Denmark & Netherlands: EU inquiry deadline for Carlsberg buy of Scottish & Newcastle assets March 7

The European Commission said the deadline for its inquiry into Carlsberg AS's proposed acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle PLC (S&N) is set for March 7, according to Thomson Financial, February 5.

The commission said the deal will be carried out in two inter-related transactions.

Firstly, Bidco, a bidding vehicle owned 50 pct by Carlsberg and 50 pct by Heineken International BV, will acquire S&N.

Then, certain S&N businesses and brands in China, France, Greece, Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and other CIS countries will be transferred to Carlsberg.

In a separate transaction, Heineken will acquire control of the remaining S&N brands and businesses. The group will make its own notification for this deal to the commission.

06 February, 2008