Clifford Chance has advised Hong Leong Bank (HLB), Malaysia’s fourth-largest bank by assets Hong Leong Bank is the fourth-largest bank in Malaysia by assets on the establishment of a $1.5 billion Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme, apart from the initial drawdown of US$300 million.

Hogan Lovells has entered Indonesia following a tie-up with local law firm Hermawan Juniarto, as it seeks to tap into legal work generated by multibillion dollar projects in the country’s mining, natural resources, and oil and gas sectors.

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has promoted Marius Toime to finance partner at its Singapore office, as part of a total of 10 promotions worldwide.

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff Co has advised MS&AD Insurance Group, Japan’s largest property casualty insurer by revenue, on its $530 million purchase of New York Life Insurance’s 26 percent stake in the latter’s India JV, the second-largest FDI in India’s insurance sector.

Cleveland-headquartered international firm Squire Sanders has opened an office in Singapore, comprising of partner Ignatius Hwang and three other lawyers.

Hogan Lovells, which claims to be the first global law firm in Mongolia, has relocated corporate partner Chris Melville from its London office to Ulaanbaatar to cater to the rapidly developing economy in that country.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has hired two partners, Gavin MacLaren from Allens Arthur Robinson and Mark Plenderleith from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, as part of efforts to beef up its energy and natural resources practice in the region.

As Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, Indonesia is attracting the attention of global investors because of its young, fast-growing middle class and its abundant natural resources. Therefore, it’s no surprise that PE houses are lining up to raise funds targeting the country. But the immense potential of Indonesia also brings with it a host of risks, including longer deal timelines that investors are used to, complex tax regimes and restrictions on exit options, a lack of trustworthy partners, and rules that seem to be written in water. Mitigating some of the risks is crucial to success, writes Ranajit Dam

Allen & Gledhill is acting for casino operator Genting Singapore on its planned second issue of perpetual securities worth about $397 million, which the company says it could use to expand into Japan and South Korea.

Drew & Napier has appointed experienced lawyer Geraldine Ong, most recently a consultant with KhattarWong, as the new head of its real estate practice.