RPT-Russia clears Carlsberg buy of Baltika-brewer BBH
(Repeats to additional Reuters clients)
MOSCOW, March 18 (Reuters) - Russia's anti-monopoly service approved a plan by Denmark's Carlsberg (CARLb.CO: Quote, Profile, Research) to get full control of fast-growing brewer Baltika by buying a 50 percent stake in its parent Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH).
The service (FAS) said in a statement on Tuesday Carlsberg and Baltika (PKBA.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) will have a share of more than 35 percent of the Russian beer market as a result of the deal and set the rules they had to follow to avoid competition restraints.
Baltika will have to give FAS two months' notice of any planned increases or cuts in its beer prices by more than 10 percent, the service said. It should also not allow any limitations on beer sales or refuse to supply beer on any unjustified economic or technical grounds.
Carlsberg is gaining 100 percent ownership of BBH as part of the takeover of its joint owner Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) SCTN.L by the Danish company and Dutch brewer Heineken (HEIN.AS: Quote, Profile, Research). (Reporting by Maria Kiselyova; Editing by David Holmes)
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