Gide’s lawyers in the U.A.E. will primarily advise local and international clients throughout the GCC on mergers & acquisitions, corporate law, banking and finance (including structured, Islamic and project finance), as well as infrastructure and construction projects. The Firm’s lawyers in the region have a background in both civil law (French qualified) and common law (US & UK qualified), enabling them to offer a unique perspective on the legal framework within the MENA region.
Previous work in the region has included advising:
• Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, National Bank of Kuwait and Commercial International Bank on the incorporation of affiliate financial institutions;
• World Bank and the Government of Kuwait on the drafting of a PPP law;
• The public sector Oman Wastewater Services Company on strategy and implementation of an operation management services contract for wastewater in the city of Muscat;
• A bidding consortium (finalist as of this date) for a PPP to provide safety and security infrastructure and services for the King Abdullah Economic City;
• The IFC and the Government of Egypt for the concession of Cairo-Alexandria Freeway, this project being part of the first wave of pilot PPPs in the country and the first transport PPP in Egypt, as well as the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a potable water production plant and a wastewater processing plant dedicated to New Cairo on a BOT basis;
• The IFC and the General Authority of Civil Aviation for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Hajjj Terminal and associated desalination facilities at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
• The Government of Qatar on the drafting of a modern and comprehensive water law and the establishment of relevant institutional structures;
• The Public Authority for Electricity and Water of Oman on the tendering of a Management Services Contract for the Water Sector in the Sultanate of Oman.
Sami Fakhoury, partner in charge of Gide Loyrette Nouel Dubai, commented: “The judicial systems in the UAE and other countries in the region are largely inspired by French civil law meaning that we are ideally positioned to advise national and international clients on their activities across the Middle East and North Africa.”
Yassir Ghorbal, partner in charge of Gide Loyrette Nouel Abu Dhabi, added: “Gide’s presence in the region goes back 30 years with the opening of the Firm’s Riyadh office. I’m delighted to play a role in the expansion of our rich heritage in the region that extends into North Africa and beyond.”
Pierre Raoul-Duval, Gide’s senior partner, said: “With the opening of our Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices we strengthen our presence in the Gulf which, together with our strong basis in the MENA region, allow us to implement our strategy of offering our clients a full quality service, notably in acquisitions, banking, Islamic and project finance and international arbitration in the region.”