Against the backdrop of continued business and societal disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, M&A activity in the Middle East still showcased some stability in the first quarter of 2020, increasing in value by over USD 5 billion and in volume by 6 additional deals in comparison to Q4 2019, according to the latest report by global law firm Baker McKenzie*. “It is evident that the current global situation has caused a slow down…
On 06/8/1441H (corresponding to 30 March 2020), the General Authority for Competition (the Authority) issued the anticipated Merger Control Guidelines (the Guidelines) that aim to provide some clarification and interpretative guidance on merger control related provisions of the Competition Law issued by Royal Decree no. M/75 dated 29/6/1440H (corresponding to 6 March 2019 (the Competition Law) and its Implementing Regulations issued by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Authority on 25/1/1441H (corresponding…
Over the last few days, there have been a number of significant developments in Saudi Arabia that the government is instituting to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the private sector. These are in addition to the general government initiatives to assist small and medium sized enterprises that we previously reported on 22 March 2020, and the seven Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) initiatives for all private sector entities, including lifting the…
The Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition issued the anticipated Implementing Regulations to the new Competition Law issued by Royal Decree no. M/75 dated 29/6/1440H (corresponding to 6 March 2019). The New Law and the New Implementing Regulations became effective on 24 September 2019.