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Saint Lucia bolsters its medical facilities using CIP funds: CS Global Partners

London, Aug. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Launched in 2016, the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) of Saint Lucia is one of the top performers in the Caribbean region. As the demand for a programme such as this skyrockets amongst high net–worth individuals (HNWIs), the newly elected government is striving to utilise the funds brought in by the programme to develop more advanced public infrastructure and uplift the standard of living of its people.

Despite being the newest Caribbean programme in this industry, Saint Lucia offers an advanced, secure and transparent programme. With more foreign direct investments coming into the country via its prestigious CIP Programme, the government is preparing a roadmap to engage in constructing and uplifting schools, roads, health care, and other public infrastructures through the funds generated by the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

After the COVID–19 pandemic ravaged the world, countries realised the need for advanced and robust health infrastructure. Similarly, Saint Lucia is putting a focus on the development of new health care centres and hospitals which will be equipped with modern amenities to help mitigate the threats of any forthcoming health calamities. The modernised health structure will eventually uplift the country as a whole and provide quality healthcare at affordable costs. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs recently donated a haematology analyser and immunoassay analyser to the St Jude Hospital. These devices will strengthen the delivery of diagnostic testing in the coastal town of Vieux Fort. The funds generated by the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) have enabled additional advanced developments in the health care sector.

Mc Claude Emmanuel, recently appointed Head of the Citizenship by Investment Programme Unit, outlined the government of Saint Lucia and the CIP Unit's collective plan to restructure the programme and build a stronger Saint Lucia together. He said that the nation would soon witness the construction and rehabilitation of housing units, schools and hospitals to upgrade the infrastructure of the country.

Emmanuel also said the administration is working tirelessly to uplift the country and doing exemplary work, paving the way forward for Saint Lucia's sustainable development. With the government's new vision the dream of an excellent Saint Lucia is slowly turning into reality.

Emmanuel's primary focus is on robust, stringent and scrutinised due–diligence procedures to ensure that only honest and credible investors attain the alternative citizenship of Saint Lucia. Emmanuel explained that applications from each investor are subject to strict procedures and due diligence checks with each application being checked by an independent international third–party firm as well as the CIP Unit in order to cross–check that investors or applicants are of the highest calibre.

The CIP Unit Head assured that new policies, agendas and programmes are continually being adopted to make Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Programme the world's number one.

Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme:

Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) is the newest citizenship by investment programme in the Caribbean region. Launched in 2016, the CIP of Saint Lucia aims to establish itself among the best programmes in the world. It ranked fourth in the 2021 CBI Index, published by the PWM Magazine of The Financial Times. Saint Lucia's programme secured a solid ten in three of the nine pillars of excellence. The programme is seen as credible because of its transparency when providing investors with information on how their funds are used.

Saint Lucia has been on investors' radar as the world deals with countless uncertainties and businessmen are searching for safe, stable and peaceful destinations to expand and explore their business internationally. Investors can apply for the alternative citizenship of Saint Lucia via the National Economic Fund Investment, popularly known as the Fund Option.

The National Economic Fund Investment Option: The Fund Option of Saint Lucia aids the growth and development of infrastructure as well as socio–economic upliftment within the country. The minimum investment using the investment option starts from USD 100,000. An investor can also add additional dependants under a single application.

Citizenship by Investment Programme offers benefits such as:

  • Makes an individual a global citizen.
  • Contributes to portfolio diversification and wealth planning.
  • Provides lifelong citizenship, which can be passed on to future generations.
  • Helps in expanding business overseas.
  • Gives the investor an opportunity to spend the rest of their life in a peaceful and safe environment.

Saint Lucia is an excellent choice for the investor because it is known as the Caribbean's largest economy, thereby helping an investor with the expansion of their business and portfolio diversification. An individual can flourish in business as citizenship provides the opportunity to travel to around 75 per cent of the world hassle–free. In addition to this, the CIP of Saint Lucia provides a favourable tax regime and also offers a wide range of sectors to invest in.

Saint Lucia is a quintessential island paradise. Its majestic peaks reach the heavens with the splendour of its lush green rainforests and the hypnotizing blue waters of the Caribbean Sea providing a mesmerizing reason to visit. It is on many travel enthusiasts' bucket lists because of its landscape, people, customs and cuisine intertwining to offer the perfect setting for vacations.

The country is renowned for being a place which offers a quality of life in a tranquil environment. Saint Lucia has many opulent resorts and hotels, and a variety of restaurants and is the perfect choice for people celebrating their honeymoons, anniversaries, weddings, and other milestone events. Chefs celebrate the country's creole heritage by creating amazing dishes inspired by the sea.

Saint Lucia's history is rich and vibrant. With a mixture of cultures, its people have a deep sense of cultural identity that they vigorously celebrate to this day.

The country is also home to fun and adventure. Tourists have the option to recline on the sandy white beaches, zip line through lush rainforests, soak in the volcanic mud baths of Soufrire, indulge in authentic island food, and club–hop on the Rodney Bay strip, or ride ATVs through the countryside. Envision exploring abandoned sugar plantations, snorkelling in crystal clear waters, chasing brightly coloured fish in the shadow of the Pitons, or experiencing a live sea turtle hatching in the last light of dusk. Saint Lucia offers an experience that will stay in one's mind for years to come.


Saint Lucia repositions Citizenship Programme under new slogan “Beyond the Passport”: CS Global Partners

London, July 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The citizenship by investment programme of Saint Lucia is one of the youngest economic citizenship programmes in the Caribbean. The government has set up a dedicated Citizenship by Investment Board that oversees all the operations and assists investors while facilitating unmatched benefits for the country and its people.

The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme Unit, a statutory body of the government is marketing and repositioning the programme under a new slogan called “Beyond the Passport.”

