Heineken, Carlsberg have their eyes on Myanmar market

London

BIG beer's latest quest for growth has Heineken NV on a collision course with Carlsberg A/S. Both brewers are seeking to exploit the potential of Myanmar, the South-east Asian nation where more than 80 per cent of the adult population drinks beer produced by a company linked to the country's former ruling military.

After Carlsberg opened a US$75 million brewery in May, Heineken will inaugurate a US$60 million facility later this month. The expansion in Myanmar comes at a time when Europe's largest brewers are turning to far-flung parts of the world for growth opportunities as sales in their home markets contract.