OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2009. Baltika Breweries announced that on the conclusion of a license agreement for production of Baltika brands at DERBES Brewery Ltd in Kazakhstan was approved via absentee balloting at the Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting.

The decision was supported by more than 97% of shareholders participated in the vote.

Anton Artemiev, President of Baltika Breweries: "The result of the shareholders’ meeting has once again served to confirm the course of development for the company’s business in foreign markets. The conclusion of the license agreement will create additional opportunities to strengthen our brand portfolio in Kazakhstan, thus improving the company’s leading position in this attractive market."

Imrich Havris, President of DERBES Brewery Ltd: "The conclusion of this agreement and our close cooperation with a company as big as Baltika opens up ample opportunities for exchange of experience, and will also allow for an increase in the overall level of production of the company. Licensed production of Baltika’s brands will lead to an increase of the loading of our capacities and correspondingly the staff workload."

Complete unity in operating procedures for marketing, distribution, and sales for Baltika and DERBES is planned in the near future. This step marks an important stage in the implementation of the Carlsberg Group’s strategy for integration and efficiency increases.

Baltika Breweries is the largest FMCG producer in Russia and since 1996 it has been the leader of the Russian beer market. The Baltika brand occupies first place in Europe in terms of sales (Canadean, Euromonitor). The company comprises breweries in 10 cities of Russia and 1 brewery in Azerbaijan. It also has a wide brand portfolio. Baltika Breweries is the leading exporter of Russian beer: Baltika’s products are presented in more than 50 countries and its share of Russian beer export deliveries amounts to 70%.

DERBES Brewery Ltd is a company of Carlsberg Group, one of the leaders of the Kazakhstan beer market. Its brand portfolio includes the brands Derbes, Irbis, Alma-Ata, and Tuborg.