Construction of the Heineken factory at Metinaro is now 25% complete, according to company manager Florentino Jimmychayono.
He said the construction was a priority and the company was optimistic that the beverage production facility could commence operations by the end of this year.
“The machine will be imported in August or September and the equipment will be installed in October and production will start in December,” said Jimmychayono in Dili.
The company recently imported 13 industrial tanks to be used during the production process.
He said Heineken would produce various beverage brands at the facility, including Bintang, Tiger, Sagres, ABC, Sprite and Coca-Cola.
He said 98% of the water used in production will be sourced from Timor, with the yeast substance used in beer to be imported from Australia.
The Heineken company signed an agreement with the Timor-Leste government on January 8, 2015 to construct the factory.
Coordinator of Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Estanislau da Silva said the Heineken Company produced beverages internationally and had a good reputation.
He said the investment would have benefits for the whole country and also provide local job opportunities.
“They (Heineken) will employ many people as the company will produce 600,000 liters of beverages every day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dili resident Joaquin dos Santos said he was grateful the company would employ Timorese workers once the factory opens.