The Head of the Citizenship by Investment Programme Unit, Mc Claude Emmanuel said the unit is making the programme more effective for locals as well as for investors. He noted that the funds generated by the CIP of Saint Lucia are used for the development of the country, and the impact must benefit every Saint Lucian.

“Funds generated by the CIP are important for Saint Lucia. The government generates revenue from the donation offered through the programme, which is then spent on different development projects island wide. The revenue benefits social sectors, such as schools, healthcare, roads and housing,” said Mc Claude Emmanuel.

He further explained the importance of different investment options, including the National Economic Development Fund, which is also known as the Fund Option, “For the country, the Citizenship by Investment Programme holds immense importance.”

Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment programme is the latest in the Caribbean region and is on par with some of the best programmes in the region. Launched in 2016, Saint Lucia has performed exceptionally well in the 2021 CBI Index, published by the PWM Magazine of Financial Times. It came out top in three pillars of excellence, namely minimum investment outlay, mandatory travel or residence and ease of processing.

Saint Lucia has been moving ahead with plans to position itself as a notable alternative to global investors in the investment mobility industry. As the world is dealing with uncertainty, entrepreneurs have been looking for stable, safe as well as peaceful destinations in which to move or start their businesses. Economic citizenship is the right choice for them. Investors can protect and grow their wealth by investing in alternative citizenship, which helps in portfolio diversification as well as wealth planning.

An investor can apply for alternative citizenship of Saint Lucia through the National Economic Fund Investment, most commonly known as the Fund Option under which the investors contribute to the country's socio–economic development. The minimum investment under this investment option is USD 100,000.

The CIP of Saint Lucia is backed by a strong, robust and vigorous due diligence check process. The Saint Lucia government has been working closely with regional and international third–party firms to conduct background checks. The Programme is one of the most transparent in the industry, giving investors and partners access to information on how funds are used.

Citizenship by Investment Programme of Saint Lucia provides the following benefits, including:

  • Makes the investor a global citizen.
  • Assists the applicant in portfolio diversification and wealth planning.
  • Helps in expanding business overseas.
  • Provides citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations.
  • Gives an opportunity to spend the rest of their life in a peaceful and safe environment.

The investor can apply for the alternative citizenship of Saint Lucia via the following steps:

Step 1: Completion of the application by applicants.

Step 2: Submit the application at the CIP Portal

Step 3: The Documents are then verified by the CIP Unit and undergo a strong due–diligence process.

Step 4: The board takes a decision on the selection and rejection of the application.

Step 5: The certification is the last process of the application.

About Saint Lucia:

Saint Lucia is a small, mountainous Eastern Caribbean Island. It is 21 miles south of Martinique and 26 miles north of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, all part of the Caribbean Sea's Lesser Antilles islands. Saint Lucia's lush landscape has a tropical rainforest with two lava spires called Pitons, which are the standout natural features.

The small island country is one of the world's most beautiful and well–known destinations for travel enthusiasts. The attention of the travellers is largely drawn by the island's majestic Piton Mountains, refreshing waterfalls, spectacular hiking trails, drive–in volcano, beautiful beaches, as well as exclusive restaurants.

The island is fondly called the Helen of the West as its beauty is comparable to Helen of Troy.

With regional specialities including pepperpots, langouste, and bouyon, Saint Lucia is a well–known Caribbean destination for those who enjoy trying new foods from different cultures. Seafood–based cuisine and locally cultivated products from farms to tables define the island's culinary heritage.

Many people love travelling to the Caribbean country for its rich cuisines and organic agro products. The local food is influenced by French, East Indian and British dishes. The National Dish of Saint Lucia is Green Fig and Saltfish. The dish is typically prepared on weekends as well as especially during the Creole Day Festival, which is hosted in October.

Not only that, but Saint Lucia also endeavours to have its own coffee speciality in the region, which according to Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire will boom the tourism sector. He recently led discussions with an investor named Olmedo Vill, who aims to recommence coffee production in the country. He said over 13,000 plants will be cultivated by 2024. Not many people know that in the late 1700s, Saint Lucia and Martinique produced more than half of all coffee consumed in Europe. The country had more than 9 million coffee plants by the 1800s because of the country's cool, shaded, volcanic ground and which is infused with citrus and spices.

Saint Lucia's beautiful mountains, jungles, coasts, and historic locations showcase history and beauty and a great sense of living poetry add more touch to its tranquil environment.


Why citizenship by investment in small island nations is worth considering: CS Global Partners

London, July 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Programs granting citizenship in exchange for economic investment in small island countries are growing in popularity. Over the last decade, these programs have become notable considerations for those looking to diversify their wealth; they offer benefits that most investors look for and cannot find in some parts of the world. Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis as well as Saint Lucia are some of the small island countries which offer citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes in the Caribbean. These countries offer profitable investment opportunities worth considering.

Obtaining citizenship in Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia comes with numerous benefits for investors. These benefits include favourable opportunities to plan and spread one's wealth, reduced citizenship application timelines, extending citizenship to the family, wide range of investment programmes, high standard of living and enjoying the general benefits that come with living in modern, diverse countries. In addition to this, the investment threshold is not as high as those of other countries. Individuals invest less to access the same benefits offered by relatively large countries.

Shorter citizenship application timeline:

When seeking a second citizenship, the citizenship timeline, or the time it takes for one to move from investor to citizen makes a huge difference. According to the 2021 CBI Index, the speed that it takes to process citizenship application in small island countries is rapid compared to other countries offering the same program. According to the same report, fast track CBI processing options which are available at an additional fee.

This is particularly important for time poor investors looking for effective and trusted options with little or no residence.

It must be noted that fast track options do not reduce the amount of due diligence performed on individuals. The same multilayer approach conducted by various external and local firms along with international police authorities applies to these programmes.

