Chia Kim Huat is the Regional Head of Rajah & Tann Singapore’s Corporate and Transactional Group.
Kim Huat has extensive experience in capital market, public and private mergers and acquisitions, cross-border joint ventures and private equity investments, both in Singapore and the region.
He travels regularly in the Asia-Pacific region advising clients on a wide range of matters, including direct investments and infrastructure projects in China, major acquisitions in Korea, joint ventures in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan and cross-border mergers and acquisitions transactions.
Kim Huat also advises foreign investors on their investments in Singapore, including listings on the Singapore Exchange, privatisations, secondary and dual listings.
He has been highly recommended as a leading lawyer by numerous leading legal directories. Notably, he is recognised as an Eminent Practitioner by Chambers Global, a Foreign Expert in China by Chambers Asia-Pacific, a Leading Individual by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Highly Regarded by IFLR1000, and an Elite Practitioner by asialaw Profiles for Capital Markets.
He is also named as a Global Leader by Who’s Who Legal for M&A, Capital Markets – Debt & Equity, Corporate Governance and Hospitality.
EXPERIENCE
Corporate Finance
- Acted for China Jinjiang Environment Holding Company Limited in its initial public offering and listing on the Mainboard of the SGX-ST, with a market capitalisation of S$1.08 billion at listing.
- Acted for OSIM International Ltd in a voluntary unconditional cash offer in connection with the privatisation and voluntary delisting of OSIM from the Mainboard of the SGX-ST. Based on the offer price of S$1.39 per share, the group was valued at approximately S$1.03 billion.
- Acted for Pteris Global Limited in the voluntary general offer by China International Marine Containers, valuing Pteris Global Limited at S$327.6 million.
- Acted for Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited in the acquisition of shares in Nera Telecommunications Limited pursuant to a privatisation and delisting scheme of arrangement.
- Acted for the Spice Group in connection with a corporate restructuring exercise.
- Acted for C&P Holdings and CWT Limited in the listing of Cambridge Industrial Trust with a market capital of approximately S$140 million.
- Acted for C&P Holdings and CWT Limited in the listing of Cache Logistics Trust with a market capital of approximately S$417 million.
- Acted for China Gaoxian Fibre Fabric Holding Ltd in its listing on SGX-ST with a market capital of approximately S$375 million.
- Acted for China Minzhong Food Corporation Limited in its listing on SGX-ST with a market capital of approximately S$650 million.
- Acted for C&P Holdings in the acquisition of controlling stake in CWT Limited value at approximately S$46 million.
- Acted for STX Pan Ocean in the dual listing of their shares in Korea.
- Acted for Sinochem International in the partial offer for 51% shares in GMG Global Limited value at approximately S$100 million.
- Acted for companies listed on the mainboard of Singapore Exchange in the acquisition and listing of Chinese assets and businesses, including state-owned assets.
- Acted for controlling shareholders in the privatisation of Pakara Technology Limited.
- Acted for controlling shareholder in the privatisation of Midsouth Holdings Limited valued at approximately S$70 million.
- Acted for a Chinese private investor in the reverse takeover of a SESDAQ-listed company.
- Acted for an investor in the subscription of US$25 million preference shares exchangeable for listed shares in a Chinese holding company.
- Acted for an investor in the subscription of US$15 million preference shares issued by a Chinese holding company.
- Acted for the majority shareholders in the disposal controlling stakes in Richland Group Limited valued at approximately S$13 million.
- Acted for the foreign investors in the listing of Chinese businesses and assets, including application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
- Acted for the offeror in the voluntary delisting from SGX and its compulsory acquisition of remaining shares valued at approximately S$66 million.
- Acted for Hyflux in the privatisation of Hyflux Water Trust.
- Acted as Singapore Counsel for the listing of Sateri Holdings Limited on Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- Acted for China Gaoxian in its dual listing on the Korean Stock Exchange.
- Acted for an established institutional investor and a pension fund in acquiring an aggregate 55% interest in an offshore purpose vehicle involved in CapitaLand Limited’s second Raffles City integrated development in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for Asia Water Technology in a debt restructuring and settlement of non-payment bond of US$29.5 million owing by Asia Water Technology Ltd.
