Deals – 26 February 2009

Allens Arthur Robinson has acted for ACCIONA Agua in assisting the company’s successful bid for Adelaide’s A$1.4 billion desalination plant contract. Melbourne-based partner Emma Warren led the team on the deal, advising the client on contractual documents covering design and construction, operations and maintenance.

Allens Arthur Robinson has acted for Hutchison in the merger of its Australian telecommunications business with Vodafone creating a 50:50 joint venture, VHA Pty Ltd. The firm advised on the complete transaction, having a key role across three streams: corporate, integration strategy and competition. Corporate was led by partners Victoria Poole and Andrew Finch, the integration strategy team was led by partner Peter James, with Fiona Crosbie heading up the competition team.

Allens Arthur Robinson has advised the Thailand Government on its new public private partnership framework aimed at providing funding for major infrastructure projects across the country. The new framework relates to projects valued in excess of 1 billion Thai baht. Sydney-based projects partner Leighton O’Brien led the team advising the Government, liaising with partner Marcus Clarke in Bangkok.

Allen & Overy has advised Bank of Ayudhya PCL, Thailand’s fifth-largest bank, on its acquisition of 99.5 percent shares and 100 percent shares in AIG Retail Bank and AIG Card respectively. The deal is worth 2.055 billion Thai baht and was led by Bangkok-based banking partner Suparerk Auychai.

Harry Elias Partnership acted for 3M Singapore Pte Ltd in the sale and vendor financing of its office building and warehouse at Tagore Lane for an undisclosed sum. Partners Pauline Lee, S Suressh and Mabel Lim led the transaction.

KhattarWong acted for Westcomb Financial Group Ltd in a voluntary conditional offer by Asiasons Investment Ltd. The Group’s primary focus is to assist domestic and foreign incorporated companies to raise capital through Singapore’s equity capital markets and advise them in the origination and execution of mergers and acquisitions and corporate activities. Managing partner Tan Chong Huat led the team on the transaction.

Raslan Loong acted for Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad in their corporate restructuring implemented through a public-private partnership arrangement with the Government of Malaysia. The agreement contains a revenue sharing arrangement in addition to a compensation package. Loong Caesar led the firm’s advisory team on the transaction, valued at 1.4 billion Malaysian ringgit.