04 July 2008. To protect domestic market from poor quality products including imported ones, a decree on licensing of tobacco and alcohol import into Turkmenistan has been signed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan.ru web edition reports.

Draft Regulations on Licensing and Sale of Imported Alcoholic Products and Tobacco Goods had been developed by the Ministry of trade and foreign economic relations complying with the president’s appeal that Turkmen consumers' rights should be protected by "establishing strict control over quality of products sold by state trade organizations and private entrepreneurs." Licenses are to be issued by the Ministry of commerce and foreign economic relations. To prevent sales of non-licensed tobacco and alcohol products, appropriate tasks have been given to the State commodity exchange and customs agencies. (vt)