- Acted for GMG Global in the S$100 million fully-underwritten renounceable rights issue of GMG Global Limited.
- Acted for Richland Group (now known as Ramba Energy Limited) on the disposal of their controlling stake to Indonesian parties for S$30 million.
- Acted for China Aviation Oil in its US$130 million equity restructuring exercise.
- Acted for China Minzhong Food Corporation Limited in relation to the mandatory conditional cash offer by UOB Kay Hian Private Limited, for and on behalf of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk valued at S$734.1 million.
- Acted for Fortis Healthcare Limited (as sponsor) and Religare Health Trust Trustee Manager Pte. Ltd. (as trustee-manager) on the S$709.3 million listing of Religare Health Trust on the Main Board of the SGX-ST, the first business trust comprising healthcare assets in India.
- Acted for China Minzhong Food Corporation Limited in relation to the S$89.67 million subscription by PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, a company listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange.
- Acted for SGX Main Board-listed Grand Banks Yachts Limited in its 1 for 2 renounceable non-underwritten rights issue of shares to raise S$12.3 million.
- Acted for PT Sugih Energy Tbk in its pre-conditional partial offer to acquire 51% of the total issued share capital of Ramba Energy Limited.
- Acted for Pteris Global Limited in the voluntary general offer by China International Marine Containers, valuing Pteris Global Limited at S$327.6 million.
Entertainment / Hospitality
- Acted for Raffles Hotel Group in the set-up of Raffles Beijing, Raffles Tianjing and hotel projects in Beijing, Tianjin and Sanya, China.
- Acted for Capella Hotel Group in hotel projects in Nanjing, Anhui & Hainan, China.
- Acted for Solis Hotel Group in hotel projects in Jiangsu, Xuzhou, Shenzhen & Suzhou, China.
- Acted for Fairmont Hotel Group in hotel projects in Beijing, Chengdu, Sanya, Nanjing, Taiyuan, Suzhou and Wuxi, China.
- Acted for Swissotel Hotel Group in hotel projects in Chengdu and Changsha, China.
- Acted for Oakwood Asia in serviced apartment projects in Beijing, Tianjin, Wuxi, Suzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Yangzhou, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in the development of entertainment complexes in Suzhou, Kunming, Yangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai, Wuhan & Dalian, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in the operation of service apartments in Japan.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in an underwater world project in Nanjing, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in the development of race circuits and golf course in Zhuhai, China.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in the acquisition of media business in China.
- Acted for an Indonesian investor in the acquisition of retail business in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for a foreign investor in the acquisition of service apartments in Chengdu, China.
- Acted for Patina Hotel & Resort Group in its flagship hotel project in Singapore.
- Acted for Patina Hotel & Resort Group in Liaoning Province, China.
- Acted for Patina Hotel & Resort Group in drafting its hotel agreements templates.
Real Estate
- Acted for an international consortium in connection with the construction, development, management and operation of a 70 square kilometers industrial township in Suzhou, China.
- Acted for various developers in real estate developments in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuhan and Tianjin, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in acquisition of major office buildings in Korea.
- Acted for the foreign investors in a real estate investment in Japan.
- Acted for the foreign investors in the sale and purchase of residential properties in China.
- Acted for the Singapore investors in the leasing of office and commercial properties in China.
- Advised in the leasing of office and commercial properties in Korea.
- Acting for a foreign investor in acquisition of development land in China.
- Acted for a foreign investor in the leasing of industrial land in China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in large-scale local housing projects in Shanghai Puxi and Pudong, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in the development of service apartments in Beijing and Tianjin, China.
- Acted for the Singapore investors in the purchase of an office building in Korea.
- Acted for the foreign funds in acquisition of Chinese malls for a consideration of approximately S$760 million.
- Acted for a Singapore consortium in the en-block purchase of Singapore properties.
- Acted for several REITS and companies in the sale and leaseback of Singapore properties.
- Acted for the Singapore investors in the acquisition of industrial properties portfolio in Singapore.
