Uglobal Immigration Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1 | Page 48

46 UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE “ ...applicants and their families are granted full citizenship rights that are transferrable without restrictions to future generations. ” “ 申请人及其家庭成员能够获得完 全公民权益 公民身份还可以不 受限地传给后代 ” IN A WORLD OF GLOBAL MOBILITY For investors, the attractiveness of the MCBI program lies in the countr y ’s unique geographic position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and its robust passport strength, combined with the affordability and accessibility of the program. Offering a gateway to Russia and the European Union, as well as being a final key stage on China’s BRI, the country offers oppor tunities for investors in today ’s global economic climate. The MCBI program requires applicants to make a defined economic contribution to the country through its Public Investment Fund. In exchange, and subject to a stringent vetting and a four-tier due diligence process, applicants and their families are granted full citizenship rights that are transferrable without restrictions to future generations. In a world where global mobility has become synonymous with success, b e i n g a b l e to m ove e f fo r t l e s s l y a c r o s s b o r d e r s represents the ultimate competitive advantage, and successful applicants also acquire a passpor t that facilitates visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 121 des tinations around the world , inc luding Russia , Turkey, and the countries in Europe’s Schengen Area. The Moldovan passport is in fact one of the highest historical climbers on the Henley Passpor t Index, having ascended 20 places since 2008. O th e r key b e n ef i ts of th e M C BI p ro g r a m in c lu d e citizenship in a European country with an open culture, a continental climate, and a charming landscape — and citizenship in a state that has entered into an association agreement with the EU and is aiming to become a candidate country for EU membership. From participation in the BRI to the launching of a CBI program set to change Europe’s investment landscape, Moldova is an attractive market for investors, and a prime example of what might be termed “the new East meets West.” JUERG STEFFEN Juerg Steffen is the CEO of Henley & Partners. Steffen has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and is one of the leaders in the investment migration industry. He joined Henley & Partners in 2013 to set up the firm’s Singapore office. Later appointed chief operating officer of the group, Steffen has played a pivotal role in growing the firm. Prior, Steffen was a personal advisor in a family office, head of the wealth planning department of a leading private bank in Austria, and director in the cross-border wealth planning department of UBS in Zürich.