JTI Organizes Workshop on Illicit Tobacco Trade with Government Leaders

As part of its commitment to supporting Egypt efforts to safeguard the national economy, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) organized a specialized training workshop for a number of leaders and representatives from Egyptian government entities. The workshop addressed the growing challenges associated with the illicit trade in tobacco products and its direct impact on public revenues and economic stability.

The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Tax Authority, Customs Authority, and the Intellectual Property Protection Office, in addition to senior officials from the Central Administration for Combating Customs Evasion.

JTI representatives delivered interactive presentations highlighting global best practices in combating illicit trade and enforcing customs laws. The discussions showcased smuggling methods used in the Middle East and Africa, their origins, and the challenges facing border crossings. The Workshop further tackled the impact of illicit trade on the national economy and the protection of the Egyptian consumer from products that do not comply with Egyptian or international standards.

The event also featured the participation of representatives from Eastern Company, who shared insights on the current landscape of counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products in the market.

“This initiative represents a successful model of cooperation between the public and private sectors, noting that “Illicit trade not only affects tax revenues but also undermines the principle of fair competition and negatively also affects foreign investments and business sentiment in the Egyptian market, and has a negative impact on the Egyptian consumer.” He added: “We value JTI’s active partnership and its role in supporting national capabilities to confront this growing phenomenon,” said Mohamed Hassan, Head of the Central Administration for Combating Customs Evasion.

“JTI is committed to supporting the Egyptian government’s vision in combating smuggling, emphasizing that “this workshop comes as a continuation of our efforts to build bridges of cooperation with government entities and to enhance the exchange of expertise in addressing challenges that threaten economic development,” stated Mariana Salib, General Manager of JTI Egypt.

The event wrapped up with a strong call to sustain collaboration between government authorities and the private sector to implement effective measures that protect the local market and uphold fair competition, supporting the nation’s vision for a more stable and transparent economy.