Key Takeaways
- Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes held a meeting with BAT Uzbekistan representatives.
- BAT Uzbekistan has created more than 1,000 jobs in the country.
- The company works with over 18,000 retail outlets and has attracted $530 million in investments.
- BAT Uzbekistan’s export volume reached $95 million.
- The meeting reported that illicit tobacco turnover fell from 22.4% to 7%.
2Firsts, May 9, 2026
According to UzDaily, a meeting was held at the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan with representatives of British American Tobacco Uzbekistan to discuss production expansion and related market regulation issues.
Meeting reviewed BAT’s investment and operations in Uzbekistan
The report said the meeting was attended by the department’s leadership, the Inspectorate for Regulation of the Alcohol and Tobacco Market, and business representatives.
During the discussions, it was noted that British American Tobacco Uzbekistan has created more than 1,000 jobs in the country, established cooperation with over 18,000 retail outlets, and attracted $530 million in investments.
The company’s export volume reached $95 million.
Meeting reviewed production modernization and export expansion plans
The parties also reported a decline in the share of illicit tobacco turnover in Uzbekistan from 22.4% to 7%. The report described this as a significant result of efforts to legalize the market and strengthen regulatory enforcement.
The meeting reviewed plans for further modernization of production facilities, the launch of new product lines, and the expansion of export markets.
Discussions also covered strengthening cooperation with local agricultural supply chains and promoting fair competition in the market.
Parties focused on reducing the shadow economy and improving regulation
The parties also discussed measures aimed at reducing the shadow economy, expanding legal trade in tobacco products, and further improving the regulatory and institutional framework of the sector.
Image source: uzdaily
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