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Robin Balmer

Languages

English

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Robin has been working on financing transactions within the Middle East since 2004 and has a particular focus on project finance, asset finance, trade finance, property finance and Shariah compliant transactions. Robin's transactions are primarily asset related involving ships, aircraft and project assets or complex structured transactions. Robin has extensive experience of working on financing transactions within Saudi Arabia.

Robin is recognised in the Chambers Global Directory 2023, which states that he "has established an impressive practice advising on finance transactions in Saudi Arabia," and is declared by clients to be "exceptional". One client remarked, "He came across as extremely knowledgeable in the areas of project finance/Shari'a compliance and law. He was available at very short notice… and was able to quickly negotiate a number of outstanding points."

Awards & Recognitions

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“He advises clients on a full range of financial instruments, including Shari'a-compliant asset and project finance. He splits his time between Dubai and Riyadh.”

Chambers Global 2024
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“He represents major domestic and international banks and also assists local organisations with their financing requirements.”

Chambers Global 2024
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"He is well recognised and respected."

Chambers Global 2024
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"He is very knowledgeable on Islamic structuring."

Chambers Global 2024
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“He has established an impressive practice advising on finance transactions in Saudi Arabia”

Chambers Global 2023
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“He came across as extremely knowledgeable in the areas of project finance/Shari'a compliance and law. He was available at very short notice… and was able to quickly negotiate a number of outstanding points”

Chambers Global 2023

Relevant experience

Lenders on the financing for the approximately US$941 million financing of the Fujairah F3 Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Lender’s counsel on the Shuaibah- 3 Second Water Expansion Project comprising the construction and operation of a 25,000m3/day seawater desalination expansion to an existing independent power and water producer (IWPP) plant near Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Tanajib residential compound and industrial facilities – advising the lenders to El Seif Group in relation to the financing, development, construction, ownership, operation, maintenance, insurance and transfer of a residential compound and industrial facilities for Aramco.
Al Rajhi Bank and Alinma Bank in relation to the SAR6 billion multi tranche syndicated murabaha facilities of the Clock Towers hotel, and retail real estate development in Makkah.
A syndicate of banks in Saudi Arabia including Al Rajhi Bank, Bank AlJazira, Bank Al Bilad, The National Commercial Bank, The Saudi British Bank and Saudi Hollandi Bank in relation to a SAR5 billion multi-tranche financing based on wakala and procurement structures with integrated forward lease (ijara) financing components for a mixed use hotel, retail and residential construction project at Jabal Omar in Makkah.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank on an Ijara based financing to Amedeo Limited (Amedeo), a global leading Aircraft Lessor and Asset Manager, in respect of the long-term B777-300ER lease to Emirates, on behalf of Perilune Aviation.
Standard Chartered Bank as agent for a syndicate of financiers including Standard Chartered Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Bank Al Bilad and Arab National Bank in relation to the murabaha financing of 5 new build VLCCs for The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri).
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ on a US$125 million murabaha refinancing of two VLCCs and Standard Chartered Bank as lead arranger on a US$350 million murabaha financing of five new build VLCCs.
The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) on the MENA region’s first Islamic facility for voluntary carbon offsets.
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, HSBC Saudi Arabia and 10 other financial institutions, as mandated lead arrangers, on a US$1.1bn, sustainability-linked, dual-tranche murabaha financing to Ahli United Bank in Bahrain.

Education

2002 Oxford Institute of Legal Practice City LPC
2001 Northumbria University CPE
2000 St. Andrews University History M.A. (Hons) 2:1

Practice Areas

Banking & Finance Islamic Finance

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