- 1.Has the level of M&A activity picked up slowed, and what are conditions like today? In general terms, what level of activity is foreseen for 2012?
Paraguay has remained largely unscathed by the financial and economic crisis of the last few years. This has allowed investment in the form of direct acquisitions and joint ventures (typically 50/50) to continue to flow. Considering the developing nature of its economy, M&A operations have been essentially strategic in nature, in key sectors such as banking/finance and pharmaceuticals, for example.
In this sense, we are currently seeing the development of major M&A transactions in the banking and agribusiness sectors.
Despite the country’s political challenges (2012 is an election year), we estimate that key private sector segments will continue to grow, including by acquisitions. As the country’s macroeconomic variables continue the pace of the last 10 years (single-digit inflation, fiscal responsibility, low level of foreign debt, extremely strong hard currency reserves (more than twice the amount of foreign debt), market conditions will remain positive for M&A and other forms of investment.
- 2.Which industries do you expect will see the most M&A activity in 2012?
We expect to see M&A activity, either through share or asset deals or through joint ventures, mainly in banking and agribusiness. The Paraguayan banking sector is extremely strong, profitable and efficient, and in the past few years we have seen the entrance of new heavy market players (HSBC acquiring Lloyds TSB’s branch, Banco Itaú acquiring Interbanco, Banco Regional acquiring ABN AMRO’s business, Rabo Bank taking a strategic interest in Banco Regional, etc). We expect this trend of consolidation and strategic joint ventures to continue in 2012 in this sector in particular.
Another area in which we are seeing relevant activity is in the agribusiness sector. Paraguay’s agribusiness is one of the most technologically developed and fastest growing in the world, with the top international firms having a very strong presence (ADM, Noble, Cargill, Louis Dreyfuss, etc). There are opportunities in this sector for both real estate and asset acquisitions, and we are currently seeing deals in this respect.
- 3.What types of deals do you expect to see?
Based on recent experience, we would expect to see whole takeovers and relevant stake acquisitions (30% to 70%) in the financial sector.
In the agribusiness sector we expect to see straight asset acquisitions or joint ventures. The latter are implemented through joint venture agreements combined with medium – long term financing with producers, silos, etc, on the one hand, and relevant international players (like those mentioned above) on the other.
- 4.Discuss the level of M&A activity you have seen over 2011 and expect to see in 2012.
(i) pure domestic deals;
(ii) deals in your jurisdiction involving a domestic target and foreign acquirer from Latin America, or a foreign acquirer from outside Latin America; and
(iii) deals involving a domestic acquirer and foreign target in Latin America or a foreign target outside Latin America.Due to the excellent economic situation of the country, we expect to continue seeing strong levels of investment both from local and foreign players. Regarding M&A transactions in particular, we have seen the largest acquisitions being done mainly from European jurisdictions (Spain, Netherlands) as well as from Latin America (mainly Brazil, but also Uruguay and Argentina).
Taking the precedents into consideration, we expect continued investment from companies in these jurisdictions (mainly from Brazil, but also from Spain) as acquirers. Based on our experience, the types of deals expected are whole takeovers and 50/50 joint ventures.
Outside the financial sector, local players have yet to tread more steadily in the acquisition of companies. There are purchases of foreign subsidiaries and of other local companies from time to time (share deals), but asset deals are somehow more limited in that there is a specific law with cumbersome requirements regulating transfer of going concerns.
- 5.What is the level of private equity activity? Are domestic or international funds involved? What kinds of deals are they doing?
Considering that the local capital markets are essentially debt based and the public equity offering through listings is limited mainly to preferred stock, the participation of private equity in the M&A market has so far been non-existent. Participation of international funds or private equities is done indirectly through purchases in the local market by their portfolio companies.
- 6.Is acquisition financing available for deals? For strategic buyers? For private equity buyers? From which domestic or international sources?
As acquisitions in the Paraguayan market are of a strategic nature (ie, they are very long term investments, not made with the expectation of a listing or secondary buy-out down the road in a few years), the acquirers, especially foreign ones, typically fund the acquisitions themselves or obtain financing in their own jurisdiction.
That said, again due to the extraordinary growth of the Paraguayan economy and the excellent performance and supervision of the banking/financial sector, credit for business is readily available, including to finance growth through acquisitions. In this sense, a Paraguayan institution (a local affiliate of a financial institution) has seen the first private bond offering under Rule 144 and Reg S, raising US$100 million for local investments (advised by our firm). We expect to see a lot of this type of issues going forward, signaling a new source of financing.
