Coca Cola may be approved to acquire Huiyuan by year end

Coca Cola Co Ltd, the U.S.-based soft drink giant, may get the approval from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on the acquisition of China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd<1886> by the end of this year, sources reported, citing unnamed sources as saying.

The U.S. company has submitted the application to the ministry for acquiring Huiyuan for US$2.4 billion in September. The ministry then announced that it will review the proposed takeover under the anti-monopoly law that came into effect in August.

BNP Paribas S.A. has been hired by Huiyuan as financial advisor for the deal.