Philip Morris optimistic despite poor recent form

Cigarette producer Philip Morris Polska (PM) intends to maintain its lead position and increase its net profit this year; not an easy task particularly after last year's pessimistic results. The revenues from sales generated in 2002, reached zl. 4.3 billion and the net profit equaled zl. 4.3 million, which is 11 times smaller than that posted in 2001. "Currently, the sale of tobacco used for hand-rolled cigarettes is on the increase, helped by favorable tax regulations," said PM spokesperson Adam Linka. The company is planning to increase the export of Polish tobacco. Since 1996, it has invested over zl.30 million in cooperation with top specialists and tobacco growers in order have the best quality product. (Rzeczpospolita, B4) A.Z.