STAKE AUCTION
Global brewers consider bids for Vietnam’s Sabeco
Singapore/London — Brewing groups, including Thai Beverage, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and Kirin Holdings, are gearing up to bid for a stake in Vietnam’s largest brewer, Sabeco, people familiar with the matter said, with the $5bn sale process by the government opening this week. The auction of up to 54% of Sabeco, in what is set to be Vietnam’s biggest privatisation, offers brewers access to a fast-growing market with a youthful population and beer drinking culture. Sabeco is seen as attractive as assets are scarce in a highly consolidated international beer market. Thai Bev, controlled by Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is shaping up as a strong contender, the people said, as it is familiar with the Vietnam system and sees Sabeco as key to expanding outside its home market. "They have been around this situation for many years and are very keen to get this asset," said one of the people, none of whom wanted to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media. In November, ...
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