Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Finance Mandates SICPA-ASSAN to Implement Security Tracking System for Tobacco and Alcohol Products

Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Finance Mandates SICPA-ASSAN to Implement Security Tracking System for Tobacco and Alcohol Products

April 24, 2007

    LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Turkey's Board of Revenue announced the implementation of a
country-wide product tracking system for locally
manufactured and imported tobacco, alcohol and beer
products.  SICPA-ASSAN has been named as the technology
provider to install and maintain the new security system. 
All local manufacturers and importers have until 19 June
2007 to comply with the new requirements.

    In 2006, the Ministry of Finance sought proposals for a
nationwide banderol-applied product tracking system.  The
government's three-fold objective was to introduce improved
enforcement measures to prevent tax evasion, reduce unfair
competition against local manufacturers arising from
illicit trade and provide additional protection to
consumers.

    SICPA-ASSAN was awarded the contract on the basis of
its record in deploying leading high-technology security
tracking solutions and the cost-effectiveness of its
proposal.   SICPA-ASSAN is a joint-venture company
established in Turkey by SICPA and Istanbul-based Kibar
Holding to develop product security solutions and related
technologies for products authentication and supply chain
security.

    SICPA-ASSAN is responsible for the implementation,
training, maintenance, repair and technical assistance of
all modules of the system which combines integrated
security technologies, inks and systems, hardware and
software.

    Turkey is the first country in the world to implement
one single technology to securely monitor all excisable
tobacco, alcohol and beer products.  According to the Board
of Revenue's estimation, over seven billion items will be
protected per year.

    Mr. Philippe Amon, Executive Co-Chairman of SICPA, said
today "a new generation of banderols has been designed
to comply with the security guidelines from the Board of
Revenue.  They will be produced by Tekel Packaging Factory
in Istanbul and will be applied on tobacco products and
liquors.  In the case of beer, security tracing codes will
be applied directly onto the products during manufacturing,
thus replacing the banderol."

    The product tracking system will require the
installation of non-intrusive automatic tracking systems
onto manufacturers' packing and filling lines for product
monitoring and transmission of the relevant information to
a central data management system.  To handle the monitoring
of imported products, dedicated facilities are being set-up
close to the customs points of Istanbul, Izmir and Mersin.

    With more than 70 million inhabitants, Turkey has a GDP
of US$8400 per capita (2005 est., purchasing power parity). 
As a result of the government's dynamic financial and
economic building programme, Turkey has recently seen
impressive progress.  Economic growth has averaged more
than 5% a year and inflation has fallen dramatically.

    Note to Editors:
    Founded in 1927, SICPA is the leader in the field of
security inks and integrated security solutions.  SICPA is
the world's leading manufacturer of banknote and value
document security inks present on most currencies of the
world.

    The globalization of brands has triggered an
unprecedented parallel market for illicit trade and
counterfeiting.  Recognising a growing need to protect
governments against tax evasion and brand owners against
brand erosion, SICPA Product Security SA is the provider of
authentication solutions and integrated systems to monitor
products and secure their supply chain in order to protect
the interests of governments and brand owners.

    Today, SICPA is established in 19 countries on five
continents, has more than 1000 employees and products sold
to more than 190 countries.

    Kibar Holding AS is a large Group active in diverse
sectors across Turkey and internationally.

    Kibar Holding, which activities date back to 1970,
employs over 4000 staff in the metal, automotive,
packaging, technology and logistics industries.  The Group
is present across Turkey.


    For more information, please contact:

     Jean-Francois de Saussure
     Commercial Director
     SICPA Product Security S.A
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]