Latest update December 11th, 2024 1:33 AM
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Dr. Anthony Sabga dies at 94
Dr. Anthony N. Sabga, dead at 94
The ANSA McAL Group and the family of Dr. Anthony N. Sabga, O.R.T.T, yesterday announced the passing of Chairman Emeritus of the company. Dr. Sagba was 94.
Dr. Sabga emigrated from Syria to Trinidad and Tobago in 1930. He entered commerce at an early age through his father’s business, NS Sabga and Sons. From those humble beginnings, Dr. Sabga would become one of the most innovative and successful businessmen in the region. He was the regional agent for famous brands such as Bosch, Heidelberg and Frico milk in the 1950s and 1960s. He was also the first businessman to start a completely local manufacturing enterprise in 1966 with ANSA Industries, which made refrigerators, televisions and other household items. ANSA Industries went on to win the Prime Minister’s Export Award in 1968.
In the 1970s, Dr. Sabga was active in the garment industry and real estate development. He developed what is now Regents Park. He acquired the ailing McEnearny Alstons Group in 1986, when the economy was in the trauma of the decline of oil prices after the OPEC oil-shock of 1973-1983.
Dr. Sabga transformed this ailing 28-company Group into a formidable conglomerate within a space of a decade. He tripled the number of companies to over 70 in 2017, commanding profits that grew forty-fold over that period and providing a share value that grew by 15,000 percent. He was succeeded by his son, A. Norman Sabga, as Chief Executive Officer in 1996 and later as Group Chairman in 2000.
Later in life, as Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Sabga focused his attention on ANSA Merchant Bank, which he formed in 1994 in partnership with Robert Fleming Ltd, a London investment bank, and which subsequently, in 2004, became ANSA Merchant Bank.
Dr. Sabga was also a major supporter of the University of the West Indies.
The Group founded the ANSA McAL Centre for Psychological Research. His final and most far-reaching philanthropic initiative was the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, launched in 2005. It is the only privately funded enterprise in the region that recognises and provides significant awards in the areas of Arts & Letters, Science & Technology, Public & Civic Contributions and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. Anthony N Sabga had a distinguished life and career as a Caribbean man. He was an exceptional figure in public life and he was universally valued as a great contributor to the region.
He leaves to mourn his wife, Minerva and his children, Linda, Norman, Joann, David, Donna and Andrew, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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