ARMAND ARTON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ARTON CAPITAL
What makes a global citizen today? My background and heritage have defined my personal and corporate mission. As a descendant of Armenians whose family has been relocating for four generations, I understand the needs of our clients very well. Becoming a global citizen is not just about where you are born, where you live, or even how many passports you have; but about realising that the whole world is connected. It is no longer enough to think that you can hide behind borders or put up tariffs. Artificial Intelligence is not bound by borders. Climate change respects no barriers. A global citizen recognises this and approaches global challenges with global actions. How important is it to educate people about citizenship by investment (CBI) and the benefits of the programmes?
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THE CITIZEN
It is vital. We’ve opened an office in Brussels and are planning to open one in Washington D.C. to work with authorities and agencies to guide the framework to help make our industry more transparent, responsible and sustainable. Following the EU Commission’s Report on Investor Citizenship and Residence Schemes in the European Union, adopted on January 23, 2019, Arton Capital works as a registered lobbyist, sharing the dynamics and benefits of the industry while ensuring the enforcement of better policy making, improved cooperation and even greater due diligence. How can the ‘Global Citizen Tax’ initiative raise €1 billion for the integration of refugees? The Residency and Citizenship by Investment industry has the potential and the ability to help less fortunate migrants facing crises, through contributions made by investors that
add a sum of between 1%-5% on top of their prescribed investment for second residence or citizenship in EU member states. The idea was first introduced back in 2015 at the Global Citizen Forum in Monaco with the late Kofi Annan and José Manuel Barroso. Raising more than €1 billion over the next five years can help cover risks and challenges faced by these migrants and their host countries. In your TED Talk you stressed that immigration is the conductor of innovation – how is this the case? The IMF has shown that on average, “investing one euro in welcoming refugees can yield nearly two euros in economic benefits within five years”, as long as refugees are permitted to work. The report highlights the innovative benefits of investing in refugees – reminding us that Albert Einstein and Sergey Brin were refugees – and Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian refugee.
