MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

 

Report Date :

31.07.2008

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

FUJI MACHINE MFG.(SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

51 UBI Avenue 1 #01-24 Paya Ubi Industrial Park

 

 

Country :

Singapore

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2006

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

20.01.2001

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

200100454G    

 

 

Legal Form :

Pte Ltd                

 

 

Line of Business :

Sales, Servicing and Rental of Industrial Machinery and Equipment

 

 

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 :

Regular

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

Subject Company   

 

FUJI MACHINE MFG. (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.

 

 

Line Of Business  

 

SALES, SERVICING AND RENTAL OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

Parent Company    

 

SOJITZ CORPORATION

(PERCENTAGE OF SHAREHOLDINGS: 86.00%)

 

 

Financial Elements

 
FY 2006

COMPANY

Sales                                        : S$57,982,405

Networth                                               : S$ 6,211,368

Paid-Up Capital                          : S$ 2,986,600

Net result                                  : S$ 1,142,955

 

Net Margin(%)                           :  1.97

Return on Equity(%)                   : 18.40

Leverage Ratio                           :  2.75

 

 

 

 

COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

 

Subject Company                   : FUJI MACHINE MFG.(SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.

Former Name                                                 : -

Business Address                  : 51 UBI AVENUE 1

#01-24

PAYA UBI INDUSTRIAL PARK

Town                                                               : SINGAPORE                    

Postcode                                 : 408933

County                                                             : -

Country                                                           : Singapore

Telephone                               : 6746 4966                    

Fax                                                                  : 6841 2326

ROC Number                                                 : 200100454G                  

Reg. Town                              : -

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Legal Form                             : Pte Ltd                

Date Inc.                                 : 20/01/2001

Previous Legal Form             : -

Summary year                                                 : 31/12/2006

Sales                                                               : 57,982,405            

 Networth                                : 6,211,368

Capital                                                            : -                      

Paid-Up Capital                                             : 2,986,600

Employees                              : 20                    

Net result                                : 1,142,955

Share value                             : 1

Auditor                                                            : Y F CHEN & CO

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Litigation                                 : No

Company status                      : TRADING                                                   

 Started                                   : 20/01/2001

 

 

PRINCIPAL(S)

 

TATSUYUKI SHIMIZU                                                         G5802127Q      Director

 

 

 

 

DIRECTOR(S)

 

TATSUYUKI SHIMIZU                                                         G5802127Q      Director

Appointed on :                         01/10/2006

Street :                                                            205 RIVER VALLEY ROAD

#14-52

Town:                                      SINGAPORE

Postcode:                                 238274

Country:                                  Singapore

 

SOPHIA LIM SIEW FAY                                                       S2664520D      Company Secretary

Appointed on :                         05/11/2002

Street :                                                            806 BEDOK RESERVOIR ROAD

#14-04

BAYWATER

Town:                                      SINGAPORE

Postcode:                                479243

Country:                                  Singapore

 

EIJI OCHI                                                       TG0334114      Director

Appointed on :                         30/03/2001

Street :                                                            261 RIVER VALLEY ROAD

#08-25

ASPEN HEIGHTS

Town:                                      SINGAPORE

Postcode:                                238307

Country:                                  Singapore

 

FUKASE SHINICHI                                                              TZ0201990      Director

Appointed on :                          01/10/2006

Street :                                                            6-5-18 MINAMI-OOI

SHINAGAWA-KU

Town:                                      TOKYO

Postcode:                                140-0013

Country:                                  Japan

 

 

ACTIVITY(IES)

 

MACHINERY                                               Code: 13260

 

BASED ON ACRA'S RECORD

1) RENTING OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

2) WHOLESALE OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

CHARGES

 

No Charges On Premises/Property In Our Database

 

 

PREMISES/PROPERTY INFORMATIONS

 

No Premises/Property Information In Our Databases

 

 

ASSOCIATED COMPANY(IES)

 

FUJI SMT (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD

 

Malaysia

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS(S)

 

FUJI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD.                        418,124   Company

