Our clients profit from a leading global M&A practice that has worked on more M&A transactions than any other law firm over the last 2 years. In Counsels Law Partners, our experience helps us to efficiently execute local and cross-border global transactions while helping you at all stages of the process and offering you cost-effective, realistic business solutions. This post explains in details about the mergers and acquisitions process in Bangladesh.

What are Mergers and Acquisitions? 

Mergers and acquisitions ( M&A) refer to transactions which are combined in some way between two entities. While the use of mergers and acquisitions ( M&A) is synonymous, they come with different legal symbolic meanings. Two similar-size businesses unite in a merger to form a new corporate company.

On the other hand, an acquisition is when a larger enterprise acquires a smaller enterprise, thereby absorbing the smaller business. M&A transactions can be friendly or aggressive, depending on the board approval of the target firm. (Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh)

Types of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Transactions

1.  Horizontal M&A

A horizontal merger occurs between two firms operating in related industries which may or may not be direct competitors.

2. Vertical M&A

A vertical merger takes place in the supply chain between a business and its supplier or a client. The business intends to shift up or down the supply chain, thus consolidating its role in the market.

3. Conglomerate M&A

This form of transaction is typically performed in different industries for purposes of diversification, and is between businesses.

Legal Framework of a  Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Transactions in Bangladesh

Bangladesh does not have a specific or a single piece of legislation dealing solely with mergers and acquisitions. Instead there are various statutes and by-laws in Bangladesh that govern acquisitions and mergers.

The main laws are the Companies Act 1994, the Securities and Exchange Ordinance of 1969, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act of 1993, the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1947, the Competition Act and the By-Laws rendered under those Statutes. Additionally , there are various rules that deal with particular aspects of mergers and acquisitions. For example,the Insurance Act 2010 for insurance companies and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act 2001 for the telecommunication sector.

Step by Step process for Mergers and Acquisitions  in Bangladesh

While contemplating game changing strategic transactions, companies regularly seek Counsel Law Partners to plan, negotiate and close their deals. As an integrated team, the mergers and acquisitions lawyers from our law firm work through the broad spectrum of practice areas involved in strategic M&A transactions.

Our mergers and acquisitions lawyers are committed to attaining the ambitions of our clients and offering innovative ideas and industry-focused legal advice. And here are the conventional steps by steps procedure of a mergers and acquisitions in Bangladesh:

Step 1: Proposal of a Merger

Any company proposing to carry out merger first have to get suitable resolutions passed by their Board of Directors. By passing the resolution, the Board of Directors will agree in principle, to proceed in accordance with such resolution.

During the planning stage of the merger, key executives in both merging entities’ supply chain should create dedicated integration, project management office, and steering committee teams with specific job descriptions, meeting cadence, and coordinated deliverables and status updates templates.

A timely, detailed organizational viewpoint can be introduced into a phase of M&A integration where there is a collective participation of the supply chain leadership.

This partnership becomes possible at all levels of the organizations work together during the integration process; however, the position of the operations and production staff varies depending on the phase.

The resolution passed may be treated as Price-sensitive Information (i.e. the information if published is likely to materially affect the price of securities of the company).

Step 2: Negotiations

After producing some of the target company’s valuation models, the acquirer should have sufficient information to allow him to ensure a fair offer; once the initial offer has been made, the two companies will discuss terms in more detail

Step 3: Due-Dilligence for the Merger

To enable Bangladesh Bank to consider the effectiveness of merger, the transferee company have to seek prior approval to commence financial and legal due-diligence of itself and also of that company they are intending to merge with.

Due diligence is a systematic procedure that starts when the offer is accepted; due diligence seeks to validate or correct the acquirer ‘s estimation of the target company’s worth by conducting a thorough evaluation and examination of any aspect of the target company’s operations – its financial results, assets and liabilities, clients, human resources, etc.

In order to seek the approval for due diligence the transferee company need to submit certain documents.

Documents:

1. Credentials of the company (background, resources, net worth etc.) and
2. Information about the team of Lawyers, Financial Advisors, Chartered Accountants, Valuers etc. for conducting due-diligence of the asset and liability of both the companies.

   The transferee company have to ensure that none of the team members engaged in due diligence are actively dealing in shares or have any conflict of interest with either of the companies intending to merge together.

