Last week, the Caribbean Investment Summit 2026 (CIS26) in Saint Lucia brought together more than 350 attendees – Prime Ministers, CIU heads, project companies, due diligence providers, local and international marketing agents, among others – from around the world for frank discussions about the Caribbean CBI industry.
Hosted under the theme “The Convergence Advantage in Global Capital and Mobility,” the summit brought stakeholders together to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from changing geopolitical realities, increased international scrutiny, and rising expectations from local citizens.
For attendees, the takeaway from the three-day summit was clear: Program credibility must be measured not just by the benefits received by the CIP applicant and the due diligence process in granting those benefits, but more importantly by the value to the CIP-offering country and the impact felt by its citizens.
CIS Recognition for ClientReferrals
In that theme, ClientReferrals was honoured with the Global Excellence Award. The award, voted on by attendees at CIS26, recognizes an individual or organisation whose influence extends beyond a single jurisdiction and has contributed to shaping the global investment migration landscape with measurable contributions to industry development.
The award highlights ClientReferrals’ success in the region, having delivered on projects related to the development of affordable housing, hotel and real estate construction, and new industry and skills development via its film-related projects.
“It’s an honour for me to accept this on behalf of ClientReferrals,” Patrick Peters, CEO of ClientReferrals, explained as he addressed the crowd. “This is recognition of our team’s hard work. But it’s also recognition of our partners around the world – the immigration professionals and RCBI firms – who have put their trust in us to continue delivering impact-driven projects for their clients”.
A Landmark Investment in Education in St Kitts & Nevis
The summit was also an opportunity for ClientReferrals and the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship Unit (CIU) to announce the expansion of their strategic partnership, further strengthening their shared commitment to developing transformative projects in the Federation. As part of this expanded collaboration, ClientReferrals was officially named the Public Benefactor for the Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option.
“The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme remains focused on working with partners who share our vision for sustainable development, transparency, and nation-building. This initiative reflects the kind of meaningful public-private collaboration that strengthens communities and contributes directly to the advancement of the Federation,” explained H.E Calvin St Juste, Executive Chairman of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit, in announcing the expansion of the partnership with ClientReferrals.
Basseterre High School (BHS) has long been a symbol of national pride and identity. Its alumni include some of the country’s most influential government leaders, leading entrepreneurs, and iconic athletes and artists. Over the years, the building and its facilities became outdated and dilapidated, resulting eventually in its demolition.
The project will:
- Deliver modern classrooms, IT and science labs, workshops, and world-class arts and sports facilities;
- Provide a world-class venue for academic, sporting, and community events;
- Create short-term and long-term jobs;
- Re-ignite the pride and passion that so many Kittitians and Nevisians share for their national identity; and
- Empower Kittitians and Nevisians to achieve excellence and build a stronger nation.
BHS is not just another construction project, but an important cornerstone investment in this wonderful and resilient community, and its future generations.
The construction calls for a modern educational campus featuring upgraded academic, technical, recreational, and community facilities that will benefit students, educators, and the community at large – now, and for future generations.
Government officials have consistently reaffirmed their commitment to delivering the Basseterre High School project as part of a broader national effort to strengthen educational infrastructure and create new opportunities for young people throughout the Federation, with Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley recently stating that “our students deserve this school.”
Expanding a Trusted Government Collaboration
This announcement comes only 10 months after ClientReferrals was designated as the Public Benefactor for the National Housing Corporation PBO. That first project has funded the construction of over 100 affordable houses across the country, with the first group of first-time homeowners expected to move into their new homes within the next 2 months.
That initiative helped demonstrate how the Country’s Citizenship Programme can be an important tool for delivering projects of national priority while creating tangible impact for local communities. It has created jobs, built neighborhoods, and given access to home ownership to working families who may not have been able to acquire a home otherwise.
Now, the Basseterre High School PBO, represents the continued growth of the successful partnership between ClientReferrals and the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis. “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for this project and to be able to deliver this school that the country needs,” explained Guy Pilote, Managing Director of ClientReferrals.
He says that “from the beginning of our relationship, we expressed that our interest lies in projects that deliver the maximum impact for Kittitians and Nevisians. What we have accomplished with the National Housing Corporation in such a short period of time was only the beginning. The NHC PBO is proof of how Citizenship programmes can be an important development tool, and deliver on national development objectives. We are proud of what we have accomplished to date, and grateful to be associated with the Basseterre High School PBO, a truly generational project.”
CIS26 Recognition for St. Kitts & Nevis Programme
The Summit also brought international recognition to the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship Programme which took home 4 awards, including Programme of the Year Award, Caribbean Impact Award, Time to Citizenship Efficiency Award as well as the Sustainable Development Impact Award – the latter a recognition of the CIU’s broader commitment to leveraging its Citizenship Programme as a tool for impact driven investments, such as the National Housing Corporation PBO and now the Basseterre High School PBO.
As the investment migration industry continues to evolve, both ClientReferrals and the St. Kitts & Nevis CIU emphasized their shared commitment to ensuring that the Citizenship Programme remains closely connected to national development priorities and the long-term prosperity of the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis.
For more information about the Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option, contact:
Patrick Peters – CEO
+1.613.290.4719 / ppeters@clientreferrals.com
-or-
Patrick McCarthy – Director, Basseterre High School PBO
+1.514.473.8966 / pmccarthy@clientreferrals.com
