Diasporic Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean - Firm Profiles.pdf Vol 2 | Page 24

Agro-processing Firms

8. EDWARD B. BEHARRY AND SONS
Company Background:
Edward B. Beharry & Co. (EBB) . Ltd. was
established in 1937 in Guyana. The company
began its business operations as an importer
of beans, then developing as a wholesaler
and retailer of food products. In 1959, having
assessed the consumption patterns of the
Guyanese population, the company began
manufacturing baking powder, and later
developed a line of different products
including curry powder, spices, confectionery,
coffee, paper bags and pasta.
In 1989, Edward B. Beharry & Co initiated its
operations in the Guyanese financial sector
with the creation of Secure International
Trust Co. Ltd., which currently operates as
Secure International Finance Co. Ltd. The next
major financial sector company acquisition
by EBB was that of North American Life
Insurance Co. Ltd., which is now registered
as North American Life and Fire Insurance
Co. Ltd. Further acquisition of financial sector
enterprises continued in July 1994 with the
purchasing of the Guyana Bank for Trade
and Industry (GBTI). During the 1990s (1993),
Beharry Stock Brokers was established and
immediately began stock trading operations.
In 1999, the Bank of Guyana issued a license
for Guyana Americas Merchant Bank Inc. This
was Guyana’s first Merchant Bank, which is a
joint venture between Secure International,
GBTI and IFC.16

Companies:

Moving into other areas of business in 1994,
EBB registered Beharry Automotive Ltd which
was established as the exclusive distributor of
the Toyota brand vehicle in Guyana. In 1998,
EBB, through Secure International Finance Co.
Ltd. invested in the ailing Sterling Products
Limited and became involved with that
company’s manufacturing operations.

Location:

EBB has invested in an US$8 million pasta
plant and US$4 million to its chow mein line of
products. In 2006, EBB opened a distribution
company in Suriname and, in 2007, the
venture another outlet was extended to
Trinidad.

Edward B Beharry & Sons (EBS) Group
Edward B Beharry and Company Ltd; Beharry
Automotive; North American Life, Fire and
Motor Insurance; Beharry Stock Brokers;
Guyana Merchant Bank; Secure International;
Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry.
For the category of the agro-processing sector,
the analysis focuses on the products produced
by Edward G Beharry and Company Ltd.
Main Products/Services:
Baking powder, curry powder, custard powder,
black pepper, coffee confectionery, bubble
gum, paper bags and pasta products.

Guyana, Suriname, & Trinidad.
Distributors are located in North America,
South America, Europe, Caribbean and the
Middle East.
Employment:
• EBS Guyana Company employs over 500
employees (food business only).
• Subsidiaries – Trinidad about 20 employees
and Suriname 22 employees.
• Staff comprises 60% female and 40% male.

16 http://www.beharrygroup.com/index.php?option=com_content&vi
ew=article&id=128&Itemid=204

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