The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the People’s Republic of China hosted an online Zoom event on Friday 19th March to give Dominican Republic cigar manufacturers who have been given approval to sell their cigars in China an audience with members of the local cigar industry and cigar lovers attending at participating cigar lounges across China.
His Excellency Briunny Garabito Segura, the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in the People’s Republic of China opened the event. Presentations by Mr Beat Hauenstein, CEO of Oettinger Davidoff, Mr Abe Flores, CEO of PDR Cigars, Mr Jochy Blanco, CEO of Tabacalera Palma, Mr Ernesto Perez-Carillo, Co-Founder of E.P Carillo, and Mr Carlito Fuente, President of Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia, informed guests about their cigars, their history, and their entry into the Chinese market which began with their attendance at the International Cigar Expo (ICE) in Shenzhen, China in 2019.
Building the cigar culture in China has been our mission since Davidoff established itself in China at the Beijing Palace Hotel Davidoff Store in 1995 and we continue to support the culture through events and at our lounges with our management and staff, said Mr Beat Hauenstein.
“When I visited China at the ICE 2019 show I was very impressed with the cigar culture,” said Abe Flores. Our team in China is doing a great job to promote our brand and cigar culture in general and I look forward to visiting China soon to host cigar events and interact with cigar connoisseurs, said Flores. He noted that was a personal milestone to be able to be invited to provide my product in China and another step towards becoming a global brand. “I can’t wait to visit again and spend more time in the cigar lounges,” said Flores.
“I am hoping that once Covid is over we can visit again and promote cigar culture more,” said Jochy Blanco. He noted that he was impressed by the close relationship everyone has in China. “There’s a lot more for us to do to grow in China and improve access to all our cigars in Asia, said Blanco.
Closing the online event, Carlito Fuente remarked that he had a dream that one day he could take his grandfather’s name to one of the most fascinating countries in the world: China. “I have visited China many times and have a special love affair with the country. I‘ve met so many great people on my visits to China and I appreciate all the friendships. Friendships are the most important thing and I thank all the lounges for their support and for joining us tonight.”
