SAO PAULO, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Dutch brewer Heineken

on Thursday opened a new brewery in the Brazilian

state of Minas Gerais, in one of the largest investments from

the beverage sector in the country, as the facility will focus

on premium beer production.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The new plant represents the firm's strategic push to

strengthen its leadership in Brazil's growing premium and

pure-malt beer segments, where its Heineken and Amstel brands

are market leaders.

The investment also comes as Brazilian consumers

increasingly opt for higher-quality beer products.

BY THE NUMBERS

The new brewery required an investment of 2.5 billion reais

($462.63 million), and is one of several investments the group

has made in Brazil over the past six years, totaling 6 billion

reais.

The facility has an initial production capacity of 5 million

hectoliters per year, which could be doubled soon. It also spans

an area equivalent to 140 soccer fields.

The operation now employs 350 workers, with 70% of the

workforce coming from Passos and surrounding areas.

KEY QUOTES

"Brazil is a dynamic market with demanding consumers

passionate about beer. The new unit reinforces our confidence in

the country and in the growth of the premium and pure-malt

segment," Mauricio Giamellaro, head of Heineken's Brazil unit,

said in a statement.

CONTEXT

The Passos facility is Heineken's first greenfield project -

built from scratch - in Brazil and the company's 14th brewing

operation in the country. The strategic location in southern

Minas Gerais state aims to improve distribution efficiency to

the Southeast region, Brazil's main consumption center.

($1 = 5.4039 reais)