ArsovNatchevGaneva

2007

Arsov Natchev Ganeva was chosen to represent Groupama SA in the successful acquisition of two life and general insurance companies in Bulgaria – DSK Garancia Insurance Company and DSK GaranciaLife Insurance Company. Our legal work included due diligence analysisand legal support during the negotiations with the sellers (2007 –ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva in association with the British law firm Thomas Cooper advises on ongoing basis (2007 – present) the London based Jordan International Bankon the available legal instruments for securing the repayment of theloan extended by Jordan International Bank to an English investmentcompany. The purpose of the loan is to finance the acquisition of a bigindustrial site in Bulgaria. Additionally, ANG ensured all legalformalities associated with the factual granting of security in favourof the Bank (2007-ongoing);  
Arsov Natchev Ganeva provides full scope legal services to Valora Energyin connection with the company’s business in Bulgaria. The type of workincludes: setting up of appropriate special purpose vehicles; duediligence and acquisition of the selected land; regulatory advice;contracts, etc. Valora Energy is an investor and project developeractive in the wind energy sector. Currently, the company commences thedevelopment of two “wind” projects in Bulgaria. The projects includethe acquisition of suitable land and construction of Wind Power Plantswith joint capacity between 70 and 100 Mega Watts (2007-ongoing);
ANG acted as legal consultant and represented Swissport Bulgaria AD, part of Swissport International AGduring the process of establishment and the licensing of the subsidiaryas the first private ground handling operator in Bulgaria at the SofiaAirport. ANG successfully secured the issue of the required complexlicense as well as obtainment of access of the company to the groundhandling market at Sofia Airport in line with Council Directive96/67/EC on access to the ground handling market. The project interalia called for the application of the newest appeal procedures as perthe Administrative Code that only recently came into force(2007-ongoing);
ANG are the Bulgarian legal counsellors to one of the biggest European supermarket chains – Lidl.The law firm renders full range legal services with а strong focus oncorporate, commercial, real estate and construction  law issues as wellas comprehensive assistance in the process of the acquisition ofnumerous real estate properties in the country and in the negotiations,preparation and drafting of the construction contract for Lidl’s logistic centre in Bulgaria  (2005 - ongoing);
At the first quarter of 2007 the law practice advised the Bulgarian subsidiary of the UK investment fund - Development Capital Managementin the process of the acquisition of a big terrain in Sofia, which theacquirer currently develops as a luxury residential complex. The scopeof work included: legal due diligence of the property, corporatestructuring and execution of the transaction. Value of the transaction Euro 4.000.000(2007);
Fromthe beginning of 2007 the law practise advised the Austrian real estatedeveloper Eyemaxx and its two Bulgarian subsidiaries active inBulgaria. Eyemaxx is at the commencement stage of the development of a large logistic centre (2007-ongoing);

ANG continues advising Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Finance L.P. in cooperation with the American law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagheron commercial, tax and other ensuing regulatory matters in connectionto Bloomberg’s electronic trade platforms for securities and otherfinancial instruments in Bulgaria (2004-ongoing);

ANG assisted the company AS 24 SAShandling 487 unmanned petrol stations in more than 20 countriesthorough Europe, in the course of the implementation of its specificoperation system on the Bulgarian market. The scope of the legalservices encompassed various advises related to the elaboration of thetax strategy of the company in Bulgaria and full assistance for theobtaining of the approvals and permissions from the Bulgarian taxauthorities for the specific operations carried out by AS 24. CurrentlyANG team advises the company in numerous debt recovery procedures(2007-ongoing);
Following a competitive public tender ANG (legal counsellor) in consortium with KPMGBulgaria, was appointed, as a counsellor to the Ministry of Defence ona complex project aiming at the market oriented restructuring of TEREM EAD.TEREM EAD is a state owned holding company, which consolidates 8leading companies in the field of overhaul and average repair ofmilitary machinery, armaments, equipment and other military-technicalproperty, appurtenances and installations. The legal consultations seekto increase the value of TEREM EADand to attain maximum financial effect as a result of the sale of thecompanies or the fulfilment of other forms of public-legal partnershipin reference to them. The project can be qualified as the biggesttransaction in the country’s military sector for the year 2007. Thelegal work includes inter alia due diligences of the 8 affiliates ofTEREM EAD, the elaboration of restructuring strategy, approved by theCounsel of Ministers, deals structuring, negotiations, drafting oftransaction documents and agreements, closing procedures.
ANG represents Alpine Bulgaria AD(a subsidiary of Alpine Bau GmbH) in a big arbitration case lodged by asubcontractor of Alpine before the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce andIndustry (2007 – ongoing).

