450 |
|
Results on ordinary operations after taxation |
39,975 |
-60.13 |
100,257 |
-1.66 |
101,950 |
126 |
44,975 |
78.29 |
25,226 |
|
Net result |
39,976 |
-63.59 |
109,780 |
7.68 |
101,950 |
62.32 |
62,808 |
148 |
25,226 |
|
Profit (Loss) for the Year to be
appropriated |
39,976 |
-63.59 |
109,780 |
7.68 |
101,950 |
62.32 |
62,808 |
148 |
25,226 |
|
Dividends |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Social
Balance Sheet |
Total |
|
During
the reporting year |
|
|
ended
31-12-2013 |
|
|
Full-time
Employees |
2 |
|
Part-time
Employees |
1 |
|
Total
Fte Employees |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Number
of hours worked |
|
|
Full-time
Employees |
1,611 |
|
Part-time
Employees |
104 |
|
Total |
1,715 |
|
|
|
|
Personnel
Charges |
|
|
Full-time
Employees |
34,872 |
|
Part-time
Employees |
2,251 |
|
Total |
37,123 |
|
|
|
|
During
the previous reporting year |
|
|
Average number
employees in Fte |
2 |
|
Actual
working hours |
2,014 |
|
Personnel
Charges |
41,162 |
|
Type of
Contract |
Full-Time |
Part-Time |
Total Fte |
|
Unlimited
Duration Contracts |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Women |
Full-Time |
Part-Time |
Total Fte |
|
Secondary
education |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Working
Category |
Full-Time |
Part-Time |
Total Fte |
|
White
collar worker |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
Blue
collar worker |
- |
1 |
0 |
Industry
comparison
|
|
|
Activity code |
46761 |
|
Activity description |
Whole of diamonds and other precious stones |
Payment
expectations
|
|
|
Payment expectation days |
94.34 |
|
Da sales outstanding |
43.43 |
|
Industry comparison |
|
|
Activity code |
46761 |
|
Activity description |
Whole of diamonds and other precious stones |
|
Industry average payment expectation days |
105.30 |
|
Industry average day sales outstanding |
183.16 |
|
Industry quartile
analysis |
|
|
Payment
expectations |
|
|
Company result |
94.34 |
|
Lower |
118.99 |
|
Median |
75.69 |
|
Upper |
45.40 |
|
|
|
|
Day sales
outstanding |
|
|
Company result |
43.43 |
|
Lower |
102.58 |
|
Median |
55.21 |
|
Upper |
25.06 |
Group
Structure
No group structure for this
company.
Minority
Shareholders
No minority shareholders found
Minority
Interests
No minority interest found
Protested Bills
There is no data for this company
Summons
There is no data for this company
Bankruptcy and other legal events
There is no data for this company
Companies that
match this address
No companies match this address
CURRENT DIRECTOR
DETAILS
|
Name |
ALI ABDUL BAZZY |
|
Position |
Managing Director |
|
Start Date |
13/09/2002 |
|
Date of
birth |
07/04/1969 |
|
Street |
89 BARONES LUDWINA DE BORREKENSLAAN AARTSELAAR |
|
Post code |
2630 |
|
Country |
Belgium |
|
|
|
|
Position |
Director |
|
Start Date |
13/09/2002 |
|
Date of
birth |
07/04/1969 |
|
Street |
89 BARONES LUDWINA DE BORREKENSLAAN AARTSELAAR |
|
Post code |
2630 |
|
Country |
Belgium |
|
|
|
|
Name |
WASSILA BAZI |
|
Position |
Director |
|
Start Date |
13/09/2002 |
|
Street |
124 FRUITHOFLAAN ANTWERPEN |
|
Post code |
2600 |
|
Country |
Belgium |
|
|
|
|
Name |
WASSILA BAZZI |
|
Position |
Director |
|
Start Date |
13/09/2002 |
FORMER DIRECTOR
DETAILS
|
Name |
ALI ABDUL BAZZY |
|
Position |
Principal Manager |
|
Start Date |
19/06/1998 |
|
End Date |
13/09/2002 |
|
Date of
birth |
07/04/1969 |
|
Street |
89 BARONES LUDWINA DE BORREKENSLAAN AARTSELAAR |
|
Post code |
2630 |
|
Country |
Belgium |
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES
|
Currency |
Unit
|
Indian Rupees |
|
US Dollar |
1 |
Rs.63.50 |
|
|
1 |
Rs.98.20 |
|
Euro |
1 |
Rs.69.73 |
INFORMATION DETAILS
|
Analysis Done by
: |
DIV |
|
|
|
|
Report Prepared by
: |
TPT |
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%)
This report is issued at your request without any
risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or
its officials.