site.btaEconomy Minister Loukarski Meets with Sofia BT Protestors

Economy Minister Loukarski Meets with Sofia BT Protestors

Sofia, April 27 (BTA) - Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski met with representatives of protesting workers at the Sofia BT cigarette factory.

Loukarski and Privatization and Post-privatization Control Agency Executive Director Emil Karanikolov informed the laid-off workers about the steps taken after the factory suspended operation early in April.

At the time Bulgartabac complained that a media smear campaign had forced it to give up on profitable exports to the Middle East. Movement for Rights and Freedoms MP Delyan Peevski said he was selling his stake in the company in order to avoid creating problems for Bulgartabac. It also turned out that the workers' lay-offs were not in violation of the privatization agreement, which allows for suspending operation for up to 12 months.

On Wednesday Loukarski assured the protestors that if a potential investor showed an interest in cigarette manufacture in Bulgaria, the Economy Ministry would act in accordance with the Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act. He also said that Ronahiya Shavi Company, registered in Iraq, had not followed up on its intention to invest in the factory by submitting the documents required for issuing of production and trade licences.