Asia Pacific Breweries has expanded further into India with a joint venture in Andhra Pradesh, the country's largest beer market. The Singapore-based brewer, in which Heineken owns a 42% stake, announced a deal to build a greenfield brewery just outside Hyderabad. APB will join forces with the Indian soft drinks bottling firm, the Jaipuria Group.

This is APB's second foray into India in two months after it acquired a 76% stake in Aurangabad Breweries (AUBL) in May. Koh Poh Tiong, APB's Chief Executive, said: "It is critical that we establish a presence in the key markets of the country."

Andhra Pradesh makes up some 16% of India 's total beer market, which consumes 800 million litres of beer a year, but is growing at 7%.

For this story and daily updates, go to www.just-drinks.com

http://www.just-drinks.com/article.aspx?id=86953&lk=sd02