Corporate and M&A in Bangladesh

A.S & Associates

Over the course of 2022 and 2023, A.S & Associates has appeared in transactions regarding several large acquisitions by NYSE listed companies and operates as a 'one-stop shop service' which is able to ‘advise on different aspects of Bangladesh law’. The group is lauded for its ‘corporate advisory, planned M&A, regulatory assessment and subsequent operational support.’ Uniquely, the firm is strong in the public sector and has experience advising governmental agencies and development partners for government departments. A.S.A Bari, Ferdausur Rahman, and Farhana Khan are key names to note in the team, with Khan being described by one client as ‘one of the best legal practitioners of the country by a clear margin'.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ferdausur Rahman


Autres avocats clés:

ASA Bari; Farhana Khan; Dewan Faisal


Les références

‘I think that A.S & Associates is one of the best corporate legal firms I have used across different jurisdictions. They also have strong incorporation, regulatory services and tax teams. The firm has the excellent knowledge and acumen which is required for cross-border M&A and commendable skills with tax structuring of the business.’

‘Additionally, their cost-effective support with incorporation, obtaining regulatory permits and operational strategic advice, including employment and compliance would be most beneficial for any business seeking full range of service from a trustworthy external partner house.’

‘For corporate advisory, planned M&A, regulatory assessment and subsequent operational support, including employment matters and compliance requirements, I have found the lead partner of the firm, Ferdaus Rahman, to be one of the best legal practitioners of the country by a clear margin. His way of working provides critical assurance to any entrepreneur/investor like myself, coming from a different jurisdiction.’

Principaux clients

American & Efrid (Bangladesh) Ltd.


ACE Advisory


Alcon


ALS Firms Limited


American & Efird


Amzi & Associates


APM Global Logistics Bangladesh Limited


Banco Securities Limited


Beijing Deheng Law Firm


Beijing Kangda Law Firm


Bangladesh Clinical Trials Limited


Benetton


Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association


Bangladesh Power Development Board


Bird & Bird LLP


Cactus Materials Limited


Capital Alliance Limited


Classic FoodLab Limited


China Exim Bank Limited


China Railway Engineering


City Bank Capital Resources Limited


Clyde & Co. Clasis Singapore


Clyde & Co. UK


Codes & Labels Limited


Crane Properties Limited


Dahua Technology Bangladesh Pvt. Limited


Danish Condensed Milk Limited


Danske Bank AG


Deloitte Bangladesh


Deloitte India


Dentons


Deutsche Bank AG


Devotech Technology Park Limited


Dhaka Bye-pass Expressway Limited


DLA Piper


Doctime Bangladesh Limited


Doreen Power House and Technologies Limited


Doreen Power Limited


Dorji-e Ltd


Drew & Napier


Energis Power Corporation Limited


Envoy Textiles Limited


EPV Thakurgaon Limited


Equitable Group


ESS Advisory


Etihad Airways


Evonik Bangladesh Limited


Financial Excellence Limited


Freudenberg & Vilene International Limited


Globalization Partners Limited


Godrej Household Products (Bangladesh) Limited


Grand Bengal Hotel Limited


Grandall Law Firm


Great Western Energy (BD) Limited


Harmony Builders Limited


Hector Global Limited


Hoda Vasi Chowdhury & Co.


Hogan Lovells


Huntsman Singapore Pte Limited


Huntsman Investment Netharlands B.V.


Hyundai Oilbank Co., Ltd


IDLC Finance Limited


Imagine Radio


InfraCo Asia Development Pte. Ltd.


Infrastructure Development and Company Limited


Institute for Healthcare Improvement


International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh


International Corporate Protection Group Ltd.


Jumo GmbH


JunHe LLP


Keystone Law


Khaas Food Limited


King Stubb & Kasiva, Advocates & Attorneys


Kyeryong Construction Industrial Co. Limited


Lanka Bangla Investments Limited


LG Electronics


Libryo


Littler


Maersk Bangladesh Limited


Malala Fund


Mamiya-OP Co. Ltd


Matsuoka Corporation


Mayer Brown LLP


MBM Group


MCC (Singapore) Development Limited


Medecins sans Frontieres, France, Belgium, Spain and Holland


Meghna Bank Limited


Midland Bank Limited


Milvik Bangladesh Limited


Mitsui & Co Limited


Mostofa Metal Industries


Navana Electronics Limited


NCC Bank Limited


NDB Capital Limited


New Mileage (Hong Kong) Technology Limited


Nishimura and Asahi


NJS Consulting


Norinco Intl. Power Limited


NRB Bank Limited


O’Melveny


Omnipresent Bangladesh Limited


Phoenix Finance Limited


Proton Holdings


Pubali Bank Limited


RPCL-Norinco International Power Limited


Saif Power Tech Limited


Sarens India Heavy Lifting Pvt Limited


Shah Fibbers Limited


Shameem Company


Shaoxing Keqiao Douan Imp and Exp Co. Ltd.


