Clifford Chance Middle East’s Post

On the joyous occasion of Saudi Arabia's National Day, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Kingdom and its people. As the global number one in M&A education, we at IMAA recognize Saudi Arabia's strategic importance in the international mergers and acquisitions landscape. The nation's commitment to economic diversification and growth, especially through Vision 2030, has created exciting opportunities for business expansion and investment. 💡For dealmakers who want to learn more about the historical transactions in this market, our website provides detailed statistics on Saudi Arabia, providing rich insights into this vibrant market. https://lnkd.in/gDap5fMc? #SaudiArabia #GlobalMarkets #IMAA #mergersandacquisitions  #Partnership

Long awaited updates are coming to the Saudi General Authority for Competition's merger guidelines starting 1 August 2024. From new notification thresholds to clarified control definitions and strategic exemptions for joint ventures, these changes could significantly impact your business strategies in Saudi Arabia. To learn about this change and how it may affect you, visit https://bit.ly/3WmXB4y to read our blog.

Saudi Arabia Enhances Merger Control Regulations The General Authority for Competition (GAC) has revised merger control regulations in Saudi Arabia, raising filing thresholds to SAR 200 million combined turnover, among other criteria, to better align with global practices. Antitrust attorneys have expressed support for these changes, which aim to focus on transactions that significantly impact the Saudi market. For more information, visit Saudi Business News. Link in bio. #SaudiBusiness #SaudiNews #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia #GAC #MergerControl #CompetitionLaw #RegulatoryChanges #BusinessEnvironment #Antitrust #EconomicDevelopment #LegalUpdates #GlobalStandards #CompetitiveMarket

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region witnessed an increase in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity during the first six months of 2024 with a total of 321 deals amounting to $49.2 billion. When compared to the first half of 2023, deal volume this year grew by 1% while deal value saw a 12% rise. The latest EY MENA M&A Insights H1 2024 report reveals that the UAE and Saudi Arabia were the preferred destinations for investors with 152 deals reaching a total value of $9.8 billion. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gbznMSds #MiddleEast #Deal #Agreement #Economy #UAE #SaudiArabia

We have managed to obtain one of the first, if not the first merger control clearance under the new regime in place since June 1st 2024. We were also the first to obtain clearance regarding two interrelated transactions that are essentially linked and mutually contingent upon each other. The ECA were very efficient, professional and understanding and delivered this complex approval in a very short time under the circumstances. The two interrelated transactions which are already published on the ECA's website are the acquisition by OSD of 55% of the shares of Nile Investment which was an essential condition for the acquisition by Tahweel, a Saudi based company of 99.17% of the shares of Nile from OSD (who previously owned around 45% of the Nile Shares prior to the first acquisition). – By our Founding Partner Dr. Firas El Samad and Associate Mr. Mohamed Fouda   #mergercontrol #acquisition #expand #Competition

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are pivotal in shaping the economic landscapes by enabling companies to achieve strategic goals, such as expanding market share, diversifying offerings, and realizing synergies. In the Middle East, M&A activities are instrumental in driving economic diversification away from oil dependency, particularly in the technology and infrastructure sectors. In 2023, the Middle East's M&A landscape remained resilient despite global economic headwinds, with the MENA region witnessing a steady market and total deal value reaching US$86.0 billion, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. In 2024, the Middle East has continued to demonstrate a robust M&A environment, reflecting the region's strategic push toward economic diversification and growth. Sovereign wealth funds have been particularly active, representing a significant portion of the deal value, with investments diversifying away from hydrocarbons and into sectors like green energy and Asian markets. Despite a slight decrease in overall deal volume and value, the commitment to transformation and innovation remains strong, with the Middle East's deal-making potential poised for growth in the coming years. Explore April 2024's M&A activity in UAE, KSA, and Bahrain in this issue of Deals Roundup. Arshad Gadit - FCA, ACCA Muhammad Osman Babar Usman Alam Saqib Nisar Yasir Gadit Khushboo Mushtaq ACA Numair Kulkarni, ACCA Minhal H. Maqbool, CFA, FCCA athGADLANG Wathiq aG Resources #mergersandacquisitions #april #2024 #UAE #saudiarabia #bahrain

Regional growth in M&A transactions in H1 24. The regional M&A market is expected to continue to grow in the upcoming years. We see great opportunities in the Middle Market for diamonds in the rough.

Saudi Arabia's Regulatory Body Greenlights Economic Concentration Deals March in #SaudiArabia was marked by robust business activity, with 18 economic concentration requests approved by the General Authority for Competition. These approvals signal a vibrant market, with transactions ranging from acquisitions and partnerships to mergers, involving both domestic giants and international players. This regulatory milestone underscores the Kingdom's commitment to fostering a competitive and dynamic business environment conducive to growth and innovation. Discover more about these strategic business developments in Saudi Business News, link in bio! #SaudiBusiness #SaudiNews #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia #BusinessGrowth #EconomicDevelopment #InternationalInvestment #MarketDynamics #RegulatorySuccess

As we reflect on the insightful discussions at the inaugural Antitrust & Merger Control Conference held recently in Riyadh, we are delighted to share highlights from the event. We had the privilege of hearing from our esteemed guest Talal Alhogail on the recent amendments announced by the the الهيئة العامة للمنافسة | General Authority for Competition regarding economic concentrations.   🌐Our distinguished speakers, including Majid Al-Sheikh, Guy Norman, Omar Rashid, Marc Besen, Stavroula Vryna, Selman Ansari, and Jomana Alkathiri, shared invaluable insights into both international and local perspectives of the Antitrust and Merger Control landscape.   View the highlights video below 👇 and stay tuned for more insights. #SaudiArabia #GeneralAuthorityforCompetition #GAC #Vision2030 #Antitrust #Law

In May 2024, the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape in the UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Bahrain was marked by significant activity. In the UAE, notable deals included the acquisition of tech firms aimed at bolstering the nation's digital transformation initiatives. KSA saw a surge in M&A within the renewable energy sector, aligning with Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil. Meanwhile, Bahrain focused on consolidating its financial services sector, with several banks and investment firms merging to enhance their competitive edge in the region. This uptick in M&A activity across these countries highlights a strategic push towards economic diversification and growth. Explore May 2024's M&A activity in UAE, KSA, and Bahrain in this issue of Deals Roundup. Arshad Gadit - FCA, ACCA Yasir Gadit Muhammad Osman Babar Saqib Nisar Usman Alam Khushboo Mushtaq ACA Sikander Abdul Rehman Numair Kulkarni, ACCA Minhal H. Maqbool, CFA, FCCA M. Bilawal Khan, CFA, FCCA athGADLANG Wathiq #mergersandacquisitions #may #2024 #UAE #saudiarabia #bahrain