Roseau, Feb. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New Amenities Include a Hillside Funicular, Garden–to–Fork Chef's Table Experience, Elevated Decks, Art Gallery & a Kombucha Brewery"

Secret Bay, one of Dominica's approved Citizenship by Investment real estate options, announced it is now accepting guest reservations for its new Clifftop Multi–Villa Estates for stays beginning June 2023.

Those looking to diversify their investment portfolios offshore should consider Secret Bay as the luxurious property that allows investors to also gain coveted second citizenship in one of the world's most beautiful islands.

The Commonwealth of Dominica, rated in the top three for best citizenship by investment programmes in the world by the CBI Index, offers multiple avenues for investors to tap into the country's, as well as the globe's, wealth of opportunities through its investment migration programme.

To qualify for"Dominican citizenship"under the real estate option investors only have to purchase"authorised property"worth at least USD$200,000 "" the real estate must be held for either three years from the date citizenship is granted or, if the future purchaser is also citizenship by investment applicant, five years from the date citizenship is granted.

A look at Secret Bay's new amenities

Secret Bay's array of new amenities – introduced as part of the award–winning resorts' multi–year master plan "" include a hillside funicular, garden–to–fork chef's table experience, elevated decks, an art gallery, and a kombucha brewery.

This evolution of Secret Bay is spread over 40+ acres of coastal land to allow for additional amenities in the future, and more private villas in the for–sale residence program, all while lowering the resort's overall density and granting guests the utmost in the luxury of time and space.

Dinesh Kissoon, general manager of Secret Bay said of the additions, "We're delighted to expand our private villas to this Clifftop region of Secret Bay and, for the first time, introduce a multi–villa estate offering for our guests."

"In addition to the new villas, we're also thrilled to bring even more new amenities and experiences to Secret Bay, and to continue to raise the bar for excellent hospitality and transformational experiences.""

The exclusive six–star, all–villa, Relais & Chteaux rainforest resort and residences are situated on top of a 200–foot cliff with expansive views of the Caribbean Sea and access to three swimmable and secluded beaches. The clifftop multi–villa estates are architectural masterpieces thoughtfully tucked in among the trees and natural landscape, reaffirming Secret Bay's commitment to environmental preservation.

Each clifftop estate features two villas, thoughtfully sited so that each has expansive views and ultimate privacy and seclusion. The addition of these villas increases the resort's inventory to 16 and four more clifftop villa estates are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

The first clifftop eco villa comprises Secret Bay's iconic Zabuco Villa and popular Ti–Fy Villa designs and collectively features three bedrooms and four bathrooms. The two villas within the compound can be booked separately for a couples' getaway or together for family and friends traveling as a group.

Meanwhile, designed to be booked together, the renowned Zabuco Honeymoon Villa is accompanied by the newly–designed Mapou Cottage, which can be used as an alternative studio or relaxation space, as well as a private family and friends accommodation."

"We're incredibly excited about this new offering," said Gregor Nassief, proprietor of Secret Bay and The Residences at Secret Bay, and CEO of GEMS Holdings Limited. "Whether it's for couples, a large family, or a group of friends, Secret Bay's commitment to the luxury of time and space has organically evolved through these first–of–a–kind multi–villa estates. Designed with the utmost privacy in mind, the essentially independent, but connected villas can be booked separately or as a multi–villa estate.""""

Each villa within the villa estates is appointed with a gourmet kitchen, an in–nature private plunge pool, stylish bathrooms with rain showers and soaking tubs, and hand–crafted indoor furnishings.

Each multi–villa estate is set upon half to two–third–acres, having direct access to the resort's forthcoming funicular, one of the many amenities launching in 2023. Additional amenities, which will be unveiled over the next 12 months, include:

• Gwiyavye' Heights "" Floating eight feet off the ground, three floating decks place guests at the height of the towering guava trees, revealing views of the sparkling Caribbean Sea and the emblematic beauty of Cabrits National Park.