Obtaining citizenship with family:

The rise of increasingly complex family relationships is driving investors to seek CBI programs that allow for a more diverse range of family members to be included under a primary application. Even though a majority of CBI programmes provide for the inclusion of spouses and minor children, only a handful of countries do so for adult children and extended family. Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia were ranked high in this regard according to the CBI Index of 2021. These countries have multi–family member categories that can be considered with one primary application. The degree of flexibility in these categories means that points are awarded for adult children, parents, grandparents and even siblings. Investors who are seeking a second citizenship in these Caribbean countries do not have to worry about the breaking of family ties that comes with relocation and immigration.

Wide range of investment programmes:

Every investment option is evaluated based on its rate of return. When considering a CBI option, the types of investments are thoroughly scrutinised because they form basis of the income that investors will receive in the foreseeable future. The broader the investment programmes are, the better the diversification of an investor's portfolio.

Individuals applying for the Dominica CBI can make contributions to the Economic Diversification Fund and Real Estate. The former supports private as well as public projects within the country whereas the latter entails investment in approved real estate projects.

St Kitts and Nevis offers a wide range of CBI options such as the Sustainable Growth Fund. This option follows the Dominica CBI focus which is the public and private real estate development.

Key investments in St Lucia include the National Economic Fund Investment and real estate amongst others. This diversification of investment options is advantageous because it enables investors to select suitable investments that are in line with their risk appetite.

High standard of living:

The United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), which encompasses factors such as life expectancy, education, access to healthcare, safety, and income is used to determine a country's standard of living. Dominica, St Kitts, and Nevis, and St Lucia have an HDI of 0.742, 0.779, and 0.759 respectively. These country indices are higher than the countries where most investors come from, and they indicate fairly high standards of living.

Outside of economic factors, small island countries rank high in terms of freedom of expression, civil liberties, and political rights which all contribute to a high standard of living. Investments in these countries also tend to offer considerably stable returns because of reduced political risk from upheavals or conflict.

Low minimum investment outlay:

According to the CBI report of 2021, small island countries offer relatively lower investment outlays for their CBI programmes. The minimum investment outlay is an important measure because it is one of the most practical and foremost considerations for all investors. Overall, small island countries had the lowest minimum investment requirements, with some as low as USD 100 000 in Dominica. The low investment outlay means that investors can access similar benefits that come with being a citizen of a country, without paying a fortune.


International CBI Units Put Extra Focus on Due Diligence Processes Amid Global Risks: CS Global Partners

London, May 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Financial Times' Private Wealth Management (PWM) magazine has hosted a virtual panel discussion on the impact of global risks on countries with Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes.

As part of its PWM Perspectives series, the four–part panel discussion shares the views and insights of notable experts from major due diligence investigation agencies including Karen Kelly, director of strategy and development at Exiger; Eddy Leviton, chief operating officer at Fact WorldWide and Heyrick Bond Gunning, chief operating officer at S–RM.

In the last instalment, the panel moderated by Yuri Bender, editor in chief of Professional Wealth Management magazine, discusses how international CBI units are putting extra focus on due diligence processes amid global risks.

Global political risks are unfortunately a reality for many people across the world and investors across a number of jurisdictions are constantly looking for ways to distance themselves from restrictive regimes. This means that suitable safeguards need to be in place to ensure that the verification of applicants from territories deemed to be of higher risk which poses potential difficulties is of the strictest measures.

In response to this, Karen Kelly, director of strategy and development at Exiger says "Any risk needs to be viewed in context "" whether its political exposure or jurisdictional risk. Each CBI country has their own risk appetite or threshold."

"Intelligence agencies are not there to make decisions on behalf of countries as to who should or should not be approved but rather, they provide client countries with the facts and information needed to arm the CBI Units with the details they need to say this person is above or below the risk threshold we have for acceptance. It is important to also keep in mind that CBI Units will also consider the information they get from other sources such as law enforcement agencies."

In response to Yuri Bender's question of whether it is necessary to apply a deeper and enhanced due diligence process on high–risk applicants and a lighter version for others, Eddy Leviton, chief operating officer at Fact WorldWide says "We carry out the same stringent levels of investigations and checks for all applicants and dependents. We do not discriminate because when we get an application, we do not know whether that applicant will be high risk or low risk "" whether they declare that they are wealthy or if they have managed to scrape enough money to purchase alternative citizenship, we apply the same verification and due diligence process to all applicants. We provide a risk profile to the client to enable them to make the ultimate decision."

There is never a scenario where a "lighter' version would be applied to an applicant when it comes to due diligence. All applicants undergo the same level of scrutiny, and should an applicant be flagged as high risk, additional due diligence will be applied.

A multi–layered due diligence system is an essential element of any successful CBI programme, as it combines internal government checks with research by specialist third–party due diligence firms and assessments by regional and international bodies. The rigour put around due diligence ensures that individuals of only the highest integrity are successful.

The Caribbean has been under immense pressure over the last few years "" with deadly hurricanes increasing in number and tourism decreasing due to the pandemic. This has led some to believe that these jurisdictions sometimes ignore red flags instituted by pan–regional anti–crime bodies because they badly need the money.

Heyrick Bond Gunning, chief operating officer at S–RM says that these Caribbean nations are taking a "longer–term view in terms of the integrity of their programmes."

"Caribbean nations have realised how vital CBI funds are to their economies and maintaining the integrity of the programmes is essential for the entire region. There's no point in having a quick win if it will jeopardise their status, which could result in the banks not wanting to do business with them meaning the programmes fall over straight away anyway.

"Caribbean nations are working very hard to fix mistakes made in the past as they are acutely aware of the scrutiny they are under at the moment, and therefore we have not seen any problematic individuals being accepted into these programmes recently."

When responding to how the COVID–19 pandemic has impacted the CBI industry and the due diligence which enables its functioning, Gunning adds, "There has been a huge reliance on tourism which has really dropped away over the last couple of years and that has certainly put a lot more pressure on the units.

