Henley and Partners, a global firm which facilitates Citizenship by Investment, has reacted today to a feature which US broadcaster CBS aired at the end of last year.
In a press release which they issued today, Henley and Partners say:
“In particular St Kitts and Nevis, which was unfairly singled out in our view, has made significant progress in strengthening and further improving its program. It is a fact that it has now one of the best run CBI programs in the world, with very tight due diligence and strict procedures in place that match or even exceed international best practices. By not mentioning this important fact, the TV program gave a very one sided and incorrect picture of the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program and the country.”
They go on to say:
“Henley & Partners and its Chairman Dr. Kalin are concerned that only small and selective extracts of Dr. Kalin’s carefully differentiated interview were aired, so that the TV program did not reflect his views comprehensively. The comments that were aired have not properly communicated the context in which he spoke.”
Les Khan, CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), said:
“I am grateful to Henley and Partners and Chairman Dr. Kalin for setting the record right on the CBI programme of which we are now immensely proud. Since taking up the reins as CEO, myself and my team have worked incredibly hard to develop and implement new initiatives and processes that would take our programme to a platinum standard. As Dr. Kalin rightly observes it’s in our best interests to maintain the integrity and high standards of due diligence in order to encourage the right applicant to our country.”
On the nature of citizenship, Mr Khan said:
“We believe citizenship is more than a passport. It’s a way of life and we want the right people to be attracted to play a part in the life, culture and economy of St Kitts and Nevis. It is therefore really important that the public and prospective applicants have the most up-to-date information about our Citizenship by Investment Programme and that that information is accurate. Whilst CBS is a respected broadcaster, on this occasion their information was not accurate and fell well short of that standard.”
END
For more information contact:
Les Khan
CEO, Citizenship by Investment Unit
Government of St. Kitts & Nevis
Phone: 1-869-467-1474
