Turkey: Anadolu Efes not formally informed it cannot buy Tekel beer

Turkish brewer Anadolu Efes said on February, 5 it has not been formally informed of the Turkish Council of State’s decision to suspend the Competition Board’s approval of the sale of Tekel Birası beer brand to Anadolu Efes.

The company reacted to the news which appeared in some media sources last week.

Anadolu Efes signed an agreement to acquire Tekel Birası beer brand on 15 August 2008 from Mey Alkollü İçkiler Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi (“Mey”) and in its meeting on August 25, 2009, the Competition Board approved the sale of Tekel Birası beer brand to Anadolu Efes, with decision no. 09-38/925-218 following which the brand was registered by the Turkish Patent Institute under the name of Anadolu Efes.

Although the details of the decision are not yet clear, the Competition Board as a party, has the right to appeal this decision. Following the appeal by the Competition Board, the Council of State is expected to make a final decision on the interlocutory injunction decision.

Subsequently, the same division of the Council of State will rule on the merits for the lawsuit. Currently, there is no further relevant information on the issue to be disclosed to the public, Anadolu Efes said.

10 February, 2010