MIRA INFORM REPORT

Report Date :

06.06.2008

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

Name :	EASTLAND PRODUCE PTE. LTD.

Registered Office :	^{36 A/B Circular Road}, ^{Postcode 049392}

Country :	^Singapore

Date of Incorporation :	^18/10/1985

Com. Reg. No.:	^198502183W

Legal Form :	^{Exempt Pte Ltd}

Line of Business :	Dealer of Rubber Products

RATING & COMMENTS

MIRA’s Rating :

RATING		STATUS	PROPOSED CREDIT LINE
26-40	B	Unfavourable & favourable factors carry similar weight in credit consideration. Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.	Small

Status :	Small Company

Payment Behaviour :	Regular

Litigation :	Clear

NAME

EASTLAND PRODUCE PTE. LTD.

Line Of Business

DEALER OF RUBBER PRODUCTS

Parent Company

---

Financial Elements

Sales : -

Networth : -

Paid-Up Capital : S$3,000,000

Net result : -

Net Margin(%) : -

Return on Equity(%) : -

Leverage Ratio : -

COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

^{Subject Company
: EASTLAND
PRODUCE PTE. LTD.}

^{Former Name -}

^{Business
Address: 36A/B CIRCULAR ROAD}

^{Town SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode 049392}

^{County -}

^{Country Singapore}

^{Telephone 65383338/65382838}

^{Fax 6538
1051}

^{ROC Number 198502183W}

^{Reg. Town : -}

SUMMARY

^{All amounts in
this report are in: SGD}

^{Legal Form : Exempt Pte Ltd}

^{Date Inc. :
18/10/1985}

^{Previous Legal
Form}

^{Summary year}

^Sales

^Capital

^{Paid-Up
Capital: 3,000,000}

^{Employees 12}

^{Net result :}

^{Share value}

^{AUDITOR: JEE AH
CHIAN & COMPANY}

REFERENCES

^{Litigation :
No}

^{Company
status : TRADING}

^{Started :
18/10/1985}

PRINCIPAL(S)

^{CHUA LEE
HUAN S0183053H Director}

DIRECTOR(S)

^{CHUA LEE
HUAN S0183053H Director}

^{Appointed on :
01/01/2001}

^{Street : 20 BEDOK SOUTH ROAD}

^#19-35

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 460020}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{CHUA LIAN
SENG S0605317C Director}

^{Appointed on :
30/06/1990}

^{Street : 299 JOO CHIAT PLACE}

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 427980}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{KOH AI PENG
AMY S1593569C Company Secretary}

^{Appointed on :
05/05/2004}

^{Street : 6 TOH YI DRIVE}

^#08-243

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 590006}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{DENIS CHUA KHENG
HEE S1754436E Director}

^{Appointed on :
01/01/2001}

^{Street : 109 LORONG K TELOK KURAU}

^{KELSO GARDENS}

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 425744}

^{Country: Singapore}

FORMER DIRECTOR(S)

^{LEE CHING TIAT S0064685G}

ACTIVITY(IES)

^{RUBBER BROKERS
And DEALERS Code:18680}

^{RUBBER
PRODUCTS Code:18720}

^{AGRICULTURAL
MARKETING
Code:370}

^{BASED ON ACRA'S
RECORD AS AT}

^{1) WHOLESALE OF
RUBBER (INCLUDING RUBBER BROKERS)}

^{2) MANUFACTURE OF
INDUSTRIAL AND MECHANICAL RUBBER GOODS}

CHARGES

No Charges On Premises/Property In Our Database

PREMISES/PROPERTY INFORMATIONS

No Premises/Property Information In Our Databases

SHAREHOLDERS(S)

^{CHUA LIAN
SENG
1,701,204 Private Person}

^{Street : 299 JOO CHIAT PLACE}

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 427980}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{25,642 Unknow}

^{Street :}

^Town:

^Postcode:

^{Country: Singapore}

^{CHUA LEE
HUAN
176,466 Private Person}

^{Street : 20 BEDOK SOUTH ROAD}

^#19-35

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 460020}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{DATUK YEO KIAM
YAM @ YEO KIAN YAM
176,466 Private Person}

^{Street : 87 JALAN KG HULU}

^{Town: MALACCA}

^Postcode:

