Liberalisation of the tobacco products market had a positive impact on national cigarette producer Bulgartabac Holding, the company’s executive director Hristo Lachev said.

Market changes occurred on January 1, after Bulgaria became EU member. As everything, the changes had both positive and negative effects but were useful for improving national production, Lachev said.

Pressures stemming from the liberal market forced Bulgartabac to reform and introduce innovations, Lachev said as quoted by Focus news agency.

It is uncertain if the prices of local cigarette brands will go down to deal with the foreign competition. Market dynamics will determine the prices, Lachev said.

In the first three months of 2007 Bulgartabac registered increase in cigarette exports. Bulgaria exports to the Middle East, Italy, Austria, Georgia, Albania, Armenia and the Czech Republic.

Lachev said that Bulgartabac was getting ready to enter the Romanian market.

EU accession played positive role since Bulgarian production got access to a bigger market, Lachev said.