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Saudi Arabia: Transformation of the Kingdom
Welcome to the Saudi Arabia focus edition of Law Update.
One of the key markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that continues to lead from the front is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). As the largest country in the Middle East and the 18th largest economy in the world, the progress KSA continues to make is underpinned by its Vision 2030 that envisions developing the country as an investment powerhouse and hub that ultimately connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. Given Saudi Arabia’s significance to the regional economy, our team of experts have prepared a range of pertinent articles that provide insights into new laws, regulations, and the legal landscape in the Kingdom.
This edition will provide you with an up-to-date guide on matters such as; the framework issued by the Saudi Central Bank on IT governance, the anti-corruption landscape under Vision 2030; we also provide practical tips for dispute avoidance. This is only a snapshot; there are many more articles within the KSA focus section for you to read, which we hope you will find valuable and enjoyable.
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A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Biography
Willem is a Consultant in the Corporate Commercial group and has over 15 years of transactional and commercial advisory experience. He has practiced in the UAE for over 12 years and is ranked in Who’s Who Legal for his franchising experience. He regularly acts for local and international blue chip clients, both listed and unlisted, on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious corporate and commercial matters.
Willem’s areas of expertise are commercial and business advisory, franchising, distribution/agency arrangements, consultancy arrangements, introduction and commission arrangements, warehousing and logistics arrangements, terms and conditions of procurement and sale, manufacturing and supply arrangements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements as well as multi-sector services arrangements.
Willem’s particular strength is his ability to negotiate and draft complex commercial and transactional agreements, including full suite franchise agreements, and providing pragmatic and strategic advice on all matters related to direct and indirect corporate expansion into the UAE, in general, and the Emirate of Dubai, in particular.
Recent Experience
- Leading a team advising Richemont on a broad range of commercial matters, including franchise and agency arrangements, in the UAE.
- Lead counsel advising Burberry on a range of commercial matters in the UAE and GCC.
- Lead counsel advising Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group on a broad range of commercial matters, including service and dealership arrangements, in the UAE and GCC.
- Leading a team advising German Automotive Multinational on dealership agreements in the UAE and GCC.
- Advising a US Multinational Toy Company on a range of commercial arrangements, including distribution arrangements, in the UAE.
- Advising a UK Automotive Multinational on a range of commercial agreements, including service and dealership agreements, in the UAE and across the GCC.
- Lead counsel advising Beiersdorf on a range of commercial agreements including logistics services agreements with a regional logistics provider.
- Leading a team advising UAE headquartered F&B Conglomerate on a broad range of commercial matters, including franchise arrangements, in the UAE and GCC.
- Advising Ford Motor Company on various commercial issues, including franchise arrangements, in the UAE.
- Leading a team advising a Hong Kong Multinational Retail Conglomerate on an area development franchise arrangement across the GCC.
Language(s)
- Afrikaans
- English
Education
2005 – LLB Bachelor of Law Degree, University of South Africa
1996 – B.Com (Law) Bachelor of Commerce Degree, University of Stellenbosch
Admission
2005 – Member of the Law Society of the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Town Bar
Practice(s)
Sector(s)
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