MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

11.04.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

FIRESTAR  DIAMOND  LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

Room 1603-1604, 16/F., Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road Central

 

 

Country :

Hong Kong

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

09.09.2009

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

51144017

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Importer and Exporter of all kinds of diamonds, etc.

 

 

No. of Employees :

7

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

Ba

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

Satisfactory

 

Status :

Satisfactory

Payment Behaviour :

No Complaints

Litigation :

Clear

 

NOTES :

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail: infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

ECGC Country Risk Classification List – March 31st, 2012

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2011)

Current Rating

(31.03.2012)

Hong Kong

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 


Company name and address

 

FIRESTAR  DIAMOND  LTD.

 

 

ADDRESS:       Room 1603-1604, 16/F., Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

 

PHONE:            2530 3677

 

FAX:                 2530 9877

 

E-MAIL:            ananavati@firestonediamond.com

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Managing Director:  Mr. Mihir Rashmi Bhansali

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Incorporated on:              9th September, 2009.

 

Organization:                 Private Limited Company.

 

Capital:                         Nominal:           HK$117,000,000.00

Issued:              HK$117,000,000.00

 

Business Category:        Diamond Trader.

 

Employees:                   7.

 

Main Dealing Banker:     Bank of India, Hong Kong Branch.

 

Banking Relation:           Satisfactory.


 ADDRESS

 

Registered Head Office:-

Room 1603-1604, 16/F., Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

 

Holding Company:-

Firestar Holdings Ltd., Hong Kong.  (Same address)

 

Associated Companies:-

Firestar Diamond BVBA, Belgium.

Firestar Diamond FZE, UAE.

Firestar Diamond Inc., USA.

Firestar Diamond LLC, Armenia.

Firestone International Pvt. Ltd., India.

 

 

BUSINESS REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

51144017

 

 

COMPANY FILE NUMBER 

 

1371302

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Managing Director:  Mr. Mihir Rashmi Bhansali

Chief Executive Officer:  Mr. Aditya Nanavati

 

 

CAPITAL

 

Nominal Share Capital: HK$117,000,000.00 (Divided into 117,000,000 shares of HK$1.00 each)

 

Issued Share Capital: HK$117,000,000.00

 

 


SHAREHOLDER

(As per registry dated 26-03-2012)

 

Name

 

No. of shares

Firestar Holdings Ltd., Hong Kong.

 

117,000,000

=========

 

 

DIRECTORS

(As per registry dated 09-09-2011)

 

Name

(Nationality)

 

Address

Mihir Rashmi BHANSALI

211, Casablanca 39, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai‑400005, India.

 

Neeshal MODI

808-Arihant Park, Arthwalines, Surat-395007, India.

 

 

SECRETARY

(As per registry dated 09-09-2011)

 

Name

Address

Co. No.

Louis Lai Co. Secretarial Services Ltd.

9/F., Surson Commercial Building, 140-142 Austin Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

0686503

 

 

HISTORY

 

The subject was incorporated on 9th September, 2009 as a private limited liability company under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

Originally the subject was registered under the name of Firestone Diamond Ltd., name changed to the present style on 1st April, 2011.

Apart from these, neither material change nor amendment has been ever traced and noted.

 

 

OPERATIONS

 

Activities:                      Importer and Exporter.

 

Lines:                           All kinds of diamonds, etc.

 

Employees:                   7.

 

Commodities Imported:   India, Europe, etc.

 

Markets:                       Europe, North America, Central & South America, etc.

 

Terms/Sales:                 L/C, T/T, etc.

 

Terms/Buying:                L/C, T/T, etc.

 

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Nominal Share Capital:   HK$117,000,000.00 (Divided into 117,000,000 shares of HK$1.00 each)

 

Issued Share Capital:     HK$117,000,000.00

 

Alternation of Capital:-

Initially

paid up

HK$      58,656,000.00

26-03-2012

paid up

HK$      58,344,000.00

 

 

––––––––––––––––––

Total:

paid up

HK$      117,000,000.00

================

 

Increase of Nominal Capital:-

From

HK$58,656,000.00

to

HK$117,000,000.00

on

26-03-2012

 

Mortgage or Charge:       (See attachment)

 

Profit or Loss:                Too early to offer an opinion.

