BRUSSELS, Sept 29, 2008 (AFP) - Shareholders in Belgian-Brazilian brewery giant InBev on Monday approved the planned takeover of US rival Anheuser-Busch.

An extraordinary general meeting of the world's biggest brewer backed the 52 billion dollar (33 billion euro) bid, which required the support of shareholders representing at least 75 percent of Inbev's total equity.

'This vote demonstrates the confidence our shareholders have in the strategic and financial benefits of the combination with Anheuser-Busch,' said Inbev's Chief Executive Officer Carlos Brito.

'We are very pleased to complete this important milestone and we remain on track to close the transaction by the end of the year,' he added.

By swallowing up Anheuser-Busch, Inbev will strengthen its position as the world's biggest brewer, well ahead of Britain's SABMiller.

While ending Anheuser's roughly 150 years of independence as a premier American brewer, the deal will also create one of the top five consumer goods groups in the world.

The combined company, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, will have net sales of about 36 billion dollars a year, offering consumers some 300 brands, including Anheuser's Budweiser and Bud Light, and InBev's Stella Artois and Beck's.