"It's important to note that the units have become a lot more focused on their processes and how they run themselves to become as efficient as possible so that they can ensure that they are making the most of opportunities in terms of the applicants presenting themselves, within that there hasn't been a compromise on the due diligence as they understand how important a part it plays and they want to be able to hold their hands up and say "we have external third parties auditing all our applicants at least twice but usually three or four times when you bring in to play the security agencies or Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to ensure that there isn't a compromise on due diligence."

Proper due diligence practices show a nation's commitment to ensuring that its programme remains transparent and effective at evaluating potential candidates for citizenship. It is, therefore, a measure of that programme's integrity.

Increasingly, strict anti–terrorism and anti–money laundering legislation has prompted some governments to exclude applicants of certain nationalities from their programmes or to restrict funds transferred from certain jurisdictions, in order to ensure compliance with international sanctions.

A multi–layered due diligence system, rooted in law and subject to procedural rules and policies, is an essential element of any successful CBI programme, as it combines internal government checks with research by specialist third–party due diligence firms, and assessments by regional and international bodies. Failures in due diligence harm the reputation of a host country and its programme, and these failures often have widespread consequences for the entire industry.

Funds from CBI programmes often provide a vital source of income for some countries, especially in times of crisis "" as is often the case for Caribbean countries devastated by hurricanes "" these countries value the investment that goes into their economies as it allows them to be economically self–sustainable.

"Caribbean nations are some of the most transparent in terms of reporting on their due diligence processes which has positively impacted their brand and reputation in the international market," adds Paul Singh, director at CS Global Partners "" an international government marketing agency.

"We have been doing ongoing work to help countries realise the importance of protecting and enhancing not only their reputation in the international community but also ensuring that their citizens and applicants know that they are investing in reputable and trusted brands for their businesses and families."

Professional Wealth Management, from the FT Group, is the premier resource for private banking and mutual fund coverage in Europe, Asia and beyond.

Watch the full four–episode PWM Perspectives series on due diligence here.


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CS Global Partners: Commonwealth of Dominica Signs Roadmap for Cooperation with Kingdom of Morocco

LONDON, April 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a move to bolster diplomatic ties, the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Kingdom of Morocco signed a roadmap for cooperation.

The Dominican Prime Minister is currently on an official visit to Dakhla as the government of Dominica opened a general consulate on behalf of The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in Morocco.

The significant and promising diplomatic presence will present an opportunity to further boost bilateral exchanges between the Kingdom of Morocco and OECS.

The OECS is an eleven–member grouping of islands spread across the Eastern Caribbean. Together, they form a near–continuous archipelago across the eastern reaches of the Caribbean Sea. They comprise the Leeward Islands: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands; and the Windward Islands: Dominica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“I am very happy to be here in Dakhla to inaugurate the embassy and to exchange views with his excellency on the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Commonwealth of Dominica,” said Prime Minister Skerrit.

“I want to say to all of you, the citizens of the Kingdom of Morocco, that the relationship between Dominica and Morocco is strong and sincere. We value the leadership of His Majesty the King, especially in dealing with so many global challenges.”

Prime Minister Skerrit also stated that King Mohamed VI led the global fight with respect to climate change, migration, access to education, and economic prosperity.

“The opening of a consulate in Dakhla is the manifestation of the strong relationship that exists between the Kingdom of Morocco and the OECS,” he further emphasized.

Furthermore, the Dominican prime minister stated that Dominica reaffirms the royal vision of upholding stability and security in the Caribbean region through tangible social–economic projects.

With the opening of the general consulate in Dakhla, the Caribbean island country of Dominica has taken one step ahead in creating its presence in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region.

The meeting also features the promise of the promotion of the economic and cultural links by signing the first agreement. The agreement will aid both countries economically. It will also access the people of both nations to connect with each other culturally.

Caribbean and African ties run deep "" the territories have shared history and a lot is being done to strengthen and foster Caribbean–African relations and increase their bargaining power with the world. Last September, for example, leaders from the African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened the first Africa CARICOM Summit.

Bilateral diplomacy is a key building block of international relations and this participation by Dominica in regional and multilateral frameworks supports the country's bilateral diplomacy goals by increasing a country's capacity to respond to regional and global opportunities and challenges.

The strength of a country's bilateral connections impacts its standing in the global arena.

All countries benefit from strong diplomatic cooperation. However, when it comes to small states' foreign policy, the relevance of bilateral diplomacy is most visible. Though smaller states' limited capabilities might place them in an inferior position when dealing with larger ones, the starting disadvantage can be overcome. This may include dependence on collective solidarity and the rule of law, a tight engagement on certain tasks, and the application of new solutions.

About CS Global Partners

CS Global Partners is the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm, specialising in residency and citizenship by investment solutions. Governments around the globe partner with CS Global Partners, relying on our in–depth expertise about the citizenship by investment market. We work closely with government authorities to create synergies to protect and promote the security of their citizenship by investment programmes and attract prospective applicants through stringent due diligence processes.

Over the years, we have helped countries attract foreign direct investment into their markets, equating to more than half their GDP. We have been expanding our foreign direct investments and further focusing on recommending premium citizenship and residency programmes to our clients.

With our strong reputation, expertise and integrity, CS Global Partners has created a robust community, linking a well–established global business network with investment bankers, lawyers, high–net–worth individuals, and other like–minded professionals. Our objective is to educate markets, create awareness about global citizenship by investment, and ensure that international stakeholders work effectively with these programmes by properly educating their ultra–high net worth and mass affluent clientele about the best RCBI options available.

Headquartered in the heart of London, the venture was founded in 2012 by Micha–Rose Emmett. Emmett is a dual–qualified attorney and entrepreneur with years of practice in citizenship and residency by investment. Working across multiple time zones, the CS Global Partners team consists of passionate professionals, making it a highly international, multicultural, and multilingual name in the industry. CS Global Partners provides tailored guidance and advice with a global physical presence and an expert legal advisory and marketing team.