Sheba Platform Limited


Sichuan Road and Bridge (Group) Corporation Limited


Simbrella


Snehasish Mahmood & Co


Social Trust Co. Ltd.


Subra Limited


Subra Systems Limited


Terre Des Hommes


The City Bank Limited


The Himalaya Drug Company Ltd


The Salvation Army


Thomson Reuters Foundation


Vertical Innovations Limited


VIVO – Best Tycoon (BD) Enterprise Limited


Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft


Water.org


White & Case LLP


World Bank Group


Wulling Power Corporation


Xen Works Limited


Yonder Music Inc.


YTL LLP


Zarbiz Limited


Zhejiang Huida Textiles and Garments Co. Ltd.


Zhong Lun Law Firm, Beijin


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a leading global oil and gas company on the proposed innovative foreign investment for the cross-broader carbon rights trading.
  • Advised one of the leading renewable energy investment companies in Bangladesh on structuring a multi-jurisdictional investment scheme of $150m.
  • Advised the consortium of leading Japanese investors on a global acquisition of a global leading mobile tower sharing company.

Doulah & Doulah

Doulah & Doulah is headed up by Amina Khatoon and Nasir Doulah; the pair are known for their project finance and development expertise and are praised alongside other team members for ‘giving good advice and finding solutions.’ The practice’s multi-jurisdictional setup is exemplified by its ability to be a ‘safe pair of hands in difficult jurisdictions,' and it advises on high-value M&A transactions, both in Bangladesh and internationally, including on the acquisition of major international banks. For the team, construction and infrastructure have been areas of significant growth, and the group has experience advising clients such as General Electric.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nasirud Doulah; Amina Khatoon


Les références

‘Safe pair of hands in difficult jurisdictions.’

‘Nasrid Doulah gives good advice and can find solutions.’

‘Good attorneys, associates are helpful.’

Principaux clients

Amazon


Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation


Walmart


JC Penney


Total Eren


Kmart


Hero Future Energies


Ib Vogt


Cyclect Energy


Aggreko


Target


Pendekar Energy


General Electric


Scatek Solar


Powerchina


CMEC


PepsiCo


Hyatt Hotels


Whirlpool


TBEA


Associated British Foods


ITC


China Energy Engineering Group


China Harbour


CAL Securities


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for IFC as a transaction adviser to the PPP Authority acting as local legal counsel on the development of Patenga Container Terminal on PPP basis.
  • Represented US based Beringia Energy Global LLC in acquiring two HFO / diesel run independent power plants in Bangladesh.
  • Represented Malaysia based Pendekar in consolidating its power assets in Bangladesh, including a number of power generation facilities  involving a large number of intra-group restructures, acquisitions and mergers.

Mahbub & Company

At Mahbub & Company, the ‘supportive and knowledgeable' practice head Saqeb Mahbub's ‘network and subject matter expertise makes him a true partner for any business.’ The group is fast-growing when it comes to M&A mandates, which is symptomatic of a growing Bangladeshi economy, and the team has increased the number of mandates in the technology startup community. The team is commended for its ‘timely delivery and detailed work for any query'. Elsewhere, the group has a foreign investment practice, including entity structuring and set-up support for foreign investors. Also notable in the team are associates Mohua Morshed, Tasmiah Zaman, and Rifat Rahman, who have excellent client service protocols and a customer-oriented attitude.

Responsables de la pratique:

Saqeb Mahbub


Autres avocats clés:

Mohua Morshed; Tasmiah Zaman; Rifat Rahman


Les références

‘The team has an incredibly diversified skillset. They have helped us on cross-border deal structuring. Seamless operation.’

‘Saqeb Mahbub is a supportive and knowledgeable person. His network and subject matter expertise makes him a true partner for any business.’

‘Timely delivery and detailed work for any query.’

Principaux clients

Marc Group


MedEasy Heathcare Limited


Babuland Limited


Dekko ISHO Ventures Limited


North End (Pvt͘) Limited


Kochan Management Inc.


