As its first major event, the Investment Migration Council(“ IMC”) hosted the Investment Migration Forum June 6-8 at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva, Switzerland. The year-old nonprofit held the forum with an aim to increase transparency and encourage best practices within the global investment migration industry.
The IMC also welcomed several government officials to the conference to discuss their countries’ investment immigration programs and strategies. Officials included: Dr. Joseph Muscat, prime minister of Malta; Gaston
Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda; and Domenico Manzione,
State Undersecretary of the Italian Minister of Interior.
IMC’ s forum welcomed over 250 leading investment immigration stakeholders and government officials. As one attendee mentioned, the forum had a very“ UN-type” feel, with participants from across continental Europe, Cyprus, Malta, the Middle East, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, China and the United States.
A cocktail reception overlooking Lake Geneva kicked off the event. Bruno L’ ecuyer, IMC’ s chief executive and secretary of the governing board, welcomed guests to the IMC forum. L’ ecuyer emphasized that,“ the IMC’ s goal is to bring together the investment immigration industry, and provide an unbiased advocate for transparency.”
Muscat, prime minister of Malta, emphasized that,“ in the investment immigration industry, we must define ourselves, or others will do it for us.” He went on to say that the ideal scenario to imagine when a country introduces an investor immigration program is when the country doesn’ t need it economically.“ That will make it easier to make tougher decisions,” he continued,“ uphold transparency, standards, and to remove politicians from the puzzle.”
Muscat’ s message embodies the forum’ s overarching theme: to bring together investment immigration professionals to promote education, unity, transparency and fairness for investment immigration programs worldwide.
Several panels highlighted the need for the investment immigration industry to self-regulate, to promote best practices and to disseminate transparent and accurate information to the public.
Conference speakers represented investment immigration programs from all over the world. Attorneys, a handful of migration agents, developers, and due diligence professionals all shared their expertise. Well-known speakers
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