ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Croatia's tobacco manufacturer Tvornica Duhana Rovinj (TDR) on Sunday issued a statement in reaction to accusations of monopoly British American Tobacco (BAT) recently gave as the reason behind its recent
decision to temporarily cease investing in another Croatian tobacco manufacturer, Tvornica Duhana Zadar (TDZ). "Arbitrary accusations of alleged monopoly on TDR's part are inappropriate, especially when uttered by the BAT, because it is known that this company has the monopoly in some 30 countries around the world, including tobacco power Brazil," reads the TDR statement. According to the BAT, the obstacles to its further investing into the TDZ were new rule books on manufacturers and conditions of tobacco manufacturing, which gives the TDR control over the price of cigarettes manufactured in the TDZ, and TDR's agreements with distributors o
ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Croatia's tobacco manufacturer Tvornica
Duhana Rovinj (TDR) on Sunday issued a statement in reaction to
accusations of monopoly British American Tobacco (BAT) recently
gave as the reason behind its recent decision to temporarily cease
investing in another Croatian tobacco manufacturer, Tvornica
Duhana Zadar (TDZ).
"Arbitrary accusations of alleged monopoly on TDR's part are
inappropriate, especially when uttered by the BAT, because it is
known that this company has the monopoly in some 30 countries around
the world, including tobacco power Brazil," reads the TDR
statement.
According to the BAT, the obstacles to its further investing into
the TDZ were new rule books on manufacturers and conditions of
tobacco manufacturing, which gives the TDR control over the price
of cigarettes manufactured in the TDZ, and TDR's agreements with
distributors on fines for those distributors which decide to
purchase cigarettes from any other manufacturer except the TDR.
The TDR says the BAT is using "false statements and untrue claims"
to "complain to and lecture the Croatian public and government" at a
"carefully chosen moment", adding the note on the cessation of
further investments is specific blackmail of the new government,
the TDR adds.
Is unfair on BAT's part to accuse Croatia's former government of its
failure, the TDR claims, pointing out the accusations are an
attempt to manipulate the newly-elected authorities.
The TDR further says BAT's claim that it is the largest investor in
Croatia is cynical given its US$7 million-investment, which the TDR
maintains was made for BAT's own profit, and not to further
Croatia's economy.
(hina) ha