Heineken, a Dutch brewing company, has invested €16m in a new production line in Kingston factory, Jamaica, for the production of Red Stripe lager.

The new line will double the production capacity of the plant, to almost one million hectolitres.

It is being installed to exclusively produce beer to cater to overseas markets.

"It is being installed to exclusively produce beer to cater to overseas markets."

Red Stripe Jamaica managing director Ricardo Nuncio was quoted by the Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner as saying: “With that new capacity, the intention is for the export market mainly so that we will keep our current line completely focused on the domestic market.

“We expect a big uplift in our volumes in exports and so we feel that we will be using about 50% capacity; but that should be ramped up going forward, say the next three years.”

Last year, the Dutch brewer acquired Red Stripe from Diageo.

Installation of the new production line is expected to be completed by the end of this year.