Olswang has advised dnata World Travel, sister company to dnata, on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Travel Technology Investments Limited from management shareholders led by Kane Pirie, Chris Waite and Paul Furner (“Founders”).

International law firm Clyde & Co LLP has advised Gulf Healthcare International LLC (Gulf Healthcare), a major healthcare provider in the Middle East, and its owners on the re-structuring of Gulf Healthcare and on its ambitious expansion program in the UAE.

A recognized leader in project and Islamic finance, Christopher Aylward, joined Baker Botts L.L.P. today as a partner in the firm’s Middle East practice. He will be based in Dubai.

Vinson & Elkins LLP and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP are acting as joint counsel to the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq in connection with the Basrah Gas Company project, a joint venture between South Gas Company (an Oil Ministry affiliate) and affiliates of Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Mitsubishi Corporation. The transaction agreements were signed on November 27, 2011.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil (MoO) formally has signed a joint venture agreement with Shell, the South Gas Company (SGC), an affiliate of MoO, and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) on an initiative to capture flared gas in Iraq.

Clifford Chance and Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm have advised the financiers on Phase II of the financing of a US$10.8 billion integrated aluminium complex and related infrastructure, sponsored by Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Alcoa Inc.

Clifford Chance has advised International Petroleum Investment Company P.J.S.C. (“IPIC”) in relation to the issuance of U.S.$1,500,000,000 3.750 per cent. guaranteed Notes due 2017, U.S.$1,500,000,000 5.500 per cent. guaranteed Notes due 2022 and U.S.$750,000,000 6.875 per cent. guaranteed Notes due 2041 (the “Notes”) under its Global Medium Term Note Programme, which was updated on 19 October 2011. The issuance of the Notes took place on 1 November 2011. The Notes were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange.

King & Spalding advised Kuveyt Turk Katilim Bankasi A.S. (KTPB), a Turkish participation bank majority-owned by Kuwait Finance House, in the issuance of US$350 million certificates due 2016, listed on the London Stock Exchange. The certificates are the first-of-its-kind asset-backed certificates from Turkey, and the first certificates issued under newly revised Turkish legislation permitting such certificate issuance (known as rental certificates) through a Turkish incorporated special purpose vehicle. The certificates will be issued through KT Sukuk Varlik Kiralama A.S, a Turkish incorporated special purpose vehicle.

Clifford Chance and Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm have advised the financiers on Phase II of the financing of a US$10.8 billion integrated aluminium complex and related infrastructure, sponsored by Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Alcoa Inc. Phase II involved the financing of a bauxite mine to be developed at Al Ba’itha in Saudi Arabia and an associated alumina refinery, with the combined cost of development being US$3.58 billion. The bauxite mine will be the first such mine in Saudi Arabia and is set to extract up to 4,250,000 tonnes of bauxite ore per annum. The refinery will have an initial capacity of 1,800,000 tonnes of refined alumina per year. Both the mine and refinery are being developed by Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC). MBAC is a joint venture between Ma’aden and Alcoa Inc. Once complete, the entire project will be the largest fully integrated aluminium complex in the world, with a refinery, smelter and food-grade can sheet rolling mill located at the Ras Al Khair industrial site (previously known as Ras Az Zawr) in north-eastern Saudi Arabia, fed by bauxite sourced from the Al Ba’itha mine.

Linklaters has advised (as international legal counsel) Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Samba Capital & Investment Management Company and Saudi Fransi Capital as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners on the issuance of Saudi Riyal 3.749bn (approximately U.S.$1bn) sukuk certificates by Arabian Aramco Total Services Company (AATSC). The transaction represents the first ever Sharia compliant “greenfield” project bond (sukuk). The sukuk certificates are listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul).