Uglobal Immigration Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1 | Page 32

UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE 30 Q&A WITH PRIME MINISTER TIMOTHY HARRIS OF ST. KITTS & NEVIS: 'WE WANT TO BE A MODEL FOR OTHERS AND...TAKE OUR COUNTRY TO THE NEXT LEVEL' BY / MARIE EKBERG PADILLA, UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE STAFF / Harris reflects on his nation’s CBI program, the first and longest-running investment immigration program in the world, as it celebrates its 35th anniversary this summer. T The Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, is gearing up to celebrate its citizenship-by-investment program’s 35th anniversary in September. Despite its small size, the islands launched the world’s first economic citizenship program in 1984. Since then, they been able to reap the benefits of using the investment funds for restructuring and improving life on the islands. “It has played an important part in restructuring our economy,” said Prime Minister Timothy Harris in an interview with Uglobal Immigration Magazine. “Our program has been an innovator of CBI programs. We are proud what the program has provided for the other programs around the world, and how it continues to perform.” St. Kitts and Nevis offers two investment options: putting