The leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), wants Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) laws harmonized in the region.

Allen Chastanet expressed his views on Observer media in Antigua yesterday.

He indicated that once persons are granted citizenship under the CIP, they become passport holders with access to other Caribbean territories.

 

“We truly believe there should be a certain standard throughout the OECS, because the passport we’re providing give people access to all the OECS countries, “ Chastanet told Observer media.

The UWP leader said he is in favour of the Citizen by Investment Programmes.

St Lucia became the latest country in the region to offer the CIP in October last year.

Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica are other countries in the OECS to have implemented the CIP as a means of stimulating economic growth.

“I’ve always been supportive of the CIP, in the context that it is an opportunity for us to raise monies to be able to help finance projects and the development of countries”.

“We think that government and politicians should have no involvement; we think that the boards that are appointed like our Electoral Commission or our Boundaries Commission must be independent and autonomous, “the opposition leader stated.

The UWP leader said he would make changes to Saint Lucia’s CIP if elected in the country’s June 6, 2016 general elections.

He asserted that laws should be in place to indicate where money under the CIP can be spent.

Chastanet also said that reports should be regularly provided so that members of the public will be kept up to date on funds raised by the CIP and where the money is allocated.