Exclusive Report by IMGW.News
Davos, Switzerland, January 22nd, 2025 | Key Highlights from the IMC Pop-Up House at Davos 2025: Shaping the Future of Investment Migration
At Davos 2025, the Investment Migration Council (IMC) hosted a thought-provoking event — branded as the IMC Pop-Up House at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025. The event brought together global leaders to explore the evolving landscape of Investment Migration (IM). Spearheaded by Bruno L’Ecuyer FIMC, Chief Executive of the IMC, the session focused on the future of Investment Migration. It featured a distinguished panel of experts, including Jonathan Cardona IMCM, CEO of Residency Malta Agency; Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger; Oriol Molas IMCM, Founder and Managing Partner of Orience; Madalena Monteiro Cert (IM), Founder and Managing Partner of Liberty Legal; and Atef Elkadi FIMC, CEO of Global Information Consulting Group.
The Role of AI in Investment Migration
One of the central themes of the event was Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative role in the IM sector. Brandon Daniels highlighted the immense potential of AI, citing Exiger’s success in leveraging it to streamline operations and generate millions in revenue. He emphasised that “visionary leadership is essential for harnessing AI to its full advantage within Investment Migration.”
Atef Elkadi, a much-respected veteran in the IM sector, commented, “Innovations like AI are enablers of greater productivity rather than ways to reduce staff. Who knows, perhaps next year here in Davos, we will have an AI speaker making his or her points to our audience here!”
The panel also discussed how AI is revolutionising daily operations in the IM industry, helping streamline work and make it more efficient.
“The IMC’s commitment to innovation, transparency, and societal impact is setting the stage for a brighter future in Investment Migration,” – Bruno L’Ecuyer
Social and Economic Benefits of Investment Migration
Jonathan Cardona highlighted the tangible contributions of IM in Malta, where funds have supported essential initiatives, including a specialised palliative care hospital, and helped sustain the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that “AI has improved decision-making processes and increased efficiency at Residency Malta,” underscoring the value of innovation in the sector.
Addressing common misconceptions, Madalena Monteiro clarified that IM’s impact on real estate markets is minimal, using Portugal as an example where the sector accounts for only 0.3% of real estate transactions. She urged the industry to “focus on better data collection to objectively demonstrate the positive contributions of IM.”
Similarly, Oriol Molas highlighted how IM is unfairly blamed for real estate inflation in Spain. He also pointed to the growing popularity of eco- and culture-based IM pathways, describing them as “socially beneficial alternatives” that align with emerging global trends.
The Emergence of Climate-Focused Investment Programmes
A guest at the event, Paul Demircioglu from Civis Mundi, represented Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme, launched at COP29. During the Q&A session, he underscored the appeal of incorporating environmental considerations into funding options, remarking, “This initiative positions Nauru as a leader in leveraging investment migration to tackle climate challenges while fostering sustainable economic growth.” He further noted that Nauru’s eco-friendly approach is inspiring and marks a significant shift in the investment migration sector, paving the way for more sustainable and forward-thinking programmes globally.
Building on his sentiments, Madalena Monteiro added, “Environmental and even cultural funding is attracting interest as alternative pathways to Investment Migration. The latter is growing, especially in younger clients, and it is promising.”
“Madalena Monteiro clarified that IM’s impact on real estate markets is minimal, using Portugal as an example where the sector accounts for only 0.3% of real estate transactions. She urged the industry to focus on better data collection to objectively demonstrate the positive contributions of IM.”
Advocacy, Trust, and Ethical Standards
Rebuilding trust in the IM sector emerged as a critical theme during the event. Bruno L’Ecuyer stressed the importance of advocacy and education in countering negative media narratives about migration. He pointed to success stories like Grenada, where IM funds have visibly contributed to infrastructure development.
Bruno L’Ecuyer also suggested that clients should be guided to work exclusively with IMC members, saying, “This serves as a guarantee of integrity and professionalism, ensuring clients receive the highest standards of service and ethical practice.”
Future Directions in Investment Migration
“Innovations like AI are enablers of greater productivity rather than ways to reduce staff. Who knows, perhaps next year here in Davos, we will have an AI speaker making his or her points to our audience here!” – Atef Elkadi
Looking ahead, the panel explored AI-driven innovations and new IM pathways focusing on environmental and cultural contributions. The growing appeal of climate-focused initiatives like Nauru’s programme and eco- and culture-based pathways was seen as a positive evolution for the sector.
In his closing remarks, Bruno L’Ecuyer reflected on IM’s potential as a force for good, promoting ethical practices, professional standards, and positive change. He celebrated the IMC’s steadfast work over the past decade, which has been instrumental in shaping the sector. “The IMC’s commitment to innovation, transparency, and societal impact is setting the stage for a brighter future in Investment Migration,” he concluded.
IMGW.News is honoured to be the Official Media Partner of the Investment Migration Council (IMC), providing dedicated coverage and support for its initiatives in shaping the future of Investment Migration.
