Expertise
Alan advises Qatari and international lenders – both conventional and Islamic – in respect of mid to high end financings (US$50mm to USD1bn) specialising in financing for hotel developments, infrastructure projects and real estate construction both in Qatar and in the GCC more generally.
First arrived in Qatar in June 2006, working with the then premier local law firm The Law Offices of Gebran Majdalany, prior to returning to the UK to complete a two-year training contract with CMS. After spending six months with White & Case's energy, infrastructure, project and asset finance practice in London, Alan moved back to Doha to join White & Case's new Qatar office in late 2010, working on the Qatargas "mega projects" (QG2, QG3, QG4, Qatalum and Barzan).
After 18 months working out of the Riyadh office, mainly on Saudi Aramco matters, joined Addleshaw Goddard's banking practice in Doha, developing a particularly strong relationship with the region's strongest lender, Qatar National Bank alongside various other prominent Qatari banks and corporates.
- Experience
- Advising the Global Facility Agent on a QAR4.5 billion fully syndicated, combined Islamic and conventional financing to a development company sponsored by various Qatar-based corporates and ultra-high net worth individuals. The financing is being used to develop a high-end retail mall and leisure space in the new Lusail City and represents one of the largest projects of its kind ever seen in Qatar
- Representing a conventional Qatari bank in respect of a QAR1.875 billion term loan financing to a Qatari real estate development company secured and guaranteed by personal and corporate sponsors for the purpose of the construction of four hotels in downtown Doha, Qatar
- Advising a conventional Qatari lender in respect of a QAR 2.5 billion financing for the development of a 1 million m² multi-use development, including waterpark, resort hotel, restaurants, retail development, theme park and amenities in anticipation of use both during the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar and beyond
- Advising the Islamic division of a UAE lender in respect of its bespoke US$260 million Islamic working capital and term facility financing for a state oil company. This involved a full suite of Islamic working capital facilities (including wakala, ijara and LC murabaha facilities) together with a term loan murabaha – all under a single common terms agreement
- Advising an international sponsor-backed UAE-incorporated SPV borrower in respect of an AED 170 million acquisition finance arrangement involving the purchase of two UAE schools by means of two parallel ijara financing structures.