Step 4: Disclosure and Confidentiality

a)Disclosure

Disclosure plans are an important part of any agreement involving merger or acquisition (M&A), and it is no exception in Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh. The disclosure schedules include details provided by the acquisition agreement — typically a list of relevant contracts, intellectual property, employee records, and other specific matters, as well as exceptions or conditions to the selling company’s comprehensive representations and warranties in the acquisition agreement.

An incorrect or incomplete disclosure plan may result in the selling company or its stockholders being infringed by the purchase agreement and potentially serious liability. Whenever a person/company intends to own, acquire or control 10% or more voting shares in a company listed on any stock exchange in Bangladesh, there is a mandatory obligation of disclosure.  Meaning, both the companies are under an obligation to disclose information about the companies among themselves.

b)Confidentiality

However, there is also an obligation of confidentiality as well. Upon obtaining approval from Bangladesh Bank for conducting due-diligence, the transferee company shall submit an undertaking to Bangladesh Bank.

Such an undertaking confirms that all information, in particular all non-public domain information and documents etc. shall be kept strictly confidential. In addition, such confidential information shall not be disclosed to any person or organization unless advised by Bangladesh Bank or legally required or required to comply with the regulatory requirements. However, this confidentiality requirement does not apply for the due diligence team.

 In Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh, it is to be noted that the members of the due-diligence team will also be bound under the aforesaid undertaking to keep the information, document etc. confidential. In addition, the due-diligence team shall not demand any information/observations made by Bangladesh Bank in relation to the affairs and the business of concerned companies from the transferee or transferor companies.

Step 5: Due diligence report submission

Upon completion of the task of due diligence, the team will have to submit a copy of the report to Bangladesh Bank. (Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh)

The due diligence report must include the following information:

• Debts that are secured and unsecured and in the case of secured debts particulars of the securities and their value.
• The value of the property and the assets of the transferor and the transferee company calculated.
• The seller’s M&A counsel also should endeavor to limit disclosures to lists of documents or matters rather than descriptions of the contents of documents or matters (such as requiring a list of pending litigation rather than a description of each pending lawsuit); again, this approach lessens the work involved in preparing the disclosure schedules.
• The liabilities of the transferor and the transferee companies.
• In view of the above clauses, the financial impact of the merger proposal on the two companies and their creditors, shareholders and depositors.

Step 6: Shareholders’ and creditors’ consent

The next step would be to prepare a scheme of merger by the transferor or transferee companies based on the due diligence report. The Board of Directors of the respective companies will have to pass a resolution in this regard.

While passing the resolution the scheme shall be considered as so drawn and then, in accordance to the provisions of Companies Act -1994, hold meetings of their respective members to consider and approve, the concerned scheme.

If a majority in number representing three-fourth in value of members present in the meeting, either in person or by proxy, approve the scheme, the same shall be deemed to have the approval of the members.

Step 7: Scheme Submission to Bangladesh Bank

Thereafter, an application will have to be submitted to Bangladesh bank by the transferee company.  In addition to the application, a copy of the Scheme of merger/amalgamation, together with such other documents will have to be submitted.

Other documents include:

1. Name, address and occupation of the Directors of the transferee company as proposed to be reconstituted after the amalgamation
2. Details of the proposed Chief Executive Officer of the transferee company after the amalgamation.
3. Post-merger Branch Plan, Technology Plan, Human Resource Plan and proposal to address Corporate Governance issues.

   Information relevant for consideration of the scheme and the swap ratio including the following:

• Valuer Report explaining the method of valuation and the justification for it. If market value of shares has been considered in computation of swap ratio, the value so considered,
• Last three years annual report of each of the companies,
• Financial results, if any, published by companies covering the periods subsequent to the Annual reports
• Significant anticipated changes in service and products.
• Pro forma combined balance sheet of the transferee company as it will appear following the amalgamation,

  Computation based on pro forma balance sheets of the following items:

• Tier I Capital
• Tier II Capital
• Risk weighted assets
• Gross and net Non-Performing Loans
• Ratio of tier I capital to risk weighted assets
• Ratio of tier II capital to risk weighted assets
• Ratio of tier I capital to total assets
• Ratio of total capital to risk weighted assets
• Ratio of gross and net NPLs to advances.

  Any other information or explanation as sought by Bangladesh Bank.

Step 8: Draft Scheme Examination

After receiving the draft Scheme, Bangladesh Bank will satisfy itself that the Scheme as proposed by the transferee company can be implemented successfully. In deciding such, Bangladesh Bank will consider various factors through examination of the scheme. The factors that may be considered are the capital of the merged entity, valuation of assets and liabilities, the impact on the profitability etc.

