At a conference on residency and citizenship that is taking place in Miami between today and Friday, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was likely set to pitch a citizenship acquisition programme that was already set in stone after its approval in the parliament.

However, while the controversial programme has passed through parliament as predicted, it is already known that one provision – that guaranteeing the anonymity of those who obtain citizenship against a €650,000 donation – will change.

Dr Muscat himself suggested that further changes may be implemented yesterday evening, when he declared that he was willing to continue discussions in a bid to reach parliamentary consensus. Even more critically, he also hinted at a referendum – which could, of course, see the programme rejected outright.

These scenarios were probably not in the government’s mind when the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis confirmed that they would attend a conference aimed at those “who advise wealthy families internationally and wish to educate themselves regarding the latest developments in residence and citizenship planning.” The conference is being organised by Henley & Partners, the company tasked with administering the individual investor programme.

Dr Muscat and Mr Grech have been given top billing in the event, which will also see the participation of St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas and Antigua and Barbuda Economy Minister Harold Lovell.

Mr Grech, however, could not attend, as he had to attend to official business in Brussels instead.

Malta is actually set to promote two programmes targeted at wealthy individuals at the conference, including the Malta Global Residence Programme which was launched last July. This programme will be promoted by Dr Zammit Lewis tomorrow morning.

But on Friday, the controversial “individual investor programme” is set to be promoted, with a 25-minute presentation by Christian H. Kälin, who heads Henley & Partners’ international residence and citizenship practice group, followed by a 30-minute “coffee break” with Dr Muscat.

This evening, two hours have been scheduled for “networking roundtables” providing conference participants to meet the conference’s various sponsors – including the Maltese government.

But as things stand, two cabinet members have headed for Miami without a definite programme to sell.