OREANDA-NEWS. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has issued a credit to the tune of 5 million euros to Belarus-based Heineken breweries to support production of high-quality barley, improve the efficiency of water and electricity usage at Belarusian breweries, Heineken said in a press-release.

The funding will be provided in the form of a seven-year four-million-euro credit and a renewable one-million-euro credit available for a three-year period.

The borrower is Bobruisk-based Heineken Breweries (Mogilev Region), which is affiliated with Heineken Belarus and is fully owned by HEINEKEN N.V.

The bulk of the EBRD credit resources will go to finance a capital investment programme at Heineken’s Bobruisk-based brewery. Some of the resources provided will be invested in green refrigerating equipment, which will be distributed among Belarus-based retail outlets.

The EBRD credit will enable the brewing company to become more competitive and improve production standards in Belarus by promoting a more effective use of energy and water, the press-release said.

Established in 2007, Heineken Belarus is one of the country’s leading breweries, which owns a series of renowned local beer brands: Bobrov and Rechitskoye, Zlaty Bazant, Doctor Diesel, Gosser, PIT.

As reported by Belarus’ food concern Belgospischeprom, Heineken Belarus registered a 7.2% decrease in output in 2012 from the 2011 level to 10.718 million decaliters.

Heineken Belarus reduced beer supplies to the domestic market by 9.2% in 2012 down to 10.335 million.

Heineken Belarus’ beer exports shrank 36.4% to 218,300 dal.

Belarus’ affiliates of Heineken group of companies – Heineken Breweries, in Mogilev Region, and Rechitsapivo, in Gomel Region.