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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
26-Jan-17

Analyst
Ayesha Qasim
ayesha.qasim@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

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This press release is being transmitted for the sole purpose of dissemination through print/electronic media. The press release may be used in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof with due credit to PACRA

PACRA Assigns Instrument Rating to Sukuk of Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited

Rating Type Debt Instrument
Current
(26-Jan-17 )
Action Initial
Long Term AA-
Short Term -
Outlook Stable
Rating Watch -

The ratings reflect strong business profile of the company on the back of diversified product mix. Secure supply of gas from Mari field together with lower feed stock price (under fertilizer policy - 2001 up till July'2021), represents inherent strengths of the company compared to peers. The overall capacity utilization has remained above 100% throughout CY16 (previously: 90% - 98%) because of the completion of the ammonia plant debottlenecking. Efficiency in fuel consumption was also achieved with the installation of Waste Gas Boiler. Gross margins are sanguine, with the uptick in off takes post subsidy announcement. The company faces competition from peers amidst supply surplus situation in the country, mainly on the back of improved gas situation in the country; experiencing huge inventory pile up of urea. The pending risk needs immediate attention of all stakeholders. Another risk is reduced international pricing, a significant threat to current profits. Fatima's carry over inventories and working capital needs have pushed up short term borrowings. This has hampered the incremental benefit on leveraging enabled by retirement of long term borrowings. The ratings are dependent on the company's ability to maintain its cash flows.

About the Entity
Fatima Fertilizer, listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange, is owned by Fatima Group (45%) and Arif Habib Group (31%). Fatima Group retains management control of the company. Fatima fertilizer is a complex with nameplate capacity of 1.28mln MT p.a, located at Mukhtar Garh, Rahim Yar Khan. In addition, FG owns Pakarab Fertilizers Limited and Fatima Fert. It also has interests in textile, sugar, mining and energy sectors.
Fatima's BoDs comprises eight members, including the CEO. The chairman of Arif Habib Group, Mr. Arif Habib, an eminent businessman and an entrepreneur, chairs the company's board. Mr. Fawad Ahmed Mukhtar, a seasoned entrepreneur, is the CEO of Fatima Fertilizer as well as of Pak Arab and Fatima Fert. The CEO is supported by a team of experienced professionals.

The primary function of PACRA is to evaluate the capacity and willingness of an entity to honor its obligations. Our ratings reflect an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the risks associated with a particular instrument or an entity. PACRA's comprehensive offerings include instrument and entity credit ratings, insurer financial strength ratings, fund ratings, asset manager ratings and real estate gradings. PACRA opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, in as much as it does not comment on the security's market price or suitability for a particular investor.