Mali: British American Tobacco agrees deal with state firm

British American Tobacco has signed a deal with Malian state tobacco company Sonatam to produce and distribute BAT's Dunhill International cigarettes in Mali, Sonatam's chief told state radio on Saturday.

"With the production of Dunhill International in Mali, Sonatam's production will be brought to 3.2 billion cigarettes compared to 1.7 billion currently," Issouf Traore said.

Sonatam will invest 7 billion CFA francs ($11.90 million) by 2020 to upgrade its production facilities. The upgrade will create 600 jobs, 200 of which are permanent, said Traore.

($1 USD = 588.38 CFA francs)