On September 2nd, Sunshine Law Firm and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, BLG (BLG) jointly held “Canada Energy & Resource Investment Cooperation Legal Practice and Project Promotion Seminar” in Shanghai. This seminar aimed at sharing the experience in Canada’s energy and resource investment, and to enhance investment and cooperation in energy and natural resource sector between China and Canada . The seminar was strongly supported by Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board, and had attracted over 20 leaders and professionals in energy, financing, engineering and other industries to attend. The seminar was hosted by Dong Tao, vice director of Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board.

Jeffrey A. Read, a partner of BLG, introduced the overall foreign investment in Canada and emphasized that foreign investors should pay special attention to the Canadian Investment Act, Competition Act and Act on Promotion and Protection of Foreign Investment when making investment. Also Mr. Read emphasized that it is important to have comprehensive knowledge of the target enterprise, which makes the due diligence investigation an essential part of an M&A transaction.

Ms. Zhu Hongwen, a senior partner of Sunshine Law Firm, introduced the overall overseas investments by Chinese enterprises in power, oil & gas, coal and other natural resources sectors. In the seminar Ms. Zhu proposed six key preventive measures against foreign investment risks, i.e. deep researches on the legal environment of the host country, comprehensive due diligence investigation, well-designed transaction structure , proper contract protection in place, smooth project implementation and integration as well as active dispute resolution. Ms. Zhu also shared her experience in dealing with risks of overseas energy & natural resource investments through case study.