Mohamad B. Talaat
Mohamad B. Talaat
Counsel
Mohamad B. Talaat is a Counsel at Matouk Bassiouny. Prior to joining the firm, he worked with Helmy, Hamza & Partners member firm of Baker & McKenzie International in 1989 and became an international partner from 1997 until 2019 after working in the Chicago office of Baker McKenzie from 1982 to 1983 and in the Riyadh office of Baker McKenzie from 1984 through 1989. He held the post of Counsellor at the Egyptian Council of State, Cairo, from July 1979 to January 1985.
Referring to Mohamed, recent legal publications have stated:
Practice Focus
Mohamed’s practice focuses on Mergers and acquisitions, real estate, capital markets/IPO civil, corporate, anti-trust, arbitration, commercial, tax, administrative, Islamic law, transactional work, labor matters, and general projects.
Recent Rankings
Selected Recent Experience
- Acted as legal counsel for Orasqualia (“OCI/ Aqualia”) on the Public Private Partnership of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cairo, along with the Direct Agreement and Loan Facility. Marking the first PPP Project that has been materialized and executed.
- Representation of ABB in connection with Sharm El Sheikh Airport BOOT.
- Representation of ABB in connection with El Farafra Airport BOOT.
- Representation of the Airport Holding Company in connection with the management contracts of the various airports.
- Representation of ElSewedy Energy in connection with building, owning and operating a power generation plant in Ghana
- Representation of ElSewedy Company in connection with entering into a shareholder agreement with Zesco Limited to establish a factory to manufacture electricity meters in Zambia on a joint venture basis.
- Representation of ElSewedy Cables in connection with a project finance of copper smelter and refinery project valuing at USD 900 million
- Representation of ElSewedy for Wind Energy Generation (SWEG) in connection with the development of wind farm projects in Egypt, Germany, Italy and Turkey, other extending corporate work and their acquisition of a stake in a wind farm.
- Representation of ElSewedy in connection with a number of power infrastructure projects in Egypt with Siemens.
- Representation of Indian multinational Aditya Birla Group in connection with the refinance of existing English law facility agreement between its subsidiary Alexandria Carbon Black Company and Standard Charted Bank as agent and security trustee.
- Representation of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in connection with a conventional Islamic finance syndication transaction with Advanced Energy System” (ADES), an Egyptian oil field services company with a total value of USD 190 million to refinance existing indebtedness and finance the acquisition of a new rig.
- Representation of Majid Al Futtaim Properties Egypt in connection with a project finance transaction in an amount of EGP 3 billion to finance the construction of a mega shopping mall in 6th of October Governorate, with gross leasable area of over 140,000 m2, named Mall of Egypt.
- Representation of Arab African International Bank in connection with a Lease Finance Transaction.
- Representation of Arab African International Bank and Commercial International Bank in connection with a Medium-Term Loan Syndicate Facility Agreement amounting to USD 120 million for the purpose of financing the payment of bond instalments and the incurred coupons previously issued by the borrower (Golden Pyramids Plaza S.A.E) in the domestic market.
- Representation of Ridgewood in connection with the loan agreement, the deal amounted to USD 13 million
- Advised an Egyptian company on obtaining loans in the amount of USD 300 million.
- Representation of Soletanche Bachy consortium as Counsel in connection with the Metro Underground Project.
- Representation of Morgan Stanley in connection with a forward sale agreement of oil and gas. Valued at USD 1.5 billion.
- Advised EGPC on the sale concession and first development lease concession. Valued at USD 300 million.
- Representation of Egypt LNG and its Sponsors (EGPC, EGAS, Petronas and BG Group) in connection with the development of the Egyptian LNG Liquefaction Project in Egypt.
- Representation of a tourism entity in connection with purchase a plot of land to establish a hospitability and residential complex by means of Islamic funding “Morabha” valued at USD 900 million
- Representation of one of the world’s leading producers in the intermediate petrochemicals industry in connection with its acquisition of a leading company working in Packaging.
- Representation of an Egyptian manufacturing company in connection with the acquisition of a minority stake of its subsidiary a market leader in providing energy management services by a Mauritius company.
- Representation of VFS Global as the legal counsel in connection with its acquisition of a group of Companies in UAE, KSA and Egypt and handling labor issues related to the acquisition.
