Heineken takeover of Tiger Beer maker approved

SINGAPORE - Shareholders in the parent company of the Singapore-based brewer that makes Tiger Beer on Friday approved the firm's takeover by Dutch giant Heineken.

The vote at Fraser and Neave (F&N), which held 40 per cent of Asia-Pacific Breweries (APB), clears the way for Heineken to take full control of APB.

Heineken, which is seeking to expand its Asian sales amid falling demand in western markets, already held 42 per cent of APB when it made a bid.

"I declare the resolution carried," F&N chairman Lee Hsien Yang said after 98.73 per cent of shareholders voted for the deal.

A Thai faction in F&N led by beverage billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi had earlier emerged as a potential rival to Heineken but later gave its approval to the sale of APB, which also makes Indonesia's Bintang Beer.

Heineken offered F&N $5.6 billion for its stake in the brewer.

Before Friday's meeting in Singapore, Heineken bought an additional 8.6 per cent in APB held by Thailand's Kindest Place Groups, also linked to Charoen.