The political scene in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is becoming increasingly dynamic as the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) proposes to introduce a citizenship by investment (CBI) program if they win the next general election. This initiative would allow foreign nationals to acquire citizenship in exchange for substantial contributions to the country’s socio-economic development.
In stark contrast, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has firmly rejected this idea, stating that his Unity Labour Party (ULP) will never pursue such a program. He has made it clear that St. Vincent will not follow the example of other OECS nations, such as St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Kitts-Nevis, which have opted for CBI schemes.
Gonsalves has also expressed concerns about the potential negative consequences of CBI programs, citing the UK’s recent decision to revoke visa-free access for passport holders from Dominica and Vanuatu. This move was driven by fears over security and the integrity of citizenship. The debate highlights significant tensions surrounding economic strategies and national identity in the region.
Gonsalves said he had foreseen this as an unsustainable policy to earn revenue from the beginning.
“Look, those who didn’t see it, and who wanted to base an economic strategy on that, like the opposition in St Vincent and the Grenadines, they now get their comeuppance. Mature judgment brought to bear when I say this thing is not sustainable. You can’t base your economic development on this. You can’t finance a budget on these kinds of monies,” he said.
But as he addressed last weekend’s NDP convention, Opposition and party leader, Dr Godwin Friday told supporters, that an NDP government would implement the CBI, which would be needed to fund social and economic programs in SVG.
“Don’t tell me we can’t do it because they’re doing it in St Kitts, they’re doing it in Dominica, and the reason they can do it is because they have a citizenship by investment program that pays for it.”
“So, I will tell you this… Don’t let Ralph and them … tell you about you selling passports and stupidness. If I selling passports, I selling it for you because that money is not going in your pocket,” Friday said.
“I am going to make sure that the citizenship by investment program is properly monitored, and it will be one that will meet the highest levels of scrutiny,” he said, adding that, most importantly, the CBI program will be transparent.
“… no money, going in my pocket, nobody on this side, it going in anybody else pocket.
It going in the pocket of public servants. It’s going in the pockets of people who are on public assistance,” Friday said.
He said non-government workers and people who are not on public assistance will also benefit from the NDP’s policies to reduce the cost of living.
The opposition leader said an NDP administration would introduce “VAT-free shopping days” in August before schools reopen and around Christmas time.
“That is something that is going to put more money back into people’s pockets and give them a chance to be able to make ends meet,” Friday said, adding that he would not be bothered by criticism from the government that these policies cannot work.
The Opposition Leader proposed additional policies to ease the “cost-of-living crisis” here and is urging Prime Minister Gonsalves to announce them in his independence address on October 27.
“The cost-of-living crisis is something that we can bring relief to the people of this country,” he said as he proposed bonuses for public sector workers and public assistance recipients.
Friday said that an NDP administration would go further and waive interest payments on student loans until after the student graduates.
“That provides a lot of relief for parents and families who are struggling to carry the loans when the children are going to school,” he said, adding that a similar policy is in operation in St Kitts and Nevis.
 proposes to introduce a citizenship by investment (CBI) program if they win the next election){kind=link}