- Representation of Commercial International Bank (CIB) and Legal & General Overseas Holdings B.V. in connection with the sale of 100% of Commercial International Life Insurance Company. In addition, drafting and negotiating a long term exclusive bancassurance agreement between Commercial International Bank (CIB) and Commercial International Life Insurance Company.
- Representation of El Sewedy Cables in connection with acquiring Iskraemeco Company in Slovenia. (EUR 40 million).
- Representation of ElSewedy Cables in connection with the acquisition of shares in Tunisie Cables.
- Advised El Sewedy Group on the EUR75 million acquisition, in partial tranches of the Spanish company M. Torres Olvega Industrial S.L., a leading designer, manufacturer and trader of wind turbines within the European wind power markets.
- Representation of an Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (“ECMS”) in connection with the acquisition of Link Dot Net & Link Egypt.
- Representation of the International Company for Security and Services (Falcon Group) S.A.E. – a leading security entity – in connection with extending legal advice related to the sale of cash-in-transit business of the Company.
- Representation of Pepsi Inc. in connection with the acquisition of an Egyptian bottling company in Egypt’s privatization program.
- Representation of Babcock and Wilcox in connection with the acquisition of Nasr Boilers Company in the first asset Egyptian privatization.
- Representation of Lesaffre in connection with its acquisition of Misr Yeast Company (incomplete).
- Representation of a leading company in connection with its acquisition of Handling Company of Alexandria Port (incomplete).
- Representation of Burooj Properties in connection with extending legal advice regarding acquisition of property.
- Representation of Semiramis Hotels Co. – a leading hotelier entity – in connection with the acquisition of the Arab Investment for Urbanization Co., owning Company of Sheraton Al Montazah Hotel.
- Representation of TMG Holding in connection with acquisition of the shares of Kingdom Holding Company in Arab Company for Hotel and Tourism Investments (“ICON”), the owning company for the Four Seasons in Sharm El Sheikh.
- Representation of TMG Holding in connection with acquiring the shares of Kingdom Holding Company in Novapark the owning company of the Four Seasons Nile Plaza.
- Representation of First Arabian Real Estate and Tourism Investment and others in connection with the sale of their shares in First Arabian for Hotels and Resorts S.A.E. the owning company of the Four Seasons Giza.
- Representation of EFG Hermes Private Equity in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in Maridive & Oil Services.
- Representation of several real estate entities particularly from the Gulf including their acquisition of properties and their developments.
- Representation of EFG Hermes Private Equity in connection with the acquisition of shares in a shipping entity. Transaction valued at USD 60 million.
- Representation of Batelco – a Bahraini Company – in connection with its acquisition of a major stake of InTouch – a leading internet services company.
- Representation of Banque du Caire et de Paris in connection with the merger of BNP and Paribas.
- Representation of Goldman Sachs in connection with the sale of National Bank of Egypt stake in the Commercial International Bank.
- Representation of Messer Egypt in connection with its acquisition of Messer El Salama.
- Representation of Pepsi Inc. in connection with the acquisition of Chipsy snacks companies in Egypt.
- Representation of Berger Paints in connection with the potential acquisition of Pachin.
- Representation of Barclays Bank in connection with the acquisition of majority of shares in Egyptian local bank.
- Representation of an Indian company in connection with its acquisition of a cosmetic facility valuing at USD 60 million.
- Representation of Credit Agricole in connection with the acquisition of the Egyptian American Bank.
- Representation of Pepsi Cola in connection with the acquisition of Chipsy Frito-Lay Company.
- Advised a global company and an integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products for the aluminum, steel, chemical, rubber, railroad and utility industries in a merger control analysis on the proposed acquisition of its competitor.
- Advised an Austro-Canadian global supplier in the field of technologically-advanced automotive systems, components and complete modules in their acquisition of a percent of one of the subsidiaries of an insolvent US company, including advising the client on merger filing requirements according to Egyptian law.
- Advised a US company in the field of diversified pharmaceuticals health care in a merger transaction. including advising the client on merger filing requirements according to Egyptian law.
- Representation of Barwa New Cairo for Real Estate Investment S.A.E. in connection with extending legal advice related to the development of real estate in New Cairo.
- Representation of Arab Company for projects and Urban Development (A subsidiary of TMG holding) in connection with the sale of a portfolio of elementary schools in in the cities of Madinaty and Al Rehab in Egypt with nearly EGP 1 billion in investments.
