"Philip Morris Romania has a 15.4 percent share of total sales of Philip Morris International worldwide except China, considering Philip Morris International has 42 production units throughout the world," said Richard Morgan, General Manager of Philip Morris Romania.

Producers estimate the value of the Romanian cigarette market at €1.4 billion, and expect this to reach €1.7 bln by the end of 2007. The main companies in the field are British American Tobacco (BAT), with a 39.7 percent market share in terms of volume, Philip Morris, with 27.9 percent, JTI, with 24.9 percent, and Gallaher, with 4.1 percent, according to market studies.

Morgan said that Philip Morris Romania will invest significantly in export expansion, the acquisition of new equipment, and an increase in its production capacity in 2008. The company posted RON 1.72 bln (some €490 mln) in net sales and RON 11.4 mln (€3.25 mln) in profit in 2006, according to company data.