Dutch brewer Heineken NV is expected to invest up to US$40 million to build a manufacturing plant in East Timor, says the Government. The brewer, through Singapore-based Heineken Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, will produce beer and other alcoholic, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as drinkable water, the Government said in a statement.

Heineken’s East Timor investment, approved this week by the Government, is expected to create about 1,000 jobs. Heineken has registered its Timor office as Heineken Timor, S.A.

The statement added the company would be granted tax benefits as outlined in the country’s Investment Law.

Heineken has operations in more than 70 countries with 165 manufacturing plants, employing more than 85,000 people. The brewer has a strong presence in Asia. It makes Indonesia’s Bintang beer brand and Singapore’s Tiger Beer, and is likely to develop a Timor-branded brew.

Earlier this year it was reported that the Government was also studying a proposal from Denmark’s Carlsberg As-B, which plans to build a factory and produce alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in East Timor.