We will still pursue CBI says Opposition Leader Dr Friday

LEADER OFTHE OPPOSITION New Democratic Party (NDP), Dr Godwin Friday, said despite the several negative issues that have been revealed about the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme if the NDP forms government they will still pursue the CBI.

“…of course I’m interested in CBI, because if you look at the history of the countries that have had it over the region, throughout the region- the OECS region… you see that they have done considerably better than we have done in terms of investing in infrastructure and getting private sector investment in hotel development and various sorts of things…,” Dr Friday told listeners on a Facebook live question and answer programme on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

He said in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), “we’re lagging behind” because “some people have this notion” that they know more than others.

The Opposition Leader said the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration is losing an opportunity to help people in SVG raise capital “… which is what the CBI programme is… a social investment programme.”

He pointed out that money from CBI programmes helps a country to be able to invest in productive activity and infrastructure that will help boost the economy.

“That’s what it’s about… the alternative is essentially to tax people, to get whatever government revenue…,” Dr Friday said further, while noting that the government taxes and borrows to fund local projects like the Acute Referral Hospital currently being constructed in Arnos Vale.

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