CARE to undertake diagnostic study of GSFC

Mumbai: CARE Advisory Services has been appointed by 'the expert committee for public sector restructuring set up by the government of Gujarat to conduct a diagnostic study of Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. (GSFC). The expert committee was set up for advising the government on restructuring of state public sector undertakings (PSUs). The study is expected to be completed in about a month.

CARE Advisory Services has completed similar studies for 30 PSUs at the behest of government of India and state governments. These are PSUs in the manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, transport and service sectors. CARE has also prepared a 'status paper' on sick fertiliser PSUs for the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers, government of India.

The diagnostic study aims at an in-depth examination of the company and the industry in order to evaluate the company's competitive position. Further, measures required for enhancing shareholder value would be identified and a roadmap drawn-up for its implementation. The diagnostic study covers five major modules: industry review, assessment of the company, need for restructuring, valuation of shares and recommendations for restructuring.

GSFC is a leading fertiliser and chemicals company with a diversified product portfolio including nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers and also industrial products. It had an annual net turnover of Rs2,182 crore in FY 2003-04 and a profit after tax of Rs174 crore. Fertilisers accounted for about 60 per cent of the turnover with industrial products accounting for the remainder. Various state government bodies hold about 40 per cent of the equity with 21 per cent held by the Indian public.