MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

 

Report Date :

04.11.2008

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

 

 

Formerly Known As :

AFP AGRI-RESOURCES PTE LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

3 Shenton Way #17-03 Shenton House 068805    

 

 

Country :

Singapore

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.12.2006

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

17.02.1998

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

199800781G  

 

 

Legal Form :

Pte Ltd                

 

 

Line of Business :

Trading in Crude Palm Oil and its related Products.

 

 

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 :

No Complaints

 

 

Litigation :

Exists

 

 

Subject Company   

 

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

 

 

Line Of Business  

 

TRADING IN CRUDE PALM OIL AND ITS RELATED PRODUCTS.

 

 

Parent Company    

 

GOLDEN AGRI-RESOURCES LTD

 (PERCENTAGE OF SHAREHOLDING: 100.00%)

 

 

Financial Elements 

 

                                                FY 2006

                                                COMPANY

                                     

Sales                                         : N/A 

Networth                                   : US$ 8,849,349

Paid-Up Capital                            : US$   292,912

Net result                                  : US$-2,356,926

Net Margin(%)                           : N/A

Return on Equity(%)                   : -26.63

Leverage Ratio                           : 1.98

 

 

 

COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

 

Subject Company                   :  GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

Former Name                         :  AFP AGRI-RESOURCES PTE LTD

Business Address                  :  3 SHENTON WAY

   #17-03

  SHENTON HOUSE

Town                                        : SINGAPORE                   

 Postcode                                :  068805

County                                     :

Country                                   :  Singapore

Telephone                                                       :  6325 5090                    

Fax                                                                  :  6224 7756

ROC Number                         :  199800781G                 

Reg. Town                              :

 

 

PREVIOUS IDENTIFICATION

 

AFP AGRI-RESOURCES PTE LTD         DATE OF CHANGE OF NAME: 22/07/1999 ALDEB

 

 

SUMMARY

 

All amounts in this report are in :  USD

 

Legal Form                             : Pte Ltd                

Date Inc.                                 : 17/02/1998

Previous Legal Form             : -

Summary year                                                 : 31/12/2006                            

Sales                                                               : N/A

Networth                                 : 8,849,349

Capital                                                            : -                                                                    

Paid-Up Capital                                             : 292,912

Employees                              : 10                                         

Net result                                : -2,356,926

Share value                             : -

Auditor                                                            : MOORE STEPHENS

 

 

BASED ON ACRA'S RECORD

NO OF SHARES   CURRENCY                  AMOUNT

ISSUED ORDINARY        2,450,000                                    SGD                20,000,000.00

PAID-UP ORDINARY           -                                              SGD                20,000,000.00

 

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Litigation                                 : YES

Company status                      : TRADING               

Started                                                            : 17/02/1998

 

 

PRINCIPAL(S)

 

CHEN SAU HUA                                 S6972966E      Director

 

 

DIRECTOR(S)

 

OEI JONG NIAN @ FRANKY OESMAN      S2173296F      Director

Appointed on : 06/04/1999

Street :              9 RHU CROSS

#03-10

COSTA RHU

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             437436

Country:              Singapore

 

DJAFAR WIDJAJA                     S2173297D      Director

Appointed on : 06/04/1999

Street :              38 STEVENS ROAD

#02-02

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             257845

Country:              Singapore

 

MILTON SUBIANTO NG                 S2567370J      Director

Appointed on : 06/04/1999

Street :              9 RHU CROSS

#12-08

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             437436

Country:              Singapore

 

LYE CHOR MEI                       S2590497D      Company Secretary

Appointed on : 15/01/2003

Street :              851 TAMPINES STREET 83

#08-206

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             520851

Country:              Singapore

 

 

CHEN SAU HUA                       S6972966E      Director

Appointed on : 02/08/2002

Street :              19 SHELFORD ROAD

#01-39

Town:                 SINGAPORE

Postcode:             288408

Country:              Singapore

 

SIMON LIM                          N286738        Director

Appointed on : 02/08/2002

Street :              JL.SUKARELA NO. 1 RT

009/RW009 PENJARINGAN,

Town:                 JAKARTA UTARA

Postcode:

Country:              Indonesia

 

RAFAEL BUHAY CONCEPCION JR         ZZ131982       Director

Appointed on : 02/08/2002

Street :              JENGGALA I NO. 5

KEBAYORAN BARU

Town:                 JAKARTA SELATAN

Postcode:

Country:              Indonesia

 

 

ACTIVITY(IES)

 

IMPORTERS And EXPORTERS                                        Code:11760

 

