Celulosa Argentina S.A.’s USD 3,521,129 Class 12 Notes
Counsel in Celulosa Argentina S.A.’s issuance of Class 12 Notes for AR$ 3,521,129 under the Global Program of Notes for an amount of up to US$ 280,000,000. Puente Hnos. S.A. and BST acted as placement agents of the Class 12 Notes.
Global Trust Program “San Cristóbal Servicios Financieros”
Deal counsel in the creation of the Global Trust Program "San Cristóbal Servicios Financieros” for up to US$ 45,000,000, in which San Cristóbal Bienes Raíces S.A. acts as trustor, and TMF Trust Company (Argentina) S.A as trustee and issuer.
Roch S.A. US$ 8.000.000 Class 5 Notes offering
Legal counsel to Roch S.A. in the offering of US$ 8,000,000 class 5 notes under its US$ 50,000,000 Global Notes Programme, for the purpose of acquiring an additional interest in the joint venture “Río Cullen/Las Violetas/La Angostura – Unión Transitoria de Empresas”. Roch S.A. and Puente Hnos. S.A. entered into a trust assignment agreement in order to ensure duly and timely use of the proceeds of the issuance of the Notes.
Puente Hnos. S.A. acted as arranger and placement agent of the Notes.
Changes to the Fair Trading Act: extension of the unfair competition acts
On April 22th 2019, the necessary and urgent decree No. 274/2019 was published on the Official Gazette, by virtue of which Law No. 22,802 (the “Fair Trading Law”) was abrogated, and a new rule of law regarding fair trade was enacted (the “Decree”) which shall enter in force as from April 30th 2019.
The purpose of the Decree is to ensure fairness and transparency in commercial relationships and the access to essential information of products and services that are commercialized, through physical or digital means, extending the previous provisions contained in the Fair Trading Law.
The Decree is divided into a preliminary title and 8 titles which regulate: (i) unfair competition; (ii) advertising and promotions; (iii) trade information; (iv) enforcement authority, administrative procedures, as well as the remedies and sanctions; (v) legal actions; (vi) general provisions; (vii) consumer protection; and (viii) final provisions.
The main change that the Decree includes is the enumeration of acts that constitute an unfair competition,: (i) acts of deception; (ii) acts of confusion; (iii) breach of legal regulations; (iv) abuse of a depending economic situation; (v) Improperly obtaining of commercial conditions; (vi) sale below cost; (vii) improper exploitation of others’ reputation; (viii) acts of unfair imitation; (ix) acts of denigration; and (x) violation of secrets. The Decree defines in its article No. 10 unfair competition in a very broad way and systematically includes situations that shall constitute an unfair competition, such as acts of denigration, violation of secrets and the improper exploitation of others’ reputation. Such situations shall be deemed exhaustive, for the purposes of the imposition of sanctions by the Secretariat of Internal Commerce of the Ministry of Production and Labor, acting as the enforcement authority, and enunciative for the purpose of promoting legal actions by affected ones. With the Decree, the maximum amounts of the fines are substantially increased to an amount of 10,000,000 mobile units (approx. AR$ 264,000,000), the procedural rules for infringements are established and new legal actions are provided for those affected by unfair competitions acts.
Additionally, the requirements for the identification of products commercialized, the provisions for misleading advertising, and the regulations on sales promotions that contain pizers or gifts, among other issues, are maintained.
Regarding advertising as unfair competition, a definition of comparative advertising is incorporated, which states that advertising is to be considered comparative when explicitly or implicitly refers to a competitor, its brand or the products or services offered by it.
Additionally, the Decree incorporates to the Consumer Protection Law No. 26,993 (the "Consumer Protection Law"), article 1 bis, which provides the inclusion of the Electronic Dispute Resolution System, as a previous, optional and free procedure for users and consumers. for access to the Prior Reconciliation Service in Consumer Relations (COPREC for its acronym in Spanish), through which the individual or collective consumers and users’ claims shall be resolved, instructing the authority of the Consumer Protection Law to regulate its scope.
Finally, it should be noted that the provisions of the Decree are considered to be public policy rules, as stated in article 2; the principles of the national administrative proceedings law o No. 19,549 are applicable to the procedure provided in the Decree; and that the provisions of the National Civil and Commercial Code shall apply.
Any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Juan Pablo Bove, Federico Otero, Julián Razumny, or corporate@trsym.com.
“Crescere VII” Financial Trust for U$S 36.800.438
Deal counsel in the issuance and placement in Argentina of trust securities for $ 36.800.438 issued under the “Crescere VII” Financial Trust, in which Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A. acted as arranger, placement agent and trustee, TMF Trust Company (Argentina) S.A. acted as financial trustee, Syngenta Agro S.A. acted as trustor and servicer and Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires as placement agent.
