Antigua and Barbuda has concluded a major regional gathering aimed at strengthening the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes across the Eastern Caribbean, amid growing scrutiny from international partners.
Speaking on his weekly Browne and Browne Show, Prime Minister Gaston Browne hailed the 2025 Caribbean Investment Summit as a significant success, highlighting the strong participation of regional leaders and a renewed commitment to harmonizing the operations of CBI programmes.
The summit, held at the American University of Antigua, brought together prime ministers Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia, and Dickon Mitchell of Grenada. Prime Minister Terrance Drew of St Kitts and Nevis was unable to attend but was represented by his Attorney General. Browne expressed his appreciation to his counterparts for their support, noting that Antigua and Barbuda was honoured to host such a critical discussion at a time when external pressures are mounting.
“There is unprecedented scrutiny,” Browne said, referring to ongoing concerns raised by the European Union and other international bodies over the integrity of Caribbean CBI programmes. He warned that the region must act collectively and decisively to maintain the credibility of these programmes, which provide vital revenue for national development.
A key outcome of the summit, according to Browne, was agreement among the leaders to work towards harmonized regulations for CBI operations across the region. This includes strengthening due diligence processes, improving transparency, and standardizing programme structures to reassure international partners of the region’s commitment to high governance standards.
Browne said the leaders recognised that failure to act could result in the loss of visa-free travel privileges to the European Union — a development that would be catastrophic for the region’s attractiveness to investors.
“There must be greater cooperation among us,” he stressed. “It is critical that we harmonize our approaches to protect the benefits that CBI brings to our countries.”
The Prime Minister noted that discussions are ongoing about establishing a regional regulatory body to oversee compliance, and he reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s readiness to work with its neighbours to implement necessary reforms.
Reflecting on the summit, Browne described it as a clear demonstration of regional solidarity and proactive leadership. He said Antigua and Barbuda would continue to advocate for balanced solutions that protect both the credibility of the programmes and the developmental needs of small island states.
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Should I laugh or should I cry?
What was successful about the talk shop?
Was the success the mere fact that the leaders were able to meet and fool the people in public by day and drink expensive cognac in the evenings?
Our image is still tarnished by the CBI programe.
The programe shows the lack of unity that exists between the islands.
We heard Ralph “Big Belly” Gonsalves shooting down the program and warning his nationals to reject the opposition because they will go into the CBI/CIP/Selling Passport program.
He is totally against it.
His opposition doesn’t faze the other leaders.
Is that the success PM Browne “Paperbag” speaks of?
We heard SkerRAT speaking of all that the CBI funds is doing.
What he didn’t tell us is that all of the projects are privately owned.
We cannot.point.to anything meaningful that our passport sales is ringing or has brought to Dominica.
He didn’t tell us and the other leaders know that the marina under construction in Dominica is privately owned.
He didn’t tell us that all the hotels under construction are privately owned.
He didn’t tell the fellow heads of state that not one occupant of the apartment can get a title deed to the one that they occupy.
In the case of Antigua we know that the CIP funds are used to pay for former colleagues funeral.
We know that it us used to pay for matters that do not benefit the majority.
We know that none of the countries involved are not saving CBI/CIP funds for wet days.
Our leaders want us to believe success is measured by their words.
No.
It is not.
We need to see the tangible to accept that success is what they say.
What positive plan has come out of their meeting?
What short, medium or long term proposal has come out of their successful meeting?
I dare say none.