Interbrew, has received unconditional clearance to its strategic partnership with Bavarian brewer Spaten from the European Commission. The approval, the Belgian brewer said, is the first condition to be fulfilled and brings Interbrew one step nearer to closing of the transaction, which is expected in the second half of 2004.
The European Commission found that the partnership did not raise competition concerns and it cleared it without conditions. The closing of the transaction remains subject to shareholder approval and is expected to occur in the second half of 2004. “We look forward to adding the Spaten, L