‘Play by the rules’ when doing business in other countries

Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill says that Jamaicans doing business in other countries ‘must play by the rules’ as they work to achieve success in their endeavours.

“Live properly, clean, and don’t mess with the law. Make sure you follow the path in every country you operate in,” he said. “Don’t break the rules. People who are in business must play by the rules. If you want to go to Britain, don’t come home and tell me that you messed up the rules. Play by the British rules. You go to the Unites States, you go to Trinidad, you to Guyana, you play by the rules. Because anybody who comes here, we want them to play by the rules,” he continued.

Hill was delivering the keynote address at the Global Strategic Press Launch of the Clarence Benjamin Group held on Wednesday (April 5) at the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) head office in St. Andrew.

The Clarence Benjamin Group (CBG), umbrella company of Benlar Fusion, Benlar Foods, and Clarence Dutchie, is a local brand that has expanded its reach to the global market with operations from a second location in London, England.

For her part, Craslyn Benjamin, founder and chief executive officer (CEO), who identifies CBG is a premium specialty brand offering healthy and convenient foods said, “we have now registered our international subsidiary and our restaurant is basically ready where we will be delivering hot prepared meals using amazing sauces, seasonings and spices to consumers within the European market,” adding that in the month of May, they will launch their first franchise in the UK and at the end of 2023, we will be opening a brick and mortar location.

She noted the difficulty in building a business in Jamaica that relies largely on local agricultural produce and highlighted that she recognises that in order to build a profitable business, she had to export her brand and use elements of Jamaica to build the business on a global level.

Benjamin says that the menu at the restaurant in London will offer Jamaican favourites including curry goat and coconut curry chicken.

She says things will be different this time around, as more focus will be on marketing instead of production.

“The value proposition for us is cultural expansion, food expansion through our [Jamaican] culture,” she added pointing out that there has been a lack of real authenticity in Jamaican cuisine outside of Jamaica.

The CGB launch follows a restructuring of Benjamin’s fresh produce business which was started in 2015 with Benlar Foods. However, the company found it difficult to make ends meet and eventually folded during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was declared insolvent in 2021 and its assets put up for sale.

With the help of grants from JAMPRO’s Export Max and UK Aid, the United Kingdom International Partners Programme, Benjamin resurfaces with a renaissance in the form of CGB and the expansion into the European market.

The Source Our.Today