E-Malt.com News article: Turkey: Efes Breweries and Anadolu Efes to launch syndication US$500 million term loan facility

Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii A.S. (“Anadolu Efes”) and Efes Breweries International N.V. (“EBI”) have jointly mandated Citibank, N.A.(“Citibank”) and HSBC Bank plc (“HSBC”) (the “Mandated Lead Arrangers” and “Bookrunners”) to arrange a US$500 million Term Loan Facility (the “Facility”). The Facility will be used for general corporate purposes including the refinancing of existing indebtedness, Efes Beverage Group / Anadolu Efes released to the public July 20.

Syndication was launched July 20 and a Bank Meeting will be hosted for prospective lenders in Istanbul on the 27th of July.

The Facility will provide the long-term refinancing of the US$500 million Bridge Facility that Citibank and HSBC provided to EBI in February 2006. EBI plans to utilize US$300 million of the Facility and Anadolu Efes plans to utilise the remaining US$200 million. Part of the Facility will take the place of the originally proposed Eurobond issue for EBI.

Anadolu Efes, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates constitute the Efes Beverage Group (“the Group”) that produces and markets beer, malt and soft drinks (under the Coca-Cola brand)across Turkey, Russia, the CIS countries, Southeast Europe, and the Middle East. Efes Beverage Group is the beverage division of the Anadolu Group and is the collective name for the domestic and international beer and soft drinks businesses.

Anadolu Efes, in addition to being the Group’s holding company, specifically and exclusively conducts the Group’s beer operation in Turkey. Anadolu Efes has its headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey and is listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (AEFES.IS) with a market capitalisation of US$2.95 billion (19 July 2006).

EBI, established in The Netherlands, is a 70.2% subsidiary of Anadolu Efes and co-ordinates the Group’s beer operations outside of Turkey, including Russia. EBI is listed on the London Stock exchange (EBID.LI) with a market capitalisation of US$976 million (19 July 2006).



21 July, 2006