22 April, 2009 - Carlsberg has today announced to the Shanghai Stock Exchange that it acquires 41% interest of Xinjiang Lanjian Jianiang Investment Co., Ltd ('Investment Company') thereby increasing it's stake to 89.3%.
The Investment Company is the major shareholder in Xinjiang Hops, which is Carlsberg's partner in Wusu Brewery Group in Xinjiang Autonomous Region the north-western part of China.
Wusu Brewery Group is one of the most important Carlsberg investments in Western China. With 9 breweries and a sale of more than 3m hl of beer in 2008 Wusu Brewery Group is market leader in Xinjiang.
At the same time the Investment Company has reduced it's shareholding in Xinjiang Hops from 41% to 29.9%.
Consequences of the above mentioned transaction:
• Increases Carlsberg’s indirect ownership of Wusu Brewey Group by 3.4% to 13.4%. Consequently, Carlsberg now owns directly/indirectly 63.4% of Wusu Brewery Group.
• Following the transaction Carlsberg will consolidate the Wusu Brewery Group (previously pro-rata consolidated).
The transaction is subject to approval from authorities, including Ministry of Commerce.