BAT Turkey sector leader in tobacco exports

ISTANBUL

British American Tobacco (BAT) Turkey has become the sector leader, generating $197.3 million in exports of tobacco and tobacco products in 2018, the company said in a press release.

BAT was granted the grand prize for becoming the export leader in its sector in “Stars of Exports Awards” ceremony, organized by the Aegean Exporters’ Association.

BAT Turkey exported its products to 18 countries, according to BAT Turkey and North Africa area director Gökhan Bilgiç.

“BAT Turkey factory has a very strategic importance among the 55 factories of BAT globally. Our factory in Turkey that we positioned as an export base has the capacity to serve new markets,” said Bilgiç.

The Gulf Arab Cooperation Council countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, were the main destinations for BAT Turkey’s export products.

Iran was the second largest export market for the tobacco company, followed by Iraq and Libya. Lebanon was the fifth largest market, according to the press release.

British American Tobacco has been the largest buyer of tobacco grown in Turkey for more than 60 years, according to the company’s website.

BAT Turkey launched its operations at its plant in the Tire district of the Aegean İzmir province in 2002. The company started exporting products in 2006. The company’s investments in Turkey have amounted to $2 billion to date. It employs 3,000 people in the country.