St Kitts and Nevis: Middle Eastern attendees explore Investor Nexus Zone at IGS 2025

The second edition of the Investment Gateway Summit in St. Kitts and Nevis concluded on June 3, 2025, after four days at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.  The Summit brought together hundreds of investors and developers from around the world with a particularly strong contingent from across the Middle East to explore investment and networking opportunities.

Under the theme “Investment to Impact: Our Journey to a Sustainable Island State,” the Summit showcased St. Kitts and Nevis’s bold vision of becoming the world’s first sustainable island nation.

For investors from the Middle East, the Summit opened new doors through the introduction of the “Investor Nexus Zone”, a dedicated space designed to connect global investors with government representatives, local developers, and business owners.

The Investor Nexus Zone served as a one-stop platform to explore real-time opportunities in renewable energy, hospitality, agriculture, and innovation-based industries. With curated meetings and roundtable discussions, it enabled potential investors to engage deeply with the country’s strategic priorities and tailor their involvement accordingly.

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, joined by several government ministers and officials delivered keynote presentations highlighting how investment can translate into real-world impact for the country’s development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that investors in the CBI programme are viewed as partners in nation-building rather than just clients. “We are not here today to speak only about transactions; we are here to speak about partnerships,” he stated, adding that investments should foster national development, job creation, and community empowerment.

A major focus at IGS 2025 was tourism-driven development fueled by the CBI programme. Officials noted that the CBI initiative has played a “pivotal role in funding significant infrastructure and tourism development projects” across the islands:

Stakeholders explained that such CBI-funded projects boost the nation’s tourism offerings while creating substantial local employment and supplier opportunities, strengthening the wider economy.

Several of the properties are already attracting international visitors, underscoring how investment migration can tangibly support the country’s key industry of hospitality.

Sustainable energy and climate resilience emerged as another key topic, aligning with St. Kitts and Nevis’s goal to become the first “sustainable island state.”

Government leaders used the summit to promote a push toward a “green economy," inviting investors to participate in renewable energy projects.

Middle Eastern investors in particular showed keen interest in these plans, as many are prioritising ESG (environmental, social, governance) goals and diversification; the Summit’s focus on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure aligns closely with Middle Eastern investment trends.

One avenue presented was the CBI programme’s Public Benefit Fund option, which allows foreign investors to contribute directly to nation-building projects with broad public benefits such as green infrastructure, or advanced facilities in exchange for citizenship. Prime Development the Platinum Sponsor, and developer of the PBO Creative Arts Centre, showcased their plans and progress at the Summit. They indicated that this project would catapult the Federation as a leader in the Arts Space in the Caribbean.

Regional regulators are also stepping in to ensure transparency. The Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy N.J. Antoine told attendees that Caribbean states are united in maintaining high standards of integrity and have even proposed a regional regulatory body to oversee Citizenship by Investment programs.

Speaking on these issues, CIU Executive Chairman H.E. Calvin St. Juste reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to “transparency, due diligence, and responsible programme management”.

St. Juste emphasized that rigorous vetting, compliance with international best practices, and careful management of investor funds are all non-negotiable as the CBI programme grows. This message, coupled with the Summit’s broader theme of impactful and sustainable investment reassured attendees that while St. Kitts and Nevis is eager to welcome new investment, it will continue to “redefine standards” in the industry by marrying innovation with integrity.

IGS 2025 positioned St. Kitts and Nevis as a dynamic hub of opportunity from luxury tourism and real estate to renewable energy all underpinned by a forward-looking CBI programme.

Global investors left with a deeper appreciation of the islands’ offerings and vision. As Prime Minister Drew noted, St. Kitts and Nevis is a “gateway of possibilities” where partnerships can drive not only profits but lasting positive impact for the nation and its people.