REWRITTEN BY GENO LAWRENZI JR.
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS: The Federation’s pride in its Citizenship by Investment Unit has been justified by international acclaim from the General Consul in Dubai.
The program received international recognition awards as the most improved in the Caribbean, for its high standards, and for its efficiency as a citizenship program that works.
This month the CIU hosted a reception jointly with the General Consul in Dubai. Justin Hawley at at the Crowne Plaza, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was in Dubai to showcase the CIU and itsrecent improvements as part of an International Residence Summit in the Middle East.
The important event took place Wednesday, Oct. 12 and allowed Mr. Hawley the opportunity to introduce Les Khan, the new CEO, to investors, marketing agents and service providers in the region. More than 50 guests attended.
Mr. Khan reinforced the commitment of St. Kitts and Nevis to the Citizenship by Invesstment program as well as to outline some recent innovations within the unit to improve its global performance.
One of the recognition awards was by the Migrant World for the Most Improved program in the region. Migrant World iss a marketing agent of the St. Kitts and Nevis program. Its representative Moe Elhaj in presenting the award said, ‘On behalf of our team and clientele, we want to thank you for making this process a secured and pleasant experience.
“Migrant World gives its utmost appreciation to the Citizenship by Investment Unit on its outstanding innovations, professionalism and processing in the year 2016.”
A second award was presented by Mohammed Asaria, co-founder of Range Development which developed the Park Hyatt in St. Kitts. In making his presentation, he said, “We are delighted to present thiss token of our appreciation. St. Kitts and Nevis CIU has taken great strides to ensure governance and effciency is installed in the Citizenship by Investment program. The CIU’s efforts are bearing fruit and customer feedback is extremely positive.”
Khan’s recognitions support the innovations he and his team members have worked into the program. They include establishing a technical committee to strengthen the due diligence framework as well as the advent of an accelerated application process for applicants wanting to be fast-tracked at a premium.
The Citizenship by Investment Unit is the government authority that handles all matters concerning granting citizenship by investment in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The program was created in 1984, making it the longest established program of its kind in the world. It has set itself aside from other similar programs by rigidly enforcing investment requirements and by imposing meticulous due diligence procedures.
Federation government uses the program to attract investors of good character to make a substantial contribution to the development of St. Kitts and Nevis. Investors are then given the opportunity to apply for citizenship and passports within the strict guidelines of the law.
