Tobacco company hails Budget

British American Tobacco PNG (BATPNG) commends Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel and the Government for introducing positive reforms to the tobacco excise regime.
This move to ensure sustainable Government revenue was announced on Tuesday in the 2019 national Budget.
“It is a positive step towards clamping down on the rise of untaxed and illegal tobacco products being sold in the country,” BATPNG general manager Stephanus Duvenage said.
“Illicit tobacco trade has been depriving the country of much-needed revenue and has affected the legitimate industry for many years.
“These excise reforms announced by the Treasurer will help level the playing field and will enable the legitimate industry to compete against illegal tobacco products which do not pay excise and therefore do not contribute to the PNG economy.”
Duvenage said BAT PNG had been operating and contributing to the PNG economy for over 50 years.