Japan’s Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd expects to make a long-term strategic investment in Sài Gòn Beer-Alcohol-Beverages Joint Stock Corporation (Sabeco), Viet Nam’s leading beer producer.

Speaking at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue in Ha Noi on Thursday, Executive Vice President and Senior Executive Officer of the group Keisuke Nishimura said he hoped to co-operate with Sabeco in studying the development of fresh fruit juice in the future.

Hue has hailed Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd’s investment expansion in Viet Nam as the right decision since the country’s beer and beverage market boasts huge potential.

Hue said the Vietnamese Government is sparing no effort in improving the business environment and increasing competitiveness, as well as creating the most favourable conditions for both domestic and foreign enterprises, he said.

It is also stepping up the equitisation and divestment of State-owned enterprises, he said, adding that major brands such as Habeco, Sabeco and Vinamilk are part of the equitisation plan from now until 2020.

Hue hopes that Kirin will expand its investment in the field of beverages, especially those made from fresh Vietnamese fruit. The Vietnamese Government encourages the sale and consumption of non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks.

In Viet Nam, Kirin has co-operated with Interfood to develop the Wonderfarm brand name. As far as beverages and alcohol in the country, Kirin has sent staff from Sabeco and Ha Noi Beer Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation (Habeco) to Japan to attend training courses on waste water treatment and cutting production costs.

Established in 1907, Kirin has become a global group with 188 subsidiary companies and around 40,000 employees. Specialising in the fields of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and bio-chemicals, the group posted revenue of US$18.7 billion in 2016. — VNS