 

Condition:                      Business is under development.

 

Facilities:                      Making fairly active use of general banking facilities.

 

Payment:                      Met trade commitments as required.

 

Commercial Morality:     Satisfactory.

 

Bankers:-

Bank of India, Hong Kong Branch.

Union Bank of India, Hong Kong Branch.

Punjab National Bank, Hong Kong Branch.

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd., Hong Kong.

 

Standing:                      Normal.

 

 


GENERAL

 

Having issued 117 million ordinary shares of HK$1.00 each, Firestar Diamond Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Firestar Holdings Ltd. [Firestar] which is a Hong Kong-registered firm.  This firm is also located at the same operating address as the subject.

The subject is a multinational diamond and jewellery manufacturing company.  Its operations span the United States, Europe and Asia.  It is able to offer clients with rough and polished diamond procurement, diamond polishing, jewellery design, manufacture, distribution and after-sales service.  Its products are exported to Europe, North America, Central & South America, etc.  Business is still under development.

Currently, Firestar has over 1,300 employees in its manufacturing plants.  Firestar has registered about 75 trademarks and ten patents.

In order to penetrate the international market further, the subject has taken part in fairs and exhibitions held in Hong Kong and other foreign large cities.  For instance, it is going to take part in “HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show 2013” which will be held in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai, Hong Kong during the period of 5th to 9th March, 2013.

The history of the subject in Hong Kong is just over two years and seven months.

On the whole, consider the subject good for normal business engagements in small credit amounts.

 

 

REMARKS

 

            Brief personal profile of the principals:-

Mr. Mihir Rashmi BHANSALI, Managing Director of the subject, is the Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of Jewelry Division and Head of the United States.  He is the CEO of Firestar.  Mihir manages all fine jewelry operations, including global manufacturing and international sales.  He regularly examines and improves all processes within the organization and consistently upgrades performance levels by enhancing internal systems and technology and by providing professional education and advanced training opportunities to executives and broad staff.  In addition, Mihir expands the Firestar footprint across continents, by forging partnerships and joint ventures with corporations offering complementary synergies.  Mihir has a degree in Business Administration from Babson College, MA (USA) and has completed executive programs at Harvard and attended seminars at YPO.  His tenure at Firestar spans over 10 years.

Mr. Aditya NANAVATI, CEO of the subject, is the Head of Hong Kong.  Aditya plays a pivotal role in leading sales of polished products and managing Firestar’s operations in Hong Kong, China, and the Far East.  Prior to joining Firestar, Aditya spent two years as an M&A analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort, London, where he worked on both buy and sell sides of transactions, as well as pitches.  He worked in the Financial Institution and the Consumer Retail space, and was on the team advising HBOS about its acquisition by Lloyds TSB.  Aditya has a Masters in Science in Finance and Economics and a Bachelors in Science in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics.  He is also a GIA Diamond Graduate.

Mr. Neeshal MODI is the CEO of Diamond Division and Head of Belgium.  Neeshal leads Firestar’s Diamond Division, travelling extensively to source the finest quality diamonds from all over the world.  In his role as CEO of the Diamond Division, Neeshal manages the entire diamond manufacturing process and has played a key role in setting up new manufacturing units in Surat (India) and Yerevan (Armenia).  He has also been instrumental in expanding Firestar’s European operations.  Neeshal holds a degree in Investment and Financial Risk Management from City University, London and held positions at several, respected financial services organizations.

 


MORTGAGE OR CHARGE

 

Date

Particulars

Amount

11-02-2011

Instrument:        Debenture

Property:

a)         By way of first fixed charge, all the plant, machinery, vehicles, computers and other equipment and other installation or material

b)         By way of first fixed charge, the uncalled capital and any uncalled premiums and any called but unpaid capital or premiums, goodwill and all patents, patent applications, inventions, trademarks, trade names, registered designs, copyrights, know-how and other intellectual or industrial property rights and all ancillary rights and benefits

c)         By way of first fixed charge, all book and other debts reveues and claims

d)         By way of first fixed charge, all present and future contracts or pllicies of insurance; and

e)         By way of first floating charge, the undertaking and all the property, assets and rights

Mortgagee:        Union Bank of India, Hong Kong Branch.

