Neman Tobacco Factory to work with new suppliers of raw materials from 2022 because of western sanctions - Belgospischeprom

<p> MINSK, Aug 27 - PrimePress. The Grodno-based Tobacco Factory Neman will work with new suppliers of raw materials because of the western sanctions from 2022, said Chairman of Belgospischeprom Concern Anatoli Buben. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “The Neman Tobacco Factory has been put on the sanctions list. We used to work with raw materials imported from Europe, but now we are working in the Asian direction. Especially China is giving us a helping hand. We hope that we will cope with these problems. The factory will be supplied with raw materials at least until October-November. The [tobacco factory] director promises that we will work without problems by the end of the year. And during this time, we will find new markets to ensure supplies (of raw materials – editor’s note),” Buben said in an interview with Belarus 1 TV on August 26. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, some materials have already been substituted by Belarus-made products, such as flavours for cigarettes. Cigarette labels for the Belarusian cigarettes are bought from a Russian company instead of the German one. “I think we'll find a way out,” said Buben. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “We have no problems (because of the sanctions – editor’s note)… There are minor problems with bank transfers, but these issues are being resolved - if not on the same day, then the transfers are made tomorrow,” he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Buben said that there are foreign companies interested in investing in Belarusian enterprises. “Tobacco industry. There were (foreign – editor’s note) companies ready to buy this tobacco factory or build a new one to develop the market further. We see interest on the part of the world’s largest companies - British, American, Japanese companies, the world’s largest (manufacturers – editor’s note),” he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Following the August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, a political crisis began in the country. The authorities responded to protests by citizens who disagreed with the election results with harsh repression and persecution. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The EU, the UK, the US, Canada and a number of other countries kept introduced packages of sanctions against Belarusian officials, as well as individual businesses, accusing Minsk of election rigging and human rights abuse. The EU has imposed economic sectoral sanctions since 25 June 2021. In particular, trade in oil products, potash fertilizers, raw materials and equipment for the production of tobacco and tobacco products is restricted with Belarus. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The United States on 9 Aug 2021 introduced sanctions against 23 individuals and 21 companies from Belarus, including Belaruskali, Absolutbank, Energo-Oil, New Oil Company, Bremino Group, Grodno Tobacco Factory, the National Olympic Committee and the Investigation Committee of Belarus. On 9 August 2021, the UK and Canada also imposed sanctions against major sectors of the Belarusian economy, including potash and oil refining, government securities and money market instruments, as well as dual-use goods and technologies and the aviation industry. End </p> <p>   </p>

2021-08-28

Primepress