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The investment immigration market has witnessed exceptional growth in recent years, with projections indicating a staggering $100 billion valuation by 2025. This surge can be attributed to the increasing desire of High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) worldwide to secure a second citizenship.
Amal El Habziz’s role lies in the core of this dynamic industry. A dedicated investment consultant & investor herself she works with clients seeking Residency Permits or Citizenship through strategic investments. Her perspectives offer advice for both investors and early-stage founders.
As the founder of The Synergy Network, she coaches entrepreneurs, especially female founders, to launch and promote their businesses both on local and an international scale.
In an engaging dialogue with Asia Tech Daily, Amal El Habziz, an experienced International Investment Consultant, Business Coach, and Author, unfolded her experiences and insights in the dynamic world of immigration investment and consulting.
According to Amal, Much like any other market, the Immigration Investment sector experiences fluctuations. It undergoes phases of relaxed procedures, marked by significant capital inflows into the national treasuries of governments offering such programs.
“We will see phases of lenient procedures and big capital movements into the national treasures of the scheme offering governments as phases in which political pressure restricts the programs or even eliminates them.”
“However, the potential will always be there since sovereign countries can ultimately decide who can get citizenship or residency or not. This type of investment is important for countries as it increases Foreign Direct Investment into the economy in a very easy and effective way. Therefore, countries will continue to offer these programs and will strive for optimization of the program while maneuvering the political landscape in a fashion that does not cause backlash or commotion.”
Amal further adds her role and what she plans through working with clients.
“In this field, I advise my clients to go for the strategic option that can benefit them and their family as well as their children and grandchildren. Ultimately, the only situation in which opportunities in this market will cease to exist is when there are no borders in any place in the world.”
The Synergy Network, founded by Amal, emerged as a platform to empower entrepreneurs, especially female founders, to promote their businesses internationally. She highlighted the network’s role in establishing an international community that inspires action and celebrates the achievements of women in business.
This initiative contributes to Amal’s vision for building strong economies by increasing small to medium size businesses as well as to open up economies for FDI, something that expands possibilities for future immigration investments.
Amal considers the platform as an instrument for its members. For which she explains, “Each member can make use of the platform by organizing a promotional event for the members in coordination with and through coaching of the Network’s management to promote or launch the service or product.”
“Another huge benefit of the Network is the celebration of achievements: something women globally tend not to do often, not even in professional settings. We aim to make women comfortable to talk and showcase their achievements and be proud of them.”
Amal candidly discussed the challenges and opportunities within the Immigration Investment industry. She highlighted the abolishment and restriction of certain programs, citing the example of the Cypriot Citizenship Investment Program. While challenges exist, Amal sees opportunities, such as the growing demand for programs like Grenada’s, which offers unique benefits like visa-free travel to China.
Key Advice for Investors:
I would like to emphasize three points:
Example: The residency or citizenship does not allow you to travel to more than a few countries out of the 195 countries. Clients depend justifiably on their consultant and are confronted with the limitations of the program only after receiving the document.
Example: A residency program of Malta – part of the EU – is better than a residency or even citizenship of a singular Caribbean Island. The reason for this is that powerful countries can change their policy towards a single country in a blink of an eye, yet that is not possible for a country that is part of a union as it would affect the policy towards all members of that union.
Example: Think about what you can benefit from this country other than its residency or nationality. Consider the educational system, the medical system, the recreational opportunities, the proximity etc.
Amal emphasized the importance of staying updated on regulatory changes by being part of different networks and attending Immigration Investment Summits. She acknowledged the challenges and opportunities presented by the dynamic nature of the industry.
“It is important to have connections with policy makers as well as policy executives to guarantee the legitimacy of information.”
Amal outlined the benefits of participating in citizenship by investment programs, emphasizing the added advantage of visa-free travel beyond the return on investment offered by traditional avenues ventures.
“Apart from the ROI benefits of a traditional investment, a RBI or CBI adds up the visa-free travel to the country invested in and/or in many other countries as well.”
She discussed the challenges associated with obtaining multiple citizenships, considering factors such as the original nationality and negotiations with central banks. Amal emphasized the importance of professional legal teams in navigating these considerations.
Amal identified the current challenges and opportunities in the industry, highlighting the abolition and restriction of certain programs. She sees the industry adapting to changes and recognizes the potential for growth in programs that offer unique benefits.
“Currently, the industry is facing challenges as well as opportunities. Several programs have been abolished like the Cypriot CBI, and others have been restricted, such as the Portuguese Golden Visa. At the same time, other countries have found an opportunity to expand their market share such as Grenada, which is trending right now and which I have always found one of the best programs in the Caribbean compared to the well-known St. Kitt & Nevis programs – the oldest programs of all. One of the reasons that I advise Grenada’s program regularly is because of its feature of visa-free travel to China. The only Caribbean country with this benefit and one of the very few in the world.”
In a reflective note, Amal expressed pride in her resilience and determination to navigate challenging situations. Beyond her professional achievements, she finds fulfillment in her connection with nature and various physical activities that contribute to her overall well-being.
“I am proud to have never given up in situations that were exhausting, tough, scary, or even intimidating.”
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