Press reports in Russia have suggested that First Federation, the former exclusive distributor of Heineken in Russia, is to sue the Dutch brewer for allegedly concealing plans to begin brewing its brand locally from the middle of 2003.

First Federation is reportedly suing Heineken for US$60m, with the first hearing scheduled to take place in Amsterdam on March 3.

In 2002, Heineken sold some 1.2m litres of Dutch-brewed beer in Russia, 10% of the imported beer market in the country.

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