MEMBERS of the Caribbean Diaspora looking to invest at home are seeking more than just real estate opportunities, creating demand for trusted advice on financing, tax planning, estate planning and cross-border investing.

That demand was on display on Saturday as Passport to Wealth hosted its inaugural Caribbean Investment Showcase at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre in Ontario, Canada. Organisers said the one-day event sold out, attracting members of the Caribbean Diaspora as well as Canadian investors with no Caribbean heritage.

Passport to Wealth founder and Canadian immigration and estate lawyer Yanique Russell said the showcase grew out of conversations with clients who had built successful lives in Canada but were uncertain about how to invest safely and strategically in the Caribbean.

“I also noticed that people were receiving advice in silos. They might speak with a realtor, but not a lawyer. They might secure financing without understanding the tax implications. Or they might purchase property without ever considering how it fits into their estate plan. I wanted to change that,” Russell told the Jamaica Observer.

While Passport to Wealth previously hosted investment events in Kingston and Montego Bay aimed at helping Jamaicans explore opportunities in North America and the United Kingdom, the organisation recognised there was also growing demand from the diaspora for trusted advice on investing across the Caribbean. That broader approach shaped the one-day conference, which explored the entire investment journey rather than focusing solely on where to invest.

Representatives from Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro) outlined investment opportunities available to global investors, while JN Bank highlighted financing solutions for prospective buyers and Allied Real Estate showcased opportunities in Jamaica. Beyond purchasing completed homes, attendees were also introduced to alternative ways of entering the market. E-Z Block Manufacturing, through Evolution ICF Group, showcased turnkey construction solutions for diaspora investors looking to build on land they already own or plan to acquire in Jamaica. The company promoted prefabricated building systems and construction management services aimed at making the building process easier for overseas buyers.

One of the presentations that generated some of the day’s strongest audience engagement came from real estate investor Raymond McMillan, who challenged attendees to look beyond traditional investment destinations. Using Guyana as an example, McMillan encouraged investors to consider emerging markets across the Caribbean, arguing that strong returns are often found in economies still in the early stages of development.

Finding an investment, however, is only one part of investing across borders. Attendees were also reminded of the legal and tax considerations that can arise long after deciding where to put their money. Real estate and conveyancing attorney Benjamin Fraser cautioned attendees against purchasing property from beneficiaries of estates who have not yet legally inherited the asset, warning that buyers could wait years before obtaining a title.

“We’ve seen several scenarios where property is legitimately owned by a family member, but they are beneficiary owners, meaning they are not yet the legal owners. Their names don’t appear on the title,” Fraser said.

He warned that the issue is particularly common among diaspora members attempting to sell property inherited from deceased parents or grandparents before settling the estate. Questions about buying property naturally led into another issue many cross-border investors overlook, taxation.

Chartered professional accountant Sean De Freitas reminded attendees that owning property outside Canada can create reporting obligations, including the disclosure of foreign assets and rental income.

“You may need to report rental income, and that may also include foreign asset disclosure, so we will need to keep proper records,” he said, adding that proper tax planning can help investors avoid compliance issues across jurisdictions.

The conference concluded by turning the focus from acquiring assets to preserving them. Russell highlighted the importance of wills and estate planning for investors building wealth across multiple jurisdictions, reminding attendees that creating wealth is only part of the equation.

That message aligns with Passport to Wealth’s broader vision of creating what Russell describes as an “economic mobility ecosystem”, bringing together legal, financial, tax, banking and investment professionals to provide coordinated advice throughout every stage of the wealth-building journey.

“It demonstrated that the Caribbean is increasingly being viewed as a serious investment destination, not simply a place for vacations or retirement,” Russell told BusinessWeek. “The response confirmed that there is a genuine appetite for trusted, practical, cross-border advice.”

Passport to Wealth said it is already planning to take the showcase to another Canadian city later this year. The next event will broaden its focus beyond real estate to include agribusiness, logistics, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and other investment opportunities across the Caribbean.

Real estate investor Raymond McMillan challenged attendees to look beyond traditional investment destinations while presenting on opportunities in Guyana.

Panellists answer questions from attendees during Passport to Wealth’s inaugural Caribbean Investment Showcase in Ontario, Canada. From left are Yanique Russell, founder of Passport to Wealth; real estate investor Raymond McMillan; Dale Merrill, co-founder and director of sales at E-Z Block Manufacturing Jamaica Limited; and Davita Mohan, realtor associate at Allied Real Estate.

Canadian professional chartered accountant Sean De Freitas delivered a presentation on cross-border tax obligations during the inaugural Caribbean Investment Showcase in Ontario, Canada, on Saturday.

FRASER…we’ve seen several scenarios where property is legitimately owned by a family member, but they are beneficiary owners, meaning they are not yet the legal owners. Their names don’t appear on the title.