Citizenship Network made a notable presence at the 9th IMC 2024 Forum, which brought together 250 delegates representing 30 countries. The event boasted a diverse array of over 560 speakers, leading participants to draw parallels between its significance and that of the renowned World Economic Forum in Switzerland, often dubbed the “Davos of investment immigration.”

Among the distinguished speakers at the 2024 forum were key figures such as Dr. Terrance Michael Drew, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis; Michael Martin, Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit of St Kitts and Nevis; Ernest Hilaire, Prime Minister of St Lucia; McClude Emmanuel, CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit in Saint Lucia; Karline Purcell, CEO of the Investment Migration Agency in Grenada; Sherelyn Hughes, CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit in Antigua and Barbuda; and Marie-Threse Johnson, Director of the Citizenship by Investment Unit in Dominica. As in previous years, the forum was expertly hosted by Anya Sitaram, a former BBC correspondent.

The Investment Migration Council 2024 deliberated on several significant themes, including but not limited to:

• IMC News: Highlighting innovations and global trends.
• Emerging trends impacting the investment migration industry, such as the consolidation of services for processing CBI applications and the establishment of a Due Diligence Agency.
• The European Union’s role in citizenship by investment: addressing challenges and necessary measures for harmonization.
• The rationale behind St Lucia’s decision to abstain from joining the Memorandum of Agreement.
• Prospects for Golden Visas, including investments in Portuguese funds and Spain’s review of regulations governing residence permits through real estate investment.
• Challenges and potential solutions concerning EU and Caribbean CBI.

A focal point of the forum centered on the escalating tensions between countries offering government citizenship by investment programs and the European Union, which imposes criteria for Caribbean nations to maintain visa-free access to Schengen countries.

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of St Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed the Caribbean’s commitment to adhering to EU directives. He highlighted collaborative efforts among Caribbean nations to establish a unified Due Diligence agency aimed at preserving visa-free privileges for investors.

A significant stride towards alignment with the European Union was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement by representatives from St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda. This agreement entails raising the minimum investment threshold to $200,000 and facilitating the exchange of information on citizenship applicants among participating nations.

St Lucia remains the sole nation yet to endorse the agreement. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire of St Lucia expressed optimism that this stance would not hinder investors’ access to Schengen countries without visas.

McClaude N. Emmanuel, head of St Lucia’s CBI Unit, underscored during the forum St Lucia’s disavowal of unethical agents who promote citizenship acquisition for investments below the official program thresholds.

The Annual Investment Migration Forum, under the aegis of the Investment Migration Council (IMC), serves as a cornerstone event for Citizenship Network.