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Report Date : |
21.05.2014 |
IDENTIFICATION DETAILS
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Name : |
BEN-AMI
DIAMONDS |
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|
|
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Registered Office : |
1 Jabotinsky Street, Diamond Exchange, Maccabi Bldg., Ramat Gan
5252001 |
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Country : |
Israel |
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Year of Establishment : |
1998 |
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Legal Form : |
Sole Proprietorship Concern |
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Line of Business : |
Importers, traders, processors, exporters and marketers of diamonds,
specializing in small fantasy diamonds. |
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|
|
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No of Employees : |
06 (2009) |
RATING & COMMENTS
|
MIRA’s Rating : |
B |
|
RATING |
STATUS |
PROPOSED CREDIT LINE |
|
|
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 – March 31, 2014
|
Country Name |
Previous Rating (31.12.2013) |
Current Rating (31.03.2014) |
|
Israel |
A2 |
A2 |
|
Risk Category |
ECGC
Classification |
|
Insignificant |
A1 |
|
Low Risk |
A2 |
|
Moderate Low Risk |
B1 |
|
Moderate Risk |
B2 |
|
Moderate High Risk |
C1 |
|
High Risk |
C2 |
|
Very High Risk |
D |
Israel ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. Cut diamonds,
high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading exports.
Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military
equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by
tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment
inflows. Between 2004 and 2011, growth averaged nearly 5% per year, led by
exports. 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. 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. The economy has recovered better than most
advanced, comparably sized economies, but slowing demand domestically and
internationally, and a strong shekel, have reduced forecasts for the next
decade to the 3% level. Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since
2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan
fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past
decade. The massive Leviathan field is not due to come online until 2018, but
production from Tamar provided a one percentage point boost to Israel's GDP in
2013 and is expected to contribute 0.5% growth in 2014. In mid-2011, public
protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity
prices. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of
OECD countries and there is a broad perception among the public that a small
number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of
the economy. 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. In May 2013 the Israeli government, in a politically
difficult process, passed an austerity budget to reign in the deficit and
restore confidence in the government's fiscal position. Over the long term,
Israel faces structural issues, including low labor participation rates for its
fastest growing social segments - the ultra-orthodox and Arab-Israeli
communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based
technology sector employs only 9% of the workforce, with the rest employed in
manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from
global competition.
|
Source : CIA |
BEN-AMI DIAMONDS
(Also known as BEN-AMI ITZHAK)
Telephone 972 3 613 17
51
Cellular 972 54 397 32 77
Fax 972 3 575 41 60
Email: benamidiamonds@yahoo.com
1 Jabotinsky Street
Diamond Exchange, Maccabi Bldg.
RAMAT GAN 5252001 ISRAEL
A sole
proprietorship, established in 1998 (see more in CHARACTER).
Operating under
License Dealer No. 009984642.
The business is registered with the Tax Authorities’
Files under the name of " BEN-AMI ITZHAK".
Subject's owner, Mr. Ben-Ami, was a partner in another business for over 25
years and has been dealing with diamonds since 1970.
Itzhak Ben-Ami.
Itzhak (Itzik)
Ben-Ami, born in 1946.
Importers, traders, processors, exporters and marketers of diamonds,
specializing in small fantasy diamonds.
In mid 2010, Mr. Ben-Ami informed us that due to health reasons, he
significantly lowered subject's business activities, and working on a very low
volume (in later interviews attempt Mr. Ben-Ami refused to disclose
data at all).
Operating from a
rented office, on an area of 50 sq. meters, in 1 Jabotinsky Street, Diamond
Exchange, Maccabi Building (17th floor, room # 47),
Ramat Gan.
Employee data not
forthcoming. In 2009 had 6 employees.
In August 2010 we were informed that subject holds a very low amount of
stock. Current financial data not forthcoming.
2006 sales claimed to be US$ 10,000,000, of which 50% for export.
2007 sales claimed to be US$ 10,000,000, of which 50% for export.
2008 sales claimed to be US$ 10,000,000, of which 50% for export.
We were informed that the first half of 2009 was a tough period, however
there was an improvement and the business improved.
In August 2010 we were informed that subject significantly decreased its
business activity, and was working on very low scales.
Current level of activity or sales not
forthcoming.
The First International Bank of Israel Ltd.,
Diamond Exchange Branch (No. 026), Ramat Gan.
Nothing
unfavorable learned.
Mr. Itzhak Ben-Ami
refused categorically to update any details.
Itzhak Ben-Ami is veteran in the local diamond
field. In 1970 he established with partners (Koldanov family) KOLDAN – BEN AMI
diamond partnership, which operated till end of 1997 (then subject was
established).
Israel's diamond
industry remarked on impressive growth in almost all trade parameters in 2013,
from the data by Israel's Diamond Administration at the Ministry of Economics:
Net export of polished diamonds rose by 11.6% from 2012, reaching US$ 6.2
billion. The market has been volatile in recent years: the branch –in Israel as
well as globally- experienced its worst depression in the 2nd half
of 2008 and 2009 due to the global economic crisis (almost an entire freeze and
collapse in sales of about 70% in the peak of the crisis), then recovered in
2010 and mainly in and fell again in 2012 (net export fell by 23% in 2012 from
2011).
Net rough diamond
exports totaled US$2.9 billion in 2013, a mere rise from 2012.
Net imports of
polished diamonds remained in similar level as 2012 (after drop by 25% in 2012
from 2011), totaling US$4.3 billion, while net rough diamonds imports summed at
US$ 4 billion, 4% up from 2012 (when it fell
An affair of an
underground bank shocked 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, and for a
while to paralysis (especially in purchase of raw diamonds) due to uncertainty
among local and foreign dealers.
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.
In June 2013 it
was reported that the Police resumed its raids on the diamonds branch, and
although names of suspects were not released, sources say that it is also
related to the above underground bank affair. In parallel, it is also reported
that the Tax Authorities and diamonds dealers' representatives are trying to
reach an arrangement for past debts. The Attorney General is in process of
preparing indictments.
In the end of
December 2013 it was reported that 5 diamond dealers were summoned to a hearing
(not mandatory) regarding a/m affair, prior to filing an indictment, before the
Tel Aviv District Attorney (Tax and Finance sector).
Notwithstanding
the refusal to disclose details, considered 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.
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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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Utmost caution is to be exercised while dealing with some medium and
large diamond traders which are usually engaged in fictitious import – export,
inter-concern 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.
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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.58.75 |
|
UK Pound |
1 |
Rs.98.77 |
|
Euro |
1 |
Rs.80.53 |
INFORMATION DETAILS
|
Analysis Done by
: |
KAR |
|
|
|
|
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%)
This report is issued at your request without any
risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL)
or its officials.