What is "bulgartabac"

Bulgartabac Holding Group AD or simply Bulgartabac is a Bulgarian tobacco holding company. Established in 1947 and based in the capital Sofia, it includes 11 joint-stock subsidiary companies in the tobacco-growing regions of the country.

Bulgartabac produces over 50 cigarette brands and sub-brands in its modernized factories in Sofia and Blagoevgrad using both domestic and imported tobacco. Amongst the company's brands are Victory, Femina, Prestige, Eva, Bulgartabac, MM, Melnik, Seven Hills, Global, Bridge, Tresor, BT, Charlie, Nevada, Orient Express, Country, etc.

In 2011, A unit of OAO VTB, Russia’s second-largest bank, was awarded a majority stake in Bulgartabac after the sole bidder offered to pay 100.1 million euros ($145 million) for 80% stake.