White & Case & Competition
across the Middle East
Clients confronting some of the most difficult
challenges count on White & Case’s extensive
experience advising on competition investigations,litigating complex antitrust trials and providing
comprehensive worldwide coverage ofmerger‑control regimes. In the Middle East andNorth Africa, we offer the strategic depth of a global
practice, combined with the local expertise of ourlawyers throughout the region, to deliver effective
solutions and create innovative precedents.
White & Case has unparalleled experience in the Middle
East, including with the leading antitrust agencies in theregion, such as the competition authorities of Egypt andSaudi Arabia. Our lawyers have helped clients successfully
defend against serious government investigations, navigate
merger-control proceedings and engage with thesecompetition authorities on complex and sensitive matters.
Just last year, we advised on more than 25 antitrust mattersin the Middle East, involving collaborations with more than
15 White & Case offices. These matters included securing
timely merger clearance for cross-border transactions evenin jurisdictions with typical delays (e.g., obtained Saudi
clearance for a US$3 billion global transaction in a record
21 days). Our practical on-the-ground experience and ongoingengagement with regulators have enabled us to becomea recognized thought leader, providing valuable insights inpublications, seminars and other engagements on the fastchanging legal developments throughout the Middle East.
The limited track record of these nascent regimes has
highlighted the need for expert advice coupled with creative
strategies. For multinational businesses, each strategy mustevaluate how to comply with local competition requirementswhile also avoiding other risk exposure around the world. Our
global and local experience provides practical perspectives on
the most effective and efficient strategies to pursue basedon the unique circumstances of each matter.

White & Case provides a coordinated approach to the increasingly
global Competition issues clients face, including:
Antitrust policies and training

Counseling and compliance

Merger control strategy and filings

Regulatory matters/business practices

Joint ventures, trade associations and othercollaborative activities

Cartel investigations and amnesty processes

Investigations by national and regional competition
agencies around the world
Vertical arrangements in distribution
and supply agreements

Internal investigations and audits
Arbitrations or private antitrust claims
Bet-the-company litigation
Complaints against anticompetitive conduct

Competition across the Middle East

Why White & Case?
Differentiators and benefits

White & Case differentiator

Proven commitment

Regional depth

Client benefits
White & Case has been active across the Middle East for nearly
six decades. We navigate our clients through their most complex
multijurisdictional and local business challenges and offer strongrelationships with regulators and authorities.
Our Middle East practice includes more than 100 qualifiedlawyers on the ground in Egypt (in association with the law firmof MHR & Partners), Qatar, Saudi Arabia (in association with theLaw Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan), the UAE (Abu Dhabi andDubai) and Oman.
White & Case is able to offer clients a unique blend of English,
New York, Egyptian, UAE and Saudi-qualified lawyers.

2White & Case

Global breadth

We have more than 315 competition lawyers in 28 offices in19 countries, making our practice one of the largest in the world.

Transnational approach

White & Case coordinates merger advice and notification oftransactions in 100+ jurisdictions around the world. We liaise,advocate and negotiate with national and international merger
review authorities to achieve successful outcomes.

Innovative strategies

Fact-intensive, bold and creative strategies are the core of ourapproach. White & Case has developed many innovative “firsts” incompetition and continues to create precedent in the Middle East.

Trial-seasoned

We develop facts and counsel clients based on our real-world trialexperience in bet-the-company litigations. We regularly representclients in courts and tribunals throughout the world. In a practicearea where few cases go to trial, we have on average at least one
trial per year.

Market-leading experience

Clients rely on our know-how from the most innovative andcomplex transactions in the region as well as high-stakes disputes.
White & Case is distinguished as an assertive practice with aproven track record of cutting-edge matters. We are a recognizedthought leader with regular publications and seminars on
developments in Middle East competition laws.

Independent view

“They are able to anticipate
how the judges or competition
authorities might apply therules in a specific case.”“Able to draw upon market
experience spanning six decades
in the Kingdom.”
Chambers Global 2020

“White & Case can count on lawyers
in its extensive network of offices
across the Americas, Europe, theMiddle East, Africa and Asia.”
Global Investigations Review 2019“If you want fighters, White & Caseis the firm to go to.”Global Competition Review 2018

#1 Global 20 Law Firm
Law360 2019

MENA M&A Legal Adviser of the YearMergemarket 2020

Middle East International
Law Firm of the Year
IFLR Middle East Awards 2020

#1 Middle East and Africa M&A
Law Firm by value, having advised
on deals worth over US$171 billion
Mergemarket 2015 – H1 2020

#1 Middle East and Africa M&A
Law Firm by volume
Mergemarket Q1 2020

Only team to win “Competition
Group of the Year” 7 times
Law360Among the top 5 Competition teamsin the “Global Elite”
Global Competition Review 2021

“Specializes in obtaining clearance for
globally-oriented, creative mergers.”
The Legal 500 US 2020

