E-Malt.com News article: Nepal: New beer factory established in Nepal

A new beer factory has been established in Nepal with an investment of Rs 1 billion, Republica reported on June 19.

Tiger Brewery Nepal, which has set up plant in Butwal, aims to reduce Nepal’s beer imports and export its products to India where the demand for beer is high.

The company aims to bring Tensberg brand of beer in the Nepali market by the end of June or the first week of July.

“We have established the factory with an investment of Rs 1 billion and Rs 700 million have already been spent to build infrastructure and import machinery and raw materials,” Tejendra Khadka, proprietor of Tiger Brewery Nepal, said. “Some machinery is arriving soon.”

The factory has the capacity of producing 300,000 cartons of beer per month. Khadka is the major shareholder of Brewery Nepal. Indian businessman Prince Batra also hold stake in the brewery.

Khadka, who has 27 years of experience in liquor business, says Nepal has high potential for barley cultivation. “If the government creates favorable environment, commercial barley production can be started in Nepal itself,” he said.

According to Khadka, Nepal imports 50,000 tons of barley every year of which 18,000 tons are used for liquor production.

Initially, Tiger Brewery will launch Tensberg beer in 650 ml bottle. Khadka said the beer will be cheaper compared to existing brands available in the market but it will be of high quality.

“As we are using German technology, our products will be of high quality. We will also export our products to neighboring countries,” Kamal Sitaula, general manager-sales and marketing of Tiger Brewery, said.

Tiger Brewery wishes to establish Tensberg as a Nepali beer brand in different countries across the globe. It has already appointed 100 dealers across the country. The brewery is currently employing around 100 people.

Many trading houses are preparing to enter into liquor manufacturing business after the cabinet, in September 2012, scrapped an 11-year ban on setting up new liquor factories. It has been learnt that as many as 100 companies have flied application to obtain license to operate liquor factories.

According to Nepal Liquor Manufacturers´ Association (NELMA), the country imports liquor products worth Rs 4 billion annually. Domestic liquor factories produce liquor worth around Rs 11.70 billion.



20 June, 2014