In June 2013, the Lao PDR made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Since February 2015, the Lao PDR has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by formalising the role and function of the FIU and issuing regulations on its cross border declaration system. The Lao PDR should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address these deficiencies, including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; (2) establishing and implementing adequate procedures for the confiscation of assets related to money laundering; (3) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; (4) ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; (5) establishing suspicious transaction reporting requirements; (6) implementing an adequate AML/CFT supervisory and oversight programme for all financial sectors; and (7) establishing and implementing effective controls for cross-border currency transactions. The FATF encourages the Lao PDR to address its AML/CFT deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
In June 2014, Panama made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GAFILAT to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Since February 2015, Panama has taken significant steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting: amendments to the criminal code, a new AML/CFT law, and legislation enhancing the framework for international cooperation. However, the FATF has determined that strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Panama should continue to work on implementing its action plan, including by: (1) implementing an adequate legal framework for freezing terrorist assets; (2) implementing effective measures for customer due diligence in order to enhance transparency; and (3) ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit. The FATF encourages Panama to address its remaining deficiencies, including by issuing adequate regulations for the various sectors to further implement the provisions of the new laws and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
In February 2014, Papua New Guinea made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. However, the FATF has determined that certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies remain. Papua New Guinea should continue to work on implementing its action plan, including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; (2) establishing and implementing adequate procedures for the confiscation of assets related to money laundering; (3) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; (4) establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; (5) establishing suspicious transaction reporting requirements; (6) implementing an adequate AML/CFT supervisory and oversight programme for all financial sectors; and (7) establishing and implementing effective controls for cross-border currency transactions. The FATF encourages Papua New Guinea to address its remaining deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Since February 2010, when Sudan made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Sudan has made significant progress to improve its AML/CFT regime. Sudan has substantially addressed its action plan at a technical level, including by: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; (2) establishing adequate procedures for identifying and freezing terrorist assets; (3) establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning Financial Intelligence Unit; (4) establishing an effective supervisory programme for AML/CFT compliance; (5) improving customer due diligence measures; (6) increasing financial institutions’ awareness of and compliance with their obligations to file suspicious transaction reports in relation to money laundering and terrorist financing; and (7) enacting laws and procedures regarding international cooperation and mutual legal assistance. The FATF will conduct an on-site visit to confirm that the process of implementing the required reforms and actions is underway to address deficiencies previously identified by the FATF.
Since February 2010, when Syria made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Syria has made progress to improve its AML/CFT regime. In June 2014, the FATF determined that Syria had substantially addressed its action plan at a technical level, including by criminalising terrorist financing and establishing procedures for freezing terrorist assets. While the FATF determined that Syria has completed its action plan agreed upon with the FATF, due to the security situation, the FATF has been unable to conduct an on-site visit to assess whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions is underway. The FATF will continue to monitor the situation, and will conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible date.
In February 2014, Uganda made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Since February 2015, Uganda has taken significant steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by enacting the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Act on 19 June 2015. The FATF has not assessed this new legislation due to its very recent nature, and therefore the FATF has not yet determined the extent to which it addresses any of the following issues: (1) adequately criminalising terrorist financing; (2) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; (3) ensuring effective record-keeping requirements; (4) establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; (5) ensuring adequate suspicious transaction reporting requirements; (6) ensuring an adequate and effective AML/CFT supervisory and oversight programme for all financial sectors; and (7) ensuring that appropriate laws and procedures are in place with regard to international co-operation for the financial intelligence unit and supervisory authorities. The FATF encourages Uganda to address its remaining AML/CFT deficiencies and continue the process of implementing its action plan.
Since February 2010, when Yemen made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Yemen has made progress to improve its AML/CFT regime. In June 2014, the FATF determined that Yemen had substantially addressed its action plan at a technical level, including by adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; establishing procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets; improving its customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting requirements; issuing guidance; developing the monitoring and supervisory capacity of the financial sector supervisory authorities and the financial intelligence unit (FIU); and establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning FIU. While the FATF determined that Yemen has completed its action plan agreed upon with the FATF, due to the security situation, the FATF has been unable to conduct an on-site visit to assess whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions is underway. The FATF will continue to monitor the situation, and conduct an on on-site visit at the earliest possible date.
The FATF welcomes Indonesia’s significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime and notes that Indonesia has established the legal and regulatory framework to meet its commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF had identified in February 2010. Indonesia is therefore no longer subject to the FATF’s monitoring process under its on-going global AML/CFT compliance process. Indonesia will work with APG as it continues to address the full range of AML/CFT issues identified in its mutual evaluation report.
The following is a link to the FATF website at www.fatf-gafi.org for the updated FATF Public Statement, dated 26 June, 2015:
http://www.fatf-gafi.org/documents/news/public-statement-june-2015.html
The following is a link to the FATF website for the document, dated 26 June, 2015 entitled “Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance: Ongoing Process”.
http://www.fatf-gafi.org/documents/news/fatf-compliance-june-2015.html
British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission
Pasea Estate, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Telephone: (284) 494-4190
Facsimile: (284) 494-5016
E-mail: commissioner@bvifsc.vg
Website: www.bvifsc.vg
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
