'Sunil Gehani' (born 12 March 1974), popularly known as Sunny Gehani, is Non Resident Indian businessman from St Kitts, Nevis, Saint Martin and ex-president of IMA (Indian Merchants Association).[1][2]
Sunil Gehani aka Sunny was born and grew up in Mumbai, India. He finished his schooling at Guru Nanak School-Sion, Mumbai. His father was a physician and mother was a homemaker. Sunil also attended National College- Bandra.[3]
In 1998, Sunil migrated to Saint Martin looking for work and started his business of tobacco vending machine with little savings of his own. After few years of ups and downs he opened a duty free tobacco store in late 2002 and a duty free liquor store 2003. A couple of years later he started trading and distribution of liquor and tobacco in Saint Martin and eventually became a liquor and tobacco trader in the island nation.
In 2010, world's biggest liquor giant Diageo dragged Sunil to court and he was sued for illicit business practices. This was because of Sunil's growing grip over the country's liquor market, as Diageo was losing business to Sunil. However Sunil successfully fought all the legal cases in 2011[4]. The highest court in Hague also gave a favorable judgement that Sunil was doing all legit business and there was nothing wrong in the product which he imported and sold in the island nation. This legal battle was well covered in local news and also made Sunil popular locally.[5][6]
Currently Sunil is distributor of various tobacco and liquor brands in St Kitts & Nevis. He owns multiple duty-free stores at international cruise ship terminal, in Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (in capital city of Basseterre, St Kitts) ,in hotels like Marriott Hotel and in Nevis island.
Sunny also owns the most famous shisha lounge and Indian / sushi restaurant on the island which is located next to the Marriott - the Buddha Lounge
Sunny’s spouse owns one of the best rated salon and spa in the Caribbean in St Kitts namely Beauty inside out.
Sunil is also engaged in liquor production locally and owns few liquor brands. He is also a distributor of international tobacco products, in the island nation and have interests in local restaurants and event management businesses too. Starting May 2022, liquor brand The Big Cane Rum[7][8] will be produced locally in St Kitts. St Kitts & Nevis, is third most developed country in the Caribbean. Sunil also owns an immigration consultancy service company to help people who want to invest and obtain citizenship of St Kitts & Nevis Or The Republic Of Vanuatu Via Government Recognized Investment Programs.[9] This is part of the local government's efforts to promote international investments in the country.[10][11][12]
Sunny’s success mantra is being happy and he has a saying “You Live Everyday - You Only Die Once”
Sunny is well known businessman in the Caribbean’s. He is also a known in face India diaspora living in Island nations (St Kitts & Nevis and other neighboring island countries). He was invited to an event (held on April 6, 2022) to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Netherlands. President of India Honorable Shri Ram Nath Kovind, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima presided over the function. The event was hosted by Embassy Of India, Hauge, Netherlands.
Being a resident for so long Sunny has very good political connections with the local government leaders in the islands. He has always been in forefront in helping the local communities.
During Hurricane Irma in 2017, Sunny helped about 1500 stranded Indians in the Island Nation.[13][14][15] At the time of distress, he provided food and shelter to the locals who were severely impacted due to nature's fury. He helped raised 50000$ to pay a for a vessel to rescue the stranded Indians from St Maarten.[16][17][18]
In 2011, he presented a car to local police commissioner to help fight crime and violence. His efforts were appreciated by then Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.[19] Sunny was also a Rotarian when he used to live in St Maarten with the Rotary Mid Isle Club.[20][21][22][23]
Sunny in New Delhi, India with the official delegation invited by the government of India to further strength ties between the two countries. The meeting was held between the foreign ministers of St Kitts & Nevis Hon. Dr Douglas and India FA minister Hon. S. Jaishankar