Egypt > Projects and infrastructure
Projects and infrastructure
‘Leading law firm’ Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie) regularly appears on PPP projects. Mohamed Ghannam advised the lenders on the first PET project in Egypt and North Africa – the $158m Ain Sokhna plant – which was also the first project financing to be signed after the January 2011 revolution.
Nour Law Office managed by Trowers and Hamlins has been retained by the Ministry of Finance as sole counsel on every social infrastructure project to date; and is instructed by various regional state entities on innovative construction and oil and gas projects. PPP mandates include a groundbreaking construction project for two hospitals in Alexandria. The ‘highly experienced’ Sara Hinton and Tim Armsby are recommended.
Shalakany Law Office has extensive experience acting for bidders, consortia and sponsors in the construction, transport and waste sectors. Before the projects slump, this ‘top-quality’ firm was acting for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on the Rod El Farag Axis PPP inner-city road project; and for the GDF Suez/OCI consortium on the Dairut IPP. Aly El Shalakany has ‘a keen sense of business and the legal and practical issues’.
Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law has a strong track record in PPPs and the critical mass to manage major projects. The experienced Yasser Hashem heads the team.
SNR Denton’s regional PPP credentials extend to Egypt, where the practice has advised oil and gas and chemicals clients on project structuring and documentation. Michael Lacey, Frédérique Léger and Ahmed Kamal – who are ‘all excellent’ – are advising Chemonics International on a PPP scheme to upgrade the Alexandria West wastewater treatment plant.
Sharkawy & Sarhan recently advised the Ministry of Finance on the New Cairo water and wastewater treatment PPP project – the only PPP to reach financial close in recent times. Ahmed El Sharkawy led that advice.
Al Kamel Law Office’s strength lies in financing, and it advises clients such as China Shipping and Standard Bank on participations in construction and development activities. It acted as local counsel to sponsor South Asian Petrochemical on the $100m project financing extended to Egyptian Polyester Company. The ‘excellent’ Mohamed Kamel heads the team, which also includes Tamim Foda, Rasheed Kamel and Moustafa Moustafa.
DLA Matouk Bassiouny’s clients are ‘very satisfied with the level of service’. Recent instructions include advising EGPC Social Housing Fund on building, financing and procurement for a hospital, and negotiating on behalf of a consortium for the Damietta Port Terminal BDFO concession. Mahmoud Bassiouny heads the team.
Ibrachy & Dermarkar has a good project finance practice. Managing partner Bahieldin El Ibrachy led advice to the lenders on the Damietta Port project financing. Hegazy El Wakil advised on a transport infrastructure PPP in 2010.