His Excellency, Calvin St. Juste, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors for the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), recently began his much-anticipated Middle East and Asia tour in Dubai.
At a private reception, His Excellency met with Agents and International Marketing Agents (IMAs) in person to discuss his vision for the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme and talk through any concerns they might have.
His Excellency, Mr. St. Juste thanked everyone for the warm welcome and recognised Dubai’s vital role in CIU’s brand and offering, emphasising its significance as a global investment hub.
Embracing New Beginnings
During his address, His Excellency highlighted the recent restructuring of the Unit into a statutory body.
In June 2024, in a landmark sitting, the National Assembly successfully passed the Citizenship by Investment Unit Act 2024. As a result, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) now functions as a statutory corporation.
The Chairman noted that the transition enabled a more business-oriented approach and emphasised the need to consistently earn stakeholders’ trust, highlighting the significant work ahead to improve the Unit’s operations.
“We are travelling across the globe to have honest and clear-eyed conversations about what we do well and what needs to change.”
He articulated the mission of the restructured Unit, which focuses on supporting the sustainable development of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Chairman’s aim is clear: to provide an efficient, respected, and competitive citizenship offering on the global stage underpinned by six guiding principles:
- Transparency,
- Communication,
- Good governance,
- Transformation,
- Global leadership, and
- Sustainability.
He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all stakeholders in advancing the Programme, expressing deep appreciation for their commitment and support.
“None of this work could be achieved without you all. We are so grateful to you, each and every one of you, for what you do to protect, promote and propel the Programme forward.”
Focusing on Transparency
As he moved on to the topic of transparency, His Excellency, Mr. St. Juste underscored its critical role in safeguarding the Unit’s reputation.
He assured attendees that under his leadership, the CIU would commit to promoting open and fair communication.
Reflecting on their achievements, he noted that St. Kitts and Nevis had secured the top ranking in the 2024 Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Index for the fourth consecutive year, with transparency being a pivotal theme in its ongoing transformation.
The CBI Index is a comprehensive ranking system that evaluates CBI programmes.
He reiterated the importance of having candid discussions about the Unit’s strengths and areas for improvement.
“These conversations are important from a market perspective, and important from a human perspective. Transparency is fair to you, fair to us, and fair to prospective applicants.”
Communication is Key
His Excellency, Mr. St. Juste emphasised that effective communication is vital for progress and has pledged to improve dialogue between the Unit, Authorised Agents, and applicants.
He announced the creation of a task force to address concerns and expedite application processing. As part of this, he confidently committed the Unit to making decisions within ten weeks and, for files that are fully completed with no issues or concerns to be addressed, to securing approval within 3-4 months.
He asserted that strong communication would enhance service quality and efficiency.
Good Governance for Better Reputation
The Chairman highlighted the crucial role of good governance in maintaining the Unit’s stellar reputation. He reminded everyone that despite St. Kitts and Nevis’ successful market leadership for forty years, complacency is not an option.
He stressed the importance of adapting to industry trends and integrating business principles into operations.
By maximising efficiency and utilising technology like Artificial Intelligence, the Unit could significantly speed up processing times while retaining its leading position in the market.
“Our [recent] transformation…showcases what much of the world already knows: that we’re innovators, doers and changemakers. And our applicants have come to expect the best.”
Embracing Transformation
In his concluding remarks, His Excellency, Mr. St. Juste focused on the theme of transformation.
He expressed the necessity to demonstrate the Unit’s commitment to change, stating that they had already made strides in this direction and would continue to do so.
He underscored that their adaptability was key to maintaining their world-leading brand.
Balancing Integrity with Speed
In summarising his vision for the CIU, His Excellency, Mr. St. Juste emphasised his commitment to balancing integrity with speed, innovation with experience, and industry focus with a human perspective.
He reiterated that the Unit’s ultimate goal is to ensure a sustainable future for all, particularly for St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Chairman underscored the importance of delivering a high-quality product efficiently and fulfilling promises to their applicants.
He expressed gratitude to all Authorised Agents and IMAs for their dedication and patience, assuring them that their voices would be heard and that the Unit would continue to evolve.
He extended an invitation to attendees to witness the Unit’s evolution firsthand at the upcoming Investment Gateway Summit, scheduled for 31 May to 3 June 2025.
Describing the event as a celebration of the unique and inclusive culture of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency urged everyone to join in what he anticipates will be a remarkable week.
His Excellency, Mr. St. Juste remarked that while the past forty years have been remarkable, the next forty will be even better.
With a final thank you, he left the audience inspired and eager to support the future of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit.