Street :              19, CHAUSUYAMA, YAMA-MACHI

Town:                 CHIRYU-SHI

Postcode:             4720006

Country:              Japan

 

SOJITZ CORPORATION                               2,568,476   Company

Street :              1-20, AKASAKA 6-CHOME

MINATO-KU

Town:                 TOKYO

Postcode:             107-8655

Country:              Japan

 

 

HOLDING COMPANY

 

SOJITZ CORPORATION                      UF36614R        %: 86.00

 

 

SUBSIDIARY(IES)

 

No Participation In Our Database

 


 

PAYMENT HISTORY AND EXPERIENCES

 

Trade Morality:                       AVERAGE

Liquidity :                                                        SUFFICIENT

Payments :                              REGULAR

Trend :                                                             DOWNWARD

Financial Situation:                AVERAGE

 

 

FINANCIAL ELEMENTS

 

  All amounts in this report are in: SGD

 

  Audit Qualification:        UNQUALIFIED (CLEAN)         UNQUALIFIED (CLEAN)

  Date Account Lodged:                 12/04/2007

  Balance Sheet Date:                  31/12/2006                  31/12/2005

  Number of weeks:                             52                          52

  Consolidation Code:                     COMPANY                     COMPANY

 

 

                         --- ASSETS ---

  

  Tangible Fixed Assets:                1,350,266                   2,054,852                              

  Investments                              23,056                      16,552                             

  Total Fixed Assets:                   1,373,322                   2,071,404                             

 

  Inventories:                          3,586,803                   1,664,009                             

  Receivables:                         12,965,123                  13,204,688                             

  Cash,Banks, Securitis:                5,098,573                  14,192,798                             

  Other current assets:                   274,772                     427,433                             

  Total Current Assets:                21,925,271                  29,488,928                             

 

  TOTAL ASSETS:                        23,298,593                  31,560,332                             

 

 

                         --- LIABILITIES ---   

 

  Equity capital:                       2,986,600                   2,986,600                               

  Profit & lost  Account:               3,226,222                   3,021,267                              

  Other:                                   -1,454                      -1,273                              

  Total Equity:                         6,211,368                   6,006,594          

                   

  L/T deffered taxes:                      36,876                      70,638                              

  Total L/T Liabilities:                   36,876                      70,638                              

 

  Trade Creditors:                     15,678,521                  23,779,082                              

  Prepay. & Def. charges:               1,020,835                     951,030                               

  Provisions:                             335,705                     459,241                              

  Other Short term Liab.:                  15,288                     293,747                              

  Total short term Liab.:              17,050,349                  25,483,100                              

 

  TOTAL LIABILITIES:                   17,087,225                  25,553,738                                

 

 

                         --- PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT    

 

  Net Sales                            57,982,405                  90,617,496                              

  Result of ordinary operations         1,574,362                   2,427,404                             

  NET RESULT BEFORE TAX:                1,418,499                   2,349,073                              

  Tax :                                   275,544                     471,647                              

  Net income/loss year:                 1,142,955                   1,877,426                               

  Depreciation:                         1,100,650                     792,207                              

  Dividends:                              938,000                     378,830                              

  Directors Emoluments:                   424,641                     322,805                              

  Wages and Salaries:                   2,022,045                   1,579,300                              

  Financial Income:                        12,452                       5,273                              

 

 

RATIOS

 

                              31/12/2006                 31/12/2005

  Turnover per employee:     2899120.25                 4530874.80                

  Net result / Turnover(%):        0.02                       0.02                      

  Stock / Turnover(%):             0.06                       0.02                      

  Net Margin(%):                   1.97                       2.07                      

  Return on Equity(%):            18.40                      31.26                     

  Return on Assets(%):             4.91                       5.95                      

  Dividends Coverage:              1.22                       4.96                       

  Net Working capital:       4874922.00                 4005828.00                

  Cash Ratio:                      0.30                       0.56                      

  Quick Ratio:                     1.06                       1.08                       

  Current ratio:                   1.29                       1.16                      

  Receivables Turnover:           80.50                      52.46                     

  Leverage Ratio:                  2.75                       4.25                      

  

