MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

 

Report Date :

11.08.2008

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

SRI TRANG INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

1 Raffles Place #28-03 Oub Centre 048616

 

 

Country :

Singapore

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2007

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

09.04.2002

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

200202922R 

 

 

Legal Form :

Pte Ltd

 

 

Line of Business :

Commodity Brokers and Dealers

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

A

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

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

 

Status :

Good

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Regular

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

 

 

Subject Company   

 

SRI TRANG INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.

 

 

Line Of Business  

 

COMMODITY BROKERS AND DEALERS

 

 

Parent Company    

 

SRI TRANG AGRO-INDUSTRY PUBLIC         

 (PERCENTAGE OF SHAREHOLDINGS: 100.00%)

 

 

Financial Elements

 

                                    FY 2007

                                     COMPANY                              

Sales                            : US$ 546,042,563

Networth                                   : US$  18,418,959

Paid-Up Capital                                     : US$   8,000,000

Net result                      : US$   4,886,598

 

Net Margin(%)                :  0.89

Return on Equity(%)       : 26.53

Leverage Ratio                :  5.53

 

 


 

COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

 

  Subject Company               : SRI TRANG INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.

  Former Name                                             : -

  Business Address              : 1 RAFFLES PLACE

                                                 #28-03 OUB CENTRE

  Town                                                           : SINGAPORE                   

  Postcode                               : 048616

  Country                               : Singapore

  Telephone                           : 6532 5210                    

  Fax                                                                : 6532 7501

  ROC Number                                             : 200202922R                   

 Reg. Town                             : -

 

 

SUMMARY

 

  All amounts in this report are in :  SGD unless otherwise stated

 

Legal Form                             : Pte Ltd

Date Inc.                                 : 09/04/2002

Previous Legal Form             : -

Summary year                                                 : 31/12/2007

Sales                                                               : 546,042,563

Networth                                 : 18,418,959

Capital                                                            : -

Paid-Up Capital                                             : 8,000,000

Employees                              : -

Net result                                : 4,886,598

Share value                             : 1

Auditor                                                            : PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

 

BASED ON ACRA'S

NO. OF SHARES    CURRENCY   AMOUNT

ISSUED ORDINARY     8,000,000                                       USD      8,000,000

PAID-UP ORDINARY        -                                                  USD      8,000,000

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Litigation                                 : No

Company status                      : TRADING            

Started                                                            : 09/04/2002

 


PRINCIPAL(S)

 

SUN SZU-SHU @ SUSAN SUN                      210421556      Director

 

 

DIRECTOR(S)

 

KITICHAI SINCHAROENKUL             Z011946        Director

Appointed on : 09/04/2002

Street :              72 SOI TANOMJIT SUDTHISARN RD

DIN DAENG

Town:                 BANGKOK

Postcode:             10310

Country:              Thailand

 

LEE PAUL SUMADE                    E1011462       Director

Appointed on : 09/10/2003

Street :              5 NEERIM ROAD

CASTLE COVE

Town:                 NSW 2069

Postcode:

Country:              Australia

 

TAN PENG CHIN                      S1269425C      Company Secretary

Appointed on : 09/04/2002

Street :              3 JALAN HARUM

OEI TIONG HAM PARK

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             268477

Country:              Singapore

 

VIYAVOOD SINCHAROENKUL             G5681695Q      Director

Appointed on : 05/09/2002

Street :              95 GRANGE ROAD

#06-10

GRANGE RESIDENCES

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             249616

Country:              Singapore

 

SUN SZU-SHU @ SUSAN SUN            210421556      Director

Appointed on : 01/02/2007

Street :              95 GRANGE ROAD

#06-10

GRANGE RESIDENCES

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             249616

Country:              Singapore

 


FORMER DIRECTOR(S)

 

ANDREW TREVATT                                                            S2723939J

 

PROMSUK SINCHAROENKUL                                         Z025763

 

FRANS ANDREW DE JONG                                               140599406

 

 

ACTIVITY(IES)

 

COMMODITY BROKERS                                                   Code:5000

 

RUBBER BROKERS And DEALERS                                Code:18680

 

BASED ON ACRA'S RECORD

1) COMMODITY BROKERS AND DEALERS

2) WHOLESALE OF RUBBER (INCLUDING RUBBER BROKERS)

