Asahi Breweries Looking to Invest in Sabeco

Friday, April 25, 2008
Japan's Asahi Breweries Ltd. is considering investing in leading Viet Nam beer maker Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corp. (Sabeco), informed sources said Friday.
Asahi, which has been in contact with Saigon Beer, hopes to acquire a stake of 10 pct initially and increase it to around 20 pct in the future, the sources said.
The major Japanese brewer approached Saigon Beer (Sabeco) after obtaining a tip that the Vietnamese company would release 20 pct of its outstanding shares, they said.

At a time when the Japanese beer market is shrinking, Asahi wants to boost its overseas operations particularly in such fast-growing markets as Vietnam.

But it is uncertain whether Asahi can actually obtain Sabeco's shares, because other major beer makers in the world are also looking to acquire a stake in the Viet Nam industry leader, the sources said. (Jiji Press)