mahickra chem Management discussions


Despite the significant effects of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the global economy is showing signs of a steady recovery. Supply chain interruptions are decreasing as economies gradually recover, and the war-affected energy and food markets are beginning to stabilize. The global inflation have projected at Rs..00 % in 2023, which is set to fall from 8.Rs. % in the 2022 due to interest rates raised by the central banks and lower commodity prices. Looking to the global economy, the baseline forecast is for growth to fall from 3.4 percent in 2022 to 2.8 percent in 2023, before settling at 3.0 percent in 2024. Advanced economies are expected to perceive a slowdown, from 2.Rs. percent in 2022 to 1.3 percent in 2023.

In spite of the challenges, there are indications of improvement, with inflation expected to drop to Rs..0% in 2023, providing some solace and assisting in the stabilization of the economy. The IMF predicts 2.8% global growth in 2023, maintaining its cautious optimism. While trade disputes and geopolitical tensions still exist, efforts to address supply chain disruptions, implement suitable monetary policies, and foster international cooperation can help the economy grow steadily and recover in the years to come.

(Source: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/ Issues/ 2023/04/11/world-economic-outlook-april-2023)

In synopsis, the global economy is anticipated to grow modestly in 2023, with a number of factors affecting the outlook. There is hope that pent-up demand in many economies and a slow decline in inflation will stimulate growth despite the difficulties posed by inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, governments and central banks can aid in the recovery of the world economy by implementing supportive fiscal and monetary policies. Additionally, technological developments and the advancements of society can be extremely important in fostering innovation and productivity, which will help to further accelerate economic growth in the years to come. Downside risks are still a concern, but policymakers are navigating the difficulties presented by inflation and other geopolitical uncertainties with skill. Having put in place proactive and successful strategies, the global economy is on its way to a brighter economic future.

INDIAN ECONOMY:

IndiaRs.s economy remains one of the fastest growing in the world. The Indian economy is depicting resilience despite the

effects of the global downturn, and overall economic growth is still strong. One of the main drivers of IndiaRs.s economic growth is the countryRs.s strong domestic consumption, which is supported by a sizable and expanding middle class. A major factor in maintaining the nationRs.s economic momentum has also been the governmentRs.s initiatives to encourage ease of doing business and draw foreign investment. According to the National Statistical OfficeRs.s (NSO) second advance estimate, IndiaRs.s GDP growth is projected to be Rs.% in FY 2022-23 compared to 9.1% in FY 2021-22. The bilateral trade also reached a record high of USD 447.46 billion with 6.03% growth during FY 2022-23, surpassing the previous high of USD 422.00 billion in FY 2021-22, despite the weakening external demand.

In 2023, the domestic economy will continue to grow and pick up speed. According to the IMF, India will have a GDP per capita of USD 2,600 in 2023, which will cause a rise in household consumption. Due to inflationary pressures, the economic growth rate is predicted to fall to 5.9% in FY 202324. In order to combat inflationary pressures, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised the repo rate by 250 basis points in FY 2022-2023. As a result, from 6.95% in March 2022 to 5.66% in March 2023, IndiaRs.s CPI inflation rate decreased. India has a large growth window, and the IMF projects that in FY 2024-25, the Indian economy will expand at a 6.3% annual rate.

A favorable domestic policy environment, various dynamic government reforms like increased capital spending, the production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, a focus on domestic manufacturing and infrastructure development, strong domestic demand, export growth, technology-enabled development, and energy transition, among others, will spur growth in FY 2023-24. Additionally, the Indian governmentRs.s efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and promote ease of doing business are expected to further boost economic growth. Furthermore, the countryRs.s young and growing population, coupled with increasing urbanization and rising middle-class consumption, will contribute to the expansion of various sectors in the Indian economy.

INDUSTRY TRENDS:

The market for dyes and pigments was valued at USD 38.2 billion in 2022, and from 2023 to 2030, it is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3%. The demand for these products is expected to rise across a number of application industries, including plastics, paints and coatings, textiles, and construction. The use of cutting-edge technologies for the effective removal of hazardous pollutants during the manufacturing process is a

proactive effort by major producers to improve their products. With the swings in the cost of raw materials like benzene, manufacturers are likely to experience a range in production costs. Both physical stores and online retailing help to create a broad distribution network in the market.