 

 

CHARGES

 

 

Date:         01/03/2005

Comments :    CHARGE NO: C200501287, C200501286

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE(S): DBS BANK LTD

 

 

Date:         27/05/2004

Comments :    CHARGE NO: C200402537

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE(S): RAIFFEISEN ZENTRALBANK OESTERREICH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

 

 

Date:         18/08/2003

Comments :    CHARGE NO: C200303977

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE(S): COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A

 

 

Date:         26/05/2006

Comments :    CHARGE NO: C200603327

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE(S): OVERSEA-CHINESE BANKING CORPORATION LTD

 

 

Date:         23/10/2006

Comments :    CHARGE NO: C200607134

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE(S): COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEEBANK B.A.

 

 

PREMISES/PROPERTY INFORMATIONS

 

No Premises/Property Information In Our Databases

 

 

BANKERS

 

DBS BANK LTD.

 

RAIFFEISEN ZENTRALBANK OESTERREICH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

 

COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK BA

 

OVERSEA-CHINESE BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS(S)

 

SRI TRANG AGRO-INDUSTRY PUBLIC                   8,000,000   Company

Street              : 10 SOI 10 PHETKASEM RD

HAT YAI SONGKHLA

Town                                       : -

Postcode         : 90110

Country           : Thailand

 

 

HOLDING COMPANY

 

SRI TRANG AGRO-INDUSTRY PUBLIC          UF25107H        % :  100

 

 

SUBSIDIARY(IES)

 

No Participation In Our Database

 

 

PAYMENT HISTORY AND EXPERIENCES

 

Trade Morality                                                : AVERAGE

Liquidity                                  : SUFFICIENT

Payments                                : REGULAR

Trend                                                              : UPWARD

Financial Situation                 : AVERAGE

 

FINANCIAL ELEMENTS

 

  Audit Qualification:        UNQUALIFIED (CLEAN)         UNQUALIFIED (CLEAN)       

  Date Account Lodged:                 02/04/2008

  Balance Sheet Date:                  31/12/2007                  31/12/2006                 

  Number of weeks:                             52                          52                        

  Consolidation Code:                     COMPANY                     COMPANY                   

 

                         --- ASSETS ---     

 

 

  Preliminary Exp                       2,337,749                   2,174,132                 

  Tangible Fixed Assets:                  344,827                     468,609                   

  Total Fixed Assets:                   2,682,576                   2,642,741

                

  Inventories:                         17,691,730                   7,854,119                

  Receivables:                         71,206,253                  43,828,832                

  Short Term Fin. Assets:              13,400,887                   9,398,855                 

  Cash,Banks, Securitis:               14,576,369                   4,740,117                 

  Other current assets:                   756,341                     823,123                 

  Total Current Assets:               117,631,580                  66,645,046                

 

  TOTAL ASSETS:                       120,314,156                  69,287,787                

 

 

                         --- LIABILITIES ---     

 

  Equity capital:                       8,000,000                   8,000,000                  

  Profit & lost  Account:              10,418,959                   5,532,361                  

  Total Equity:                        18,418,959                  13,532,361  

              

  L/T deffered taxes:                                                 230,020                              

  Other long term Liab.:                  154,963                     242,301                    

  Total L/T Liabilities:                  154,963                     472,321                    

 

  Trade Creditors:                     57,435,154                  24,030,239                 

  Short term liabilities:                  81,903                      77,498                     

  Advanced payments:                      149,549                      90,872                    

  Due to Bank:                         32,406,841                  22,394,995                 

  Provisions:                             362,181                      78,414                              

  Other Short term Liab.:              10,843,875                   8,257,973                  

  Prepay. & Def. charges:                 460,731                     353,114                    

  Total short term Liab.:             101,740,234                  55,283,105                 

 

  TOTAL LIABILITIES:                  101,895,197                  55,755,426                   

 


 

                         --- PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT ---     

 

