MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report No. :

499238

Report Date :

28.03.2018

 

 

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

AVNIT DIAMONDS COMPANY (1986) LTD.

 

 

Formerly Known As :

PARADISE DIAMONDS LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

21 Tuval Street, Diamonds Exchange, Yahalom Building, 30th Floor, Ramat Gan 5252236

 

 

Country :

Israel

 

 

Year of Establishment :

1965

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Processors, importers and exporters of diamonds in various shapes (ovals, pear, marquise, etc.) and sizes, specializing in fancy cut shapes, ranging in size from 1/6 of a ct. and up to 6 ct.

 

 

No. of Employees :

Not Available

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

(Mira Inform has adopted New Rating mechanism w.e.f. 23rd January 2017)

 

MIRA’s Rating :

A

 

Credit Rating

Explanation

 

Rating Comments

A

Acceptable Risk

Business dealings permissible with moderate risk of default

 

 

Status :

Satisfactory

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Slow but Correct

 

 

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

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(30.09.2017)

Current Rating

(31.12.2017)

Israel

B1

B1

 

Risk Category

ECGC

Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low Risk

 

A2

Moderately Low Risk

 

B1

Moderate Risk

 

B2

Moderately High Risk

 

C1

High Risk

 

C2

Very High Risk

 

D

 

 


 

ISRAEL - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.

Between 2004 and 2013, 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. Israel's economy also weathered the 2011 Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East insulated the economy from spillover effects.

Slowing domestic and international demand and decreased investment resulting from Israel’s uncertain security situation reduced GDP growth to an average of roughly 2.8% per year during the period 2014-17. 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 in the last decade. Political and regulatory issues have delayed the development of the massive Leviathan field, but production from Tamar provided a 0.8% boost to Israel's GDP in 2013 and a 0.3% boost in 2014. One of the most carbon intense OECD countries, Israel generates about 57% of its power from coal and only 2.6% from renewable sources.

Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. 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. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact the well-being of younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high in 2016. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2018 with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.

In the long term, Israel faces structural issues, including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita.

 

Source : CIA

 

 


Company Name And Address

 

AVNIT DIAMONDS COMPANY (1986) LTD.

              Telephone             972 3 575 08 95

              Fax                       972 3 575 02 04

              Email: info@avnit.com

              21 Tuval Street

              Diamonds Exchange, Yahalom Building, 30th Floor

              RAMAT GAN 5252236 ISRAEL

 

 

HISTORY & LEGAL FORMATION

 

A private limited company, incorporated as per file No. 51-115123-5 on the 14.11.1986, continuing a former business founded in 1965.

 

Subject was originally registered under the name PARADISE DIAMONDS LTD., which changed to the present name on the 30.01.1991.

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized share capital of NIS 2,600.00, divided into:

2,600 ordinary shares, of NIS 1.00 each, of which 200 shares amounting to NIS 200.00 were issued.

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

1.      Avraham Bernat, 50%,

2.      Mrs. Hela (Ilana) Bernat, 50%, wife of Avraham.

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.    Avraham Bernat,

2.    Mrs. Hela (Ilana) Bernat,

 

According to our records, the following serve as Joint General Managers (since subject’s officials refused to disclose business data, we could not verify current position):

 

1.    Pesach Bernat, born 1977, also General Manager of SHANIV PAPER INDUSTRIES,

2.    Avigdor Bernat, born 1985, both latter sons of Avraham and Hela.

 

 

BUSINESS

 

Processors, importers and exporters of diamonds in various shapes (ovals, pear, marquise, etc.) and sizes, specializing in fancy cut shapes, ranging in size from 1/6 of a ct. and up to 6 ct.

 

According to our records, 50% of sales are for export.

 

Among service providers: SINOFIA SOLUTIONS (IT services).

 

Operating from premises, in 21 Tuval Street, Diamonds Exchange, Yahalom Building, (30th Floor, Suite 96), Ramat Gan.

Website: www.avnit.com

 

Had 50 employees in 2010. Current number not forthcoming.

 

 

MEANS

 

Financial data not forthcoming.

 

There are 4 charges for unlimited amounts registered on the company's assets (all assets), in favor of Union Bank of Israel Ltd. and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

 

 

REVENUES

 

2005 sales claimed to be US$ 45,000,000, of which 60% were for export.

2006 sales claimed to be US$ 45,000,000, of which 60% were for export.

Later sales figures not forthcoming.

 

 

OTHER COMPANIES

 

SHANIV PAPER INDUSTRIES LTD., 42% owned by Bernat family, a public limited company, whose shares are also traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Manufacturers, processors, marketers and exporters of finished paper products, as well as paper and paper raw materials for household products. Current market value US$ 76.8 million. Also fully owns SASATECH - AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD., SASA COSMETICS - AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD., SHANIV HOLDINGS LTD., and 50% of SHANIVTOPS ENERGY LP A.P.T. BERNAT HOLDINGS AND INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

 

BANKERS

 

According to our records (since subject’s officials did not disclose data, we could not verify):

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

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., Diamond Business Center Branch (No. 466), Ramat Gan.

 

 

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION

 

Nothing unfavorable learnt.

 

Despite our efforts, we were unable to speak to Mr. Pesach Bernat (being abroad), nor to Mr. Avraham Bernat, who we called several times on his mobile phone (+972 54 3979229).

 

Subject is long established and veteran in the field. Mr. Avraham Bernat is a known, respectable diamond dealer.

