Written by John on 11 October 2011.
♦ Recent Deals ♦ Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Middle East
Global law firm White & Case LLP has represented Orascom Construction Industries (OCI), the largest publicly traded builder in Egypt, in a US$1.9 billion loan to refinance debt and support the creation of stand-alone fertilizer and construction divisions. The debt facilities, which signed on October 3, 2011, include a US$775 million, five-year loan to the Egyptian Fertilizer Co., a $725 million, five-year loan to OCI Nitrogen BV, and a US$300 million, three-year loan to OCI Fertilizer Holdings. In addition, the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank's private sector lender, approved a US$200 million loan for OCI’s Egyptian Fertilizer Company and is helping to mobilize another US$125 million from Citi, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Al-Ahli United Bank. The credit facilities were underwritten by a group of regional and international banks that included Al-Ahli United Bank, Banque Audi, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Commercial International Bank, HSBC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, National Societe Generale Bank Egypt and JP Morgan. The deal was led by White & Case partner Chris Utting, with assistance from partner Philip Stopford and associates Ike Adeyemi, Sajjad Khoshroo, Elizabeth Kimura, Emna Blili, Yan Ng, and Fern Han.
Written by John on 04 November 2010.
♦ Breaking BigLaw News ♦ Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Riyadh, UAE
Global law firm White & Case LLP has strengthened its Middle East presence through an association with the law office of Dr. Waleed N. Al-Nuwaiser in Riyadh. The new practice – Dr. Waleed N. Al-Nuwaiser in Association with White & Case LLP – marks the continuation of the Firm's long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia that extends more than 50 years. "White & Case was one of the first law firms to focus on the Saudi market, initially through our relationship with Saudi Aramco, which began in the 1950s and continues to this day," said White & Case chairman Hugh Verrier. "We look forward to working with Waleed and his team to continue to advise our clients on Saudi law and reinforce our position as a firm that is second-to-none in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East." Dr. Al-Nuwaiser oversees a legal team of seven lawyers comprising both Saudi Arab and international lawyers, all of whom will continue with the new practice. Their legal expertise encompasses commercial and corporate law, M&A, inward investment, public-private partnerships, WTO, finance and Islamic finance and CMA regulations. In addition, Dr. Al-Nuwaiser advises foreign investors, private companies, the Saudi government and Saudi public institutions. "We are extremely pleased with our new association with White & Case," said Dr. Al-Nuwaiser. "More than any other firm, White & Case's leading presence in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region gives us an excellent platform from which to serve our long-standing clients as inbound and outbound investment continues to grow and the Saudi economy diversifies." White & Case's association with Dr. Al-Nuwaiser adds to the Firm's strong presence and reputation in the Middle East, where in addition to Riyadh it has offices in Abu Dhabi and Doha. The Firm provides a broad range of services to clients involved in commercial and financial transactions, from investments and project finance and construction contract law, to acquisitions and Islamic-based financing, among many others. In addition to its extensive work in Saudi Arabia, the Firm advises clients doing business in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. White & Case has been a long-term participant in the Saudi legal market. The Firm's on-the-ground presence in Saudi Arabia dates back to 1989. It has represented Saudi Aramco and its predecessor company, the Arabian American Oil Company, for more than half a century. Recent notable work by the Firm in Saudi Arabia includes:
- Representing Saudi Basic Industries Corporation in connection with its US$2.7 billion joint venture with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation to build and operate a petrochemical complex in China.
- Advising a consortium of lenders in the financing of a US$2.1 billion gas-fired power plant in Saudi Arabia, sponsored by GDF Suez SA, Aljomaih Holding Co of Saudi Arabia, Sojitz Corporation of Japan and Saudi Electricity Company.
- Advising the lenders of a US$2.5 billion independent power producer (IPP) project in Saudi Arabia, the first IPP in the Middle East fully backed by Chinese engineering, procurement and construction support.
- Representing the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in connection with its role as sole subscriber to US$2.66 billion of notes issued by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.