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Stop the Press Reference is made to the Grenada Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 which amends Schedule I of the principal Regulations to include the following new price option: Purchase of a unit in an Approved Project Investment under Section 11 in the Tourism Accommodation priority sector, by two or more individuals and valued at a total minimum of USD$440,000.00 Minimum Investment: $220,000.00 (for each share in the unit) The amendments expand the definition of dependents as it relates to CBI applications, to include: *Parents and Grand-Parents who are below the age of 55 *Unmarried siblings of the main applicant and spouse as well as children born within twelve months of the granting of citizenship. *The amendments also remove the requirements for dependent children between the ages of 18 and 30 to be enrolled at an institution of higher learning and for parents or grandparents over 55 years to be fully supported. *Another amendment provides for the removal of permanent residence as a pre- requisite for citizenship. *The amended Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act also provides for secondary purchasers of CBI units in approved projects 52 to acquire citizenship. In tabling the amendments, Minister Joseph said the intention is to make Grenada’s CBI Programme more attractive and to offer greater value for money to investors. Minister Joseph said, “You would note that there is no amendment that reduces prices. We must have a programme that offers “ of the programme. Any action by one country that compromises security can have serious consequences for the entire region, therefore we must all be mindful of that.” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Peter David who also stood in support of the amendments, said the CBI programme must be continuously reviewed to ensure that it remains competitive. In tabling the amendments, Minister Joseph said the intention is to make Grenada’s CBI Programme more attractive and to offer greater value for money to investors “ M arch 10, 2019 – The Government of Grenada is taking steps to make its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme more attractive to investors by offering a greater range of benefits. Minister for Trade, Industry, Cooperatives and CARICOM Affairs, Honourable Oliver Joseph on Friday presented a bill in the House of Representatives for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Act 2019. attractive benefits, without having to reduce the price.” Standing in support of the bill to amend the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell underscored the importance of the CBI Programme but also affirmed that Grenada will not compromise on security. Dr. Mitchell said, “Grenada is not dependent on CBI, therefore we do not have to compromise on security to maintain our programme. It is important that we stay competitive but at the same time, we must maintain the integrity Citizen Grenada He said, “Grenada has one of the most rigorous due diligence programmes; there are checks conducted electronically and there are also persons on the ground who would knock on the doors of applicants to verify the accuracy of what is stated on applications. We know the importance of the CBI Programme to the country and we must maintain its integrity.” Grenada continues to offer two options under its Citizenship by Investment Programme. One option requires a contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) while the other option provides for an investment into a Grenada Government CBI approved real estate project.. An application to the CBI Committee to access the New Price Option must include the following items: 1. A copy of the standard form of Sales Contract with satisfactory provisions to ensure: a. An appropriate ownership structure; b. A purchase price in accordance with the New Price Option regulation; c. Deposit of purchase price paid upon approval into a designated escrow account; d. Satisfactory draw conditions for funds held in escrow. until the developer has obtained the written approval of the CBI Committee granting access to the New Price Option. Similar to changes in other Caribbean CBI countries over the last year, the new price is only applicable in cases where applicants co-invest in a unit, for a total of US$440,000. This applies to the purchase of a unit in an Approved investment Project under Section 11 of the Tourism Accommodation priority sector, by two or more individuals and valued at a total minimum of USD$440,000.00 “ i. The amount of equity invested in the approved project to date; ii. The amount of CBI investment received to date; iii. Total withdrawals of CBI investor funds; iv. Total project spending. 4. Construction Schedule certified by the project architect and/or civil engineer and/or project manager, as appropriate depending on the stage of the project. Note: promotion of the New Price Option applied to any particular product, is prohibited The Committee reserves the right to seek additional information in order to asses an application to access the New Price Option. RULE CHANGES - SUMMARY In the rule-changes advertised in the Grenada Gazette 15th march 2019, the Government of Grenada announced that the minimum investment requirement for the real estate option of the country’s citizenship by investment program is reduced from US$350,000 to US$220,000. Which equates to a minimum of $220,000 for each share in the unit. Similar to changes in other Caribbean CBI countries over the last year, the new price is only applicable in cases where applicants co- invest in a unit, for a total of US$440,000. The decision brings Grenada in line with prevailing market rates in neighboring jurisdictions. Grenada also recently amended its laws in a bid to further improve its program’s attractiveness. Among other changes, the CBI committee revealed it would expand its definition of dependents to include Grandparents and Adult Siblings, remove the permanent residence requirement, and allow CBI-real estate investors to re-sell their properties to new CBI participants. “ Among other changes, the CBI committee revealed it would expand its definition of dependents to include Grandparents and Adult Siblings, remove the permanent residence requirement, and allow CBI-real estate investors to re-sell their properties to new CBI participants “ RECENT AMENDMENTS TO GRENADA'S CBI PROGRAMME MADE IN 2019 NEW PRICE OPTION DETAILS FOR DEVELOPERS You are hereby notified that prior to acceptance by the CBI Unit of an application for citizenship in which the applicant elects an investment under the New Price Option, the subject approved project must first apply to and receive written approval from the Committee for access to the New Price Option. 2. A copy of the standard form of Escrow Agreement between the Investor, the Developer and the designated Escrow Agent. 3. A Declaration by the Developer addressing the following matters: a. Confirmation that the Developer has opened a project escrow account at a recognized financial institution within the State of Grenada, for the sole purposes of depositing, holding and disbursing all project investment funds collected in the name of the developer/ approved project. b. Confirmation of: “ NEW PRICE OPTION NOTICE TO DEVELOPERS Circular Note of March 19, 2019 Citizen Grenada 53