ANG provides full scope legal services on daily basis to one of the largest construction company in Europe - Alpine Bau GmbHin connection to the company’s business undertakings in the countryrelated to the Hydro Power Project “Tsankov Kamak” and other biginvestment and infrastructure projects. The Hydro Power Project“Tsankov Kamak” includes construction and engineering works for thebuilding of a dam lake and Hydro Power Plant. The total value amountsto Euro 200.000.000 (2004-ongoing);

The firm assists VA Tech Hydro GmbHin different corporate, commercial, tax and labour law matters in theframework of the Hydro Power Project “Tsankov Kamak (2004-ongoing);
ANG advises Societe Generale on a wide range of legal matters related to the incorporation and operation of Credibul - a non-banking financial institution on Bulgarian market (2005 –ongoing);

The firm provides full scope legal services to Ecopack Bulgaria AD, the first Bulgarian recovery organization, member of Pro Europe Family,which was founded in 2004 by 18 multinational companies. Among theseare Coca Cola, Pepsi, Unilever, Carlsberg, Danone, Procter &Gamble, etc. (2003 – ongoing);

ANG advises on ongoing basis Alas Bulgaria,a Bulgarian – Austrian – Cypriot company producing and trading withconcrete on corporate and commercial issues (2006 – ongoing);


The firm acts as a legal advisor to Mobilitas SA and its subsidiary AGS BULGARIA SLLPrendering full scope consultations required for the carrying out of thecompany’s business in Bulgaria as well as court representation, andcontract drafting (2005–ongoing);
The firm provides full range legal services to the French pharmaceutical giants: Les Laboratoires Servier SAS, France and BIOFARMA SA, France and their subsidiaries in Bulgaria – SERVIER BULGARIA SLLC, and SERVIER MEDICAL SLLC.The work includes advices on the corporate structuring, analysis of thedistribution agreements, Labour law issues, import and distribution ofdrugs, and pharmaceutical products licensing regulations, etc.(2004–ongoing);
ANG represented Gebruder Heinemannduring a competitive bid to become through a Bulgarian subsidiary thefirst private airport duty free operator in Bulgaria on the airports ofVarna and Bourgas. ANG secured the legal assistance during thesuccessful establishment of Gebruder Heinemann LP as the firstindependent duty free and travel value operator of premises on airportson the territory of Bulgaria at Varna and Bourgas airports. (2007);

ANG acts as a prime legal counsellor to Gebrüder Heinemann– Germany, international duty free operator and major duty freesupplier in Bulgaria. The work encompasses different legal concerns,including: corporate, commercial, M&A, tax, IP, labor and otheraspects  (2004-ongoing);

We act as legal advisors to Renault Trucks SAS,France, ensuring full range legal services related to the businessactivities of the company in Bulgaria, including antitrust mattersconcerning the application of the Commission Regulation (EC) No.1400/2002/EC on the application of art. 81 (3) of the Treatyestablishing the European Economic Community, preparation ofdistribution and other agreements, corporate law issues, etc.(2004–ongoing);

ANG provides full range legal services to Pain D’OR AD, a food industry company (2003-ongoing);

