Belgium: InBev to direct divestments from AB merger to businesses, not to brands

InBev SA. Chief Financial Officer Felipe Dutra said any non-core asset divestments arising from the brewer's $52 billion merger with Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. will focus on businesses rather than brands, Thomson Financial News communicated on August 14.

Following publication of the group's second-quarter results, Dutra said there is a lot of 'potential' in the merged group's brand portfolio.

He also said that the group continues to have 'productive' discussions with Grupo Modelo over the merger. The Mexican group is 50 percent owned by Anheuser-Busch.

On acquisitions, Dutra said the group will focus on running a merged business over the next few years.

19 August, 2008