Press Release

VIS Maintains Ratings of Sania Enterprises with ‘Rating Watch - Negative’ Status

Karachi, May 19, 2020: VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS), while maintaining entity ratings of ‘BBB-/A-3’ (Triple B Minus/A-Three) assigned to Sania Enterprises (SE), has placed the same on ‘Rating Watch - Negative’ status. The medium to long-term rating of ‘BBB-’ denotes adequate credit quality coupled with reasonable & sufficient protection factors. Moreover, risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. The short-term rating of ‘A-3’ denotes timely payment of obligations coupled with satisfactory liquidity and other protection factors. The previous rating action was announced on August 28, 2019.

SE is primarily engaged in the business of transportation services in Pakistan with a fleet of more than 80 buses and 15 terminals in several cities of the country. The firm replaces old buses after completion of 5 years and purchases new ones to maintain quality standards. New vehicles are purchased on long-term financial lease while working capital requirements are met through internal cash flows generation.

The revision in rating outlook reflects prevailing uncertainty in transportation sector due to closure of all motorways and public transport in view of coronavirus outbreak and following lockdown. Status of the assigned rating is therefore uncertain as an event of deviation from expected trend has occurred; additional information will be necessary to take any further rating action, warranting a ‘Rating Watch’ status. As the SE is entirely dependent on intra-city transportation for revenue and cash flow generation to retire its financial obligations, ratings are being placed on ‘Negative’ outlook. Nevertheless as scenario is evolving rapidly, VIS will closely monitor and will accordingly take action to resolve the outlook status.

For further information on this rating announcement, please contact Syed Fahim Haider at 042-35723411-13 (Ext: 8006) or the undersigned at 021-35311861-70 (306) or mailto:info@vis.com.pk


Faryal Faheem Ahmed
Deputy CEO

Applicable rating criterion: Corporates (May 2019)
https://www.vis.com.pk/kc-meth.aspx

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