Debt reduction strategy pays off for Brainworks

03 May, 2019 - 00:05 0 Views

eBusiness Weekly

Business Writer
Brainworks a Mauritian-based JSE-listed holding company with a Zimbabwean hotel and real estate investment portfolio — released annual results for the year ended December 31, 2018, reporting revenue up by 35 percent to US$79,3 million from US$58,6 million in the prior year.

Notable contributions came from the hospitality segment accounting for 86 percent of the group’s total revenue. Domestic and foreign revenue increased 26 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

Improved hotel occupancy (59 percent vs 52 percent in 2017) resulted in the average daily rate improving to US$109 from US$93, and revenue per available room up by 33 percent to US$64 from US$48. Hospitality and real estate segments remain the group’s major drivers of revenue.

CEO Brett Childs says: “Despite the economic headwinds and currency reforms in Zimbabwe, the group has done well for the year under review. Our strategy of focusing on hospitality and real estate, which made a material contribution following the completion of our maiden property development in Harare, is proving successful as evidenced by our results and the significant reduction in debt.”

Brainworks reduced its debts by 55 percent from US$38,3 million to US$17,1 million. This was achieved through capital raising initiatives during the year, as well as exiting financial services businesses, namely, GetBucks Microfinance Bank and GetSure Life Assurance. The group recorded an overall positive impact of US$7 million from the exit of the financial services sector investments during the year.

In spite of increased volumes and inflationary pressures on operating costs, the group managed to curtail an increase in operating expense to only 19 percent, resulting in operating expenses of US$47,9 million. At the holding company level, operating expenses were reduced to US$4,7 million, down from US$5,7   million.

The Zimbabwean economy is showing signs of growth but is still constrained by a number of challenges — the most notable being the shortage of foreign currency. Authorities remain confident that newly implemented measures will stabilise inflation, exchange rates and foreign currency supply.

Inflation recorded a significant increase from October 2018 closing the year under review at 42,1 percent compared to 3,46 percent in December 2017.

“We will continue our strategy of reducing costs at the centre, and focusing on our core businesses,” says    Childs.

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