PALM OIL                                                                                                       Code:15870

 

TRADING COMPANIES                                                      Code:22190

BASED ON ACRA'S RECORD

1) GENERAL WHOLESALE TRADE (INCLUDING GENERAL IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS);

TRADING IN CRUDE PALM OIL AND ITS RELATED PRODUCTS

 

 

CHARGES

 

Date:          01/07/2002

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: 200202860 (DISCHARGED)

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA

 

 

Date:          20/02/2001

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: 200100812 (DISCHARGED)

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: RHB BANK BERHAD

 

 

Date:          01/08/2000

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: 200003537 (DISCHARGED)

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: FLEET NATIONAL BANK

 

 

Date:          11/04/2006

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: C200602356, C200602341, C200602336, C200602334

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: WESTLB AG, SINGAPORE BRANCH

 

 

Date:          11/04/2006

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: C200602330, C200602327, C200602326, C200602310

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: WESTLB AG, SINGAPORE BRANCH

Amount:                 5,000,000

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: 199900888 (DISCHARGED - 21/07/1999)

AMOUNT SECURED: US$5,000,000.00

CHARGEE[S]: BANK BRUSSELS LAMBERT

 

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: 199900887 (DISCHARGED - 21/07/1999)

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: BANK BRUSSELS LAMBERT

 

 

Date:          31/07/2007

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: C200706143

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ LTD - S'PORE BRANCH

 

 

Date:          30/08/2007

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: C200707118, C200707120, C200707121

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: PT BANK MANDIRI (PERSERO) TBK

 

 

Date:          27/09/2007

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: C200708066

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ LTD - S'PORE BRANCH

 

 

Date:          27/11/2007

Comments :     CHARGE NO.: C200710393

AMOUNT SECURED: 0.00 AND ALL MONIES OWING

CHARGEE[S]: FORTIS BANK S.A./N.V.

 

 

PREMISES/PROPERTY INFORMATIONS

 

No Premises/Property Information In Our Databases

 

 

BANKERS

 

THE AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA

 

RHB BANK BHD

 

FLEET NATIONAL BANK

 

FORTIS BANK S.A./N.V.

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD (THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD)

 

PT BANK MANDIRI (PERSERO) TBK

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS(S)

 

GOLDEN AGRI-RESOURCES LTD                        2,450,000   Company

Street :              10, FRERE FELIX DE VALOIS STREET

Town:                 PORT LOUIS

Postcode:

Country:              Mauritius

 

 

HOLDING COMPANY

 

GOLDEN AGRI-RESOURCES LTD               UF24045G        % :  100

 

 

SUBSIDIARY(IES)

 

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL LTD

 

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL TRADING (MAURITIUS) LTD

 

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL TRADING (CAYMAN) LTD

 

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL (CAYMAN) LTD

 

GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL (MAURITIUS) LTD

 

SINARKONEX KOREA CO. LTD

 

 

PAYMENT HISTORY AND EXPERIENCES

 

Trade Morality                                                : AVERAGE

Liquidity                                  : SUFFICIENT

Payments                                : UNKNOWN

Trend                                                              : UNKNOWN

Financial Situation                 : AVERAGE

 

 

LITIGATION(S)

 

 

Type Of Case:      High Court - W/S                             P

Case Number:       MHWS00738/2003

Defendant           GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD      ROC # :  199800781G

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ELEMENTS

 

All amounts in this report are in :    USD

Audit Qualification:        UNQUALIFIED (CLEAN)        UNQUALIFIED (CLEAN)          Date Account Lodged:                 23/07/2007

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

Number of weeks:                       52                                                       52                           

Consolidation Code:                     COMPANY                     COMPANY 

                 

                                  --- ASSETS  --- 

 

Tangible Fixed Assets:                   58,903                                                         

Investments                             411,058                  2,718,456                         

Total Fixed Assets:                     469,961                  2,718,456                            

 

Receivables:                                                                                      Cash,Banks, Securities:            112,908                    115,465                       

Other current assets:                25,768,280                 55,492,718                

Total Current Assets:                25,881,188                 55,608,183                   

 

TOTAL ASSETS:                        26,351,149                 58,326,639                

 

                                 --- LIABILITIES  ---  

 

Equity capital:                                 292,912                         292,912                       

Profit & lost  Account:                         8,556,437                    10,913,363                     

Total Equity:                         8,849,349                  11,206,275                  

 

Long Term Loans:                                                 27,004,669                              

Other long term Liab.:                5,563,062                   5,416,472                              

Total L/T Liabilities:                5,563,062                  32,421,141                              

 

