ThaiBev to expand further in Myanmar

Thai Beverage Plc, maker of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plans to increase its business in Myanmar. Like other food and beverage companies, ThaiBev sees the ASEAN country as a booming market for its products.

The company aims to do this with Singaporean firm Fraser and Neave Ltd (F&N), which it acquired earlier for S$13.8 billion (327 billion baht). F&N has a stake in Myanmar Brewery Ltd.

Whilst ThaiBev penetrated Myanmar market, it also plans to bring Myanmar beers to Thailand. This may become easier to accomplish as Myanmar government may relax its limits on ownership of breweries on a case-by-case basis.

The Myanmar Investment Commission, which oversees foreign investment, in January offered four licences for international breweries to operate domestically. ThaiBev is one of two brewers Denmark's Carlsberg being the other that won approval in February to set up breweries in Myanmar. ThaiBev is allowed to produce its flagship Chang brand in Yangon, Mandalay and Shan state.