Net Margin                             : (100*Net income loss year)/Net sales

Return on Equity                    : (100*Net income loss year)/Total equity

Return on Assets                   : (100*Net income loss year)/Total fixed assets

Dividends Coverage              : Net income loss year/Dividends

Net Working capital               : (Total current assets/Total short term liabilities)/1000

Cash Ratio                             : Cash Bank securities/Total short term liabilities

Quick Ratio                             : (Cash Bank securities+Receivables)/Total Short term liabilities

Current ratio                           : Total current assets/Total short term liabilities

Inventory Turnover                  : (360*Inventories)/Net sales

Receivables Turnover            : (Receivable*360)/Net sales

Leverage Ratio                                               : Total liabilities/(Total equity-Intangible assets)

 


 

FINANCIAL COMMENTS

 

THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE COMPANY WAS SEEN TO BE FAIR IN VIEW OF

THE FOLLOWING:

 

NET WORTH:

THE BALANCE SHEET WAS CONSIDERED PASSABLE WITH NET WORTH IMPROVED BY 3.41% FROM S$6,006,594 IN 2005 TO S$6,211,368 IN 2006. THIS WAS DUE TO HIGHER RETAINED PROFITS OF S$3,226,222 (2005: S$3,021,267); A RISE OF 6.78% FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

 

LEVERAGE:

IN THE SHORT TERM, SUBJECT WAS LARGELY FINANCED BY TRADE CREDITORS WHICH MADE UP 91.95% (2005: 93.31%) OF THE TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES AND AMOUNTED TO S$15,678,521 (2005: S$23,779,082). THE BREAKDOWN IS AS

FOLLOWS:

* THIRD PARTIES

- 2006: $51,942 (2005: S$2,052,088)

* AMOUNT OWING TO HOLDING COMPANY

- 2006: S$15,055,661 (2005: S$21,476,619)

* AMOUNT OWING TO ASSOCIATED COMPANY

- 2006: NIL (2005: S$110,691)

* FELLOW SUBSIDIARY COMPANY

- 2006: S$563,178 (2005: S$136,864)

* RELATED COMPANY

- 2006: S$7,740 (2005: S$2,820)

 

IN THE LONG TERM, SUBJECT INCURRED DEFFERED TAXATION OF S$36,876

(2005: S$70,638).

 

IN ALL, LEVERAGE RATIO FELL FROM 4.25 TIMES TO 2.75 TIMES AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN TOTAL LIABILITIES AND A RISE IN TOTAL EQUITY.

 

LIQUIDITY:

IN GENERAL, SUBJECT'S LIQUIDITY SITUATION WAS PASSABLE WITH THE RISE IN NET WORKING CAPITAL AND CHANGES IN LIQUIDITY RATIOS. CURRENT RATIO ROSE TO 1.29 TIMES, UP FROM 1.16 TIMES AND QUICK RATIO FELL TO 1.06 TIMES FROM 1.08 TIMES IN 2005. NET WORKING CAPITAL ROSE BY 21.70% FROM S$4,005,828 IN 2005 TO S$4,874,922 IN 2006.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS COMPRISES OF:

* FIXED DEPOSITS         - 2006: S$250,000   (2005: S$250,514)

* CASH AND BANK BALANCES - 2006: S$4,848,573 (2005: S$13,942,284)

 

PROFITABILITY:

REVENUE POSTED A DECREASE OF 36.01% FROM S$90,617,496 IN 2005 TO S$57,982,405 AND NET PROFIT FELL BY 39.12% TO S$1,142,955 (2005: S$1,877,426). HENCE, NET MARGIN FELL TO 1.97% (2005: 2.07%).

 

DEBT SERVICING:

DEBT SERVICING PROBLEMS MIGHT NOT BE EXPECTED IF REVENUE AND EARNINGS CAN BE MAINTAINED AND PAYMENT BY TRADE DEBTORS ARE FORTHCOMING.

