Manufacturer JBF RAK, which is 60 percent owned by the United Arab Emirates' Ras al-Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), is in talks with banks about renegotiating around 2 billion dirhams ($544.6 million) of debt, banking sources told Reuters. The polyester producer, which according to its website is an affiliate of India's JBF Group, has contacted lenders about reviewing its debt obligations, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter is not public.
JBF RAK and RAKIA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. JBF RAK manufactures a synthetic fibre and resin which is spun into fabrics but also moulded into disposable bottles for beverages, shampoo and liquid soap. One of the sources said JBF RAK, which has relationships with 19 banks, is seeking to extend maturities on outstanding bank liabilities of around 1.96 billion dirhams. Bankers are hoping that the company will get support from RAKIA, its other owner, the source said.
The company may also seek a restructuring, but no decision has been taken yet, according to a second banking source. The latest financial statements on the Group's website show JBF RAK recorded an annual loss of 110.03 million dirhams ($29.96 million) for the year ended Mar. 31 2016, compared to a profit of 1.44 million dirhams a year earlier.
JBF RAK is one of five plants owned by JBF Group. The others are located in India, Belgium and Bahrain. The group, which is listed on India's National Stock Exchange, said on Aug. 3 its board was planning to discuss the sale or restructure of the overseas subsidiaries of the company, without elaborating. JBF Group was downgraded to a 'D' default rating by credit rating agencies due to delays in servicing its debt, a company filing shows. It did not name the agencies. India Ratings and Research, which has downgraded the company to D, said on July 27 the downgrade was on "account of a significant deterioration in the group's financial risk profile, resulting from losses in overseas operations".