MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

10.12.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

BEZEQ INTERNATIONAL LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 7097, Petach Tikva (4917002), 40 Hashacham Street, Kiryat Matalon

Petach Tikva 4951731

 

 

Country :

ISRAEL

 

 

Financials (as on) :

30.09.2012

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

05.04.1995

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Subject provides internet services (access, hosting, data, storage, cloud, equipment, WiFi, on line security, as well as value added service) for the business and private sectors.

 

 

No. of Employees :

2,262

 

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 :

--

 

 

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 – June 30th, 2012

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.03.2011)

Current Rating

(30.06.2012)

Israel

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 

 

israel - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals - following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies. In 2010, Israel formally acceded to the OECD. Natural gasfields discovered off Israel's coast during the past two years have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Leviathan field was one of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. The government formed committees to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands.

 

Source : CIA

 


Correct Name and address

 

BEZEQ INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Telephone         972 3 925 73 02 /33

Fax                   972 3 925 73 48; 76 501 43 48

P.O. Box 7097, Petach Tikva (4917002)

40 Hashacham Street

Kiryat Matalon

PETACH TIKVA 4951731 ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-213372-9 on the 05.04.1995, under the name BEZEQ GLOBAL SERVICES LTD., which changed its name to the present on 09.01.1996.

 

Subject was established in view of assuming the international calls operations of BEZEQ THE ISRAELI TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO. LTD., the local telecom operator originally established in 1948 as a government agency, converted into a public limited liability company, incorporated on the 21.08.1980.

 

2 companies were merged into subject in 2007:

BEZEQCALL COMMUNICATION LTD. on the 11.02.2007.

ACTCOM – ACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS LTD. on the 09.07.2007.

Subject was given a license for international communication services by the Ministry of Communications in 1996 (license was extended to until 2022).

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 200,000,000.00, divided into -

2,000,000,000 ordinary shares of NIS 0.10 each,

of which 1,136,986,301 shares amounting to NIS 113,698,630.10 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Subject is a fully owned subsidiary of BEZEQ THE ISRAELI TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO. LTD. (hereinafter BEZEQ), a public limited company, whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

BEZEQ is controlled (30.97%) by B. COMUNICATIONS LTD., controlled (79.94%) by INTERNET GOLD - GOLDEN LINES LTD., publicly traded on TASE and NASDAQ Stock Exchange, controlled (79%) by EUROCOM COMMUNICATIONS LTD., owned (80%) by Shaul Elovitch – chiefly - and his son Erez Elovitch, and (20%) by his brother Joseph Elovitch (Elovitch family's main holdings is via EUROCOM HOLDINGS (1979) LTD.).

 

In April 2010 Shaul Elovitch and EUROCOM Group which he controls, acquired control of BEZEQ for NIS 6.5 billion from the APAX-SABAN-ARKIN Group.


 

DIRECTORS

 

1.         Shaul Elovitch, Chairman of BEZEQ Group,

2.         Amikam Shorer,

3.         Ms. Orna Elovitch Peled,

4.         Felix Cohen,

5.         Joshua Rosensweig.

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Isaac Benbenisti.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Subject provides internet services (access, hosting, data, storage, cloud, equipment, WiFi, on line security, as well as value added service) for the business and private sectors.

Also international telecommunications operator, providing international communication services (known also as "014" for the prefix) to 240 destinations worldwide, providing a wide range of telecommunication services, including voice solutions with direct overseas dialing, calling cards, ISDN services which enable voice, data, and video conferencing transmissions, solutions for data communications, fast connection Internet solutions and hosting services..

Also, since 2007 and the merger with BEZEQCALL, operating in the end-user network solutions and PBX services.

Subject has business relationship with some 180 foreign operators, the main ones being: AT&T, PALTEL, ROSTELECOM, BRITISH TELECOM.

 

Main international communication infrastructure supplier: MEDITERRANEAN NAUTILUS LTD.

Among other suppliers (products, systems and services): NORTEL NETWORKS, ALCATEL, SIGVALUE, IBM GLOBAL SERVICES, AVAYA, EUROCOM, LG, CISCO, JUNIPER, MATRIX I.T., etc.

