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International Corporate / M&A – Jordan

posted 4 weeks ago

Our fully equipped Corporate Department handles everything from M&A to liquidation, business deals, negotiations, contracts, trademarks, loans and banking and finance.

At Abdullah & Partners, we handle corporate and M&A work with a focus on precision and clarity. We are not just lawyers; we are strategic partners who make complex deals feel straightforward. We do this by equipping ourselves with a business approach, paired with our legal knowledge. We stand out by understanding our clients’ business deeply, tailoring each piece of advice to help you not only close a deal but position yourself for long-term success.

We focus on practical risk management to protect your investment and always prioritise transparency, giving you advice that’s direct, specific and grounded in the reality of your industry.

In short: we’re here to ensure each transaction is smooth, smart and strategically sound.

Jordan’s corporate legislation offers a robust framework aimed at ensuring transparency, governance and accountability within its corporate sector. Key aspects are governed by the Companies Law of 1997. Jordan has made strides in aligning with international corporate governance standards, particularly in shareholder rights and board responsibilities, but its regulatory framework remains distinct from neighbouring Middle Eastern jurisdictions in several ways.

In comparing Jordan’s legislation to that of neighbouring countries, we can briefly go over a few examples, as the question itself is broad and general in nature. Nonetheless, firstly, Jordan’s Companies Law and Corporate Governance Code specify a one-tier board structure, differing from some Middle Eastern countries that allow or mandate a two-tier system (especially in financial sectors). Secondly, Jordan’s legislation is relatively liberal concerning foreign investment compared to some Middle Eastern countries. It encourages foreign ownership by allowing up to 100% ownership in specific sectors, whereas some neighbouring jurisdictions enforce stricter limits on foreign shares in domestic businesses. Lastly, Jordan’s requirements for smaller businesses and SMEs are more lenient than those in Gulf countries, which tend to have stricter compliance and reporting regulations, regardless of company size.

Inflation in Jordan has risen due to global supply chain issues, increasing costs of raw materials and a higher dependency on imports. As a result, financing costs are higher, making M&A funding through debt more expensive. For Jordanian companies, this means focusing on deals that add clear strategic value or consolidating within sectors where costs can be shared or optimised.

As for supply chain issues, like many countries in the region, Jordan’s import-reliant economy has been affected by supply chain disruptions, impacting local manufacturing and retail sectors. Companies in Jordan have shown increased interest in acquiring local suppliers to reduce dependency on imported goods, a trend seen in several recent acquisitions within the food and consumer goods sectors.

Regarding energy pricing issues, as Jordan imports most of its energy, high global energy prices have impacted production costs, especially in manufacturing. In response, some manufacturing firms are exploring mergers with renewable energy providers to stabilise costs, making energy-sector partnerships an increasingly attractive aspect of Jordanian M&A.

The sectors with the most activity currently are data analysis and digital marketing. These sectors continue to flourish and do not experience periods with no activity as a result of the political landscapes. These sectors are the least risky in terms of any external circumstances that might affect Jordan. In addition, it is wise to mention that companies that require immense call centre operators are also experiencing vast growth as a result of market needs and customer support solutions. As such, not only are the data analysis and digital marketing sectors experiencing the most activity as the result of stability, but also as a result of the ever-changing market landscapes taking place in Jordan’s economy. The growing need for tech and the emphasis on a professional fully equipped call centre is growing and increasing.

Recently, our firm has worked with a mostly balanced mix of large firms and companies and SMEs, and we adapt our approach based on each client’s specific needs and the overall market conditions for each of their sectors.

Regarding larger firms, they are more likely to undertake significant or monumental corporate changes or cross-border mergers, and we have found that larger firms, even through external market hardships, are continuously expanding and are in constant need of legal support.

Regarding SMEs, through our observations, we find that Jordan is currently experiencing a significant rise in SMEs, particularly in tech and renewable energy – due to such factors as market demand and the current political landscape. As such, this development has led to an increased demand for specialised legal support, and emerging businesses are seeking legal services for company formation, IP, regulatory compliance, etc. Moreover, SMEs with foreign partnerships are increasingly requiring cross-border legal advice, especially in joint ventures or contractual agreements internationally.

At Abdullah & Partners, we recognise the importance of guiding entrepreneurs and investors with their business operations in Jordan. Please find some examples below:

Crucially, we have comprehensive consultations with entrepreneurs aiming to understand their plan. We then provide them with the most suitable entity types, such as LLCs, corporations or foreign companies, whether operating or non-operating. Furthermore, we discuss various other factors, including liability protection, taxation, growth, etc. Subsequently, this is all discussed while ensuring compliance with local regulations under the Jordanian Companies Law and other relevant legislation.

Meanwhile, we strongly emphasise the significance of well-drafted contracts, whether they are for employees, business deals, suppliers or various other purposes. Another area that is mostly deployed in the tech sector, securing IP, is critical – and so we assist our clients in navigating Jordan’s IP framework. We obtain trademarks, patents and copyrights, aiming to continuously ensure that our clients are fully protected.

A further vital aspect that entrepreneurs require is financial management and tax compliance. We guide them in structuring and managing their finances. More importantly, we assist them with tax compliance, as Jordanian tax law contains various benefits and restrictions, wholly dependent on the details of the business. Therefore, we assist businesses in remaining compliant to avoid facing penalties, and we provide them with benefits that they are eligible to receive based on their specific circumstances.

In terms of assisting international companies with their corporate legal matters in Jordan, we provide a comprehensive advisory scope that incorporates global perspectives. Abdullah & Partners offers legal counsel grounded in Jordanian that aligns with international practices and standards, contingent on which country a specific client is incorporated or based in. Our combined local and international legal approach aims to provide our clients with a smooth and straightforward process.

Our firm makes sure to actively participate in international legal networks. We recognise the importance of securing memberships in legal networks, and we find that this keeps us connected to trusted law firms across the globe. We especially enjoy referral systems, as they present various opportunities for our business – and we welcome the opportunity to assist potential clients everywhere. We also delight in participating in international conferences, as they provide us with a chance to converse with our peers across diverse sectors and industries. Our firm also has an established system for staying up to date with worldwide legal developments – specifically international trade, maritime laws and investment regulations, among others – which equips us with the necessary knowledge before any operations are impacted.

Main Guide

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