“Effectively handles cartel
investigations or follow-on
commercial proceedings
brought simultaneously
across several jurisdictions.”
Chambers USA 2020

Top 6 — International & Cross-Border:
Antitrust
Chambers Global 2021

Band 1 — Antitrust Cartels
Chambers USA 2021

Tier 1 — Antitrust Cartels
The Legal 500 US 2021

Tier 1 — Antitrust
Benchmark Litigation 2022

Named in the “GIR 30 Elite”
Global Investigations Review 2021

Competition across the Middle East

Highlights of our experience

Competition
Saudi Aramco/Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
Advised Saudi Arabian Oil Company on its acquisitionof a 70 percent equity interest in SABIC from the Public
Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, forapproximately US$69.1 billion—fielding a global, multidisciplinary
team in 28 countries to advise on all aspects of the landmark
transaction, including M&A, antitrust, finance, CFIUS, tax,
environmental, employee compensation and benefits, intellectualproperty, real estate and project finance.

Glovo
Cartel investigation by the Egyptian Competition Authority into
alleged market allocation between two food delivery technology
platforms based in Europe with global operations, includingin the Middle East—successfully closing the investigation
without any finding of criminal liability and avoiding fines of up to
US$30 million.

Metso Minerals/Outotec
A 2019 – 2020 merger of two leading global companies
specialized in technology and equipment for the minerals,
metals and aggregates industries with combined salesof US$4.6 billion—advised on merger-control filings in
19 jurisdictions, including Egypt, Morocco and the Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), andsecured pre-merger clearance from major competition
regimes, including Australia, Canada, China, the European
Union and the United States.

MOL Group/Chevron
Advised MOL Group, a leading oil & gas group based in Hungary,on merger-control matters before the Egyptian Competition
Authority in connection with its US$1.57 billion acquisition ofChevron Khazar Limited, which is active in petroleum explorationand production in Azerbaijan.

European airlines
Advised European aviation group on merger control
strategy in Egypt for proposed acquisition of another airline
operating throughout 80 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa
and the Americas.

4White & Case

Schneider Electric/Larsen &Toubro-Electrical & Automation
A cross-border transaction for US$3 billion involving assets
and operations around the world and the integration of
7,000 employees—advised on global regulatory strategy andobtained Saudi competition clearance in a record 21 days allowing
timely closing.

AVEVA/OSIsoft
Secured Saudi merger clearance for US$5 billion transaction
bringing together the global leaders of industrial software anddata management services.

Hexagon/PAS
Secured Saudi merger clearance for public global leader
Hexagon’s acquisition of the global operations of PAS, which isdelivering software solutions for cybersecurity, process safety
and optimization, and trusted data for decision-making.

Ratos/Dun & Bradstreet
Secured Saudi merger clearance for the sale of European dataand analytics firm Bisnode to US business analytics firm Dun &Bradstreet for approximately US$811 million.

Global energy/automation design business
Advised on merger control filings in Saudi Arabia for
US$320 million cross-border transaction with active business in
the region.

IP/abuse of dominance investigation
Representing Japan-based manufacturer in antitrust investigation
into alleged monopolization conduct in the Middle East involving
IP issues for global brand.

Appliance manufacturer compliance
Advised Asia-based global manufacturer of appliances on antitrust
compliance policies for its international operations, including
regulatory advice in connection with Egyptian Competition Law.

Kentech/SNC-Lavalin Oil & Gas

Diaverum/Nazer Group

Secured antitrust clearance in Saudi Arabia for Kentech Group’s
acquisition of the oil & gas business of SNC-Lavalin Group—acomplex, multijurisdictional transaction, involving operations inmore than 20 jurisdictions and a global workforce of more than
10,000 people with a sales pipeline of more than US$7 billion.

Represented Diaverum, one of the world´s largest independent
renal care providers, in the acquisition of the dialysis businessof the Nazer Group, based in Saudi Arabia—advised on antitrust
strategy and secured Saudi merger clearance for the multiphasedtransaction.

International hotel/management business

Nordic Capital/LEO Pharma

Advised key international hotel group on its proposed acquisitionof a leading MENA-based hotel management business.

Represented Nordic Capital in its €450 million investment inLEO Pharma, a medical dermatology company based in Denmarkwith a global team of 6,000 people in more than 130 countries– advised on merger control and FDI strategy and secured
required clearances.

B Investments/Gourmet Egypt
Advised B Investments Holding in connection with its acquisitionof a majority stake in Gourmet Egypt, a leading grocery store
chain, including on merger-control matters before the Egyptian
Competition Authority.

Predatory pricing
Advised international business with operations throughout
the Middle East on compliance with predatory pricing laws in
multiple jurisdictions.

BearingPoint RegTech/Vizor
Secured merger control clearance in Saudi Arabia for BearingPoint
RegTech’s acquisition of Vizor Software, a global leader inregulatory and supervisory technology based in Ireland. Together,
the companies serve more than 7,000 firms including banks andfinancial services providers with reporting solutions and morethan 50 regulators and tax authorities.