• Botanica Organic Garden & Chef's Table "" A garden–to–fork concept, the outdoor chef table experience is nestled into the chef's organic garden just next to the Cario River. Here, guests can indulge in a wholesome plant–based and/or fresh seafood experience focusing on fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, aromatic spices, and other natural ingredients sourced from the chef's organic garden.
• Botanica Nature Walk "" A meandering nature trail that starts at Secret Bay's Welcome House and winds through the rainforest beginning and ending with pedestrian bridges over the magical Cario River. The educational path alongside the riverbank reveals the island's unique flora and fauna. Guests can also forage here before experiencing the Chef's Table.
• Bwa Denn: Food, Art, Retail & Kombucha Brewery "" A creative and cultural immersion like no other, the modern, minimalist three–level structure features a contemporary Caribbean and Latin American art collection of over 100 distinct pieces, as well as a casual gourmet all–day restaurant headed by Executive Chef Damith Ranaweera, a full–service bar, microbrewery dedicated to locally–made kombucha, private dining and conference space, mini theatre, a coastal–inspired retail boutique, cutting–edge wine cellar, and rooftop lounge with spellbinding ocean views.
• Bwa Denn: Fitness & Play "" Located on the ground floor of the Bwa Denn, the property's Art Gallery, the open–air fitness and play area is designed for guests to reconnect and rebalance the body and spirit. The space is equipped with self–powered air bikes, a rower, a treadmill, two combo racks for strength workouts, dumbbells, kettlebells, power bars, pilates balls, mats, a ping pong table, and a relaxation lounge.

Tucked away on the unspoiled "Nature Island" "" one of the Caribbean's most sparsely populated, environmentally conscious, and culturally rich countries "" Secret Bay has been praised for its ability to effortlessly capture the luxury of time and space along with its artful fusion of high design, local craftsmanship, commitment to sustainable development through numerous green and eco–friendly initiatives and a reputation for authentic guest experiences custom–curated to personal preference.

For information or to book, interested parties can click here."

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8741603)

Roseau, Jan. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the economic and political uncertainty that so many Nigerians are feeling about the upcoming elections, many affluent businesspeople are considering whether to continue investing their hard–earned money further in the country or to invest elsewhere.

Risk diversification has always been on the minds of the affluent and, in some cases, investing elsewhere may actually have a positive impact back home in Nigeria.

How the diaspora has been supporting Nigeria

Nigerians are living across the globe. With a rising affluent class, more and more Nigerians are seeking investment, work, and living opportunities elsewhere. But this doesn't stop Nigerians from investing back in Nigeria from other locations.

According to a World Bank report, Nigeria remains the largest recipient of remittances in the sub–Saharan region. It is the sixth–largest recipient among all low– and middle–income countries (LMICs), with an estimated amount of US$23.8 billion received in 2019, an increase of more than half a billion compared with 2018. In comparison, Ghana and Kenya are ranked a distant second and third in the region, according to the report, with US$3.5 billion and US$2.8 billion received, respectively. Remittances refer to the sending of money, and in this case, to money being sent to Nigeria from abroad.

According to a report by an international audit firm, migrant remittances translated to 83% of the Federal Government budget in 2018 and 11 times the foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in the same period. The report also states that Nigeria's remittance inflows was 7.4 times larger than the net official development assistance (foreign aid) received in 2017 of US$3.4 billion.

These are no small facts. The impact that Nigerians abroad have on the country's local development is enormous.

CBI as a diversification of risk

One way in which astute investors diversify risk is through obtaining citizenship in another country. Only a handful of countries in the world currently offer citizenship by investment (CBI). The longest–standing and most credible citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes are found in the Caribbean.

There are many benefits to having dual citizenship, including greater global mobility, new economic opportunities, a better quality of life, and improved personal security. Many families and entrepreneurs turn to CBI programmes as an alternative form of asset diversification.