 

THE AVERAGE COLLECTION PERIOD ROSE FROM 52.46 DAYS TO 80.50 DAYS. A HIGHER AVERAGE COLLECTION PERIOD POSES GREATER RISK OF TURNING INTO BAD DEBTS. HOWEVER, IT IS STILL WORTH NOTING THAT DEBT SERVICING ABILITY MAY NOT BE AFFECTED IF TRADE RECEIVABLES ARE FORTHCOMING.

 

 

BACKGROUND/OPERATION

 

THE COMPANY WAS INCORPORATED IN THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ON 20/01/2001 AS A LIMITED PRIVATE COMPANY AND IS TRADING UNDER ITS PRESENT NAMESTYLE AS "FUJI MACHINE MFG. (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.".

 

THE COMPANY HAS AN ISSUED AND PAID-UP CAPITAL OF 2,986,600 SHARES, OF A VALUE OF S$2,986,600.

 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

SUBJECT IS REGISTERED WITH THE ACCOUNTING AND CORPORATE REGULATORY

AUTHORITY (ACRA) BE PRINCIPALLY ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF:

1) RENTING OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

2) WHOLESALE OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

 

DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR(S), UNDER REVIEW, SUBJECT'S PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES ARE THE SALES, SERVICING AND RENTAL OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINER AND EQUIPMENT.

 

 

 

THE COMPANY'S HOLDING COMPANY OS SOJITZ CORPORATION, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN JAPAN.

 

FROM THE RESEARCH DONE, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS GATHERED:

 

THE COMPANY IS LISTED IN THE SINGAPORE LOCAL DIRECTORIES UNDER THE

CLASSIFICATION OF: ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES-DEALERS.

 

SUBJECT ENGAGES IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:

* SALES & SERVICES FOR FUJI SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY MACHINE (SMT)

 

PRODUCTS DEALINGS:

* PLACING MACHINE

* PRINTING MACHINE

* SOFTWARE

 

FROM THE TELE-INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, SUBJECT PERSONNEL

CONFIRMED ITS ADDRESS AND CONTACTS. SUBJECT PERSONNEL ALSO REVEALED THAT THEY ARE ABOUT 20 EMPLOYEES. NO OTHER TRADE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE

 

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES (31 DECEMBER):

* COMPANY - 2006: NOT AVAILABLE (2005: NOT AVAILABLE)

 

REGISTERED AND BUSINESS ADDRESS:

51 UBI AVENUE 1

#01-24

PAYA UBI INDUSTRIAL PARK

SINGAPORE 408933

DATE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS: 21/04/2001

- RENTED PREMISE

- PREMISE OWNED BY: PAYA UBI INDUSTRIAL PARK PTE LTD

 

WEBSITE       : -

EMAIL             : -

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

THE DIRECTORS AT TIME OF THIS REPORT ARE:

 

1) TATSUYUKI SHIMIZU, A JAPANESE

- BASED IN SINGAPORE.

 

2) EIJI OCHI, A JAPANESE

- BASED IN SINGAPORE.

 

3) FUKASE SHINICHI, A JAPANESE

- BASED IN JAPAN.

 

 

SINGAPORE’S COUNTRY RATING 2007

 

 

INVESTMENT GRADE

 

IN SINGAPORE, THE POLITICAL SITUATION REMAINS STABLE.

 

SINGAPORE BOASTS THE BEST GOVERNANCE IN ASIA, WITH AN EFFECTIVE LEGAL SYSTEM FACILITATING DEBT COLLECTION AND TO A HIGH DEGREE OF FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY.

 

EXTERNAL ACCOUNTS HAVE REMAINED SUBSTANTIALLY IN SURPLUS, CONTRIBUTED TO THE DYNAMISM OF THE ELECTRONICS AND PHARMACEUTICALS SECTORS AND TO REPATRIATION OF PROFITS FROM SINGAPORE INVESTMENTS. THE FINANCIAL AND TOURISM SECTORS HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE LARGE CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS.

