Naveen Thakur

Naveen is admitted to practice as an Attorney-at Law in New York and as an Advocate in India.

Naveen holds an LLM in Corporation Law from New York University School of Law (USA) and an LLB from University of Delhi (India). In addition to working in Bahrain, he has worked in major international law firms in Kuwait, Cayman Islands (Appleby) and Hong Kong (Baker & McKenzie). Naveen has vast experience in a wide range of corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance transactions, Islamic finance, private equity, privatization matters, capital markets and investment funds.

• Represented an Islamic retail bank based in Bahrain in relation to a voluntary offer made by one of another Bahraini Islamic bank in Bahrain to acquire up to 100% shares of the Islamic retail bank
• Representing a leading Bahraini Islamic bank in relation to delisting from Nasdaq Dubai and Bahrain Bourse
• Represented the Bahraini sovereign wealth fund in relation to its acquisition of material stake in a Bahraini call center and IT services company
• Represented a leading Islamic bank based in Bahrain in relation to a voluntary offer made by one of the biggest banks in Bahrain to acquire up to 100% shares of the Islamic bank
• Represented Bahrain Islamic Bank BSC in connection with the issuance of BHD 25 million Additional Tier 1 sukuk
• Represented a Bahrain listed holding company in connection with the issuance of approximately USD 259 million preference shares.
• Represented a leading Islamic bank based in Bahrain in relation to a voluntary offer made by one of the biggest banks in Bahrain to acquire up to 100% shares of the Islamic bank.
• Represented GFH Financial Group BSC in connection with the US$ 300 million 5-year sukuk.
• Represented Khaleeji Commercial Bank BSC in connection with the issuance of US$ 159,000,000 Additional Tier 1 Sukuk.
• Represented the joint lead managers in relation to the US$ 2,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Notes Programme established by a major Bahraini bank and the issuance of US$ 500,000,000 Notes issued thereunder.
• Represented the Bahrain Government’s investment arm in connection with the US$1,000,000,000 Multicurrency Trust
• Certificate Issuance Programme.
• Represented the Kingdom of Bahrain, acting through the Ministry of Finance (the Issuer) in connection with the issuance of U.S.$1,250,000,000 6.75 per cent. Bonds due 2029 and U.S.$900,000,000 7.50 per cent. Bonds due 2047.
• Represented the Kingdom of Bahrain, acting through the Ministry of Finance (the Issuer) in connection with the issuance of U.S.$850,000,000 trust certificates (the Certificates) due 20 March 2025.
• Represented the Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C. (c) in connection with the U.S.$ 3,000,000,000 (United States Dollars Three Billion) Global Medium Term Note Programme and the issuance of U.S.$ 1,000,000,000 7.500 per cent. Notes due 2027 thereunder.
• Represented the Al Baraka Banking Group BSC in relation to the issuance of U.S.$ 400,000,000 Tier 1 Capital Certificates by ABG Sukuk Limited.
• Represented the Kingdom of Bahrain, acting through the Ministry of Finance (the Issuer) in connection with the issuance of U.S.$1,250,000,000 6 per cent. Bonds due 19 September 2044
• Represented the Bahrain Government’s investment arm in connection with the U.S.$1,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme
• Represented the lenders in relation to the financing (multiple tranches) of ALBA’s Line 6 Project
• Represented and advised the lenders of the successful bidder, a British-Emirati-Japanese consortium, in its bid for the development and operation of the Muharraq Sewage Treatment Plant in Bahrain
• Represented the lender in relation to a US$ 250 million bilateral facility to a Bahraini branch of an Indian bank.
• Represented the lender syndicate in relation to a US$ 300 million facility to a Bahraini branch of an Indian bank.
• Represented a renowned Bahraini investment bank in the establishment of US$200 million Shariah-compliant private equity
• fund aimed at investments in the retail sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Represented a renowned Bahraini investment bank in the establishment of US$200 million private equity fund aimed at investments
• in the MENA region.
• Representing a major construction company in the ad-hoc arbitration proceedings against a developer of a renowned residential
• development in Bahrain for a claim of US$60 million (approximately).
• Represented a major Japanese financial institution in the acquisition of approx. 25% stake in a major insurance company in Bahrain.
• Represented the buyers in relation to the acquisition of an aluminium rolling factory in Bahrain in an all-cash deal.
• Represented Bahrain’s leading investment bank is establishing a US$ 750 million closed-ended exempt fund focused on healthcare sector investments
• Representing a Bahrain Government owned bank in establishing a USD 100 million closed ended private investment undertaking

• Banking
• Capital markets: Debt & Equity
• Investment funds
• Islamic finance
• M&A

• Banking
• Financial services
• Insurance
• Investment management
• Real estate

• Delhi High Court Bar Association, New York Bar Association

• LLM in Corporate Law from New York University School of Law (USA) - 2002
• LLB from the University of Delhi (India) - 1999