However, HM Sampoerna only has a small amount of shares that are sold to the public as 98.18 percent of the company is owned by Philip Morris Indonesia. The Indonesia Stock Exchange has requested the company to list more shares on the market (preferably more than 20 percent of its stock equity) but director of Sampoerna, Paul Norman Janelle, stated that the company prefers the current situation.

The company targets its new factory in Jember (East Java) to start operations in June 2013. This factory will produce hand-made kretek (clove) cigarettes and will provide employment for about 4,500 people.

In the shareholders' meeting it was also approved that Andre Dahan will become the new marketing director, thus replacing Shea Lih Goh.

Bahas