 

SINGAPORE CONTINUES TO KEENLY WELCOME FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND OFFERS A VERY OPEN AND WELL-PLANNED ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT. IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING AMBITIOUS DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY, FOCUSED PARTICULARLY ON THE CHEMICALS AND PHARMACEUTICAL SECTORS.

 

THE GOVERNMENT USES FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT TO DEVELOP PRIORITY SECTORS (ELECTRONICS, CHEMICALS, BIOTECHNOLOGY). THE AIM IS TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF HIGH ADDED-VALUE ACTIVITIES AND TURN SINGAPORE INTO A REGIONAL HUB FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS INTERESTED IN ASIA.

 

CERTAIN SECTORS (MEDIA, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES) ARE HOWEVER ONLY PARTIALLY OPEN TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT. THESE SECTORS ARE SLOWLY OPENING UP, BUT THE PROGRESS IS SLOW. AFTER HIGH GROWTH IN 2006, BUOYED BY THE DYNAMISM OF BOTH EXPORTS AND HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION, A SLOWDOWN IS EXPECTED IN 2007.

 

ASSETS

" MAJOR EXPORTER OF CAPITAL IN ASIA, NOTABLY VIA THE STATE-OWNED TEMASEK HOLDING

COMPANY.

" HIGH QUALITY COMPETITIVENESS IN ASIA

" EXCELLENT BUSINESS CLIMATE

" POLITICAL STABILITY.

 

WEAKNESSES

" SKILLED MANPOWER HAS BEEN LACKING IN THE SECTORS TARGETED FOR DEVELOPMENT.

" AN AGEING POPULATION COULD, ULTIMATELY, AFFECT ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE.

" GROWING INEQUALITY AND THE EMERGENCE OF LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG THE LEAST

SKILLED COULD GENERATE SOCIAL TENSIONS.

" BEING THE WORLD'S MOST OPEN ECONOMY, IT HAS BEEN VULNERABLE TO WORLD ECONOMIC

DOWNTURNS.

 

OVERVIEW OF SINGAPORE

 

PAST PERFORMANCE

 

SINGAPORE’S ECONOMY GREW BY 8.9% IN 3Q 2007, FOLLOWING 8.7% GROWTH IN 2Q 2007. GROW MOMENTUM (ON AN ANNUALISED QUARTER-ON-QUARTER BASIS) WAS 4.3%, COMPARED WITH 14.5% IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

 

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY BY 20% IN 3Q 2007, FOLLOWING A 17% GROWTH IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. HOWEVER, ON A SEASONALLY-ADJUSTED QUARTER-ON-QUARTER BASIS, THE SECTOR FELL BY 8.6%, IN CONTRAST TO THE 39% GROWTH IN THE SECOND QUARTER. THE DECLINE STEMS FROM THE IMPACT FROM THE TURMOIL IN GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKETS.

 

THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR REGISTERED A STRONG GROWTH. THE SECTOR GREW BY 18%, FOLLOWING 19% GAIN IN 2Q 2007. GROWTH MOMENTUM MODERATED FROM 15% IN 2Q 2007 TO 6% IN 3Q 2007.

 

MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 10% IN 3Q 2007, UP FROM 8.3% IN 2Q 2007. THE HIGHEST GROWTH WAS REGISTERED IN THE BIOMEDICAL MANUFACTURING CLUSTER, FOLLOWED BY TRANSPORT ENGINEERING, ELECTRONICS AND CHEMICALS

CLUSTERS. PRECISION ENGINEERING SECTOR CONTINUED TO SEE LOWER PRODUCTION.

 

THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE SECTOR GREW BY 6.6% IN 3Q 2007, SLOWER THAN THE 8.4% GROWTH IN 2Q 2007. ALTHOUGH NON-OIL RE-EXPORTS STRENGTHENED IN THE QUARTER, RETAIL SALES SAW WEAKER GROWTH.

 

THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE SECTOR MOEDERATED TO 4.8% IN 3Q 2007, FROM 5.3% IN 2Q 2007. HIGHER GROWTH IN THE AIR TRANSPORT SEGMENT WAS OFFSET BY SLOWER GROWTH IN THE WATER TRANSPORT SEGEMENT AFTER LAST QUARTER’S STRONG GROWTH.

