GO BIG
TBY talks to Shahin Mohammed Ahmed Al Balushi, CEO of Oman ORIX Leasing Company, on how the company has refocused on the corporate and SME sector.
BIOGRAPHY
Shahin Mohammed Ahmed Al Balushi served the government of the Sultanate of Oman for 14 years prior to joining Oman ORIX in January 1999. He has been with Oman ORIX for over 15 years, serving the organization in various key positions. Besides working in marketing and sales, he was also instrumental in reviving the recovery, legal, and credit administration functions of the organization prior to taking up the mandate of CEO in June 2013. He has a BA, ACPA, and holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland.What are some of the key metrics behind Oman ORIX Leasing Company?
At present, the company's paid-up share capital is OMR23.44 million. In terms of performance, we can proudly say that growth during 2013-2014 was phenomenal. We have performed outstandingly during the past one and half years, and within the finance industry Oman ORIX reported the highest level of growth of close to 30%. The industry average was around 10%-12%. We expected to continue this trend during 2014 as well, and our half yearly results support this view. It is worthwhile to point out that even during this high growth phase the company's NPA remained in control, and Oman ORIX's portfolio is one of the best in the industry in terms of asset quality. In line with the company's strategy to recruit and nurture local talent, Oman ORIX has been continuously recruiting and training Omani youth in various positions in the company. The Omanization ratio of the company currently stands at 80%.
What factors have led to this growth?
We developed new team, new strategies, and we have utilized our expertise in SME financing into corporate segments through a cautious approach. One of our major strength in SME/corporate financing is turnaround time besides high-quality customer care. Previously, we were known to the market as a retail finance company; however, during the past one and half years we were able to make a paradigm shift in this perception of the market, and as a result the growth mainly came from these sectors.
Is there still potential within the SME segment?
There are a lot of opportunities in this segment, and I think growth will continue for the next five or six years. We don't see any downturn in the near future. The government has a lot of plans running up until 2020, and it has already started implementing many of them; I think Oman ORIX can increase its share of SME and corporate business as a result. The banks are there, but there are also opportunities, because the SME sector is internationally known to be serviced by non-banking finance companies with their flexibility to provide tailor-made finance solutions as compared to banks. We have a project in the pipeline specifically to support small companies (micro SMEs), and the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has also shown great interest in promoting this segment for the balanced growth of the economy. We are coming up with some products that are going to inject working capital so that local firms can develop and establish their organizations on a more sound footing.
Can you tell us about you portfolio composition?
As of May 2014, we have generated almost 59% from our corporate business and 41% from our retail lines. We would like to see this company at 30% retail and 70% corporate somewhere within two years' time. We developed new teams and entered this field in the last two years. Before 2013, we used to write just a small number of corporate transactions. Today, we have separate teams writing big tickets, in the millions, and we have another team looking only after SMEs. We have divided the business into three core sectors: micro, SMEs, and corporate clients.
What distinguishes you from your competitors?
What is the main asset of a finance company or any company in this sector? It is the team that they have. Here at Oman ORIX, the culture that is being built up is a mixed culture derived from our international shareholders, which represent over 28 countries around the world. This supports us in retaining our team members. Today, we have employees that have been here for over a decade. They are now senior members, and they are the main assets of this organization. The development of the business came through the support of the major shareholders, and the mixture of these cultures helps to differentiate us from our competitors.
GO BIG
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
HE Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to HE Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, on the skillful use of diplomacy to promote peace and security throughout the region and beyond.
read articleGuest Speaker
His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam
TBY talks to His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, on the close ties his nation has with the Sultanate of Oman, and the potential for joint investments.
read articleGuest Speaker
HE Seán Sherlock, Minister of State Development, Trade Promotion, & North-South Co-operation, Republic of Ireland
TBY talks to HE Seán Sherlock, Minister of State Development, Trade Promotion, & North-South Co-operation of Ireland, on bilateral agreements, investment opportunities, and relations between the two states.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Mohammad Bin Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to HE Dr. Mohammad Bin Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, on economic diversification, Omanization, and SMEs.
read articleInterview
Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE)
TBY talks to Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), on attracting investment, supporting local development, and establishing new opportunities.
read articleInterview
HE Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary, Ports and Maritime Affairs
TBY talks to HE Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs, on the important role that the Sultanate's maritime industry is playing in promoting trade and economic activity.
read articleInterview
HE Yahya Said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD)
TBY talks to HE Yahya Said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD), on the rise of the Duqm area, and the opportunities on offer for investors and businesses.
read articleInterview
HE Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, European Affairs
TBY talks to HE Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and European Affairs of Belgium, on bilateral relations and maritime cooperation between the two states.
read articleInterview
Dr. Fuad Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to Dr. Fuad Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, on the sector's role in diversification, encouraging international investment, and ensuring stable prices.
read articleInterview
HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth
TBY talks to HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth at the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth, on the role fisheries wealth can play in diversification and boosting the sector through technology.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Rashid Bin Salim Al-Masroori, Executive President, Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve
TBY talks to HE Dr. Rashid Bin Salim Al-Masroori, Executive President of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve (PASFR), on the drive to ensure food security and boost local production in key sectors.
read article
