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Report Date : |
01.01.2015 |
IDENTIFICATION DETAILS
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Name : |
BEN-AMI
ITZHAK DIAM |
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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 : |
A Sole Proprietorship |
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Line of Business : |
Importers, traders, processors, exporters and marketers of diamonds,
specializing in small fantasy diamonds. |
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No. of Employees : |
6 |
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 – September 30, 2014
|
Country Name |
Previous Rating (30.06.2014) |
Current Rating (30.09.2014) |
|
Israel |
A2 |
A2 |
|
Risk Category |
ECGC
Classification |
|
Insignificant |
A1 |
|
Low |
A2 |
|
Moderate |
B1 |
|
High |
B2 |
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Very High |
C1 |
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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 |
BEN-AMI ITZHAK
DIAM
(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.
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.
30% of sales are export.
Among clientele: AVI PAZ FANCY, SHLOMO BICHACHI DIAMONDS, NIRO DIAMONDS,
and more.
Operating from a
rented office, on an area of 45 sq. meters, in 1 Jabotinsky Street, Diamond
Exchange, Maccabi Building (17th floor, room #
1747-1748), Ramat Gan.
Having 6
employees.
Subject owns an office in 1 Jabotinsky Street, Diamond Exchange, Maccabi
Building (8th floor, room # 32), Ramat Gan.
Other 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.
Later sales data not forthcoming.
In August 2010 we were informed that subject significantly decreased its
business activity, and was working on very low scales.
Subject resumed normal business activity.
The First International Bank of Israel Ltd.,
Diamond Exchange Branch (No. 026), Ramat Gan.
Nothing
unfavorable learned.
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. At a later stage, subject resumed normal business activity, where - we
figure – the son of Itzhak, Mr. Nir Ben-Ami, takes a larger role.
Mr. Nir Ben-Ami
refused to disclose financial data.
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% 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 refusal to disclose financial details, considered good for trade
engagements.
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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 –
-
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.63.33 |
|
|
1 |
Rs.98.58 |
|
Euro |
1 |
Rs.77.00 |
INFORMATION DETAILS
|
Analysis Done by
: |
SUB |
|
|
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|
Report Prepared
by : |
VNT |
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 |
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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 |
|
|
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 |
-- |
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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.