Myanmar

ZICO Law serves various clients on the corporate and M&A, infrastructure and real estate matters. Executive chairman Maung Maung Thein specialises in banking and finance and corporate commercial law.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised a mobile financial services provider Digital Money Myanmar on all matters regarding its ongoing legal needs and provision of legal opinions.

With an office in Yangon, DFDL’s Myanmar practice specialises in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and projects work, with a particular focus on infrastructure, power and mining. The firm’s real estate practice advises on shopping malls, office blocks, and condominium developments. Managing partner William Greenlee is experienced in corporate and M&A, project finance and securities matters.

General business law

Work highlights

Acted as local counsel for DBS, ING, and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation in the financing of the acquisition by TPG of a leading Myanmar telecommunications infrastructure company Pan Asia Majestic Eagle.

Advised Alibaba in respect of its acquisition of Daraz Group, a Pakistani online shopping platform which operates in Myanmar as ‘Shop.com’.

Acted as lenders counsel for Korean-owned bank Shinhan in connection with a $20 million loan to a Myanmar cement company.

Assisted in the leasing of two aircraft by Myanmar National Airlines from aerospace corporation Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

Key clients

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility, Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation, State Bank of India

Duane Morris & Selvam’s office in Myanmar advises on general business law, including corporate and commercial, real estate and employment law issues. Energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, real estate and telecommunications are some of the firm’s industry specialities. Head of Myanmar practice Krishna Ramachandra is experienced in capital markets, M&A, investments funds and private equity.

General business law

Work highlights

Advising Sembcorp Utilities on its $250 million financings of gas-fired power plant project in Myingyan, Myanmar.

Advised Exponential Hub on all aspects of regulatory and compliance matters.

Key clients

Bank of China (Hong Kong), ONGC Videsh, Ponna International, Rodic Consultants

Kelvin Chia Yangon is ranked ‘Outstanding’ in General business law table. The firm is known for its expertise in banking and finance, corporate and commercial and regulatory matters. Energy, infrastructure, real estate and technology and telecommunications are the firm’s key industry sectors. Cheah Swee Gim heads the firm’s corporate and commercial department. She also leads the M&A division and oversees the firm's Myanmar, Cambodian and Vietnam offices.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised SMRT Road Holdings on the operation of premium limousine business in Myanmar.

Assisted Amata Corporation in the drafting and negotiation of transaction documents of the Yangon Amata Smart and Eco City Project.

Advising Wilmar Myanmar Riceland on an application to the Myanmar Investment Commission for an investment permit under Myanmar investment law.

Key clients

Excellent Fortune Finance Company, Gong Cha Myanmar Company, Isuzu Motors Asia, Lesso Group Holdings, Shwe Taung Development

Client feedback

“Staff is responsive and responsible. Provide sound and practical advice. Suggest a feasible alternative to operate in Myanmar where regulations are milky and uncertain.” – Corporate and M&A

“Very responsive despite our perhaps unreasonable deadlines, and the fees are reasonable as well. The advice is commercial and practical, taking into account the difficult regulatory climate.” – Corporate and M&A

“Deep knowledge of the local issues in Myanmar. Friendly and flexible, good firm to work with. To be honest, there are not so many choices of firms in Myanmar, and Kelvin Chia is one of the few reliable firms there.” – Corporate and M&A

“Deep exposure to the country's legal framework and context.” – Energy

“Creative solutions and very thorough legal analysis.” – Technology and telecommunications

Cheah Swee Gim

“Very responsive, hardworking and knowledgeable.”

“Ms Cheah provided professional work for us. She provided a valuable drafting service for our project development agreement.”

Pedro Jose Bernardo

“Friendly. Clear on points and easy to communicate.”

Based in Yangon, Livingstons Legal provides legal services with a focus on market entry, investment, and financial activities. Managing director Mark Livingston is experienced in executing fundraising transactions, implementing compliance practices and resolving operational issues in the legal and regulatory context. Banking and financial services, energy, infrastructure, real estate and TMT are some of his key industry focus.

Client feedback

Mark Livingston

“Prompt and effective.”

Nishimura & Asahi’s practice in Myanmar includes advising clients on obtaining various licenses, investing in Burmese companies and establishing joint ventures. The team also assists in labour matters, handling disputes with local business partners and general corporate matters. Partner Yusuke Yukawa is the representative of the firm’s Myanmar office.

General business law

Work highlights

Acted as legal counsel for Otsuka Pharmaceutical in establishing a subsidiary in Myanmar and obtaining a wholesale license from the Ministry of Commerce.

