Manufacturers And Government as One on Excise

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 03/18/2011

Bulgartabac and the Bulgarian affiliates of Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Tobacco have all expressed their support for the government's excise policies, according to a Novinite story. The companies' general managers met on Wednesday with the Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, the Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, the head of the Customs Agency, Vanyo Tanov, and the head of the Criminal Police Directorate, Angel Antonov. Djankov has stressed the need for cigarette-excise predictability and stability as part of the fight against the illicit cigarette trade. He supports the inclusion in the country's excise act of a timetable for excise changes from now until 2018, in line with Bulgaria's EU commitments. The cigarette companies have declared full support for the government's plan to maintain a stable excise regime, at least until 2013 when the present cabinet's term expires. They have praised the government's efforts to crack down on cigarette contraband and vowed to help the government in any way they can. The major prerequisites for achieving positive results were a stable and effective excise regime, and the strict application of the country's counter contraband legislation, said Nikitas Teofilopulos, the general manager of Phillip Morris Bulgaria, after the meeting. "We see the determination of the government to fight the illegal cigarette trade and will continue to back these efforts," he added. Enditem