CS Global Partners holds government mandates to promote and develop citizenship by investment programmes for St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica.

Contact Information:
pr@csglobalpartners.com
www.csglobalpartners.com
+447824029952


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CS Global Partners: St Kitts and Nevis Formalises Diplomatic Relations with Republic of Sudan, Continues to Strengthen Relations with African Countries

LONDON, March 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis is continuing to strengthen its ties with the African continent.

The Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations recently met with his Sudanese counterpart, Mr. Ammar M.M. Mohammed, to formalise diplomatic relations, agreeing on a mutual visa waiver to facilitate easier travel.

The Caribbean nation also established diplomatic relations and signed visa waiver agreements with Egypt late last year and with Ghana as recently as last week.

The signing with Egypt occurred on the sidelines of the 76th period of sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with St Kitts and Nevis' Foreign Minister Mark Brantley.

Minister Brantley has been instrumental to St Kitts and Nevis expanding its bilateral relations across the world, propelling and creating visibility of the islands globally and enabling the nation to have one of the strongest travel prospects in the region. The last few years have seen a deepening of ties with the African continent with relations established with countries like Mozambique, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, and Gabon.

Caribbean and African ties run deep "" the territories have shared history and culture and a lot is being done to strengthen and foster Caribbean–African relations and increase their bargaining power with the world. Last September, for example, leaders from the African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened the first Africa CARICOM Summit.

“We have talked about a closer connection with Africa. We are of Africa, and many, I believe, have agreed that there ought to be a closer nexus between the Caribbean and Africa and that we ought in every sense to be a part of the so–called sixth region of Africa,” Brantley previously noted on the matter.

At the signing event with Sudan, the economic and cultural links between the two nations were promoted, as well as the visa–free access of up to 90 days both ways, for holders of diplomatic, official, and ordinary passports. In addition to the signings, the two diplomats discussed areas of cooperation, natural resources, Citizenship by Investment, transport, and a stronger Africa–CARICOM partnership.

St Kitts and Nevis has for a number of years welcomed a growing number of African investors and businesspeople to settle on the islands through its popular Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. An increasing number of African entrepreneurs are beginning to acknowledge the value of having a second citizenship especially when looking to keep business competitive, access greater global mobility and higher quality education and healthcare services or simply keeping loved ones safe.

The country scored a respectable score of 48 points in the overall rankings in the World Citizenship Report, the highest of all the Caribbean CBI nations. It reached top marks in the Safety and Security, Quality of Life, and Global Mobility motivators.

The report was developed by CS Global Partners, the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm, and measures 187 countries against five motivators that are relevant amongst High Net–Worth Individuals (HNWIs). These motivators include Safety and Security, Economic Opportunity, Quality of Life, Global Mobility and Quality of Life.

As pioneers of the CBI industry, St Kitts and Nevis remains a top destination for those seeking second citizenship from a trusted and reputable country. The islands launched the Programme in 1984 and have since been recognised as the market's 'Platinum Standard' brand and have been consistently ranked as the world's best programme by the CBI Index, published annually by the Professional Wealth Management magazine.

Those who choose St Kitts and Nevis gain a wide range of benefits including:

  • The right to live, work and study in St Kitts and Nevis
  • Alternative business prospects
  • The ability to pass down citizenship
  • A fair tax regime, with no worldwide income, inheritance, and gift tax for tax residents

Investors can call St Kitts and Nevis home by simply investing in the country's Sustainable Growth Fund, which utilises revenue generated to support different sectors of society, including tourism, health, education and construction.

The Sustainable Growth Fund is the most direct investment path to St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and requires an investment of just US$150 000.00.

The Sustainable Growth Fund allows future citizens of St Kitts and Nevis to be part of the success story as this investment channel enables both applicants and the nation to thrive.

Monies from the Fund have offered a much–needed injection of foreign direct investment for St Kitts and Nevis, often in a way that can make a significant developmental difference and a sizable impact on economic activity.

St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme contributed more than 30 per cent of GDP in the country in 2020.

According to the CBI Unit Head Les Khan, the Programme's revenue was a “main driver” during lockdown when tourism was at an all–time low.

In December 2021, Minister Brantley stated that St Kitts and Nevis' bilateral agreements totalled an all–time high. The historic announcement revealed that citizens of the small eastern Caribbean nation could access over 161 jurisdictions worldwide, including major business hubs in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

During his Budget 2022 presentation in December, Minister Brantley said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation “shall continue to seek means of convergence with all of our partners, that we advance our discussions and actions around our mutual interests.”

He also added that the government would continue to build on key affiliations with strategic partners to further strengthen bilateral relations and forecasted that face–to–face engagements at ministerial and ambassadorial levels would increase as quarantine and travel restrictions ease.

St Kitts and Nevis' increasing international diplomacy and travel partnerships are a major pull factor for time–poor high net worth investors looking to obtain a second citizenship.

Contact:
pr@csglobalpartners.com
www.csglobalpartners.com
+447824029952

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab2b792e–13ff–485b–b1e1–2e4ab86a53ce


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CS Global Partners: Dominica Expands its Worldwide Diplomatic Ties

LONDON, March 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Commonwealth of Dominica continues to strengthen its international ties, as reflected by the country's recent signing of an agreement with Syria establishing mutual diplomatic relations.

The signing ceremony took place on 07 March 2022 at the headquarters of the permanent delegation of Syria to the United Nations in New York City, United States.

The diplomatic commitment between the two countries was formalised by their respective Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, namely: Loreen Bannis–Roberts (Permanent Representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Nations) and Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh (Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations).

According to Ambassador Sabbagh of Syria, the Commonwealth of Dominica and Syria share the desire of continuing to pursue multifaceted bilateral communication with each other, with the official signing of the agreement establishing diplomatic relations as a prelude towards this goal.

