Press Release

Entity and Bank Loan Ratings of Ghotki Kandhkot Road & Bridge (Private) Limited

Karachi, March 15, 2023: VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has reaffirmed the entity ratings of ‘A/A-2’ (Single A/A-2) assigned to Ghotki Kandhot Road & Bridge (Private) Limited (GKRBC). The long-term rating of ‘A’ signifies good credit quality; protection factors are adequate. Risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. The short-term rating of ‘A-2’ indicates good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and company fundamentals are sound. Access to capital markets is good. Risk factors are small. VIS has also reaffirmed the preliminary bank loan rating (blr) of ‘AA (blr)’ (Double A (blr)) to GKRBC’s secured bank loan facility planned to be drawn for the construction works on the project. Outlook on the assigned ratings is ‘Stable.’ The previous rating action was announced on November 29, 2021. VIS will review the ratings on finalization of legal document.

GKRBC has been established to develop two sections of the road along with a bridge located at the Ghotki Kandhkot site of the Sindh province. The proposed bridge over the Indus will connect the National Highway (N-5 at Ghotki) to Indus Highway (N-55 at Kandhkot) along with the project facilities. Currently, the distance between Kandhkot and Ghotki via Guddu Barrage, the alternate route, is approximately 151 km. Post construction of the 34.7 km (approx.) project, the distance between the two cities will be reduced to 42 km, resulting in significant fuel cost and time savings. During the rating review period, due to changes in the design of the project, the completion timeline and total project cost increased; however, all other salient features of the project in terms of guarantees, equity to debt contribution, EPC contractor, markup rate, shareholding profile, and construction & operational risk factors remained unchanged.

The assigned ratings incorporate sound profile of sponsors, as shareholding of GKRBC is vested with Sachal Engineering Works (Pvt.) Limited (SEWPL) (53%) and Government of Sindh (GoS) (47%). SEWPL will also act as the EPC contractor. SEWPL has considerable experience and sound track record in executing infrastructure projects, especially toll roads & bridges. Demand risk, associated with uncertainty in future traffic volumes and toll rates, will not be borne by GKRBC as the company will receive fixed annuity payments from the GoS, which will include an O&M costs component, tax component, debt service component and a fixed Return on Equity (ROE) for the company. Inclusion of the debt service component in the annuity payments mitigates the financial risk. Moreover, the secured bank loan carries a Provincial Guarantee in favor of the financiers backed by an unconditional and irrevocable debit authority on the GoS Non-Food Account No. 1 maintained with SBP equivalent to 50% of the facility amount. The debit authority shall continue at all times over the life of the STFF facility. Construction risk in the project is present but partially mitigated due to sound track record of the EPC contractor. Cost overrun risk is also inherent, but ratings draw comfort from adequate contingency built in the project cost and interest savings accrued over the period due to delay in debt drawdown together with sponsors, including GoS, undertaking to fund the shortfall, if any, in equal sharing. Going forward, achievement of financial close, timely completion of key milestones, and overall project without any further significant cost and time overruns will be the key rating sensitivities.


For further information on this rating announcement, please contact Ms. Maham Qasim at 042-35723411-13 (Ext. 8010) or the undersigned (Ext. 207) at 021-35311861-64 or email at info@vis.com.pk.


Sara Ahmed
Director


VIS Entity Rating Criteria: Corporates (August 2021)
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/CorporateMethodology202108.pdf

VIS Rating Criteria: Toll Roads Rating (August 2020)
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/TollRoads202008.pdf

Information herein was obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable; however, VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.VIS , the analysts involved in the rating process and members of its rating committee do not have any conflict of interest relating to the rating(s)/ranking(s) mentioned in this report.VIS is paid a fee for most rating assignments. This rating/ranking is an opinion and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Copyright 2023 VIS Credit Rating Company Limited . All rights reserved. Contents may be used by news media with credit to VIS .