Key clients

Ishii Hospital, Toyota Tsusho Corporation

‘Highly recommended’ firm Rajah & Tann NK Legal is active in banking and finance, competition and antitrust, dispute resolution, employment, foreign direct investment projects and M&A. Partner Chester Toh co-heads the firm’s Myanmar practice. His regulatory practice covers merger control, antitrust compliance and regulations in the areas of telecommunications and media. The firm hired U Kyaw Swa Myint from MLE Legal in 2018, specialising in Myanmar corporate law with a strong focus on tax.

General business law

Work highlights

Acted as local counsel for Myanmar Mayson Industries in its disposal of 80% of its interest in its bread and confectionery business to Lotte Confectionery.

Advised OUE Lippo Healthcare on the acquisition of Yoma Siloam Hospital Pun Hlaing and Pun Hlaing International Hospital for a combined sum of $19.5 million.

Acted for Yangon Museum Development in the $144 million financings of its four acres real estate development project from Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mizuho Bank (Singapore) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (Singapore).

Thanlwin Legal provides legal advice to local and foreign businesses in Myanmar. Managing partner Tseng Chin-Po is experienced in banking, commercial contracts, construction, general trade, investments, infrastructure and M&A matters.

General business law

Work highlights

Acted for Ayeyarwady Bank in the project financing of a hydropower plant in Hlawga.

Key clients

Prestige Automobiles (BMW Myanmar), SCW Development Group

Tilleke & Gibbins’s office in Yangon focuses their practice on banking and finance, intellectual property, projects and infrastructure and market entry advice. Director Yuwadee Thean-ngarm heads the firm’s Myanmar practice, advising clients on trademark, patent and copyright issues under the existing legal framework in Myanmar.

General business law

Work highlights

Acted as lead counsel and advised a world-leading diversified entertainment conglomerate on all matters related to its market entry to Myanmar.

Acted for a Malaysian government entity in due diligence for the potential acquisition of 20% equity in a Singaporean entity fully owned by a Malaysian public listed company.

Assisted a beverage manufacturer in Southeast Asia in connection to trademark and label infringement matters in Myanmar.

Client feedback

“Strong communication skills. Responds quickly. Thorough.” – Intellectual property

“Highly professional, very knowledgeable, quick response, strong team and management.” – Media and entertainment

Sher Hann Chua

“She consistently provides clear, creative and practical advice in a timely manner. She is always responsive and works hard while never losing sight of the practical business objectives of the client.”

Yuwadee Thean-ngarm

“Hard working, very knowledgeable and very responsible. She is more than happy to work extra miles for customers.”

VBD Loi is ranked ‘Highly recommended’ in our General business law table. The firm has strong expertise in project development. Its dedicated energy and infrastructure team actively advise on power, PPP, ports and various other infrastructure projects. Partner Edwin Vander-bruggen’s industry strengths lie within the energy, infrastructure, real estate, shipping and technology sectors.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised Pan Asia in TPG’s acquisition of Myanmar tower operator Pan Asia Majestic Eagle.

Advised IFC on a $20 million financing in METRO Wholesale Myanmar, a local subsidiary of Germany-based global wholesale and food retail company.

Client feedback

“VDB Loi promptly responded to all of my emails and answered all of my questions. In the end, they helped me to a settlement that I was very happy with. They got me more than I expected and I was very pleased. They have enormous knowledge of the laws in Myanmar.” – Tax

Jean Loi

“Jean has provided excellent services and put her excellent knowledge of the Myanmar laws on full display. She is a real professional and she made all legal matters the walk in the park for us.”

Established in June 2014, WongPartnership’s Myanmar office advises clients on banking and finance, construction, foreign direct investments and real estate matters. Partner Christopher Chuah heads the firm’s infrastructure, construction and engineering practice.

General business law

Work highlights

Acted for Apollo Towers Holdings in a $100 million mezzanine term loan facility granted by Mercer Investments (Singapore) Tor Asia Credit Master Fund and Corbin ERISA Opportunity Fund.

Advised American investment company Four Rivers Inya Office in the agreements drafting for the construction and development of an 18-storey office building in Yangon.

Key clients

Andaman Alliance Healthcare, Nexland Company, Singapore Airlines

Client feedback

“Knows about the ground situation.” – Dispute resolution

“Provides timely and good advice. Knows the law and regulations well.” – Real estate

“Highly responsive, professional and knowledgeable in local regulations.” – Regulatory

Suegene Ang

“Knows the ground very well, very responsive and eager to find solutions.”

“Responsive, professional and knowledgeable. Provides relevant and sound advice on local regulations.”