CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — Prime Minister Allen Chastanet says a shared intelligence system will streamline the due-diligence process in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as representatives of the sub-region met in St Lucia yesterday to discuss the controversial Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).

“If an applicant applies in St Lucia and is rejected, mechanisms must be in place to ensure that this person does not surface elsewhere in the region as a citizen through another CIP,” Prime Minister Chastanet said.

Under the CIP, foreign investors are provided with citizenship of the island if they make a substantial investment towards the socio-economic development of the country.

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis and St Lucia are the sub-regional countries involved in the CIP that has come under heavy scrutiny in recent months.

A statement issued following the meeting noted that the maintenance of international credibility and integrity for the region’s Citizenship by Investment Programmes was outlined as a priority.

The meeting in St Lucia yesterday also reviewed and proposed amendments to a Policy & Procedures Manual prepared by the Trinidad-based CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).

The statement indicated that feedback is to be forwarded to the CIP Standing Working Committee established by the Caribbean Community.

The meeting here had been convened at the behest of the five regional leaders with CIP programmes and according to the statement provided a platform to discuss further harmonisation of CIPs across the region and consider ways in which strategic collaboration could enhance the quality and efficiency of the Citizenship by Investment service.

Among other agenda items, the establishment of an equal standard for vetting of candidates and the implementation of an information sharing mechanism were outlined as areas for deeper cooperation.

OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules noted that many of the leading western economies had some variant of the Citizenship by Investment Programme but still exerted pressure on poorer, more vulnerable countries doing the same.

“When the weak and vulnerable are able to successfully engage on playing fields like these, every effort is made by the strong and powerful to change the rules of the game.

“Our only chance of winning is to make the integrity of these programs unassailable,” he added.