^{Country: Malaysia}

^{YAM KENG
FONG
705,864 Private Person}

^{Street : 299 JOO CHIAT PLACE}

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 427980}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{CHUA KHENG NEE
PAUL 120,000 Private Person}

^{Street : 846 SIMS AVENUE}

^#17-748

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 400846}

^{Country: Singapore}

^{DENIS CHUA KHENG
HEE 120,000 Private Person}

^{Street : 109 LORONG K TELOK KURAU}

^{KELSO GARDENS}

^{Town: SINGAPORE}

^{Postcode: 425744}

^{Country: Singapore}

FORMER SHAREHOLDER(S)

^{LEE CHING
TIAT 20,512}

^{NG YAN HUAN
38,460}

^{TEO SIEW ANN
120,512}

^{YEO TIONG
HWEE
12,820}

^{YEO GIN KEOW 17,948}

^{YANG CHIEN
CHU
25,642}

^{YEO KIAN
LEONG
25,642}

^{YEO TIOW
TIONG
25,642}

^{NG KHENG BIN 12,820}

^{LEE HOCK
SOON
7,692}

^{NG KHENG WEE
12,820}

^{LIANG LAY
PENG
12,820}

^{LAU KENG
SENG
25,642}

^{TECK HUAT RUBBER
SB 38,460}

^{TJIAT SENG &
CO PL
25,642}

SUBSIDIARY(IES)

No Participation In Our Database

PAYMENT HISTORY AND EXPERIENCES

^{Trade Morality: AVERAGE}

^{Liquidity : UNKNOWN}

^{Payments : REGULAR}

^{Trend : LEVEL}

^{Financial
Situation: UNKNOWN}

FINANCIAL COMMENTS

^{LIMITED EXEMPT
PRIVATE COMPANY:}

^{WHERE THE SHARES
OF A PRIVATE COMPANY ARE NOT OWNED BY ANY CORPORATE} ^{BODY AND THERE ARE NO MORE THAN 20
MEMBERS, THE PRIVATE COMPANY} ^{IS KNOWN AS AN EXEMPT PRIVATE COMPANY.}

^{AN EXEMPT PRIVATE
COMPANY ENJOYS A GREATER AMOUNT OF PRIVACY THAN A} ^{PRIVATE COMPANY. IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO
FILE ACCOUNTS WITH THE} ^{REGISTRAR IF IT CAN PRODUCE A CERTIFICATE
SIGNED BY ONE OF ITS} ^{DIRECTORS, SECRETARY AND AUDITOR CONFIRMING THE
FOLLOWING POINTS:}

^{1. THE COMPANY IS
AN EXEMPT PRIVATE COMPANY.}

^{2. THE AUDITED
ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN TABLED BEFORE THE SHAREHOLDERS}

^{AT THE ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING.}

^{3. THE COMPANY IS
ABLE TO MEET ITS LIABILITIES.}

^{THERE IS THEREFORE
NO DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC OF THE ACCOUNTS} ^{OF THE COMPANY ALTHOUGH THE ACCOUNTS STILL HAVE TO BE AUDITED} ^{EVERY YEAR AND APPROVED AT AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE} ^COMPANY.

^{A PRIVATE COMPANY
THAT IS WHOLLY OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT MAY} ^{BECOME AN EXEMPT PRIVATE COMPANY IF THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE, IN
THE} ^{NATIONAL INTEREST, DECLARES IT TO BE SUCH BY A GAZETTE
NOTIFICATION.}

EXEMPT FROM AUDIT

^{AN EXEMPT PRIVATE
COMPANY IS EXEMPT FROM AUDIT REQUIREMENTS IF THE} ^{STARTING DATE OF ITS FINANCIAL YEAR IS
BETWEEN 15 MAY 2003 AND 31 MAY} ^{2004 AND ITS TURNOVER FOR THAT
FINANCIAL YEAR DOES NOT EXCEED $2.5} ^{MILLION. FOR FINANCIAL YEARS
STARTING 1 JUNE 2004, THE AMOUNT OF THE} ^{TURNOVER HAS BEEN RAISED TO
$5 MILLION. THESE COMPANIES ARE STILL} ^{REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN PROPER
ACCOUNTING.}

