The Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic (ProCigar) recognized President Luis Abinader on Thursday, 1 September 2022. The recognition came on occasion of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of ProCigar in Santiago.
The cigar producers gathered to thank the President for his strong support to the tobacco industry. The industry is implementing the Plan for the Relaunching of the Tobacco Industry to raise the competitiveness of Dominican tobacco producers and create new job opportunities for locals.
“Word gave way to action and since that moment, we are seeing historical figures that show that we have been fulfilling several of the objectives included in the plan,” said President Abinader at the event.
“We have worked so that none of the areas of the industry are left out, from the cultivation, the warehouses, the large, medium and small manufacturers, but that they form part of the change that the sector is exhibiting today and that makes us proud as Dominicans”.
President Abinader highlighted that tobacco planting is being expanded in different areas of the country, such as in the South, which includes Azua and Las Matas de Farfán. He mentioned new support for land preparation, opening of wells and cleaning of irrigation canals.
“How good that we are betting on the consolidation of a sector that has been present in the very history of the country and has left indelible traces in its successful journey around the world!,” highlighted the President.
The cigar producers also thanked the President for his firm commitment for the National Congress declaring of tobacco and cigars as cultural heritage of the country.
President Luis Abinader spoke of the impact of the tobacco and cigar producing sector on the economy. He mentioned statistics that first half of the year cigar exports are US$726 million, with the outlook positive for a growth year.
Procigar also mentioned government support in establishing stronger controls against tobacco product contraband with the issuance of the regulations for the application of Law 17-19 on the Eradication of Illicit Trade, Contraband and Counterfeiting of Regulated Products, through Decree 405-22.
The president of Procigar Hendrik Kelner Casals attributed many of the new advances in the tobacco sector to the unprecedented interest of the President. Kelner Casals also had words of praise for the coordinating of the tobacco sector relaunching plan by Industry & Commerce Minister Victor (Ito) Bisonó.
The President was at the Procigar event accompanied by Vice President Raquel Peña; the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Estrella and Alfredo Pacheco, respectively; and the Minister of Agriculture, Limber Cruz among others.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidencia
Listin Diario
El Caribe
5 September 2022