Global uncertainty is driving the desire among wealthy individuals to incorporate second citizenship as part of their portfolios. However, countries offering CBI programmes still require that applicants be strictly vetted before being granted citizenship. This is to maintain certain standards of the CBI programme and to ensure that applicants comply with certain national and international standards to support safety and security, as criminal background checks are also included in the vetting process. The due diligence process of the Commonwealth of Dominica, which forms part of its CBI offering, is one of the best in the world.

Different countries award citizenship in different ways. Some countries award citizenship by virtue of birth in that country, descent from a parent who is a citizen, or by naturalisation, for example through marriage to a citizen or through an extended period of residence in that country. CBI programmes allow successful applicants to obtain citizenship by virtue of a significant investment in a country.

For example, the Dominica CBI due diligence process covers four steps: know–your–customer checks performed by local authorized agents; internal checks including anti–money laundering and counter–terrorism financing vetting by the Citizenship by Investment Unit; mandated international due diligence firms perform online and on–the–ground checks; and regional and international crime prevention bodies check that you are not on any wanted or sanctions lists.

For additional security, local Caribbean banks, including those in Dominica, also exercise their own vetting processes on each CBI applicant before allowing funds from the applicant to enter the local banking sector. As this forms such an important part of the success of each application, this vetting process is usually done before the applicant's application is submitted to the recipient government's CBI unit for processing. This dual process of vetting by the bank as well as vetting by the government agency in charge of CBI adds a necessary and additional level of security to CBI programmes in the Caribbean.

Supporting home from idyllic Dominica

For Nigerians, the Caribbean has been a drawing card for a long time. Some of the first Africans to reach the Caribbean islands arrived in the early 1500s and the Caribbean has been a popular destination for global travelers for hundreds of years. Nigeria has also been one of the most influential cultures in the region, with over 6 million people tracing their lineage back to Nigeria.

In Dominica, the government invests heavily in tourism to drive economic development, focusing on the island's unmatched natural beauty, and the popularity of diving, hiking, wellness, and eco–tours.

For Nigerian investors, Dominican banks are well–versed in international transfers and can manage a variety of business requirements, whether these are for transactions with those in Nigeria or elsewhere.

From Dominica, investors also save a lot on taxation. There is no taxation on capital and these savings can be sent abroad. Dominica also has no corporate, estate, or withholding taxes. There is also no taxation on gifts, inheritance, and income earned abroad.

For more information on Dominica's CBI offering, contact CS Global Partners at https://csglobalpartners.com/contact/

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8726206)

Roseau, Dec. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The festive season is often a time to reflect on the year that has passed and on plans and goals for the year to come. With gift–giving around the world, the festive season is also a time to think about what one really wants from life.

With the explosion of remote work options around the world, our experience wish lists are no longer restricted by location. And even if your professional and private life requires you to be in a certain location from time to time, the world has opened in ways which may just top your stockings' list.

Dream island location

The Caribbean is known for its idyllic beaches and island lifestyle. Let alone its dynamic culture and history, it's offered a hideaway for investors the world over.

Located halfway along the Eastern Caribbean archipelago is the Commonwealth of Dominica, an island–state stretching 751 km (290 square miles) and boasting 148 km (91 miles) of coastal line. It is not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, also in the Caribbean.

Also known as the "Nature Island of the Caribbean”, its forest landscape is still being formed by geothermal–volcanic activity and boasts the second–largest hot spring in the world, Boiling Lake. The island boasts nine volcanic peaks. Morne Diablotins is the highest mountain on the island and the second highest in the Lesser Antilles. One can even view the neighboring islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique from its top.

