The Nikkei financial newspaper reports on the start of official imports of sake in Myanmar.
Reporter Nitta Yuichi covers the story from the city of Yangon. Myanmar authorities first gave permission for sake imports at the end of 2017. The Sake Export Association and Japan Eternal Trade Organisation (JETRO) held a trade fair there on 27 and 28 February 2018, with ten breweries represented including Nanbu Bijin and Dewazakura.
Import restrictions meant that only businesses like hotels serving alcohol to guests could import sake, and the first company to get an import permit from the authorities under this new system was Myanmar-based Asia Business Solutions. It supplies retailers around the country, opening the way for sake to become available throughout Myanmar.
The first import lot consisted of 912 bottles of 15 different brands, and has already arrived at Yangon Port. It is expected to be served at Japanese restaurants after clearing customs.
Links
- Original article (Japanese, Nikkei, 28 February 2018)
- The Sake Export Association (日本酒輸出協会) doesn’t have a web presence that I can find (if you know of one, please let me know)
- JETRO (English)
- Nanbu Bijin brewery (Japanese)
- Nanbu Bijin brewery (English)
- Dewazakura brewery (Japanese)
- Dewazakura brewery (English)