Among other service providers ALCATEL-LUCENT SUBMARINE NETWORKS (underwater cable – see more in CHARACTER).

 

Operating from rented premises, on an area of 7,000 sq. meters, in 40 Hashacham Street, Kiryat Matalon Industrial Zone, Petach Tikva.

Landlord: AVNET HOSHEN. Also operating from rented premises in 5 Hazoran Street, Industrial Park Netanya South, Netanya (the premises of BEZEQCALL), and from a server farm in Tel Aviv.

 

Having 2,262 employees, including outsourcing employees, as of the end of 2011 (had 2,112 employees at end of 2010).

Having some 15,600 employees as of end of 2011 serving BEZEQ Group.

 

 

 

MEANS

 

B/S in essence, shows:

                                                                                      NIS (millions)

                                                                           31.12.2011                 30.09.2012

ASSETS

Current assets                                                              500                           556

Non-current assets                                                        768                           796

                                                                                 1,268                         1,352

                                                                               =====                       =====

 

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities                                                            292                           362

Non-current liabilities                                                     147                           209

Equity                                                                          829                           781

                                                                                 1,268                         1,352

                                                                               =====                       =====

 

Parent company BEZEQ current market value US$ 3,391.3 million.

BEZEQ total B/S for 30.09.2012 (in brackets 31.12.2011) was NIS 16,216 million (NIS 17,331 million), equity NIS 1,951 million (NIS 2,688 million).

 

There are 5 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company’s assets, in favor of Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd. and local companies (last charge placed in November 2009).

 

 

REVENUES

 

                                                                           Statement of Income

                                                                                  NIS (millions)

                                                                             Year ended 31.12

                                                                        2009            2010            2011

Revenue                                                           1,318           1,380           1,354

 

Gross profit                                                         541              558              566

 

Operating income                                                 261              320              241

 

Profit before taxes on income                                271              318              240

 

Net income                                                          200              253              182

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

 


 

Consolidated first 9 months of 2012 revenues were NIS 1,001 million (1% decrease from the parallel period in 2011), making gross profit of
NIS 405 million, operating profit of NIS 157 million, making a net profit of NIS 115 million.

 

BEZEQ THE ISRAELI TELECOM. consolidated 2011 sales were NIS 11,373 million, making a net profit of NIS 2,061 million.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

BEZEQ THE ISRAELI TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO. LTD., parent company, Israel’s main wire line Telecom operator, providing a wide range of wire-line and wireless telecommunication services..

Other main holdings:

PELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS LTD., 100%, operators of cellular networks and allied services, including sales of end equipment. Israel's 3rd largest cellular operator.

D.B.S. SATELLITE SERVICES (1998) LTD. (known as “YES”), 49.8%, providers of digital satellite broadcasting services. EUROCOM Group holds the reminder of shares.

WALLA! COMMUNICATIONS LTD, 100%, operators of Internet popular portal.

BEZEQ GOLD (HOLDINGS) LTD., 100%,

BEZEQ ON-LINE LTD., 100%, provides call center services to subject’s customers.

 

Also controlled by Shaul Elovitch, part of EUROCOM Group:

B. COMUNICATIONS LTD. (Nasdaq-GS:BCOM), a holding company, current market value US$ 141.8 million,

EUROCOM-COMMUNICATIONS LTD., heading the EUROCOM Group's communications operations, including import, marketing and distribution of telecommunications systems and equipment, and consumer electronic (entertainment) equipment and appliances – switchboards, telephones and cellular phones, decoders, LCD TV sets, etc. EUROCOM Group is sole local agents and marketers of GE (in DECT phones) and others.

 

Also part of EUROCOM Group:

INTERNET GOLD – GOLDEN LINES LTD. (Nasdaq:IGLD), 79%, a holding company, current market value US$ 81 million.

SATLINK COMMUNICATIONS LTD. providing connectivity for TV broadcasts via satellite communications;

SPACE-COMMUNICATION LTD. (SPACECOM), 68.7%, publicly traded on TASE (current market value US$ 282 million), operators and marketers of satellite services from the “AMOS” Satellite.

