On 24 August 2015 the board of EKF (the “Board”) announced that it had received a proposal from Jinjing (Group) Co., Ltd (“Jinjing”) regarding a possible offer for the whole of the issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of the Company. Since this announcement, Jinjing has engaged in an active phase of due diligence with the Company and has requested more time to complete this work.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Jinjing was required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 20 September 2015, to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for EKF in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code, the Board has requested that the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Panel") extend the relevant deadline, as referred to above, to enable the parties to continue their discussions regarding a possible offer. Accordingly, an extension has been granted by the Panel and Jinjing must, by no later than 5.00 p.m. on 19 October 2015, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for EKF in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Panel.

This additional time will allow Jinjing and the Company to work towards JinJing making an offer which is recommendable to the Company’s shareholders.

A further announcement will be made when appropriate. In the meantime, EKF shareholders are advised by the Board to take no action. There can be no certainty that any formal offer for the Company will be forthcoming, nor as to the terms of any such formal offer.

This announcement has been made with the agreement and approval of Jinjing.