FT's PWM releases documentary on impact of CBI on economy of St Kitts and Nevis

Professional Wealth Management magazine published by Financial Times recently released a series of a documentary on the Citizenship by Investment Program of St Kitts and Nevis. The documentary titled Spotlight on St Kitts & Nevis is of 5 episodes emphasizing on several different aspects in each series.

Editor-in-Chief of PWM, Yuri Bender interviewed Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris in the first episode, where the leader referred to St Kitts and Nevis as a vibrant economy. Besides this, Dr Harris added that when the CBIP was formulated to provide a new part in economic development.

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He added that the benefits of the Citizenship by Investment Program are being realised in the country after thirty-five years when there are new pathways like more employment, high-earnings in the construction sector and one of the most charming hotels in the region.

"I would say that a citizenship investor is concerned about several attributes about St Kitts and Nevis, the country is being seen as a vibrant economy doing well which itself is an attraction to those who want to invest," added Dr Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis.

Furthermore, Dr Harris added that the country has been in a dialogue with the government of Canada and the United States of America, and they are invited to see the advancements in St Kitts and Nevis.

"We have long said that we are going to be the best and we are going to be the responsible member of the community regardless of the competition that would always come," added Dr Harris.

The second episode featured the CEO of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit stated that assurance and ability to move. Les Khan thoroughly elaborated all the options under which people can apply for citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis through the investment programme.

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Khan stated that with CBIP people get the ability to educate their children and family in different parts of the world as well as St Kitts and Nevis. He added that people also get business opportunities. "a lot of people who have restricted passports can grow their businesses globally with St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, another option is an investment option in which an applicant will have to invest in a hotel or condominium." added.

During the answers to questions in the interview, Khan stated that the current administration passed regulations in 2015, which stated that there are two countries that St Kitts and Nevis do not allow for CBI are Iran and Afghanistan. However, the country offers citizenship to any other country around the world only after proper due diligence. Nevertheless, anyhow is if the due-diligence is cleared but it gets a red flag from international law enforcement, then the application would be denied.

Besides this, Khan stated that if the applicant was previously refused a visa from one of the visa-free countries of St Kitts and Nevis, then there are chances of refusal to their citizenship by investment application.

The third episode of the series featured John Zuliani, President of Vacation for Life St Kitts and Nevis. He stated that there are short-term and long-term guests coming to the country as medical tourism is increasing because of several medical universities in St Kitts and Nevis.

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John Zuliani stated that since CBI took off, there are a lot of developers and investors willing to invest in the country. He added that the shopping plaza in front of the St Kitts Royal Resorts is also a project of CBIP which now offers employment to over 100 people.

Zuliani stated that the current government of St Kitts and Nevis is working to improve the relations with Canada in an attempt to retrieve the visa-free access to the respective country.

In the fourth episode of the documentary, Yuri Bender and his team travelled to the neighbouring island of Nevis to meet Foreign Minister and Priemere of Nevis, Mark Brantley.

Brantley stated that the Citizenship by Investment Program of the country has a positive impact on the ordinary lives of the people as the program is assisting the country in launching policies to assist them.

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Premier of Nevis and Foreign Minister Mark Brantley stated that the country Taiwan has been a best friend to St Kitts and Nevis, however, there is a considerable amount of Chinese investment regardless of any formal relations. He also added that due diligence process of St Kitts and Nevis has enhanced by time.

Brantley stated that the Citizenship by Investment has now become a global phenomenon as it is no longer restricted one small island. He added that several other countries had launched programs similar to this; however, the origin of the program is St Kitts and Nevis.

The last episode of the series featured some small business owners and entrepreneurs of St Kitts and Nevis to discuss their business ideas and how they took advantages from being on this attractive location. Rachel Ritfeld, Sales and Marketing Director of Hibiscus Spirits stated that her decision of moving to St Kitts was tremendous and she personally likes the people and the country is very peaceful to reside.

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In the similar episode, Toussaint Totem, Owner if Titem's Taxi and Tourism added that since the sugar industry closed the tourism has increased and people from all across the world are coming to invest in the country.

The island's economy is flourishing with the foreign direct investment coming through the Citizenship by Investment Programme. A large number of people from the United States of America, Asia, Europe and Russia are investing in the country in real estates and SGIF, which is assisting all the locals of the twin-island nation.

The documentary concluded that people from across the world are interested in making their investments in St Kitts and Nevis because of its rich culture and beautiful surroundings as well as the visa-free opportunities that come in handy through the Citizenship by Investment Program of St Kitts and Nevis which is the oldest program of its kind .