21 December 2016

Dubai - Dentons' Middle East Banking and Finance team advised on a staggering 13 deals nominated at the prestigious Bonds, Loans and Sukuk Awards held in Dubai this month, including five winning deals, four runner-up deals and four deals that were finalists in their categories.  This placed Dentons amongst the highest ranks of law firms in terms of number of deals recognised by the organisers of the awards. The awards highlight deals that demonstrate outstanding achievement and celebrate excellence in the Middle East Financing Industry.

Dentons Co-head of Banking and Finance for the Middle East, Sadaf Buchanan, commented, "These awards are a great and well-deserved recognition of the diverse and exciting deals we have advised on across the region, particularly within the local Oman market. This is particularly poignant in the year that our Muscat office celebrated 35 years in the Sultanate of Oman. Congratulations are in order to all involved, particularly the clients we have been privileged to represent."

Dentons advised on five winning deals at the Bonds, Loans and Sukuk Awards: 

  • The Project Finance Deal of the Year was awarded to Liwa Plastics (Orpic Plastics), Oman in relation to the US$6.4 billion multi-tranche project financing facility. Dentons advised Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company SAOC (ORPIC) as Oman counsel on the deal. The team was led by partner Sadaf Buchanan (Muscat).

  • The Structured Finance Deal of the Year was awarded to Alia - The Royal Jordanian Airlines for the US$275 million syndicated conventional /Shari’ah-compliant senior secured term loan facility.  Dentons advised the joint lead managers, Mashreqbank. The team was led by partners Neil Cuthbert (Dubai) and Safwan Moubaydeen (Amman).

  • The Financial Institution Financing Deal of the Year was awarded to Boubyan Bank, Kuwait for the US$250 million perpetual Tier 1 Sukuk. Dentons advised Boubyan bank as the obligor on the world's first public fully Basel III-compliant Tier 1 Sukuk.  The team was led by partner Alex Roussos (Dubai).

  • The Trade & Export Finance Deal of the Year was awarded to Petroleum Development Oman on the US$4 billion senior secured pre-export finance term loan facility.  Dentons advised the Joint Lead Managers as Oman counsel. The team was led by partners Sadaf Buchanan and Andrew Figgins (Muscat).

  • The Bond/Sukuk Deal of the Year by a Debut Issuer was awarded to Ezdan Holding Group, Qatar for the US$500 million 4.375% Trust Certificates. Dentons advised Ezdan Holding in relation to the Islamic syndicated finance facility following the launch of the debut sukuk. The team was led by partners Safwan Moubaydeen (Doha) and Neil Cuthbert (Dubai).

The additional finalist and runner–up awards that Dentons advised on included:

 

·         Bond/Sukuk Deal of the Year by a Debut Issuer: RUNNER-UP: Boubyan Bank – Kuwait

·         Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year by a Debut Borrower:  RUNNER-UP: Electricity Holding Company – Oman

·         Investment Grade Bond/Sukuk Deal of the Year: RUNNER-UP: Sultanate of Oman – Oman

·         Sovereign/Quasi-Sovereign Financing Deal of the Year: RUNNER-UP: Sultanate of Oman – Oman and Finalist: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) - Dubai

·         Trade & Export Finance Deal of the Year: FINALIST: Landmark Retail - Oman

·         Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year: FINALIST: Banque Misr – Dubai/Egypt

·         Sub-Investment Grade Bond/Sukuk Deal of the Year: FINALIST: National Bank of Oman – Oman

For further information, please contact:

Charlene Singh

Business Development & Marketing Manager

Muscat

+968 2457 3034

charlene.singh@dentons.com

Kerry Schultz

Senior Business Development & Marketing Executive

Dubai

+971 4 402 0872

kerry.schultz@dentons.com

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Global Referral Network. Dentons' polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work. www.dentons.com

© Press Release 2016