When I received the invitation to attend the launch of Red Bull in Nepal, I was left wondering. Why would a global brand like Red Bull need a launch event? It was only after I read the news that I discovered that the launch event celebrates the production of Red Bull in Nepal! Now that is quite major and arguably, a good thing for the country.
We’ll have to wait a while to see what the production of the ‘real’ Red Bull will do to many local counterfeit products like Red Blue and Red Up. Red Bull, the real one, will now be produced and shipped from its Nepal factory in Nawalpur. According to Red Bull, Nepal now becomes the fourth country to produce the golden/yellow Red Bull after Thailand, Vietnam and China.
The factory in Nawalpur was formally inaugurated by Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. According to Mahat, the Government’s ban on import of energy drinks is what brought the production of Red Bull in Nepal. The ban which was imposed in 2019 left many questioning the rationale. While some reports suggest it was the Government’s worry over the health risk posed by energy drinks, the European Commission suggests it may have been to curb the trade deficit of the Government.
Whatever the reason of the import ban, it looks like Red Bull has well and truly arrived in Nepal courtesy of Khetan Group’s investment via Saras Beverages. The launch event at the Radisson Hotel Kathmandu on Tuesday evening saw flowing Red Bull mocktails, performance by Kiran Nepali x Deepson and a very energetic dance performance by the Wild Ripperz Crew. Maybe after a can or two of Red Bull!
Photo: BecomingSanjay
