STAMFORD LAND CORPORATION LTD
INTERVIEW WITH SENIOR MANAGEMENT
operating in the local market, navigating
development laws and regulations.
Underpinning our success is a disciplined,
systematic approach to assess and seize
the right opportunities that come along. The
Group will continually evaluate opportunities
both within and beyond Australasia.
DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (“DY
CEO”) & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (“CFO”)
Q5 How do you envisage yourself in
supporting the CEO?
A5
Two key priorities I envisage in supporting
the CEO.
(i) It is critical to strengthen our infrastructure to
stay relevant in the competitive landscape.
This includes leveraging on innovation and
technology to enhance guest experience and
improve productivity, a pertinent ingredient in
this labour intensive industry.
(ii) Of equal importance, we need to focus on
upgrading the “software”. This includes
continual training for staff, identifying and
grooming new talents, both from within the
organisation and externally.
Given my concurrent role as CFO, I
seek to ensure the Group’s assets and
shareholders’ interests remain safeguarded.
This involves continual improvement
to workflow processes, putting in place
adequate cost and risk management
controls as well as adoption of best practices
to ensure we stay on top of operations.
In addition, we will continue to build on
existing relationships and forge new
ones with business partners and financial
institutions to ensure optimal support for our
business operations.
Q6 How does a weaker AUD affect the
earnings of the Group?
A6
A weaker AUD will mean lower translated
profit in SGD. However, our risks are
naturally hedged given that both income
and loan repayments are denominated in
the same currency.
Q7 What are your views on the Group’s net
gearing position?
A7
At 29%, SLC’s net gearing ratio is not
dissimilar to that of many other industry
players. Most of our underlying assets are
invariably below market value as they are
kept at acquisition cost.
With a healthy operating cashflow, the
Group is well-positioned for further growth.
Q8 What is the Group’s dividend policy?
Since you are doing well this year, why
are you not paying more dividends?
A8
SLC is amongst the foremost list of high
dividend yielding stocks. For FY2015, the
Company has proposed a dividend payout
of 3 cents. This is equivalent to 87% of net
profits.
Shareholders must be cognisant that payout
beyond the current level would mean
MS CHUA SIEW HWI
Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer
CA (Singapore),
MBA (University of Southern Queensland),
BAcc (Nanyang Technological Unversity, Singapore)
