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antigua Barbuda
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There is no denying that Antigua & Barbuda is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Often described as paradise or heaven on earth, the twin islands have more beauty than you can shake a stick at with its endless white-sand beaches, azure seas, rich cultural history, and verdant nature. But as another saying goes; it’s much more than just a pretty face. In addition to being a top tourism and honeymoon destination, this small island nation is also forging itself as a health and wellness destination, an innovation hotspot, an attractive investment hub and let’s not forget its status as an international financial centre. As one of the pillars of the economy, the finance sector has grown thanks to the islands’ politically stable and sovereign jurisdiction, and is helped by the fact that the country has enjoyed one of the fastestgrowing economies in the region over the
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THE CITIZEN
past few years. And with the Digital Assets Business Bill 2020 that has just come into law, the islands’ aspiration of becoming a hub for cryptocurrency, digital business, and other digital assets is being shaped. Given that financial service providers are regulated under the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC), the islands are a safe harbour, not only for the yachts that flock to the world-renowned sailing grounds, but for financial investors looking to protect their wealth and investments. And as the many celebrities and wealthy homeowners and citizens would attest, the islands are also a safe harbour away from the peering eyes and intrusions they encounter elsewhere – where the likes of Robert de Niro, Eric Clapton and Giorgio Armani feel at home and where into the bargain they can have their financial interests taken care of. The icing on the cake is that Antigua & Barbuda has one of the best Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes in the Caribbean and is in the top five of the Global Citizenship Programme Index in Henley & Partners’ Global Residence and Citizenship Programmes 2018-2019 report. Citizenship of the islands allows visa-free travel to 165 jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and Schengen area.
