Barbuda Member of Parliament Trevor Walker has issued a stark warning to the government regarding its heavy dependence on the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP). During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Walker highlighted the growing international scrutiny and pressure that could undermine the financial stability the CIP provides to Antigua and Barbuda. He emphasized that powerful nations perceive such programs as a threat to immigration control and geopolitical stability, potentially leading to coordinated efforts to dismantle them. Walker acknowledged the government’s efforts to protect the CIP but stressed the urgent need for economic diversification. He cautioned that the nation’s reliance on the $100 million generated annually from the CIP creates a significant vulnerability in the national budget. Walker urged the government to adopt a long-term strategy that reduces dependence on the program and explores alternative economic avenues. He also pointed out the hypocrisy of larger countries, such as the United States, which operate similar investment schemes while criticizing Caribbean nations for theirs. Walker concluded by advocating for contingency planning to safeguard the nation’s economic future.
VIDEO: Walker Urges Reduced Reliance on the Citizenship by Investment Programme
