The Ministry of Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan is suggesting a twofold hike in excise tax rates for tobacco products imported from WTO non-member countries, reports the news agency KABAR.

Another option involves setting quotas for cigarette import. According to the Ministry, the country has the capacities for manufacturing cigarettes locally, but imports them commercially. 2007 also saw a decline in production of fermented tobacco leaf, while part of the crop was exported. (vt)