| m) | Investments in associates |
The Group’s investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method. An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of an entity, but is not control or joint control over those policies. Any difference between the acquisition cost and the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of associates is accounted for as follows:
| (a) | Any excess of the acquisition cost over the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of an associate at the date of acquisition is recognized as goodwill and is included in the carrying amount of the investment. Amortization of goodwill is not permitted. |
| (b) | Any excess of the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of an associate over the acquisition cost, after reassessing the fair value, is recognized as a gain in profit or loss on the acquisition date. |
Under the equity method, the investments in associates are carried on the statements of financial position at cost plus post acquisition changes in the Group’s share of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of associates. The Group’s share of changes in associates’ profit or loss and other comprehensive income are recognized directly in profit or loss and other comprehensive income, respectively, of the Group. Distributions received from an associate reduce the carrying amount of the investment. Any unrealized gains and losses resulting from transactions between the Group and the associate are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associate.
Upon an associate’s issuance of new shares, if the Group takes up more shares than its original proportionate holding while maintaining its significant influence over that associate, such increase would be accounted for as an acquisition of an additional equity interest in the associate. Upon an associate’s issuance of new shares, if the Group does not take up proportionate shares and reduces its shareholding while maintaining its significant influence over that associate, the Group will treat the transaction as deemed disposal and reclassify to profit or loss the proportion of the gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income relating to that reduction in ownership interest where appropriate.
The Group ceases to use the equity method upon loss of significant influence over an associate. Any difference between the carrying amount of the investment in an associate upon loss of significant influence and the fair value of the retained investment plus proceeds from disposal will be recognized in profit or loss.
The Group determines at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that the investments in associates are impaired. An impairment loss, being the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its carrying value, is recognized in profit or loss in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and forms part of the carrying amount of the investments.