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Report No. : |
308275 |
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Report Date : |
17.02.2015 |
IDENTIFICATION DETAILS
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Name : |
M.I.D. HOUSE OF DIAMONDS LTD. |
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Registered Office : |
23 Tuval Street Diamond Exchange, Noam Bldg. Ramat Gan 5252238 |
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Country : |
Israel |
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Date of Incorporation : |
22.08.1994 |
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Legal Form : |
Private Limited Company |
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Line of Business : |
Diamond cutters, processors/ polishers, traders, importers and exporters, of all shapes and sizes from 0.10 ct to extreme size of 10.00+ct. |
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No. of Employees : |
40 |
RATING & COMMENTS
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MIRA’s Rating : |
Ba |
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RATING |
STATUS |
PROPOSED CREDIT LINE |
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41-55 |
Ba |
Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal
commitments. |
Satisfactory |
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Status : |
Satisfactory |
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Payment Behaviour : |
No complaints |
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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 – December 31, 2014
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Country Name |
Previous Rating (30.09.2014) |
Current Rating (31.12.2014) |
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Israel |
A2 |
A2 |
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Risk Category |
ECGC
Classification |
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Insignificant |
A1 |
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Low |
A2 |
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Moderate |
B1 |
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High |
B2 |
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Very High |
C1 |
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Restricted |
C2 |
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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
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Source
: CIA |
M.I.D. HOUSE OF
DIAMONDS LTD.
(Known as MID ISRAEL)
Telephone 972 3 575 71 55
Fax 972 3 575 51 64
Email: Israel@middiamonds.com
23 Tuval Street
Diamond Exchange, Noam Bldg.
RAMAT GAN 5252238 ISRAEL
A Private Limited Company, incorporated as per file No. 51-201591-8 on the 22.08.1994, continuing business founded over 20 years earlier.
Originally registered under the name B.Y. MEIROV GEM LTD.,
which changed to MEIROV INTERNATIONAL DIAM
Authorized share capital NIS 19,800.00, divided into –
19,800 ordinary shares of NIS 1.00 each,
of which 100 shares amounting to NIS 100.00 were issued.
1. Benny Meirov, 50%,
2. Josef Meirov, 50%.
1. Benny Meirov,
2. Josef (Yossi) Meirov.
Diamond cutters, processors/ polishers, traders, importers and exporters, of all shapes and sizes from 0.10 ct to extreme size of 10.00+ct.
80% of sales are for export.
Operating from rented premises, on an area of 300 sq. meters, in 23 Tuval Street, Diamond Exchange, Noam Building, 13th floor, Ramat Gan.
Also operating from
branches in New York, Los Angeles, Antwerp, London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Having in all 60
employees, of which 40 employees in Israel.
Financial data not forthcoming, but considered to be financially solid.
There are 2 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets, in favor of Union Bank of Israel. Both charges placed in 1994.
2012 consolidated
sales were around US$ 200,000,000, of which 80% exported.
2013 consolidated
sales were around US$ 200,000,000, of which 80% exported.
M.I.D. INC., branch in New York, U.S.A (on 5th Ave.),
M.I.D. LOS ANGELES LLC., branch in Los Angeles, U.S.A,
M.I.D. BELGIUM B.V.B.A, branch in Belgium,
M.I.D. HONG KONG LTD., branch in Hong Kong.
Subject's owners, Meirov Bros., have other local investments, in jewelry company, software house, in a real estate project in Tel Aviv and 50% in MORE INVESTMENT HOUSE LTD., an investment house (earlier in 2014 were observing an IPO on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange based on a company value of NIS 100 million).
Union Bank of Israel Ltd., Ramat Gan Branch (No. 062), Ramat Gan,
account No. 3374/82.
A check with the Central Banks' database did not reveal any negative
information regarding subject's a/m account.
Nothing unfavorable learned.
Despite our efforts, we were unable to speak with subject's officials, as they were always unavailable. We left messages which so far remain unanswered.
Subject is one of the largest diamond manufacturers and distributors in the local market, enjoying good reputation in the branch.
According to the report published by the Israel Supervisor on Diamonds in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, subject was ranked the 2nd in the 2013, 2012 and the 2011 list of Israel's largest polished diamonds exporters. In 2010 and 2009 subject was ranked 3rd and 5th, respectively (though there are large exporters which choose not to be included in the list in order not to be exposed).
Subject received Outstanding Exporter Award for 2011 from the Israel's Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor, after its diamond exports rose 49% from 2010 to US$239 million in 2011, as reported by the Ministry.
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.
Notwithstanding the lack of updated data from subject's officials, considered good for trade engagements.
DIAMOND INDUSTRY – INDIA
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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.
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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.
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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-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.
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Excerpts from Times of India dated 30th
October 2010 is as under –
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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
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Currency |
Unit
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Indian Rupees |
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US Dollar |
1 |
Rs.62.20 |
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1 |
Rs.96.00 |
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Euro |
1 |
Rs.71.00 |
INFORMATION DETAILS
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Analysis Done by
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DIV |
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Report Prepared
by : |
ANK |
RATING EXPLANATIONS
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RATING |
STATUS |
PROPOSED CREDIT LINE |
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>86 |
Aaa |
Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest
capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums |
Unlimited |
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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 |
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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 |
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41-55 |
Ba |
Overall
operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments. |
Satisfactory |
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26-40 |
B |
Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively
below average. |
Small |
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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 |
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<10 |
C |
Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised |
Credit not
recommended |
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NB |
New Business |
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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.