In a first, Pakistan has received a major export order for cigarettes worth $50 million from Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia.
According to media reports, Pakistani tobacco companies had also received an import order earlier, however, they were unable to meet the quality standards and the entire stock had to be discarded.
“All the standards set by the importers have now been met successfully and we are expecting the export of cigarettes to Middle Eastern countries to start by next month,” reports quoted sources in Pakistan Tobacco Board as saying.
According to the report, Pakistan has a market share of around $25 million in the $80 billion trade of tobacco. The country has been exporting tobacco (unfinished) worth $25 million to the Middle East and some European countries, which is almost 30% of the tobacco being produced in the country.
The rest of it is used locally.