Telecommunication Manufacturer
Advised telecommunication manufacturer on strategy forengaging with competition authorities in the Middle East inconnection with foreign antitrust litigation.

Abuse of dominance
Advised a major tobacco producer on issues related to potential
abuse of dominance claims under Egyptian Competition Law.

DP World/syncreon
Advise Dubai-based DP World on global merger control
strategy and filings for the proposed acquisition of syncreon for
US$1.2 billion, a US-based global logistics provider specializingin complex supply chains for the automotive and technology
industries in 19 countries.

Competition across the Middle EastContacts

Core Middle East Competition Team Members

Tamer Nagy
Counsel, Cairo/Washington, DCSami Al-Louzi
Partner, Dubai

Said Hanafi
Partner, Cairo

Cherif El Tabei
Associate, Cairo

T +1 202 729 2318
E tnagy@whitecase.com

T +971 4 381 6271
E sal-louzi@whitecase.com

T +20 2 2461 8222
E shanafi@whitecase.com

T +20 2 2461 8250
E ctabei@whitecase.com

Ahmad Ashraf Ali
Associate, Cairo

Reem Albakr
Associate, Riyadh

T +20 2 2461 8207
E aali@whitecase.com

T +966 11 416 7338
E ralbakr@whitecase.com

6White & Case

Representative International Network

J. Mark Gidley
Global Antitrust Practice Chair,Partner, Washington, DC

Doug Peel
Middle East Practice Chair,Partner, Riyadh

Jacquelyn MacLennan
Partner, Brussels

Rebecca Farrington
Partner, Washington, DC

T +1 202 626 3609
E mgidley@whitecase.com

T +966 11 416 7320
E dpeel@whitecase.com

T +32 2 2392 563
E jmaclennan@whitecase.com

T +1 202 626 3599
E rfarrington@whitecase.com

Marc Israel
Partner, London

Dr. Tilman Kuhn
Partner, Düsseldorf, BrusselsJérémie Marthan
Partner, Paris

Rob Milne
Partner, New YorkT +44 20 7532 1137
E misrael@whitecase.com

T +49 211 49195 232
E tkuhn@whitecase.com

T +33 1 5504 1760
E jmarthan@whitecase.com

T +1 212 819 8924
E rmilne@whitecase.com

George Paul
Partner, Washington, DC

Strati Sakellariou-WittPartner, Brussels

Yann Utzschneider
Partner, Paris

T +1 202 626 3656
E gpaul@whitecase.com

T +32 2 2392 616
E ssakellariou@whitecase.com

T +33 1 5504 1710
E utzscya@whitecase.com

Competition across the Middle EastAmericas

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific

BostonT +1 617 979 9300

Abu Dhabi
T +971 2 611 3400

Beijing
T +86 10 5912 9600

Johannesburg
T +27 11 341 4000

ChicagoBerlinLondonHong Kong

T +1 312 881 5400

T +49 30 880911 0

T +44 20 7532 1000

T +852 2822 8700

HoustonBratislava

MadridJakarta*

T +1 713 496 9700

T +421 2 5441 5100

T +34 91 787 6300

T +62 21 2992 7000

Los Angeles

Brussels

Milan

Melbourne

T +1 213 620 7700

T +32 2 239 26 20

T +39 02 00688 300

T +61 3 8486 8000

Mexico City

Cairo

MoscowSeoul

T +52 55 5540 9600

T +20 2 2461 8200

T +7 495 787 3000

T +82 2 6138 8800

Miami

Doha

Nur-Sultan

ShanghaiT +1 305 371 2700

T +974 440 64300

T +7 717 255 28 68

T +86 21 6132 5900

New York

Dubai

ParisSingapore

T +1 212 819 8200

T +971 4 381 6200

T +33 1 55 04 15 15

T +65 6225 6000

São Paulo

Düsseldorf

PragueSydneyT +55 11 3147 5600

T +49 211 49195 0

T +420 255 771 111

T +61 2 8249 2600

Silicon Valley

Frankfurt

Riyadh*Tokyo

T +1 650 213 0300

T +49 69 29994 0

T +966 11 416 7300

T +81 3 6384 3300

Washington, DC

GenevaStockholm

T +1 202 626 3600

T +41 22 906 9800

T +46 8 506 32 300

Hamburg

Tashkent

T +49 40 35005 0

T +998 71 140 81 01

Helsinki

Warsaw

T +358 9 228 641

T +48 22 50 50 100Istanbul
T +90 212 354 2000

* Associated firm

whitecase.com

In this publication, White & Case means the international legal practice comprising White & Case llp, a New York State registered limited liability partnership,
White & Case llp, a limited liability partnership incorporated under English law, and all other affiliated partnerships, companies and entities.
This publication is prepared for the general information of our clients and other interested persons. It is not, and does not attempt to be, comprehensive in nature.
Due to the general nature of its content, it should not be regarded as legal advice.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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