Russia blocks Anadolu Efes: Share acquisition denied

The Russian government's commission on foreign asset sales has rejected Anadolu Efes's bid to acquire the shares held by AB InBev in their joint venture in Russia with the Belgian brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, while Anadolu Efes shares are trading down 5.2 percent.

The report, which appeared in the RBC newspaper and was based on three sources, has not yet been verified by Reuters.

AB InBev had agreed in April 2022 to sell its shares in the joint venture, AB InBev Efes, to Anadolu Efes.

The statement made by Anadolu Efes to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) is as follows:

"In our special case disclosure dated April 2022, it was announced to the public that active negotiations had begun between our Company and Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV ("AB InBev") regarding the acquisition of AB InBev's non-controlling interests in AB InBev Efes BV by Efes Breweries International BV (EBI), a 100% subsidiary of our Company. Subsequently, it was announced that the Parties had reached an agreement for EBI to acquire AB InBev's non-controlling shares in AB InBev Efes BV.

On the other hand, it was announced that the acquisition transaction was subject to the approvals of the authorities in the relevant countries, and the legal process was initiated on December 19, 2023.

Today, reports have been published in media outlets stating that the transaction has been rejected by official institutions. We have not received any official notification from the relevant organizations regarding the matter.

If there are any developments regarding the subject, they will be made in accordance with the procedure."

News Source: 12punto