Dragana Bajic has joined the Belgrade office of CMS as Partner and new Head of Employment and Data Protection.

Dentons has advised Central Europe Alfa Asset Management Ltd. and its sole investor, Optima Investments Limited, on the acquisition of the Budapest Metropolitan University from Central European Education Holding Zrt for a cash consideration of USD 50 million. CMS advised the seller.

CMS has advised Horizon Capital and Datagroup on the acquisition of the Volia group of companies. Sayenko Kharenko advised Volia on the deal.

CMS offices in Slovenia and Serbia have jointly advised the Sportina Group on the implementation of a new online sales channel in cooperation with Shoppster.

CMS Banking & Capital Markets specialist Philipp Mark has been made a Partner at the firm.

The increasing use of electric vehicles (EVs) in Austria means the supporting infrastructure requires constant development. The Austrian federal government program 2020-2024 envisages expanding the Austrian network of charging points for alternative fuels as an essential pillar of its drive towards implementing sustainable mobility solutions. In September 2020, the Austrian government followed through with its agenda by proposing the Austrian Renewable Energy Expansion Act (Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz, EAG), which includes an amendment of the Austrian Act on Uniform Standards for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Developments (Bundesgesetz zur Festlegung einheitlicher Standards beim Infrastrukturaufbau für alternative Kraftstoffe, BGFS). The EAG has recently been approved by the government and is now subject to discussions/approval by the Austrian parliament. The cornerstone of the amendment, which is expected to enter into force in the second half of 2021, involves establishing a public charging point register so that EV drivers can locate publicly accessible charging points when they need them and obtain other relevant information.

Strong investments in the Turkish infrastructure sector have been the driving force behind Turkey’s economic development. In the last decade, several investments referred to as “mega-projects” have gained much attention, such as the completed Eurasian Tunnel in Istanbul, a road transport tunnel running under the Bosphorus to connect the European and Asian sides of Istanbul; the new Istanbul Airport, increasing capacity from over 100 million to over 200 million passengers per year; the third Istanbul Bridge, still one of the largest projects with construction costs of around TRY 4.5 billion (although it fell short of expectations and required USD 2.7 billion in refinancing from ICBC and still could not be executed due to the pandemic). One of the most recent projects is the 1915 Canakkale Bridge and Highway Project.

The coronavirus pandemic and accompanying restrictions introduced by the majority of countries around the world are having a major impact on the development of global and local economies. It seems that carrying out infrastructure investment projects may help with rebuilding the economic and financial condition of countries negatively affected by the coronavirus.

Dorda, working with lead counsel Allen & Overy, has advised DIF Capital Partners on the sale of its stake in a PPP portfolio including two hospitals in Vienna to Equitix. CMS advised Equitix on the deal, which was announced on April 19 and remains subject to several regulatory and other approvals.

Redcliffe Partners has acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in connection with a EUR 13.8 million loan to the Kokhavynska Paper Factory.

Wladek Rzycki has joined CMS as a Partner in the Infrastructure and Projects Group.

CMS has advised a consortium of Vinci and Meridiam on its public-private partnership contract for the construction of the D4 motorway in the Czech Republic, the country’s first road PPP. Vinci and Meridiam each have a 50% stake in the project, and EUR 474 million of financing has been obtained.

Bird & Bird Warsaw has advised Polish Enterprise Fund VI, a private equity fund managed by Enterprise Investors, on the sale of companies from the Wento group to international energy concern Equinor, which was advised by CMS. The transaction value stands at EUR 100 million.

CMS has advised German investment company Finexx on its acquisition of Volpini Verpackungen GmbH Austria. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The COVID-19 epidemic and consequent restrictive measures strongly affected Slovenia’s economy, including the country’s rental market. The COVID-19 epidemic impacted all commercial leases, with tourism, hospitality, and to an extent retail among the sectors suffering most. Commercial properties with strong tenants such as IT & Life Science companies and public sector entities proved to be much more resilient than commercial properties dependent on tenants from distressed sectors.

As of January 1, 2022, a deposit system for disposable beverage packaging will be introduced in Slovakia. Some disposable beverage packaging manufacturers and distributors will therefore have new obligations.

Schoenherr has advised Twisto FinCo s.r.o. and Twisto payments a.s. on its EUR 25 million debt refinancing, including a senior stream provided by J&T Banka of approximately EUR 17.3 million and a mezzanine stream provided jointly by Orbit Capital and Growth Finance of approximately EUR 7.7 million. Kocian Solc Balastik represented J&T Banka and CMS advised Orbit Capital and Growth Finance.

Turkey continues to prioritize the adoption and consistent implementation of sustainability principles throughout its economy. Indeed, the Turkish Capital Markets Board recently set a voluntary threshold for companies subject to its supervision, and many are finding the use of green buildings valuable in reaching them. In addition to their economic benefits, green buildings – which are socially and environmentally compatible with their environment – are gaining importance in determining a company’s level of sustainability credibility and sustainable investment commitment.