PM Harris Government unclear on CBI programme's transparency

One of the big talking points with regards to Citizenship by Investment Programmes across the Caribbean is transparency. Indeed, the Programmes in the Caribbean have often come under fire for this very reason, most recently – and vociferously – from the European Union claiming that the lack of transparency in the Programmes is one of the reasons blacklisting has been in place. St. Kitts and Nevis has been particularly targeted for some of its practices and was only removed from an EU blacklist last year.

As WIC News reported in January, Transparency International was unable to include St. Kitts and Nevis on its Corruption Perception Index due to a lack of data and last July, St. Kitts and Nevis was described as the “world’s most secretive tax haven” in the Guardian.

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Gaston Browne, the honourable Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has long been an advocate for “harmonisation” of the various Programmes across the Caribbean. His belief has been that greater harmonisation will be one of the ways faith can be restored in the Programme globally and that standards can be raised.

So what is the view from St.Kitts and Nevis? Well, it sort of depends on who you ask.

During the CARICOM conference held at the Marriott last week, conflicting views were aired by members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Government. Asked if he agreed with Mr Browne’s calls for unity, the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris, presented the view that “Since we took office, we have made the position very clear, very early … that we needed to have a coming together of all participating countries in the CBI industry within our sub-region.” He went on to further state that “We have work to do is the to bring about the harmonisation of policies and legislation so that we can have limited differences if any, within the way the various Programmes operate and a better sharing of information and other important knowledge.”

Amazingly, this was in direct contradiction to what Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Mark Brantley had told our reporter just hours earlier. Mr Brantley was very clear and unambiguous in his opposition to complete harmonisation of information.

“The truth is that this is a competitive industry and we shouldn’t get away from that. I don’t know that competitors simply give each other information that maybe you should go over there because the fishing over there is good. If you and I are both fishermen, I’m not going to tell you where my fishing grounds are. So, let’s be realistic here, this is a business, it’s an industry, but it’s also an industry that has competitors and you have to be realistic. You know, I hear words such as “transparency” and all of this thrown around, very convenient, but I think this is a competitive industry and I don’t think it’s appropriate and I won’t tell you necessarily where my best market is. So if I’ve developed a market and it’s working for me, then that’s my market. I think where the emphasis has to be is where we have placed the emphasis, on due diligence, on ensuring the safety and security.”

When Mr Brantley’s views were put to the Prime Minister, Dr Harris – who to his credit did not become visibly flummoxed – said he was not going to comment on a conversation he was not privy to. He then reiterated his position that “we have never as a policy statement, said that we are not in favour of harmonisation because we are working together in the industry. The competition, in my view, is not hampered by the effort to harmonise for greater efficiency, effectiveness and to enhance the reputation of the sub-region and CBIs.” In the confines of his mind however, it is hard to see him being anything other than angry with this contradictory position – especially with the election coming ever closer around the corner.

This confusion does not bode well for the future of CARICOM’s harmonisation of the Programme and it is not a good look for the Government. It would not be a surprise if Mr Harris and Mr Brantley have a conversation about this policy and they would do well to issue a statement clarifying their official position. Incidents like these can be highly embarrassing and a Government hoping to seek another term in office cannot afford too many of them if they want to keep the confidence of voters.

Whether the differences on the subject of harmonisation will cause disharmony amongst Team Unity remains to be seen.