[PHNOM PENH POST]
AN emerging middle class and growing economy make Cambodia the ideal
investment environment for alcoholic beverage companies, according to a
recent market entrant.
India’s largest sprits company United
Spirits Limited entered the Cambodian market in September last year, its
first venture in Southeast Asia.
“We consider Cambodia to be
the hub of development in the Indo-China belt, showing a healthy GDP
growth of around five percent every year, for the last three years,”
said Cambodia Business Head Prottyush Lahiri.
“Also, a steady
growth of the middle-class income group makes it an attractive market
for our extremely competitively priced scotch blends, vodka and rum.”
He expects “patrons to grow” as distribution and availability of the brands continues to increase nationwide.
The
cordial socio-political relationship between India and Cambodia was
another factor in the decision to compete in the market, added Prottyush
Lahiri.
Since locating to the Kingdom, the company claims its
brands have been well received in Cambodia’s provinces, highlighting
taste and packing.
“Considering it is our first few months, our
brands are now present in about twelve of the main provinces in Cambodia
and we have had wide appreciation…” he said.
USL’s most
successful brand within Cambodia is currently Mcdowell’s No.1 Reserve
Whisky, while other popular products include Royal Challenge Finest
Premium whisky and White Mischief vodka.
The firm operates in 48
countries and is a conglomerate of seven companies owned by United
Brewery Group, producers of renowned Indian lager Kingfisher. However,
there are currently no plans to bring the flagship to Cambodia,
according to Prottyush Lahiri.
United Brewery Chief Operating
Officer Kaushik Chartterji previously told The Post that the company
sees its Cambodian operations as a stepping-off point to expansion
throughout the region.
USL is present in China, while fully-owned subsidiary Whyte and Mackay has commenced operations in Vietnam and Singapore.
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