Boost for Cup fans as drinks prices reined in

BRASÍLIA, May 15 ― World Cup fans were toasting Tuesday after Brazil's finance ministry said a planned tax hike on beverages will be on hold until after the big event.

“The government will postpone the tax rise,” said Mantega.

“It will be a Cup without drinks price rises,” he said following a meeting with representatives of the industry, bar owners and restaurateurs.

Brazil will welcome some 600,000 tourists as well as some three million domestic visitors to venues in 12 cities during the football extravaganza.

The chairman of the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants recently claimed putting up taxes on beverages could threaten some 200,000 jobs by the time the Cup ends. ― AFP-Relaxnews