HEINEKEN’s acquisition of APB approved by Competition Commission of Singapore

Amsterdam, 6 November 2012 – Heineken N.V. (‘HEINEKEN’) today announced that the Competition Commission of Singapore (the ‘CCS’) has granted clearance for the acquisition by Heineken International B.V. (‘HIBV’) of Fraser and Neave, Limited’s (‘F&N’) direct and indirect interests in Asia Pacific Breweries Limited (‘APB’) and F&N’s interest in the non-APB assets held by Asia Pacific Investment Private Limited (‘APIPL’) (the ‘Transaction’). The CCS has found that the Transaction, if carried into effect, will not infringe the Section 54 prohibition of the Competition Act of Singapore.
To date, the conditions precedent specified in paragraphs 2.1(a), (b), (c) and 2.2(a) of the Pre-conditional Offer Announcement (as defined below) are satisfied. Accordingly, HEINEKEN and F&N have agreed to complete the Transaction by no later than 20 November 2012. Upon completion of the Transaction, HEINEKEN will own in aggregate a 95.3% stake in APB.

After completion of the Transaction, HIBV will make a mandatory general offer (‘MGO’) for all the shares of APB that the HEINEKEN group does not already own, in accordance with the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers. Subsequently, HEINEKEN will seek to delist APB. Further details of the MGO will be provided in the MGO Announcement  to be made by Credit Suisse and Citi on behalf of HIBV on completion of the Transaction.

HEINEKEN is a proud, independent global brewer committed to surprise and excite consumers with its brands and products everywhere. The brand that bears the founder’s family name – Heineken® – is available in almost every country on the globe and is the world’s most valuable international premium beer brand. HEINEKEN’s aim is to be a leading brewer in each of the markets in which it operates and to have the world’s most valuable brand portfolio. HEINEKEN wants to win in all markets with Heineken® and with a full brand portfolio in markets of choice. HEINEKEN is present in over 70 countries and operates more than 140 breweries with volume of 214 million hectolitres of group beer sold. HEINEKEN is Europe’s largest brewer and the world’s third largest by volume. HEINEKEN is committed to the responsible marketing and consumption of its more than 200 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. These include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Desperados, Dos Equis, Foster’s, Heineken, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Strongbow, Tecate, and Zywiec. Our leading joint venture brands include Cristal, Kingfisher, Tiger® and Anchor. In 2011, revenue totaled EUR 17.1 billion and EBIT (beia) was EUR 2.7 billion. The number of people employed is around 70,000. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares are listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN’s website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com.