Caymanian launches unusual import-export enterprise
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from February 1981.
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Now that he is getting off the ground with his import-export lines, the 42-year-old Caymanian believes in the philosophy that useful product lines not previously known here, should be introduced into the increasingly sophisticated local consumer. market. Eldemire cuts out the middle man by importing directly from manufactures, which makes sense since he passes on these savings to the consumer. In his own way, he regards himself as actually helping to reduce the cost of living.
Presently, it's mostly a question of importing since little is actually manufactured on the island. But, he's keeping his fingers crossed that he will be able to stimulate some export business particularly in breadfruit chips and coffee concentrate.
Labour costs and volume are known to be problem areas in a small place like Grand Cayman; and the budding businessman has gone as far as to admit that he hasn't researched export prospects far enough yet. "But," he adds, "I'm hopeful it will all work out."
Presently he has brought in Miracle Cloth a product guaranteed to keep just about everything sparkling and clean and has placed it in such centres as Comart, Harbour House Marine, H.E. Arch Building Supplies and Benson Ebanks' store in West Bay.
Looking into future lines, he comments: "I am awaiting literature on a new deodorizer which actually takes the odour out of the air not merely masks it."
He also hopes to eventually import and distribute an astonishing 25,000 different products - all of them newcomers to the island's marketplace. These, he hints, will range from cars and diamonds - to building material and watches, all invariably with some unusual twist about them.
Some five years ago, Eldemire first thought of the concept of the import-export business which would be a bit off the beaten path. But, it wasn't until he saw a magazine advertisement that he was able to secure the addresses of manufacturers all around the world.
This was when he took the bull by the horns and started to write letters. The response was heartening.
Jamaican-born of Caymanian parents, Eldemire returned here to live in 1968, after he says "things began to slide downhill there."
First, he managed Pageant Beach Hotel for a year, then went into the deep-sea fishing and sailing charter business on his own. Disaster struck him in September 1978 when his 40-foot yawl, "Special Appointment," was totally destroyed by fire.
He still has a yen for the charter business, but now admits that it is full of problems and high boat maintenance costs. "That's why I decided to go into the import business."
So far, it has all worked out well, considering his off-beat product line. There is obviously a need for what he plans to provide.
