Philip Morris International (PMI) signed a 3-year deal with the Athens government for the purchase of 30,000 tons oriental tobacco, the company said.

In return for PMI’s “intention to purchase,” the government said it would work to improve production and competitiveness of the oriental sector through programmes to mechanize the harvest, introduce high-yield varieties, improve curing and train growers, PMI said.
Papastratos Cigarette Manufacturing, PMI’s Greek subsidiary and partner in the pact covering the years 2016-2018, will head a cluster of markets including Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Greece.