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Countries around the globe are facing unprecedented and rapid change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This guide provides a summary of key government intervention measures across 15 EMEA jurisdictions in relation to: Foreign Investment Restrictions, Debt, Taxation and EU State Aid Approvals (where applicable).

Foreign Investment Restrictions: Businesses and investors must carefully consider foreign investment review risks at this highly sensitive and volatile time. Taking the time to understand the rules, which are changing day after day, and identify a regulatory strategy, including appropriate messaging and communication with the relevant governmental authorities, and the consequential impact on deal documentation.

Debt: In response to COVID-19, governments have announced various measures to support companies’ debt arrangements including deferred payments, guaranteed credit facilities, and government-backed loans.

Taxation: Similarly, governments have announced new taxation measures to support businesses including deferral of payments, expedited customs clearance and suspension of interest on tax payments.

EU State Aid Approvals: Due to the rapid impact on EU Member States’ economies directly resulting from COVID-19, the EU Commission has taken measures (the ‘Temporary Framework’), explained in this guide, which permit fast-track COVID-19 State aid approvals in certain areas including State guarantees for loans.

The situation is evolving and so too are government responses. We are continuing to review the situations across multiple jurisdictions. This guide is intended to provide an overview of certain key measures in specific countries in EMEA. Please note the date at the beginning of each country section when reading the guidance and please note the high level overviews in this document is not intended to be comprehensive legal advice.

Download the guide here.

Author

Koen Vanhaerents is a partner in corporate finance in the Brussels office. Koen joined Baker McKenzie in 1987. He advises Belgian and foreign clients on a wide range of corporate finance operations (both public and private) and complex corporate law issues. He is closely involved in numerous operations and take-overs on the Belgian capital markets, private equity transactions and mergers and acquisitions. From October 2009 to October 2014, Koen was a member of the Executive Committee of Baker McKenzie and Chairman of the EMEA Region of the Firm. From October 2014 to July 2020, he was Head of Global Capital Markets. “Koen Vanhaerents is regarded by commentators as “one of the leading M&A lawyers in Belgium” (Chambers), “In negotiations, he is excellent when assessing complex situations and helping to set the strategy”, “Looking for high-level, sensitive board-level advice, Koen is on my shortlist.”

Author

Samantha Mobley is a senior partner in the Competition, Trade & Foreign Investment Practice of Baker & McKenzie's London office and a member of the London office Management Committee. She is a former chair of Baker McKenzie's Global Antitrust and Competition Group, a team of over 300 competition and antitrust specialists worldwide. Samantha is a member of Baker McKenzie's India Steering Committee.

Author