Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — British American Tobacco (BAT) has invested more than US$530 million in Uzbekistan’s economy since 1994.
The figure was announced by the company’s Chief Corporate Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, at a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Ravshan Usmanov, Dunyo news agency reported.
During the talks, the BAT representative emphasised the importance of cooperation with Uzbekistan and confirmed the company’s readiness to expand its investment activities in the country and jointly explore new promising projects.
It was noted that BAT Uzbekistan has operated as a regional export hub since 2021. In 2025, the company’s exports of raw materials and finished products reached US$95 million.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was preventing the use of nicotine products by minors, promoting responsible approaches and considering innovative solutions in this area.
BAT Uzbekistan has operated in the Uzbek market since 1994, employs more than 1,000 people and is among the country’s largest taxpayers. In 2025, the company paid 3.2 trillion soums into the state budget. The statement also noted that the company was fully privatised last year.
British American Tobacco is one of the world’s largest international tobacco companies. Founded in 1902, it is headquartered in London. The company operates in more than 170 countries and employs over 48,000 people. BAT’s revenue in 2025 amounted to US$34 billion.
Following the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their interest in further developing mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly exploring new investment opportunities.
