ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC—Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit mentioned Monday he stays “hopeful” that an settlement might be reached with the UK authorities to reverse its resolution to impose visa restrictions on Dominicans getting into the nation.
On July 19, final 12 months, London mentioned the choice to impose the visa necessities instantly on Dominica and 4 different international locations had been “taken solely for migration and border safety causes” and was not an indication of poor relations with these international locations.
The UK additionally mentioned that the nationals of those international locations can be required to acquire a Direct Airside Transit Visa in the event that they intend to transit through the UK.
The British authorities mentioned that “cautious consideration of Dominica’s…operation of a citizenship by funding scheme “has proven clear and evident abuse of the scheme, together with granting citizenship to people recognized to pose a threat to the UK.”
Dominica is amongst a handful of Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) international locations with a Citizenship by Funding Programme (CBI) by means of which overseas traders are granted citizenship in return for making substantial investments within the nation’s socio-economic improvement.
Talking at a information convention on Monday, Prime Minister Skerrit mentioned that his administration continues to work with the British authorities and that Roseau had acquired a letter from James Cleverly, the previous house secretary.
‘It was a really constructive letter. There may be one excellent ongoing matter that we have now to deliver to conclusion, and we’re engaged on that,” Skerrit mentioned, including, “There was some pushback from a authorized standpoint, however I imagine we can be pushing exhausting on it.
“I’ll write to the brand new minister to replace her on what we have now executed and are doing and reply to her predecessor’s letter.
“I imagine that each one issues thought-about and the tone of the engagement with the UK authorities over the past a number of months, I’m glad in some unspecified time in the future, we’ll see visa-free journey to the UK and, after all, a few of the extra actions, that are actions they didn’t ask for…”
However he mentioned he additionally believes that Dominica’s continued actions to enhance the CBI are essential for the programme’s sustainability, enchancment, and transparency.
“We imagine that these actions will place us in a stronger place to make a case for re-introducing a visa-free regime between Dominica and the UK.
“So, we stay hopeful, and we proceed to interact the (UK) authorities in a respectful, clear method,” Skerrit informed reporters.
Among the many actions taken lately by Dominica concerning the CBI program is the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with different international locations inside the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS), specifically St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St Kitts-Nevis, which have the same CBI program.
The MoU outlines essential agreements among the many taking part CBI international locations, together with the trade of greatest practices and due diligence processes, the institution of a minimal threshold of US$200,000 reflecting precise funds acquired, and data sharing on candidates.
It additionally permits for enhanced transparency measures, together with monetary disclosures.
Impartial monetary and operational audits create a regional authority to determine requirements and undertake widespread communication and promotion requirements, regulate brokers, and implement joint coaching packages for CBI administrations.
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