18/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has granted clearance to the acquisition of sole control of Bekaert Fencing NV (Bekaert) of Belgium, by Gilde Buy-Out Fund II, (Gilde) of the Netherlands, belonging to the Dutch Rabobank Group. Gilde is a specialised investment fund which focuses on investing in medium to large sized customers through management buy-outs/buy-ins in continental Europe. The company is part of the Rabobank Group, a Dutch bank and credit institution active in the financial services sector. Bekaert manufactures and sells steel fencing systems, industrial mesh and cable and wire. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure