Myanmar

Hired Dave Seibert as the head of its energy, infrastructure and mining practice from VDB Loi. 

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Advised ThaiBev on all local law aspects of its acquisition of majority stakes in two of Myanmar’s leading distillery companies.  

Acted for the US Embassy Rangoon on the legal implications of unilateral changes to its merit-based compensation plan.  

Acted for the Australian Embassy Yangon on a major restructuring, outsourcing, and redundancy advisory project requiring employment law advice.  

Key clients 

Grab Myanmar  

The firm welcomed special counsel and energy and infrastructure specialist Priyank Srivastava from Allen & Gledhill Myanmar during the research period. 

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Assisted Inter-Continental Hotels Group on all aspects of market entry into Myanmar, including establishment of a service company, bank accounts, employment advice, commercial tax registration and the team negotiated with the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration for expedited incorporation.  

Advised HD Saison with the structuring advice and due diligence for its acquisition of the Myanmar microfinance division of the Bank for Investment Development Vietnam.  

Advised Oil India on the liquidation of its Myanmar branch, including undertaking all liquidation activities and Myanmar Court procedures.  

Acted for Thai Takenaka International, an engineering and construction services company, with the preparation of bespoke project documentation for use in all its EPC and large construction projects in the country.  

Key clients 

SAP, Muang Thai Life Insurance, World Child Cancer 

Client feedback 

“We were overall satisfied with the work delivered by the firm. All the objectives were achieved and communication was always on a professional level.” - Technology and telecommunications 

 “Very professional with great communication.” - Banking and finance 

 “They have been great to work with. They are extremely diligent and helpful.” - Regulatory 

 “Excellent.” - Corporate and M&A  

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Acted for SHC Capital Asia and Yoma Strategic Holdings on a S$70.6 million listing of one of its tourism company assets, Memories Group. This was the first Burmese tourism-focused company to be listed on an exchange abroad.  

Represented Cruilight on its joint venture with Jade King & Queen Gems & Jewellery for the plantation, production and sale of teak in Myanmar with an aggregate investment value of $115 million.  

Assisted Wilmar Myanmar Port Terminals in applying for investment permits from the Myanmar Investment Commission for various food-related businesses.  

Key clients 

JFE Meranti Joint Venture 

Client feedback 

 “The firm has a long history and strong network in Myanmar. As the firm has been quite familiar with applications to the government authorities, it has been keeping good relationships with such government authorities. The firm also has several talents, including Ms Cheah Swee Gim and Mr Pedro José Bernardo who are well experienced in Myanmar and have been helping many foreign clients.” - Corporate and M&A  

“They are very reliable and made us feel very secure about doing business in Myanmar. They are very thorough in their presentation and always available when we need them. So far, we are happy with the firm.” - Corporate and M&A 

“Kelvin Chia Yangon always provides sound legal advice that is well-researched and carefully crafted. They have been in Myanmar for a long time and understand our business well. They take considerable efforts to ensure our legal needs are met.” – Dispute resolution  

 “They are very good. They are knowledgeable about the law (which is rare in Myanmar!) and able to combine this with commercial awareness of the objectives of the JV partners.” - Corporate and M&A 

 “Kelvin Chia Yangon has one of the best international practices in Myanmar. They have a strong team of dedicated lawyers who understand the Myanmar market well.” - Labour and employment  

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Advised a large Myanmar conglomerate in the corporate structuring of its branches of businesses and investments, including its recent joint venture with the French broadcaster, Canal+, various disputes with its suppliers and licensors, and regulatory advice.  

Represented Dagon International on its buyout of its joint venture partner, Marubeni Corporation, in respect of a joint venture to engage in the leasing of heavy machinery and equipment in Myanmar.  

Acted for Myanmar Winery & Distillery on the sale of 5% of the 30% interest that it had held in Myanmar Distillery Company, the largest distillery in Myanmar.  

Advised Yangon regional government on its potential joint venture with Amata Corporation, a leading industrial city developer based in Thailand, to develop the Yangon Amata Smart & Eco City project in Myanmar.   

