Economy
THE Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) on Thursday in Abuja hosted the first information series on EB-5 investment visas for Nigerians who would want to invest in the United States of America (USA).
The Director-General of ACCI, Ms Victoria Akai, urged the Nigerian business community to leverage on the investment information series to own businesses in the U.S.
Akai said that the information series was organised in collaboration with Invest in the USA (IIUSA) Business Initiative.
She said, ”the more investors Nigeria has in the US, the more opportunities to contribute to shaping policies that affect the country, the US and ultimately strengthening Nigeria’s position in global economics.
“According to World Bank statistics, 2019, Nigeria had total exports of 53.6 billion dollars and total imports of 47 billion dollars, leading to a positive trade balance in favour of Nigeria.
“We are having about 100 participants, high net worth individuals, immigration attorneys, and industrial experts, businesspeople and professionals joining this information series to find out more about the US EB-5 Visa.”
On his part, the Project Manager, IIUSA/ACCI programme, Mr Fife Banks, said the programme was to enlighten Nigerians on the importance of investors getting the right information and dealing with credible providers of the EB-5 opportunities.
Banks appealed to the Federal Government to take a cue from developed nations in creating a feasible framework to drive new visa policy 2020 which includes Nigerian citizenship by investment.
According to him, part of the benefits is that many investors chose to pursue the EB-5 programme in hopes of offering their children a brighter future in the U.S.
“Obtaining permanent resident status in the U.S. offers unparalleled freedom and safety, as well as more educational and career opportunities.
“An investment in an EB-5 project is not just a financial investment, but also an investment in a better future, safety, freedom and opportunities for one’s family.
“One of the main U.S. Green Card benefits of the EB5 program is the opportunity to access the U.S. education system for your children.
“Green Cards give EB-5 investors the option to enroll their children in U.S. public schools from elementary school through high school at no cost.
“Children who have experience in U.S. classrooms will already be familiar with U.S. educational settings and will not have to go through as intense an adjustment period as international students often do upon entering U.S. colleges,” he said.
Banks also said that adult children can benefit from the EB5 Green Card programme, while it is possible for parents to give their children the funds to make an EB-5 investment so that they can receive a U.S. Green Card.
“This is a good option for parents who do not want to immigrate to the U.S themselves and for those with children who are married or over 21 years old.
“There are health benefits also. It grants access to the U.S. healthcare system.
“The U.S is home to some of the world’s best hospitals, top medical schools, and top medical research centers.
“The country also has some of the newest healthcare technologies. With Green Cards, EB-5 investors will be able to get health insurance and access some of the best medical care in the world,’’ Banks said.
Aaron Grau, Executive Director, IIUSA, expressed hopes for a long lasting relationship with Nigerians while ensuring that investors were happy with products offered.
“Opportunities for citizens to sponsor other family members for Green Cards are all embedded.
“Nigerians are being asked to come and invest in the U.S. like other countries come to invest in Nigeria, make money, employ people and whatever profits are made, you are also allowed to repatriate it back to Nigeria,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first edition of the IIUSA/ACCI EB-5 Information Series is a programme designed to provide Nigerian investors with information about and access to the EB-5 Visas. (NAN)
A.I
Tags: Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry ACCI IIUSA Mr Fife Banks Ms Victoria Akai