 

THE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS SECTOR GREW BY 4.5% FROM 5.3% IN 2Q 2007.

THE AVERAGE OCCUPANCY RATE OF HOTELS CLIMBED TO 89%, A 2.1% RISE OVER 3Q 2006. THE AVERAGE ROOM RATE ALSO GREW BY 22% TO S$204. CONSEQUENTLY, TOTAL HOTEL ROOM REVENUE OF GAZETTED HOTELS ROSE BY 20% IN 3Q 2007 TO AN ESTIMATED S$478 MILLION.

 

THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR ROSE 6.9% IN 3Q 2007, HIGHER THAN THE 6.5% IN 2Q 2007. THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SEGMENT CONTINUED TO ACCOUNT FOR MUCH OF THE GROWTH IN THE SECTOR. IT SERVICES MAINTAINED ITS MODERATE GROWTH LEVEL FROM 2Q 2007.

IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SEGMENT, THE GROWTH OF MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUED TO RISE, RISING BY 20%, UP FROM 18% IN 2Q 2007. INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALL DURATION GREW TO 27%, UP FROM 24% IN 2Q 2007.

 

THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EXPANDED BY 7.1%, SIMILAR TO THE 7.2% GAIN IN 2Q 2007. GROWTH WAS HEALTHY ACROSS ALL SEGMENTS, WITH GOOD PERFORMANCES IN THE BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES, REAL ESTATE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SEGMENTS.

 

NEWS

 

SINGAPORE GROWTH SLOWS TO 6% IN 4Q 2007

 

THE SINGAPORE ECONOMY GREW AT A SLOWER-THAN-EXPECTED 6% GROWTH IN 4Q 2007, WEIGHED DOWN BY DECLINING MANUFACTURING OUTPUT.

 

ECONOMISTS HAD ANTICIPATED GROWTH OF 7.0-8.5% FOR 4Q 2007.

 

THE ESTIMATE FOR REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GROWTH, COMPARED WITH 4Q 2006, MEANT THE GROWTH HAD MODERATED FROM THE REVISED GROWTH FIGURE OF 9% SEEN IN 3Q 2006, THE MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY SAID.

 

ON A QUARTER-ON-QUARTER SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUALISED BASIS, REAL GDP FELL BY 3.2% IN 4Q 2007 COMPARED WITH A 4.4% GAIN IN 3Q 2007, CAUSED BY A SLOWDOWN IN MANFACTURING OUTPUT.

 

THE FIGURE MARKS THE FIRST QUARTER-ON-QUARTER DECLINE SINCE 1Q 2005, ACCORDING TO DATA.

 

GROWTH IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS FORECASTED TO HAVE SLOWED FROM 10.3% IN 3Q 2007 TO 0.5% IN 4Q 2007. IT WAS LARGELY ATTRIBUTED TO A DECLINE IN THE BIOMEDICAL MANUFACTURING CLUSTER AS SOME ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS WERE NOT PRODUCED.

 

TRANSPORT ENGINEERING, WHICH INCLUDES OIL RIG MANUFACTURING AND SHIP REPAIR, CONTINUED TO SHOW DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH, WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR IS PREDICTED TO HAVE GROW STRONGLY BY 24.4% IN 4Q 2007, UP FROM 19.2% IN 3Q 2007.

 

GROWTH IN THE SERVICE SECTOR WAS STEADY AT 8.3%.

 

SINGAPORE’S ECONOMY GREW BY 7.5% IN 2007, MARKING THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEARS OF STRONG GROWTH, PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG SAID IN HIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE.

 

THE FIGURE FOR 2007 ECONOMIC EXPANSION WAS AT THE LOWER END OF THE GOVERNMENT’S UPGRADED FULL-YEAR GROWTH TARGET OF 7.5-8.0%, AND WAS BELOW THE 7.9% GROWTH REGISTERED FOR 2006.

 

MR LEE FORECAST GROWTH OF 4.5-6.5% FOR SINGAPORE IN 2008.


