The Prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Browne strongly defended the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) amid recent speculation and accusations from political opponents. During a public address, Prime Minister Browne sought to reassure citizens and the international community of the program’s rigorous standards and ethical practices.
“There is no such abuse in our program,” he asserted. “We have and continue to operate a program with integrity, one in which those who acquire Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship would not have to worry about any revocation of their citizenship because of any bad dealings or corrupt practices.”
“We have not engaged in any underselling or racketeering,” Browne stated. “We have been approached by numerous actors within that CIP space, and we turned them all down.”
To further bolster the program’s credibility, Prime Minister Browne highlighted the introduction of a sanctions list, which bars citizens from sanctioned countries from acquiring Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship. “We have a sanctions list, probably of about eight different countries,” he explained, noting that Antigua and Barbuda was the first Caribbean nation to implement such a measure.
In addition to the sanctions list, the CIP also requires recipients of citizenship to spend a short period in the country, typically five working days, to ensure a genuine connection to the nation.
Prime Minister Browne reassured the people of Antigua and Barbuda that the CIP is managed with transparency and accountability, ensuring that the country’s reputation remains intact while providing significant economic benefits.
Source/Credit: Antigua News Room
