From Grokipedia
Full articleGilbert Bigio (born c. 1936) is a Haitian billionaire businessman of Sephardic Jewish descent and the founder of GB Group, Haiti's largest diversified conglomerate with operations in steel manufacturing, bottling, oil importation, and other industries. Recognized as the country's wealthiest individual, Bigio amassed his fortune through strategic investments starting in the 1970s, including the establishment of Haiti's first steel plant, and retired as CEO of GB Group in 2018. He also held the position of honorary consul for Israel in Haiti for over two decades, reflecting his leadership within the nation's small Jewish community. In December 2022, the Canadian government imposed sanctions on Bigio, freezing his assets and prohibiting dealings with him, citing his use of economic power to undermine Haiti's democratic institutions and contribute to national instability through ties to armed groups. These measures highlight ongoing controversies surrounding his influence amid Haiti's chronic political and security crises, where elite economic actors have been accused of exacerbating gang violence and governance failures.
In brief
Gilbert Bigio built GB Group into a diversified Haitian enterprise — fuel, steel, and trade in a country where logistics is destiny. He also served as the de facto head of a tiny Jewish community and as honorary consul to Israel.
Later years brought sanctions and offshore-paper headlines. The business history remains central to Haiti’s private sector.