  Net Sales                           546,042,563                 331,009,737 

  Purchases,Sces & Other Goods:       537,079,847                 325,305,226                           

  Gross Profit:                         8,962,716                   5,704,511                  

  NET RESULT BEFORE TAX:                5,203,438                   3,879,106                  

  Tax :                                   316,840                     403,504                    

  Net income/loss year:                 4,886,598                   3,475,602                  

  Interest Paid:                        1,988,866                   1,388,166                    

  Depreciation:                           130,278                     120,787                    

  Wages and Salaries:                   1,320,854                   1,007,178                    

  Financial Income:                       613,909                     709,646                    

 

 

RATIOS

 

                             31/12/2007                  31/12/2006                 

  Net result / Turnover(%):  0.01                       0.01                      

  Stock / Turnover(%):       0.03                       0.02                      

  Net Margin(%):             0.89                       1.05                      

  Return on Equity(%):       26.53                      25.68                     

  Return on Assets(%):       4.06                       5.02                      

  Net Working capital:       15891346.00                11361941.00               

  Cash Ratio:                0.14                       0.09                      

  Quick Ratio:               0.84                       0.88                      

  Current ratio:             1.16                       1.21                      

  Receivables Turnover:      46.95                      47.67                     

  Leverage Ratio:            5.53                       4.12      

 

              

  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)

  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 DEEMED TO BE FAIR IN VIEW OF THE FOLLOWING:

 

NET WORTH:

THE BALANCE SHEET WAS PASSABLE WITH NET WORTH IMPROVING BY 36.11% AMOUNTING TO USD18,418,959 (2006: USD13,532,361). THIS WAS CONTRIBUTED BY HIGHER RETAINED EARNINGS BROUGHT FORWARD OF USD10,418,959 (2006: USD5,532,361).

 

LEVERAGE:

IN THE SHORT-TERM, SUBJECT WAS LARGELY FINANCED BY TRADE CREDITORS WHICH MADE UP 56.45% (2006: 43.47%) OF THE TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES AND AMOUNTED TO USD57,435,154 (2006: US$24,030,239). THE BREAKDOWN WAS

AS FOLLOWS:

*HOLDING/ RELATED CORPORATION - 2007: USD47,476,107 (2006:

USD18,784,859)

*THIRD PARTIES - 2007: USD9,959,047 (2006: USD5,245,380)

 

LEVERAGE RATIO ROSE TO 5.53 TIMES (2006: 4.12 TIMES) AS A RESULT OF A

MORE THAN PROPORTIONATR RISE IN TOTAL LIABILITIES THAN IN TOTAL

EQUITY. A LOWER RATIO WOULD BE MORE DESIRABLE AS THE LOWER THE RATIO,

THE GREATER THE FINANCIAL SAFETY AND OPERATING FREEDOM FOR THE

COMPANY.

 

LIQUIDITY:

THE OVERALL LIQUIDITY OF THE COMPANY WAS FAIRLY HEALTHY. NET WORKING CAPITAL REGISTERED HIGHER BY 39.86% TO USD15,891,346 (2006: USD11,361,941).

 

BOTH CURRENT AND QUICK RATIOS DIPPED TO 1.16 TIMES (2006: 1.21 TIMES) AND 1.16 TIMES (2006: 1.21 TIMES) RESPECTIVELY.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ROSE SHARPLY BY 2.08 TIMES TO USD 14,576,369

(2006: USD4,740,117) AND COMPRISED OF:

*CASH AT BANK AND ON HAND - 2007: USD4,990,768 (2006: USD4,067,889)

*SHORT-TERM BANK DEPOSITS - 2007: USD9,585,601 (2006: USD672,228)

 

PROFITABILITY:

REVENUE FOR FY2007 REGISTERED HIGHER BY 64.96%, TOTALLING USD546,042,563 (2006: USD331,009,737). NET INCOME ALSO ROSE BY 40.60%, ACCOUNTING FOR USD4,886,598 (2006: USD3,475,602). HOWEVER, NET MARGIN DROPPED TO 0.89% (2006: 1.05%).

 

DEBT SERVICING:

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

 

THE AVERAGE COLLECTION PERIOD WAS RELATIVELY THE SAME FOR BOTH YEARS AT 47 DAYS (2006: 48 DAYS).

