Vinachem seeks delay in plant equitisation hinh anh 1Illustrative image (Source: internet)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) has proposed to the Prime Minister to delay the equitisation of  the losing Ninh Binh Nitrogenous Fertiliser Plant until it generates profits again in order to ensure effective restructuring.

The plant has incurred losses since its opening in 2012 estimated at over 3.3 trillion VND (145.4 million USD) by the end of 2016.

The management authority has faced a dilemma between a plant closure and continued production that could result in further losses of 1.2 trillion VND in 2017.

In case of closure, the plant would have to spend around 1 trillion VND per year to repay its debts.

The Ninh Binh and Ha Bac nitrogenous fertiliser plants, two member companies of Vinachem, are among the 12 loss-making projects under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

In Vinachem’s Q4 equitisation report to MoIT, the national chemical group attributed the poor performance to heavy lending interest, quick depreciation and a drop in urea fertiliser prices in both local and world markets.

Apart from the Ninh Binh plant, the report to the Prime Minister by Vinachem also mentioned troubles in selling stakes in other member companies, including the Ha Bac plant, Industrial Gases and Welding Electrode Co Ltd, Hanoi Soap JSC and Vinh Phu Battery JSC.

Vinachem reported its charter capital rose to over 13.8 trillion VND but is still lower than the Government’s approved capital of 15 trillion VND. It has faced a capital shortage to repay debts as well as make investments.

Under the 2016-20 restructuring scheme submitted to MoIT, Vinachem has sought the approval of the Prime Minister and MoIT to allow the corporation to plan its divestment roadmap in member companies to ensure feasibility and efficiency.

The chemical group is set to carry out equitisation from 2017 to 2019 and proposes that the Government retain a controlling stake of between 51 percent and 65 percent after equitisation. It also plans to raise its charter capital by 5 trillion VND through a share issuance during equitisation.

It has set targets of 43.6 trillion VND in total revenues and 155 billion VND in profits in 2017.-VNA
VNA