Scottish & Newcastle is set to expand into Vietnam after forming a joint venture with the Vietnam National Tobacco Corporation.
The company is believed to have been awarded a licence to build a brewery in the Long An province.
S&N is expected to report pre-tax profits of £460m, up from £391m, this week after beer sales were boosted by the hot summer and the World Cup soccer matches.
Although the smoking ban could slow sales, the effect is likely to be offset by the brewer's thriving Russian joint venture with Carlsberg.
There is also growing speculation about a bid from SABMiller. Shares are trading at 572p their highest in 12 months.
The Sunday Times 18/02/07 (Business) page 3.2
The Observer 18/02/07 (Business) page 8
The Independent on Sunday 18/02/07 (Business) page 11
