Lahore, November 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan’s tech industry contributes ~1% to national GDP through local and export sales. Export of IT services are estimated to contribute ~ $ 1.7bln to the GDP. The largest contributor remains IT consultancy (~33%), followed by software exports (~25%). The industry comprises ~ 7000 companies providing customized software development services and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. Lately, the Government and regulatory bodies have taken initiatives such as the establishment of IT Parks and incubators to promote the industry and provide an enabling ecosystem for businesses and start-ups.
The ratings reflect Inbox Business Technologies Ltd.’s (‘Inbox’ or ‘the Company’) association with a strong business Group; Dawood Hercules Group. The product slate comprises of Enterprise Management Service (EMS), Digital Security and Intelligence (DSI), and Citizen Services and Customer Experience (CSX) in both, public and private sectors. EMS consists of providing customer support, IT outsourcing, warranty, remote assistance, and maintenance services. DSI includes Web Management Services (WMS), which is technical facility deployed on internet gateways in Pakistan, to detect and block illegal international voice calls and manage internet traffic.
Whereas, CSX involves the provision of IT related services to the public sector. Inbox has a competitive edge in the industry, as it provides IT solution and services. In the previous years, consistent accumulated losses due to prolonged receivables cycle and inefficient working capital management impacted the financial risk profile. However, lately, the Company’s topline and in turn margins experienced growth on the back of renewal of public sector contracts. This also benefitted the Company’s bottom line. The Company’s financial risk profile is characterized by stretched coverages and an elongated working capital cycle. Leveraged capital cycle is lately supplemented by sponsor’s loan.
The ratings are dependent on the Company’s ability to sustain its margins and post healthy coverages while maintaining requisite cushion and working capital discipline. Continued sponsor support remains imperative for ratings. Any further deterioration in cashflows and/or coverages will have a negative impact on ratings.
For more information, contact:
Analyst,
The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA)
Awami Complex, FB1, Usman Block New Garden Town,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5869504-6
Fax: +92-42-5830425
Email: hammad.rashid@pacra.com
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