Shearman & Sterling advised the controlling shareholder (the “Offeror”) of Future Land Development Holdings Limited (1030.HK) in relation to its privatization proposal (the “Proposal”) for Future Land by way of a scheme of arrangement (the “Scheme”). Shearman & Sterling also assists the Offeror with the financing aspects of the transaction.

On July 18, 2017, the Offeror and Future Land jointly announced that the Offeror requested the board of directors of Future Land to put forward the Proposal to all the Future Land shareholders (other than the Offeror) (the “Scheme Shareholders”) regarding the privatization of Future Land by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Under the Scheme, all the shares in Future Land held by the third-party shareholders will be cancelled in exchange for HK$3.30 in cash each at the total consideration of approximately HK$5.1 billion (US$661 million). The offer price represents a 127% premium over the IPO price back in 2012 and a premium of 76% over its NAV. After closing, it is anticipated that the listing of Future Land shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be withdrawn.

Future Land is a leading market player in the businesses of property development, property investment and property management in the PRC. Shearman & Sterling’s Hong Kong Capital Markets team advised on Future Land’s primary listing and global offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in November 2012, and assisted with the Hong Kong regulatory aspects to the conversion of its principal listed subsidiary into an A share-listed company in 2015.

The Team