Step 9: Assets and liabilities valuation 

It is upon the merging companies to mutually agree the valuation of the assets. Bangladesh Bank does not generally interfere in this regard except where there are reasons to believe that the valuation is not fair and reasonable. If mutual agreement is not possible in relation to certain items then any of the parties to the merger can seek advice of Bangladesh Bank.

The Bangladesh Bank plays the role of a mediator and help resolve the differences. In case the mediation fails, the Bangladesh Bank will decide the value and the decision of the Bank in this regard shall be binding. The cost of obtaining such advice will be borne by the transferor company.

In a case where mutual agreement has not been possible in relation to certain items for example:

(a) valuation of a particular asset
(b) classification of any advance
(c) determination of any liability or any like issue, the bank / financial institution, shall highlight those areas and seek advice of Bangladesh Bank.

Step 10: Transaction Price in Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh

 Again the transaction cost/price is a matter to be mutually agreed between the transferor and the transferee on the basis of fair valuation of assets and liabilities proposed to be transferred.

Parties have the option to fix the price at a premium or discount to valuation. However, Bangladesh Bank have a right to be satisfied that the mutually agreed price is fair and reasonable. 

For this purpose, Bangladesh bank may ask for pricing rationale to examine the same and accept or suggest alteration. In order to do so Bangladesh bank will seek explanatory note on price mechanism along with supporting documents.

Step 11: Bangladesh Bank approval in Mergers and Acquisitions 

At this stage, Bangladesh bank will approve the Scheme as proposed if two conditions are satisfied. It can be implemented:

• to the benefit of the company and/or the financial system of the country and
• the scheme is not detrimental to the interest of the depositors

Thereafter, Bangladesh Bank may give its approval to the said Scheme with or without such modifications as deemed necessary.

Step 12: High court petition in regards to Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh

After the scheme of merger/amalgamation has been permitted by Bangladesh Bank, the transferor and the transferee now must comply with other formalities required under the Companies Act 1994. As such they need to file an application before the High Court and submit the scheme for the merger/amalgamation.

In addition, the transferee company will mark a copy of the application as filed before the Court together with annexure, if any, to Bangladesh Bank and will keep the Bank informed from time to time as the progress in the matter.

If the company, after obtaining approval of the Scheme from the Bangladesh Bank, fails to take these steps within the next three months from the date of approval, the approval so granted lapses, unless otherwise extended on justifiable consideration.

The high court will hear the application for merger/amalgamation and considering the objections if any, raised by any of the stakeholders. As such, based on that the Court may with or without such modification as it deems fit approve the Scheme.

Step 13: File certified copy of High court order to RJSC

After the scheme of merger/amalgamation has been permitted by Bangladesh Bank, the transferor and the transferee now must comply with other formalities required under the Companies Act 1994. As such they need to file an application before the High Court and submit the scheme for the merger/amalgamation.

In addition, the transferee company will mark a copy of the application as filed before the Court together with annexure, if any, to Bangladesh Bank and will keep the Bank informed from time to time as the progress in the matter.

If the company, after obtaining approval of the Scheme from the Bangladesh Bank, fails to take these steps within the next three months from the date of approval, the approval so granted lapses, unless otherwise extended on justifiable consideration.

The high court will hear the application for merger/amalgamation and considering the objections if any, raised by any of the stakeholders. As such, based on that the Court may with or without such modification as it deems fit approve the Scheme. (Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh)

Frequently Asked Questions about Mergers and Acquisitions in bangladesh

In regards to Mergers and Acquisitions in bangladesh people also ask these questions frequently, hence this FAQ content block is dedicated to answering your questions.

General Questions about Mergers and Acquisitions in bangladesh

Mergers and Acquisitions in Bangladesh, M&A at CLP:

The Barristers, Advocates, and lawyers at CLP in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh are highly experienced at dealing with Mergers and Acquisitions, In Counsels Law Partners, our experience helps us to efficiently execute local and cross-border global transactions while helping you at all stages of the process and offering you cost-effective, realistic business solutions.

In addition to handling various issues related to domestic clients on a regular basis, it also has experience in consulting and assisting numerous international clients with utmost care and attention throughout their legal troubles.  For queries or legal assistance, please reach us at:

 E-mail:[email protected]
Phone:+8801727983838

Address: House 39, Road 126 (3rd Floor) Islam Mansion, Gulshan 1, Dhaka.