When the British moved into the province of Sind (now Pakistan), in the 1850s, many residents sought refuge in East and West Africa, Hong Kong and other Far East communities. This group was heir to the traders that plied the trade routes in the Middle East for centuries. Many of these merchants also came to Jamaica, Trinidad, Curacao and Panama, in the early 1920s, and saw their opportunity for trade in the Caribbean.
In 1928, Daoulatram Dadlani and Khiantowal Tikamdas migrated to Jamaica from Trinidad. They opened a store on Holborn Street, Kingston and started trading in textiles and sundry merchandise from the Far East. Today, there are an estimated 1500 families and businesses operated by Sindhis, and to lesser extent, Gujraties, throughout the island.
These are close-nit family businesses and even the cooks are imported from abroad.
These in-bond merchants operate and cater mostly to tourists, offering duty free and tax-free incentives to their customers. As cruise ships dock, scores of tour buses and taxes converge on the piers and one of their destinations are always the in-bond shops and villages. Jewellery, gift items and electronic equipment are main items of trade. The multi-million jewellery industry has been made popular and is dominated by the Indian business community.
Direct employment is estimated at 1,500 people throughout the sector and indirect labour from the production of local gift items is also estimated at 1,500 people.
Although a compulsory General Consumption Tax of 15% is levied on each consumer item, in Jamaica, in-bond shops are duty free and tax-free. The government receives an estimated US $ 100 million dollars annually, from this sector, in addition to declared after profit taxes.
A school in Ocho Rios was built by Indian merchants. There are about 200 children who attend this school.
Through the Sathya Sai Baba Centre inmates of infirmaries receive food and other benefits on a bi-monthly basis.
The business community has made their presence felt in the area of sport by sponsoring football and cricket competitions.
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