Myanmar law firm VDB Loi acting as local counsel for Ooredoo on multi-billion telecom project

Ooredoo (formerly Qatar Telecom or Qtel), was selected by the Myanmar Government as one of only two foreign telecom operators.  They in turn selected VDB Loi’s Myanmar team as one of its external legal advisers to  assist on the project. Partners Edwin Vanderbruggen and Jean Loi, both living in Yangon, lead that engagement which includes assisting Ooredoo and its other external advisers on the investment licensing process, incorporation, and the local law and tax aspects of the roll-out of the nationwide telecom infrastructure.

Edwin Vanderbruggen commented,  “This is one of the largest investment projects in the history of the country, and we are excited to be part of the team to support Ooredoo. Assisting with a launch of this size in one of Southeast Asia’s largest nations, is a challenging but unique experience. ”

Jean Loi noted,  “It is a massive team effort where the licensing, legal, and tax aspects of the project need to mesh perfectly with the operational requirements”.

Ooredoo is one of the world’s leading telecoms groups, at this time working in 14 countries across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

VDB Loi has acted on a number of major projects in Myanmar in recent months, including advising the Japanese Government on its joint venture with the Myanmar Government for the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, providing advice to the Korean Government on the construction of the Yangon International Airport, and the licensing of the first western-owned power plant in Myanmar. VDB Loi also advises several of the “Supermajors” on their oil and gas interests in Myanmar.  The law firm moved into additional premises in the CentrePoint Towers in Yangon in August 2013, boosting its team to 25 lawyers and advisors.