IFLR 1000
The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms

A solid performer across all practise areas in Saudi Arabia, Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi, has again demonstrated its capabilities with a decent portfolio of deals in the last 12 months.

Baking and finance practice head, Ali Abedi was involved in the firm's headline deal, in which the firm acted, with Shearman & Sterling, for Alcoa in connection with its joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) for the development of a fully integrated $10.8 billion aluminium complex. The transaction achieved financial close in December 2010.

Presently, Abedi is active for the lenders of several bidders for projects that are yet to be awarded. One example sees the firm collaborating with Ashurst in connection with a bid by a consortia for the SEC Qurayyah IPP (independent power project) which will have a capacity of between 1,800 and 2,100 MW.

A further deal in its early stages, sees Abdei advising RAWEC, the existing utility provider to the Petro-Rabigh petrochemicals complex, in connection with its bid to provide the utilities to the $10 billion second-phase expansion.

In the equity markets, the team is advising an affiliate of Japan's biggest insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido in connection with its licensing, incorporation and IPO.

On the corporate side the firm is acting on behalf of an international advertising group in connection with the Saudi Arabian aspects of the acquisition of another similar organisation. The firm is also negotiating for an international airline catering company in connection with its acquisition of a shareholding in a Saudi Arabian provider of this service.