Additionally, cooperation and coordination on multiple areas of focus as well as increased mutual support on international forums are also representative cases of joint actions that are prospected to further grow in future outlooks.

Similarly, Ambassador Roberts of the Commonwealth of Dominica spoke very positively of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, by expressing the keenness of the Commonwealth of Dominica on discovering and developing all possible opportunities for bilateral cooperation across a varied range of realms.

Notably, the agreement signed by Dominica and Syria provides an example of the intention of both countries in adhering to the Charter of the United Nations and the universal principles that it stipulates in regard to friendly relations between Member States, in addition to their willingness in exchanging experience for mutual benefit and complying to the high standards presented by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations for the maintenance of bilateral partnerships.

Formalising diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of Dominica and Syria represents another step for the so–called "Nature Isle' of the Caribbean towards the expansion of its bilateral relations across the globe, by bolstering the popularity of the island on a global sphere and enabling the nation to have strong travel prospects in several regions around the world.

Syria is, in fact, one of the several locations in the list of Middle Eastern countries with which Dominica has improved diplomatic ties and travelling arrangements over time, which recently included Kuwait in 2021 and the United Arab Emirates since early 2020. This significantly makes the Commonwealth of Dominica also favourably placed to develop global businesses and create strong ties with international communities.

The Commonwealth of Dominica gained political independence from Britain and gained membership in the United Nationals in 1978. The country has therefore, almost half a century of experience as a player in the global arena, building the foundations for further national development.

As a Small Island Developing State, Dominica is also readily prepared for potential social and economic vulnerabilities that may affect it and its neighbouring countries through the consistent revenue that it channels to finance the projects funded by the country's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.

Initiatives subsidised by the direct foreign investment transferred through Dominica's CBI Programme, in fact, contribute to the island's education and tourism sector, healthcare infrastructure, as well as the creation of environmentally friendly resorts and villas and hurricane–resistant homes for Dominican families.

Citizenship by Investment programmes offer the opportunity to legally acquire citizenship of a country in return of a contribution to a government fund of that country or investment in one of its pre–approved real estate projects. CBI programmes ultimately provide a unique occasion for investors wishing to access increased business opportunities as well as for countries that may benefit from foreign direct investment to assure wider economic growth to its citizens.

Established in 1993, the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme is one of the longest standing in the citizenship by investment industry, welcoming foreign investors from across the globe to obtain citizenship of the nation from over 30 decades. Prospective applicants are, in fact, reassured by the reliability and validity of the Programme when applying to obtain citizenship of the country, as a process that many others have also chosen to undertake.

There are several additional attractive features of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme.

As mentioned, the Commonwealth of Dominica enjoys worldwide diplomatic presence, and the global mobility the country grants to its citizens expands to around 150 countries and territories, including major global business hubs in Asia and Africa.

This permits businesspersons to enjoy enhanced financial geographical diversification where they become citizens of the island. The appeal and desirability of Dominica's global mobility is, in fact, reflected in its citizens' ability of greater freedom to travel for business and leisure, as well as an insurance policy enabling prompt access to medical or safety emergencies. In fact, while maximising financial outlooks through global mobility to global financial centres, second citizenship of Dominica also allows for enhanced personal security for oneself and one's family against potential risk.

Significantly, citizens of Dominica can be considered as enjoying increased overall freedom and accessibility through the mobility that the country's offers and the worldwide diplomatic ties it has established with nations.

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme protects its international reputation and partner nations by ensuring a high standard of integrity during its robust due diligence process, a vital part of the Programme's proper functioning.

The due diligence process of Dominica allows for citizenship to be granted to the applicants that successfully pass stringent vetting, multi–tiered external and internal screening and submit all the complete and correct documentation through an authorised agent. In fact, the nation has been ranked as the world's first citizenship by investment offering for 5 consecutive years in the Financial Times' Professional Wealth Management magazine, the CBI Index, earning high scores in the Due diligence category amongst others.

CS Global Partners is the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm, specialising in residency and citizenship by investment solutions which developed the 2022 World Citizenship Report. The Word Citizenship Report identifies the demands and needs of global citizens and the corresponding progressive and innovative countries that address these. Global mobility in therein included as one of the five main motivators which skilled, talented, and wealthy individuals consider important to continue thriving.

Contact details:

pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com / +447824029952


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8501023)

CS Global Partners: Bitcoin Heaven El Salvador Newest Nation to Consider Citizenship by Investment 

LONDON, Feb. 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele on Sunday said he will send Congress a proposal to grant citizenship to foreigners who invest in the Central American country, another step in the populist leader's plan to bolster the country's economy by attracting non–traditional capital.

"I'm sending 52 legal reforms to congress to remove red tape, reduce bureaucracy, create tax incentives, citizenship, in exchange for investments, new securities laws, stability contracts, etc.," Bukele said on Twitter.

Since September, El Salvador has attracted increasing international interest when it passed a law that made the cryptocurrency Bitcoin legal tender. Like the new package of El Salvador reforms, that law was first proposed by Bukele.

If the new citizenship legal reform is passed, El Salvador would become one of the few countries to offer a citizenship by investment programme, joining several other small countries, mainly in the Caribbean, according to the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm CS Global Partners.

CBI Programmes usually require a vetted applicant to make a minimum monetary contribution to a government fund or purchase real estate in the country to obtain citizenship.

Greater crypto freedom with CBI

"An increasing number of crypto investors and tech entrepreneurs have started looking to second citizenship as a means of achieving greater freedom", says Micha Emmett, the CEO of CS Global Partners. She added that this growing demographic has combined assets like cryptocurrency with additional citizenships to unlock financial autonomy and wealth diversity.

"As crypto gained more traction in the last few years, we've started seeing an increase in interest for second citizenship from the tech community. This demographic, technologically, is already global, so it makes sense that they want their assets to reflect this mindset," she said.

