Budějovický Budvar transformation expected in May

Changes transforming state-owned brewery Budějovický Budvar into a shareholder company should be tabled for government discussion in May, Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič announced on Wednesday. The closely followed changes in the brewery’s current status of national corporation are seen as a signal that the brewery is being prepared for privatisation. The minister, who has in the past raised the prospects of bringing in a new shareholder, says the change is needed to update the company regardless of a sale. Gandalovič said the transformation was taking time because care had to be taken to protect Budějovický Budvar’s trademark rights. The Czech brewer is involved in a long-running and costly trademark dispute with US-based brewer Anheuser-Busch over rights to use the Budweiser name.

Author: Chris Johnstone