ANG acts as a legal counsellor to Europart Holding GmbH - Germany in connection with the company’s business in the country (1996-ongoing);

ANG provides full range legal services to the French Company Danonein respect to its business operations in Bulgarian. The work we arecarrying out is complex in nature, including: corporate, commercial,tax, real estate, competition, IP law cases (2003-ongoing);

The firm represents number of aviation operators, including IATA, the European Association of Aviation Companies, Air France (2001-ongoing);

ANG acts as a prime legal counsellor to Gebrüder Heinemann– Germany, international duty free operator and major duty freesupplier in Bulgaria. The work encompasses different legal concerns,including: corporate, commercial, M&A, tax, IP, labor and otheraspects (2004 – ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva advised Essilor International SA,France a world leader in the optical eyewear market, on a wide scope oflegal matters related to the acquisition of its local distributor – aleading Bulgarian ophthalmic company. Our team was involved from thepreliminary phase of the project until the successful completion of theacquisition process. We conducted due diligence, provided assistance inthe negotiations and drafted the accompanying documents. Our advicefocused, inter alia, on choosing the most efficient structure of thedeal, consolidation of the target company’s business, as well as on thelabor and administrative law implications of the transaction.(2007-ongoing);
ANG acts as legal consultant of the local subsidiary of Essilor International SA – Essilor Bulgaria EOOD.Our team advises the company on a wide range of legal matters relatedto its establishment, licensing and operation on the Bulgarian market.(2007 – ongoing);
Arsov Natchev Ganeva advises IAG Agregats, a Bulgarian subsidiary of IAG Agregats AG Switzerland on corporate, insurance and labor issues (2007 – ongoing);

ANG provides legal services to the leading Bulgarian company in the field of distributing veterinary medicine products – Intervet Bulgaria/ Schering Plough (2005-ongoing);

ANG represents the Ministry of Environment and Waterin arbitration proceedings before the Arbitration Court at the BCCIagainst the consortium Walter Heilit, in connection with a disputeregarding the performance of a construction contract governed by theFIDIC rules (2005-ongoing);

ANG renders legal services to someof the largest pharmaceutical companies in respect to their businessoperations in Bulgaria, like: Sanofi Pasteur (2000-ongoing);
ANG was the local counsel during the competitive bid for acquisition of the largest insurer in Bulgaria and South-East Europe – DZI AD. ANG advised Groupama SA– multinational and second largest insurer in France. The transactioninvolved complex advice on the purchase of the publicly listed insurerwho had prior to the sale of the insurance business finalized a spinoff a Bank, part of its financial conglomerate. The legal servicesincluded conducting of legal due diligence of the insurance company,providing legal advise on the proposed transaction documentation, legalconsultations on the deal structuring, as well as on the applicableBulgarian legislation regulating public offering of securities (2007);
In 2007 experts from Arsov Natchev Ganeva participated in the team of ID Lelystadon a project financed under the Phare program “Elaboration of alaboratory strategy of the agricultural sector in Bulgaria”. Theoverall objective of the project was to develop a strategy focused onstrengthening the capacity of the Ministry of agriculture and theforests with regard to the activities performed in the laboratories ofthe Ministry. ANG’s experts carried out the legal part of the project -legal analysis of the relevant legislation and preparation of the legalframe of the developed strategy (2007);

In 2006 and 2007 expertsof ANG participated in two projects financed by the DanishEnvironmental Protection Agency as consultants to Niras A/S, Denmark and the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waterregarding the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme inBulgaria. The projects encompassed the elaboration of the appropriatelegal framework for the purpose of transposition in the Bulgarianlegislation of Directive No 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for theexchange of greenhouse gas emission allowances within the Europeancommunity. A substantial part of the project consisted in thepreparation of the Bulgarian legislative acts on the application ofRegulation No 2216/2004 of the Commission of 21 December 2004concerning a system of standardised and secured registries inaccordance with Directive No 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament andDecision No 280/2004/CE of the European Parliament and the Council.These acts, which were adopted subsequently by the Council ofMinisters, included the Regulation on the conditions, way and procedurefor elaborating of the reports and the verifications of the reports ofthe operators of installations, participating in the emissionallowances trading scheme, as well as the Regulation on the procedureand way of functioning of the National register for the accounting ofthe issue, holding, transfer and cancellation of allowances.