BACKGROUND/OPERATION

^{THE COMPANY WAS
INCORPORATED IN THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ON} ^{18/10/1985 AS A LIMITED EXEMPT PRIVATE
COMPANY AND IS TRADING UNDER} ^{ITS PRESENT NAMESTYLE AS "EASTLAND
PRODUCE PTE. LTD.".}

^{AS AT 02/06/2008,
THE COMPANY HAS ISSUED AND PAID-UP CAPITAL OF} ^{3,000,000 SHARES OF A VALUE OF
S$3,000,000.}

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

^{SUBJECT IS
REGISTERED WITH THE ACCOUNTING AND CORPORATE REGULATORY} ^{AUTHORITY (ACRA) AND BE PRINCIPALLY
ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF:}

^{1) WHOLESALE OF
RUBBER (INCLUDING RUBBER BROKERS)}

^{2) MANUFACTURE OF
INDUSTRIAL AND MECHANICAL RUBBER GOODS}

^{FROM THE RESEARCH
DONE, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS GATHERED:}

^{SUBJECT IS LISTED
ON THE LOCAL DIRECTORIES UNDER THE CATEGORY OF} ^{"TRADING COMPANIES"}

^{SUBJECT ENGAGES
IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:}

^{* TRADING RUBBER
AND OTHER COMMODITIES, INCLUDING PEPPER, COFFEE,}

^{CORN, AND TAPIOCA
CHIPS}

^{* CORE BUSINESS
IS IN THE TRADING OF NATURAL RUBBER}

^{* AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITIES - TIMBER}

^{PRODUCT
DEALINGS/SERVICES:}

^{* RSS (RUBBER
RIBBED SMOKED SHEETS)}

^{* TSR}

^{* NATURAL RUBBER
(NR)}

^{* RUBBER
(9006-04-6)}

^{* RUBBER PRODUCTS}

^{IMPORT COUNTRIES:}

^{* THAILAND}

^{* INDONESIA}

^{* MALAYSIA}

^{* VIETNAM}

^{* CAMBODIA}

MARKET

^{* WORLD'S MAJOR
TYRE MANUFACTURERS INCLUDING CHINA TYRE MANUFACTURERS}

^{SUBJECT IS A
MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES:}

^{* SINGAPORE
COMMODITY EXCHANGE LIMITED}

^{FROM THE
TELE-INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, THE FOLLOWING}

^{INFORMATION WAS
OBTAINED:}

^{SUBJECT ENGAGES
IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:}

^{* DEALER OF
RUBBER PRODUCTS}

^{* WHOLESALE}

^{IMPORT COUNTRIES:}

^{* ASIA REGION}

^MARKETS:

^{* EXPORT
COUNTRIES: ASIA REGION}

^{* LOCAL MARKET:
SINGAPORE}

^{NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES:}

^{* 12}

^{NO OTHER TRADE
INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON 06/06/2008.}

^{REGISTERED
ADDRESS:}

^{36A CIRCULAR ROAD}

^{SINGAPORE 049392}

^{DATE OF CHANGE OF
ADDRESS: 30/06/1992}

^{BUSINESS ADDRESS:}

^{36A/B CIRCULAR
ROAD}

^{SINGAPORE 049392}

^{- RENTED PREMISE}

^{- OWNED BY:
TRANSWORLD RUBBER PTE LTD (36A)}

^WEBSITE:

^EMAIL:

