ArsovNatchevGaneva

2008

Following a competitive public tender ANG (legal counsellor) in consortium with KPMG Bulgaria, was appointed, as a counsellor to the Ministry of Defence on a complex project aiming at the market oriented restructuring of TEREM EAD. TEREM EAD is a state owned holding company, which consolidates 8 leading companies in the field of overhaul and average repair of military machinery, armaments, equipment and other military-technical property, appurtenances and installations. The legal consultations seek to increase the value of TEREM EAD and to attain maximum financial effect as a result of the sale of the companies or the fulfilment of other forms of public-legal partnership in reference to them. The project can be qualified as the biggest transaction in the country’s military sector for the period 2007 – 2008. The legal work included inter alia due diligences (carried out in 2007 -2006) of the 8 affiliates of TEREM EAD, the elaboration of restructuring strategy (2007), approved by the Counsel of Ministers, deals structuring, negotiations, drafting of transaction documents and agreements, closing procedures. The involvement of the consortium between ANG and KPMG in the process contributed to the successful outcome of the restructuring procedure after the failure of two privatization 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 – General Vladimir Zaimov LLC, Bojurishte. Presently, the consortium prepares the deals, expected to be concluded with regard to the others TEREM’s subsidiaries. (approximate value of the Project: BGN 200.000.000) (2006 – ongoing);
In the second half of 2008 Arsov Natchev Ganeva advised Société Générale on a wide scope of legal matters related to the acquisition of a key Bulgarian banking institution. The assignment included due diligence, deal structuring, preparation of transaction documents, advice on the complex and sophisticated legal aspects of the deal, associated with stock exchange regulations, banking regulatory compliance, antitrust and 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 transaction involved complex advice on the purchase of the publicly listed insurer who had prior to the sale of the insurance business finalized a spin off a Bank, part of its financial conglomerate. The legal services included conducting of legal due diligence of the insurance company, providing legal advise on the proposed transaction documentation, legal consultations on the deal structuring, as well as on the applicable Bulgarian legislation regulating public offering of securities (2008).
ANG provides tax legal advice to Areva NP SAS in relation to its participation as a subcontractor of the main contractor 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 of minority stake in a Bulgarian Regulated Market. Our work included consulting on wide array of matters in the field of corporate law, regulatory compliance and procedures, capital markets regulations, etc. (2008);
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 Garancia Life Insurance Company. Our legal work included due diligence analysis and legal support during the negotiations with the sellers (2007 – 2008);

ANG in cooperation with Gide Loyrette Nouel was selected as a winning bidder in a public procurement procedure “Enhancement of the coordination and monitoring in the course of concessions implementation” carried out by the Council of Ministers. The services to be performed under the procurement include review of the relevant concession and PPP regulation and good practices in a number of EU member states, and preparation of suggestions for improvement of the forms of PPPs in Bulgaria, as well as the the coordination and monitoring in the course of their preparation. Within the framework of the project ANG has organized nine training seminars for the Bulgarian local and central administration (2008 - 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 on corporate, commercial, real estate and construction  law issues as well as comprehensive assistance in the process of the acquisition of numerous 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);
ANG advises on ongoing basis Alas Bulgaria, a Bulgarian – Austrian – Cypriot company producing and trading with concrete on corporate and commercial issues (2006 – ongoing);

