By January 1st, 2007, an ideal order must be established in the tobacco market. This task was put forward by President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the meeting on tobacco products market development that was held on October 12. The meeting focused on the sector’s development prospects and the current situation at the republican production unitary enterprise “Grodno Tobacco Factory ‘Neman’.”
The Head of State harshly criticized the work of all the structures involved in this sector and he underlined that the implementation of the respective assignments of the President would be placed under strict responsibility.
The development of Belarus’ tobacco market remains a problematic issue, recognized the Belarusian leader. The major competitor - the Grodno Tobacco Factory ‘Neman’ - has been given much attention on the part of the President. Modernization alone of this enterprise has cost more than Br 53 billion to the state.
In this connection, the Head of State demanded that the government report to him on progress in implementing the assignments on tobacco market development and on the true situation in this field, having particularly noted that in doing so “every detail should be taken into account.”
The President referred to the lobbying of somebody’s interests in this field as an inadmissible tool and he underlined that the manufacture of tobacco products is a highly profitable business which must yield great results and ensure earnings for the budget of the republic.
In summing up, the President pointed out that within the next shortest period the keenest attention would be paid on how his assignments regarding the activities of the alcohol, fish, and automobile markets were being fulfilled. | 
