Ajinomoto eyes mergers and acquisitions in India, some other markets+

TOKYO, Aug. 13 Kyodo -
Ajinomoto Co. may consider mergers and acquisitions in India and other overseas
markets where it intends to strengthen its operations, according to Masatoshi
Ito, president of the Japanese food maker.

Ajinomoto has already established proprietary marketing infrastructures in
other countries, but will possibly resort to M&As for ''faster reinforcement of
operations,'' Ito said, also citing such markets as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the
Middle East and North Africa, during a recent interview with Kyodo News.
Referring to ongoing realignment in the Japanese food industry including the
launch of merger talks in July between Kirin Holdings Co. and Suntory Ltd., he
said the consolidation of food companies is ''necessary because the market will
gradually shrink as a result of (Japan's) falling birthrate.''
The 61-year-old Ito also pointed to the favorable effects of Ajinomoto's
acquisition of soft drink maker Calpis Co. as a wholly owned subsidiary in
October 2007.
Among ''various effects,'' Calpis began selling its Calpis Water soft drink,
with acidic taste, in Thailand in March through Ajinomoto's sales network, he
said.
==Kyodo