28 October 2011
FATF identifies jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies
FATF Public Statement
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global standard setting body for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). In order to protect the international financial system from ML/FT risks and to encourage greater compliance with the AML/CFT standards, the FATF identified jurisdictions that have strategic deficiencies and works with them to address those deficiencies that pose a risk to the international financial system.
Jurisdictions subject to a FATF call on its members and other jurisdictions to apply counter-measures to protect the international financial system from the on-going and substantial money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks emanating from the jurisdictions*. |
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) |
Jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies that have not made sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies or have not committed to an action plan developed with the FATF to address the deficiencies**. The FATF calls on its members to consider the risks arising from the deficiencies associated with each jurisdiction, as described below. |
Cuba** |
* The FATF has previously issued public statements calling for counter-measures on Iran and DPRK. Those statements are updated below.
**Cuba has not engaged with the FATF in the process.
Iran
The FATF, with a renewed urgency, is particularly and exceptionally concerned about Iran’s failure to address the risk of terrorist financing and the serious threat this poses to the integrity of the international financial system, despite Iran’s engagement with the FATF.
The FATF reaffirms its call on members and urges all jurisdictions to advise their financial institutions to give special attention to business relationships and transactions with Iran, including Iranian companies and financial institutions. In addition to enhanced scrutiny, the FATF reaffirms its 25 February 2009 call on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures to protect their financial sectors from money laundering and financing of terrorism (ML/FT) risks emanating from Iran. FATF continues to urge jurisdictions to protect against correspondent relationships being used to bypass or evade counter-measures and risk mitigation practices and to take into account ML/FT risks when considering requests by Iranian financial institutions to open branches and subsidiaries in their jurisdiction. Due to the continuing terrorist financing threat emanating from Iran, jurisdictions should consider the steps already taken and possible additional safeguards or strengthen existing ones.
The FATF urges Iran to immediately and meaningfully address its AML/CFT deficiencies, in particular by criminalising terrorist financing and effectively implementing suspicious transactions reporting (STR) requirements. If Iran fails to take concrete steps to improve its CFT regime, the FATF will consider calling on its members and urging all jurisdictions to strengthen counter-measures in February 2012.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
The FATF remains concerned by the DPRK’s failure to address the significant deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and the serious threat this poses to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF urges the DPRK to immediately and meaningfully address its AML/CFT deficiencies.
The FATF reaffirms its call on its members and urges all jurisdictions to advise their financial institutions to give special attention to business relationships and transactions with the DPRK, including DPRK companies and financial institutions. In addition to enhanced scrutiny, the FATF further calls on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures to protect their financial sectors from money laundering and financing of terrorism (ML/FT) risks emanating from the DPRK. Jurisdictions should also protect against correspondent relationships being used to bypass or evade counter-measures and risk mitigation practices, and take into account ML/FT risks when considering requests by DPRK financial institutions to open branches and subsidiaries in their jurisdiction.
The FATF remains prepared to engage directly in assisting the DPRK to address its AML/CFT deficiencies, including through the FATF Secretariat.
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Cuba
Cuba has not committed to the AML/CFT international standards, nor has it constructively engaged with the FATF. The FATF has identified Cuba as having strategic AML/CFT deficiencies that pose a risk to the international financial system. The FATF urges Cuba to develop an AML/CFT regime in line with international standards, and is ready to work with the Cuban authorities to this end.
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Bolivia
Bolivia has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting new CFT legislation. However, despite Bolivia’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GAFISUD to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Bolivia has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Bolivia should work on addressing these deficiencies including by: (1) ensuring adequate criminalisation of money laundering (Recommendation 1); (2) adequately criminalising terrorist financing (Special Recommendation II); (3) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying and freezing terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III); and (4) establishing a fully operational and effective Financial Intelligence Unit (Recommendation 26). The FATF encourages Bolivia to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Ethiopia
Despite Ethiopia’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Ethiopia has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Ethiopia should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing (Recommendation 1 and Special Recommendation II); (2) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework and procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III); (3) ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit (Recommendation 26); (4) raising awareness of AML/CFT issues within the law enforcement community (Recommendation 27); and (5) implementing effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in order to deal with natural or legal persons that do not comply with the national AML/CFT requirements (Recommendation 17). The FATF encourages Ethiopia to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Kenya
Despite Kenya’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Kenya has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Kenya should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising terrorist financing (Special Recommendation II); (2) ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit (Recommendation 26); (3) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying and freezing terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III); (4) raising awareness of AML/CFT issues within the law enforcement community (Recommendation 27); and (5) implementing effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in order to deal with natural or legal persons that do not comply with the national AML/CFT requirements (Recommendation 17). The FATF encourages Kenya to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan, including by implementing the AML legislation and setting up its FIU.
