LONDON, November 8. /Dunyo IA/. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Ravshan Usmanov held a meeting with Kingsley Wheaton, Chief Corporate Officer of British American Tobacco (BAT), reports a Dunyo IA correspondent.

During the talks, the company representative emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation with Uzbekistan. He noted that the company’s cumulative investment in the country’s economy has exceeded $530 million since 1994.

It was noted that BAT Uzbekistan has been operating as a regional export hub since 2021. In 2025, the company’s exports of raw materials and finished products reached $95 million.

The company representative reaffirmed BAT’s readiness to expand its investment activities in Uzbekistan and jointly explore new promising projects.

The meeting also focused on preventing access to nicotine products by minors, promoting responsible approaches, and exploring innovative solutions in this area.

Founded in 1902 and headquartered in London, British American Tobacco is one of the world’s largest international tobacco companies. It operates in more than 170 countries and employs over 48,000 people. Its revenue in 2025 amounted to $34 billion.

BAT Uzbekistan has been operating 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 in taxes to the state budget and was fully privatized.

Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in consistently developing mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly exploring new investment opportunities.