Gilbert Bigio, the influential businessman and founder of GB Group, passed away at the age of 91 on Tuesday in the United States, as reported by local sources. He was a pivotal figure in Haiti’s private sector, having constructed one of the country’s largest business empires over the past five decades.
Bigio’s Business Legacy and Controversies
Bigio was born into a Syrian family and began his entrepreneurial journey in 1972 with the establishment of Aciérie d’Haïti, Haiti’s first steel mill. His business ventures expanded into various sectors, including energy, construction materials, telecommunications, and logistics, forming the conglomerate known as GB Group. Among its holdings were significant businesses such as Huileries Haïtiennes S.A., GB Energy, and the Lafito port development project, which became Haiti’s first deepwater-capable port.
Despite his substantial contributions to Haiti’s economy, Bigio’s businesses have faced scrutiny. The Lafito port, one of his major infrastructure projects, has been alleged to have links to illicit trade, including arms and drugs. A recent report by the U.N. Security Council identified the port as being used in the smuggling of firearms.
Bigio’s business interests extended beyond Haiti, with GB Energy operating in Caribbean fuel markets and acquiring a significant number of Texaco service stations in Jamaica in 2015. His wealth positioned him among Haiti’s elite, with some sources describing him as possibly the country’s only billionaire, although independent verification of his net worth remains unavailable.
Bigio often drew criticism for his business dealings. In 2022, he was sanctioned by the Canadian government, which accused him of providing operational support to armed gangs. While he denied any wrongdoing in response to these sanctions, his connections to offshore companies raised questions about transparency in his financial operations. He was also mentioned in the Pandora Papers investigation, reflecting his ties to businesses and trusts based in multiple offshore jurisdictions.
In addition to being a powerful business magnate, Bigio’s past also included allegations from the early 1990s, when he was sanctioned by the U.S. government due to claimed involvement in supporting a military coup. Furthermore, some reports later posited his name in connection with a 1993 assassination, although this incident was not investigated by Haitian authorities.
Local media have reported that Bigio’s funeral is set to take place on Thursday, October 1, in Hollywood, Florida.
Why It Matters
Gilbert Bigio’s passing marks the end of an era for Haitian entrepreneurship and highlights the complex interplay of business, politics, and alleged illicit activities in the region. His legacy and the controversies surrounding his business dealings reflect broader concerns about governance and corruption within Haiti.