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE CLASSIFIED UNDER PRELIMINARY:

*CLUB MEMBERSHIPS - 2007: USD337,228 (2006: USD174,132)

*DEFERRED TAXATION ASSET - 2007: USD521 (2006: NIL)

*SUBORDINATED DEBTS - 2007: USD2,000,000 (2006: USD2,000,000)

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

THE COMPANY IS OBLIGED TO MEET ANY LIABILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH

RULE 702 OF THE EXCHANGE'S RULES AND REGULATIONS SHOULD ANY CLEARING

MEMBER BECOME INSOLVENT AND UNABLE TO PAY FOR ITS LOSSES TO THE

EXCHANGE UPON EXHAUSTING ALL THE FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE SAME RULE.

 

BACKGROUND/OPERATION

 

THE COMPANY WAS INCORPORATED IN THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ON 09/04/2002 AS A LIMITED PRIVATE COMPANY AND IS TRADING UNDER ITS PRESENT NAMESTYLE AS "SRI TRANG INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.".

 

THE COMPANY HAS AN ISSUED AND PAID-UP CAPITAL OF 8,000,000 SHARES OF A VALUE OF US$8,000,000.

 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

SUBJECT IS REGISTERED WITH THE ACCOUNTING & CORPORATE REGULATORY

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

1) COMMODITY BROKERS AND DEALERS

2) WHOLESALE OF RUBBER (INCLUDING RUBBER BROKERS)

 

THE COMPANY IS LISTED IN THE SINGAPORE LOCAL DIRECTORY UNDER THE CLASSIFICATION OF: RUBBER BROKERS & DEALERS.

 

DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR(S), UNDER REVIEW, THE PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY OF THE COMPANY IS THE TRADING OF RUBBER INCLUDING RUBBER FUTURES AND OTHER DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS.

 

FROM THE RESEARCH DONE, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS GATHERED:

 

SUBJECT ENGAGES IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITY:

* TRADING AND SUPPLIER OF NATURAL RUBBER TO THE CONSUMING INDUSTRIES

 

PRODUCTS (HOLDING COMPANY):

* TSR/CV BLOCK RUBBER

* RIBBED SMOKED SHEETS (RSS)

* CONCENTRATED LATEX

* MEDICAL EXAMINATION GLOVES

* RUBBER AND PLASTIC PARTS

* HIGH-PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSES

* ESCALATOR HANDRAILS

 

FROM THE TELE-INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, THE FOLLOWING WAS GATHERED:

 

SUBJECT ENGAGES IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITY:

* TRADING OF RAW RUBBER

 

SUBJECT SUPPLIES TO BOTH LOCAL SINGAPORE AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET.

 

IMPORT COUNTRIES:

* WORLDWIDE (E.G. INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA)

 

EXPORT COUNTRIES:

* WORLDWIDE (E.G. JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE)

 

NO OTHER TRADE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE


 

THE COMPANY'S IMMEDIATE AND ULTIMATE HOLDING CORPORATION IS SRI TRANG

AGRO-INDUSTRY PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED, INCORPORATED IN THAILAND.

 

REGISTERED ADDRESS:

30 RAFFLES PLACE

#11-00

CALTEX HOUSE

SINGAPORE 048622

DATE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS: 23/05/2005

 

BUSINESS ADDRESS:

1 RAFFLES PLACE

#28-03 OUB CENTRE

SINGAPORE 048616

- OFFICE

- RENTED PREMISE

- PREMISE OWNED BY: OUB CENTRE LTD

 

WEBSITE:

http://www.sritranggroup.com (HOLDING COMPANY'S WEBSITE)

http://www.sritranggroup.com/sti/index.php?lang=EN

 

E-MAIL           :

sti@sritranggroup.com

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

THE DIRECTORS AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT ARE:

 

1) SUN SZU-SHU @ SUSAN SUN, A TAIWANESE

- BASED IN SINGAPORE

 

2) LEE PAUL SUMADE, AN AUSTRALIAN

- BASED IN AUSTRALIA

 

3) VIYAVOOD SINCHAROENKUL, A THAI

- BASED IN SINGAPORE

 

4) KITICHAI SINCHAROENKUL, A THAI

- BASED IN THAILAND

 


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

 

WEAKNESSES

 


 

OVERVIEW OF SINGAPORE

 

PAST PERFORMANCE

 

SINGAPORE’S ECONOMY GREW BY 5.4% IN 4Q 2007, SLOWER THAN THE 9.5% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007. GROW MOMENTUM WAS LED BY CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES. FOR THE WHOLE OF 2007, THE ECONOMY GREW BY 7.7%, DOWN FROM 8.2% IN 2006.

