New tobacco factory slated for Bekfaya

Farmers receive advanced harvest tools

The Cabinet has recently approved a grant by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) for the construction of a tobacco sorting facility in Bekfaya. The grant, valued at $500,000, will cover only part of the cost of the facility.

JTI is behind flagship cigarette brands including Winston, Camel, and Glamour.

Significant investments in tobacco manufacturing were announced by the 'Régie' managing the monopoly of procurement, manufacturing, and selling of tobacco and tombac. This includes $2 million for setting up a new tobacco-rolling line.

Hassan Fakih, head of the Union of Tobacco Farmers’ Associations said investments in new factories are much needed to foster the growth of the sector. He estimated the overall tobacco production this year at around eight million tons.

Recently, the Union of Tobacco Farmers’ Associations received equipment for the cultivation of tobacco plants through one of the Régie-run tobacco companies. Officials at the Régie said the new equipment is expected to trim the cost of tobacco farming by almost one third and improve production capacity. Experts from Greece will soon offer two months of training for local farmers on how to operate the equipment.