Santo Domingo. – For the third straight year Dominican Republic’s Cigar Makers Association will stage the “Procigar Festival” in the country, aimed at to increase the competitiveness and promote the national production, which fell 20 percent last year from the economic crisis.

The festival will be from February 15 to 19 in Casa de Campo, La Romana (east), and in Santiago, said Procigar president Hendrik Kelner, who said it’s an opportunity to spur the Dominican economy, in 2010 is visualized as the year for that sector’s economic recovery, after a 20 percent fall in productivity between 2008 and 2009.

He said 250 international guests mostly from United States and Europe will attend the event, which will be covered by trade magazines such as Cigar Aficionado, Smoke & Smokeshop, Tobacconist, among others.

The festival’s program includes visits to Dominican cigar factories, a golf match, in the Teeth of the Dog links, as well as seminars and dinners in Santiago. “This event is open to all those who are considered cigar lovers, who can register for all the events to features as part of the festival.”

The press conference held in the Leon Jimenes Group corporate building was headed by Procigar director Catherine Llibre and the representatives, Guillermo Leon, of the brand and Aurora, and Jose Seijas, of Altades.

SOURCE: listin.com.do