- 7.Do you expect more M&A activity involving financially troubled companies?
As Paraguay has largely avoided the financial crisis of the past few years, there has not been a wave of distressed M&A deals, and we expect this to continue to be the case. However, there is a special procedure for financial entities in which we have participated, and which sets the benchmark for this type of transaction, done under the supervision and mandate of the Central Bank of Paraguay. In other sectors of the economy, there is no specific regulation other than the bankruptcy law to consider; in this respect, reorganisation or bankruptcy rather than M&A are the typical alternatives for financially troubled companies.
- 8.Does your country’s bankruptcy law permit the reorganisation of the debtor as a going concern, and the acquisition of the entity out of bankruptcy?
Paraguayan bankruptcy law certainly permits the reorganisation of the debtor as a going concern, and the acquisition of the entity out of bankruptcy. This procedure is not specifically foreseen in the law, yet it is certainly an alternative that may be approved within the insolvency procedure in settlement with creditors (with the legally required minimum approvals and other legal formalities). Under Paraguayan law, there are two alternative solutions in a bankruptcy procedure. The first one is reaching a settlement between creditors and debtor, the second one is liquidation of the debtor company. This settlement would need the approval of the bankruptcy judge to be valid. The procedure would imply the restructuring of the company’s debt in bankruptcy, during the settlement process. The proposed debt restructuring would then be voted by the debtor’s creditors and approved by the bankruptcy judge.
The actual sale of the restructured company would proceed after bankruptcy has been exited and would be done within the scope of the Civil Code.
- 9.What other types of activity are resulting from the economic situation?
The Paraguayan economy has been steadily growing for the past decade within a very stable macroeconomic frame, including growth for 2010 of 16 per cent of GDP and approximately 5 per cent in 2011. This very positive environment has been a catalyst for continuous and strong investments in key sectors such as infrastructure (construction, roads, etc), banking and telecommunications. Investments in these sectors have been implemented through four main legal mechanisms: pure acquisitions of companies, both local and foreign; joint ventures; public tenders; and bank financings and foreign and local debt issues.
- 10.More generally has there been any increase in hostile takeovers and shareholder activism? What defences and responses are target companies using?
The Paraguayan capital markets are essentially focused on debt issues. The listing of stock is limited, with the exception of preferred shares. For this reason, our market does not present issues of corporate law related to hostile takeovers and shareholder activism. All transactions are private and of a voluntary nature. No one can be “squeezed out”, although there is a right for minority shareholders to be bought out in certain circumstances.
- 11.Have directors changed how they conduct themselves in M&A deals? Should directors and management be more concerned today about negative publicity, shareholder criticism, regulatory pressure and liability from potential litigation? From your experience, are directors more diligent today in their review of M&A transactions and other matters?
As foreign investment has increased in the past few years in the form of acquisitions, we have noticed a progressive sophistication in directors of mid to large sized companies in our market. This includes directors of both local and foreign entities. Directors increasingly rely on precise advice from their counsel in all steps of the acquisition process in order to ensure that they comply with their duties to their company and shareholders. This is also seen in representatives of foreign acquirers, where there is a heavy reliance on their local counsel to help them bridge the cultural gap in undertaking the transaction in our jurisdiction.
Concern today for directors lies mainly with dealing correctly with regulatory supervision in those deals where there is such a presence. As it happens, several of the main deals in the past few years have been in the banking and financial sector, a sector in which Paraguay is regulated. The Central Bank of Paraguay is a very efficient, independent, transparent and sophisticated regulator, so deals in this sector are very well scrutinised. This process implies a very active participation by directors and their advisers in explaining the transaction, its causes, justification and potential effects in the market. It is of great concern therefore for directors to avoid running foul of both law and regulation, and take great care in receiving complete explanations on what is expected of them and how they must act.
- 12.Are there major differences in how domestic and cross-border deals are being conducted? For instance, does the type of purchase agreement used in your jurisdiction differ significantly from the international style of agreement? If so, which type is being used more often?