ANG was the law firm participating in the EBRDfinanced project:  “Comparative assessment of the legislation in thefield of concessions”. The project provided an evaluation of concessionlaws in each of the countries of operation of EBRD. The work on theproject started as a first stage in 2004 and continued in 2007 througha legal review and analysis of the existing Bulgarian concessions andpublic procurements legislation in the light of the amendments takenplace following the joining of the country to the EU (2006 – ongoing);
Following a competitive public tender ANG (legal counsellor) in consortium with KPMGBulgaria, was appointed, as a counsellor to the Ministry of Defence ona complex project aiming at the market oriented restructuring of TEREM EAD.TEREM EAD is a state owned holding company, which consolidates 8leading companies in the field of overhaul and average repair ofmilitary machinery, armaments, equipment and other military-technicalproperty, appurtenances and installations. The legal consultations seekto increase the value of TEREM EADand to attain maximum financial effect as a result of the sale of thecompanies or the fulfilment of other forms of public-legal partnershipin reference to them. The project can be qualified as the biggesttransaction in the country’s military sector for the period 2007 –2008. The legal work included inter alia due diligences (carried out in2007 -2006) of the 8 affiliates of TEREM EAD, the elaboration ofrestructuring strategy (2007), approved by the Counsel of Ministers,deals structuring, negotiations, drafting of transaction documents andagreements, closing procedures. The involvement of the consortiumbetween ANG and KPMG in the process contributed to the successfuloutcome of the restructuring procedure after the failure of twoprivatization attempts in the holding, and to the closing of the deals(2008) for 3 of TEREM’s affiliates – Terem – Tzar Samouil LLC,Kostenetz, Terem – Georgi Benkovski LLC, Plovdiv and TEREM – GeneralVladimir Zaimov LLC, Bojurishte. Presently, the consortium prepares thedeals, expected to be concluded with regard to the others TEREM’ssubsidiaries. (approximate value of the Project: BGN 200.000.000) (2006– ongoing);
In the second half of 2008 Arsov Natchev Ganeva advised Société Générale ona wide scope of legal matters related to the acquisition of a keyBulgarian banking institution. The assignment included due diligence,deal structuring, preparation of transaction documents, advice on thecomplex and sophisticated legal aspects of the deal, associated withstock exchange regulations, banking regulatory compliance, antitrustand competition, etc. (2008);

ANG was the local counsel during the competitive bid for acquisition of the largest insurer in Bulgaria and South-East Europe – DZI AD. ANG advised Groupama SA– multinational and second largest insurer in France. The transactioninvolved complex advice on the purchase of the publicly listed insurerwho had prior to the sale of the insurance business finalized a spinoff a Bank, part of its financial conglomerate. The legal servicesincluded conducting of legal due diligence of the insurance company,providing legal advise on the proposed transaction documentation, legalconsultations on the deal structuring, as well as on the applicableBulgarian legislation regulating public offering of securities (2008).
ANG provides tax legal advice to Areva NP SASin relation to its participation as a subcontractor of the maincontractor in the Nuclear Power Plant Belene project (2008 - ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva has been selected by the Estonian AS Hansapank,effectively the biggest Baltic lender and member of the Swedbank group,to render legal advice in the course of potential acquisition ofminority stake in a Bulgarian Regulated Market. Our work includedconsulting on wide array of matters in the field of corporate law,regulatory compliance and procedures, capital markets regulations, etc.(2008);