EB5 Investors Magazine English Edition, Volume 4, Issue 2 | Page 74

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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