Banco de Servicios y Transacciones S.A. 3,049,711 UVA Class XII Notes Issuance
Legal counsel to Banco de Servicios y Transacciones S.A. in the issuance of 3,049,711 UVA Class XII Notes under its Short, Medium and Long Term Global Notes Program worth AR$ 3 billion (or its equivalent in other currencies or units of value).
Banco de Servicios y Transacciones S.A. acted as issuer and placement agent.
“Crescere VI” Financial Trust for US$ 26,441,754
Deal counsel in the issuance and placement in Argentina of trust securities for US$ 26,441,754 issued under the “Crescere VI” Financial Trust, in which Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A. acted as arranger, placement agent and trustee, TMF Trust Company (Argentina) S.A. acted as financial trustee, Syngenta Agro S.A. acted as trustor and servicer and Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires as placement agent.
Simplification of requirements for foreign companies
On April 3rd, 2019, the National Securities Commission (the "CNV") issued General Resolution Nº 789/2019. It amended prior CNV rules in order to facilitate the registration processes with this authority.
In such respect, CNV established that:
- the attendance of an attorney in fact duly authorized will suffice for a foreign company to participate in a shareholder meeting. In this regard, an attorney in fact shall be considered duly authorized as follows:
- the legal representative appointed for the Argentine Republic;
- any person with a power granted by the legal representative in the Argentine Republic or by a person authorized in accordance with the rules of the country of origin under the terms of Section 239 of the Law Nº 19,550; and
- any person with a power granted abroad by an authorized person in accordance with the legal requirements of the country of origin and with applicable rules for foreign documents in Argentina.
- Furthermore, companies whose register of entry shares were issued in accordance with Section 208 of the General Corporations Law, may replace the Stock Registry Book and the Book of Assembly Attendance traditional paper format by a new computerized system by applying for an authorization before the CNV. The original documents must be kept in paper format at the registered office.
Any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Juan Pablo Bove, Federico Otero, Julián Razumny, or corporate@trsym.com.
New works and expansion of existing infrastructure – Neuquén basin gas pipeline and PPP Power transmission
On March 8, 2019, two resolutions issued by the Secretary of Government of Energy (the “SGE”), containing relevant rules in connection with infrastructure works of the electricity and gas industries, were published in the Official Gazette:
(1) Resolution SGE No. 81/2019 (“Resolution 81”), related to the construction and further operation of the 500-kV high-voltage line, the future substations Río Diamante and Charlone, and complementary works, under a public-private partnership structure (“PPP”). By means of this Resolution 81, call for bids set out in 2018 have been relaunched; and
(2) Resolution SGE No. 82/2019 (“Resolution 82”), related to the construction of a new gas pipeline or the significant expansion of existing transport capacity for the transportation of natural gas produced in the Neuquén basin towards the metropolitan area of the province of Buenos Aires.
The most relevant aspects of both resolutions are summarized below:
- Resolution SGE No. 81/2019 – PPP Power transmission works
Resolution 81 calls for a two-stage national and international tender procedure for the construction and further of the 500-kV high-voltage line, the future substations Río Diamante and Charlone, and complementary works.
Such works also comprise the electrical interconnection in 500-kV of the future substations Río Diamante, Charlone, and complementary works, as well as operation and maintenance of these facilities.
The tender’s terms and conditions and its annexes are published on the website of the Undersecretary of Public-Private Partnership, together with the rest of the preliminary tender documents.
The most important dates to keep in mind are:
Date and time Activity May 10, 2019 Public consultation period due date May 27, 2019 Deadline for bids June 27, 2019 Publication of the Prequalification Ruling (Dictamen de Evaluación de Precalificación) July 2, 2019 Opening of envelope no. 2 July 10, 2019 Publication of the Economic Offers’ Evaluation Ruling (Dictamen de Evaluación de las Ofertas Económicas) July 12, 2019 Resolution awarding PPP Contract August 14, 2019 Due date for PPP Contract execution - Resolution SGE No. 82/2019 – Vaca Muerta gas pipeline
Resolution 82 calls for expressions of interest in connection with: (i) the construction of a new gas pipeline; or (ii) the development of a significant expansion of the current transport capacity.
Expressions of interests aim to enhance transportation of natural gas produced in the Neuquén basin towards the metropolitan area of the province of Buenos Aires and the littoral area.
Interested parties in participating in this procedure shall submit their expressions of interest no later than April 8, 2019.
- Scope
With respect to the construction of a new transport system, a public tender procedure for the construction, operation and maintenance of the new infrastructure shall be called on a later stage.
Capacity expansions of one or all existing transport systems shall be authorized in accordance with section 16 of law No. 24.076. Expansions which generate an additional capacity of 10 MMm3/d shall be considered as “significant expansions”.
In all scenarios a technical description of the proposed project shall be issued. Such description must include the necessary works, design, nominal transport capacity to be added and construction and launch dates. Moreover, information to evaluate the potential demand associated to the project shall be issued.
