KT&G enters Kazakhstan with heated-tobacco device FLEX, stick FAIIM

KT&G announced Monday that it has launched its heated-tobacco device FLEX and four variants of its dedicated stick FAIIM in Kazakhstan.

FLEX and FAIIM are locally rebranded versions of lil AIBLE and AIIM, which the company sells in South Korea. Supply is currently limited to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, with KT&G planning to expand its retail network there in stages.

KT&G also plans to open a FLEX brand flagship store at Forum Mall, a major shopping center in Almaty.

The launch is part of KT&G's market expansion strategy, which the company has pursued this year after securing an independent commercialization base for some of its next-generation products (NGP) overseas. KT&G has been building a local production facility and broadening its retail network through its Kazakhstan subsidiary, and now plans to extend into the NGP segment alongside its existing cigarette business.

"The launch of FLEX and FAIIM in Kazakhstan marks a new starting point for our global NGP business expansion," a KT&G official said.