What's with the Italians owning everything?

I'm visiting Boa Vista and I've noticed a large proportions of the restaurants, holiday apartments, hotels, shops, are owned by Italians. I know it's similar on Sal too as I had a friend visit and she said the same thing. How did they get such a strong hold over the islands? Did they just try their luck when the islands got their independence or was it something else?!?