- Acted for the investors in the development of Raffles city integrated development in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for the Singapore investors in the acquisition of real property in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for Beijing Capital Land Ltd in an acquisition of Beijing Residential Properties and Commercial Facilities at an aggregate purchase consideration at CNY 536 million.
Banking / Bonds / Funds
- Acted for China Jinjiang Environment Holding Company Limited in a US$200 million senior notes issuance
- Acted for a lender in a US$150 million term loan facilities.
- Acted for one of the sponsors in a US$180 million project finance in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for one of the originators in a US$100 million assets securitisation MTN programme.
- Acted for the investors in a US$1 billion China retail property fund.
- Acted for a lender in a HK$600 million project finance in Hong Kong.
- Acted for a Chinese borrower in a CNY 250 million facility in China.
- Acted for a lender in a $332 billion Korean Won loan facility in Korea.
- Acted for the offeror in the financing for takeover of public-listed company in Singapore.
- Acted for lenders in a US$150 million structured finance transaction to Korean conglomerate.
- Acted for a lender in a CNY 178 million revolving credit facilities.
- Acted for a lender in a US$30 million term loan facilities.
- Acted for a lender in a CNY 200 million term loan facilities.
- Acted for a lender in a US$38 million project finance in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for a borrower in a US$90 million term loan facilities.
- Acted for a borrower in a US$30 million dual currency facility.
- Acted for a borrower in a US$51 million term loan facility and CNY 280 million facility in China.
- Acted for a lender in a US$20 million and CNY 10 million revolving credit facilities in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for the lenders in the restructuring of a US$25 million loan facility in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for the lender in a US$30 million end-purchase finance in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for a lender in a US$25 million loan restructuring in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for a lender in a US$50 million working capital loan in Hong Kong.
- Acted for a financier in a S$100 million receivables financing.
- Acted for one of the sponsors in a US$50 million loan in Shanghai, China.
- Advised the issuer in a JPY 550 million bond issue in Korea.
- Acted for a Singapore borrower in a US$100 million facility to finance purchase of mezzanine debt.
- Advised a foreign investor on an asset-backed securitisation structure in Korea.
- Advised a foreign party on the provision of loans and securities by Thai entities.
- Acted for an investor in the subscription of a US$15 million listed Euro convertible bonds issued by Taiwan-listed company.
- Acted for an investor in the subscription of a US$25 million listed Euro convertible bonds issued by Taiwan-listed company.
- Acted for the sponsors in the setting up of a US$600 million property fund.
- Acted for an arranger in a US$60 million convertible bond to a Singapore-listed company.
- Acted for an Indonesian borrower in a US$65 million structured finance for investing in palm oil.
- Acted for an investor in a US$25 million convertible bond by a Taiwan company.
- Acted for China Animal Healthcare Ltd in a US$40 million convertible bond issuance.
- Acted for Beijing Capital Land Ltd as Singapore counsel in connection with CNY 2 billion guaranteed.
Infrastructure
- Acted for a foreign investor in its acquisition of waste water treatment plants in Henan and Fuzhou, China.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in a power plant project in Qingyuan, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in a highway project in Guangxi, China.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in the development of tract land, highways and bridges in Suzhou, China.
- Acted for an airport operator in the management of aircargo hub in China.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in the development of warehousing facilities in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for Hyflux in the disposal of part of its Chinese water treatment assets to a leading global engineering company in Japan.
- Acted for YangZijiang in acquisition of PPL Holdings (which indirectly owned PPL Shipyard) for consideration of US$155 million.
- Acted for an airport operator in the disposal of interests in airport logistics facilities in China for a consideration of approximately US$375 million.
- Acted for a port group in a S$340 million acquisition of a port in China.
Technology / Telecommunications
- Advised venture capital funds and technology companies on internet-related investments in China.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in an internet-related investment in Beijing, China.
- Advised an American company in software licensing agreements and warranty documents for use in China.
- Advised a foreign investor on technology transfer and licensing issues in China.
- Advised foreign investors on investing in telecommunication business in China.
