MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

23.03.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

YOSHFE DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

23 Tuval Street, Diamond Exchange, Noam Bldg., Ramat Gan 5252238  

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

05.03.2009

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Processors, polishers, importers and exporters of diamonds, from diamonds 0.005 to 2ct rounds.

 

 

No. of Employees :

Having 60 employees (had 50 employees as of end of 2010, 40 employees in early 2010, same as in 2009).

 

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 :

Usually Correct 

 

 

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

(31.03.2012)

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


Company name & address

 

YOSHFE DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

(Also known in short as YDI)

Telephone    972 73 227 72 00

Fax              972 3 613 46 13; 613 43 70

Email: info@ydiltd.com

23 Tuval Street

Diamond Exchange, Noam Bldg.

RAMAT GAN                            5252238            ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-425023-2 on the 05.03.2009. Actual activities began in August 2009.

 

Subject was established in view of the split of the local activities of YAHALOMEI ESPEKA INTERNATIONAL LTD. (YEI), a private limited company incorporated in 1982, originally founded in the 1960's.

 

We are informed that YEI shareholders decided to brake-up their partnership, therefore one partner -Itzhak Phillip Zivan-Sussholz formed his own company, while the other partner - Abraham Fluk, formed subject.

 

Also as part of the split, subject assumed most activities of YEI 60% subsidiary LESHEM PRIMA DIAMOND'S LTD., who ceased activities in mid 2009.

 

Diamond activities of the Fluk family, now 3rd generation, were founded in 1946 by The Late Zorach Fluk (which then co-founded YEI).

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital NIS 100,001.00, divided into –

              1 management share (issued),

              100,000 ordinary shares (100 shares issued), all of NIS 1.00 each,

of which shares amounting to NIS 101.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Subject is fully owned by Abraham Fluk.

 


DIRECTORS

 

1.    Abraham Fluk, Chairman,

2.    Tommy Ori Fluk, CEO.

 

                                                                                                                           

BUSINESS

 

Processors, polishers, importers and exporters of diamonds, from diamonds 0.005 to 2ct rounds.

 

80% of sales are for export (in 2010).

 

Operating from office premises, owned by Abraham Fluk, on an area of 500 sq. meters, in 23 Tuval Street (also known as 52 Bezalel Street), Diamond Exchange, Noam Building (Room No. 501), Ramat Gan.

Having branches in New York, Hong Kong and Antwerp. Group has 3 manufacturing facilities, including in China.

 

Having 60 employees (had 50 employees as of end of 2010, 40 employees in early 2010, same as in 2009).

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data not forthcoming, known to be of a solid financial standing.

 

Subject (and in the past YEI LTD.) has been a DTC Sightholder and is a longstanding key purchaser from all the major rough producers.

 

There are 5 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets, in favor of Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd. and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. (last charge placed on real estate assets in March 2012).

 

 

Sales

 

Sales of YEI (who preceded subject):

YEI sales for export in 2006 were US$ 156,000,000

YEI sales for export in 2007 were US$ 194,000,000

YEI sales for export in 2008 were US$ 159,000,000

 

Subject’s sales begun in August 2009, after the split.

Sales for export (net) of polished diamonds as published by the Supervisor on Diamonds in the Israeli Ministry of Industry & Trade (Note: Overall sales are higher as there are sales to the local market as well):

Sales for export in 2009 were US$ 29,000,000.

Sales for export in 2010 were US$ 91,000,000.

Sales for export in 2011 were US$ 130,000,000.

Sales for export in 2012 were US$ 84,000,000.

 

2010 overall (local and export, polished and rough) sales (as informed to us by subject’s Chairman) were US$ 150,000,000.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

YAHALOMEI ESPEKA INTERNATIONAL LTD., equally owned by Abraham Fluk (50%) and Itzhak Phillip Zivan-Sussholz, presently mainly a holding company. In past were manufacturers, importers, polishers, exporters and marketers of diamonds; currently we are informed that only the international activity remains.

