Japan Tobacco International opens tobacco-processing line in its plant in Serbia

A new and improved tobacco processing line was opened at the Japan Tobacco International (JTI) plant in Senta, northern Serbia. The line is part of a USD 6 million investment by JTI in its production facilities and business in Serbia this year.

The new facility is increasing the processing capacity by 30 percent, employing another 40 seasonal workers and thus showing the company’s intention to further develop its operations in Serbia.

The investment is even more important if one takes into account that JTI is operating in an environment where illegal tobacco trafficking is going to cause as much RSD 18 billion in losses to Serbia’s budget in 2013.

That is why JTI welcomes a quick and determined reaction by the government in preventing and punishing illegal tobacco trafficking, JTI director for Western Balkans Chris Woods stated.
"It is important for Serbia to become an attractive place for investments to successful companies like JTI and remain a reliable partner, so we could motivate them to invest in Serbia.

That is why the ministry is doing everything to protect the sale of tobacco and eliminate illegal trafficking", said Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture Dragan Glamocic, quoted by Tanjug.

Since it purchased Duvanska Industrija Senta in 2006, JTI has invested more than USD 140 million, modernized the production facilities, started producing tobacco and exported cigarettes and tobacco worth USD 95 million.