 

THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 0.2% IN 4Q 2007, SLOWER THAN THE 11.0% IN 3Q 2007. THE SMALL GROWTH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A 28.0% CONTRACTION IN THE BIOMEDICAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR. ON THE OTHER HAND, ELECTRONICS, CHEMICALS, PRECISION ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORT ENGINEERING SECTOR  PERFORMED BETTER. OVERALL, THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR POSTED A 5.8% GROWTH IN 2007, DOWN FROM 12.0% IN 2006.

 

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY BY 16% IN 4Q 2007, FOLLOWING A 20% GROWTH IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. MOST SECTORS EXPERIENCE STRONG EXPANSION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF STOCK BROKING AND FUND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE SLOWED DOWN. OVERALL, THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR POSTED A 17% GROWTH IN 2007, HIGHER THAN 11.0% IN 2006.

 

THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR REGISTERED A STRONG GROWTH. THE SECTOR GREW BY 24%, FOLLOWING 20% GAIN IN 3Q 2007. GROWTH MOMENTUM FOR THE WHOLE YEAR GREW 20%, ITS FASTEST GROWTH SINCE 1996.

 

THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE SECTOR GREW BY 6.0% IN 4Q 2007, SLOWER THAN THE 6.8% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007. NON-OIL RE-EXPORTS SAW GROWTH REDUCED FROM 9.0% IN 3Q 2007 TO 7.0% IN 4Q 2007. RETAIL SALES FELL BY 2.5% IN 4Q 2007, FOLLOWING A 1.5% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007. OVERALL, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE SECTOR POSTED A 7.3% GROWTH IN 2007, DOWN FROM 10.0% IN 2006.

 

THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE SECTOR ROSE BY 5.4% IN 4Q 2007, FROM 5.0% IN 3Q 2007. HIGHER GROWTH IN THE SEA TRANSPORT SEGMENT WAS OFFSET BY SLOWER GROWTH IN THE AIR TRANSPORT SEGEMENT. OVERALL, THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE SECTOR POSTED A 5.1% GROWTH IN 2007, UP FROM 4.7% IN 2006.

 

THE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS SECTOR GREW BY A SMALLER 2.5% FROM 4.9% IN 3Q 2007. VISITOR ARRIVALS ROSE 5.5% IN 4Q 2007, SIMILAR TO 5.4% RISE IN 3Q 2007. HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE OCCUPANCY RATE OF HOTELS DIPPED TO 86.0% IN 4Q 2007 FROM 88.0% IN 4Q 2006. VISITOR ARRIVALS ROSE 5.4% TO REACH A RECORD OF 10.3 MILLION IN 2007. OVERALL, THE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS SECTOR POSTED A 4.4% GROWTH IN 2007, DOWN FROM 4.8% IN 2006.

 

THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR ROSE 6.1% IN 4Q 2007, SLIGHTLY SLOWER THAN THE 6.6% IN 3Q 2007. BOTH THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND IT SERVICES SEGMENTS REMAINED HEALTHY DURING THE QUARTER. FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SEGMENT, THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS DURATION AND NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS FOR BOTH MOBILE PHONE SERVICE AND BROADBAND INTERNET REMAINED STRONG. OVERALL, THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR POSTED A 6.3% GROWTH IN 2007, UP FROM 4.6% IN 2006.

 

THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EXPANDED BY 8.7%, HIGHER THAN THE 7.5% GAIN IN 3Q 2007. GROWTH WAS HEALTHY ACROSS ALL SEGMENTS, WITH GOOD PERFORMANCES IN THE BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES AND REAL ESTATE SEGMENTS. OVERALL, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR POSTED A 7.8% GROWTH IN 2007, UP FROM 6.9% IN 2006.

 


NEWS

 

SINGAPORE ECONOMY GROWS 7.2% ON STRONG SHOWING IN MANUFACTURING

 

SINGAPORE’S ECONOMY TURNED OUT TO BE SURPRISINGLY RESLIENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, EASILY BEATING MARKET EXPECTATIONS WITH STRONG GROWTH OF 7.2%.

