JTI entered Bangladesh in 2018 by acquiring Akij Group’s tobacco business for $1.476 billion, marking the largest private foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country’s history. Since then, JTI has invested an additional $450 million in operations, employing around 1,200 people directly and thousands more through distribution networks.
Mr. Koukourakis highlighted Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth, averaging 6% annually, and its young, ambitious workforce as key strengths. He sees the country becoming a major regional player within 10–15 years.
To attract more FDI, he emphasized the need for regulatory predictability, political stability, and fair taxation. He pointed out that 83% of the retail price of JTI’s products in Bangladesh goes to the government as tax, underscoring the industry’s significant fiscal contribution.
Comment here