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Our Bureau

New Delhi March 28 Nestlé and The Coca-Cola Company today announced that they have reached a final agreement on refocusing the activities of their Beverage Partners Worldwide (BPW) joint venture.

The agreement, which is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is expected to close by April 30, is a refined version of an earlier understanding reached in November 2006.

Under the terms of the agreement, BPW will cover the total ready-to-drink tea category worldwide except in the US and Japan.

In this connection, Nestlé has licensed its Nestea and Enviga brands to Coca-Cola in the US and to BPW for the rest of the world.

As a result, both companies will be free to develop or acquire additional tea brands to compete in the US and Japanese markets, while BPW will be able to do the same in the rest of the world, to compete with other market players.

As agreed in November 2006, coffee will no longer be part of BPW's business and, consequently, Nescafé ready-to-drink coffee will be returned to Nestlé, and both Nestlé and Coca-Cola will be free to compete in coffee beverages and non-tea functional beverages worldwide.

"A joint venture focused on the total ready-to-drink tea category, excluding the US and Japan, provides an opportunity to optimise value for all stakeholders," said Mr Leslie Novos, CEO of BPW.

"The redefined scope affords BPW the opportunity to grow existing and new brands consistent with a leadership agenda outside the US and Japan."

BPW, a 50:50 joint venture by Nestlé and Coca-Cola, was created in 2001 following a period of 10 years during which the two co-operated in a joint venture called Coca-Cola and Nestlé Refreshments (CCNR).

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