 

THE ADVANCE ESTIMATES ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (MTI) REPORTED YESTERDAY WERE A MARKED IMPROVEMENT OVER THE 5.4% POSTED IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. EARLIER REPORTS HAD SUGGESTED MARKET EXPECTATIONS OF 5.9% GROWTH. ON A SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUALISED BASIS, THE ECONOMY GREW AT A BREAKNECK RATE OF 16.9% QUARTER-ON-QUARTER. IT SHRANK 4.8% IN 4Q 2007.

 

HOWEVER, ECONOMISTS DO NOT BELIEVE THE STRONG PERFORMANCE SIGNIFIES AN UPTREND FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THEY POINT TO A POTENTIAL RECESSION IN THE UNITED STATES AND RISING GLOBAL INFLATION.

 

MANUFACTURING AND SERVICES WERE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED FIRST QUARTER GROWTH.

 

MANUFACTURING IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE EXPANDED BY 13.2% IN THE FIRST QUARTER, COMPARED TO A SMAL 0.2% RISE IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS. IT WAS ALSO CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THE 3.9% REGISTERED IN 1Q 2007.

THIS WAS LARGELY DUE TO A SURGE IN BIOMEDICAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT. THE REST OF THE MANUFACTURING CLUSTERS ALSO ENJOYED BETTER PERFORMANCES

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TRANSPORT ENGINEERING AND PRECISION ENGINEERING CLUSTER WHO ENJOY MODERATE GROWTH.

 

SERVICES INDUSTRIES GROW 7.6%, SIMILAR TO THE 7.7% IN 4Q 2007 AS WELL AS IN 1Q 2007. FINANCIAL SERVICES CONTINUED TO BE THE FASTEST-GROWING AMONG THE SERVICES SECTORS.

 

HOWEVER, THE FIGURE FOR THE SLOWING CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WAS LESS ROSY WITH GROWTH SLIPPING TO 14.6% FROM 24.3% IN 4Q 2007.

 

UNITED OVERSEAS BANK ECONOMIST HO WOEI CHEN SAID THIS WAS DISAPPOINTING,

AFTER THREE QUARTERS OF GROWTH ABOVE 20.0%. BUT SHE STILL EXPECTED THE SECTOR TO CONTRIBUTE TO GROWTH THIS YEAR, ON THE BACK OF INFRASTRCTURE PROJECTS SUCH AS THE INTEGRATED RESORTS AND THE PROPOSED SPORTS HUB IN KALLANG.

 

ECONOMISTS WERE SURPRISED BY WHAT THEY SAID AMOUNTED TO A CONTRACTION IN THE INDUSTRY BUT THEY REMAINED CONFIDENT THAT GROWTH WAS STILL HEALTHY AND IN LINE WITH THEIR FORECASTS FOR THE YEAR, WHICH RANGED FROM 10.0%

TO 25.0%.

 

CIMG-GK ECONOMIST SOGN SENG WUN SAID THAT RISING INFLATION, ESPECIALLY FOR FOOD PRICES, WILL BE A MAJOR CONCERN. “PEOPLE ARE FOCUSING ON ISSUES SUCH AS THE RISING PRICE OF RICE AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD PERSIST FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR”.

 

NONE OF THE ECONOMISTS INTERVIEWED REVISE FULL-YEAR GROWTH FORECASTS WHICH RANGE FROM 4.7% TO 5.5%. MTI HAS FORECAST A RANGE OF 4.0% TO 6.0% FOR THE YEAR.

 


OUTLOOK

 

AFTER THE LAST REVIEW IN NOVEMBER 2007, THE OUTLOOK FOR EXTERNAL DEMAND IN 2008 HAS WORSENED AND THERE ARE INCREASED DOWNSIDE RISKS.

COMPARED TO THE FORECAST THREE MONTHS AGO, THERE IS BROAD CONSENSUS NOW THAT THE US ECONOMY IS ENTERING A SLOWDOWN. THE LENGTH AND SEVERITY OF THE SLOWDOWN REMAINS TO BE SEEN, AND IT WILL AFFECT COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE AND KEY INDUSTRIES.