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

In view of the merger of the tourism division of Germany’s TUI and Britain’s First Choice Holidays to create the biggest European tour operator, Arsov Natchev Ganeva was invited to become the local counsel in the process of restructuring of TUI’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria. Our legal work includes advising the client on the restructuring options, drafting the necessary documents for the corporate changes and the subsequent merger of the subsidiaries, communication with the Bulgarian authorities as well as general corporate advice. Arsov Natchev Ganeva is also active in providing legal advice on a number of legal matters of the daily management of the Bulgarian subsidiaries of TUI (2008 – ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva represents Publicis Groupe, the world’s fourth largest communications group and second largest media counsel and buying group, in an acquisition of a number of companies under the control of a key player in the Bulgarian advertising industry. The legal work focuses, among others, on advising the client on the merger of the various subsidiaries of the target into one entity, on competition and concentration issues and on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals from the Bulgarian authorities, including the Commission for Protection of Competition. Our law firm continues to advice Publicis Groupe on a variety of legal matters related to the Publicis Groupe’s investment during the post-acquisition period (2008);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva provides legal services to Groupama SA which include obtaining various regulatory approvals from the Financial Supervision Commission, consulting on corporate governance matters and providing general legal advice pertaining to the business activity of Groupama’s subsidiaries in the country. Our lawyers are also part of the legal team responsible for the negotiations of Bancassurance and Assurbanking arrangements between Groupama subsidiaries and DSK Bank aiming to set up a long term partnership covering the distribution of life insurance, non-life insurance and banking products (2008 – ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva has acted as legal counsel to ArcelorMittal Distribution, member of ArcelorMittal Group, in a pending acquisition of a leading company in the steel manufacture and distribution industry in Bulgaria. A significant part of our work included advising on pre-closing restructuring and consolidation of the target’s business operations (2008);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva in association with the British law firm Thomas Cooper advises on ongoing basis the London based Jordan International Bank on the available legal instruments for securing the repayment of the loan extended by Jordan International Bank to an English investment company. The purpose of the loan is to finance the acquisition of a big industrial site in Bulgaria. Additionally, ANG ensured all legal formalities associated with the factual granting of security in favour of the Bank. In 2008, ANG advised Jordan International Bank on its successful purchase of shares form a shareholder in the capital of the Bulgarian company that acquired the industrial site in Bulgaria;

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

The firm assists VA Tech Hydro GmbH in different corporate, commercial, tax and labour law matters in the framework 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 these are Coca Cola, Pepsi, Unilever, Carlsberg, Danone, Procter & Gamble, etc. (2003 – ongoing);

The firm acts as a legal advisor to Mobilitas SA and its subsidiary AGS BULGARIA SLLP rendering full scope consultations required for the carrying out of the company’s business in Bulgaria as well as court representation, and contract 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 the distribution agreements, Labour law issues, import and distribution of drugs, and pharmaceutical products licensing regulations, etc. (2004–ongoing);
ANG acts as a prime legal counsellor to Gebrüder Heinemann – Germany, international duty free operator and major duty free supplier in Bulgaria. The work encompasses different legal concerns, including: corporate, commercial, M&A, tax, IP, labor and other aspects  (2004-ongoing);

We act as legal advisors to Renault Trucks SAS, France, ensuring full range legal services related to the business activities of the company in Bulgaria, including antitrust matters concerning the application of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1400/2002/EC on the application of art. 81 (3) of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, preparation of distribution 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 Danone in respect to its business operations in Bulgarian. The work we are carrying 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 represents Alpine Bulgaria AD (a subsidiary of Alpine Bau GmbH) in a big arbitration case lodged by a subcontractor of Alpine before the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2007 – ongoing).
Arsov Natchev Ganeva provides full scope legal services to Valora Energy in connection with the company’s business in Bulgaria. The type of work includes: setting up of appropriate special purpose vehicles; due diligence and acquisition of the selected land; regulatory advice; contracts, etc. Valora Energy is an investor and project developer active in the wind energy sector. Currently, the company commences the development of two “wind” projects in Bulgaria. The projects include the acquisition of suitable land and construction of Wind Power Plants with joint capacity between 70 and 100 Mega Watts (2007-2008);
ANG acted as legal consultant and represented Swissport Bulgaria AD, part of Swissport International AG during the process of establishment and the licensing of the subsidiary as the first private ground handling operator in Bulgaria at the Sofia Airport. ANG successfully secured the issue of the required complex license as well as obtainment of access of the company to the ground handling market at Sofia Airport in line with Council Directive 96/67/EC on access to the ground handling market. The project inter alia called for the application of the newest appeal procedures as per the Administrative Code that only recently came into force (2007-2008);
Arsov Natchev Ganeva advised Essilor International SA, France a world leader in the optical eyewear market, on a wide scope of legal matters related to the acquisition of its local distributor – a leading Bulgarian ophthalmic company. Our team was involved from the preliminary phase of the project until the successful completion of the acquisition process. We conducted due diligence, provided assistance in the negotiations and drafted the accompanying documents. Our advice focused, inter alia, on choosing the most efficient structure of the deal, consolidation of the target company’s business, as well as on the labor 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 related to its establishment, licensing and operation on the Bulgarian market. (2007 – ongoing)
ANG assisted the company AS 24 SAS handling 487 unmanned petrol stations in more than 20 countries thorough Europe, in the course of the implementation of its specific operation system on the Bulgarian market. The scope of the legal services encompassed various advises related to the elaboration of the tax strategy of the company in Bulgaria and full assistance for the obtaining of the approvals and permissions from the Bulgarian tax authorities for the specific operations carried out by AS 24. Currently ANG team advises the company in numerous debt recovery procedures (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 Water in arbitration proceedings before the Arbitration Court at the BCCI against the consortium Walter Heilit, in connection with a dispute regarding the performance of a construction contract governed by the FIDIC rules (2005-ongoing);

