10 on the Weekend – Nestor Alfred: CIP Harmonization Still a Priority

Ten On The Weekend is a weekly feature on IMI, the concept of which is simple: Each weekend, we ask the same ten questions of a different industry figure, letting readers get to know the interviewee on a more personal and informal level than they might in an ordinary business setting.

This weekend’s guest is Nestor Alfred, CEO of the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit.

How do you spend your weekends? Weekends are specifically for family and listening to the week of adventures from the mouth of my two beautiful little girls. 

What are your top three business goals this year?

• To have 2020 be the best year for the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme;
• To have the St. Lucia CIP become the preferred option for second citizenship;
• To achieve some level of collaboration amongst the five CIP islands in the region.

What’s your biggest business concern right now?
Finding a sustainable way to bring about a greater level of harmonization amongst the islands offering CIPs.

Which book is on your night-stand right now?
Actually, there are two; Tales of Two Planets by John Freeman and The Book Awakening by Mark Nepo.

How and when did you first get into the investment migration industry?
I was the Chairman of the St. Lucia Gaming Board and was stuck all day long putting together regulations and guidelines for that sector and, in the midst of undertaking this exercise, my phone rang and it was the Prime Minister on the other end. This conversation resulted in my spearheading the CIU of St. Lucia. So, August 2016 was the start of my first footsteps in the migration sector.

What was your proudest moment as an industry professional?
To be part of the process in bringing on board the first real estate project and possibly the biggest real estate development within the OECS, which will see 721 rooms added to the island’s stock of hotel rooms.

Which investment migration market development has surprised you the most in the last year?
The mandate given by the OECS Heads to the OECS Commission and the ECCB to coordinate regional collaboration amongst the five CIP-islands.

If you could go 10 years back in time, what business decision would you change?
None. Every business decision made, whether good or bad, over the past ten years certainly molded me into the person that I am right now.

What investment migration industry personality do you most admire
There are two persons within the industry that I truly admire. However, given my position/role within the industry, it may not be the best choice to mention them by name. One of those individuals’ story of success gives hope and reinforces the old adage that you can achieve whatever you put your mind and spirit into. The second individual is one who is never afraid to share his position and you can always get an objective and balanced position on matters.

If all goes according to plan, what will you be doing five years from now?
Sitting under my palm trees with a glass of Merlot on weekdays!