March 9th, 2023

(From chinareport.com, Correspondent Li Chuanjun) At the invitation of the Dominican Cigar and Tobacco Association (ADOCITAB), Xiao Wunan, Vice Chairman of the China Association of Social Economic & Cultural Exchange and Executive Vice Chairman of the Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation, led a delegation to the Dominican Republic on February 24, 2023. They attended the 15th Dominican Republic Cigar Culture Festival (ProCigar Festival) Gala held at the Monument to the Heroes of Santiago. Tobacco has been integral to the Dominican Republic’s cultural heritage since its earliest recorded history. That evening, over 800 guests from more than 20 countries gathered to network, savor premium Dominican cigars, and enjoy local music, dance, cuisine, and wine, immersing themselves in the warm hospitality and vibrant atmosphere.

Known as the "Cigar Country," the Dominican Republic is one of the world’s most critical producers of premium cigar raw materials. It hosts production bases for globally renowned brands like Davidoff and Cohiba. The Dominican Republic Cigar Culture Festival (ProCigar Festival), a prestigious event held annually for 15 consecutive years since 2008, featured traditional activities such as an opening ceremony, visits to tobacco fields and factories, a White Dinner, and a charity auction. This year also introduced new elements. Upon arrival, guests received exclusive gift sets including limited-edition cigars, ashtrays, cutters, lighters, and other accessories, along with a customized itinerary offering options to tour cigar workshops and cultivation bases. These experiences allowed international guests to explore the nation’s largest and most upscale cigar factories and tobacco facilities, deepening their understanding of the Dominican Republic’s premium cigar industry and its future.

During the ProCigar Festival, Xiao Wunan held in-depth discussions with cigar manufacturers, industry associations, and the Dominican government on strengthening China-Dominican cooperation and exchanges. Broad consensus was reached on leveraging China’s planting and agricultural technology, capital, and market advantages to increase Dominican tobacco yields, optimize production, processing, and sales systems, and create new brands tailored to the Chinese market.

On the afternoon of February 24, Xiao Wunan visited the Instituto del Tabaco de la República Dominicana (INTABACO) and Ministry of Agriculture, holding talks with Rafael Radhamés Díaz Méndez, Subdirector of INTABACO, Luis Erasmo Tejeda Guerrero, Industrial Director of INTABACO, Oberto Javier Gomez Badia, Commercial Director of INTABACO, and Mike Dalwin Peralta Genao from Technology Department of INTABACO. The Dominican side first provided a comprehensive overview of the country’s cigar history, current status, advantages, and future challenges. The Chinese side introduced the current Chinese market, focusing on new achievements in agricultural planting technology and strengths in production, processing, and international resource integration. Subsequently, Xiao Wunan visited the Tabacalera Palma cigar factory on the outskirts of Santiago, a dynamic enterprise where over 70% of employees are women who transform tobacco leaves into a national source of pride every day. Xiao Wunan paid tribute to all Dominican women working in the tobacco industry. A strategic cooperation framework agreement was also signed with the Dominican Cigar and Tobacco Association (ADOCITAB) at this factory.

Dominican cigars reflect remarkable diversity in variety and cultural influences. As both a consumer product and a cultural symbol, cigars have surged in popularity in China in recent years amid rising living standards. With post-pandemic economic recovery, China is advancing toward a consumer-driven economy—fostering domestic trendy brands while deepening international collaboration. In 2022, Xiao Wunan engaged in productive discussions with Sichuan Shifang Cigarette Factory in Shenzhen on building national brands.

With the resumption of China-foreign exchanges, it is believed that the platform of the Dominican Republic Cigar Culture Festival (ProCigar Festival) will play a significant role in strengthening exchanges between China and the Caribbean region and fostering people-to-people friendship.

Executive Editor: Li Chuanjun