VDB Loi
Started as a tax specialist firm, VDB Loi continues to advise on corporate and M&A and banking and finance in Cambodia and across Southeast Asia. The firm is also active in real estate work. Edwin Vanderbruggena and Laysym Sim are key partners.
General business law
Work highlights
Acted as lead counsel for Phillip Bank on the merger with Kredit MFI and conducted due diligence on the merger agreement.
Advising DSV Air & Sea on the acquisition and subsequent merger of Panalpina Wellttrasport pertaining to the configuration of the M&A structure to ensure compliance with the Cambodian legal and tax regulations.
Key clients
Fruitage International, GHL Asia Pacific, Newrest Group Holdings
Client feedback
“Considering the local expertise, we think VDB Loi is second to none. In addition, we can feel at the very first meeting that VDB Loi also adopted the working style similar to those international law firms where everything was handled professionally with the flexibility to extend the support for the client.” – Energy
“The firm is able to provide a wide range of services and it’s worth to engage the firm.” – Real estate
Leung Seng
“He is a responsible and proactive person, always keeps us posted for any news or updates on legislation and legal arrangement in Cambodia that might potentially affect our business.”
Mariza Ung
“She manages the work in good order and always provides us with professional advice with flexible options to help and solve our problems. I have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone who needs legal and tax services.”
The Vientiane office of VDB Loi is commendable in sectors such as power, banking and financial services and infrastructure. The firm regularly collaborates with Norton Rose Fulbright to cater to international clients. The main contact is Daodeuane Duangdara, who leads the firm’s tax team and advises clients in the banking, hydropower and mining sectors.
Advised three European development funds and banks on a secured term loan facility to a market-leading agroforestry company in Laos, a Sweden-Lao joint venture project.
Provided legal and tax advice to WWF Laos on all aspects of the employment of foreigners in the country.
Assisted BCPG in completing the acquisition of two hydropower projects from Phongusbthavy Group.
Heineken Lao Brewery, ISUZU Motors Asia, Maruhan Japan Bank, Somapa IT
VDB Loi
VBD Loi moves up into the ‘Outstanding’ tier of the General business law table. The firm has strong expertise in project development and the energy sector. In 2019, the firm assisted clients on all the Myanmar Investment Commission permits that were issued and it was retained by the sponsors in all six of the first approved hydropower projects. In a landmark mandate, the firm assisted AIA Myanmar in becoming the first foreign life insurance company in the country. Partner Edwin Vander-bruggen’s industry strengths lie within the energy, infrastructure, real estate, shipping and technology sectors.
General business law
Work highlights
Acting for a local energy sector client relating to the development of a rooftop solar commercial and industrial (C&I) power project in Myanmar. The team advised on the available structures available under Myanmar law, tax efficiency structuring and the drafting, and revising of a C&I power purchase agreement.
Representing the sponsors on the development of the Shweli 3 hydropower project.
Acting for an export-import financial institution lender on a finance expansion loan for a cement manufacturing plant in Myanmar.
Advising the offshore sponsor for the development of a potential LNG terminal in Rakhine state. This project is expected to become one of the largest fuel terminals in the country.
Key clients
EDFI Management Company, FMO
Client feedback
“VDB Loi is competent and delivers within required timelines. What is most helpful is its ability to articulate legal issues in both written and spoken English is very strong. The firm is able to use its in-depth understanding of the local environment to navigate through challenging legal issues.” – Corporate and M&A
Edith Ruan
“Edith is responsive and always ready to help. Her ability to competently work through and explain local law issues helped tremendously in closing out the due diligence process.”
