OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Indonesia-based PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero)'s (SMI) Long-Term Foreign - and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB-' and Short-Term Foreign-Currency IDR at 'F3'. The Outlooks on the long-term ratings are Stable.

The affirmation of the international ratings on SMI reflects Fitch's continued expectation that the government would extend the company strong extraordinary support, if needed. SMI's international ratings are equalised with those of the Indonesian sovereign (BBB-/F3/Stable) reflecting its status as a corporation wholly owned by the state. SMI provides financing to investors in public-private partnership (PPP) schemes. Fitch believes adequate investment in infrastructure is vital for the country to achieve its economic growth targets.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

Strategic Importance Attribute Assessed as Stronger: The provision of financing to investors for Indonesia's PPP programmes is a high priority for the government. SMI's role widened in 2015 as it took over the government investment fund managed by Pusat Investasi Pemerintah (PIP). SMI has received on-going capital injections since its inception in February 2009 from its owner the Ministry of Finance (MoF); a further IDR20trn of capital was injected through an assets transfer from PIP in 2015 and Fitch expects the ministry to inject IDR4.16trn of capital before end-2016.

Control Attribute Assessed as Stronger: SMI reports directly to the MoF; three members on the board of commissioners are appointed by the MoF and there are two independent commissioners. Annual budgets, the board of directors' remuneration, long-term plans, and board composition are approved by the MoF at the SMI general-shareholder meeting. SMI is audited by an independent public accounting firm annually, and is subject to audits by the state auditor and the Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, or OJK) once every three years.

Integration Attribute Assessed as Midrange: SMI's capacity to provide financing for infrastructure projects relies on its paid-up capital, in the form of state capital injections derived from the state budget and from borrowings. The government has injected IDR24.3trn of capital into SMI. The transfer of the government investment fund managed by PIP to SMI in 2015 was classified as a capital injection of IDR18trn (relating to a transfer of assets), with an additional cash injection of IDR2trn. The capital injections each year reflect a commitment to accelerate infrastructure development through various financing schemes. The paid-up capital is likely to bolster the confidence of the private sector in SMI. Fitch expects the government to further increase SMI's capital by IDR4.16trn before end-2016. Fitch will monitor the transformation of SMI into an infrastructure lending institution and, depending on the commitment of the central government, this could have a positive impact on this attribute.

Legal Status Attribute Assessed as Midrange: SMI is one of five state-owned entities in Indonesia that report directly to the Ministry of Finance. The government plans for SMI to function as an infrastructure bank, which will make it eligible for certain tax incentives and subject it to regulations by the OJK.

Potential Risk: Fitch believes that downside risks for SMI bondholders may be quite pronounced in a difficult economic environment, given the concentration of its loans in the country. The bulk of SMI's loans were extended within the last four years, so it will only be possible to assess the company's asset-quality track record in the medium term, when its loan book becomes more seasoned.

Infrastructure Financing: SMI has focused on increasing lending to infrastructure projects; total loans granted rose to IDR19.7trn in 2015 from IDR6.6trn the previous year. A large part of the growth was the loan book transferred from PIP. Projections from SMI indicate that loans will increase to around IDR103trn by end-2021. SMI's main source of revenue is interest income - from loans and returns on investments from its substantial liquidity. Interest income will increase as SMI increases its lending activities.

Increasing Leverage: Regulations limit SMI's leverage to 10x equity, although management has said it will limit future borrowings to 3x equity. SMI has an outstanding subordinated loan of USD195.85m to PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (IIF). The loan was provided to IIF via the government and SMI, from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. SMI is likely to increase its debt to around IDR92.7trn by end-2021 to support loan growth, but this is still within established equity limits.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

SMI's ratings are credit linked with those of Indonesia. Any upward or downward movement in the ratings of the sovereign would be reflected in SMI's international ratings. Furthermore, any negative changes to SMI's legal status - leading to a dilution of the government's shareholding or control - could trigger a rating downgrade.