With a market share of over 62% in terms of revenue in 2022, the textiles segment dominated. The industry segment for printing ink is anticipated to experience the fastest CAGR between 2023 and 2030. The demand for dyes in printing ink applications is anticipated to increase as the digital printing market expands. India and China, two major producers of dyes, are likely to offer favorable opportunities for printing ink applications throughout the Asia Pacific region. In order to achieve the desired color and density, dyes are used in inks. In terms of color and density per unit of mass, dyes are superior to pigments. The dye-based inks may react chemically with other ingredients. In conjunction with optical brighteners and other additives, they produce prints that are superior to pigment-based inks. The demand for products in the printing ink application segment is expected to increase as a result of these factors.

(Source:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry- analysis/ dyes-and-pigments-market)

OUTLOOK:

An integration of micro and macro factors appear to be cruising the Mahickra Chemicals outlook in a positive direction. The CompanyRs.s multi-site prowess, manufacturing emphasis, procurement strategies, and balanced approach to enhancing profitability are all contributing to its growing market share. Your company is developing cutting-edge, environmentally responsible products. These groundbreaking goods are anticipated to draw in a larger customer base and support the companyRs.s overall expansion. Furthermore, your companyRs.s dedication to sustainability is in line with the rising demand for environmentally friendly solutions around the world, positioning the business for market success over the long term. By outstripping Rs. 100 Crore in revenue generation from exports in the following years, your company is establishing a high standard.

Mahickra Chemicals is well positioned to deliver profitable growth in the future thanks to its strong market position, a diverse product line, extensive end-user industries, and a dynamic distribution network with top-tier clients. In addition, we have a strong commitment to research and development, consistently innovating and launching new products to meet the changing needs of its clients. As a result of its commitment to staying ahead of market trends, the company is able to

maintain its competitiveness and draw in new business opportunities.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Mahickra Chemicals Limited is a leading domestic dyestuff manufacturer in Ahmedabad, with production facilities strategically located in the chemical industrial zone. This strategic location offers easy access to the Common Effluent Treatment Plant, fostering innovation and knowledge sharing. The companyRs.s proximity to the treatment plant allows for efficient disposal of waste and adherence to environmental regulations. Additionally, being in close proximity to other chemical manufacturers promotes collaboration and the exchange of ideas within the industry.

Aside from lowering costs and improving supply chain management, the companyRs.s extensive industry knowledge and expertise enable efficient transportation of raw materials and finished goods. Your Company is renowned for producing premium dyestuffs and seeks to improve its position in the market. We promote initiatives for waste management and environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques and place a high priority on quality control measures, customer satisfaction, and sustainability. We make investments in new product development, R&D, and partnerships with important stakeholders.

Mahickra Chemicals Limited benefits from the rising demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable dye solutions by making investments in cutting-edge technology, which improves its standing in the market. These efforts have not only allowed us to stay ahead of its competitors but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. Our commitment towards innovation and sustainability has earned it recognition as a leader in the industry, attracting environmentally conscious customers and forging long-term partnerships.

Independent AuditorRs.s Report

To

The Members of

MAHICKRA CHEMICALS LIMITED

Report on the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements

Qualified Opinion

We have audited the Standalone Financial Statements of MAHICKRA CHEMICALS LIMITED ("the Company"), which comprises the Balance Sheet as at 31st March, 2023, and the Statement of Profit and Loss, Cash Flow Statement and Notes to the Standalone Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the aforesaid Standalone Financial Statements give the information required by the Act in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the Company as at 31st March, 2023 and its Profit and its Cash Flows for the year ended on that date except for the matter stated in Basis of Qualified Opinion paragraph below

Basis for Qualified Opinion

1. Company has filed an application with Authorised dealer seeking permission to "write off" Export Receivable of Rs. 57.29 lakhs from one of the party. However, such receivable is neither "written off" nor "Provision for Doubtful recovery" is done in the books for the same. The trade receivable and profit (loss) for the year is overstated / understated to the extent of such outstanding.

We conducted our audit of the Standalone Financial Statements in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs) specified under section 143(10) of the Companies Act, 2013. Our responsibilities under those Standards are further described in the AuditorRs.s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Code of Ethics issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the Standalone Financial Statements under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules thereunder, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence we

have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion on the Standalone Financial Statement.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the Standalone Financial Statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the Standalone Financial Statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters except for the matters described in "Basis for Qualified Opinion" section. We have determined that there are no other key audit matters to communicate in our report.

