The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) approved the establishment in North Korea of a joint venture, Pyongyang White Mountain Tobacco Co., by Jilin Tobacco Industry Co.

The approval by the STMA, the regulator of China's tobacco industry, on 6 November signified the start of the practical implementation of the joint venture.
Since 2000 Jilin Tobacco Industry Co., located in northeast China's Jilin Province, have separately established a joint venture, Taedong River Tobacco Co. and Nason Shinhung Tobacco Co., in North Korea.
The cigarette output of the cigarette-making enterprises operated by Jilin Tobacco Industry Co. outside China is expected to amount to 2 billion cigarettes in 2007. (pi)