Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/797484
tobaccoasia 29 existing products and they were developed partic- ularly for consumers who have no preference for our traditional brands." Sales of Vesta and Mars have been going "quite well", according to Tien, and with their help the company is "confident to wrest back some market share from the competi- tors". The target is to reach 28% in 2017. China imports no big threat Meanwhile, cigarettes imports from Mainland China appear to have very little impact in Taiwan. TTL estimates the total market share of Chinese brands to be less than 0.5%. "And we don't think it will increase, as the taste of China-produced cigarettes generally does not appeal to Taiwan's smokers," Tien asserted. Yet the company, which is presently operating three manufacturing plants, is successfully export- ing its own products to China, as well as North Korea and some countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the most popular brands being LongLife, 520, and Oner. Also, news was circulating in 2016 that TTL planned to enter the Singapore market, although the company would neither con- firm nor deny that when queried by TOBACCO ASIA. "But we highly welcome any business op- portunities worldwide, no matter in which region," Tien said rather ambiguously. JTI encounters mature market JTI Taiwan was established in 1999, launching its iconic brand Mevius in Taiwan in the same year. Subsequently, the market opening of 2002 pro- vided a welcome opportunity to introduce further brands, among them Winston, LD and, most re- cently, Camel. But according to Jessica Chan, vice president of corporate affairs & communications at JTI Taiwan, the country "can be characterized as a mature market." "There is a gradual reduction in consumption and a down-trading from higher priced to lower Gentle slims Mars Green (menthol) Vesta5 Courtesy of Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation