Australia: ABB Grain Ltd., an Australian marketing concern, said on April 2 that merger talks with AusBulk Ltd., a grain logistics and malting concern, are back on, according to Dow Jones. The pair abandoned talks in early March having failed to reach an agreement on company valuations. In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, ABB said Friday that it was clear a merger had significant support from shareholders of both companies. Following a reconsideration of the issues and with good intent from both companies, the early signs "are encouraging," said ABB Chairman Trevor Day.

02 April, 2004