The firm is heavily involved in advisory services related to the Kingdom's impressive privatization program spanning different utilities, sectors and services. Our team acts for both the government and private sector bidders in structuring and implementing privatization transactions ranging from the sale of government shares to more complex concessions, including Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Build-Own-Operate (BOO) arrangements.

The firm has extensive experience with water, transportation and energy and electricity privatization projects. Some of our recent work includes advising the Aqaba Development Corporation on the multimillion Aqaba Port relocation project, advising an international consortium on the BOT bid for the expansion of the Queen Alia Airport, advising the Ministry of Transport on the BOT bid for the Amman Zarqa Light Railway and the privatization of the Aqaba Railway. The firm has also advised on the framework of private sector participation in the water and wastewater sector in Amman and Aqaba, and has been involved in several small privatization initiatives related to the Aqaba Container Terminal, public transport companies, and auxiliary aviation services.

The firm services in privatization projects include:

• Energy and Electricity:

  The firm has been closely involved with the major regulatory and transactional developments in the privatization of the energy and electricity sectors in Jordan. For example, IBLAW represented major lending institutions in the establishment of Jordan's first independent power plant and is currently working on the fourth plant to be constructed in the coming year. IBLAW has also advised on restructuring the regulatory framework in Jordan and the Palestinian National Authority on the establishment of a pioneering fund for alternative energy solutions.

• Transportation:

  IBLAW has been heavily involved in all major privatization transactions related to Jordan's ports, airports and railways. This includes the privatization of the Aqaba Container Terminal management and operations as well as the multi-million project to relocate the Aqaba Port. We have also represented an international consortium in the bid for the expansion of the Queen Alia International Airport and advised the Aqaba Development Corporation on the framework for the commercialization of services at the King Hussein Airport in Aqaba. IBLAW is currently working with CPCS in advising the Government of Jordan on the establishment of a national railway network.

• Water:

  IBLAW has advised and helped set up the framework for private sector participation in water and wastewater management in Jordan. Our work includes conducting comprehensive legal studies for private sector participation in the Jordanian water sector. We have also advised the Ministry of Water and Irrigation/ Water Authority on legal barriers and opportunities for various models of private sector participation in the water sector and wastewater treatment in Jordan such as the Wadi Mousa Water and Wastewater Project. As with other sectors, IBLAW has worked on behalf of the private and public sectors including the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and international clients in several privatization bids.