The Dominican Republic exported 517 million cigars last year, according to Adalberto Rosa, director of the Tobaco Institute (INTABACO). As reported in Listin Diario, cigar exports brought US $350 million in revenue to the country. This is 13% more than last year. He said about 75,000-100,000 people work in the industry and farms. There are some 20 free zone cigar factories.