AB InBev has submitted an updated package of commitments to the European Commission to address potential regulatory considerations over its acquisition of SABMiller.
The company has offered the entirety of assets of SABMiller in central and eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) for divestment in addition to Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime and their related businesses.
The group said that these assets include a number of “top brands in their markets and are expected to attract considerable interest from potential buyers”.
It stated: “In line with AB InBev’s ambition to close the overall transaction during the second half of 2016, the company has made this additional commitment in phase one of the European Commission enquiry. As previously stated, the proposed divestments are subject to review and approval by the European Commission and conditional on the successful closing of the recommended acquisition of SABMiller by AB InBev, as announced on 11 November 2015.
“The divestment process in Europe will be carried out in the framework of the relevant employee information and consultation requirements and the ongoing dialogue with employee representative bodies. The acquisition of SABMiller by AB InBev would create a truly global brewer, providing more choices for beer drinkers, including global and local brands, in new and existing markets around the world.”