A second citizenship offers a level of safety and security that investors can rely on during political or economic turmoil. The onset of the COVID–19 pandemic has particularly triggered families to obtain second citizenship to better protect themselves and their financial assets whilst increasing their global mobility.

The dual–island nation of St Kitts and Nevis has been a popular destination amongst the wealthy, mainly because of"its CBI Programme. This initiative provides a trusted route to second citizenship once an applicant invests in the nation. Established in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis' programme is internationally recognised as a "Platinum Standard' brand.

Despite being the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, St Kitts and Nevis is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the region regarding its crypto–friendly approach to banking. The islands recently passed a bill simplifying the trade of virtual assets and are also currently running a digital currency pilot programme known as DCash. St Kitts and Nevis also does not impose income, inheritance, or capital gains tax, allowing citizens to breathe a little freer as they focus on the investments that matter to them.

More countries are considering the CBI route

El Salvador is not the only country tossing with the idea of citizenship by investment to boost its economy. Just last month, Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the Government would offer Pakistani nationality to foreign investors, particularly as a way to recruit heavy investments from the wealthy individuals of neighbouring China and Pakistan.

Jamaica's Government is also being pushed to consider adopting a citizenship by investment programme with the funds gained through the process used for various development projects.

Julian Dixon, CEO and broker at Jamaica Sotheby's International Realty, made the call in October 2021. She said funds gained from the project should be used to invest in the country's infrastructure, real estate, job creation and business development.

"For a number of countries, especially in the Caribbean, there is no denying that CBI programmes offer a much–needed injection of foreign direct investment, often in a way that can make a significant developmental difference. These funds are channelled into reducing international aid and debt, developing the tourism sector, job growth as foreigners often employ locals when expanding offices or constructing properties, and sustainability initiatives," CS Global Partner's Emmett commented.

Dixon particularly pointed out that St Kitts and Nevis, which pioneered the citizenship by investment programme close to four decades ago and has invested upwards of US$300 million from the programme in modernising its infrastructure. She said Jamaica could do the same.

A trusted product

St Kitts and Nevis offers a trusted product that has been acclaimed globally by independent studies like the annual"CBI Index"published by the Financial Times' PWM magazine. With an influx of citizenship programmes on the market, St Kitts and Nevis continues to be a powerhouse within the industry with one of the longest–standing programmes in operation.

Those who become citizens gain a wealth of benefits, including increased global mobility to financial centres in Asia, Europe and Africa, alternative business prospects, and the ability to pass citizenship down, thus establishing a future legacy for one's family. Additionally, St Kitts and Nevis does not impose any personal income, gift or inheritance tax and has a currency pegged to the US dollar, making it a financially lucrative destination for savvy investors.

The country's CBI Unit, which processes all economic citizenship applications, usually issues approvals or denials within a period of three months. There are no interviews, language, education, or business requirements.

Travel to the island is not obligatory, and no minimum residence stays apply either before or after Citizenship is obtained. Due diligence"procedures remain among the industry's most robust, and the nation is strengthening them by focusing on enhancing fingerprinting and biometrics.

For those looking to hedge against future risks, combining the dual–island nation's crypto–friendly policies and second citizenship provides investors with the ultimate insurance policy during times of unpredictability. St Kitts and Nevis remains the best destination for securing your future with a thriving financial services sector and a growing crypto hub.

Contact: pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com / +447824029952


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8492969)

Dominica’s E-passport adoption stations to soon be available in the UAE

LONDON, Feb. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Commonwealth of Dominica has given citizens, including those who participated in the country's Citizenship by Investment Programme, the deadline of August 30, 2022, to replace their machine–readable passports with a new E–passport. Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Rayburn Blackmoore made the announcement at a year in review press conference for his ministry last month.

According to the Minister, overseas passport stations will also be launched in London, UK and New York, USA. All international offices are forecasted to be operational in the next five months.

What is an E–passport?

An E–passport (also known as a biometric passport or a digital passport) is a traditional passport with an embedded electronic chip containing biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of the passport holder. Digital encryption is used to confirm the data stored electronically in the passport chip, making it expensive and difficult to forge when all security mechanisms are fully and correctly implemented.

Malaysia was the first country to issue biometric passports in 1998. In mid–2019, that number increased to over 150 countries issuing such passports.

How are E–passports different from machine–readable passports?

The new document, which launched in Dominica in July 2021, replaces the machine–readable passports and includes both overt and covert security features that are woven into the design.

Dominica's biometric passports store the holder's personal information on a microchip embedded in the document. This includes biometric face, fingerprint, and iris data, all of which can verify the holder's identity while travelling. The Dominican Government previously noted that the document is compatible with the country's new e–Gates, which means that holders can use them to pass through border checkpoints more quickly. The e–Gates were part of a $13 million project to update the Dominican border in anticipation of the biometric passports.

Why is Dominica switching to E–passports?

In a statement announcing the upgrades, Minister Blackmoore said that the move to biometric passports in March 2021 made Dominica the only country, except for the Bahamas, to have those improved passports in the Caribbean.

According to him, migrating from basic machine–readable passports to biometric E–passports is the "most important aspect" in improving the country's border systems.

"Given the pace at which the world is currently moving and the emphasis internationally for improved security systems as well as the demand for safer and more secure systems, there's also a universal demand for more efficient and secure travel documents that are acceptable by all and that are in keeping with relevant international standards and protocols."

At the launch last year, Dominica's Tourism Minister Denise Charles said that "electronic passports should make the immigration checkpoint process much faster and would allow immigration officers to quickly authenticate travels, first providing protection against identity theft and fraud."

She also said that the new venture would improve linkages with the CARICOM Joint Regional Communications Centre (CJRRCC) as well as International Police (Interpol).

Who can upgrade to an E–passport?

