MIRA INFORM REPORT

           

Report Date :

18.05.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

ASHISH DIAMONDS LTD.

 

 

Formerly Known As :

A. DIAM LTD.,

 

 

Registered Office :

P.O. Box 381 (5210301), 21 Tuval Street, Diamond Exchange, Yahalom Bldg.

Ramat Gan 5252236

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

24.02.1997

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Importers, exporters and marketers, dealing with both polished and rough diamonds.

Also manufacturers of diamonds, through sub-contractors.

 

 

No. of Employees :

06

 

 

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 :

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

                    

ASHISH DIAMONDS LTD.

Telephone      972 3 613 21 62

Fax                972 3 751 81 64

P.O. Box 381 (5210301)

21 Tuval Street

Diamond Exchange, Yahalom Bldg.

RAMAT GAN  5252236 ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-245395-2 on the 24.02.1997 under the name A. DIAM LTD., which changed to the present name on 13.05.1997.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital of NIS 32,700.00, divided into:

                   32,700 ordinary shares, of NIS 1.00 each,

of which 1,000 shares amounting to NIS 1,000.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

According to the Registrar of Companies, shareholders are:

1.    Raxid Mehta, 70%,

2.    Ashish Mehta, 15%, brother of Raxid, both of India,

3.    Sailes C. Botra, 15%.

 

Mr. Raxid Mehta informed us that Mr. Sailes C. Botra sold his shares to himself and as of 01.01.2013 he is no longer a shareholder in subject (though this effect has yet to be recorded in the Registrar's data). Therefore, ownership in subject is presently as follows:

1.      Raxid Mehta, 85%,

2.      Ashish Mehta, 15%.

 

 

DIRECTORS & JOINT GENERAL MANAGERS

 

1.    Raxid Mehta,

2.    Ashish Mehta.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Importers, exporters and marketers, dealing with both polished and rough diamonds.

Also manufacturers of diamonds, through sub-contractors.

 

Around 30%-35% of sales are for export, rest is to the local market.

 

Among local suppliers: DOV DIAMONDS, FISCHER DIAMONDS, MOLDAWSKY BROS., A.B.T. DIAMONDS, LLD DIAMONDS, YDI, EZ DIAMONDS, P.D.D., GIL KIMCHI DIAMONDS, R.D.S. DIAMONDS, POLIGEM, LEVI AT MARCUS, GAFNI DIAMONDS, AVI PAZ, etc.

 

Operating from offices premises, on an area of 131 sq. meters (35 sq. meters are owned, rest is rented), in 21 Tuval Street (also referred to as 54 Bezalel Street), Diamond Exchange, Yahalom Building (7th Floor, room 765), Ramat Gan.

Also operating from offices in India, Belgium and Hong Kong.

 

Having 6 employees, including General Manager (same as in 2012, had 5 employees in 2011 and in 2010).

There are some 35 employees in the Group, including overseas offices (similar to 2012, 2011 and 2010).

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data not forthcoming.

 

There are 2 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets, in favor of The First International Bank of Israel Ltd.

 

 

REVENUES

 

2006 sales claimed to be US$ 40,000,000, most for export.

2007 sales claimed to be over US$ 45,000,000, 60% of which were for export.

2008 sales claimed to be over US$ 45 -46,000,000, 60% of which were for export.

We are informed that subject witnessed some 30% decrease in sales in 2009, due to the crisis in the branch (around US$ 32,000,000, some 40% of sales were for export).

2010 sales claimed to be US$ 60,000,000, 45% of which were for export.

2011 sales claimed to be US$ 65,000,000, 45% of which were for export.

2012 sales claimed to be US$ 80,000,000, 30%-35% of which were for export.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

ELIS DIAMONDS LTD., 50% owned by Raxid Mehta (other 50% owned by Eli Braverman), importers, exporters and marketers of diamonds,

VIJAY DIAM, a sister company in India, makes the purchasing for subject in India.

LOTUS STAR LIMITED, a sister company in Hong Kong.

 

 

BANKERS

 

The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., Diamonds Exchange Branch (No. 026), Ramat Gan.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

According to our sources, subject is medium-sized relatively to the companies in its field in the Diamond Exchange. It enjoys good reputation.

 

In the framework of internal mediation procedures handled by the local Diamond Exchange regarding business conflicts, in September 2009 it was reported that subject and its owners are entitled to receive US$ 1.7 million from several diamonds dealers.

 

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.

 

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%.

 

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.

 

 

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.

-            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 –

 

-            Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council in its statistical data has shown the export of polished diamonds to have increase by 28 % in February 2013. Compared to $ 1.4 bn worth of polished diamond export in February, 2012, India exported $ 1.84 billion worth of polished diamonds in February 2013. A senior executive of GJEPC said, “Export of cut and polished diamonds started falling month-wise after the imposition of 2 % of import duty on the polished diamonds. But February, 2013 has given a new ray of hope to the industry as the export of polished diamonds has actually increased by 28 %. It means the industry  is on the track of recovery and round tripping of diamonds has stopped completely.” Demand has started coming from the US, the UK, Japan and China. India’s polished diamond export is expected to cross $ 21 bn in 2013-14.

 

-            The banking sector has started exercising restraint while following prudent risk management norms when lending money to gems and jewellery sector. This follows the implementation of Basel III accord – a global voluntary regulatory standard on bank capital adequacy, stress testing and market liquidity.

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.54.89

UK Pound

1

Rs.83.66

Euro

1

Rs.70.58

 

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.