 

TRANS-GLOBAL INDUSTRIES PTE LTD., importers and marketers of telecommunications equipment

EUROCOM CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS LTD. (known as EUROCOM-NOKIA), sole local agents and marketers of NOKIA,

EUROCOM DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS LTD., importers and marketers of office electronic equipment, sole local agents of PANASONIC.

EUROCOM INDUSTRIES (1986) LTD.,

TEL-BIT ELECTRONICS LTD., customized networking solutions provider,

EUROCOM NETWORKS 21 LTD.

SATCOM SYSTEMS LTD., 79.9%, publicly traded on TASE. Current market value US$ 15.7 million. Among subsidiaries GILAT SATCOM LTD. (100%), communication solutions provider

D.M. ENGINEERING LTD., overall communications solutions to businesses,

ENLIGHT RENEWABLE ENERGY LTD., 47.9%, operates in the renewable energy field, publicly traded on TASE. Current market value US$ 16.5 million.

 

EUROCOM D.B.S. LTD.

E.G.R.E. LTD., 39%, real estate, publicly traded on TASE, RADIUS BROADCASTING LTD., popular radio channel.

 

 

BANKERS

 

The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., Tel Aviv Main Branch (No. 046), Tel Aviv, account No. 435104.

Union Bank of Israel Ltd., Tel Aviv Main Branch (No. 063), Tel Aviv,
account No. 675100/99.

Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Central Branch (No. 800), Tel Aviv,
account No. 467500/91.

Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Tel Aviv Main Branch (No. 010), Tel Aviv,
account No. 112240.

A check with the Central Banks' database did not reveal anything detrimental on subject’s a/m accounts.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

There are several lawsuits, investigations and class motion acts against subject, none of them seem to be significant.

Apart from that, nothing unfavorable learned.

 

Subject is a leading company in its fields: 37.5% market share as an Internet Provider of in 2011 (35.9% in 2010). The Internet Provider market has 4 main suppliers. In the local Internet market subject has a high penetration rate (73% connected).

 

Subject has 30% market share in international calls market in 2011 (30.7% in 2010). The international calls market, with 6 local operators, is characterized in recent years in decreasing trend in calls volume of 4.4% in 2011 and 5% decrease in 2010.

 

BEZEQ Group is the leading telecommunication service provider in Israel. Until 2005, it was the sole wire line operator and following the Government reform, the market has opened up to competition and the local telecommunications sector has been going through drastic structural changes in recent years, as part of the government efforts to increase competitiveness in the sector, in favor of the private consumers. In the beginning of 2008 the policy of telephone numbers mobility entered into force which led to desertion of subscribers.

BEZEQ still has hegemony over most of the telecom market (itself and via subsidiaries). As of end of 2011 BEZEQ had 63% market share in the household sector (65% in 2010) and 76% in the business sector (78% in 2010). BEZEQ has been considered a monopoly and as such bounded to certain restrictions, which has been affecting BEZEQ’s operations as well. However, in view of the decrease in market share (i.e. below 85%) the Ministry of Communications endowed BEZEQ certain relieve in the prices and services it provides.

As of end of 30.09.2011 BEZEQ has 2,299,000 telephone subscribers (2,367,000 subscribers in the end of 2011) and 1,153,000 fast Internet subscribers (1,111,000 subscribers in the end of 2011).

 

In April 2010, in a momentous deal, Shaul Elovitch and EUROCOM Group which he controls completed the acquisition of the control of BEZEQ from Haim Saban Group, APAX PARTNERS investment fund and Mori Arkin, for NIS 6.5 billion.

 

EUROCOM Group is Israel’s largest privately owned communication group, with presenters also in the international market. In recent years, EUROCOM Group has carried out several major acquisitions, in the way to strengthening its hold in the local telecom and consumer electronics market. In 2006, EUROCOM acquired GOLDEN LINES 012 from the FISHMAN Group for US$ 140 million, and merged it with INTERNET GOLD, creating SMILE COMMUNICATIONS 012. Later, acquired control in BEZEQ Group.

EUROCOM Group also operates in the local real estate market, financial market and invests in hi-tech start-ups. EUROCOM Group's 2009 sales were estimated to be NIS 3,150 million, prior to the BEZEQ Group acquisition in 2010.