ANG is the primary legal counsel of the subsidiary of Societe Generale in Bulgaria  Credibul. ANG provides advice and consulting in the domains of corporate and commercial law, employment and human resources, IP, regulatory compliance, etc. (2005 –ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva advises IAG Agregats, a Bulgarian subsidiary of IAG Agregats AG Switzerland on corporate, insurance and labor issues (2007 – ongoing);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva provides comprehensive legal advice to Wine Unlimited, an Austrian – held  company active in the trade with wines, on corporate issues (from the moment of its incorporation) and on social insurance and labor matters (2008 – ongoing);
ANG advised the Bulgarian subsidiary of the UK investment fund – Bulgarian Property Development Plc in the following transactions: (i) Court action for proclaiming the preliminary contract signed by the Bulgarian Property Development Plc final. Value of the transaction Euro 24.000.000; (ii) Acquisition of a terrain for logistic centre located near the city of Sofia; (iii) Acquisition of a terrain for commercial centre located near the city of Plovdiv (2007-2008);
Currently ANG lawyers provide full legal services to Swissport Bulgaria AD encompassing corporate and employment matters, commercial contracts, antitrust and competition, administrative litigation, etc. (2007 – ongoing);
ANG are the legal counsellors to the major French sporting good chain – Decathlon with stores located throughout the world. Our team renders full range legal services with а strong focus on corporate, real estate and commercial law issues. ANG currently assists the company in the course of its active expansion on the Bulgarian market (2008 – ongoing);
ANG advises Total SA, France – the fourth largest international oil and gas company in the world operating in more than 130 countries – on a wide range of legal matters related to the incorporation and operation of its Bulgarian subsidiary. (2008 – ongoing)

ANG is the legal counsel of the company Lagardere Service, France – a part of Lagardere Group. Our team was actively involved in the elaboration of the complex business cooperation agreements used in the principal company’s activity, encompassing sophisticated legal instruments. ANG further assists the company in its successful participation in public procurement procedures (2008);

Arsov Natchev Ganeva rendered full legal assistance to the consortium between the companies SCE SAS, Project Management Limited and Water Management International – a part of Vinci group, assigned by the Bulgarian Ministry of Water and Environment to execute a “Technical Assistance for Project Preparation in the Water Sector Group B – Veliko Tarnovo, Kurdzhali, Pernik, Vidin, Plovdiv, Dobrich and Yambol” under EU funded Project EuropeAid/120187/D/SV/RO. ANG was in charge of the preparation of the incorporation agreement and all other relevant documents related to the establishment of the consortium. The legal work included full scope of advises on the tax aspects of the project implementation (2007 – 2008);

ANG is the legal advisor in Bulgaria of Sagacarbon - one of the leaders in the EU emission allowances and CО2 Instruments trade and a subsidiary of the French state-owned bank Caisse des Depots. ANG was the legal consultant of Sagacarbon during the negotiation and conclusion of the first for Bulgaria contracts for sale of allowances under the EU emissions tradе scheme (2008 - ongoing);

ANG provides legal services with respect to preparation of Rich Holding for participation in a concession procedure for granting of concession of civil airport Rousse for public use. The services rendered included overall consultations regarding the concession procedure, the preparation of the documentation for participation, provision of various advices on the Bulgarian concession and civil aviation legislation (2006 - ongoing);

ANG provides legal services to the Bulgarian subsidiary of the company Renault Trucks Commercial Europe. ANG team advises the company on ongoing basis on various corporate and commercial matters, as well as on the available legal instruments and the elaboration of appropriate payment schemes for securing the payments under some agreements concluded by the company administration (2008 - ongoing);

ANG renders legal services to some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in respect to their business operations in Bulgaria, like: Sanofi Pasteur (2000-ongoing);
From the beginning of 2007 the law practise advised the Austrian real estate developer Eyemaxx and its two Bulgarian subsidiaries active in Bulgaria. Eyemaxx is at the commencement stage of the development of a large logistic centre (2007 – 2008);