Jubilant Foods Limited


DAI, Bangladesh


Xiaomi Bangladesh


SBK Tech Ventures Ltd


Shikho Technologies Ltd


Tetratech


Peak Plan Management Pty Ltd.


Decathlon Bangladesh


InResource International ltd


ETAM Group


Export-Import Bank of Korea


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the largest global sporting goods retailer on corporate restructuring, employment law, compliance, and intellectual property matters, among others.
  • Advised a leading international ride sharing services company on setting up a company, legal compliance, and obtaining enlistment, license, and regulatory approvals in Bangladesh.
  • Advised a leading Australian Accounting Services Company on its cross-border investment structuring and acquiring of a leading private local company in Bangladesh.

TANJIB ALAM & ASSOCIATES

TANJIB ALAM & ASSOCIATES often acts as local counsel for sellers in the acquisition of majority shares of large companies, and also frequently advises clients on large-scale, cross-border acquisitions. Tanjib-Ul Alam and Kazi Ershadul Alam are at the helm and are go-to practitioners for M&A matters. They are well supported by Nazmun Islam and associate Taskeen Siddiq. Islam has considerable expertise in the field of property law, and Tanjib-ul Alam specialises in corprate law, as well as demonstrating a strong ability to advise foreign investors on regulatory issues in a range of sectors, including the energy sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tanjib-ul Alam; Kazi Ershadul Alam


Autres avocats clés:

Nazmun Binte Islam; Taskeen Siddiq


Principaux clients

bKash Limited


United Group


Grameenphone Limited


The City Bank Limited


HSBC Bangladesh


Marico Bangladesh Limited


STS Holding Limited


Hapag Lloyd AG, Germany


Robi Axiata Limited


Partex Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Chittagong Stock Exchange and played an instrumental part in overseeing and finalising the requisite legal formalities for onboarding ABG Limited as the strategic partner.
  • Acted for Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited as counsel in drafting, negotiating, and finalising a joint-venture agreement with GenNext Technology Limited to set up Bangladesh’s first cloud data center named “Meghna Cloud” through its own technology and manpower.
  • Acted for Aavishkaar Frontier Fund and SEAF Bangladesh Ventures LLC in the acquisition of new share capital in a Bangladeshi export-oriented entity by new investors where both AFF and SEAF have shareholding.

The Law Counsel

The Law Counsel works across various disciplines and leverages its strong TMT nous to combine its TMT and corporate practice. Abdur Razzaq, Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq, and Imran Siddiq head up the practice and the latter is singled out by one client as ‘the best individual lawyer I have ever worked with in Bangladesh.’ The group ‘is known for its expertise, specialisation, experience and reputation, as well as its team credentials, innovative legal solutions, and client-centric approach.’ Individually, Ehsan Siddiq stands out for his Islamic banking expertise, and Razzaq is notable in his knowledge of the telecoms industry.

Responsables de la pratique:

Abdur Razzaq; Ehsan Siddiq; Imran Siddiq


Les références

‘The Law Counsel is known for its expertise, specialisation, experience and reputation, as well as its team credentials, innovative legal solutions, and client-centric approach.’

‘The team is able to work to strict deadlines and respond to the demanding wishes of the client. Very responsive and diligent.’

‘Imran Siddiq is the best individual lawyer I have ever worked with in Bangladesh.’

Principaux clients

Bashundhara Kings Football Club


VFS Global


Spectra Solar Park Ltd.


Johnson Wilshire Inc


BIGO Technologies Pte Ltd.


IMO


A.P. Moller-Maersk, Netherlands


Bangladesh Development Party


Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.


Caterpillar Power Generation Systems (Bangladesh) Ltd.


Rosatom, Russia


Saudi Arabian Airlines Ltd.


Cisco Systems Ltd., USA


Uber Inc, USA


Walmart Inc., USA


Philip Morris, USA


Reliance Insurance Ltd.


Willis Tower Watson


Automattic, France


Supermax, UAE


MGF Sourcing, Hong Kong


Nasdaq Inc.


Sinovac


Microsoft, USA


Nokia EA


Caterpillar Power Generation Systems (Bangladesh) Ltd.


Oracle Corporation Singapore (Pte) Ltd.


Master Builders Solution UK Ltd., UK


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Sika on the acquisition of Master Builders Solutions Bangladesh Ltd. by MBCC as part of the process of acquisition of the MBCC Group by the client.
  • Advised Willis Towers Watson on providing reinsurance services under Bangladesh law.
  • Advised Rosatom on the procedure for re-export of equipment and machineries imported for the purpose of establishing and operating a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.