Trade Creditors:                                                          

Prepay. & Def. charges:                   3,513                   1,774,975                  

Short term liabilities:                   5,728                                                           

Advanced payments:                                                                                       

Due to Bank:                                                                          2,348,232                    

Provisions:                                                                                       Other Short term Liab.:              11,929,497                  10,576,016                 

Total short term Liab.:              11,938,738                  14,699,223                    

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES:                   17,501,800                  47,120,364                   

 

 

 

                          --- PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT ---  

Net Sales                                                                                                 

Gross Profit:                                                                                            

NET RESULT BEFORE TAX:               -2,356,926                   1,646,617                       Tax :                                                                93,939                       Net income/loss year:                -2,356,926                   1,552,678                       Interest Paid:                          852,248                     383,659                     Depreciation:                                                                                      Directors

Emoluments:                                                                              Wages and Salaries:                                                                                Financial Income:                               1,792                         672                     Extraordinary Items:                                                                                     

 

 

RATIOS

 

                             31/12/2006                  31/12/2005                    Return on Equity(%):       -26.63                     13.86                        Return on Assets(%):        -8.94                      2.66                         Net Working capital:       13942450.00                40908960.00                  Cash Ratio:                0.01                       0.01                         Quick Ratio:               0.01                       0.01                         Current ratio:             2.17                       3.78                         Leverage Ratio:                       1.98                                     4.20                      

 

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

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

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

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 ALTHOUGH NET WORTH DECREASED

BY 21.03% FROM USD11,206,275 IN FY 2005 TO USD8,849,349 IN FY 2006.

 

THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A DECREASED IN RETAINED EARNINGS AND AMOUNTED TO USD8,556,437 (2005: USD10,913,363); A FALL OF 21.60% FROM THE PRIOR FINANCIAL YEAR.

 

LEVERAGE:

IN THE SHORT-TERM IN 2005, SUBJECT WAS LARGELY FINANCED BY OTHER SHORT TERM LIABILITIES WHICH MADE UP 99.92% (2005: 71.95%) OF THE TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES AND AMOUNTED TO USD11,929,497 (2005: USD10,576,016). THE BREAKDOWN WAS AS FOLLOWS:

 

*  DUE TO HOLDING COMPANY - 2006: USD847,037 (2005: USD839,376)

*  RELATED COMPANIES - 2006: USD11,078,176 (2005: USD9,732,356)

*  LOAN FROM A RELATED COMPANIES 2006: USD5,529,190 (2005: USD

5,416,472)

*  OTHER CREDITORS - 2006: USD4,284 (2005: USD4,284)

 

THE BANK BORROWINGS WERE FULLY REPAID DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR. OVERALL, THE LEVERAGE RATIO HAD IMPROVED TO 1.98 TIMES (2005: 4.20 TIMES), INDICATING THAT THE COMPANY'S TOTAL LIABILITIES WERE LESS SUBSTANTIAL IN RELATION TO ITS TOTAL EQUITY.

 

 

LIQUIDITY:

IN GENERAL, SUBJECT'S LIQUIDITY SITUATION WAS PASSABLE ALTHOUGH NET WORKING CAPITAL FELL BY 65.92% TO USD13,942,450 (2005: USD40,908,960).

 

ON THE OTHER HAND, CURRENT RATIO FELL TO 2.17 TIMES (2005: 3.78 TIMES) WHILE QUICK RATIO REMAINED TO 0.01 TIMES (2005: 0.01 TIMES).

 

SIMILARLY, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS FELL BY 2.21% TO USD112,908 (2005: USD115,465).

 

 

PROFITABILITY:

THE ANALYSIS WILL NOT BE CONDUCTED DUE TO THE LACK OF INFORMATION ON THE TURNOVER FIGURE.

 

DEBT SERVICING:

DEBT SERVICING PROBLEMS MIGHT NOT BE EXPECTED IF EARNINGS CAN BE IMPROVED AND PAYMENTA BY TRADE DEBTORS ARE FORTHCOMING.

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

BORROWINGS:

THE BORROWINGS BEARS INTEREST RANGING FROM 6.1% TO 7% (2005: 5.1% TO

6.1%) PER ANNUM AND HAD BEEN FULLY SETTLED DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31

DECEMBER 2006.

 

 

BACKGROUND/OPERATION

 

THE COMPANY WAS INCORPORATED IN THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ON 17/02/1998 AS A LIMITED PRIVATE COMPANY AND WAS TRADING UNDER THE NAMESTYLE OF "ALDEBURGH PTE LTD".

