Citizenship by investment programs helped many Caribbean countries survive during the pandemic creating jobs and investment
Citizenship by investment programs has been crucial in funding sustainable projects in many small nations.
This is especially true for small Caribbean states, where the inflows to the private sector have had a sizeable impact on economic activity, particularly in fast-tracking the growth of important industries such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
In St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica for example, the inflows have improved fiscal outcomes, facilitated debt repayment, and spurred economic growth.
Research by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has brought to light the significant macroeconomic impact of CBI programs in the Caribbean region, where five small states offer economic citizenship, the industry jumped from 0% of regional GDP in 2007 to a substantial 5.1% in 2015.
Read: Portugal, Turkey, Greece remain top destinations for Indians eyeing Citizenship (February 19, 2022)
St Kitts and Nevis CBI Unit Head Les Khan has openly stated previously that the revenue from the country’s CBI Program was a “main driver” during lockdown when tourism was at an all-time low.
In Dominica, the IMF said that “strong growth” in the construction sector was “financed with record-high CBI revenue.
This shows that this influx of money can make a major difference in the government’s performance for smaller countries that face major natural catastrophes like annual hurricanes.
Dominica’s CBI Program has helped fund a number of development projects on the island, creating jobs. One of the critical areas attracting local and foreign workers is Dominica’s construction sector.
With a host of internationally branded hotels set to debut on the island, alongside the ongoing construction of over 5,000 hurricane-resistant homes, Dominica was compelled to diversify its workforce and even source specialist labour from neighboring islands.
This goes alongside hoteliers training the local workforce to learn new skills, especially those needed for the smooth operation of the new resorts.
To support this economic boom in the long term, Dominica prioritises its local workforce and invests in diversifying and professionalizing certain career fields. This requires close collaboration with the CBI real estate developers.
While in St Kitts and Nevis, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) signed a ground-breaking multi-film production deal with MSR Media to shoot multiple films over a period of three years.
Read: Indians among top nations getting Portuguese visas (September 17, 2021)
The deal was negotiated with the Nevisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mark Brantley and the transformative arrangement formally launched the film industry in St Kitts and Nevis.
Eighty full-time jobs have been created so far and 40 crew members hired locally.
MSR Media also launched the Acting Academy under the guidance of MSR Media chief producer and director, Philippe Martinez, assisted by acting coach Winston Crooke.
The acting academy is giving locals invaluable skills that will help them prepare for paid film roles.
CBI is also allowing the Caribbean region to be an investment hotspot. Citizenship by investment in Dominica is available through two options – the Economic Diversification Fund or the Approved Real Estate Option.
The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) is a Dominican Government program supporting socio-economic initiatives with the aim of driving national development and is one component of a national capital mobilization portfolio.
Applicants can acquire economic citizenship to Dominica by making a financial contribution to its EDF. All money generated for the EDF fund goes towards improving projects in the public and private sectors which need financial support.
These include building schools, renovating hospitals, and creating a national sports stadium, as well as a variety of other undertakings across numerous industries such as tourism, information technology and agriculture.
Under the real estate option applicants are required to purchase Government-approved property worth at least $200,000 and the real estate must be held for either three years from the date citizenship is granted or, if the future purchaser is also a citizenship by investment applicant, five years from the date citizenship is granted.
Dominica has attracted serious globally renowned brands such as the Anichi Resort and Spa branded by the Autograph Collection – a premium brand of Marriott International.
Other options include Jungle Bay Villas, Secret Bay, Hilton, Kempinski and boutique eco resorts like the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa.
Read: Want To Escape From America? 12 Countries Where You Can Buy Citizenship (And A Second Passport) (July 28, 2020)
To be a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis, investors can contribute to the Sustainable Growth Fund, which is the most direct investment path to the country’s citizenship. The revenue from the fund is also used to support sustainable growth initiatives in the country.
The CBI schemes focus on the overall quality and integrity of its applicants, only accepting individuals of outstanding character and repute.
To ensure credible persons of excellent standing are granted citizenship, comprehensive due diligence checks are performed on all applicants over 16 years of age.
(Paul Singh is the Director of CS Global Partners, a global marketing agency specializing in attracting foreign direct investment through powerful marketing, headquartered in Mayfair, London)