- Rate structure
Interest parties may propose a rate scheme applicable for the new facilities.
For expansions, criteria set forth in Resolution No. 1483 issued by the Ente Nacional Regulador del Gas (ENARGAS) shall be applicable (incremental cost criteria).
- Access to the facilities by third parties
Open access and no third-party discrimination shall be applicable. Moreover, long-term agreements with parties acting as gas traders may be executed, in the event that the proposed rate scheme requires so.
- Scope
Desde TRSyM, estamos siguiendo este proceso con mucha atención y estamos a disposición para ampliar cualquiera de los puntos aquí tratados.
RenovAr 2 Program: Extension of intermediate milestones and COD
On February 19, 2019, Resolution No. 52/19 (hereinafter, the “Resolution”), issued by the Secretary of Government of Energy, has been published in the Official Gazette, with significant relevance towards Power Purchase Agreements (“PPA”) awarded under RenovAr 2.
This Resolution states the goal to facilitate the construction and successful commercial operation date (“COD”) of all projects acting within RenovAr 2, and therefore allows for extension of dates committed under the PPA (intermediate milestones and COD) insofar certain conditions are met, as further detailed below.
In order to apply for an extension of intermediate milestones, pertaining filings before the relevant authorities must be performed no later than April 30, 2019. COD extension shall be requested 15 business days in advance as from the original date committed for such milestone.
Below you may find an outline of most relevant aspects set forth in the Resolution:
1) Extension of PPA intermediate milestones
Upon the issuance of this Resolution, owners of RenovAr 2 projects may require an extension of 180 days of each intermediate milestone under the PPA.
Said extension of time sets forth a mandatory prior increase of the PPA Compliance Bond in force at that time, on an amount equal to thirty percent (30%) of the guarantee’s original amount. Should prior increases have been performed, the guarantee may be reduced up to the original amount plus such thirty percent (30%).
The Resolution also foresees that if such intermediate milestone elapses (including 180 day-extension) the guarantee shall also be increased in a twenty percent (20%) per milestone, over the guaranteed amount at such time.
Filings in order to apply for these extensions must be performed no later than April 30, 2019, while the increase of the compliance bond shall be in place before the execution of the relevant addendum of the PPA.
2) Extension of COD
COD may also be extended pursuant to the terms of this Resolution, for a maximum term of three hundred and sixty-five (365) days further to the original date committed for such milestone. Two of the following three conditions shall be met in order to benefit from an extension in COD:
- Achieve thirty percent (30%) of Stated Local Content (“SLC”). This condition shall be considered as fulfilled for those projects that have already committed, at least, said percentage of SLC under their PPAs. Penalties equal to forty per cent (40%) of the monthly billing under the PPA shall be applied for each percentage point of deficiency in the compliance with the SLC. Additionally, a reduction of the PPA’s term and of the Incentive Factor, in accordance with the conditions settled below, shall apply.
- Reduction of the PPA tenor: accept a proportional reduction of the PPA tenor equal to six times the amount of days that COD is extended (e.g. if the new COD is 360 days after original COD was committed, PPA should be reduced in almost six years).
- Reduction of the Incentive Factor in accordance to the formula set out therein
If COD has yet not been achieved (as this date may be extended pursuant to the above), the PPA’s cure period of one hundred and eighty (180) days shall apply (notwithstanding the obligation of paying penalties under the PPA). In case the project does not achieve its COD within said cure period, an additional cure period of extra one hundred and eighty (180) days will be applicable in accordance to Resolution No. 285/18.
COD extension must be requested fifteen (15) business days in advance of the original COD before CAMMESA. For those projects which COD is on or before March 15 2019, the referred filing shall be performed no later than March 29, 2019.
3) Execution of pending PPAs
Finally, the Resolution foresees, for those RenovAr 2 projects that have not yet executed their PPAs, the possibility to do so. Two of the following three conditions must be selected:
- Achieve thirty percent (30%) of SLC. Penalties equal to fifty per cent (50%) of the monthly billing under the PPA shall applied for each percentage point of deficiency in the compliance with the SLC. Additionally, a reduction of the PPA’s term and of the Incentive Factor, in accordance with the conditions settled below, shall apply.
- Reduction of the PPA tenor: in six (6) years, resulting in a new tenor of fourteen (14) years.
- Elimination of the Incentive Factor in accordance to the form settled by the Resolution.
The PPA’s execution shall be done on or before April 30, 2019 and it shall be requested before CAMMESA ten (10) business days in advance.
For these PPAs, intermediate milestones shall be calculated since June 1, 2018, notwithstanding IPPs right to request for an extension of these dates as described above.
Finally, the Resolutions enables to change the Strategic Partner under the PPA. Said change shall be requested fifteen (15) days in advance to April 30, 2019.