The company marks 20th anniversary globally
Japan Tobacco International (JTI), the largest Japanese investor in Serbia, launched a USD 3 million production line in its Senta factory. The new line was officially put into operation by Ana Brnabic, the Prime Minister, H.E. Junichi Maruyama, the Ambassador of Japan, Igor Mirovic, President of the Provincial Government, and Mutsuo Iwai, President of Tobacco Business at Japan Tobacco Group.
The ceremony was also attended by Istvan Pastor, President of the Assembly of AP Vojvodina and Rudolf Cegledi, the Mayor of Senta.
The new production line will enable JTI to produce new brands in the Senta factory, which in turn will positively affect Serbia’s trading balance, as instead of importing, these products will be exported to Montenegro, Bosnia&Herzegovina and Macedonia.
The Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic, pointed out: „I am in Japan Tobacco International for the first time, but I am not in Senta for the first time since we had many significant projects here, like the heating plant, the high school, health centre. I am sure that I will be back again, and that we will have more projects like this“ and added: „I want to thank JTI for everything the company did since 2006, for Senta, Vojvodina and entire Serbia. Thank you for believing in Serbia and for recognising in our country the potential for investing, and the potential for being reliable and predictable partner. I am glad that it gave results.“
The PM also highlighted the fact that JTI is one of the 5 companies that most contribute to the national budget.
Pointing out that this is the year in which JTI marks 20th anniversary on the global level, Mutsuo Iwai, President of Tobacco Business at Japan Tobacco Group, said: “Development of our company in Serbia would not have been possible without a true partnership with the President and the Government, and as the biggest Japanese investor here, Japan Tobacco remains committed to promoting Serbia as a favourable investment destination.”.
“We will surely continue to be an advocate for Serbia, both in Japan and around the world.”, added Iwai.
As the only foreign company which purchases domestic tobacco, and the largest tobacco producer in Serbia, JTI employs more than 1000 people in Belgrade and Senta, including tobacco growers and members of their families, as well as seasonal workers.
Since the acquisition of Senta Tobacco Industry in 2006, JTI has invested more than 181 million USD in Serbia, quadrupled the number of employees from 84 to 350, and launched the production and export of cigarettes to Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Albania, as well as the export of tobacco to the EU.
The value of the export since 2006 has reached nearly 250 million USD, while the market share during the same period has tripled. JTI is one of five largest taxpayers in Serbia contributing more than 2,2 billion dollars to the state budget since 2006.
JTI has received the VIRTUS award for its contribution to the local community, with 1 million USD of total contribution.