News

HFI has had the privilege of supporting many companies to enter and grow in the Middle East energy market over the last 20 years and I am delighted to introduce our Acquisitions & Divestments in the Middle East Guidebook - 2025 Edition. Please contact Sally Reeves, Client Relations Manager for a copy.

Across the GCC, the Energy Industries Council (“EIC”) DataStream project database is now tracking 569 energy projects with a total value of almost US$781bn in the GCC in the period to 2030, underlining the scale of the energy sector opportunities in the Middle East. One route to unlocking these opportunities is the acquisition option. HFI has over 20 years track record of planning and implementing clients’ acquisition mandates in the Middle East. It has also been a privilege to support divestment and exit mandates, marking the inclusion of successful ventures in the region.

 
Originally launched at ADIPEC last year, our Acquisitions & Divestments eGuidebook has been updated ahead of key events coming up: Gastech - 9 12 September, Milan, MEOS Geo – 16 –18 September in Bahrain and of course the giant event ADIPEC - 3 – 6 November, Abu Dhabi. All are prominent industry events that showcase cutting-edge energy technologies and innovations with MEOS Geo and ADIPEC playing a particularly vital role in highlighting technological progress and strategic developments within the Middle East region. In our experience there are six key reasons why a business may decide to set its next phase of growth through the acquisition mechanism. One reason may be the key driver but often it is a combination: -

• Accelerated in-country local presence and market entry or ramp-up;

• Access to new customers, contracts and revenue streams;

• Access to facilities, equipment, inventories and additional capacity;

• Access to a ready-made specialist technical services and/or management team with leading know-how and expertise;

• Access to advanced technology and intellectual property rights; and

• Absorption of competition, subject to competition law compliance and clearances.

 
Acquisitions in the Middle East have their own processes, trends and nuances which need to be understood and tackled: ultimate beneficial ownership verification, the absence of published audited accounts, the proliferation of the use of local partner ventures and the change of control impacts, customer vendor registration and approval impacts, the impact of local laws, the roll out of taxation throughout the region and the need for regulatory approval of most ownership changes being just some of the key watch points. The need for dual language documentation and legalized powers of attorney and corporate documentation can also add to timetable planning and preparations. HFI has very much appreciated to act on various acquisitions, divestments and exits over the last 12 months and we are looking forwards to the new horizons that the next quarter’s events will bring. Please contact Sally Reeves, HFI’s Client Relations Manager, to arrange a call if we can be of support with any of your Middle East ventures.

I hope this Acquisitions & Divestments in the Middle East Guidebook will be of interest to our clients and connections. If any further detailed information or advice is needed on any of the issues raised in this eGuidebook, please contact sally.reeves@hfi-consulting.com to arrange a call with me.