Key clients 

Yangon Metropolitan Development Public Company  

Thanlwin Legal is a relative newcomer to the scene with a strong emphasis on Chinese cross-border work and an impressive roster of PRC clients. It recently welcomed corporate and IP specialist Tseng Pin-Fang from a Hong Kong firm and Sandip Boshale, a senior associate. 

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Advised Myanmar Awba Group, the largest agriculture group in Myanmar, on multiple agriculture-related business activities, such as manufacturing, distribution of fertilizers, rice processing, storage, transportation, exportation and financing farmer workers, all valued at $300 million.  

Acted for the Bank of China on its potential development of a Bank of China tower in Yangon and on how to inform on its change of management control from its Beijing headquarters to Hong Kong.  

Advised CNECC on the legal procedures and requirements for developing residential real estate projects in the Yangon Region.  

Represented Dapein (1) Hydropower Company in a commercial tax rate dispute against the Ministry of Electricity and Energy on the export and sale of electricity from Myanmar to China.  

Advised ICBC on its loan to the Myanmar investment company, Young Investment Group for the construction of telecommunications towers.   

Acted for Taiwanese shoe manufacturing company Pou Chen Group, on labour and employment issues related to its Myanmar operations.  

Key clients 

Ayeyarwaddy Bank, China National Petroleum Corporation, China Nuclear Engineering Group, China Petrochemical Development Corporation, Country Garden, E.SUN Bank, Foxlink Company, ICBC, Life Tech Company  

Client feedback 

“This is a start-up firm which has extensive connection with Myanmar regulators and the central bank. Therefore, they are able to provide insights into the local regulations in the country. They provide services with a short turnaround time and with competitive pricing that fulfils our requirements.” - Banking and finance 

 “High response speed and high professional ability.” - Corporate and M&A  

The firm hired corporate and commercial consultant Nada Songasen from Siam Premier International Law Office during the research period. 

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Acted for a Thai private investor to coordinate with government officials for approvals and licenses in two major power generation projects in Myanmar, a $2 million solar cell facility and a $500 million 900MW power generation facility.  

Advised a major Chinese engineering company on restructuring an EPC contract for a $275 million 220MW ground-mounted solar project in Myanmar.  

Represented one of Thailand’s largest banks in providing advice on commercial tax, reviewing commercial and consumer banking transactions between the two countries, and localising loan agreements for use in Myanmar.  

Advised a leading Korean beauty products company on the enforcement of their intellectual property rights against online resellers and wholesalers of counterfeit products in Myanmar.  

Acted for one of the world’s largest social network companies on Myanmar Wifi and telecommunications laws and regulations, as part ofits plan to apply for licenses for the establishment of a subsidiary in the country.  

Key clients 

Geomechanical Services, Myanmar Information Highway Company, Sing Sanguan and Sons 

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Acted as local counsel for a consortium comprising Total and Siemens for the development of an integrated 1230MW LNG-to-power project.  

Advised Andritz, Kansai and High Tech Construction on the development, project documentation drafting and structuring of a 60MW hydropower project in the Mandalay region.  

Represented International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE) in the development of a $55 million storage terminal for petroleum products, including advising on regulatory matters and the company investment structure.  

Advised ICBC on the consolidation of their commercial operations in Myanmar, including advice on the documentation of loans, financial regulations and carrying out due diligence.  

Key clients 

Bangkok Bank, Carlsberg, Government of Myanmar, Korea Land and Housing, Nokia, Ooredoo, Panasia Towers, Posco Daewoo 

General Business Law 

Work highlights 

Advised Yangon Technical & Trading Company in negotiating transactional documents relating to a mixed development project in the client’s joint venture with three Japanese companies valued at $332.5 million.  

Represented Chinese SOE, China Triumph International Engineering Company, on project agreements relating to the construction and development of what will be the largest solar power plant in Southeast Asia, a 220MW solar power plant in the Minbu district of Myanmar. 

Advised Digital Money Myanmar, a mobile financial services company, on legal issues ranging from shareholder matters, business and operational matters to funding and third-party vendor matters.  

Client feedback 

“They provide updated information, are prompt in responses to inquiries, and provide end to end solutions to their client inquiries with professionalism and integrity.” - Corporate and M&A