Interviews

Brazilian musician Ivan Lins says he loves Cuba and its people, and added that Havana is the world’s most beautiful city.

Portugal’s popular crooner Mariza opened the 12^th Habano Festival sang her fados and nostalgic songs for the lovers of the world’s very best premium cigars.

Multi-Grammy-winning Cuban musician Chucho Valdes brought down the house during the 12^th Habano Festival’s opening night.

Cuba’s minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, said the habano will remain a top export for many years to come, always linked to the history and economy of the island nation.

“Controlling Cuba’s tobacco tradition and quality is going to be the main purpose of the Habano Protected Guarantee of Origin Regulatory Council,” said Adargelio Garrido, top legal counselor for Habanos S.A.

Despite a challenging 2009, the Habano House franchise added 146 new outlets around the world and the company inched up a percentage point in the world market share. The evolution of sales in recent months is painting a promising picture and is a symptom that the fledgling recovery is picking up steam. The following exclusive interview deals with the above topics and other equally interesting issues with Manuel Garcia, Vice President of Habanos S.A. International Corporation