^{tradex@pacific.net.sg}

^{mochua@singnet.com.sg}

^{elp@pacific.net.sg}

MANAGEMENT

^{THE DIRECTORS AT
THE TIME OF THIS REPORT ARE:}

^{1) CHUA LEE HUAN,
A SINGAPOREAN}

^{- HOLDS NO OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE.}

^{2) CHUA LIAN
SENG, A SINGAPOREAN}

^{- HOLDS NO OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE.}

^{3) DENIS CHUA
KHENG HEE, A SINGAPOREAN}

^{- HOLDS NO OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE.}

ADVERSE ON DIRECTORS

^{DIRECTOR'S NAME:
CHUA LEE HUAN}

^{ADVERSE REPORT
AGAINST DIRECTOR: NOT AVAILABLE FROM OUR DATABASE}

^{PROPERTY
OWNERSHIP: OWNS 1}

^{ANNUAL VALUE:
S$6,600}

^{CO-OWNER (S): NIL}

^{DIRECTOR'S NAME:
CHUA LIAN SENG}

^{ADVERSE REPORT
AGAINST DIRECTOR: NOT AVAILABLE FROM OUR DATABASE}

^{PROPERTY
OWNERSHIP: OWNS 1}

^{ANNUAL VALUE:
S$26,400}

^{CO-OWNER (S): YAM
KENG FONG}

^{DIRECTOR'S NAME:
DENIS CHUA KHENG HEE}

^{ADVERSE REPORT
AGAINST DIRECTOR: NOT AVAILABLE FROM OUR DATABASE}

^{PROPERTY
OWNERSHIP: OWNS 1}

^{ANNUAL VALUE:
S$12,000}

^{CO-OWNER (S):
CHUA CHOON LIAN}

^{* ANNUAL VALUE IS
THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL RENT THE PROPERTY CAN FETCH} ^{IF IT WERE RENTED OUT. THE ANNUAL VALUE
IS DETERMINED IN THE SAME} ^{MANNER REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE PROPERTY
IS LET-OUT, OWNER-OCCUPIED} ^{OR VACANT.}

Singapore’s Country Rating 2007

Rating: A1

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.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE SECTOR

PAST PERFORMANCE

THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE SECTOR GREW BY 6.0% IN 4Q 2007, SLOWER THAN THE 6.8% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007. RETAIL SALES FELL BY 2.5%, FOLLOWING A 1.5% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007.

DOMESTIC WHOLESALE TRADE INDEX

THE OVERALL DOMESTIC WHOLESALE TRADE ROSE BY 22.2% IN 4Q 2007 OVER 4Q 2006.

EXCLUDING PETROLEUM, DOMESTIC SALES GREW BY 4.8%.

THE RISE IN THE OVERALL INDEX WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER SALES OF PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (47.3%), TIMBER, PAINTS AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (29.8%). OTHER WHOLESALE SEGMENTS THAT REPORTED DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH WERE WHOLESALING OF GENERAL WHOLESALE TRADE, HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE AND CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WHOLESALE SEGMENT THAT REPORTED LOWER SALES WERE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-35.8%).

AT CONSTANT PRICES, THE OVERALL DOMESTIC WHOLESALE TRADE ROSE BY 1.6% IN 4Q 2007 OVER 4Q 2006. EXCLUDING PETROLEUM, DOMESTIC SALES ROSE SLIGHTLY BY 0.2%.

ON A QUARTER-OVER-QUARTER BASIS, THE OVERALL DOMESTIC WHOLESALE TRADE IN 4Q 2007 ROSE BY 7.1% OVER 3Q 2007. EXCLUDING PETROLEUM, DOMESTIC SALES CONTRACTED BY 2.9%.

THE MAJORTIY OF THE WHOLESALE SECTORS RECORDED HIGHER DOMESTIC SALES IN 4Q 2007 OVER PREVIOUS QUARTER. PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS EXPANDED BY 20.0%. GENERAL WHOLESALE TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY ALSO REGISTERED

DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH OVER PREVIOUS QUARTER.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES OF FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FELL IN 4Q 2007 OVER 3Q 2007.

FOREIGN WHOLESALE TRADE INDEX

THE OVERALL FOREIGN WHOLESALE TRADE FOR 4Q 2007 ROSE BY 27.0%, IN COMPARISON TO 4Q 2006. EXCLUDING PETROLEUM, IT EXPANDED BY 15.3%

MOST OF THE SECTORS REPORTED HIGHER SALES. DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH RATES FOR OVERSEAS SALES WERE RECORDED BY FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO (40.6%) PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (39.9%) SHIP CHANDLERS AND BUNKERING (24.3%) INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY (18.2%) CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (16.4%) ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (12.1%) TIMBER, PAINT AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (11.1%).

ON THE OTHER HAND, OVERSEAS SALES OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTERS FELL BY 2.8%

IN 4Q 2007 OVER 4Q 2006.

AT CONSTANT PRICES, THE OVERALL INDEX ROSE BY 11.5% IN 4Q 2007 OVER 4Q 2006.

