Diasporic Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean - Firm Profiles.pdf Vol 2 | Page 25

Agro-processing Firms

Target Market:
EBS focuses on the extra-regional diasporic
markets including those in Canada, USA, and
England (with a much smaller market share
relative to Canada and USA). Focus is also
placed on diasporic markets in the Caribbean
region such as Trinidad, Barbados, St Lucia,
Grenada, Antigua, Dominica, St. Vincent, St.
Kitts, and Suriname. EBB has subsidiaries
operating in Trinidad and Suriname. In other
Caribbean countries, there are various agents/
distributors of EBS products.
Diasporic Market Analysis:
In its early stages of development, Guyanese
consumers overseas were demanding EBS
products and local traders were buying
these products in Guyana and selling them
in overseas diaspora markets. Based on this
experience, EBB determined the potential in
the diasporic market and began tapping into
that area.
EBB focuses heavily on market research; for
example, EBB’s employees from its Export
Department travel overseas and visit various
markets to conduct research and related
analysis. After this, EBB develops strategies
based on information obtained from the
research output.

Most of the products manufactured by EBB
are widely consumed in the local was well
as Guyanese diaspora market. In terms of
innovation, EBB plans to add a variety of new
products. For example, for its pasta products,
the company has different shapes that the
competitors have not yet developed and placed
on the market. In terms of innovation, some of
EBB’s packages are multi-lingual - in at least 3
or 4 languages.
Policy Recommendations:
1. Proposes more conferences and seminars
enabling information sharing.
2. Business-to-business meetings: Potential
buyers from overseas should be invited to
Guyana to discuss market opportunities
available in their overseas markets.
3. Governments can also organize trade fairs
to facilitate companies such as EBB to travel
to other countries to build awareness of
Guyanese products.
4. Supports issuing of Diaspora bonds
as means of financing Diaspora
entrepreneurship.

Just less than 25% of EBB’s revenue is
generated from the diaspora market, as
majority of the sales are domestic in Guyana.
EBB has a few trade shows in Brazil – an
important target market -which was a joint
venture where Guyanese firms were seeking
to break into the Brazil market