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Bangalore:
Groupe Danone, which holds an equal stake in Indian
biscuit major Britannia Industries, says it will sell
its 25.5 pc stake in the company only at the "right
price", and could consider divesting it to an outside
investor if a consensus is not reached with joint venture
partner Wadia Group.
Rumours
have been doing the rounds recently that another prominent
Indian corporate house was looking at buying into Britannia,
even though the Wadias are against inducting a new investor
with aggressive plans.
Last
week, Danone indicated plans to exit Britannia as part
of a well-thought-out disengagement with the Wadia Group
in order to develop an independent India strategy.
Sources
said Danone will first offer shares to the Wadias, given
their over-a decade-old ties, but will sell its interest
"only at a certain price" and could consider
offloading to an outside investor depending on the progress
of its talks with the Wadias.
Both
the Wadias and its French partner declined to comment
on specific queries regarding shareholder agreement on
share transaction and the right of first refusal.
The
Wadias and Danone equally own 51 per cent stake in Britannia
through holding company Associated Biscuits International
Holding (ABIH). Danone has refused to indicate the price
on its stake, which is expected to come up in course of
its future discussions with the Wadias.
The
French major says it is willing to vacate the biscuit
space and sign a no-compete clause with the Wadias if
it exits Britannia.
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