The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry has approved state-owned brewery Habeco's
choice of Carlsberg as strategic partner.
Habeco is market leader in the Northern Vietnam where Carlsberg is present
through its brewery-joint venture in Hanoi. The partnership will provide
opportunities for both Habeco and Carlsberg to further strengthen their market
positions in Northern Vietnam but also in Central Vietnam where Carlsberg is
market leader through its brewery-joint venture in Hué.
24% of Habeco will shortly be privatized. Carlsberg has been reserved 10% and
the remaining 14% will be sold to employees and the public.
The Habeco/Carlsberg-partnership is expected to materialize in a number of
areas among which joint investment in brewery projects is the most significant.
"The engagement with Habeco is an important part of our strategy to develop our
business in Asia through partnerships and investment in market leading
companies", says Senior Vice President Jesper B. Madsen, responsible for
Carlsberg's business in Asia.
Carlsberg in Vietnam:
Carlsberg entered Vietnam in 1993 through the formation of at joint venture
with Viet Ha Brewery owned by the Hanoi Peoples Committee. Carlsberg owns 60%
of South East Asia Brewery, which is the name of the operation. In 1995 the
second Carlsberg joint venture was founded through cooperation with the Hue
Peoples Committee in Hué Brewery, of which Carlsberg owns 50%.
The Vietnamese beer market:
Similar to other countries in the region the beer market in Vietnam is rapidly
growing. The current consumption level amounts to 13 litres per capita. The
future annual growth is estimated to about 8% - like the Vietnamese GDP.
Contacts:
Media Relations: Jens Peter Skaarup +45 3327 1417
Investor Relations: Mikael Bo Larsen +45 3327 1223
