A special delegation from the European Union and the United Kingdom visited the Commonwealth of Dominica, touring its Citizenship by Investment Unit and other related departments.
Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit noted that both delegations conducted comprehensive investigations and audits of the CBI Programme during their recent visits. Speaking on a local radio show on Friday morning, he highlighted that these visits resulted in a notable shift in the perspectives of the EU and UK towards Dominica’s CBI Programme.
According to the Prime Minister, EU officials expressed satisfaction with the initiatives of Dominica’s CBI Programme, characterising the meeting as highly productive. The EU representatives conducted on-site evaluations of the CBI and Immigration Units and held meetings with Due Diligence firms to comprehend their operations.
Prime Minister Skerrit conveyed the positive feedback received from the EU officials, stating, “They were satisfied with what we have done and what we are doing. So, the meeting was very constructive. I think they had a completely different perspective in many aspects with regards to the CBI Programme because they rely on what they hear and what they are told.”
Highlighting the importance of firsthand experiences, the Prime Minister emphasised that EU officials left Dominica with an improved understanding and mindset after witnessing the transparent use of CBI resources. He mentioned their engagements with various officials involved in the programme.
Addressing past concerns, Prime Minister Skerrit discussed recent legislative actions taken by the Government, including addressing issues related to name changes, implementing regulations for CBI program marketing and promotion, and other measures. He expressed optimism about the recommendations that the EU officials would submit, pledging to take necessary actions based on their advice.
Regarding the visit of the UK Home Office delegation, the Prime Minister shared positive feedback, stating, “They were very happy to see physically what is happening, and they left with a positive attitude towards what Dominica is doing.” He also revealed plans to send a retired police officer to the UK to discuss reinstating visa-free access.
Underlining the government’s commitment to transparency, Prime Minister Skerrit asserted, “We are transparent; we try our best to follow the processes and ensure we maintain the integrity of the programme. I always invite our international partners to come forward and visit to see what we are doing. We owe a duty to ourselves and the international community.”
Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that international partners are actively engaging with Dominica and commended the positive attitudes both delegations left with.
He added that the Government is dedicated to addressing the raised concerns and encouraged the UK and EU to collaborate on providing joint recommendations. He reiterated the importance of ensuring that Dominica’s actions align with international expectations and that the CBI Programme continues to contribute positively to the nation’s growth and development.
