MIRA INFORM REPORT
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Report Date : |
05.05.2012 |
IDENTIFICATION DETAILS
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Name : |
MEIR ELIA DIAMONDS LTD. |
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Registered Office : |
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Country : |
Israel |
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Date of Incorporation : |
12.05.1993 |
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Legal Form : |
Private Limited Company |
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Line of Business : |
Traders, processors,
importers, exporters and marketers of fantasy diamonds |
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No. of Employees
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10 |
RATING & COMMENTS
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MIRA’s Rating : |
B |
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RATING |
STATUS |
PROPOSED CREDIT LINE |
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26-40 |
B |
Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively
below average. |
Small |
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Status : |
Moderate |
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Payment
Behaviour : |
Unknown |
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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 – September 30th, 2011
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Country Name |
Previous Rating (30.06.2011) |
Current Rating (30.09.2011) |
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Israel |
a2 |
a2 |
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Risk Category |
ECGC
Classification |
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Insignificant |
A1 |
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Low |
A2 |
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Moderate |
B1 |
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High |
B2 |
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Very High |
C1 |
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Restricted |
C2 |
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Off-credit |
D |
MEIR ELIA DIAMONDS LTD.
Telephone 972 3 575 12 96
Fax 972 3 575 12 70
1 Jabotinsky Street
Diamond Exchange,
Maccabi Bldg.
RAMAT GAN 5252001-ISRAEL
A private limited company,
incorporated as per file No. 51-181108-5 on the 12.05.1993, continuing the
diamond business activities of a partnership established in 1981 between
subject's owner Meir Elia and his brothers (the brothers decided to split and
Meir Elias established subject).
Authorized share
capital of NIS 20,000.00, divided into:-
19,980 ordinary shares (1,000
shares issued),
10 management shares (issued),
9 special shares,
1 deferred share (issued), all of
NIS 1.00 each,
of which shares amounting to NIS 1,011.00
were issued.
Subject is fully
owned by Meir Elia.
Meir Elia.
Traders,
processors, importers, exporters and marketers of fantasy diamonds.
Operating from
office premises, on an area of 126 sq. meters, owned by the shareholder, in 1
Jabotinsky Street, Diamond Exchange, Maccabi Building (9th Floor),
Ramat Gan,.
Having 10
employees.
Financial data not
forthcoming.
There is 1 charge for an unlimited amount
registered in 2003 on the company's assets (financial assets), in favor of The
First International Bank of Israel Ltd.
Sales data not forthcoming.
MEIR ELIA BUILDING INVESTMENT & PROPERTIES LTD., owned by Meir Elia,
deal in real estate.
The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., The Diamond Exchange Branch
(No. 026), Ramat Gan
Nothing
unfavorable learned.
Yet Mr. Meir Elia's
name was mentioned in an indictment filed by the Tel Aviv District Attorney in
2006 against several diamond dealers and a CPA that allegedly assisted them in
evading tax by using front companies.
Elia was not
included as a one of the diamond dealers the indictment was filed against
however allegedly the CPA assisted him also to evade tax between the years
1997-1999.
We did not find
further information on this case.
Subject's owner
and General Manager refused to disclose financial data.
Meir Elia is a
veteran diamond dealer.
A recent affair of
an underground bank is shocking the local diamond branch in these days, after
in late January 2012 Police raided the Diamond Exchange (after a long
undercover operation, in cooperation with the Exchange officials), arrested
several individuals for investigation and blocked several bank accounts (which
led to a chain reaction of not respecting checks of dealers). The Police
suspect that a group of people, including diamond dealers, run an illegal bank
in the Diamond Exchange compound for loans, money transfer abroad and exchange
in volume of NIS 1 billion for several years. The affair has already led to
couple of reported bankruptcies of local diamond firms, significant decrease in
transactions (especially in purchase of raw diamonds) and a very bad general
atmosphere which casts on the whole branch, as dealers –local and foreign- face
uncertainty.
Despite the
slow-down in activity in the global diamond branch during the last third of
2011, export by the local diamond sector in all 2011 recorded US$ 7,202 million
sales in cut diamonds, 23.5% higher than in 2010. This was thanks to the strong
first 2 thirds of 2011, which were stalled in the last third, reflecting the
current fragile global economy and fear of another recession wave in USA and
Europe. It should be noted that in karat terms, net export of cut diamonds rose
only by 4% from 2010.
Export of rough
diamonds in 2011 also climbed almost 15%, reaching US$ 3,515 million (fell
almost 29% in karat terms).
Import of cut
diamonds in 2011 summed up to US$ 5,682 million, representing 34.7% increase
comparing to 2010 (18% rise in karat terms), while import of rough diamonds
rose by 17.5% from 2010, totaling US$ 4,413 million (11% fall in karat terms).
In 2010, export
(net) of cut diamonds was US$ 5,832 million (up 48% from 2009, when it noted
37% decrease from 2008), rough diamonds export (net) reached US$ 3,060 million
(62% rise from 2009). Import of rough diamonds (net) in 2010 grew by 51% to US$
3,755 compared with 2009, and import of polished diamonds (net) saw 68% rise in
2010 reaching US$ 4,218 million.
In terms of target
export (polished diamonds) countries, in 2011 the USA continued to be the main
destination, with 39% of total export (41% in 2011). This comes after in early
2010, for the first time Far East markets became Israel’s diamond industry’s
main target (traditionally sales to the USA comprised some 60%-65% of total
export). Hong Kong is the 2nd largest target country, comprising 26%
of sales in 2011 (29% in 2010). Other main target countries included
Switzerland (6%), India (5%), UK (3%) and the rest of the World (21%).
According to the
President of the Israeli Diamonds Association, local diamond sector in general
managed to cross one of worst depressions in the global diamond sector caused
by the global economic crisis in 2008/9. The sector experienced almost an
entire freeze and collapse in sales of about 70% in the peak of the crisis and
2009 export diamonds shrank by some 40%. The President said that trade in the
sector rolls annual turnover of US$ 25 billion while total debt to the banks
stands on US$ 1.5 billion, down from US$ 2.4 billion in the eve of the crisis.
The Ministry for Industry & Trade also assisted the local diamond exporters
by providing bank guarantees in total scope of
Local diamond
sector employs some 15,000 persons.
In February 2009,
Israel was ranked as the world’s largest exporter of cut diamonds, followed by
India, Belgium and South Africa.
Notwithstanding
the refusal to disclose financial details, considered good for trade
engagements.
Note: Since the beginning of 2012 Israel Post
started using a new area code method of 7 digits (the old method of 5 digits
will still be valid till end of 2012).
DIAMOND INDUSTRY –
INDIA
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Currency |
Unit
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Indian Rupees |
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US Dollar |
1 |
Rs.53.72 |
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UK Pound |
1 |
Rs.86.98 |
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Euro |
1 |
Rs.70.64 |
INFORMATION DETAILS
|
Report Prepared
by : |
PDT |
RATING EXPLANATIONS
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RATING |
STATUS |
PROPOSED CREDIT LINE |
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>86 |
Aaa |
Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability
for timely payment of interest and principal sums |
Unlimited |
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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 |
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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 |
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41-55 |
Ba |
Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal
commitments. |
Satisfactory |
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26-40 |
B |
Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively
below average. |
Small |
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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 |
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<10 |
C |
Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised |
Credit not
recommended |
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NB |
New Business |
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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%)
This report is issued at your request without any
risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL)
or its officials.