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The Documentary: Passport to paradise

Vainatu citizen

08/10/2019 GMT

Passport to paradise

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Passport to paradise

In Vanuatu, a tiny Pacific Island Nation, a controversial passport scheme is a concern

In Vanuatu, a tiny Pacific Island Nation, a controversial passport scheme is causing concern amongst the locals.

Citizenship is changing; and half the world’s governments are making money through citizenship schemes. In Vanuatu, a tiny Pacific Island Nation, a blossoming and controversial passport scheme is in place. Locals are asking why their citizenship is up for sale, so soon after a hard-won battle for independence. We interview brokers, the country’s first Prime Minister, and community leaders. Vanuatu’s government says it needs the revenue to boost the weak economy, but many are asking why the money from passport sales does not seem to have trickled down, while growing Chinese influence in the region is becoming a common cause of concern.

Producer: Sarah Treanor
Presenter: Vivienne Nunis

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