Clifford Chance
We have worked with clients in Qatar for close to 30 years. Our team delivers high-profile results for clients in Qatar and Qatari entities active across the Middle East and internationally.
Building on proven success
We have worked with international and domestic clients in Qatar for close to 30 years and in the Middle East for over 45 years. Our clients include Qatari corporates, financial institutions, government agencies and international companies who do business in Qatar.
In Qatar we have a long track record of high profile work and longstanding client relationships. Several of these relationships are with Qatari-state entities who we have advised on a range of banking, finance, and capital markets matters.
Recent client work has built on our existing relationships and helped us develop new ones. Examples include advising Al Khaliji Commercial Bank on its merger with Masraf Al Rayan which is the first ever public company statutory merger in Qatar; Standard Chartered Bank on the world's first Formosa Sukuk for Qatar Islamic Bank; and the QAR3.7 billion Qatari riyal (USD$1 billion) financing of the Doha Festival City development, the largest-ever private sector financing in Qatar.
Delivering results across and beyond the Middle East
We've invested to build our presence in the Middle East and the wider MENA region and our lawyers are permanently based in the region – we believe that clients get the best advice from lawyers who understand local and regional markets, business practices, and regulations.
We regularly work with colleagues in other offices in key financial markets across the Clifford Chance network. This means that our lawyers know how to work effectively in extended teams, have first-hand experience of the practicalities of Middle East markets, and are used to complex deals and innovative ideas.
Recent highlights
Awards and milestones
- Ranked 1st for M&A in the Middle East and Africa, by value
Mergermarket, 2020 - Sustainable Finance Deal of the Year
Niche Market Deal of the Year
Quasi-Sovereign Debt Deal of the Year
Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year
Structured Loan Deal of the Year
Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards 2020 - Real Estate Deal of the Year
Hybrid Deal of the Year
Project & Infrastructure Finance Deal of the Year
Sovereign Deal of the Year
Social Impact SRI/ESG Deal of the Year
Trade Finance Deal of the Year
Cross-border Deal of the Year
Best Country Deal of the Year – UAE
Best Country Deal of the Year – Saudi Arabia
Best Country Deal of the Year – Bahrain
Best Country Deal of the Year – Pakistan
Best Country Deal of the Year – Turkey
IFN Deals of the Year 2019 - UAE Corporate Law Firm of the Year
Chambers Middle East Awards 2019 - M&A Team of the Year
Domestic Deal of the Year
Equity Deal of the Year
IFLR Middle East Awards 2019
Recent work
- Qatar-based energy company Nebras Power Q.S.C on the acquisition from Engie of 35.5% in PT Paiton Energy, Indonesia's largest Independent Power Provider (IPP)
- Thai Union (the world's leading seafood processor), and Savola Foods Company (the largest manufacturer of consumer goods in Middle Eastern markets) on a JV to bring sustainable, innovative, and quality seafood products to the Middle Eastern consumers
- QNB Group, the largest financial institution in Qatar and the Middle East and North Africa region, on its acquisition of National Bank of Greece's entire stake in Finansbank in Turkey for a total consideration of EUR€2.7 billion (USD$2.94 billion); on the acquisition of Société Générale's stake in National Société Générale Bank – Egypt; and on its acquisition of a stake of 12.5% in Ecobank Transnational Inc., the largest pan-African bank in Africa in 2014
- Commercial Bank of Qatar's US$1 billion syndicated financing
- the arranging banks on Ooredoo's USD$2 billion debut issue and US$1.25 billion programme establishment Airtime Voucher sukuk in 2013. We have also advised Ooredoo on a series of financings totalling over USD$5 billion for general corporate purposes and to finance acquisitions outside Qatar, including the region’s first forward start facility
- Ahli Bank on its debut USD$500 million issuance in the international capital markets
- Qatar Navigation (Milaha) on the acquisition of two LNG carriers from Societe Generale
