Browne Says Parliament Will Debate Future of Citizenship by Investment Programme

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government will bring a dedicated paper on the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) to Parliament as consultations continue over whether the country should suspend the initiative to preserve visa access to the United States and European Union.

Wrapping up Tuesday’s debate on a resolution governing negotiations with the United States over the possible transfer of third-country nationals, Browne said lawmakers will have an opportunity to debate the future of the programme and present alternative proposals.

“We’re hoping within a matter of weeks to come up with a consensus,” Browne said. “We can possibly bring a resolution here as well… and let us have a discussion on that matter.”

The prime minister said he wants the debate to allow opposition members to demonstrate what solutions they would offer if Antigua and Barbuda ultimately has to decide between maintaining the CIP and preserving international visa privileges.

“Now is your time to show the people your mettle,” Browne said, challenging opposition members to outline their own recommendations when the matter comes before Parliament.

His comments followed renewed concerns over visa restrictions imposed by the United States and the European Union’s demand that Caribbean countries phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes or risk losing visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

Browne said the government remains in discussions over whether continuing the programme is in the country’s long-term interest.

“If it is a CIP issue that persists, then we have to have a broader discussion as to whether or not we need to maintain our CIP programme, or if we should suspend it so that we can get full visa access again to the U.S.,” he said.

He added that the same discussion applies to visa-free access to Europe.

“If it is that we want to maintain access in the European Union visa-free, then we have to have a discussion as to whether or not we should continue the CIP and give up $100 million,” Browne said.

The prime minister stressed that no decision has been made and that consultations are continuing as the government weighs the economic value of the programme against the importance of maintaining international travel privileges.

He said the planned parliamentary debate is intended to build national consensus on what he described as one of the country’s most significant policy decisions.

The Citizenship by Investment Programme has generated substantial revenue for Antigua and Barbuda over the years, but it has also come under increasing scrutiny from international partners concerned about investor citizenship schemes. Browne said the government wants Parliament to fully consider the available options before any final decision is taken.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Proposes Parliamentary Resolution on Future of Citizenship by Investment Programme.