To secure all monies in respect of banking facilities

22-02-2011

Instrument:        Charge on Deposit to secure the Depositor’s Obligations

Property:

A sum of US$2,500,000.00 currently represented or evidenced by a certificate of deposit dated 22-02-2011 bearing number 7141001019

Mortgagee:        Punjab National Bank, Hong Kong Branch.

As a continuing security for the payment and discharge of the Secured Obligations

24-02-2011

Instrument:        Charge on Deposit

Property:

A sum of US$2,000,000.00 currently represented or evidenced by a certificate of deposit dated 24-02-2011 bearing number 000013010000589

Mortgagee:        Union Bank of India, Hong Kong Branch.

All moneys

18-03-2011

Instrument:        Letter of Set-off and Appropriation

Property:

Deal No.            Date     Amount Due Date

169350  18-03-2011        US$1,875,000.00           19-03-2012

Mortgagee:        Bank of India, Hong Kong Branch.

Advances and other banking facilities

05-09-2011

Instrument:        Security Agreement over Bank Account

Property:

By way of a first fixed charge all of the Chargor’s rights in respect of any amount standing to the credit of the Account

Mortgagee:        Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd., Hong Kong.

To secure the payment and satisfaction of all present and future obligations and liabilities

 


DIAMOND INDUSTRY – INDIA

 

-          From time immemorial, India is well known in the world as the birthplace for diamonds.  It is difficult to trace the origin of diamonds but history says that in the remote past, diamonds were mined only in India. Diamond production in India can be traced back to almost 8th Century B.C.  India, in fact, remained undisputed leader till 18th Century when Brazilian fields were discovered in 1725 followed by emergence of S. Africa, Russia and Australia.

-          The achievement of the Indian diamond industry was possible only due to combination of the manufacturing skills of the Indian workforce and the untiring and unflagging efforts of the Indian diamantaires, supported by progressive Government policies.

-          The area of study of family owned diamond businesses derives its importance from the huge conglomerate of family run organizations which operate in the diamond industry since many generations.

-          Some of the basic traits of family run business enterprises include spirit of entrepreneurship, mutual trust lowers transaction costs, small, nimble and quick to react, information as a source of advantage and philanthropy.

-          Family owned diamond businesses need to improve on many fronts including higher standard of corporate governance, long-term performance – focused strategies, modern management and technology.

-          The diamond jewellery industry in India today may be more than Rs 60000 mil and is rated amongst the fastest growing  in the world. Indi ranks third in the world in domestic diamond consumption.

-          Utmost caution is to be exercised while dealing with some medium and large diamond traders which are usually engaged in fictitious import – export, inter-company transactions, financially assisted by banks. In the process, several public sector banks lost several hundred million rupees. They mostly diverted borrowed money for diamond business into real estate and capital markets.

-          Excerpts from Times of India dated 30th October 2010 is as under –

 

DIAMOND SAGA – DIRTY DOZEN STUCK WITH 2K CR DEBT

This could be the biggest credibility crisis the Indian diamond industry has ever faced. Fifteen banks run the risk of losing Rs 2000 crore lent to a dozen diamond firms in Surat. Until about two months ago, they had not repaid  these dues. Bankers believe many diamantaires borrowed money during the economic downturn two years ago and diverted funds to businesses like real estate and capital markets. Many of themselves made money from these businesses but their diamond companies have gone sick and declared insolvency.

-          Most of the money borrowed from the banks in the name of their diamond business has been diverted in real estate and the share market. The banks are not in a position to seize their properties because in many cases, these were purchased in the name of their relatives and friends.

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.51.20

UK Pound

1

Rs.81.50

Euro

1

Rs.67.15

 

 

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

RATING

STATUS

 

 

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

 

Credit not recommended

--

NB

                                       New Business

 

--

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                 Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                    Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

 

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.