EXCLUDING PETROLEUM, FOREIGN WHOLESALE TRADE GREW BY 15.1%.

ON A QUARTER-OVER-QUARTER BASIS, THE OVERALL FOREIGN WHOLESALE TRADE IN 4Q 2007 ROSE BY 11.7% OVER 3Q 2007. EXCLUDING PETROLEUM, IT GREW BY 6.0%.

ALL WHOLESALE SECTORS RECORDED BETTER BUSINESS IN 4Q 2007 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS SECTOR. THOSE SECTORS THAT REGISTERED DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH WERE WHOLESALE SECTORS OF PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTERS, INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS.

RETAIL TRADE

THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES CONTRACTED BY 2.5%, IN CONTRAST TO THE 1.5% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007. THE SECTOR THAT RECORDED THE LARGEST DECLINE WERE MOTOR VEHICLES, FOLLOWED BY PROVISION AND SUNDRY SHOPS, FOOD AND BEVERAGES, WATCHES AND JEWELLERY AND MEDICAL GOODS AND TOILETRIES. EXCLUDING MOTOR VEHICLES, RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 5.2%, A DECLINE FROM THE 6.O% GROWTH IN 3Q 2007.

NEWS

SURPRISING DROP IN RETAIL SALES

RETAIL SALES FELL UNEXPECTEDLY IN FEBRUARY, THE FIRST TIME IN SEVEN MONTHS, AS INFLATION HIT 26 YEAR HIGHS AND WORRIES GREW ABOUT THE WORLD ECONOMY. SHOPS, SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER RETAILERS SAW REVENUES FELL 1.3% FROM A YEAR EARLIER, AS CAR SALES DECLINED 10.6% AND FOOD AND BEVERAGES SALES PLUNGED 21.8%.

THE OVERALL CONTRACTION BY THE SECTOR WOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER IF NOT FOR MUCH HIGHER PRICES THIS YEAR. IN CONSTANT PRICES TERMS, SALES FELL 5.7%. THIS IS THE WORST READING SINCE THE 5.0% DECLINE IN MARCH 2007, IF ONE WERE TO IGNORE THE 2.0% CONTRACTION IN JULY THAT WAS DUE TO THE HIKE IN THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX,” SAID HSBC ECONOMIST PRAKRITI SOFAT.

ANALYSTS SAID RISING LIVING COSTS AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE ECONOMY WOULD AFFECT SINGAPORE CONSUMER’S SPENDING THIS YEAR. MANY, HOWEVER, REMAIN LARGELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE DOMESTIC RETAIL SCENE, SAYING THE POOR FEBRUARY SHOWING COULD BE A STATISTICAL BLIP.

DOMESTIC DEMAND CONDITIONS REMAIN POSITIVE, HELPED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS GIVING CASH FROM LAST YEAR’S SURPLUS TO THE WHOLE POPULATION AND ISSUING FOOD VOUCHERS TO THE POOR. “LOW INTEREST RATES AND A HEALHY JOBS MARKET SHOULD KEEP SPENDING FIRM,” SAID HSBC’S MS SOFAT. SHE ADDED THAT FEBRUARY’S DECLINE WAS DUE LARGELY TO A HIGH BASE SET THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND PREDICTED THAT MARCH SALES WOULD BOUNCE BACK WITH A 15.0% SURGE. ALSO, IF COMPARED WITH JANUARY, FEBRUARY SALES ROSE 8.8% AFTER ADJUSTING FOR SEASONAL EFFECTS. THIS WAS THE STRONGEST PERFORMANCE IN FOUR YEARS, SHE SAID.

CIMB-GK ECONOMIST SONG SENG WUN SAID MUCH OF THE POOR PERFORMANCE CAME ON THE BACK OF WEAKER CAR SALES. EXCLUDING THOSE, RETAIL SALES WOULD HAVE RISEN 2.9%. CAR SALES HAVE BEEN HURT SINCE OCTOBER BY RISING CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT PRICES, CAUSED BY AN EXPECTED CUT IN QUOTAS FROM NEXT MONTH AND SURGING PUMP PRICES.

OUTLOOK

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.

EXTRACTED FROM: MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS

THE STRAITS TIMES

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