E-Malt.com News article: Luxembourg: Quilmes Industrial (Quinsa) announces no further conversions of Class A shares into Class B shares shall be permitted

Quilmes Industrial (Quinsa), Societe Anonyme ("Quinsa" or the "Company") announced that by decision of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of 4th April 2008 its articles of association were amended in order to suppress with immediate effect the rights attached to the Class A shares allowing the conversion of the Class A shares into Class B shares, according to PRNewswire, April 16. As a consequence no further conversions of Class A shares into Class B shares shall be permitted.

About Quinsa

Quinsa is a Luxembourg-based holding company that controls approximately 93% of Quilmes International (Bermuda) ("QIB"). The remaining stake is held by Companhia de Bebidas das Americas-AmBev ("AmBev").

Quinsa, through QIB, controls beverage and malting businesses in five Latin American countries. Its beer brands are strong market leaders in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, and have a presence in Chile. Further, pursuant to the Company's strategic alliance with AmBev, it has entered into license and distribution agreements to produce and sell in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay the AmBev brands. Similarly, under the agreements, AmBev may produce and distribute Quinsa's brands in Brazil.

The Company also has bottling and franchise agreements with PepsiCo, and thus accounts for 100% of PepsiCo beverage sales in both Argentina and Uruguay.

Quinsa's Class A and Class B shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.


18 April, 2008