Leading international companies - Philip Morris, Bulgartabac Holding, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Tobacco - have expressed their support for Bulgarian government's excise policies.

The general managers of Philip Morris Bulgaria, Bulgartabac Holding, British American Tobacco Bulgaria, Japan Tobacco International Bulgaria and Imperial Tobacco Bulgaria met Wednesday with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, and Customs Agency head Vanyo Tanov, and Angel Antonov, head of the Criminal Police Directorate.

Finance Minister Djankov has stressed the need of predictability and stability with respect to the cigarette excise as a measure against illicit cigarette trade.

He further supported the inclusion in the Excise Act of a timetable for changes of the excise in the period until 2018 as stipulated by Directive 2010/12/ of the EC.

The representatives of the cigarette industry have declared full support for the intentions of the Bulgarian government to maintain a stable excise regime at least until 2013 – when the Cabinet's term expires. They have also praised the efforts to crack down on cigarette contraband, and vowed to help the government any way they can.

The major prerequisites for achieving positive results are a stable and effective excise regime and the strict application of the counter contraband legislation. We see the determination of the government to fight the illegal cigarette trade and will continue to back these efforts," declared Nikitas Teofilopulos, General Manager of Phillip Morris Bulgaria, after the meeting.

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