Abuja – October 23 – Mediaage NG News – Political and economic stability are key to attracting local and international investors. While some countries have already established a reputation for investment competitiveness, others are offering citizenship to investors to grow their economies. This is common with the smaller Carribean countries like Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda, amongst others.
Citizenship By Investment practiced by these countries mentioned above, is an investment lure for investors to have a second passport, according to Mr. Godfery Aghanti, the CEO of Great World Tours and Travel. His company offers CBI services.
Looking at the global passport rating, the Nigerian passport is rated among the lowest and imagine a situation where you are traveling outside the country as a Nigerian and told you don’t have access to some key benefits!
“Look at what is done to some Nigerians outside the country because, they carry a green passport. This type of problem makes a lot of people want to have a second passport but, many don’t know how to go about getting it. That’s where Citizenship By Investment (CBI) comes in”, Mr. Aghanti said.
CBI means you can invest in other countries to have the opportunity for a second passport and that does not mean one is totally cut off from the country after the investment. It allows you to have dual citizenship, meaning you can be a citizen of that country and can come back to your own country. You can even have the luxury of traveling to over one hundred and fifty countries as a result of the second passport.
“That is, having global access is one of the advantages of holding a second passport, Aghanti continued.
“Secondly, you have access to quality education, good health care system and after the investment, you become a citizen for life. It does not expire, that’s a huge benefit if you ask me”.
“We call it investment because, you reap what you sow. You invest, after five years, you get your money back and if you want to reinvest, you can”, Aghanti revealed.
He said most persons don’t have access to this because, it has not gathered much publicity. “We are one of the few that offer this service”, he stated.
Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica have access to one hundred and fifty countries and ivestment in these nations could be in government contribution and real estate, beginning from a hundred thousand dollars.
Dominican Republic have access to one hundred and forty -plus countries, their programs also are government contributions and investment into real estate, from a hundred and twenty thousand pounds.
Granada is also there. St Kitts and Nevis is the country that began this program before others followed. They saw it as a very good way to develop their country.
Investing in these countries and becoming a citizen does not mean you have to live there, no, according to Mr. Aghanti. You can be a citizen and not reside there. Having invested, you will be given thrity days to stay in that country. You can stay in a hotel or resort, free of charge. “It’s an indirect way to seek for investors and it’s working for them”, he said.
Mr. Aghanti who had a background in Marketing, from the University of Benin, Edo State, had to enroll for an International Air Transport Association (IATA) course at the Nigerian Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to learn how to package travel processes before establishing Great World Tours and Travel in Abuja, Nigeria. With a ten year experience in air travel operations and two global offices, his company has carried over twenty thousand businesses with clients.
“We also work directly with the Nigerian government that includes ministries, agencies and parastatals. We are into ticketing at the cheapest rates, and international studies.
“There’s no better way to impact your clients than giving them what they came for. Today, we talk about travels.
“Positively affecting people’s travel decisions is a joy. The publicity and information we give is one of the impacts to the society. This include up to date information that helps a client get what he wants and it entails you are doing the right thing.
“We are always enthusiastic about where this business will be in the next ten years. There’s nothing like you doing something that you find joy in. Whether in the rain or under the sun, you are still in the business. There’s always something that pushes you, which is the interest and passion. We see ourselves in the front line of travel business. When they call for travel agents, that name Great World quickly comes to mind”, Mr. Aghanti concluded.