 

ON 27/06/1998, IT CHANGED TO THE NAMESTYLE OF "AFP AGRI-RESOURCES PTE LTD".

 

SUBSEQUENTLY ON 22/07/1999, THE COMPANY CHANGED TO ITS PRESENT NAMESTYLE OF

"GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD".

 

 

THE COMPANY HAS AN ISSUED AND PAID-UP CAPITAL OF 2,450,000 SHARES, OF A VALUE OF S$20,000,000.

 

 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

SUBJECT IS REGISTERED WITH THE ACCOUNTING AND CORPORATE REGULATORY

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

1) GENERAL WHOLESALE TRADE (INCLUDING GENERAL IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS);

TRADING IN CRUDE PALM OIL AND ITS RELATED PRODUCTS

2) GENERAL WHOLESALE TRADE (INCLUDING GENERAL IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS)

 

 

THE COMPANY WAS LISTED IN THE SINGAPORE LOCAL DIRECTORIES UNDER THE CLASSIFICATION OF: TRADING COMPANIES

 

 

DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR(S), UNDER REVIEW, THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY IS THAT OF TRADING IN CRUDE PALM OIL AND ITS RELATED PRODUCTS.

 

 

FROM OUR RESEARCH DONE, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN GATHERED: ACTIVITIES:

*  TRADING OF PALM OIL PRODUCTS

 

 

PRODUCTS:

*  CRUDE PALM OIL

*  REFINED, BLEACHED & DEODORISED (RBD) OLEIN

*  RBD PALM OIL

*  RBD STEARIN

*  PALM FATTY ACID DISTILLATE

*  CRUDE PALM KERNEL OIL

*  PALM KERNEL MEAL

 

 

SUBJECT IS A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ENTITY:

*  THE PALM OIL REFINERS ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (PORAM)

 

 

NO OTHER TRADE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE AS TELE-INTERVIEW WAS NOT GRANTED BY SUBJECT'S PERSONNEL

 

 

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:

*  10 - AS OF 2006

 

THE COMPANY IS A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF GOLDEN AGRI-RESOURCES LTD

("GAR"), A PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY INCORPORATED IN MAURITIUS.

 

THE INTERMEDIATE HOLDING COMPANY WAS FORMERLY ASIA FOOD & PROPERTIES LIMITED ("AFP") INCORPORATED IN SINGAPORE. EFFECTIVCE ON 27 DECEMBER 2006, AFP HAS DISTRIBUTED IN SPECIE SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ITS SHARES HELD IN THE SHARE CAPITAL OF GAR TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF AFP ("THE DISTRIBUTION"). FOLLOWING THE DISTRIBUTION, GAR AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES CEASED TO BE SUBSIDIARIES OF AFP. THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY COMPRISED CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE WIDJAJA FAMILY.

 

 

REGISTERED AND BUSINESS ADDRESS:

3 SHENTON WAY

#17-03

SHENTON HOUSE

SINGAPORE 068805

DATE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS: 26/06/2001

- RENTED PREMISE

- OWNED BY: VESTWIN TRADING PTE LTD

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS ADDRESS:

3 SHENTON WAY

#17-01

SHENTON HOUSE

SINGAPORE 068805

 

WEBSITE: -

EMAIL  : apdaniel@afp.com.sg

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

THE DIRECTORS AT THE TIME OF THE REPORT ARE:

 

1) SIMON LIM, AN INDONESIAN

- BASED IN INDONESIA

 

2) OEI JONG NIAN @ OESMAN WIDJAJA, A SINGAPORE PERMANENT RESIDENT

- HOLDS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE:

ASIA FOOD & PROPERTIES LIMITED

 

3) DJAFAR WIDJAJA, A SINGAPORE PERMANENT RESIDENT

- HOLDS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE:

ASIA FOOD & PROPERTIES LIMITED

AFP HILLVIEW PTE LTD

 

4) MILTON SUBIANTO NG, A SINGAPORE PERMANENT RESIDENT

- HOLDS NO OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE.

 

5) CHEN SAU HUA, A SINGAPOREAN

- HOLDS NO OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AS RECORDED IN OUR DATABASE.

 

6) RAFAEL BUHAY CONCEPCION JR, A FILIPINO

- BASED IN INDONESIA

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 


FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.48.62

UK Pound

1

Rs.76.71

Euro

1

Rs.61.30

 

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%)

 

 

 

 

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