The country's climate agenda also makes good use of these natural resources. As part of its aims to become the first climate–resilient country in the world by 2030, as announced by President Roosevelt Skerrit following the devastation ravaged on the island nation by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the nation is actively investing in sustainable development projects. In March 2019, the World Bank approved a US$27 million project to support the construction of a 7MW small geothermal power plant in the Rosseau Valley, which aims to increase the share of renewables, diversify the country's energy matrix, and identify a clear road map for private sector investment in geothermal development. Development projects outside of the development and enhancement of renewable energy capabilities include sustainable housing, healthcare and educational facilities. The country already obtains 28% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind.

Cities and spoken languages

English is the official language of Dominica, with French and Spanish spoken in some parts. The capital city is Roseau, which is the most popular place for nomads and expats to settle in Dominica, while others choose to live in Portsmouth, Dominicas' second–largest city.

Visa and work options

Dominica welcomes digital nomads from across the world. More recently, the government has launched its "Work in Nature" (WIN) campaign. This programme offers digital nomads an extended stay visa for individuals and families to work remotely in Dominica for up to 18 months.

Many affluent investors enjoy life on Dominica so much, that they opt to invest in the country's Citizenship by Investment (CIB) programme, through which investors gain citizenship, freedom of movement and of doing business in and from the island nation. Citizenship is for life, with the right to hold dual citizenship, so investors don't need to give up their current citizenship at all. Once citizenship is obtained, it can also be passed to future generations.

Launched in 1993, Dominica's CBI programme has been ranked as the number one CBI initiative for five consecutive years by the CBI Index. This is a ranking system published by the Financial Times's Professional Wealth Management (PWM) magazine. The Financial Times' PWM publication particularly highlighted the programme's stringent due diligence, efficient times and affordability. After applicants pass the due diligence checks, citizenship hopefuls then choose to either invest in real estate or contribute to a government fund. The latter is known as the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), and it sponsors public and private sectors in Dominica that need financial support or have economic potential, such as the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project.

Is this for me?

The Dominica CBI Programme is a good value for money for both individual applicants and families looking to apply for second citizenship. It is particularly a good fit for single professionals who want to broaden their horizons, families that would eventually like to add dependants such as grandparents or siblings, individuals looking to study abroad and digital nomads who want greater global mobility.

Dominica requires no wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, foreign income tax or personal income tax. There are also corporate tax incentives, import duty exemptions, tax relief and export allowances.

The programme has no residency requirements for applicants, so there is no need to be present on the island for any duration of time.

As the processing time for a CBI application takes about three months from submission of the application to approval in principle, this is something you'll be able to bag before next Christmas.

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8720614)

Roseau, Nov. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The recent COP27 gathering brought together nations from across the world to tackle climate challenges facing the world. While a lot has been said about the commitments made by leaders of first–world countries such as president Joe Biden of the United States, many developing countries still face challenges similar to what they had before the gathering.

Biden announced that the US is supporting the Global Shield, a G7 initiative to better protect vulnerable countries in Africa and the Caribbean from climate–related losses and to quickly respond to climate–related damages by expanding access to risk–based insurance. The G7–led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment is said to be working to meet the critical infrastructure needs in low– and middle–income countries with a specific focus on climate.

While the COP27 agreement to set up a fund for loss and damage caused by extreme weather condition is a great milestone in the joint effort to increase climate resilience, developing countries have been pursuing such a facility for decades. As yet, no agreement has been reached as to how the fund will be set up, how it will be funded, and who or which countries will fund it.

Developing nations have also been lobbying for a reform of the World Bank and other publicly funded finance institutions which are seen to be failing to provide developing nations with funding to help adapt to the climate crisis and to help cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2009 wealthier countries agreed that at least 100bn US dollars a year would be provided to developing countries by 2020 from public and private sources, to help these counties with their climate efforts. However, this target remains unmet.

The U.S. is the second–largest CO2 emitter after China, and the largest historically. In 2019, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totalled 6,558 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents "" a two percent increase since 1990, while Dominica represented 0% of the global share of CO2 emissions in the same period according to Worldometer.

