MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

22.11.2014

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

ANDRE MESSIKA LTD.

 

 

Registered Office :

Diamond Exchange, Yahalom Bldg., Ramat Gan            5252236

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Year of Establishment :

1972

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

LINE OF BUSINESS :

TRADERS, PROCESSORS, IMPORTERS, MARKETERS AND EXPORTERS OF LARGE DIAMONDS, ROUGH AND POLISHED.

 

 

No. of Employees :

15 Employees

 

 

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 – June 1, 2014

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.03.2014)

Current Rating

(01.06.2014)

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. 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

Company Name and address      

 

ANDRE MESSIKA LTD.

Telephone      972 3 751 06 23; 612 88 72

Fax                972 3 612 88 22

21 Tuval Street

Diamond Exchange, Yahalom Bldg.

RAMAT GAN  5252236 ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-345768-9 on the 22.09.2003, continuing diamond business activities which started in 1972.

 

Originally registered under the name B.L.I.D. INTERNATIONAL LTD., which changed to the present name on the 18.01.2011.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital of NIS 50,000.00, divided into -

50,000 ordinary shares of NIS 1.00 each, of which 100 shares amounting to NIS 100.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Subject is fully owned by ANDRECO LTD., a local private limited company, owned by Andre Messika.

 

 

SOLE DIRECTOR & GENERAL MANAGER

 

Yaacov (Kobi) Amir

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Traders, processors, importers, marketers and exporters of large diamonds, rough and polished.

 

74% of 2014 sales are for export (80% in 2013).

 

Subject is a wholesale diamond supplier to jewellery houses and a wholesale jewellery manufacturers and retailers with outlets in Europe, such as Gallery Lafayette.

 

Among local clients: M.I.D. HOUSE OF DIAMONDS, ELIYAHU YONA DIAMONDS, A.A. RAHMINOV DIAMONDS, ARABOV GROUP, etc.

 

Operating from owned office premises, on an area of 280 sq. meters, in 21 Tuval Street (also referred to as 54 Bezalel Street), Diamond Exchange, Yahalom Building (25th floor), Ramat Gan. Also operate from offices in Paris.

Note: Subject moved from the 24th floor (mentioned in your enquiry) to the 25th floor.

 

Having 15 employees (similar to the last previous years).

 

 

MEANS

 

Owned property in Yahalom Building, Diamond Exchange (where subject is operating from) is valued at US$ 2,300,000.

 

Other financial data not forthcoming.

 

There are 5 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets, in favor of The First International Bank of Israel Ltd., Union Bank of Israel Ltd. and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. Charges placed in 2003, 2004, 2011 and latest in August 2013, on all the company's assets.

 

 

REVENUES

 

2009 sales were US$ 55,000,000, of which some 50% were for export.

2010 sales were US$ 90,000,000, of which 43% were for export.

2011 sales were US$ 160,000,000, of which 50% were for export.

2012 sales were US$ 113,000,000, of which 73% were for export.

2013 sales were US$ 125,000,000, of which 80% were for export.

2014 projected sales are US$ 125,000,000, of which 74% were for export.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

ANDRECO LTD., a holding company

B.L.I.D. JEWELRY LTD., non-active.

 

 

BANKERS

 

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

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

Union Bank of Israel Ltd., Ramat Gan Branch (No. 062), Ramat Gan.

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

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learned.

 

Subject is a relatively large and well-known diamond company.

 

Andre Messika is respectful businessman, veteran diamond merchant (operating mainly from France), also involved in other investments, including his partnership in investment firm CORONIS PARTNERS.

 

According to the report published by the Israel Supervisor on Diamonds in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, subject was ranked 6thin the 2013 list of Israel's largest polished diamonds exporters, after being ranked 8th  both in 2011 and 2012 lists.

In December 2013 subject received Israel’s ‘Outstanding Exporter’ award for 2012 awarded by the Ministry of Economics, in an official ceremony at the residence of the President of Israel, Shimon Peres.

 

In February 2010 it was reported that vertically integrated diamond mining company NAMAKWA DIAMONDS signed a cooperation agreement with subject, for a regular supply of diamonds from southern Africa to subject.

 

In the end of March 2011 it was reported that 4 diamonds in value of several million Dollars were stolen from subject's display window while a leading jewelry exhibition in Basel, Switzerland. The thieves stole the diamonds while their accomplices distracted the presenters, and managed to disappear, as the merchants realized the diamonds are gone too late.

 

In 2012, subject became a RJC member (Responsible Jewellery Council).

 

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% in value terms 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 fell again in 2012 (net export fell 23% in 2012 from 2011).

Net export of polished diamonds continued to grow in the 1st half of 2014 with 6% rise in value terms compared to 2013 (fell 6.7% in karat terms), reaching US$3.55 billion.

Net rough diamond exports totaled US$2.9 billion in 2013, a mere rise from 2012, and totaled US$1.75 billion in the 1stH 2014 (up 6% and 11.6% in value and in karat terms, respectively).

 

Net imports of polished diamonds remained in 2013 similar level as 2012 (after drop by 25% in value in 2012 from 2011), totaling US$4.3 billion, and in the 1stH 2014 reached US$2.05 billion (up 0.9% in value and 5.7% in karat). Net rough diamonds imports rose 4% in 2013 summing up at US$4 billion, and summed at US$ 2.2 billion in the 1stH of 2014 (3% rise in value, 10% fall in karat terms).

 

The United States continued to be Israel’s major market for polished diamonds, accounting for 37% of the market in 2013 (35% in 2013). Hong Kong is the next largest market with 27% of exports, with Switzerland accounting for 9.3%, Belgium 7.3%, and India accounting for 2.3% of Israel's polished diamond export.

 

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 global crisis. The Ministry of Economics also assisted the local diamond exporters by providing bank guarantees in total scope of NIS 1 billion.

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

Local diamond sector employs some 20,000 persons.

 

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 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 said 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.

 

In July 2014 3 indictments were filed to the Tel Aviv District Court against central defendants in the affair, who provided foreign currency services to the "underground bank" (not against diamond dealers at this stage), for felonies of money laundering and tax evasion in volumes of US$ millions.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Good for trade engagements.

 

Note: Since February 2013 Israel Post has started using a new area code method of 7 digits (the old method of 5 digits is no longer valid).

 

 

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency
Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.61.85

UK Pound

1

Rs.97.01

Euro

1

Rs.77.62

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

SUM

 

 

Report Prepared by :

NIT

 

               

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.