 

In December 2006 subject signed a deal to acquire 100% of ACTCOM – ACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS LTD., local most veteran IP provider. ACTCOM, located in Haifa, will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary.

 

In mid 2006 all activities of GOLDNET COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES LP (known as "Bezeq Gold"), 75% subsidiary of BEZEQ, were transferred into subject. GOLDNET deals in secured data transmission solutions.

In July 2006 subject and BEZEQCALL COMMUNICATION LTD., both BEZEQ 100% subsidiaries, started a process of merging their activities into subject's, as part of BEZEQ's strategic move facing local competition in the communications market. BEZEQCALL operates in the end-user network solutions, with market share of 45%. The merging with subject, in addition of an earlier merger of BEZEQ GOLD into subject, creates a larger company which will serve as a one-stop supplier of VoIP solutions to customers.

 

In October 2006, subject signed agreement with 2+(TWO PLUS) WIRELESS SOLUTIONS LTD. for the establishment of a partnership called B-ZONE, that will establish, support and manage networks which allow wireless fast Internet surfing in public places.

 

In January 2007 NETVISION Group completed a strategic move, after which it controls one third of the local Internet market and the international calls services market. NETVISION acquired BARAK ITC, one of the leading 3 international calls operators, where the others are subject and SMILE 012, with another two smaller operators (EXPHONE 018 and TELZAR 019).

 

In 2007, subject and DSNR Group, jointly established BEZECOM LTD. in view of expanding international telecommunications activities, providing affordable and cheap international calls worldwide.

 

In March 2008 subject signed an agreement with partnership GIL A.R. TELECOM SYSTEMS, according to which subject acquired all the partnership activities of sale, rental and servicing of communications and switchboard products of AVAYA OFFICE.

 

In January 2009, subject inaugurated a new server cluster, on an area of 1,000 sq. meters in its Petach Tikva compound with reported investment of NIS 25 million. Subject’s server cluster is the largest in Israel. PC JUNIPER and CISCO were selected for supplying the equipment for the project.

 

In June 2009 it was reported that subject won a tender to supply international communication services to the Government Ministries and the Israeli Defense Force, estimated at over NIS 10 million annually.

 

In September 2009 it was reported that subject won a tender to be the Internet Provider to the Israeli Defense Force for the next 5 years. The deal is estimated at several tens NIS millions.

 

In January 2010 it was reported that subject will be sole local representatives of BRITISH TELECOM in Israel.

 

In April 2010 subject acquired from the HAARETZ Group its holdings (32.6%) in WALLA!, one of Israel's leading internet portals, for the sum of NIS 89 million, in September 2010 subject acquired further 5% for NIS 13.6 million, reaching a holding of 71.76% in WALLA!. On the 21.09.2010 subject sold its holdings in WALLA! to parent company BEZEQ, for NIS 196 million. In April 2012, following a successful tender offer, BEZEQ reached full ownership of WALLA!.

 

In April 2010 it was reported that subject will market MICROSOFT's online software products, investing in an advertizing campaign NIS 2 million.

 

In July 2011 BEZEQ's Board approved to enter negotiations with regard of the purchase of a plot in Petach Tikva of 25,000 sq. meters, designed for logistics and offices, to replace existing premises by the end of 2015. The cost of the shift project, including the cost of the real estate property is estimated at NIS 700 million.

 

In July 2011 subject completed the lay-out of the infrastructure for the new undersea cable, with investment of hundred NIS millions. The cable, manufactured by ALCATEL-LUCENT with 7.2 terra-bite capacity will be physically laid shortly connecting the offices in Petach Tikva through the sea 2,300km long to Italy, competing the sole provider until now (MED NAUTILUS).

In January 2012 subject started providing high speed internet services (POWER NGN) utilizing the a/m cable.

 

In May 2012 it was reported that subject will supply the HOT Group (among BEZEQ Group's rivals) the platform for its overseas calls.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

 

 

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.54.20

UK Pound

1

Rs.86.99

Euro

1

Rs.70.22

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

SDA

 

 

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%)

 

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