Manufacturing
- Acted for a Norwegian industrial group in its acquisition of a plant that manufactures sodium alginate, mannitol and iodine in Rizhao, China
- Acted for major petroleum companies in the setting up of petrochemical plants in Shanghai, China.
- Acted for foreign investors in the sale and purchase of manufacturing plants in Shenzhen and Wuxi, China.
- Acted for a Japanese investor in setting up an electronics plant in Suzhou, China.
- Acted for a Singapore-listed company in its acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Taiwan that manufactures machine tools.
- Acted for a Malaysian investor in a palm oil project in Chengdu, China.
- Acted for a Swiss investor in setting up a meat processing plant in Shandong, China.
- Acted for a Singapore investor in sea farming in Xiamen, China.
- Acted for a Norwegian investor in acquisition of an aluminium plant in Wuxi, China.
- Acted for the foreign investors in setting up of a bakery business in Guangzhou, China.
- Advising government-linked entities on establishing joint ventures to set up a pig farm project in Jilin, China.
Trade
- Advised foreign manufacturers on the distribution of goods and services in China.
- Acted for foreign sellers in the sale of large-scale equipment and machineries to Chinese entities.
- Advised foreign investors on franchise and agency structures in China.
- Advised foreign financiers on factoring and trade receivables financing in China.
Aviation
- Advised the foreign investors on an investment in a Chinese private airline.
- Advised the foreign investors in setting up of an aircraft maintenance facility in China.
- Advised the foreign victims involved in an aviation accident in China.
- Acted for a large aircraft maintenance company in several landing gear and engine joint ventures in Singapore.
Miscellaneous
- Advised foreign investors on arbitration and joint venture disputes in China
- Advised the foreign investors on the investment in an education business in China.
- Advised the foreign investors on the sale of shares and properties in China.
- Advised foreign investors on tax and employment issues in China.
- Advised foreign investors on several joint venture disputes in China.
- Advised foreign investors on the recovery of debts in China.
- Advised a large Chinese state-owned enterprise in an EPC contract dispute in Indonesia.
- Advised a foreign investor in an EPC contract dispute in China.
- Advising a company listed on the SGX-ST in legal issues relating to the company’s accounting discrepancies and trading suspension.
MEMBERSHIPS / DIRECTORSHIPS
- Independent Director, CapitaLand Ascott Trust Management Limited (formerly known as Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited)
- Independent Director, CapitaLand Ascott Business Trust Management Pte. Ltd. (formerly known as Ascott Business Trust Management Pte. Ltd.)
- Independent Director, SATS Ltd
- Director, R&T Corporate Services Pte Ltd
- Director, Chinese Development Assistance Council
- Director, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language
- Director & Secretary, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- Director and Secretary, The Financial Board of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce
- Chairman, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Commerce & Industry)
- Co-Chairman, Business China’s FutureChina’s Committee
- Co-Chairman, Business China’s Go East Committee
- Company Secretary, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall Co Ltd
- Council Member, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Council Member, Singapore-Zhejiang Economic & Trade Council
- School Advisory Board Member, Dunman High School
- Legal Advisor of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Singapore
- Legal Advisor of Singapore-China Business Association
- Legal Advisor, China Enterprises Association
- Member, The American Chamber of Commerce
- Committee Member, Small & Medium Enterprises, Singapore Business Federation
PUBLICATIONS
- “Corporate Governance in China”, article in Pulses, a publication of Singapore Exchange
- “The New Foreign Investment Guideline”, article in Law Gazette, a publication of the Law Society of Singapore
- “Listing of PRC Companies in Singapore”, article in Venture Capital, a publication of the Taiwan Venture Capital Association
- “PRC Companies Going Public – Legal and Due Diligence Issues”, article in Pulses, a publication of Singapore Exchange
- “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the PRC Economic Express”, article in Inter Se, a publication of the Singapore Academy of Law
- “China’s Accession to WTO – Changes and Opportunities”, article in Lawlines, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- “A Review of the New PRC Contract Law and Construction Contracts”, article in Lawlines, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- “Venture Capital Investments in China”, article in Lawlines, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- “Attracting International Talent to China”, article in Lawlines, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- “Duties and Liabilities of Directors in Korea”, article in Lawlines, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- “Leveraging Off a Rising Asia: Dual and Secondary Listings”, online article in the Association of Corporation Counsel
