Business
Fitch affirms Abans at ‘AA(lka)’; Outlook Stable
Handing over the agreement by Anthony Watson – Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives at Visa ( second from left ) to Lakshman Silva, CEO DFCC Bank (Third from left ) Nalin Dissanayake – Director MS & A Sri Lanka and Maldives at Visa Worldwide PTE Ltd ( first from left) Denver Lewis – Vice President/Head of Cards, DFCC Bank ( second from right ) and Chrishan Jayamanne, Manager – Merchant Acquiring, DFCC Bank (first from right) are also in the picture.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka-based consumer-durable retailer Abans PLC’s National Long-Term Rating at ‘AA(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable. Fitch has simultaneously affirmed the ‘AA(lka)’ rating on Abans’ outstanding senior unsecured debentures and the ‘F1+(lka)’ National Short-Term Rating on its commercial paper.
The affirmation reflects our expectations that the healthy performance of Abans’ core operations will counterbalance the higher risks of its Colombo City Centre (CCC) real-estate project. The Stable Outlook is based on our belief that Abans’ leverage, defined as net lease adjusted debt/operating EBITDAR including the full consolidation of Abans’ immediate parent Abans Retail Holdings (Pvt) Limited (ARH) and CCC, will rise only temporarily above our negative sensitivity of 6.0x in the financial year ending 31 March 2022 (FY22) even if the impending sale of its finance subsidiary and other deleveraging plans do not materialise.
Resilient Core Operations: We expect Abans’ revenue to rise by 8% in FY21, despite the challenging economic environment, amid strong demand for IT products, reduced competition from the informal sector and low interest rates. Its revenue fell 22% yoy in 1QFY21 due to an island-wide lockdown and movement restrictions, before recovering 25% yoy in the next two quarters. We do not expect similar movement restrictions amid lower infections and an ongoing vaccination drive, limiting the incremental impact on Abans’ consumer-durable sales.
Challenging Demand Conditions: Fitch expects Sri Lanka’s GDP to grow by 4.9% in 2021 (2020 estimate: -3.6%) on a lower base and a gradual return to economic normalcy. However, recovery that is weaker than our forecast could dampen demand for consumer durables as they are mostly non-discretionary. Abans has reduced sales financed by in-house hire purchase schemes to cut its incremental exposure to rising local unemployment, falling disposable income and a softening exchange rate.
Leverage to Peak in FY22: We expect Abans’ leverage to spike to 6.7x in FY22 (2.4x in last 12 months to December 2020) with the consolidation of LKR10 billion in CCC debt and LKR4.5 billion in debt we have assumed to fund the balance construction costs and any cash flow shortfalls. CCC’s consolidation will add 2.0x-2.5x to Abans’ leverage in FY21-FY23. Leverage should ease from FY23 with improved cashflows from CCC. The proposed sale of Abans Finance PLC (A(lka)/Rating Watch Evolving), if finalised in FY22, should reduce leverage by around 0.9x.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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