 

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE RISE IN DOWNSIDE RISKS, THE MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY LOWERED THE ECONOMIC FORECAST FOR THE SINGAPORE ECONOMY TO GROW BY 4.0-6.0% IN 2008, DOWN FROM THE GROWTH FORECAST OF 4.5-6.5% EARLIER.

 

CURRENT CONDITIONS INDICATE THAT THE US ECONOMY WILL LIKELY ENTER A MILD RECESSION IN THE FIRST HALF BUT ITS STRONG FUNDAMENTALS, COUPLED WITH FISCAL AND MONETARY STIMULUS, WILL ASSIST TO SUPPORT RECOVERY IN THE SECOND HALF. REGIONAL ECONOMIES WILL HAVE MODERATE BUT HEALTHY GROWTH. SINGAPORE’S GDP GROWTH WILL THEN BE IN THE UPPER HALF OF THE FORECAST RANGE. HOWEVER, IF THE US FALLS INTO A MORE SEVERE RECESSION, THE REGION WILL BE MORE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED. THE IMPACT ON THE SINGAPORE ECONOMY WILL ALSO BE STRONGER, PARTICULARLY IN THE SENTIMENT-SENSITIVE AND EXPORT-ORIENTED SECTORS LIKE FINANCIAL SERVICES, WHOLESALE TRADE AND ELECTRONICS. IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, THE SINGAPORE ECONOMY WILL GROW AT A SLOWER PACE, NEARER THE LOWER END OF THE FORECAST RANGE.

 

IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 19% OF FIRMS, ESPECIALLY INSURANCE COMPANIES AND FIRMS PROVIDING CREDIT CARD SERVICES, REMAINS POSITIVE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

 

IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 17% OF FIRMS,

EXPECT BUSINESS TO BE BRISK FOR THE COMING MONTHS.

 

MANUFACTURING FIRMS ARE CAUTIOUS ABOUT BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 2008. A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 2% OF MANUFACTURERS FORECAST BETTER BUSINESS, LOWER THAN THE 7% REGISTERED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR AND THE 25% RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

 

GENERALLY, WHOLESALERS ARE POSITIVE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN THE COMING MONTHS, WITH A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 4% OF FIRMS EXPRESSING POSITIVE BUSINESS SENTIMENTS. THE MAJORITY OF WHOLESALERS OF PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND COMPUTERS AND ACCESSORIES FORECAST BUSINESS OUTLOOK TO REMAIN THE SAME IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2008 COMPARED WITH THE LAST SIX MONTHS IN 2007.

 

A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 12% OF RETAILERS PREDICTS LESS FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 2008. AS A RESULT OF THE REDUCED CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT (COE) QUOTA, MOTOR VEHICLES RETAILERS ARE ESPECIALLY CONCERNED WITH THE SALES.

 

IN THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 5% OF FIRMS FORECASTS LESS FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR THE COMING MONTHS.

 

IN THE SERVICES INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 8% OF FIRMS,

EXPECT BUSINESS TO BE BRISK FOR THE COMING MONTHS. THIS IS SMALLER THAN THE 18% REGISTERED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR AND THE 23% RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. HOTELIERS REMAIN BULLISH ON BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR THE COMING MONTHS, WITH A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 35% OF HOTELIERS EXPECTING THEIR BUSINESSES TO RISE IN ANTICIPATION OF EXPECTED INCREASES IN ROOM RATES AND HIGHER OCCUPANCY RATES. IN THE CATERING TRADE INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 27% OF CATERERS ANTICIPATES MORE FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CONDITIONS.

 

IN THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY, A NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 9% OF FIRMS PREDICTS A HIGHER DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES, IN PARTICULAR THE NETWORK OPERATORS.

 

IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRY, AN OVERALL NET WEIGHTED BALANCE OF 19% OF FIRMS EXPECTS POSITIVE SENTIMENTS. THESE INCLUDE ACCOUNTING, BOOK-KEEPING AND AUDITING, RENTING OF CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND RENTING OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.

 

EXTRACTED FROM: MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS

THE STRAITS TIMES

 

 

 

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.42.20

UK Pound

1

Rs.81.48

Euro

1

Rs.64.27

 

 

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