Azerbaijan, Baku/ Trend , corr. I. Khalilova/ Rufat Guliyev, the Chairman of the Board of European Tobacco-Baku, has said that the Enterprise has launched a new programme on introducing new technologies to produce light and high-quality cigarettes.
"This necessity arises due to the launch of large-scale actions on the struggle with smoking in Azerbaijan, and we have explained to the foreign founders of the Enterprise that it is necessary to prepare for the production of lighter and more high-quality cigarettes," said Mr. Guliyev.
A new marketing manager has been invited to elaborate a new programme.
According to the Head of European Tobacco-Baku, this expert has twenty years of relevant experience in European countries. The initial stage will include the search for those foreign partners who could provide the Enterprise with lighter tobacco.
"This process has been launched. We are negotiating with the world's two largest tobacco suppliers. Universal International Company is one of the parties with whom we are presently negotiating. This light tobacco costs 30-40 % more, but the upgrade to European standards is unavoidable," Mr. Guliyev noted.
According to him, the first tobacco products from new tobacco suppliers are expected to be available by the end of 2007. Additional investments to be put in order are for new technology on production of cigarettes, which may reach $0.5-1mln. Mr. Guliyev stated that the Enterprise does not have trouble with necessary equipment. "The trouble is just with raw materials (tobacco)", according to Mr. Guliyev.
The next stage will be to carry out more detailed work regarding packaging, paper, and filters produced at the Tobacco Factory. The Enterprise will need a year to fully meet the new standards.