In a recent open letter by Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, posted during the run–up to COP27, he refers to what the U.N. secretary general has called "a climate of mistrust" that envelops our world. He wrote, "First, rich countries should direct a greater share of funding to developing nations' adaptation to the effects of climate change. Most financing currently flows toward mitigation projects, such as renewable energy projects, that reduce emissions. While such projects have their uses, far more money needs to go to helping Africa adapt to the effects of climate change "" which seems only fair for a continent that produces less than 3 percent of global emissions."

Caribbean nations like Dominica face similar challenges. As a small island state that has not been causing global warming to any levels near those of developed nations, Dominica is disproportionately suffering the consequences of adapting to massive changes in weather conditions.

Instead of relying on the financial assistance of foreign countries, Dominica serves as a good example of a Small Developing Island State (SIDS) that has been using funds received through its very successful citizenship by investment (CBI) programme to support climate resilience and green energy programmes.

According to the UN, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 38 UN Member States and 20 Non–UN Members/Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions that face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities.

While COP27 nations have agreed to phase down the use of coal, the same as during COP26, the Commonwealth of Dominica already obtains 28% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind. In March 2019, the World Bank approved a US$27 million project to support the construction of a 7MW small geothermal power plant in the Rosseau Valley area of Dominica, which aims to increase the share of renewables, diversify the country's energy matrix, and identify a clear road map for private sector investment in geothermal development.

"The Geothermal Power Plant shows Dominica's commitment toward resilience. Projects like the geothermal plant are putting the Nature Isle ahead of the world in combatting climate change while relieving the nation of its reliance on imported fossil fuels," said Micha Rose Emmett, CEO of the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm, CS Global Partners.

The country's funding efforts have focused on upgrading and expanding its road network, including the adjustment of bridges to make them higher to allow for overflow of water and debris, building resilience capabilities in the local housing sector, and upgrading healthcare facilities and hospitals. Funds are also directed to supporting climate resilience programmes in agriculture, education, reforestation, community preparedness training and food security.

Dominica's CBI programme is one of the best in the world, ranking as the number one programme of its kind for five consecutive years by the CBI Index. This is a ranking system published by the Financial Times's Professional Wealth Management (PWM) magazine. With a minimum investment of 100,000 US dollars per single applicant, successful applicants obtain citizenship for life, with the right to live and work in the country. Dominica also offers increased global mobility and visa–free access to over 80 countries worldwide, with close proximity to the north American markets for those with business interests. Successful applicants maintain the right to hold dual citizenship and citizenship can be passed on to future generations. Applicants can choose to invest by either making a substantial contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or have the option to purchase government–approved property for a minimum of 200,000 US dollars that must be held for a minimum of three years.

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8703352)

Roseau, Nov. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — There are a few days left until COP27 takes place in the Egyptian city of Sharm El–Sheikh from 6 to 18 November and the Commonwealth of Dominica, like many nations around the world, will be watching to see if this summit finally brings action and implementation of proposals and promises.

"We are at the stage where we can no longer use these events as talk shops, but rather, we need to be laser–focused and intentional about developing actionable plans to tackle the biggest challenge of our time "" climate change," says Dr. Vince Henderson, Dominica's minister for planning, economic development, climate resilience, sustainable development, and renewable energy.

Small island nations like Dominica, are not the only countries facing extreme weather conditions as a result of global warming. UN Secretary–General Antnio Guterres mentioned to journalists in New York recently that a third of Pakistan is flooded, Europe is experiencing its hottest summer in 500 years, the Philippines is dealing with the aftermath of tropical storm Paeng and in the United States, Category 4 Hurricane Ian was just another reminder of the climate crisis.

Dominica has been on a path to be the world's first climate–resilient nation following Hurricane Maria which left an estimated 90 percent of buildings damaged or destroyed in 2019.

This year, at COP27, Dominica wants to showcase how it will reach climate resiliency by 2030. The country has implemented a number of projects that can be used as case studies that can be used as a flywheel of action.

