BRITISH American Tobacco is expanding its facilities with the construction of a $9 million tobacco processing factory in Votualevu, Nadi.
the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, BAT general manager Alexander Ivakhov said the project marked a big step for the company and its continuous commitment to Fiji.
“We overall have invested $9m into this facility between the building and the machinery we are bringing in,” he said. “It’s a tobacco leaf processing facility and it will ultimately improve leaf quality.
“It will reduce wastage and it will ensure uninterrupted supply of high quality tobacco leaf to Fijian consumers.
“So this project also in future unlocks an option for us to install a full integrated tobacco facility.
“We are very pleased that our Nadi supplier, JK Builders won this contract and I look forward to partnering with the JK Builders team delivering us this world-class facility.
“Once completed at the end of this year, it will then provide more employment to the region and will enable for more leaves to be grown on non-cyclone seasons.”
Chief guest Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum commended the company for creating more employment opportunities for Fijians and assisting in building a resilient economy.
“If there is a cyclone that wipes out crops in Valley Rd in Sigatoka, in Nadi we should be able to have enough tobacco so that the factory is still able to produce cigarette and that means people that work for the company can still come to work,” he said.
