Pernod Ricard predicts growth

Scotland: French spirits giant Pernod Ricard expects booming Asian and Latin American markets will drive near- term growth as there were positive signs of recovery in the drinks market, chief executive Pierre Pringuet said.

The Paris-based maker of Chivas Regal whisky and Absolut vodka has reported a sharp bounce back in sales in the first three months of 2010, helped by a number of one -off factors, but Pringuet is upbeat about the prospects for global recovery in the drinks market.