Heineken in talks with Indonesia on beer ban, underage drinking

Brewing companies and Indonesia’s Trade Ministry will form a joint working group to discuss alternative solutions and programs to prevent underage drinking, Dutch brewer Heineken says.

Heineken, the largest shareholder in Multi Bintang Indonesia, met with Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel on Sunday just days after the government banned alcohol sales at convenience stores and small shops across the country.

In a press release obtained by GlobeAsia, Heineken said that the company applies very strict rules about how to market and sell its beer products that include prevention of underage drinking. It also said that Multi Bintang has worked with a large number of minimart operators to train their staff to make sure they do not sell to people below the legal drinking age of 21 years old.