By KO KO AUNG | FRONTIER
A bottle of Myanmar Beer. (AFP)
YANGON — Japanese beverage giant Kirin is planning to market top-selling Myanmar Beer internationally following its acquisition of a majority share in Myanmar Brewery for US$560 million, a Yangon news conference was told on August 26.
“We will build on Myanmar Brewery Limited’s success and take a great local brand to the next stage of development
The news conference follows Kirin Holdings acquisition on August 19 of Singapore-listed Fraser and Neave’s 55 percent stake in Myanmar Brewery, owned by military-run conglomerate Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.
Mr Fujikawa said there were big opportunities in the domestic beer market, which was growing in tandem with the economy.
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“Within 10 years, beer consumption will increase five-fold,” from more than 3.5 litres a person each year, he said.
Myanmar Brewery chairman U Nay Wynn said it would use the joint venture with Kirin to expand its market presence, including through the production of new brands.
Myanmar Brewery wanted to maintain the high standard and quality of Myanmar Beer and Kirin had been chosen as a joint venture partner because of the high global standard of its products, U Nay Wynn said.
Kirin Holdings was appointed by UMEHL to be its nominee for the August 19 share transfer from F&N.
The transaction came less than a fortnight after UMEHL accepted an independent valuation of $560 million for F&N’s share following a legal dispute over the value of the Singapore-based company’s stake in the brewery.