- Representation of a subsidiary of one of the World’s leading online shopping platforms headquartered in USA in connection with conducting a comprehensive legal due diligence questionnaire to establish its entity in Egypt.
- Representation of HNI corporation, ASICS, Giorgio Armani and Richemont International in connection with the registration of the company in the qualified factories for exporting ledger at the General Organization of Export & Import Controls (GOEIC).
- Representation of a global leader providing secure mobile money platform in connection with the incorporation of a foreign branch in Egypt.
- Representation of Eczacibasi Monrol Nuclear Products Co. in connection with drafting shareholders agreement and a distribution agreement.
- Representation of the Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Lundbeck, Roche Diagnostics, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Body Shop in connection with their operations in Egypt.
- Representation of Intercontinental in connection with matters related to their operations in Egypt.
- Representation of the owner of the Four Seasons Hotel in Egypt in connection with the management and ancillary agreements of the Four Seasons.
- Representation of Kempinski in connection with their operations in Egypt.
- Representation of Thomas Cook in connection with their operations in Egypt.
- Representation of Dana Gas in connection with setting up the Egyptian Bahrini Gas Derivative Company.
- Representation of Cadbury Group in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of Mars Group in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of Alcoa Group in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of Hitachi Group in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of Banawi Group in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of Henkel in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of Gillette Group in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of the Egyptian American Card Unit in connection with its Egyptian operations.
- Representation of McKinsey & Company Inc. in connection with setting up its domestic operations, along with advising on corporate and labor matters.
- Representation of SABIC – the Saudi major steel company – in connection with its local steel operation.
- Representation of Oil Tools in connection with setting up oil service operation.
- Representation of Fugro in connection with setting up a local oil service and drilling operation.
- Representation of CIB in connection with its Shareholders Agreement with Legal and General in connection with setting up CIL Insurance Company.
- Representation of Bupa Insurance Company in connection with setting up its operation in Egypt and extending advice on insurance matters.
- Representation of BNP Paribas Le Caire and Commercial International Bank in connection with the reformation of certain State-owned insurance companies (El Chark Insurance Company, Misr Insurance, National Insurance and Egypt Reinsurance).
- Representation of Golden Pyramids Plaza in connection with the issuance of bonds, which amounted to USD 750 million divided into 17 tranches. This is the first time a transaction of this sort was executed and/or implemented in Egypt. Resulting from a joint stock company issuing offshore bonds (i.e. issuance of bonds outside of Egypt).
- Representation of Commercial International Bank as counsel in connection with the bond issuing of Orascom Group.
- Representation of Mansour Group as counsel in connection with bond issues.
- Representation of Amer Group Holding Company S.A.E. – a leading real estate entity – as issuers counsel in connection with its IPO and offshore/onshore private placement.
- Representation of Juhayna Food Industries – a food industry entity – as issuers counsel in connection with its IPO and offshore/onshore private placement.
- Representation of Talaat Mostafa Group Holding – a real estate entity – as issuers counsel in connection with its IPO and offshore/onshore private placement.
- Representation of Palm Hills Development – a real estate entity – as issuers counsel in connection with its IPO and offshore/onshore private placement
- Currently representing a leading touristic entity as the transaction counsel in connection with its initial public offering and offshore/onshore private placement.
- Currently representing a leading real estate entity as issuers counsel in connection with its initial public offering and offshore/onshore private placement.
- Currently representing a leading insurance entity as issuers counsel in connection with its initial public offering and offshore/onshore private placement.
- Currently representing a middle size touristic entity as transaction counsel in connection with its domestic initial public offering.
- Representation of a real estate and hospitality group in connection with its current initial public offering project USD 1 billion.
- Worked on the survey of the World Bank in connection with securities and real estate mortgages.
- Representation of Three small pharmacies in connection with seeking damages from the pharmaceutical distribution companies, who engaged in the price fixing cartel, and also agreed to limit the credit facility granted to pharmacies.
- Representation of Fresenius Medical Care, the Egyptian German Company for Construction Industries, Al Hail Holding, International Finance Corporation, Aircastle Advisor LLC and CI Capital in connection with the post transaction notification for the Egyptian Competition Authority.
- Representation of a provider of security products and solutions for homes and businesses in connection with their customs law hurdles & the interpretation and their implementation of their treaties.
- Representation of El Motaheda Co. for Trade in connection with seeking damages caused by a major glucose producer in Egypt, which agreed with its competitors operating in the same market to raise the price of “Glucose” in the Egyptian Market and caused losses for Claimant during the period from 2008 – 2012.
- Representation of Itochu Plastics and Tricon Energy in connection with an anti-dumping case on behalf of the two clients regarding antidumping investigation against US imports of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products.
- Representation of an American multinational information before the consumer protection authority and courts in connection with seeking the protection of their intellectual property rights from counterfeited products in Egypt.
- Representation of an Egyptian cement producers in connection with the price fixing allegation before the courts. This is a landmark case; it is the first cartel case in Egypt after the issuance of the Egyptian Antitrust law in 2005 and as a result of this case the Egyptian Antitrust law changed, the fine was raised to be 20 million EGP instead of 10 million EGP.
- Representation of several Egyptian entities in connection with anti-trust issues including legal advice, preparing memoranda in response to inquiries, attending symposia and
- Prepared manuals in favor of corporate entities regarding anti-trust issues.
- Representation of Egytrans in connection with the investigation currently conducted by the Anti-trust Authority.
- Representation of a media representation group in the Middle East before the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) in connection with a dispute and carrying out a competition law compliance review to documents and emails in order to ensure compliance with the ECA.
- Representation of an international financial institution in connection with financing USD 500 million to an oil and gas drilling and production services provider in the Middle East and Africa to re- finance existing debt of USD 250 Million + USD 250 Million for new investment
- Representation of an international airlines company in connection with the settlement of their employees’ rights due to the recent employment layoff that occurred as a result of suspending its flights and operations in Egypt.
- Representation of an international hotel in connection with a construction arbitration case brought by a contractor concerning the renovation of a world Hotel. Obtained a favorable award by which the Tribunal declared it lacks jurisdiction to rule over the case. The transaction valued at USD 5 million.
- Representation of a multinational steel manufacturing corporation headquartered in Luxembourg in connection with a EUR 2 million dispute with Egyptian National Rail Authority; the claim was filed by the Egyptian Railway Authority against our client and its agent in Egypt claiming EUR 2 million by virtue of a contract that entailed the supply of 50 000 tons of iron rods, weighing 54 ton and priced at EUR 575 per ton.
- Successful representation of one of the world’s largest oil field service companies in connection with obtaining a favorable settlement of 6 CRCICA arbitration proceedings for the client. The dispute arose out of 6 petroleum services agreements where the client decided to resort to arbitration after its failure to recover outstanding dues through strenuous amicable negotiations.
- Representation of Centamin Egypt Limited – an Australian gold producer – in connection with dispute regarding the exploitation lease granted by the Egyptian Government with respect to the exploitation of the Sokari Gold Mine.
- Representation of Kempinski as a counsel in connection with a major liability claim in Spain.
- Representation of Intercontinental before the Federal Court of New York in connection with a major liability claim of USD 120 million.
- Representation of a glass manufacturing company in connection with an arbitration regarding the acquisition of a glass plant.
- Representation of a media group in connection with an arbitration regarding a marketing agreement.
- Representation of a global technology company rights in connection with an employment case raised by one of the company’s employees – A Branch Manager – in connection with claiming his entitlements for ending his work at the company.
- Representation of a Cement Company in a labor lawsuit, where a manager at the Company had requested an indemnification as a labor entitlement with a total value of EGP 10 million.
- Representation of an American multinational computer technology corporation in connection with a dispute against the Egyptian Minister of Finance and the Chairman of the Egyptian Tax Authority regarding sales tax.
- Representation of an American worldwide apparel and footwear company in connection with a dispute with the Egyptian Tax Authority.
- Representation of an app-based transportation network and taxi company in connection with extending legal advice regarding tax and legal analysis on the roll-out of cash in Egypt and coordinating the tax aspects/issues with Ernst & Young.
- Representation of the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company in connection with extending basic tax advice.
- Representation of a British multinational tobacco company headquartered in London in connection with its dispute with the Minister of Finance and Tax Authority.
- Advised an international bank on legal aspects related to taxation of locally recruited staff working in the Bank of Cairo office, under current Egyptian law.
- Representation of an American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation in connection with a tax dispute.
- Assisting a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer in connection with a tax dispute issue in Egypt.
- Representation of a UK-based industrial conglomerate in connection with its sales tax litigation in Egypt.
Education
Chicago Kent College of Law (USA): L.L.M.
1983
Cairo University, Faculty of Law: L.L.B.
1978
Publications