A cross-border KWM team has advised Costa Group on the successful establishment of a joint venture (JV) with US based Driscoll’s, to create a berry production company operating in China. The JV will see Costa taking 70% ownership with Driscoll’s taking up the other 30%.

The JV builds on Costa’s existing successful equally owned JV with Driscoll’s in Australia which over the last six years has grown to be the number one marketer of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries in Australia.

As the only firm in the world able to provide local Australian and PRC law advice under one integrated legal brand, KWM was able to activate a single cross-border team across its Sydney, Hong Kong and Shanghai offices to assist Costa with commercial and regulatory aspects of the transaction.

The cross-border KWM team was led by Shannon Finch, supported by senior associates Anthony Boogert and Henrik Moritz. The Shanghai team was led by partner Mark Schaub and in Hong Kong, lawyer Piny Ly.

Commenting on the deal, partner Shannon Finch said, “We are delighted to have been able to bring together teams across Australia, Hong Kong and China to support Costa on this exciting joint venture. The company’s expansion was one of the objectives following their 2015 listing which we also supported them on. We are delighted that this important step in their strategy has been successful and that following the creation of a successful joint venture, operations have already commenced in Yunnan Province in China.”

KWM also advised the Costa Group on their listing on the ASX in July last year. The listing was one of the largest in Australia in 2015.