As in other jurisdictions in the world, Paraguay has also adapted to the Anglo-Saxon transactional model, with the adaptation to the size and sophistication of transactions done locally. Share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and joint venture agreements largely follow the schemes of their Anglo-Saxon counterparts. M&A transactions with a foreign element (typically a foreign purchaser) in all events follow this international pattern of agreements. For local deals, it largely depends on the size of the transaction; transactions of a certain amount (for example US$5 million upwards) will normally involve more experienced counsel and therefore agreements which follow the international style.
That said, in our experience we have been realistic in “pruning” or adapting the international agreements to correctly address the business reality of our economy and market (“tropicalization”). There is no virtue in necessarily maintaining language and stipulations which are not of application or relevance locally.
- 13.For international buyers and investors looking at deals in your jurisdiction, what are the three most important pieces of advice you have and what are the pitfalls that should be avoided?
The first and main piece of advice that we would give to a foreign investor in Paraguay would be to retain trustworthy and reliable local counsel which meets the following two requirements: strong international track record; and very strong local base and presence. A local firm should provide the foreign investor with the comfort and ease to bridge the cultural gap, provide sophisticated advice and navigate the local scene successfully. The flip side of this coin is omitting the necessary research to select adequate counsel. The wrong type of counsel can in the best case fail to grasp the expectations of the foreign investor and in the worst case cause material and reputational damage to the investor.
The second piece of advice would be to negotiate and obtain arbitration as a means of dispute resolution. Paraguay is party to several treaties which recognise arbitration as a valid and binding dispute resolution method, duly approved and incorporated into our legal system, including intra-Mercosur treaties). Additionally, the arbitration forum need not necessarily be international; local arbitration is quite satisfactory. This is in order to avoid, if it comes to litigation, the local courts, dealing with which can be a very unpredictable and time consuming exercise.
The last piece of advice concerns the country itself. Paraguay is a country with excellent opportunities for investments through M&A and other forms. We recommend foreign investors to approach with an understanding of the extraordinary growth opportunities in a market where the private sector matches the level of preparation and effort of developed markets and where the public sector is making serious efforts in making the economy and local markets attractive to the world. We believe that there is a great business environment in a market where there is reasonably inexpensive, young and prepared labour force, a very low tax pressure (10 per cent on average as a maximum) and a very strong and well regulated financial/banking system which provides credit, combined with access to local and foreign capital debt markets. Finally, it should also be noted that Paraguay is party to several investment protection treaties, both by itself and as a member of Mercosur (including with Germany, Belgium,Spain, Great Britain,France, Netherlands, Corea, the US, Portugal, Netherlands, among others, and of course with most Latin American jurisdictions).
- 14.Have there been changes in the process for how M&A transactions are conducted in your jurisdiction?
Yes, there have been changes in the way transactions are conducted. International-style agreements have been incorporated for M&A deals of relevance. The expectation and demands from foreign investors, along with the foreign training in universities and international firms of local lawyers (and their subsequent return to our jurisdiction) have caused a shift in the way deals are conducted. In the end, grasping the nature of a deal, of the business involved, negotiating, drafting and closing documents, will depend a lot on the skills of the lawyers involved; however, there is a new crop of lawyers who understand the demands and expectations of foreign investors and international counsel. This has resulted in M&A transactions (as well as financing and capital markets transactions) having a reasonable and predictable element to the foreign eye.
- 15.Have there been any significant developments in the regulatory area – your country’s security exchange commission, antitrust regulators, etc?
An antitrust bill is currently under study in Congress. Although all political and economic actors in general support the bill, there may be debate and eventual delays in its approval this year. This bill is expected to be approved either this year or the next.
- 16.Describe recent and forthcoming regulatory developments that affect M&A, whether involving the securities and markets regulator, competition agency or other regulatory agencies that review deals?
Paraguay does not have a central body which regulates fairness in the markets at present. An antitrust regulation continues to be under study in Congress and would be expected to pass in the near future, although the vicissitudes of political life preclude us from providing an estimate of the enactment of this statute.
Currently, deals fall under regulatory review depending on the business sector where the deal takes place. Areas such as banking, telecommunications, infrastructure and capital markets have an essential regulatory component and deals in each of these areas are subject to review by the corresponding regulatory authority. The banking and securities regulators are in particular highly competent and sophisticated, operating with high levels of independence and transparency. They are constantly innovating and normally remain ahead of the curve in their areas.
© Law Business Research Ltd 1998-2012. All rights reserved.
Company No.: 03281866
IMPORTANT: Please read our Terms & conditions.
W11 1QQ, UK
