安提瓜和巴布達外交部長世貿通見面會演講實錄

      世貿通獨家報道：2015年12月4日，備受期待的安提瓜和巴布達外交部長Honourable Charles Henry Fernandez、安提瓜和巴布達駐阿聯酋大使Mr. Ernell Casroy James和凱萊潞琦項目董事Mr. Nitin Singhal一行，聯合世貿通的中國首次推介會，在北京隆重召開，並取得圓滿成功。會上，安提瓜和巴布達外交部長就推介項目——凱萊潞琦豪華度假村項目發表精彩演講，全文實錄如下：

　　Ladies and Gentlemen Good morning

　　Please allow me to start by extending a special thank you to conference organizer of Worldly Group. We are very grateful to them for making this event possible for a small micro economy like ours to showcase the Callaloo Cay project in particular and our beautiful island - by extension.

　　Antigua was first discovered by Europeans because of its strategic location on the Trade Wind route from Europe.Today it remains a key destination for tourists attracted by its stunning physical attributes and proximity to key markets in Europe and North America. Tourism is the main driver of the economy, generating in excess of 90% of our foreign exchange and 80% of the commercial activity. Antigua is the air transport hub of the Eastern Caribbean, with direct connections to the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, Canada and United States of America. To ensure we maintain our position as the sub-regional hub, a new state of the art fully equipped US$150M airport facility was opened in August of this year.

　　Our country is a stable ‘Westminster’ style democracy with a well-established legal and regulatory framework, supporting civil and commercial relationships, a highly educated work force with skills and abilities for a modern economy.

　　Antigua and Barbuda is an active and committed member of the International community, with membership in:

　　• United Nations,• OAS (Organization of American States)• Commonwealth• WTO

　　Since coming into office on June 12th 2014 our Prime Minister, the Honourable Gaston Browne, has challenged those within the Diplomatic Core, members of the public & private sectors and particularly each member of his Cabinet to realize the vision of transforming Antigua and Barbuda into an “Economic Powerhouse”. Our small island is comprised of ordinary people who have been known to accomplish extra-ordinary feats in the region and on the world stage - in politics, sports and track and field.

　　We are firmly of the view that attaining the Vision as set forth by the Hon. Prime Minister will be the next major achievement by the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

　　There are seven (7) identified pillars on which the transformational process will be based over the next 5 to 10 years, they are as follows.

　　1. Sound Fiscal & Debt Management – The goal is to bring our debt levels to well within prudential benchmark of 60% of Gross Domestic Product over the next 5 years.

　　2. Aggressive yet sustainable Economic Expansion through increased Foreign Direct Investments and Job creation.

　　3. Crime Management and Improved national Security for the populace.

　　4. Enhanced Energy efficiency with a gradual migration to Renewable and Sustainable energy to be able to generate 20% of our consumption levels within the next 5 years.

　　5. Developing our Human Resource Capacity to include one tertiary level graduate in every household over the next five to ten years

　　6. Promoting the Development of the Sister island of Barbuda – Barbuda is currently the recipient of one of the largest investments to date since the new administration took office. The referred Investment is a $250 million dollar high end resort development by Paradise found a company owned by Film Star Mr. Robert Di Nero and business man James Packer of Australia.

　　7. Sports and Culture – The Government is focused on providing the support mechanism to groom our young and talented sports figures to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda has a cadre of athletes represented at the highest levels including the Olympic events. Antigua has never medaled at the Olympics. This is another feat that we hope to accomplish over the next 5 to 10 years.

　　Each identified pillar would require a separate session for discussion and full analysis, which is not the intention of this exercise. The reason for highlighting these seven initiatives is to show the context within which the Vision of the “Economic Powerhouse” will be systematically attained. It is important to note that Visions require funding.

　　The Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) is one such funding mechanism for the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda. Our government intends to maximize on the opportunities presented by the CIP to attain this Vision and significantly improve the lives of the ordinary citizens. It is the intention of the government to manage this program with the utmost care and responsibility; with emphasis on adopting industry best practice governance and operating structures. We recognize that sustainability and long-term viability of the Programme is quintessential to accomplishing these extraordinary milestones.

