Antigua and Barbuda Assures US Over Citizenship by Investment Programme

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PM Gaston browne

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has sought to reassure the United States regarding Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), emphasising the country’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Addressing concerns raised about the programme, Browne said Antigua and Barbuda operates a “very transparent and accountable” CIP, which poses no risk to the United States. He acknowledged that some areas could be strengthened and affirmed his government’s determination to cooperate fully.

“We have been able to assure them that we operate a very transparent and accountable programme, a programme that is not a risk to the United States,” Browne told ABS in a recent interview.

He added that proposed legislative changes to the CIP, some of which were recommended by US officials, will be presented to Parliament next month. These reforms are part of a consultative process that has been ongoing for at least two to three years.

“We are systematically making those changes to reassure the United States that our CIP programme is not a risk to them,” he said.

Prime Minister Browne also highlighted the strong and growing relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States. “The relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States is currently at its zenith,” he said, dismissing any notion of hostility or punitive measures.

The CIP, which allows investors to obtain citizenship through economic contributions, has been a key driver of Antigua and Barbuda’s economic strategy but has faced scrutiny internationally.

Browne expressed confidence that trade and travel between the two nations would continue without disruption.

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16 COMMENTS

  1. Grenada is the one country in the OECS whose Citizenship By Investment Program was not flagged by the US and whose citizens were not a part of the possible banned persons recently announced by the US. My question is, what makes the Grenada CIP different to that of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia and St.Kitts and Nevis. I have begun to do some research to better understand the Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program.

  2. To all the loud mouth ones out there talking about US dis and US dat, run y’all mouth now.

    Antigua must comply to US concerns, must, but a particular Minister will try to make y’all believe something else with his foolish rhetoric.

  3. These comments are sickening and shamefull. How easily we put american interest above our own. We continue to treat ourselves like dogs while sacrificing our sovereignty to serve the interest of America and Europe. We don’t seem to be concerned about rising crime fueled by guns coming from America. The question is how does the CIP/CBI programs operated by these islands threaten the security of America? Where is the evidence that these programs have brought harm to America?

  4. Why the Caribbean always have to prove themselves ?
    Not sure if you were under a rock since time begun but just in case…
    More than 50 percent of GDP comes from tourism.
    Almost 50 percent employed is in tourism or tourism related.
    49 percent of arriving tourists filling the hotels are from the United States not China.
    Need more ?

  5. This guy is always talking about transparency and accountability which is synonymous with Lucifer touting his holiness. These are the same persons who vehemently opposed the CIP and outlined what damages we were to expect when our passports got into the hands of criminals and now they are killing themselves to keep the program alive because it’s the only investment that is really keeping us afloat. Real hypocrites.

  6. Too many lies about this visa issue. At first they denied that the USA had any concerns about Antigua. The “liard” want to be PM/ Minister of Foreign affairs said to this nation that it was because Antigua did not receive none Antiguan that the USA were deporting. Just suppose the USA officials had heard that “liard” statement. How irresponsible! That is why we the citizens of Antigua must put aside partisan politics and put our country first every time.
    We are too afraid to tell our politicians to withdraw a statement or even challenge them outside of being involved in politics. Take for example the closure of Ganville Secondary school. Note I am not against the idea of merging because of the cost to operate a school with such small numbers. However the government failed to consult with the people. The only time they humble themselves is during elections. In fact that change now as well because our elections are so transactional that the politicians buy votes, instead of being hired by the people.
    So look at the handful – two parents and two students. Let me repeat people are afraid to stand up for what they believe.
    There should be no merging without consultation. They should be no merging until the Pares Secondary school is completely refurbished and all the modern day facilities are available to include- modern computer labs , modern science labs and equipment, all class rooms renovated to include E- boards, modern school a library. The teachers offices – staff offices etc. A top agriculture science program and facilities. Top class sporting facilities- cricket and football fields, volleyball, basketball, tennis. Indoor gymnasium/ indoor sports , a nice swimming pool and properly fenced, with security cameras etc. Let this be a model secondary school. Pares Secondary is the only secondary school in that part of the island. Do you realize the amount of students from those communities that feed Pares secondary attends other private and public schools, simply because of the poor state Pares secondary is in. Sorry to go off topic for so long, just wanted to fully explain how cowardly we have become to stand up and call out our employees- the politicians.
    So to prevent the USA from canceling our visas , we the citizens need to find a way to address the USA government directly or through the opposition, since we have been lied to about this issue. Our through the opposition since, they seems to be credited for lots of stuff that goes wrong. Let the US government know we prefer to close down the CIP and that we the people don’t even know who are getting our passports from the CIP program.
    Ask the US government if they are going to ban or revoke US Visas do it to the politicians and their families and who ever else in government that are involved. We are hearing about transparency in this program. Is the transparency for the eyes of the US and international governments and not for the general population of Antigua and Barbuda.

  7. @JAJ,
    To ask that question illustrates this is above your intellect. It also tells of some of the failure of Caribbean schools where a simple issue of economics and geopolitics is beyond you.

    What leverage does Gaston and any another Caribbean leader have? Denying the off–shore medical students visas? Or any other type of visa?

    Other than running his mouth to his local minions any other action other than begging and pleading called diplomacy is suicidal for Gaston.
    Gaston and the other islands with CIP are playing with fire. They are all bottom fishing and racing to the bottom with economic gimmicks.
    America is not hanging out the shingle asking for Antiguans to visit.

    This guy Gaston is better than Trump. Their play books are so similar. They are of the same mindset. Do whatever wishes you, lie about most thinks for in their minds; their supporters are fools, and get away with it. That will not work with the US in this case.
    Transperancy? What transperancy?
    While Gaston controls the executive body “Cabinet”, and has his diehards like Trump unfortunately Antigua and Barbuda has no cards to play.

  8. How many pregnant American women arrive in the Caribbean to have their babies.
    The This is just warning up. Many US born babies with mothers on tourism visa may need to start securing Antigua and Barbuda Citerzenship.

    Not my words but your’
    “More than 50 percent of GDP comes from tourism.
    Almost 50 percent employed is in tourism or tourism related.
    49 percent of arriving tourists filling the hotels are from the United States”.
    Those figures are why the Caribbean gas to respond to America dictates in the CIP

  9. Some of you may find it sickening but in the world of geopolitics, Antigua and the rest of the Caribbean are not even bit players.
    We have no cards to play other than to promise and provide evidence of screening out people who the US thinks are undesirables or end the CIP program.

    Barbudans have a better chance for they have their babies in the UK unlike Antiguans who heads to the US.

    All of the Anglo Caribbean speaking countries economy depends on the US dictates. That’s the reality, and it’s naive to think otherwise.
    With the threats against Guyana by Venezuela were it not for the US the Venezuelians would have already attacked The Guyana oilfields.

  10. @JAJ, Antiguans also visit America as tourist and spend money. There is a huge population disparity with USA having a population of well over 300 million while antigua has a population of under 100k. So because antigua benifits from the tourist trade with the USA, does that give the US the right to bully Antigua to satisfy their selfish interest? Stop making excuses for America

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