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This Summary of Project Information is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of the IFC Board of Directors’ consideration of the proposed transaction. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of IFC’s activities, and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board decision.
Summary of Project Information (SPI)
Project number 11492
Project nameSaudi Leasing Company
CountrySaudi Arabia
SectorFinance & Insurance
DepartmentGlobal Financial Markets Group
Company nameSaudi Orix Leasing Company (SOLC)
Environmental categoryC
Date SPI disclosedApril 4, 2002
Projected board dateMay 9, 2002
StatusCompleted
Previous EventsSigned: March 5, 2003
Approved: May 16, 2002

Project sponsor and major shareholders of project company
Saudi Orix Leasing Company (SOLC or the company) was established in 2001 as the first specialized leasing company in Saudi Arabia with Orix Corporation, Orix Leasing Pakistan, Saudi Investment Bank, Trade Development and Investment Group and IFC as shareholders. The company began its operations in May 2001 and is off to a good start. As of December 31, 2001 SOLC wrote 68 leases with 45 lessees for a purchase cost of SR33 million (US$8.8 million equivalent). The unaudited net profit was SR0.9 million (US$240,000 equivalent) representing ROE of 1.49%. SOLC ability to borrow long term is constrained by the fact that it is the first non-bank financial institution in the kingdom and has a short track record.

Total project cost and proposed IFC investment
The total project cost is expected to reach up to SR75 million (US$20 million equivalent) with a maturity of 3-5 years. IFC’s guarantee is expected to range between 35-45% of the facility.

Location of project and description of site
Saudi Arabia.

Description of company and purpose of project
The project consists of structuring and partially guaranteeing the first corporate term note in Saudi Arabia. The note will be issued by SOLC which will use the term borrowings to finance the growth of its leasing portfolio.

This will be the first bond ever issued in Saudi Arabia, and the first paper of its kind for a non-bank financial institution. The project will have a strong demonstration effect for the development of capital markets and bond issues in the country. The project is strongly supported by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) the country's Central Bank and IFC is working closely with SAMA to support SAMA's objective of promoting local bond issues. IFC’s guarantee will assist the company in obtaining term funding, otherwise not available in the market and will emphasize IFC’s role as a neutral partner assisting in the structuring this multi-party risk exposure.

Environmental and social issues - Category C
This is an environmental review category C project.

Not applicable.
To contact the project company, please write to:
Shaheen Amin, General Manager
P.O. Box 22890 Riyadh
11418 Saudi Arabia

Phone: 966-1-474-9224
Fax: 966-1-474-9214