　　By way of background, the 2008 global financial crisis presented grave challenges for many nations including Antigua and Barbuda. The country was faced with a contracting economy, shrinking revenues, and global credit crunch among other factors. Despite the global challenges the Government had to meet continuing expectations of our citizens for support, services and economic growth. The Government understood the need for public investment programs to support economic development. The Citizenship by Investment Programme was one such initiative considered - to achieve these investment goals.

　　The Programme provides three investment options.

　　• A contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF),

　　• Purchase of real estate in an approved project - such as the Callaloo Cay Resort, or

　　• Investment in an approved business.

　　Ambassador Casroy James, will share more details on the real estate option related to the Callaloo Cay Resort.

　　I wish to welcome you to visit the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda and experience for yourself why we are referred to as the “Gem of the Caribbean”. Come enjoy our 365 beaches, warm hospitality, historical sites, world class cuisine and famous festivals and events.

　　I further assure you that Antigua and Barbuda is open for business and extremely serious about maintaining our important relationships with our international partners including the UK, Canada, USA and the Schengen members. We are committed to keeping your interest and concerns central as we administer the Programme and seek to develop our economy.

　　Firstly, Mobility: Antigua and Barbuda has visa free access to over one hundred and thirty countries, and we are presently working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to increase that number to make our Passport an even higher Premium Travel Document.

　　We are the number one CIP program in the Caribbean and we intent to ensure that the Antigua and Barbuda product will be the Premium Brand not just regionally - but also internationally.

　　Secondly, Sustainability: As was alluded to before, this program is important to Antigua and Barbuda.

　　It provides us with much needed revenue to assist with Health Care; Education; Security; and Infrastructure projects.

　　It has also stimulated tremendous investment projects which will result in thousands of jobs.

　　Therefore my Government - The Government of Antigua - is committed to work with all stakeholders to ensure the continued viability and sustainability of this important Citizen By Investment programme.

　　Finally, again i would like to affirm my Government’s Commitment in this Calalloo Cay Resort joint partnership of which the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has a twenty (20%) percent equity stake. We realize that His Excellency Shaikh Tarik Bin Faisal Al Qassemi has many other locations to invest. However, we are - after careful due diligence - certain that His Excellency is in a position to deliver on the proposed high end development and we therefore committed a 20% stake and a plethora of concessions to ensure its future viability.

　　Thank you!

　　譯文如下：

　　女士們、先生們，大家早上好!

　　首先我要特別感謝大會組織方世貿通集團。感謝你們讓我們這樣小型經濟體國家有機會展示自己美麗的島國並帶來這次的凱萊潞琦豪華度假村項目。

　　安提瓜因其在歐洲貿易路線的戰略地位而首次被歐洲人發現。時至今日，安提瓜憑借其秀麗的風光以及靠近歐洲和北美主要市場的獨特地位繼續成爲旅遊人士的主要目的地。旅遊業是安提瓜經濟增長的主要推動力，超過90%的外彙和80%的商業活動來自于旅遊業。作爲東加勒比海地區的航空運輸中心，安提瓜可以直飛英國、歐洲大陸、加拿大和美國。爲了維持我們次區域中心的地位，一座世界一流、造價1.5億美元的全新機場已于今年八月全面開放。

　　我國是政權穩定的“英式”民主制國家，法律和監管框架體系相當規範，給民商事關系提供了強有力的保障。我國國民普遍接受過高等教育且具備建設現代經濟的技能和能力。

　　安提瓜和巴布達積極投入于國際社會關系中，並成爲下列組織的成員國：

　　• 聯合國;• 美洲國家組織;• 英聯邦;• 國際貿易組織。

　　我們尊敬的總理Gaston Browne先生自2014年6月12日上任以來，就一直積極推動外事辦核心成員以及公私各部門人員的工作，包括其內閣中每一名官員，旨在實現把安提瓜和巴布達改造成“經濟發動機”的願景。我們島國雖小，人民也普通，但在地區乃至世界的政治、田徑體育舞台上創造了諸多不凡事迹。

