teams to make market-specific decisions, enabling the company to adapt to regional differences across markets like Guyana, Trinidad, and Latin America. “We really try to drive decision-making from the bottom up,” says Siman, emphasizing this approach’s flexibility. A prime example is Unicomer’s optical division, which was introduced to the Caribbean after successful trials in Latin America. By allowing customers to finance eyewear, Unicomer extended its credit model to cover a new consumer need. STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS KEY CARIBBEAN MARKETS The recent oil boom in Guyana has rapidly transformed the economy, drawing global attention and catalyzing unprecedented growth. Le Blanc points out that Unicomer has been operating in Guyana since 1993 when it was among the poorest nations in the Caribbean.“Now, Guyana is poised to be one of the wealthiest countries in the region,” he notes, highlighting Unicomer’s proactive approach to seizing the new economic potential.The company has secured land in an industrial area to build a large distribution center and logistics park. “The distribution center will serve our own needs, but the logistics park will offer services to third parties, supporting industries like energy and trade,” he says. Unicomer is investing heavily in Trinidad and Tobago, repurposing a mega-store site into a flagship retail space with facilities for third-party tenants. “We’re redeveloping several acres of land to create a new flagship store, with agreements already in place for outside tenants,”says Le Blanc.Additional commercial development at the Freeport campus, which houses Unicomer’s head office and distribution center, will transform the area into a commercial hub. Unicomer is also expanding in Jamaica, with projects in Montego Bay, Spanish Town, and Mandeville. “We’re also looking to build a new corporate headquarters in Jamaica,” he adds. Partnerships are central to Unicomer’s regional growth.“Our partnerships with regional banks have Errol Le Blanc Felix Siman 20 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12
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