In New York, PM Harris speaks about CBI, travel, and proud citizens

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris sat centre stage at the 2019 Concordia Annual Summit in New York, where he discussed the extensive travel rights associated with a St Kitts and Nevis passport, and the effect these rights have had on the development of the Federation.

Speaking before hundreds of delegates, the PM traced his country’s history, from independence to the rise of the sugar industry, and finally to the development of a robust citizenship by investment programme whose success buttressed St Kitts and Nevis’ recent growth. Dr Harris emphasised the significant progress witnessed in the tourism and luxury real estate sectors, noting that “well-known, high-end products” such as the Marriott, the Four Seasons, and the Park Hyatt, had all chosen St Kitts and Nevis because of the reliability of its citizenship by investment offering. He also spoke of future investment, including projects such as the Ramada and Wyndham Hotels.

In New York to attend the 74^th session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Harris did not shy away from including climate change, arguably the most important issue of our day, in his discussion. He said natural disasters presented a real challenge to St Kitts and Nevis – the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere – and that experience had taught the Federation to trust its own ingenuity and skills over the commitments of other countries. It is this internal sense of initiative that incentivised the establishment of the temporary Hurricane Relief Fund and, later, the permanent Sustainable Growth Fund – two new funds under the Citizenship by Investment Programme aimed at securing climate resilience and long-term sustainability.

“Today we have been able to repair and renovate over 3,000 homes in St Kitts and Nevis, thanks to [the new funds] which we introduced in response to the hurricane damage,” said PM Harris.

Returning to the topic of travel, the Prime Minister, whose nation can boast over 150 visa-free travel destinations, said Kittitians and Nevisians were a proud people who cherished the ability to move, and who had done so for many years. He spoke of the contribution of his people to the United States, Canada, and the EU, with many scholars, workers, and investors making their impact abroad. Focusing within the borders of his nation, he said St Kitts and Nevis presents an enviable socio-political climate that is longed for by many foreigners. “For those who are coming to become our new citizens, a lot of them want the security of investing in a stable country, which is what St Kitts and Nevis represents. A country where democracy is high, where the rule of law is well respected.

In the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, St Kitts and Nevis was the best performer [among] the small island states of the OECS. And we were the second in the Caribbean [and] in the top 10 in the world. So, we are rich in democracy, rich in the rule of law, and we have ample opportunities for people to be themselves… and I think that attracts people. The property rights are well entrenched, well respected in our country. So, all the good things that people look for, dynamism in the country, they see that uplift year after year, our country grows and I think that by and large it is now seen as a responsible member of the international community. A place where everyone should visit.”

The Prime Minister ended his speech with confidence, inviting attendees to visit St Kitts and Nevis and witness the nation’s achievements for themselves.