Bulgaria will launch the sale of tobacco group Bulgartabac Holding in the middle of February, while the sell-off method will be determined within the coming weeks, the country's Economy Ministry said. 

The privatisation scheme -- a sale on the stock exchange, an auction or a competitive procedure -- will be proposed by Citibank, which serves as advisor on the deal. 

"The bank has sent preliminary inquiries to a hundred potential investors globally, both strategic and financial. The goal is to ensure that there is no serious investor left which is unaware of the project," the Ministry said. The Ministry expects to select a buyer for Bulgartabac by the summer.