Myanmar
Despite Myanmar’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Myanmar has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Myanmar should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising terrorist financing (Special Recommendation II); (2) establishing and implementing adequate procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III); (3) further strengthening the extradition framework in relation to terrorist financing (Recommendation 35 and Special Recommendation I); (4) ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit (Recommendation 26); (5) enhancing financial transparency (Recommendation 4); and (6) strengthening customer due diligence measures (Recommendation 5). The FATF encourages Myanmar to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Nigeria
Nigeria has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting AML/CFT legislation. However, despite Nigeria’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GIABA to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Nigeria has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic deficiencies remain. Nigeria should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing (Recommendation 1 and Special Recommendation II); (2) implementing adequate procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III); (3) ensuring that relevant laws or regulations address deficiencies in customer due diligence requirements and that they apply to all financial institutions (Recommendation 5); and (4) continuing to improve the overall supervisory framework for AML/CFT (Recommendation 23). The FATF encourages Nigeria to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
São Tomé and Príncipe
Despite São Tomé and Príncipe’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, São Tomé and Príncipe has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic deficiencies remain. São Tomé and Príncipe should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing (Recommendation 1 and Special Recommendation II); (2) establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit (Recommendation 26); (3) ensuring that financial institutions and DNFBPs are subject to adequate AML/CFT regulation and supervision, and that a competent authority or competent authorities have been designated to ensure compliance with AML/CFT requirements (Recommendations 23, 24 and 29); (4) implementing effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in order to deal with natural or legal persons that do not comply with the national AML/CFT requirements (Recommendation 17); and (5) taking the necessary action to gain membership of GIABA. The FATF encourages São Tomé and Príncipe to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting AML/CFT amendments. However, despite Sri Lanka’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Sri Lanka has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Sri Lanka should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising terrorist financing and addressing the remaining deficiencies with regard to the criminalisation of money laundering (Special Recommendation II and Recommendation 1); and (2) establishing and implementing adequate procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III). The FATF encourages Sri Lanka to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan, including by continuing to work on its AML/CFT legislation.
Syria
Syria has taken significant steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by improving the legal arrangements for freezing terrorist assets. However, despite Syria’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Syria has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Syria should work on addressing its deficiencies, including by: (1) adopting adequate measures to implement and enforce the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism (Special Recommendation I); (2) implementing adequate procedures for identifying and freezing terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III); (3) ensuring that financial institutions are aware of and comply with their obligations to file suspicious transaction reports in relation to ML and FT (Recommendation 13 and Special Recommendation IV); and (4) ensuring that appropriate laws and procedures are in place to provide mutual legal assistance (Recommendations 36-38, Special Recommendation V). The FATF encourages Syria to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Turkey
Turkey has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by submitting CFT legislation to Parliament. Despite Turkey’s high-level political commitment to work with the FATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Turkey has not made sufficient progress in implementing its action plan, and certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Turkey should work on addressing these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising terrorist financing (Special Recommendation II); and (2) implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying and freezing terrorist assets (Special Recommendation III). The FATF encourages Turkey to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
FATF - Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance: on-going process
Mauritius hosts the 23e Congrès des Notaires d’Afrique
Mauritius is hosting the 23e Congrès des Notaires d’Afrique from 27 to 30 October 2011. Some 200 notaries public coming mainly from French-speaking African countries are attending this conference. The theme is La Pratique Notariale en Afrique: Etat des lieux et perspectives.
M. Jean Paul Decorps, Chairman of the Union Internationale du Notariat (UIN) and Mrs Régine Dooh-Collins, Chairperson of La Commission des Affaires Africaines (CAAF) are also attending this conference which is being held at Bel Ombre. The event is an initiative of the Association des Notaires de l’île Maurice (ANM) and CAAF.
