PMI Acquires Minority Stake in Egypt's Eastern Company

PMI by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.23.2024
PMI Acquires Minority Stake in Egypt's Eastern Company
PMI acquires minority stake in Egypt's leading tobacco manufacturer EAST.CA, exploring long-term cooperation in non-exclusive fields.

According to a report from Cairo-based media Egypttoday on May 22, Philip Morris International (PMI) announced on Wednesday that it has acquired a minority indirect stake in the Egyptian state-owned tobacco manufacturer Eastern Company (EAST.CA), totaling 14.7%.

 

Eastern Company is Egypt's largest cigarette manufacturer, producing products such as cigars and pipe tobacco. The company clarified that as part of this acquisition, PMI and Eastern are seeking to explore potential strategic areas of long-term collaboration in technology, manufacturing, and innovation on a non-exclusive basis. This includes heated tobacco products, paving the way for a smoke-free future in Egypt.

 

Fred de Wilde, President of the South Asia, Southeast Asia, Independent States of the Commonwealth, Middle East, and Africa Region, stated, "We look forward to exploring potential areas of collaboration with Eastern Company, including opportunities to provide Egyptian adult smokers with better alternatives to cigarettes.

 

In November 2923, Chemical Industry Holdings Corporation (CIHC) ultimately sold 30% of its subsidiary, state-owned tobacco manufacturer Eastern Company, for 164 billion Egyptian pounds. CIHC sold approximately 6.69 billion shares to the investment company Global Investment Holding, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

Egypt is selling shares of 35 state-owned companies through issuing stocks to strategic investors, listing on the EGX, or a combination of both.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

European Commission Publishes Tobacco Control Framework Evaluation, Says Smoking and Tobacco-Related Deaths Have Declined
European Commission Publishes Tobacco Control Framework Evaluation, Says Smoking and Tobacco-Related Deaths Have Declined
The European Commission has published its evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework, assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive in protecting public health and ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market.
Apr.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ispire and Jincheng Pharma Form Joint Venture to Enter Global High-Growth Nicotine Pouch Market
Ispire and Jincheng Pharma Form Joint Venture to Enter Global High-Growth Nicotine Pouch Market
Summary Ispire Technology announced a strategic joint venture with Chinese pharmaceutical company Jincheng Pharma to manufacture and commercialize nicotine pouch products. The partnership combines pharmaceutical-grade production capabilities with Ispire’s global regulatory infrastructure and distribution network as the company expands beyond vaping hardware into oral nicotine products.
Business
May.13
FDA Expands ENDS Market Access With First Authorization of Non-Tobacco and Non-Menthol Products
FDA Expands ENDS Market Access With First Authorization of Non-Tobacco and Non-Menthol Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 5, 2026 that it authorized the marketing of four Glas electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway. The authorized products are Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, Gold and Sapphire pods, each containing 50mg/ml, or 5%, tobacco-derived nicotine.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ukrainian Prosecutors and Economic Security Bureau Dismantle Illegal Vape Liquid Network Worth About UAH 30 Million
Ukrainian Prosecutors and Economic Security Bureau Dismantle Illegal Vape Liquid Network Worth About UAH 30 Million
Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General and the Bureau of Economic Security said they uncovered an illegal production and sales scheme for e-cigarette liquids that had been operating in Ukraine since 2023.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris International Says Part of Owensboro ZYN Output Is Exceeding Market Demand
Philip Morris International Says Part of Owensboro ZYN Output Is Exceeding Market Demand
Philip Morris International said its Swedish Match facility in Owensboro will adjust part of its production schedule this summer in response to changing market conditions. According to a notice the company gave union leadership and employees on April 22, parts of ZYN production will shift from a 24/7 schedule back to a 24/5 schedule. The ZYN Flagship department will return to a five-day, three-shift operation.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EU Novel Tobacco Regulation Trends and Business Response | Guest Contribution by a European Legal and Compliance Expert
EU Novel Tobacco Regulation Trends and Business Response | Guest Contribution by a European Legal and Compliance Expert
Carlos Cabrera, founder of CabLab Law & Advocacy, contributes this article to 2Firsts, arguing that the EU’s evolving approach to novel tobacco regulation may unintentionally reinforce cigarette use by narrowing alternatives. He warns companies to watch signals on flavours, labelling, traceability, nicotine pouch rules and digital marketing, while grounding business decisions in realistic timelines, compliance planning and continuous monitoring.
Apr.22