VDB Loi has assisted Heineken, and its subsidiary Asia Pacific Brewery, to secure a permit for the nationwide distribution of certain products in Myanmar.

The awarding of the permit marks the first time that the Myanmar Investment Commission, the country’s investment regulator, has allowed a foreign company to distribute its products in Myanmar.

The team from VDB Loi was led by tax partners Edwin Vanderbruggen and Jean Loi.

“In Dutch, we say ‘nee heb je en ja kun je krigen.' That means something like since you already have a ‘no,' why not try for a ‘yes’ as there is nothing to lose,” said Vanderbruggen.

The firm, which has eight partners, advised Qatar-based Ooredoo on its planned $15 billion investment in January to develop Myanmar’s telecommunications sector.