DUSHANBE, April 3, 2012, Asia-Plus — Deputy Chairperson of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Ms. Larisa Kislyakova, who recently visited Kazakhstan, got acquainted with activities of a branch of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) operating there, the CCI press center reports.
This company reportedly intends to invest in development of tobacco industry in Tajikistan.
According to the data from the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, the tobacco industry in Tajikistan has shown a downward trend in recent years.
Ms. Kislyakova’s discussions with JTI representatives focused on tobacco market in Tajikistan and contraband and counterfeit cigarettes entering the country’s market, the source said.
The sides reportedly agreed that it is necessary to carry out a certain work jointly with Tajik tax services and Tajikstandart (agency for standardization, certification, metrology and trade inspection) to teach local entrepreneurs dealing with tobacco deliveries to Tajikistan to distinguish counterfeit product from the original one.
Top managers of Japan Tobacco International are expected to visit Tajikistan in the near future, the source added.
JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies (JT), a leading international tobacco product manufacturer. JTI was established in 1999 when Japan Tobacco Inc. acquired the US tobacco company R.J. Reynolds. The further acquisition of UK-based Gallaher in 2007 nearly doubled the size of JTI by adding 11,000 new employees.
Today, the company has over 25,000 employees, and operations in 120 countries. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
JTI has eight Global Flagship Brands that constitute the core of its brand portfolio. These are the world-renowned brands: Winston – the number two brand worldwide; Mild Seven – the top selling charcoal filter cigarette; Camel – the original American blend cigarette dating back to 1913; Benson & Hedges; Silk Cut; Sobranie; Glamour; and LD.