 

OUTLOOK

 

FOR 2008, EXTERNAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAKEN SLIGHTLY COMPARED TO 2007. THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF THE SUB-PRIME PROBLEMS AND AN OVERALL WEAKENING OF THE HOUSING MARKET WILL DAMPEN US CONSUMPTION. EU GROWTH IS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE LOWER AS A STRONG CURRENCY ERODES EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS. HOWEVER, THE FORECAST FOR ASIAN ECONOMIES REMAIN POSITIVE, WITH CHINA EXPECTED TO SUBSTAIN DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH.

 

WITH THESE FACTORS IN MIND, THE MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY PREDICTS THS SINGAPORE ECONOMY TO GROW BY 4.5-6.5% IN 2008. THIS REPRESENTS A MODERATION IN GROWTH TOWARDS THE ECONOMY’S POTENTIAL RATE OF GROWTH, AFTER FOUR YEARS OF ABOVE-TREND GROWTH.

 

THERE ARE SOME DOWNSIDE RISKS. IF THE SUB-PRIME PROBLEMS WORSEN THAN EXPECTED, OR OIL PRICES RISE FURTHER IN 2008, THIS COULD BRING A GREATER-THAN-EXPECTED SLOWDOWN IN US, WHICH WOULD AFFECT THE SINGAPORE ECONOMY.

 

IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 17% OF FIRMS, ESPECIALLY INSURANCE COMPANIES, REMAINS POSITIVE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

 

FIRMS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY EXPECT BUSINESS TO BE BRISK FOR THE

COMING MONTHS, IN PARTICULAR THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS.

 

 

MANUFACTURING FIRMS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 2008. A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 25% OF MANUFACTURERS FORECAST BETTER BUSINESS, SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE 22% REGISTERED BOTH IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND THE SAME PERIOD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

 

WHOLESALERS  GENERALLY REMAIN POSITIVE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS CONDITIONS, WITH A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 24% OF FIRMS BEING OPTIMISTIC FOR THE COMING MONTHS. SEGMENTS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO PERFORM BETTER INCLUDE WHOLESALING OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES, WEARING APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR, COSMETICS AND TOILETRIES, AND HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

 

RETAILERS ANTICIPATES BETTER BUSINESS IN THE COMING MONTHS DUE TO YEAR-END FESTIVE SHOPPING, WITH A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 31% BEING POSITIVE. THE SEGMENTS THAT ARE FORECASTING BRISK BUSINESS IN THE COMING MONTHS INCLUDE DEPARTMENT STORE AND SUPERMARKET OWNERS, WEARING APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR, FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS, AND JEWELLERY AND WATCHES.

 

IN THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 18% OF FIRMS FORECASTS FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR THE COMING MONTHS.

 

HOTELIERS FORESEES A FAVOURABLE BUSINESS OUTLOOK, WITH A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 79% OF FIRMS EXPECTING THEIR BUSINESSES TO RISE IN ANTICIPATION OF HIGHER BANQUET SALES AND INCREASE IN ROOM REVENUE IN VIEW OF THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY. FIRMS IN THE CATERING TRADE INDUSTRY ALSO FORESEES BETTER BUSINESS CONDITIONS.

 

FIRMS IN THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY PREDICTS A HIGHER DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES, WITH A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 5%.

 

IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRY, AN OVERALL NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 33% OF FIRMS EXPECTS POSITIVE SENTIMENTS. THESE INCLUDE ACCOUNTING, BOOK-KEEPING AND AUDITING, ENGINEERING AND SPECIALISED DESIGN SERVICES AS WELL AS TRAVEL AGENCIES.

 

EXTRACTED FROM: MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS

CHANNEL NEWS ASIA

 

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.42.49

UK Pound

1

Rs.84.21

Euro

1

Rs.66.33

 

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

Unfavourable & favourable factors carry similar weight in credit consideration. 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

NR

In view of the lack of information, we have no basis upon which to recommend credit dealings

No Rating

 

 

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