DFDL Bangladesh

Seen by clients as ‘a high-quality firm providing broad legal support for foreign multinationals entering Bangladesh’, DFDL Bangladesh often handles large foreign investment matters, and ‘is recommended for its ability to guide international clients through the complexities of investing in Bangladesh.’ Managing director Shahwar Jamal Nizam has been key in the group’s ability to assist international clients with their first investments into Bangladesh, utilising is ‘very broad network, both with international law firms and companies within Bangladesh’. Tarannum Tasnim and Mahboob Aziz and are also notable members of the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shahwar Nizam


Autres avocats clés:

Tarannum Tasnim; Mahboob Aziz, Saif Bhuiyan


Les références

‘Shahwar Nizam and the team are a great corporate practice in Dhaka. They provide international levels of service and are recommended for their ability to guide international clients through the complexities of investing in Bangladesh.’

‘The team is responsive, thorough and are a pleasure to work with. They are clearly focussed on building long-term relationships with their clients and invest time and effort in getting to know their clients.’

‘Shahwar Nizam has worked tirelessly to build a strong bench of practitioners, including Tarannum Tasnim on the finance side and Mahboob Aziz and Saif Bhuiyan on the corporate side.’

Principaux clients

SHV Energy


Kai Heng Long Ltd.


Actis GP LLP


Nebras Power Investment Management B.V.


Pinnacle Towers Ltd. backed by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted a client with its investment in the Singapore holding company of SureCash.
  • Acted for Actis as legal counsel in the acquisition of a 220 MW combined cycle gas turbine project under development at Bhola, Bangladesh, from Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Company Private Limited.
  • Assisted Kai Heng Long Ltd. with the acquisition of a Sri Lankan and UAE owned joint venture called Laugfs Gas (Bangladesh) Ltd.
     

Rahman & Rabbi Legal

Md. Monzur Rabbi leads Rahman & Rabbi Legal, a Dhaka-based group which adopts a multidisciplinary approach and is an advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Retired district judge Md. Mahbubor Rahman is a key team member and also an advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Key sectors for the group regarding contracts and transactions were the tobacco and banking industries.

Responsables de la pratique:

Md. Monzur Rabbi


Autres avocats clés:

Md. Mahbubor Rahman


Principaux clients

British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited


Unilever Bangladesh Limited


Unilever Consumer Care Limited


BAT Mark Limited


Cybergen Inc.


Vannucci Oliveira, P.A. (USA)


Carlton Fields, P.A. (USA)


Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited


TUT, Joint Venture


Watson, Farley & Williams, Thailand


Zas Dermal


Zas Corporation


Carhartt WIP


Kuwait Airways


Lawback Network Technology Company Limited, China


Union Wealth Trading Limited


FLORTECH


Tokio Marine Houston Casualty Company (USA)


Studio Metrodesk


Fiber@home Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited on a number of trademark infringement litigations.
  • Advised Unilever Bangladesh Limited on a writ petition regarding parallel importation of branded products and empty packing of the branded products into Bangladesh.
  • Advised Tokio Marine Houston Casualty Company (USA) on the allegations of issuance of fraudulent travel insurances in Bangladesh.

Vertex Chambers

The group at Vertex Chambers has significant corporate restructuring expertise and has recently strengthened this with the appointment of Asif Bin Anwar, a barrister who has experience acting in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Elsewhere in the team, Tanvir Quader, Junayed Ahmed Chowdhury, and Sajeda Farisa Kabir are names of note, with expertise in a range of practice areas, complimenting the group’s corporate and commercial expertise.

Autres avocats clés:

Tanvir Quader; Asif Bin Anwar; Junayed Ahmed Chowdhury; Sajeda Farisa Kabir


Principaux clients

Al Barak Dates Factory LLC


Unilever Bangladesh Limited


Bay Developments Limited


World Bank Group


International Finance Corporation


Compassion International


SAJIDA Foundation


British American Tobacco Bangladesh


Marico Bangladesh Limited


Teach For Bangladesh


The City Bank Limited


Asiatic 3sixty


GE Medical Systems Bangladesh Limited


Louis Dreyfus Company


PricewaterhouseCoopers India


Refinitiv Limited


Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh


Accord Shipping Limited


PRAN Foods Limited


Southeast Bank Capital Services Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted a client with filing a trademark application of logos.
  • Advised a client on different ways to structure a micro-insurance service in Bangladesh in light of insurance laws and microcredit laws.
     
  • Advising a client on environmental and any other legal issues in connection with waste management, recycling and disposal of e-cigarette devices.