By Val Matthias. Updated 2:54 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Immigration, Major St. Clair Leacock, has underscored the importance of a carefully managed Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme as part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ wider economic transformation agenda. Speaking on radio in response to questions about citizenship and national security, Leacock said the initiative must be grounded in accountability and transparency, while serving as a driver of better-paying jobs for Vincentians.
Major Leacock clarified that while the Ministry of National Security has a role in overseeing citizenship matters, the Attorney General’s office and other institutions will also be central to the administration of any CBI framework. He emphasized that the government intends to adopt regional best practices, citing Grenada’s experience as an example of how programmes can be remodelled to strengthen oversight.
“Citizenship by investment will be an important contributor to the economic transformation that must and will take place,” Leacock stated. “We need to create more jobs and opportunities but also ensure that those jobs are better paid and capable of meeting people’s basic needs.”
The Deputy Prime Minister argued that the local marketplace alone cannot sustain the level of growth required, and foreign direct investment through CBI could help attract capital beyond the country’s shores. He stressed that the programme must not compromise national security, and that all applicants must meet strict accreditation standards before being granted citizenship.
Major Leacock added that institutions will be established specifically to manage the process, ensuring that the programme is not only a source of investment but also a platform for sustainable development.
The government’s position reflects a balancing act between economic necessity and public trust, as CBI programmes across the region have often sparked debate about sovereignty, transparency, and long-term impact.
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