Business
Weak demand for consumer electronics expected to continue for another 12-18 months
‘Consumer income has yet to adjust to the higher cost of living’
‘Increase in taxes in early 2023 has weakened purchasing power’
by Sanath Nanayakkare
The electronic products sales market in Sri Lanka is expected to show sustained weakness in the next 12-18 months due to prolonged weak demand, according to a report from Fitch Ratings.
Fitch expects Sri Lanka’s GDP to contract by 1.4% in 2023 (2022: 7.8% decline), before growing modestly by 3.3% in 2024, indicating only a gradual recovery in economic activity.
“Consumer income has yet to adjust to the higher cost of living while the increase in taxes in early 2023 weakened purchasing power”, Fitch states.
The ratings agency expects sales volumes of Singer Sri Lanka, the foremost consumer durables retailer in the country, to rise in the low single digits in the financial year 2024.
The report titled, ‘Fitch Downgrades Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC to ‘A(lka)’; Outlook Stable’, the agency points out that the downgrade reflects the sustained deterioration in Singer’s financial profile such that Fitch-forecasted EBITDAR fixed-charge cover will fall to 0.7x in the financial year ending 31 March 2024 (FY24), compared with 1.1x in FY23.
“The Stable Outlook reflects Singer’s adequate liquidity supported by its access to domestic banks. We expect that the company’s EBITDA will recover gradually in the next two years supported by a slow improvement in demand amid falling interest rates and the removal of the ban on consumer durable imports since October 2023,” Fitch says.
However, Fitch doesn’t expect Singer Sri Lanka’s fixed charge cover to improve to above 1.2x – the level commensurate with a higher rating – until after FY25.
“We forecast Singer’s sales volumes to grow by double digits in FY25, due to a gradual recovery in income supported by a revival in the agriculture sector, which accounts for 30% of the population, salary increments across the public and private sectors, and a full year’s impact of pent-up demand after the removal of a ban on consumer-durables imports in October 2023. Hire-purchase (HP) and credit sales should also rise with interest rates almost halving from the highs in FY23, and we expect Singer will selectively grow its HP book, which shrank in the last few years, to cater to this demand. We expect Singer’s EBITDAR margin to improve to around 9% in FY25, from 3.3% in 1HFY24, benefitting from revenue growth, prudent inventory management, and a shift towards high-margin product categories.
“We estimate Singer’s cash interest to reduce by 35% in FY24 as interest rates fall. Market interest rates have fallen to 13% by November 2023, from 30% a year ago. Given most of Singer’s debt is short-term, the company should be able reprice faster at favourable rates. However, we do not believe Singer’s EBITDAR generation in FY24 will be sufficient to cover the reduced interest cost,” Fitch says.
According to the report, Singer’s rating is not notched for support from its stronger parent, Hayleys PLC, as they believe Hayleys has limited incentive to provide support according to their Parent and Subsidiary Linkage Rating Criteria.
“The ‘Low’ legal incentive stems from the absence of corporate guarantees from Hayleys on Singer’s debt, and the lack of cross-default clauses between the two entities. Hayleys is a highly diversified group, resulting in limited operational synergies with Singer. Furthermore, Singer has an independent management team and its brand is separate from that of Hayleys. Therefore, the operational incentive to support is also regarded as ‘Low’, Fitch says.
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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