ST. KITTS AND NEVIS PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR CONTINUED INNOVATION OF THE REGION’S CBI PROGRAMMES

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 20, 2019 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, has stated that the Caribbean region has done well to advance the global economic citizenship industry, through innovation, ingenuity and strong leadership.

Having led the innovation of this niche industry back in 1984 and having made significant and pioneering contributions to citizenship by investment, Prime Minister Harris indicated that, “Our region is uniquely and ideally position to lead the advances in this industry in the next 30 years.”

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 4th annual Caribbean Investment Summit earlier today (Thursday, June 20), Prime Minister Harris pointed to the introduction of biometric data for applicants that have strengthened the security and verification features of the programmes; the emergence of smart tech tools such as RCBI Direct, which is being launched at this year’s summit, and the increasing use of online technologies to provide authoritative information about the region’s programmes and investment opportunities to people all around the world.

“But the innovation that is required is not just about material technology. The future of CBI in our region requires a new wave of imagination about the products and services we offer, the institutional infrastructure and our distribution and sales models. One area in which the region has demonstrated its appetite for this kind of innovation is in ongoing discussions among regional stakeholders about the best way to leverage existing regional institutions to strengthen the work of individual CBI jurisdictions,” Dr. Harris explained.

The five Caribbean CBI jurisdictions are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister Harris highlighted one of St. Kitts and Nevis’ own innovation to its CBI programme – the short-termed Hurricane Relief Fund (HRF). Established in 2017 in response to the damages left to the country in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Hurricane Relief Fund generated the proceeds used to improve the quality of life of more 2,000 households in St. Kitts and Nevis through the government’s forward-thinking Hurricane Roof Repair Programme.

Shortly after the introduction of the Hurricane Relief Fund, St. Kitts and Nevis was recognized internationally for offering the World’s Most Innovative Investment Immigration Programme at the 2017 Russian Global Citizen Awards ceremony held in Moscow.

The annual event recognizes the best governments, companies and individuals who have excelled in investment, freedom of movement, and residence services.