Carlsberg Breweries A/S is increases shareholding in Vietnam, announced the company in a statement. Carlsberg Breweries A/S acquires the Danish Industrialization Fund for Developing Countries' (IFU) shareholdings of 25 % in South-East Asia Brewery Ltd. in Hanoi and 15 % in Hue Brewery Ltd. in the central part of Vietnam for a total of DKK 95 million. Carlsberg Breweries already owns 35 % of the two Vietnamese breweries and hence increases its shareholding to 60 % and 50 %, respectively. The remaining share capital in South-East Asia Brewery is owned by a Vietnamese state owned company, and the local government of Hue owns the remaining shares in Hue Brewery. The acquisition is subject to approval by local authorities.

South-East Asia Brewery brews and sells both the premium brand Carlsberg and the local brand Halida. Hue Brewery brews and sells the local brand Huda. In total, the two breweries hold a market share of about 9%. The yearly market growth rate over the past three years has been approx. 4%, and with a yearly per capita consumption of only 9 litres there is a large growth potential.

Carlsberg has been co-operating with IFU in Vietnam since 1993.

15 August, 2003