As anticipated, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced an investigation into the local impacts of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s proposed takeover of SABMiller.
The investigation does not mean that the transaction has raised any concerns for the watchdog, simply that it wants to take a closer look at the deal.
Competition law expert John Kettle last year told Australian Brews News that an inquiry would be a matter of procedure for the ACCC, which will use the opportunity to get further insight into the workings of the beer market.
“They’ll look at it, they may publish a statement of issues, but it will go through no problem,” he predicted.
The watchdog has invited comments on the transaction from interested parties with a closing date for submissions of February 15.
It has proposed a date of April 14 to announce its decision.
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