"Everybody is talking about sustainability and climate change and why we need to reduce carbon emissions, the issue is how we are going to make a meaningful impact. For people to translate insight into action, they need to see good examples that motivate them, and we believe Dominica has an abundance of examples that are yielding results," continues Minister Henderson.

In response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria, Dominica launched a climate resilience policy framework to help guide its recovery journey in the form of the National Resilience Development Strategy 2030 (NRDS).

The Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan of Dominica aim to build strong communities, build a robust economy, have a well–planned and durable infrastructure; strengthen institutional systems and, protect and sustain natural and other unique assets.

It centres around three pillars: structural resilience, financial resilience, and post–disaster resilience.

Structural resilience: The government of Dominica is building a resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters, including Category 5 hurricanes. It includes the construction of 5 000 climate–resilient homes, healthcare centres, roads, bridges, airports, and schools.

Financial Resilience: The government of Dominica is implementing institutional fiscal reform to ensure stronger fiscal resilience which will aid in the strengthening of debt sustainability utilising several key institutional fiscal areas.

Post Disaster and Social Resilience: This pillar helps encourage farmers to plant more root crops which are more resilient to heavy rain and wind, and increases farmer training programmes and government assistance with the provision of seeds and fertilizers. The government's plan to strengthen food security includes specific policies for the resiliency of the agriculture and fisheries industries.

With 2022 set to rank among the 10 warmest years on record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Dominica is also constructing a geothermal power plant which will increase the country's share of renewables and diversify the country's energy matrix. The Commonwealth of Dominica already obtains 28% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind.

The UN is urging the world's industrialized nations to "lead by example' by taking "bold and immediate actions'. One of these nations includes the United States of America and with President Joe Biden confirmed to attend, it is said he will build on the significant work the United States has undertaken to advance the global climate fight and help the most vulnerable build resilience to climate impacts.

Last year, Biden arrived at COP26 largely empty handed and this year he will promote the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill that devotes hundreds of billions of dollars to clean energy initiatives and brings Biden's pledge to cut United States emissions in half by 2030 closer within reach.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the group of nations that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was put together in 1992. It commits them to act together to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations "at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human–induced) interference with the climate system". Since then, the parties, or nations, have met almost annually.

COP26 was held in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November 2021 and it brought together 120 world leaders and representatives from almost 200 countries. It culminated in the Glasgow Climate Pact, which reaffirmed the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of "limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 C above pre–industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 C".

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8689439)

Roseau, Oct. 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anichi Resort & Spa will be providing a 2% annual return to investors despite being under construction. The management of the much–anticipated five–star luxury resort and spa in Dominica has said that the project is in full swing, and that once construction is completed, annual returns will be based on the resort's operation.

Following an official update, an estimated 70% of the project is now complete; this includes the flooring as well as an extensive electricity infrastructure. The resort is being built on 12 acres of land, with 128 rooms. I will host world–class amenities, such as a lagoon swimming pool, an infinity pool, restaurants, a business centre and many others. Overlooking a picturesque beach, the resort will tastefully blend its modern architecture with the landscape's tropical foliage.

Developed by Oriental Developers (Caribbean) Ltd, the resort will form part of the Autograph Collection, a premium international brand developed by renowned hotelier Marriott International. This links the resort to more than 100 luxury lifestyle hotels across 30 countries and territories "" all of which have been constructed as part of Autograph Collection Hotels. Furthermore, Anichi Resort will be managed by Highgate, a dominant player in major US gateway cities with a growing footprint in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Anichi Resort & Spa is also one of the premium real estate options approved by the Dominican government's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. The CBI Index of 2022, published by the PWM Magazine of the Financial Times, recognises it as the "World's Best Citizenship by Investment Programme". The minimum investment threshold for Anichi Resort & Spa is $220,000 (USD), an expenditure which also comes with lifetime Dominican citizenship and property ownership.

