OREANDA-NEWS. On January 28, 2007 Heineken NV has set up a joint venture with Efes Breweries International (EBI) in order to invest in the rapidly growing Uzbek beer market, reported the press-centre of UZINFOINVEST.

Heineken will hold 40% and EBI 60% of the shares in the joint venture, with EBI responsible for operational management, Heineken said in a statement.

Heineken and EBI added they would also combine their operations in the Kazakh and Serbian beer markets.

"With the combined resources, skills and brands of our two businesses, we believe that we will be able to drive stronger, faster growth than would be possible separately," said Nico Nusmeier, Heineken regional president for central and eastern Europe.

"From a strategic Heineken perspective, this deal also leaves us well positioned to achieve leadership positions in three fast-growing Central and Eastern European beer markets," he added.

Heineken, the world's fourth-largest brewer in terms of sales, is looking to expand into fast-growing Eastern European markets.

EBI, operates in Russia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Serbia, where the company has ten breweries with a total annual capacity of 24,6 million hectolitres.

Last week Heineken together with Carlsberg finally agreed to buy rival Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) for 7,8 billion pounds (USD 15,3 billion) to carve up Britain's biggest brewer after a three-month takeover saga.