All citizens of Dominica can replace their machine–readable passports with an E–passport. Biometric passports will also be issued to those who have gained citizenship through Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Programme offers citizenship to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in the island's Economic Diversification Fund or select real estate projects.

Where can citizens upgrade to E–passports?

Minister Blackmoore said that his ministry has developed plans to guide Dominicans during the transition to E–passports in the upcoming months.

Citizens in Dominica:

In Dominica's capital Roseau, space has been created at the immigration and passport office to ensure additional staff for the smooth transition. The immigration department will also receive extra equipment, which Minister Blackmoore says will enable quicker processing of applications.

He further disclosed that two mobile kits that have the capacity for recognition and data capture from any location will be deployed initially in major communities around Dominica, including Portsmouth, Mahaut, St Joseph, Vielle Case, La Plaine and Grand Bay. The immigration team will be available for two days at each location to afford citizens ample time to get the necessary documents for submission for the new E–passport in the upcoming weeks.

Blackmoore also said that passport application forms will be available at police stations and the government's website.

Citizens aboard:

Dominicans residing overseas will also be allowed to renew their passport abroad. Citizens can apply through the various international Dominican consulates or the soon to come permanent offices in the UAE, London or New York that will be fully equipped to facilitate all application processes, including data and image capture.

Until the permanent offices are operational, mobile kits will be deployed overseas to Canada, Texas, Florida, and some Caribbean countries to undertake registration.

"A team consisting of police officers have already been selected to travel to the various locations across the globe to ensure that as many Dominicans as possible can be given access to registration for the new E–passports."

About Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme

Dominica has been ranked best for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme for five years by the Financial Times' PWM magazine. Applicants who pass the necessary due diligence checks receive Dominica's citizenship and can apply for the country's passport, which grants global mobility to 75 percent of the world. Being a citizen of Dominica also means living, working, and travelling on the Caribbean island whenever you want and passing the citizenship on for generations to come.

Dominica's CBI Programme is legally entrenched in law. Since local law does not contain any restrictions on holding dual nationality, obtaining second citizenship through investment in the country is confidential. In addition to having no physical residency obligation, Dominica's CBI Programme has no language, age, business experience, or educational requirements, and there is no mandatory interview.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f90efdb8–8426–4540–8438–421c6260fe4c

Contact: pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com / +447824029952


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8477809)

CS Global Partners: How a Small Caribbean Island is Poised for Big Economic Growth in 2022

LONDON, Jan. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has been crowned as the highest–ranking Caribbean nation in a new report that investigates the value of citizenship through the lens of the global citizen.

The World Citizenship Report (WCR) was conducted by CS Global Partners, a leading government advisory and marketing firm. The WCR highlights the World Citizenship Index (WCI), an innovative tool that compares world citizenships from the perspective of a global citizen. The index's methodology assessed 187 jurisdictions across five key motivators defining citizenship for the global citizen.

It also took into account interviews from over 500 self–proclaimed global citizens. The WCR ranked the dual island nation the highest of all the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) nations in the region, with a score of 48 points in the overall ranking. It also performed well in the Safety and Security, Quality of Life and Global Mobility motivators.

According to the report, St Kitts and Nevis "boasts a stable government and robust economy. The nation has been attracting economic citizens since 1984, making it one of the most trusted and successful programmes of its kind. The St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme has allowed investors and their families to legally obtain citizenship of one of the most idyllic locations of the region."

The nation has a bright future filled with new opportunities, including a positive outlook for 2022, as it works towards building its own sustainable nation in which all citizens will benefit.

Positive Economic Outlook for 2022

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s prediction for 2022, this will be a year of steady economic growth for St Kitts and Nevis. The IMF also noted that the nation's CBI funds contributed to reducing public debt well below the regional debt. In the past 7 years, the Team Unity Government has reduced the country's debt from 186 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021 to 40.6 percent in 2020.

Furthermore, in a Virtual Protocolary Meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) earlier this month, the country performed well on a number of economic performance scorecards.

"The World Bank data for 2019 for example, shows that, setting aside the United States of America and Canada which are not in our peer group, St Kitts and Nevis ranked third among the remaining 32 OAS sovereign states in per capita GDP. Only the Bahamas and Panama were higher," said Prime Minister Timothy Harris, who is also the Federal Minister of Finance.

A Bright Future for St Kitts and Nevis

In a recent national address, Prime Minister Harris called on the private sector for support in order to deliver an even stronger economic growth scorecard.

"We need all of us working together as partners, and I am confident that we shall deliver more working together. We have always been resilient and innovative people. It is that innovation and resilience we must continue to employ in the face of the current challenges. It is what we need to find niches and opportunities for our continued advancement, despite living with COVID–19," he said.

2022 will see an increase in strategic and direct investment in citizens, infrastructural development, and institutional strengthening in order to propel the nation towards achieving its development goals. These important projects are substantially funded by the nation's CBI Programme.

The Platinum Standard Citizenship by Investment Programme

Established in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Programme is the longest–running in the world. With nearly four decades of experience, the Programme is one of the most coveted and has become known as the "Platinum Standard' brand in the industry.

The Programme empowers wealthy foreign investors and their families to acquire second citizenship once contributing to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). The fund is hailed as the most straightforward route to a second citizenship. Investments made to the SGF are channelled into important development projects on the islands, from education to healthcare to tourism.

Once undertaking the diligent multi–tiered vetting process, successful applicants gain citizenship, which comes with a plethora of other benefits. These include global mobility, the right to live, work and study in the nation and lastly, the option to pass down citizenship for generations to come, securing one's future legacy.

"The robust procedures that are embedded in the CBI programme have enabled us to maintain our Platinum brand and have ensured we take a significant share in the major markets around the world," said Prime Minister Harris.

pr@csglobalpartners.com
www.csglobalpartners.com
+447824029952


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8463107)