YDI LTD., USA,

YDI (BELGIUM) BVBA,

YDI HK LIMITED, Hong Kong,

LESHEM PRIMA DIAMOND'S LTD., 60%, ceased activities in mid 2009.

VOEGELI & WIRZ AG/AS, of Switzerland.

 

 

BANKERS

 

·         Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Diamond Exchange Branch (No. 629), Ramat Gan.

·         Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Diamond Exchange Branch (No. 080), Ramat Gan.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

So far we were unable to speak with subject's officials, as they were always unavailable.

 

According to the Israel Supervisor on Diamonds in the Ministry of Industry & Trade, subject was ranked 9th in the list of Israel’s largest cut diamond exporters for 2012, after being ranked 5th in 2011, 6th 2010 and 21st in 2009.

 

YAHALOMEI ESPAKA INTERNATIONAL LTD., known in short as YEI, was one of the largest and leading diamond dealers in the local diamond market. It was a sight holder since 1971 and operating from manufacturing and processing facilities in Israel, China and branches worldwide. In 1999 YEI was awarded the "Excellent Exporter" Award from the Ministry of Industry & Trade.

YEI was ranked as Israel’s 4th largest cut diamond exporter in 2008, same as in 2007.

 

Export of polished diamonds from Israel fell by 23% in 2012 from 2011, after the sector recovered in 2010 and mainly in 2011 from one of the worst depressions in the global diamond sector due to the severe economic crisis in global markets that erupted in September 2008. 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%.

 

While the global diamond industry experienced major declines during the year, Israel saw a steady improvement in its diamond trade in the third and fourth quarters of the year, according to Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor Diamond Controller Shmuel Mordechai, who published figures for Israel’s diamond imports and exports during 2012.

 

Israel’s net polished diamond exports stood at US$5.6 billion in 2012, compared a decline of 23% from 2011. Mr. Mordechai said that Israel’s diamond trade seems likely to continue to improve in 2013 and return to levels of 2011, which was a record year.

 

Israel’s net rough diamond exports totaled US$2.8 billion in 2012, a 20% decrease from 2011.

 

Net imports of polished diamonds dropped 25% from 2011, totaling US$4.27 billion, while net rough imports stood at US$3.8 billion, 13 % less than in 2011.

 

The United States continued to be Israel’s major market for polished diamonds, accounting for 36% of the market. Hong Kong was the next largest market with 28% of exports, with Belgium accounting for 8%, Switzerland 5%, U.K. 5% and the rest of the world 18%.

 

An affair of an underground bank has been shocking the local diamond branch, after in late January 2012 Police raided the Diamond Exchange (after a long undercover operation), arrested several individuals for investigation, caught diamonds and various assets worth NIS millions, and blocked several bank accounts. It is suspected that a group of people, including diamond dealers, run an illegal bank in the Diamond Exchange compound for loans, money transfer abroad based on fictitious transactions and exchange in volume of NIS 1 billion for several years. The affair has already led to several of reported bankruptcies of local diamond firms, a decrease of up to 70% in transactions in 2012, frozen bank accounts, a paralysis (especially in purchase of raw diamonds) even with fear of the a collapse of the sector, while dealers –local and foreign- face uncertainty.

In March 2012 the Police decided to lower the profile of the investigation for a while a result of the big pressure from the diamond branch (to stop the continuing damage inflicted) and the Government (who is losing US$ hundred millions from decrease in tax collection). In November 2012 the Police and Tax Authorities recommended on indictments against the 25 suspects in the affair, among them diamond dealers, for the said suspicions and obstruction of the investigation.

 

According to the President of the Israeli Diamonds Association, in 2010 the trade in the local diamond sector rolled 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 NIS 1 billion.

 

Local diamond sector employs some 20,000 persons.

 

In February 2009, Israel was ranked as the world’s largest exporter of cut diamonds, followed by India, Belgium and South Africa.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements and high credits.

 

 

 


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.54.28

UK Pound

1

Rs.82.06

Euro

1

Rs.70.23

 

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.