Slaughter and May, Hong Kong, advised Swire Properties Limited on the first green bond issue by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Swire Properties MTN Financing Limited, of US$500 million 3.50% Guaranteed Notes due 2028. The Notes were issued under Swire Properties' US$4 billion Medium Term Note Programme. The Notes are guaranteed by Swire Properties Limited and are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Slaughter and May advised Yuanta Commercial Bank Co., Ltd (YCB) on the Hong Kong regulatory aspects of its merger with Ta Chong Bank Ltd (TCB).

YCB and TCB, both incorporated in Taiwan, merged pursuant to a statutory merger under Taiwan law, with YCB being the surviving entity. The Taiwan merger was recognised in Hong Kong under the doctrine of universal succession.

Clifford Chance's cross-border project finance team represented Bancomext, ING and KfW in connection with an approximately US$209 million financing for the development of a 300MW photovoltaic project in Mexico, San Luis Potosí. The solar project was awarded to Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) during the second power auction held by CENACE.

Addleshaw Goddard's Restaurants, Bars and Pubs sector team has advised Santander on its new £16m finance package for premium bar and restaurant chain, The Alchemist. The transaction was led by Banking Partner, Martin O'Shea.

DLA Piper represented private equity firm Caltius Equity Partners in the sale of its equity interest in national sign and lighting provider MC Sign, LLC to an affiliate of alternative investment manager Arcapita Investment Management US Inc.

Dentons has advised Societe Generale, London Branch and HSBC Bank plc on €215 million of investment facilities to Generator Hostels, which is owned by the private equity real estate fund manager Queensgate Investments. Generator Hostels are designed to combine affordable luxury rooms with unique social events for travellers and locals of the cities in which they currently operate across Europe and the US.

CMS has advised each of Intellectual Property & Software Ltd (IPS), European Domain Management Ltd (EDM) and Rocket 9 Ltd (Rocket 9) on their entry into a business sale agreement with NASDAQ First North Premier listed Swedish mobile gaming company, LeoVegas AB (publ) (LeoVegas).

Slaughter and May advised Bupa Insurance Limited on the sale of Bupa House, Bloomsbury Way, London  WC1A.  The purchaser is LabTech Investments Ltd, a real estate and technology company with existing holdings in the Holborn area.

Contacts

Real Estate: John Nevin (partner), Kate Shirlaw (associate)

Goltsblat BLP has advised AFG National on sale of a 35% stake in its subsidiary OOO Yuzhniye Zemli to Volga Group Agro (a company consolidating Volga Group's agricultural projects). The deal was signed on 26 December 2017.

Yuzhniye Zemli produces top quality apples using the latest technology and manages 400 ha of orchards. In 2018, it intends to launch an additional 300 ha, building the second stage of its fruit storage facility and increasing apple production to ten thousand tonnes.

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has advised national developer and urban regeneration company St. Modwen on a promotion and development agreement for the Tortworth Estate’s Buckover Garden Village, a planned 3,000-home exemplar new community in South Gloucestershire.