 

SHANIV PAPER is the 2nd largest domestic paper products manufacturer in Israel. In the domestic finished paper products market (valued at NIS 1.15 billion annually, not including for printing), subject is relatively new player.

The local domestic paper products market is divided into the "At Home" sector - money value NIS 750 million and the "Away from Home"/ institutional sector - NIS 400 million.

 

Export (net) of polished diamonds from Israel in the first 9 months of 2017 totaled US$ 3,383 million, which represents 11.8% decrease compared to the parallel period in 2016, while export of net rough diamonds fell 10.4% in this period, reaching US$ 1,796 million. That is in contrast to the figures in 2016, which showed signs of recovery for the Israeli diamond trade, coming after the export of diamonds from Israel experienced a drastic fall by 20% in 2015 from 2014 (down 40% from 2011).

 

Net export of polished diamonds in 2016 decreased by 6.4% from 2015, reaching US$ 4,675 compared to US$ 4,993 million in 2014 (after 0.6% rise in 2014 and 11.6% in 2013), however net rough diamonds exports jumped 23.1% to US$2,702 million (in 2015 fell 28.3% from 2014, after 4.2% rise in 2014, and a mere rise in 2013). Yet the figures are well away from its peak on the eve of the crisis with export of polished diamonds of US$ 7 billion.

In total, diamonds export (polished and rough) in 2017 were expected to sum up to US$ 7 billion, 7% lower than in 2016, from the Ministry of Economy forecast.

 

The market has been volatile over the last years after experiencing its worst depression due to the global economic crisis. According to Israel's Diamond Administration (IDA) at the Ministry of Economics, profit margins have been decreasing due to smaller gaps between rough (increasing) and polished (decreasing) diamond prices.

In addition, the local diamond sector has been negatively affected by other significant factors: the production of counterfeit diamonds, whose quality keeps improving (harming the raw diamonds market), the entrance of new rules by the local Tax Authorities on the Diamond Exchange for enforcing money laundering, and the "underground bank" affair – as below.

 

As a result, local diamond dealers report on difficulties in executing transactions and bad atmosphere in the branch. Signs of recovery appeared towards the last quarter of 2016 – mainly due to the growing stability of the market and the industry’s agreement with the Israel Tax Authority in December, yet the market is still volatile, as witnessed with the endurance of the depression trend during 2017.

 

Net imports of polished diamonds totaled US$ 3,282 million in 2016, 5.7% decrease from 2015, while net import of rough diamonds reached US$ 3,246 million, up 16.7% from 2015.

 

Net imports of polished diamonds decrease by 15.1% in the first 9 months of 2017 and totaled US$ 2,015 million, compared to the parallel period in 2016, whereas net import of rough diamonds reached US$ 2,089 million, down 11.6% from 2016.

 

The United States continued to be Israel’s major market for polished diamonds, accounting for 45% of the market in the first 9 months 2017 (was 39% in 2016). Hong Kong is 2nd largest market with 30% of exports (26% in 2016), followed by Switzerland 9% (7%), Belgium 8% (8%), and the rest of the world account for the remaining 8% of Israel's polished diamond export.

 

In 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" (known as the "Check List" Affair) 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, and for a while to paralysis (especially in raw diamonds purchase) due to uncertainty among local and foreign dealers. Later in 2012 the Police decided to lower the profile of the investigation for a while (pressure from the diamond branch due to the continuing damage inflicted and the Government (losing US$ hundred millions from decrease in tax collection), but resumed investigation in 2013.

 

In mid-2014, based on the Police and Tax Authorities recommendations, the State Attorney started the process of filing indictments against central defendants in the affair, initially against dealers who provided foreign currency services to the "bank" (in June 2015 the court made the first conviction in the affair, sending a foreign currency dealer who pretended also to be a diamond dealer, for 4 years prison, a fine and confiscation of assets in volume of NIS millions, part of a plea bargain).

                                                                                                                            

Since late 2015 indictments for severe charges pressed against 11 diamond dealers and their firms for tax felonies committed and issuing fictitious invoices in volumes of millions US$ (latest indictments filed by the Tel Aviv District Attorney in August 2016). Their cases are pending.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Notwithstanding the lack of updated data from subject's officials, considered good for trade engagements.

 

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

INR 64.80

UK Pound

1

INR 92.26

Euro

1

INR 80.76

ILS

1

INR 18.64

Note: Above are approximate rates obtained from sources believed to be correct

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

PRI

 

 

Report Prepared by :

NIT

 

 


 

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

Credit Rating

 

Explanation

Rating Comments

A++

Minimum Risk

Business dealings permissible with minimum risk of default

A+

Low Risk

Business dealings permissible with low risk of default

A

Acceptable Risk

Business dealings permissible with moderate risk of default

B

Medium Risk

Business dealings permissible on a regular monitoring basis

C

Medium High Risk

Business dealings permissible preferably on secured basis

D

High Risk

Business dealing not recommended or on secured terms only

NB

New Business

No recommendation can be done due to business in infancy stage

NT

No Trace

No recommendation can be done as the business is not traceable

 

NB is stated where there is insufficient information to facilitate rating. However, it is not to be considered as unfavourable.

 

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 are as follows:

 

·         Financial condition covering various ratios

·         Company background and operations size

·         Promoters / Management background

·         Payment record

·         Litigation against the subject

·         Industry scenario / competitor analysis

·         Supplier / Customer / Banker review (wherever available)

 

 

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This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.