MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

05.03.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

LAXMI  DIAMOND  (HK)  LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

Room 802, 8/F, Guardforce Centre, 3 Hok Yuen Street East, Hunghom, Kowloon

 

 

Country :

Hong Kong

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

05.12.2003

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

34135130

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Importer and Exporter of all kinds of diamonds and jewellery products, emerald, etc

 

 

No. of Employees :

7.  (Including associates)

 

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 :

Regular

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 – June 30th, 2012

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.03.2011)

Current Rating

(30.06.2012)

Hong Kong

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 

HONG KONG - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

Hong Kong has a free market economy, highly dependent on international trade and finance - the value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of re-exports, is about four times GDP. Hong Kong's open economy left it exposed to the global economic slowdown that began in 2008. Although increasing integration with China, through trade, tourism, and financial links, helped it to make an initial recovery more quickly than many observers anticipated, it again faces a possible slowdown as exports to the Euro zone and US slump. The Hong Kong government is promoting the Special Administrative Region (SAR) as the site for Chinese renminbi (RMB) internationalization. Hong Kong residents are allowed to establish RMB-denominated savings accounts; RMB-denominated corporate and Chinese government bonds have been issued in Hong Kong; and RMB trade settlement is allowed. The territory far exceeded the RMB conversion quota set by Beijing for trade settlements in 2010 due to the growth of earnings from exports to the mainland. RMB deposits grew to roughly 7.8% of total system deposits in Hong Kong by the end of 2011, an increase of over 59% since the beginning of the year. The government is pursuing efforts to introduce additional use of RMB in Hong Kong financial markets and is seeking to expand the RMB quota. The mainland has long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for about half of Hong Kong's exports by value. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. As a result of China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland tourists to the territory has surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to 28 million in 2011, outnumbering visitors from all other countries combined. Hong Kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. In 2011 mainland Chinese companies constituted about 43% of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and accounted for about 56% of the Exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service industry has grown rapidly. Growth slowed to 5% in 2011. Credit expansion and tight housing supply conditions caused Hong Kong property prices to rise rapidly in 2010 and inflation to rise 5.3% in 2011. Lower and middle income segments of the population are increasingly unable to afford adequate housing. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983

Source : CIA


Company name and address

 

LAXMI  DIAMOND  (HK)  LTD.

 

 

ADDRESS:       Room 802, 8/F, Guardforce Centre, 3 Hok Yuen Street East, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

 

PHONE:            2311 9628,  2365 1223

 

FAX:                 2311 4498

 

E-MAIL:                        laxmi@laxmidiamondhk.com

                        info@laxmidiamondhk.com

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Managing Director:  Mr. Monikaben Rakesh Gajera

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Incorporated on:             5th December, 2003.

 

Organization:                 Private Limited Company.

 

Capital:                         Nominal:           HK$8,000,000.00

Issued:              HK$800,000.00

 

Business Category:        Diamond Trader.

 

Employees:                   7.  (Including associates)

 

Main Dealing Banker:     Wing Lung Bank Ltd., Hong Kong.

 

Banking Relation:           Satisfactory.


ADDRESS

 

Registered Head Office:-

Room 802, 8/F, Guardforce Centre, 3 Hok Yuen Street East, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

 

Associated/Affiliated Companies:-

Cygnus Jewelry Inc., USA.

Komal Gems N.V., Belgium.

Komal Gems, Hong Kong.  (Same address)

L. D. Creations, Hong Kong.  (Same address)

Laxmi Dia Jewels Pvt. Ltd., India.

Laxmi Diamond (Shanghai) Ltd., China.

Laxmi Diamond Private Ltd., India.

Laxmi Jewel Pvt. Ltd., India.

Mili Star (N.Y.) Inc., USA.

Mili Star Co. Ltd., Thailand.

Shree Laxmi Jewelry LLC, UAE.

Suberi Brothers LLC, USA.

 

 

BUSINESS REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 34135130

 

 

COMPANY FILE NUMBER 

 

0874076

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Managing Director:  Mr. Monikaben Rakesh Gajera

 

 

CAPITAL

 

Nominal Share Capital: HK$8,000,000.00 (Divided into 8,000,000 shares of HK$1.00 each)

 

Issued Share Capital: HK$800,000.00

 


SHAREHOLDERS

(As per registry dated 05-12-2011)

 

Name

 

No. of shares

Laxmi Diamond Private Ltd.

416, Prasad Chambers, Opera House, Mumbai‑400 004, India.

 

160,000

Monikaben Rakesh GAJERA

 

640,000

 

 

–––––––

 

Total:

800,000

======

 

 

DIRECTORS

(As per registry dated 05-12-2011)

 

Name

(Nationality)

 

Address

Monikaben Rakesh GAJERA

Room 802, 8/F., Guardforce Centre, 3 Hok Yuen Street East, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

 

Ashokkumar Haribhai GAJERA

416, Prasad Chambers, Opera House, Mumbai‑400 004, India.

 

 

SECRETARY

(As per registry dated 05-12-2011)

 

Name

Address

Co. No.

RC Corporate Services Ltd.

Room 2109, 21/F., China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

0467057

 

 

HISTORY

 

The subject was incorporated on 5th December, 2003 as a private limited liability company under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

Originally the subject was registered under the name of Komal Gems Ltd., name changed to the present style on 19th November, 2005.

