CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
On December 1, 2022, SMM Legal announced that MOL's acquisition of Lotos Paliwa (reported by CEE Legal Matters on February 2, 2022) had closed. Subsequently, Baker McKenzie announced that Orlen Unipetrol's acquisition of Hungarian petrol stations from MOL (reported by CEE Legal Matters on February 1, 2022) had closed as well.
Law No. 7420 has made significant amendments related to tax legislation. These amendments cover: the introduction of a new tax treatment on capital reduction, a time extension for conversion to a currency-protected deposit account, an extension of the deadline for the tax benefits granted to individual participation investors (angel investors), income tax exemption for the portion of the meal costs paid in cash to employees that do not exceed TRY 51, and amendments to the tourism share rates.
On November 30, 2022, the BLS-CEE Law Firm announced that Wirtualna Polska’s acquisition of the Szallas Group from Portfolion Capital Partners and private individuals (reported by CEE Legal Matters on September 16, 2022) had closed.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye published the Guidelines on Correlating Business Models in the Field of Payments with Payment Service Types (“Guidelines”).
The Guidelines provide detailed explanations as to how payment services regulated under the Law No. 6493 on Payment and Securities Settlement Systems, Payment Services and Electronic Money Institutions (the “Law”) and the Regulation on Payment Services and Electronic Money Issuance and Payment Service Providers (the “Regulation”) can be correlated with the business models in the field of payments, in order to ensure compliance with the regulations and uniformity in operating licenses to be granted by the CBRT for authorizations. You can access the Guidelines here.
Baker McKenzie has advised the Szechenyi Funds and Lead Ventures on the sale of their shares in aiMotive to Stellantis in a transaction that saw Stellantis acquire aiMotive. Dentons reportedly advised Stellantis.
Dentons Turkish affiliate Balcioglu Selcuk Ardiyok Keki Attorney Partnership has advised Ace Games on a USD 25 million investment from Playtika. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership reportedly advised Playtika.
Karanovic & Partners, working alongside Baker McKenzie, has advised Colt Technology Services on its acquisition of Lumen Technologies’ Europe, Middle East, and Africa business for USD 1.8 billion. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner reportedly advised Lumen Technologies.
Greenberg Traurig has advised Value4Capital’s Poland Plus Fund on its sale of Kom-Eko to a CEE Equity Partners fund. Baker McKenzie advised the buyer.
Akol Law has advised EIS Eczacibasi Ilac on its USD 135 million acquisition of Gensenta from the Amgen Group. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised the seller.
Baker McKenzie has advised the IFC on channeling EU funds up to EUR 25 million in grants across Ukrainian cities to help renovate municipal buildings for internally displaced people, create jobs, and drive economic recovery.
In the past few years, Turkey has experienced a veritable tech miracle. A swath of start-ups, primarily in the gaming and e-commerce sectors, has attracted multi-billion-dollar investments and achieved record valuations. Two companies have even reached decacorn status – a valuation of over USD 10 billion.
Baker McKenzie has advised Equilis and Acteeum joint venture Ace 6 on its EUR 40 million sale of the Galeria Andrychow shopping center to Big Shopping Centers. CMS advised the buyer.
Dentons has advised Groupama Gan REIM on its acquisition of the Freedom Palace in Budapest.
Partner Pawel Hincz and Counsel Juliusz Krzyzanowski have been appointed as Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences M&A and Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences Regulatory, respectively, within Baker McKenzie’s Warsaw Office.
Clifford Chance has advised Giza Polish Ventures on its sale of a majority stake in Audioteka to Grupa Wirtualna Polska. Baker McKenzie advised the buyer.
Baker McKenzie has advised Pelion Group subsidiary Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna on the establishment of its bond issuance program and a PLN 130 million issuance of secured bonds. CMS advised organizer, underwriter, and offering agent Haitong Bank on the issuance.
Baker McKenzie has advised Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding on its acquisition of all shares in the Dutch PZEM Energy Company and PZEM Pipe and 50% of shares in Sloe Centrale Holding from PZEM. NautaDutilh advised PZEM.
DLA Piper has advised Wirtualna Polska on its acquisition of the Szallas Group from Portfolion Capital Partners and private individuals. Baker McKenzie advised Portfolion.
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In the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, Baker McKenzie's expansion remains steadfast, with a thriving team of over legal professionals. Our footprint extends across six offices in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Türkiye, and Ukraine. As part of our global network, coupled with well-established partnerships throughout the entire CEE landscape, we proudly stand as one of the foremost international law firms in this dynamic territory. Our reputation as a premier business law firm in CEE is a testament to our extensive experience in advising on a multitude of prestigious projects and nurturing enduring client relationships.