INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION OF STELLA ARTOIS STARTS OUT FROM ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 2265 ) ZAGREB, Sept 22 (Hina) - Among 80 countries in which the Stella Artois beer in being sold, Croatia was chosen as the location for the premiere of a new global advertisement campaign. The campaign was initiated by Belgium's Interbrew company, which also owns shares of the Croatian Zagrebacka Pivovara brewery. The Zagrebacka Pivovara has managed to achieve results in only its first year of licensed production of this beer that earned it the right to host this world premiere, general director of the Croatian brewery, Boris Lalic, told reporters on Tuesday. The Zagreb-based brewery holds the top place on the domestic market, with a market share of 33 per cent. The millionth hectolitre of beer will be sold on Wednesday, much earlier that the previous years. During the past three years, the brewery has invested DM50 million into insuring its quality and capacity, and in the next several years, it will invest a further DM40 million, Lalic said. The Interbrew group is world's fourth producer of beer, with 250 national and international brands of beer. Stella Artois is sold in more than 80 countries all over the world, with a yearly sale of 400 million hectares. (hina) lml jn 221756 MET sep 98