UK: Carlsberg gets approval to buy Britvic

Carlsberg's £3.3 billion deal to buy Robinsons squash maker Britvic has been given the green light by Britain's competition watchdog, smoothing the way for one of the year's biggest takeover deals, BBC reported on December 17.

The two businesses announced the agreement in July to bring together Carlsberg's array of beers with the soft drinks portfolio of Britvic, based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

In September, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it would launch an initial probe, but confirmed on Tuesday, external it would be not be referring the tie-up for a full in-depth investigation.

The deal is now expected to complete on 16 January.

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