- “Serious Tax Crimes designated Money Laundering Predicate Offences”, a publication of Lexology
- “Singapore – Personal Data Protection Act 2012 – Do Not Call Registry and Personal Data Protection Commission”, a publication of Lexology
- “Singapore – Public Consultation on Draft Companies (Amendment) Bill 2013”, a publication of Lexology
- “China – Administrative Measures for the Registration of Foreign Debts”, a publication of Lexology
- “How a Diversified Board can Enhance Shareholder Value”, article in conference programme of Singapore Institute of Directors Conference 2013 entitled Corporate Governance: From Form to Value Creation
- Key Legislative and Regulatory Developments in Singapore for the Year 2013, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- SGX Regulatory Enhancements to Strengthen Securities Market, a publication of Rajah & Tann
- “Get ready, get set… trade! China’s push into ASEAN: Things to note”, a publication of China Business Law Journal
CONFERENCES & PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Speaker on US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
- Speaker on Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement
- Speaker on Investment & Funding Environment in Singapore organised by Singapore International Arbitration Centre
- Speaker on Dealing with Employment Legal Issues in PRC organised by Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Speaker on Pitfalls in Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisition organised by Indonesian Corporate Counsel Association
- Speaker on “Law & Regulation regarding Investment in Singapore” in Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, China
- Speaker on Global Structure to Tackle Asian Market and Asian Transactional Issues organised by CDI, Japan
- Speaker on “FDI & Merger & Acquisition in China” in the Middle East
- Speaker on Expansion & M&A in Asia organised by Financial Management Forums, Inc, Japan
- Speaker on “The legal Aspect of Doing Business in Singapore” in Changsha, China
- Speaker on Taking the Leap of Faith – Venturing into Unknown Territories organised by Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Speaker on Strategies for Managing Risks & Resolving Disputes involving Chinese Parties in International Arbitration organised by Singapore International Arbitration Centre in New York
- Speaker on Private Equity – Private Pastimes organised by International Bar Association 2013 in Boston
- Speaker on Using Singapore as a Springboard to Asia: Practical Considerations in Conducting Asian Operations From Singapore organised by Association of Corporate Counsel in Los Angeles
- Speaker on “Legal Framework relating to Investment in Singapore”, Qingdao, China
- Speaker on “Foreign Investment in Myanmar” organised by United Overseas Bank Limited
- Chairperson and speaker on “From Conception to Action, Where do I start with Innovation?” organised by SME Centre
- Chairperson and speaker for China Hotel Investment Conference 2014 organised by HVS Global Hospitality Services
- Speaker on Women’s Day Forum on Family, Career and Life
- Moderator for China Hotel Investment Conference 2015 organised by HVS Global Hospitality Services
- Speaker for Beyond 2016 中新互联互通融合峰会 in Chongqing, China
- Moderator for Singapore China Business Forum 2017 organised by Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Moderator for Minister Heng Swee Keat’s Dialogue Session at the Launch of “The Story of Singapore Teochews” English Publication and English/Chinese E-Books organised by Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan
- Speaker on “Listed Entity Director Programme (Mandarin)” organised by Singapore Institute of Directors in Beijing, China
- Moderator for Singapore-Malaysia Chinese Chambers of Commerce Business Forum 2019: Smart Enterprises Forum – Navigating Opportunities in the Digital Age (Mandarin) organised by Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Moderator for SZETC Seminar – Advancing the Belt & Road: Opportunities in ASEAN organised by Singapore International Arbitration Centre in Hangzhou, PRC
- Moderator for 21st SMEICC Conference 2019 – Adopting a Global Innovation Mindset for Growth, together with Minister Chan Chun Sing organised by Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Moderator for Minister Chan Chun Sing’s Dialogue Session at Digitize ASEAN Conference organised by Singapore Business Federation, together with ASEAN Business Advisory Council
- Moderator for the First China-Singapore Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Establishment of the Chinese Enterprises (Singapore) Association
- Speaker and organiser of various customised seminars for clients