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

 

 

OPERATIONS

 

Activities:                      Importer and Exporter.

 

Lines:                           All kinds of diamonds and jewellery products, emerald, etc.

 

Employees:                   7.  (Including associates)

 

Commodities Imported:   India, Belgium, Israel, etc.

 

Markets:                       Japan, Thailand, other Asian countries, Middle East, North America, etc.

 

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

 

Terms/Buying:               L/C, Advanced T/T, D/P, etc.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association, Hong Kong.

 

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Nominal Share Capital:   HK$8,000,000.00 (Divided into 8,000,000 shares of HK$1.00 each)

 

Issued Share Capital:     HK$800,000.00

 

Mortgage or Charge:-

Date of Mortgage:  27-04-2012

Amount:            All principal, interest & other amounts from time to time owing by the Mortgagor to the Lender on any current & other account & all other liabilities

Property:           5/718 part or shares of and in Section E of Kowloon Marine, Lot No. 113 (Workshop Unit No. 2 on the 8/F. of Guardforce Centre, 3 Hok Yuen Street East, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Mortgagee:        Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Ltd., Hong Kong.

 

Profit or Loss:                Keeping a small profit every year.

 

Condition:                      Business is active and steady.

 

Facilities:                      Making active use of general banking facilities.

 

Payment:                      Met trade commitments as contracted.

 

Commercial Morality:     Satisfactory.

 

Bankers:-

Wing Lung Bank Ltd., Hong Kong.

Antwerpse DiamantBank NV
(also known as Antwerp Diamond Bank NV), Hong Kong Branch.

 

Standing:                      Very Good.

 

GENERAL

 

Having issued 800,000 ordinary shares of HK$1.00 each, Laxmi Diamond (HK) Ltd. was jointly owned by four Indian.  Of the four, Hirenkumar Ramsehbhai Khunt was the largest shareholder holding 51% interests.  The subject was reshuffled on 23rd September, 2008 and the subject is now jointly owned by Laxmi Diamond Private Ltd. [Laxmi Diamond], an Indian firm holding 20% interests, and Mr. Monikaben Rakesh Gajera, holding 80%.  M. R. Gajera is a Hong Kong ID Card holder and has got the right to reside in Hong Kong permanently.

Being an associated company of Laxmi Diamond which is in India, the subject is one of the major diamond wholesalers in the Asia Pacific region.  Having more than 30 years experience in manufacturing diamonds products, Laxmi Diamond is now one of the largest diamond manufacturing companies in India.  Laxmi Diamond is a sightholder of the Diamond Trading Company [DTC] of India.

Laxmi Diamond is one of the major manufacturers and distributors of polished diamonds and supplies loose polished to the jewellery trade globally.  The manufacturing facilities in Surat and Amreli, in Gujarat, have been equipped with the latest in high-tech machinery and equipment.  It also has had a plant in Thailand.  The total areas of the factories is over 100,000 sq.ft.

The subject is specialised in diamonds and precious stones such as the following products:-

Round Brilliant:

·         White -2, -6.5, +11, +15.5

·         TTLB -2, -6.5, +6.5, +11, +15.5 (All Shades)

·         Natts -2, -6.5, +6.5, +11, +15.5

Fancy Sharp:

·         Princess Cut

·         MQ

·         Pear

Special Cut:

·         Gabrielle Diamond (105 facet)

The subject’s products include SI diamond, TTLB diamond, diamond earrings, diamond pendant, loose diamond and white diamond which are exported to Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Japan, South Korea, North America, Scandinavia, Taiwan, Western Europe, etc.

Founded in 1972, Laxmi Diamond has had three jewellery brands: “Cygnus” in India, “Noor” in the United States and a branded diamond “Gabrielle” also in the United States.

Currently, the Chairman of Laxmi Diamond Group is Mr. Vasant Gajera.  Headquartered in Mumbai, the Group now has affiliate offices around the world, including the United States, Belgium, Thailand, China and Dubai apart from the subject.

Concerning the turnover of Laxmi Diamond Group, in 2006, the Group’s sales turnover amounted to US$372 million.  Now, it annual sales turnover ranges from US$500 to 550 million.

Laxmi Diamond Group has been conferred by The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India the title of “the third-largest exporter of cut and polished from India”.

The subject has got an associated company L. D. Creations located at its operating address.  L. D. Creations is a sole proprietorship owned by Mr. Rakesh Girdharlal Gajera who is an Indian belongs to the Gajera family.  L. D. Creations is also controlled by the Gajera family.

Besides L. D. Creations, the subject has had another associated company Komal Gems located at the same address.  Komal Gems N.V. [Komal] is a Belgium-based firm which is a manufacturer and wholesaler of diamonds and gems.  Komal is a subsidiary of Lamxi Diamond.  It is one of the largest diamond wholesalers in Southeast Asia.

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 subject operates from an office owned by itself.  The premises had been mortgaged to Wing Lung Bank Ltd. but was discharged on 27th April, 2012.

The subject is fully supported by Laxmi Diamond and the Indian family.  Overall business is satisfactory.  History in Hong Kong is over nine years.

On the whole, consider the subject good for normal business engagements.

 

 

 

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.55.05

UK Pound

1

Rs.82.75

Euro

1

Rs.71.61

 

 

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%)

 

 

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.