Russia: Yarpivo Brewery, 60% - owned by BBH, intends to increase its annual dividend by about a third. Shareholders of the Russian brewer approved at their annual meeting on May 6 a 32% increase in dividend for 2003, following a rise in net profit. The company, which is 60%-owned by Baltic Beverages Holding, will pay a dividend of RUB700 (US$24.21) a share for 2003. In 2002 the dividend was RUB530. Net profit for Yarpivo in 2003 rose to RUB1.445 billion, compared to RUB1.276 billion in 2002. At the end of last year, the company’s market share had risen to 7.2% from 6.8% at the end of 2002.

07 May, 2004