　　我們堅信安提瓜和巴布達人民的下一個壯舉必然是完成總理先生制定的美好願景。

　　未來的五到十年裏，我國實現轉變將基于以下七大要點：

　　第一、穩健的財政和負債管理——未來五年的目標是將負債水平控制在謹慎標准內，即不超過國內生産總值的60%。

　　第二、通過增加外國直接投資和創造就業達到積極且可持續的經濟增長。

　　第三、控制犯罪率、完善國家安全體系。

　　第四、通過逐漸回歸可再生和可持續的能源使用來提升能源利用率，未來五年達到國內能源消耗的20%來自高效能源。

　　第五、加強人才培訓，未來五到十年保證每家每戶擁有一個大學畢業生。

　　第六、推動姊妹島巴布達的開發——自新政府班子上任以來，巴布達島是獲得外資投資最多的島嶼之一。電影明星Robert Di Nero和澳洲商人James Parker共同擁有的公司Paradise在島上投資了2.5億美元建造豪華度假村。

　　第七、運動和文化——政府致力于培養年輕體育人才，確保安提瓜和巴布達的運動員們能夠在世界級較高水平的舞台上競爭，比如奧林匹克運動會。安提瓜目前尚未在奧運會上獲得過任何獎牌。這將是我國未來五到十年想要達到的另一偉大成就。

　　以上每一個要點其實都需要獨立的討論和全面的研究，不是本次大會涵蓋的內容。我之所以表明這七點是想和大家分享安提瓜將逐步系統地實現“經濟發動機”這一宏願的背景。重點是：宏願的實現需要資金來支持。

　　公民投資入籍計劃就是向安提瓜和巴布達政府及人民提供資金的途徑之一。我們政府將會充分利用入籍計劃提供的資金實現宏願並全面改善普通公民的生活水平。當然，政府會非常小心且負責任地執行這項計劃，同時采用行業最佳監管機制和操作架構。我們認爲這項計劃的可持續性和長久有效性是到達我們經濟建設成功的重要基石。

　　說到背景，不得不提2008年全球金融危機使得安提瓜和巴布達在內的許多國家面臨著的巨大挑戰。我國也出現經濟萎縮、收入下降以及全球信貸緊縮等諸多問題。盡管這是一場全球範圍內的危機，但安提瓜政府不得不面對本國人民對政府支持、高效服務和經濟發展的熱切期望。政府明白需要通過公共投資項目支撐經濟發展。公民投資入籍計劃就是可以幫助安提瓜達到投資目標的舉措之一。

　　本項目提供了三種投資選擇：

　　• 向國家發展基金捐款;

　　• 通過購買獲批項目的房地産——比如凱萊潞琦豪華度假村 ;

　　• 投資獲批的商業項目。

　　Casroy James大使一會兒會分享有關凱萊潞琦豪華度假村 項目的更多細節。

　　我們誠摯地邀請您拜訪和體驗我們安提瓜和巴布達雙子島，屆時您就會明白爲什麽我們被稱作是“加勒比海的明珠”。趕快來體驗我們多達365片的完美海灘、見見熱情好客的人民、觸摸曆史悠久的古迹、享受世界頂尖的廚藝、參加熱鬧非凡的節慶和狂歡吧!

　　我還向您保證安提瓜和巴布達不但商業開放，而且對維持與英國、加拿大、美國和申根國等國際合作夥伴的良好關系是極爲重視的。在我們執行項目和發展經濟的同時，我們承諾以您的利益和關注點爲本。

　　最後，我再強調兩點：

　　首先，便利性。安提瓜和巴布達的護照免簽超過130個國家，而且我們的外交部目前還在努力工作，以期進一步增加免簽國數量，使得我們的護照具備更高價值。

　　我們是加勒比海地區投資入籍項目首屈一指的國家，我們也會努力確保安提瓜和巴布達的産品不僅在加勒比海地區，甚至在國際上都享有盛譽。

　　其次，持續性。正如前述，該投資入籍計劃對安提瓜和巴布達非常重要。

　　它爲我國的健康、教育、安全、基建提供了必要的收入支持

　　它還會刺激産生大量投資項目，帶動成千上萬的就業。

　　因此，我們安提瓜和巴布達政府將致力于與所有利益相關方一同努力確保這一投資入籍計劃的持續性和有效性。

　　最後，我想向大家再次證實一下我國政府在凱萊潞琦豪華度假村項目中的合作承諾。安提瓜和巴布達政府在該項目中持有20%的股份。我們也知道阿聯酋皇室成員 Shaikh Tarik Bin Faisal Al Qassemi閣下還有其他多處投資，但經過缜密的盡職調查後，我們確信Shaikh閣下能夠完成這個由他提議的高端項目，所以我們承諾投資20%並授予了一系列特許權來確保項目的可行性。

　　再次感謝大家!