Les Khan: Back to Back hosting of CIS highlights St Kitts-Nevis successful CBI programe

Les Khan, the Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit described St Kitts and Nevis' hosting of the 2019 Caribbean Investment Summit (CIS) as fitting given that the Federation pioneered the investment programme 35 years ago in 1984, shortly after the country gained its independence on September 19, 1983.

This year, some 400 delegates assembled at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort from June 19-21, 2019 for the 4th annual Caribbean Investment Summit. The Summit was attended by government officials, heads of various Citizenship by Investment Units, developers, international marketing agents, and service providers from countries around the world.

Les Khan, said that it was decided in 2018 that the CIS would be held in Grenada, "but upon learning that this year would mark the 35th Anniversary of the Caribbean CBI" [Citizenship by Investment] he requested for it to be held in St. Kitts and Nevis again.

"In hosting this year's event, we wanted to highlight the journey of Caribbean Citizenship by Investment over the last 35 years. This journey has seen the number of countries launching CBI Programmes, increased significantly, particularly over the last five years," said Mr. Khan.

The CEO noted that CBI in the region hasn't always been smooth but proved beneficial to many.

"We have seen increased competition at times and increased collaboration at other times but most importantly, we have seen the Caribbean continue to offer leading and reliable brands for investment as compared to our competitors," he said.

Mr. Khan said that topics at the Summit are reflective of the impact that global developments can have on the programme.

"We all know that the going-ons in one programme affect all the other programmes in the OECS [Organization of Eastern Caribbean States]. Equally, events in other geopolitical spaces around the world impact upon our programmes in the region," he said. "Therefore, this year, we have been deliberate in putting together speakers, panels and content that focus on the interconnectedness among core industry stakeholders and the crucial alignment that is required for the continued success in the region CIPs."

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has a long running Citizenship By Investment Programme. The Programme attracts foreigners, who make a substantial contribution to the development of the country. Investors along with any family members, can directly qualify for citizenship through investment, either by making a donation to the Sugar Growth Fund (SGF) or investment in real estate purchase.