Antigua and Barbuda has concluded a major regional gathering aimed at strengthening the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes across the Eastern Caribbean, amid growing scrutiny from international partners.
Speaking on his weekly _Browne and Browne Show_, Prime Minister Gaston Browne hailed the 2025 Caribbean Investment Summit as a significant success, highlighting the strong participation of regional leaders and a renewed commitment to harmonizing the operations of CBI programmes.
The summit, held at the American University of Antigua, brought together prime ministers Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia, and Dickon Mitchell of Grenada. Prime Minister Terrance Drew of St Kitts and Nevis was unable to attend but was represented by his Attorney General. Browne expressed his appreciation to his counterparts for their support, noting that Antigua and Barbuda was honoured to host such a critical discussion at a time when external pressures are mounting.
“There is unprecedented scrutiny,” Browne said, referring to ongoing concerns raised by the European Union and other international bodies over the integrity of Caribbean CBI programmes. He warned that the region must act collectively and decisively to maintain the credibility of these programmes, which provide vital revenue for national development.
A key outcome of the summit, according to Browne, was agreement among the leaders to work towards harmonized regulations for CBI operations across the region. This includes strengthening due diligence processes, improving transparency, and standardizing programme structures to reassure international partners of the region’s commitment to high governance standards.
Browne said the leaders recognised that failure to act could result in the loss of visa-free travel privileges to the European Union — a development that would be catastrophic for the region’s attractiveness to investors.
“There must be greater cooperation among us,” he stressed. “It is critical that we harmonize our approaches to protect the benefits that CBI brings to our countries.”
The Prime Minister noted that discussions are ongoing about establishing a regional regulatory body to oversee compliance, and he reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s readiness to work with its neighbours to implement necessary reforms.
Reflecting on the summit, Browne described it as a clear demonstration of regional solidarity and proactive leadership. He said Antigua and Barbuda would continue to advocate for balanced solutions that protect both the credibility of the programmes and the developmental needs of small island states.