The resort will bolster the tourism sector and generate extensive employment for locals. The country already occupies a notable position, ranking first among 25 other Caribbean islands "" winning due to its lush green jungles, hot springs and striking black–sand beaches. Annually, scores of investors fly to Dominica owing to its large number of government–approved investment projects. The Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica allows these individuals to purchase freehold shares in government–approved properties.

Anichi Resort & Spa provides investors and CBI applicants with a Return on Investment (ROI) as well as a route towards diversifying their portfolios and planning their wealth.

The Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, praised the CBI Programme, "Thanks to the real–estate investment option of the Citizenship by Investment Programme," he noted, "the country is catching the attraction of travel–enthusiasts and is now known for [its] luxury tourism offering. Under the Citizenship Programme, investors looking to expand their real estate portfolio have the opportunity to invest in established luxury hotel brands and villas."

Dominica's real estate investment option has long provided premium, luxury projects for investment. A prior example of this is Secret Bay, a real estate property which paid out more than $1 million (USD) in returns to investors. The Residences at Secret Bay also promises great returns, having drawn more than 100 Citizenship by Investment (CBI) owners. The resort has already won a number of awards, and it is anticipated that Anichi Resort & Spa will likewise be counted as one of the jewels in Dominica's real estate crown.

Anichi Resort promises to be a meaningful asset during this time of global uncertainty. CS Global Partners, a legal consulting firm working in the investment citizenship field, noted that, beyond the resort's world–class architecture and lush surrounding environment, "[t]he project also brings in interest from investors keen to participate in the development through Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Once completed, the resort promises to transform Dominica's tourism sector while also boosting employment for the local community".

Concurrently, Dominica is witnessing the construction of several other hotels, including a Hilton hotel, which will also fall under the government–approved real estate investment options of the country's CBI programme. Many of these properties are being built to be sustainable and climate–resilient, with the continued construction of such resorts and hotels positioning the island as a top destination for eco–luxury resorts.

Dominica's real estate is thus proving to be a popular option among investors and high net–worth individuals (HNWIs). Bolstering investment is the strength of the country's CBI programme. The credibility and trustworthiness of Dominica's programme has been maintained since its launch almost three decades ago, and it has been ranked the world's best CBI programme for its sixth consecutive year. Alongside alternative citizenship, the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica provides a number of other opportunities to investors. These include:

• The ability to become a global citizen and be part of a global community transcends Dominica's land borders.
• The ability to hold multiple citizenships.
• A citizenship that is granted for life and can be passed on to future generations.
• An opportunity to provide families and children with a peaceful, stable, safe and welcoming home.
• Access to countless business opportunities, with the option of portfolio diversification.
• Enhanced opportunities for wealth planning and expanding business overseas.
• A stable currency, with Dominica's currency, the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), pegged to USD.

These factors, combined with alternative citizenship, present individuals with a rich array of business and personal advantages. As the success and promise of the Anichi Resort & Spa attest, the island along with its CBI programme offers investment with unrivalled returns.

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8685334)

Roseau, Aug. 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Commonwealth of Dominica came out tops in the annual CBI Index, a rating system designed to measure the performance and appeal of global citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes across a diverse range of indicators.

The CBI Index is intended as a practical tool to compare CBI programmes as a whole and specific aspects of each programme. These aspects are reflected by the CBI Index's nine pillars which Freedom of Movement, Standard of Living, Minimum Investment Outlay, Mandatory Travel or Residence, Citizenship Timeline, Ease of Processing, Due Diligence, Family and Certainty of Product.

Number one for six consecutive years, Dominica beat 11 other nations with active citizenship by investment programmes and scored full marks in the areas of Minimum Outlay, Mandatory travel or residence, Ease of Processing, Due Diligence, Family and Certainty of Product.