In his address at the opening ceremony, the Attorney-General, Mr Yatin Varma, underlined the various roles of the notary public in assuring and maintaining legal security, which is a basis for economical prosperity.
Mrs Régine Dooh-Collins on her part stressed that the profession of the notary public on the African continent should be thoroughly examined and that participants should make recommendations which offer the notary the necessary means to improve his everyday duty and in turn ensure legal security in Africa.
The main objective of the Conference is to evaluate the different methods of work used in this profession and identify those that are proving to be most efficient in the current global economic situation.
This Conference is expected to provide an opportunity to take stock of the profession of the notary public in Africa and establish methods and practices to ensure legal security in Africa.
According to Mr Rajendra Dassyne, Chairman of ANM, in the near future Africa would be the ideal place to invest and hence the notary public would be called upon to play an important role as regards legal security.
EDHEC-Risk Position Paper Response to ESMA Consultation Paper to Implementing Measures for the AIFMD
27 October 2011
Cartelizing Taxes: Understanding the OECD’s Campaign Against 'Harmful Tax Competition'
Evidence confirms Jersey is co-operative in exchanging information
Jersey Finance has welcomed the findings of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes which assessed how well Jersey had responded to the international standards on tax information exchange.
Jersey was described by the Peer Review Group as having ‘practices which to date have demonstrated a responsive and co-operative approach.’ It further indicated that the speed with which Jersey responded to requests was in marked contrast to the time taken by many other countries.
To date Jersey has responded to 84 requests for exchanging information – 36 at the time of the review – and the Forum described Jersey’s response as being ‘effective and expeditious to date.’
Geoff Cook, chief executive, Jersey Finance Limited, commented:
‘So often we hear detractors make misleading claims that Jersey is secretive and unco-operative and yet the truth based on hard evidence is very different. An independent, specially formed global body set up by the OECD countries, which is able to delve closely into our procedures and ask probing questions of our officials, shows clearly that Jersey is responsive and co-operative.’
Jersey met the Group’s standards in six of the nine areas under review and the Government has announced that changes are being made to ensure the Island is fully compliant. However the assessors also noted that where there are gaps in the process, it has not prevented Jersey from engaging in effective information exchange.
All members of the Global Forum are being reviewed in this way and Jersey was one of only two non OECD jurisdictions to volunteer for the assessment process.
Serious Economic Crime - a boardroom guide
26 October 2011
Commonwealth Secretariat and IFC Forum Conference - Small IFCs: Sharing perspectives and meeting the challenges
Presentation - Prof. Andrew Morriss Presentation by Prof. Andrew Morriss (Jones Chair in Law, University of Alabama and Editor of Offshore Financial Centres and Regulatory Competition) |
Presentation - Stephanie Guichard Presentation by Stephanie Guichard (Senior Economist, OECD) |
Presentation - Richard Teather Presentation by Richard Teather (Senior Lecturer in Tax Law, Business School, Bournemouth University) |
Presentation - Chris Cummings Presentation by Chris Cummings (Chief Executive of TheCityUK) |
Presentation - George Hodgson Presentation by George Hodgson (Head of Policy, STEP Worldwide) |
Presentation - Richard Hay Presentation by Richard Hay (Principal, Stikeman Elliott) |
Presentation - Pascal Saint-Amans Presentation by Pascal Saint-Amans (Head of the Secretariat of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, OECD) |
Presentation - Prof. Jason Sharman Presentation by Prof. Jason Sharman (Griffith University) |
Presentation - Shane Lowe Presentation by Shane Lowe (Economist, Central Bank of Barbados) |
Presentation - Robert Mathavious Presentation by Robert Mathavious (Managing Director and CEO of the BVI FSC) |
Presentation - Colin Powell CBE Presentation by Colin Powell CBE (Adviser - International Affairs in the Chief Ministers Department, States of Jersey) |
Presentation - Renata Fontana Presentation by Renata Fontana (Tax Policy Analyst at the Global Forum Secretariat, OECD) |
Podcast - Morning Session A podcast of the morning session of the conference 9am - 10.50am |
Podcast - Mid Morning Session A podcast of the mid morning session of the conference 11.10am - 12.25pm |
Podcast - Afternoon Session A podcast of the afternoon session of the conference 1.40pm - 3.40pm |
Podcast - Late Afternoon Session A podcast of the late afternoon session of the conference 3.55pm - 5.20pm |