AB InBev tries again with Asia IPO

AB InBev wants to have another go at spinning off it Asian arm.

The world's biggest brewer is planning a Hong Kong share sale worth up to 6.6 billion dollars.

It would value the unit at between 45 and 50 billion dollars.

If successful, it would be the world's second biggest flotation this year.

Jan Craps is boss of the Asian unit.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) JAN CRAPS, CEO OF BUDWEISER APAC, SAYING:

"Theoretically of course it is possible that it does not go through. It's conditional to the right valuation and market conditions. But we are quite confident that investor interest is there."

Success isn't guaranteed though.

Back in July AB InBev tried to raise almost ten billion dollars selling the same unit.

But that IPO was soon pulled.

Reuters sources say investors thought the price too high.

Now the new deal excludes AB InBev's Australian operations.

They've been sold to Japan's Asahi.

That leaves a business more focused on faster growing markets like China and Vietnam.

If investors play ball, AB InBev will use the proceeds to pay down its massive debts.

They hit more than 100 billion dollars following its purchase of rival SAB Miller in 2016.