Deals – 4 September 2008

Clifford Chance has advised Star Cruises Ltd on the acquisition, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, of an aggregate 50 percent (direct and indirect) interests in the share capital of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc for a total consideration of US$335 million. Hong Kong corporate partners Cherry Chan, Sue Ann Lee, Darren Savage and Lina Lee led the transaction.

Clifford Chance advised French energy company EDF on its joint venture agreement with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co to construct, operate and maintain two third-generation reactors in the city of Taishan. Hong Kong partners Geraint Hughes, head of energy and infrastructure, Peiji Gao, Carmen Kan and Huw Jenkins were lead counsel in the deal, along with Beijing partner Bruce Schulberg.

Chang, Pistilli & Simmons has acted for Manchester Unity on its proposed sale to HCF for over A$250 million. The merger of Manchester Unity and HCF will produce a player in the health insurance market with around 10 to 12 percent of that market.

Drew & Napier LLC acted as counsel to Qualitas Medical Group Ltd on its IPO on the Catalist board of Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. The IPO comprised 1.1 million public offer shares and 20.9 million placement shares.

Indochine Counsel acted as the Vietnam counsel for Truong Hai Auto Corp in its sales of 20 percent stake (for a consideration of approx US$77 million) to Jardine Cycle & Carriage. Dang The Duc, managing partner, led the transaction.

Jones Day has advised Latitude Holdings Ltd on the sale of Latitude Capital Group to the NASDAQ-listed investment bank Cowen Group Inc for approximately US$4.8million.

JSM advised Dah Chong Hong Holdings Ltd on the acquisition of the entire issued capital of Silver Precious International Ltd and the related debt for a total consideration of approximately HK$142 million. Derek Tsang was lead partner in the transaction.

KhattarWong acted for Artivision Technologies Ltd in its IPO on the main board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. Partner Lawrence Wong advised Artivision in this transaction.

KhattarWong acted for Qian Feng Fabric Tech Ltd in its IPO on the main board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. Partners Ch’ng Li-Ling and Lin Song advised the Qian Feng in the IPO.

KhattarWong acted for the United Overseas Bank Ltd as Sponsor, Underwriter and Placement Agent, for the IPO of Qualitas Medical Group Ltd. Partner Nicole Tan Siew Ping advised UOB in this transaction.

Latham & Watkins advised the mandated lead arrangers in the US$300 million five-year term loan and revolving credit facility made available to PT Saptaindra Sejati. The arrangers included the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, Calyon, Standard Chartered Bank, DBS Bank Ltd, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, United Overseas Bank Ltd, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd, PT Bank Ekspor Indonesia and PT Bank Mandiri Tbk. The team was led by Singapore finance partner Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques acted for China Eximbank in connection with the financing of China’s Sinosteel Corporation’s US$1.3 billion successful bid for Australian iron ore miner Midwest Corporation.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP represented Sciele Pharma Inc in its agreement to be acquired by Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Shionogi & Co Ltd. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Shionogi will acquire all the outstanding shares of Sciele’s common stock for a total equity purchase price of approximately $1.1 billion and total purchase price of approximately $1.4 billion. Atlanta partner Tinley Anderson led the team.

Partner Chris Lowe from the Singapore office of Watson, Farley & Williams LLP, has advised Brunei Gas Carriers Snd Bhd in relation to the raising of US$505 million to fund its newbuilding programme. The arrangement represents a long-term Islamic financing facility with Fortis Bank SA/NV Singapore Branch, Standard Chartered Bank and Brunei Investment & Commercial Bank.