Multinational brewing and beverage company Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) has agreed to transfer JSE-listed SABMiller’s Panamanian business to Latin-American brewing company Ambev, should its merger with the South African beer and soft drinks company be successful.
In exchange, Ambev agreed to transfer to AB InBev its business in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, AB InBev informed shareholders on Friday.
The exchange would allow AB InBev to focus on countries where the SABMiller businesses were well established and would enable Ambev to initiate operations in Panama and further expand its businesses in Central America.
The transaction was conditional on the successful closing of the proposed business combination between AB InBev and SABMiller, announced on November 11, 2015, in addition to other customary closing conditions.
Financial advisory and asset management firm Lazard acted as AB InBev’s financial adviser.