{
  "id": 19109232,
  "title": "KT&G Launches Heated Tobacco in Kazakhstan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/kt-g-launches-heated-tobacco-in-kazakhstan-19109232",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-09T07:06:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BusinessKorea",
    "slug": "businesskorea",
    "url": "https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=280812"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In October, KT&G introduced the heated tobacco device \"FLEX\" and four types of dedicated sticks \"FAIIM\" in Kazakhstan. These new products are rebranded versions of \"lil AIBLE\" and \"AIM,\" which are currently sold in South Korea, adapted to suit the local market's needs. The initial supply will focus on Almaty, Kazakhstan's biggest city. KT&G has set up a FLEX brand flagship store at Forum Mall, a large shopping center in Almaty, offering local consumers product consultations and brand experiences. The company intends to gradually widen its distribution network in the country, with Almaty as its central hub. This latest product launch is built upon KT&G's business foundation in Kazakhstan, which includes establishing a local production facility and securing a distribution network. The strategy of KT&G is to enhance its product lineup from its existing cigarette business to the non-cigarette products (NGP) sector, aiming to increase market share and profitability. A KT&G representative stated that entering the Kazakhstan market is a fresh beginning for the expansion of its global NGP business. They intend to boost their growth by continuing to enter regions not yet covered, using differentiated product competitiveness and a locally tailored approach.",
  "summary": "In October, KT&G launched the heated tobacco device “FLEX” and four types of the dedicated sticks “FAIIM” in Kazakhstan. The products are newly rebranded versions of “lil AIBLE” and “AIM,” which are currently sold in South Korea, tailored to the characteristics of the local market.Initial supply wil",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}