Greece: Karelia reveals record sales volumes, issues employee bonuses

Greek-owned tobacco company Karelia increased its sales by 8% in 2013, the Athens News Agency has reported. The vast majority of its annual cigarette production was exported, bringing €170 million to the country in foreign currency, according to sources.

Speaking at an annual employee event, CEO Andreas Karelia is said to have commented: “For the first time in our history, we sold a record 16.8 billion cigarettes in Greece and abroad”. In 2013, €3 million was invested in expanding production as well as to strengthen exports, with the company aiming to invest an additional €1.9 million in 2014. Global headcount had also risen by 8% in 2013, Karelia noted.

According to further reports, Karelia has made one-time benefit payments to staff totalling €2.5 million euros after taxes and social insurance contributions.

Source: Athens News Agency (as reported by Journal of the Abroad)