SAINT VINCENT'S PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES CHINESE CBI CONSULTANTS OF ILLEGALLY FUNDING PRO-CBI SVN OPPOSITION PARTY

In a public interview this week, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister RALPH GONSALVES, long an opponent of the fact that other Caribbean states use CBI to fund government budgets, instead of promoting normal economic development, stated that he has evidence that Chinese passport sales consultants have made illegal campaign contributions to SVN's political Opposition, which support the adoption of a Citizenship by Investment program. The two Chinese companies, which are believed to be CARIBBEAN GALAXY GROUP and HENG SHENG GROUP,  are often in the news regarding Caribbean passports.

PM Gonsalves also stated that the Opposition, which has failed to advance any cohesive economic program resulting in growth, has consistently advocated the reliance on passport sales revenue, and for choosing China over the current diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, so as the qualify for large loans from the PRC, which he fears Saint Vincent will be unable to repay timely, allowing China to thereafter dominate SVN politics, as it has done with other East Caribbean states, especially Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada.

PM Gonsalves, who has served for years as the voice of reason in the region, regarding the abuse of CBI as the principal method of generating cash flow to cover swollen Caribbean budgets, where parties in power used their ability to mete out government jobs to supporters in a dysfunctional economy, to remain in office, has stated that he is strongly opposed to adopting CBI in Saint Vincent, as it interferes with normal economic development. Looking at the stunted economic development of the five EC states having CBI programs, his position has proven to be correct. Their unhealthy dependance on CBI revenues, which are subject to market forces, and now the potential termination of their primary benefits, EU/UK visa-free admission status, could result in their rapid economic descent into insolvency.