2000 production will exceed 200 million cigars. There appears to be a tendency for Cuban cigars now to have less quality due to the inexperience of the young cigar rollers. Cuba has threatened not to protect trademarks of U.S. corporations within Cuba in retaliation. The European Union is unhappy with the continuing trademark disputes between European companies using controversial trademarks derived from products and services arising from Cuba. A new brand of Habanos, Vegueros, is being produced in the Francisco Donatien factory.
Tourists increasingly boost the Cuban economy.
Cuba received 1.4 million tourists in 1998 and up to five million tourists per year by 2007. The Cuban government received another media windfall when the Baltimore Orioles played in Havana, Sunday, March 28, 1999. After the game, a multinational musical performance occured. The second game, played in Baltimore, was won by Cuba on May 3, 1999. The ICC is based in Paris, France.