Santiago.- President Luis Abinader was recognized this Thursday by the Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic, (PROCIGAR), for his support for the tobacco industry guided by the Plan for the Relaunch of the Cigar Industry. Tobacco.
This recognition took place during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic, Procigar in the city of Santiago.
At the ceremony, the president stressed that the tobacco sector has influenced the growth of the economy and that it has allowed the world to know the quality of what is made in the Dominican Republic and stressed that tobacco has been a leading actor for years in the economic development of the country.
He stressed that during 2022, this sector has maintained a favorable behavior where more than 726 million dollars have been exported in the first half of the year alone, with a very optimistic outlook for the end of the year.
The head of state congratulated the Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic, proceedfor his great work throughout these 30 years of construction, promotion and development of the tobacco industry in the country.
He highlighted that in September 2020 a commission was created to implement a plan to relaunch the tobacco industry and in November 2020 a plan was presented to increase the competitiveness of Dominican tobacco, increase exports and create new job opportunities for Dominicans and Dominicans.
“The word gave way to action and from that moment we are seeing historical figures that show that we have been complying with several of the axes included in the plan,” he said.
He said that through each of the components present in the plan they have managed to raise the competitiveness of Dominican tobacco and maintain its consolidation in international markets.
“We have worked so that none of the areas of the industry is left out, from cultivation, warehouses, large, medium and small industrialists, but rather that it forms part of the change that the sector exhibits today and that makes us proud as Dominicans.”
Likewise, Abinader highlighted that the planting program is being expanded in different areas of the country, such as in the south, which includes Azua and Las Matas de Farfán, as well as an incentive program that involves the free preparation of land, opening of wells and cleaning of irrigation canals.
“It’s good that we bet on the consolidation of a sector that has been present in the country’s history and that has left indelible marks on its successful journey around the world.”
He emphasized that they have been forceful establishing stronger controls against illicit products to guarantee the quality of the products offered in the local market and proof of this was the issuance of the regulation for the application of Law 17-19 on the Eradication of Trade Contraband and Counterfeiting of Regulated Products, through Decree 405-22.
Tobacco lives the best moment
On his side, the Minister of Industry and Commerce and Mypimes, Ito Bisonó, assured that tobacco is experiencing its best moment thanks to the commitment assumed by President Luis Abinader, he also thanked the president for the trust placed in the MICM for the execution of the Plan of the Relaunch of the Tobacco Industry.
“It is our commitment to continue working to promote the growth and development of this sector that, today more than ever, is synonymous with pride, quality and tradition for the Dominican Republic and a true cultural heritage of all Dominicans,” Bisonó emphasized.
In turn, the president of Procigar, Hendrik Kelner Casals, assured that the consolidation of the sector has been achieved thanks to the unprecedented interest of the President, “who a month into his Government, had the initiative to present the Industry Relaunch Plan of Tobacco, coordinated by Víctor -Ito- Bisonó, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes”.
The president was accompanied by the vice president, Raquel Peña, the presidents of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella; from the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco; the Minister of Agriculture, Limber Cruz; the provincial governor, Rosa Santos and former president Hipólito Mejía.
Also, the directors, of PRODOMINICANA, Bibiana Riveiro; from PROINDUSTRIA, Ulises Rodriguez; from the National Council of Export Free Zones, Daniel Liranzo; the administrator of the Agricultural Bank, Fernando Duran, the president of ADOZONA and the ambassador of the Dominican Republic in France, Rosa Hernánde
