Korea Tobacco has announced that it will set up a legal entity in Uzbekistan, following strong sales of its ESSE cigarette brand there. With this move. KT&G plans to enhance its long-term competitiveness in Eurasia.
According to N. News reported on January 13, Korea Tobacco (hereinafter referred to as “KT&G”) announced that it will set up a legal entity in Uzbekistan, and plans to strengthen its competitiveness in the Eurasian region.
Previously, KT&G established an office in Uzbekistan in 2023 and exported localized products of the ultra-fine cigarette brand “ESSE”. In 2024, the total sales volume of ESSE’s seven products in Uzbekistan reached 270 million units, of which the best-selling product Esse Change accounted for 64% of exports.
By transforming its Uzbek office into a legal entity. KT&G plans to enhance its long-term competitiveness in Eurasia. The company also plans to more than quadruple the size of its local workforce and build a better sales network to strengthen its market position.
On the other hand, KT&G last year established a regional CIC (independent enterprise within the company) in Eurasia and Asia Pacific. Currently, KT&G is present in 132 countries, with 6 sales entities and 3 offices. KT&G said it will continue to strengthen its directly operated business system to improve profitability.
A representative of KT&G said that the establishment of a legal entity in Uzbekistan is a continuation of its goal of becoming a “global top tier” following the establishment of a legal entity in Kazakhstan in 2023, and is part of its investment and innovation strategy. In the future, KT&G will continue to drive global business growth by strengthening its local business system.