These nations include Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Cambodia, Egypt, Grenada, Jordan, Malta, Montenegro, St Lucia, Turkey and Vanuatu.

"For the last 29 years we have ensured that our CBI programme really meets the needs of an ever–changing global investor. We're proud to yet again be ranked as one of the best CBI offering in the world and look to increase our scores across all nine pillars next year," commented Dominica's Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit.

Dominica continues to be on a concerted drive to offer investors "" through its Economic Diversification Fund and government–approve real estate options "" a reliable safe haven amidst the constant global upheavals. Accompanied by a robust due diligence process, Dominica uses a multi–layered process in partnership with third–party due diligence firms from the USA and the UK, investors can be confident that they are buying a product that will enhance their portfolio.

Dominica's scoring in the nine pillars:

Freedom of Movement: Dominica scored seven out of 10 as the country offers visa–free and visa–on–arrival access to 14 countries across the world, including the globe's most sought–after business hubs.

Freedom of movement within and between countries is paramount to global investors seeking second citizenship and this year, the Index placed emphasis on the total number of countries and territories that can be visited without applying for a visa.

Standard of Living: Dominica scored five in this area due to its low average expected years of schooling, but it must be noted that the country has the highest life expectancy at 78.2 and a perfect freedom score when compared to Egypt, Jordan, St Kitts and Nevis and Vanuatu "" who also shared the same score.

Minimum Investment Outlay: Dominica received a perfect score of 10 here as the minimum investment outlay for their CBI programme is only US$100,000 per applicant, one of the lowest citizenship investment outlays in the industry.

Mandatory Travel or Residence: As last year, Dominica kept its score of 10 out of 10 as the country does not require mandatory travel or residence in the country for processing its citizenship application.

Citizenship Timeline: Dominica scored a nine in the citizenship timeline pillar. The pillar accesses the duration to get the application processed.

Ease of Processing: The citizenship by investment unit of Dominica continues to make the application process straightforward and more robust, helping the country secure a score full marks in this area.

Due Diligence: Dominica is recognized for its stringent and comprehensive due diligence checks on applicants seeking second citizenship and once again retained the score of 10 for due diligence processing. The country requires the provision of either fingerprints or a biometric passport and has robust external due diligence procedures that are undertaken by internationally renowned third–party due diligence firms.

Family: As Dominica allows main applicants to add additional dependents under a single application, once again making it easy to bring in additional family members, the country scored 10 under this pillar.

Certainty of Product: Dominica, along with St Kitts and Nevis, attained a perfect score for Certainty of Product Pillar thanks to the programme's longevity, popularity, renown, stability, and adaptability. The CBI Index also lauded Dominica for its transparent two–track investment routes.

Regarded as an industry voice and reputable benchmark for CBI programmes across the globe, this year's CBI Index offers readers a glimpse of the possibility that could in the CBI industry should all relevant parties cooperate.

The current turmoil has certainly brought a negative spotlight to the investment migration industry and overlooked the fundamentals of CBI "" offering honest, hardworking families and entrepreneurs to explore and participate in meaningful global opportunities, especially where they have been let down by their own home countries.

Findings in the CBI Index state that in 2023, it is predicted over 125,000 millionaires will look to relocate to more secure and attractive destinations around the world and this trend is expected to continue and increase to 2030. Political fragmentation, instability, social polarisation are some of the reasons why investors look for second citizenship options.

It is for this reason that countries like the Commonwealth of Dominica are a popular investment choice, offering political and economic stability, a currency pegged against the US–dollar and, even more appealing is an eco–conscious government working its way to be carbon–neutral and sustainable.

"People who invest in our programme can be 100% sure that they are also investing in a country that cares about the planet and one that is taking tangible, measurable steps to protect the planet," continues Prime Minister Skerrit.

The CBI Index is the world's most definitive guide on citizenship by investment and is published today by PWM Magazine, a publication from the Financial Times in collaboration with CS Global Partners.

Download and read the full report here.