UK, London: SABMiller's bid for Harbin Brewery Group was not central to its Asia strategy, Andre Parker, the London-based brewer's managing director for Asia and Africa, told the Financial Times on May 20. "We are pretty much on track, with or without Harbin," Parker said. "Harbin would be great but it's not the end of the world for us. There are plenty of opportunities" in China, he was cited by the newspaper as saying.

Anheuser-Busch might make a counter-bid for Harbin after SABMiller released its offer document next week, the Financial Times said.

21 May, 2004