Responsibility of Management and Those Charged with the Governance for the Standalone Financial Statements

The CompanyRs.s Board of Directors is responsible for the matters stated in Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act") with respect to the preparation of these Standalone Financial Statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance, (changes in equity) and cash flows of the Company in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the Standalone Financial Statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the Standalone Financial Statements, management is responsible for assessing the CompanyRs.s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Board of Directors is also responsible for overseeing the companyRs.s financial reporting process.

AuditorRs.s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Standalone Financial Statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditorRs.s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with As will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these Standalone financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the Standalone Financial Statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

• Obtain an understanding of internal financial controls relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. Under section 143(3)(i) of the Act, we are also responsible for expressing our opinion on whether the Company has adequate internal financial controls system in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

• Conclude on the appropriateness of managementRs.s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the CompanyRs.s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditorRs.s report to the related disclosures in the Standalone Financial Statements or, if such

disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditorRs.s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.

• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the Standalone Financial Statements, including the disclosures, and whether the Standalone Financial Statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

Materiality is the magnitude of misstatements in the Standalone Financial Statements that, individually or in aggregate, makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable user of the Standalone Financial Statements may be influenced. We consider quantitative materiality and qualitative factors in (i) planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work; and (ii) to evaluate the effect of any identified misstatements in the Standalone Financial Statements.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the Standalone Financial Statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditorRs.s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

REPORT ON OTHER LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

1. As required by the Companies (AuditorRs.s Report) Order, 2020 ("the Order"), issued by the Central Government

of India in terms of sub-Section (11) of Section 143 of

the Companies Act, 2013, We give in the "Annexure A"

statement on the matters specified in paragraphs 3 and

4 of the Order, to the extent applicable.

2. As required by Section 143 (3) of the Act, we report that:

a) We have sought and obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit.

b) In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Company so far as it appears from our examination of those books.

c) The Balance Sheet and Statement of Profit & Loss and Cash Flow Statement dealt with by this Report are in agreement with the books of account.

d) In our opinion, the aforesaid Standalone Financial Statements comply with the Accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with Rule Rs. of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014.

e) On the basis of the written representations received from the directors as on 31st March, 2023 taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of the directors is disqualified as on 31st March, 2023 from being appointed as a director in terms of Section 164 (2) of the Act.

f) With respect to the adequacy of the Internal financial control over financial reporting of the Company and the operating effectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate report in "Annexure B". Our reports express an unmodified opinion on the adequacy and reporting effectiveness of the CompanyRs.s internal financial controls over financial reporting.

g) With respect to the other matters to be included in the AuditorRs.s Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us:

i. The Company does not have any pending litigations which would impact its Financial Position.

ii. The Company did not have any material foreseeable losses on long-term contracts including derivative contracts.

iii. The Company is not required to transfer any amounts to the Investors Education and Protection Fund.

iv. (i) The management has represented

that, to the best of itRs.s knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in the notes to the accounts, no funds have been advanced or loaned or invested (either from borrowed funds or share premium or any other sources or kind of funds) by the company to or in any other person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities ("Intermediaries"), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Intermediary shall, whether, directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the company ("Ultimate Beneficiaries") or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries;

(ii) The management has represented, that, to the best of itRs.s knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in the notes to the accounts, no funds have been received by the company from any person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities ("Funding Parties"), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the company shall, whether, directly or indirectly, lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party ("Ultimate Beneficiaries") or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries; and

(iii) Based on audit procedures which we considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, nothing has come to their notice that has caused them to believe that the representations under

sub-clause (i) and (ii) contain any material mis-statement.

v. The dividend declared or paid during the year by the company are in compliance with section 123 of the Companies Act, 2013.

vi. With respect to the matter to be included in the AuditorsRs. Report under Section 197(16) of the Act, in our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us, the remuneration paid during the current year by the company to its director is not in excess of the limit laid down under section 197 of the Act. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has not

prescribed other details under Section 197 of the Act which are required to be commented upon by us.

For, SINGHI & CO. Chartered Accountants FRN NO: 302049E

SUNIL C BOHARA Partner

Membership No. 103395 UDIN: 23103395BGXTNH6875

Ahmedabad, 15th May 2023