PTC to Launch BAT Velo in Japan, to Bring in $100 Million Annual Foreign Exchange Earnings

Business by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.28.2024
PTC to Launch BAT Velo in Japan, to Bring in $100 Million Annual Foreign Exchange Earnings
Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) announced the launch of "Pakistan Manufacture 3.0" plan, aiming to boost global market influence.

According to a report from Business Record in 2024, Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) announced on May 27 the launch of its "Pakistan Manufacturing 3.0" plan. It is reported that Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT) and the first multinational company in Pakistan. Over the past five years, PTC has contributed over 680 billion Pakistani Rupees (approximately $8.1 billion) to the national treasury.

 

PTC to Launch BAT Velo in Japan, to Bring in $100 Million Annual Foreign Exchange Earnings

 

This project will see PTC's modern smokeless nicotine pouch (Velo) products exported to Japan, expanding Pakistan's influence in the global market and expected to bring in annual foreign exchange earnings of up to $100 million. Jam Kamal Khan, the Federal Minister of Commerce, attended the press conference, with invited guests from both public and private sectors.

 

In April 2019, PTC launched its "Made in Pakistan" initiative, with a focus on exporting cigarettes and tobacco to various countries. Currently, this initiative has generated over $157 million in revenue for the Pakistani economy.

 

Building on this successful foundation, the "Pakistan Made 3.0 Plan" aims to further enhance Pakistan's economic status. The introduction of nicotine pouches to the Japanese market is expected to generate an additional $50 million in revenue annually by increasing foreign exchange earnings.

 

Michael Dijanosic, the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa Director for BAT Group, stated, "We are proud that PTC can export modern oral nicotine pouches to important markets such as Japan. This achievement highlights our strong partnership and marks a significant step forward for both BAT and Pakistan.

 

The CEO and General Manager of PTC, Ali Akbar, stated, "We are pleased to expand the impact of Velo and further drive economic development in Pakistan.

 

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

FDA Appoints Former Tobacco Enforcement Deputy Jessica Zeller as Director as Agency Weighs PMTA Framework Changes
FDA Appoints Former Tobacco Enforcement Deputy Jessica Zeller as Director as Agency Weighs PMTA Framework Changes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has named Jessica Zeller director of the Center for Tobacco Products' (CTP) Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE), effective November 1, 2026. Zeller, the office's inaugural deputy director, returns from medical device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences with more than 20 years of regulatory and legal experience. The appointment follows CTP leadership changes and adjustments to tobacco regulation. Bret Koplow became permanent CTP director in September; the FDA revised enforcement priorities for unauthorized e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in May and announced faster PMTA review procedures. On September 28, the agency said it would evaluate changes to the existing PMTA regulatory framework, including potential rulemaking to replace it.
FDA
Oct.20 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Gallery | InterTabac 2026 Opens as VAPORESSO, SKE, GREENTANK, GEEK BAR and Other Brands Take the Floor
Gallery | InterTabac 2026 Opens as VAPORESSO, SKE, GREENTANK, GEEK BAR and Other Brands Take the Floor
InterTabac 2026 opened in Dortmund, Germany, on September 15 alongside NUBIZ and InterSupply. According to the latest figures released by the organizer, the three trade shows bring together around 750 exhibitors from 64 countries. On site, 2Firsts observed vaping and related brands including VAPORESSO, DOJO, SKE, GREENTANK, GEEK BAR, HQD and ELUX.
Special Report
Sep.15
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Swedish nicotine pouch brand Kelly White is building its strategy around adult female consumers. Founder and CEO Sophia Wilsby told 2Firsts that women accounted for around 70% of the brand’s repeat customers on HAYPP in Sweden in 2025. The interview explores female consumer segmentation, product and design differentiation, gender stereotypes, packaging regulation, and how independent brands can compete with global players such as ZYN and VELO while considering funding, partnerships and future ownership options.
Business
Sep.24
JTI Invests ₱2.1 Billion to Upgrade Batangas Manufacturing Hub, Adds First Southeast Asia DIET Facility
JTI Invests ₱2.1 Billion to Upgrade Batangas Manufacturing Hub, Adds First Southeast Asia DIET Facility
JTI Asia Manufacturing Corp. has invested ₱2.1 billion, or about $37 million, in its manufacturing site in Malvar, Batangas, Philippines, to expand tobacco-processing capabilities. About ₱1.9 billion is allocated to JTI's first Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco, or DIET, facility in Southeast Asia, while more than ₱177 million has been spent on expanding its Controlled Atmosphere treatment facility. The Batangas plant supplies the Philippine market and exports to 22 overseas markets, making it one of JTI's key manufacturing hubs in Asia.
Sep.24
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
A U.S. Government Accountability Office audit found that 131,915 tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA since 2018 remained without a final review as of December 31, 2025, with pending applications waiting an average of 1,266 days. GAO also found FDA lacks the data needed to systematically determine whether scientific reviews meet applicable timelines. HHS agreed to upgrade the agency's tracking systems. At the same time, FDA has begun applying lessons from its nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to e-cigarette reviews, while changes to enforcement policy and electronic submissions are making the specific stage of a PMTA increasingly relevant to market access.
FDA
Oct.03
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s state of Victoria has activated new powers allowing Tobacco Licensing Victoria and police to shut premises suspected of selling, supplying or possessing illicit tobacco for up to 90 days. Longer closures can be ordered by a magistrates’ court. Businesses subject to closure orders must generally cease all trading and will be placed on a public list. Breaching a closure order can carry penalties of up to A$2.5 million and 20 years in prison.
Sep.10