MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

19.06.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

NATIONAL BEVERAGE COMPANY LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 1395, Bittunia Industrial Zone, Ramallah West Bank Palestinian Authority

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Year of Establishments:

1998

 

 

Legal Form :

Foreign Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Sole franchise bottlers and distributors of COCA-COLA soft drinks in the Palestinian Territories

 

 

No. of Employees :

380

 

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 :

Good

 

 

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 2013

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2012)

Current Rating

(31.03.2013)

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. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among 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. Israel's economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. 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, and production from the Tama field is expected to meet all of Israel's natural gas demand beginning mid-2013. 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

 

 

 


Company name & address

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE COMPANY LTD.

(Known in short as NBC)

Telephone      972 2 298 47 24

Fax                972 2 298 75 58

Email:            babuhijleh@nbc-pal.com

P.O. Box 1395

Bittunia Industrial Zone

RAMALLAH    WEST BANK         PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A foreign private limited company established in 1998 as a franchise of THE COCA-COLA COMPANY.

Registered in the Palestinian Authority as per file  No. 56-243481-1.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Data not forthcoming.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

1.    Zahi Khouri, 30%,

2.    YOUSR COMPANY FOR INVESTMENT LTD., 30%,

3.    THE VEGETABLE OIL COMPANY (VOIC), Jordan, 25%,

4.    SOFT DRINKS HOLDINGS CO. (SDH), a subsidiary of COCA-COLA INTERNATIONAL, 15%.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.      Zahi Khouri, Chairman,

2.      Ms. Dina Masri.

 

 

GENERAL MANAGER

 

Imad Hindi

 

BUSINESS

 

Sole franchise bottlers and distributors of COCA-COLA soft drinks in the Palestinian Territories.

 

Beverages bottled by subject include: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Diet Sprite.

 

Also marketers of Marawi juices and nectars, as well as mineral water beverages "Jericho" and "Arwa".

 

Operating from an owned premises (offices and plant), on an area of 10,000 sq. meters, in Bittunia Industrial Zone, Ramallah, from owned plant on an area of 13,000 sq. meters in Jericho, from plant on an area of 11,000 sq. meters in Tul Karm and from 4 sales and distribution centers located in Gaza and 3 depots, located in Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus.

 

Having 380 employees.

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data not forthcoming, known to be financially solid.

 

Subject is known to be holding large stock quantities.

 

 

sales

 

2012 sales claimed to be US$ 100,000,000.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

PALESTINE BEVERAGE GROUP MARKETING CO. LTD., established 1998, manufacturers and marketers of non-carbonated soft drinks (orange and grapefruit juice, etc).

 

Mr. Zahi Khouri is also a shareholder in PADICO, Palestinian largest holding corporation, who holds shares in, among others, PALTEL (Palestinian sole wireline operator), a hotel in Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Stock Exchange and in real estate properties.

 

 

BANKERS

 

Arab Bank Plc., Regional Management Branch (Grand Park St., P.O. Box 1476), Ramallah, West Bank, Palestinian Authority.

 

Cairo Amman Bank, Regional Management Branch (Al-Ma'ahed St., P.O. Box 1870), Ramallah, West Bank Palestinian Authority.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

Subject is the leading beverage company in the Palestinian Authority. Subject’s market share in the field of carbonated soft drinks exceeds 50%

 

Mr. Zahi Khouri is a well-known respected figure in the Palestinian Authority, involved in other business and public affairs.

 

In 2005 subject acquired the Palestinian Beverage Group MARAWI, manufacturers of juices.

 

In February 2006 subject signed an agreement with JERICHO NATURAL MINERAL WATER CO. to distribute JERICHO's mineral water in the Palestinian Authority.

 

The Palestinian Authority is presently in a state of crisis, with a dire shortage in cash, in fact on the verge of bankruptcy, where the authorities are unable to pay salaries, delay in payment of US$ 500,000 to the private and public sectors, and fear it will be unable to redeem loans in volume of US$ 1.2 billion. With a trade deficit of US$ 4 billion (50% of GDP), the Palestinian economy, which grew by an average of 9% in the years 2008-2010 (was nearly zero in 2007), show clear signs of slow-down in the macro aspect, with 5.8% growth in 2011 in the West Bank (figures for 2012 are ambiguous).  Much of the growth was attributed to the foreign aid received, though over the last period there have been delays in the transfer of the promised donation - in 2011 & 2012 it received outside support of US$ 1.5 billion & US$ 1.78 billion, respectively, though much less than expected.

 

It should be noted that according to reports, on the private business level, the crisis is less felt at this stage in the Palestinian city's streets, though if the governmental/public sector collapses – as such warnings exists – that may drag the banking and financial sector down and eventually reach the private sector.

 

Other current indicators are still alarming, mainly in the Gaza Strip, such as high unemployment rates (19% in the West Bank in 2012, over 30% in Gaza), and poverty (70% in Gaza).

 

According to World Bank and Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency, total GDP of the Palestinian Economy in 2008 was US$ 4.6 billion, and GDP per capita is US$ 1,290 (was US$1,272 in 2006). These figures include the West Bank and Gaza Strip, whose economy has been in different condition. GDP per capita (or average annual income per capita) in the West bank has climbed to US$ 2,800 by 2009 and around US$ 3,000 in 2010/11, while remains low in Gaza – around US$ 1,000 per capita

 

In terms of foreign trade, Total Import in 2007 summed up to US$ 3,141 million, while Total Export reached US$ 513 million. 80% of imported goods to the Palestinian Territories are carried out via Israel.

 

The Palestinian economy suffered a set-back in recent years, following the rising of the Hamas government in Gaza Strip in 2007, which led to internal conflict and clashes between the Hamas supporters and those of the Phatah movement.

 

While the political situation has been stable in the West Bank (controlled by Phatah) leading to economic growth in recent years, the condition in the Gaza Strip deteriorated drastically, also due to the blockage on goods movement in and out the Strip for long period. The situation in Gaza Strip improved drastically since 2010, with overseas donation and the partial lifting of goods blockage – Gaza Strip economy grew by 26% in the first 3Q of 2011 (16.5% in 2010, 1% in 2009) according to the International Monitory Fund (IMF), though situation is still critical. Yet, deterioration occurred due to the military fight with Israel in late 2012.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

 

 

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.58.45

UK Pound

1

Rs.91.60

Euro

1

Rs.77.91

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

MNL

 

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.