Latest news with #NoraAl-Fassam
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Kuwait strengthens anti-money laundering legislation
KUWAIT, July 1 (Reuters) - Kuwait has strengthened its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing law, which will impose tougher penalties for violators, as it seeks to avoid falling foul of a global financial crime watchdog. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering watchdog, said in October that Kuwait's legal and supervisory framework had "serious shortcomings delivering effective outcomes", citing failures in addressing terrorist financing. The FATF requested the establishment of a domestic process tasked with freezing terrorist assets and publishing a full list of individuals under targeted financial sanctions (TFS). Under a decree issued on Monday, a government committee can now be delegated powers to implement resolutions aimed at combating terrorism, its financing and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, with immediate effect. These were previously reserved for the cabinet. It also set fines of up to 500,000 Kuwaiti dinars ($1.64 million) for violations. Finance Minister Nora Al-Fassam said in a statement that the amendments would help Kuwait improve transparency and meet international standards. The government has also introduced the requirement for companies to identify the "beneficial owner", who exercises ultimate control over the firm, and transferred supervision of exchange houses activities from the commerce ministry to the central bank. Kuwait's new law grants the government direct authority to freeze funds and assets suspected of links to money laundering or terrorism financing without a court order, lawyer Fawaz Al-Khatib told Reuters, adding the amendment "brings Kuwait closer to FATF international standards." In the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates, home to financial centres such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, was dropped, opens new tab from the FATF's so-called "grey list" of countries at risk of illicit money flows in February 2024 after a little less than two years.
Arab Times
08-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Cabinet Praises Anti-Money Laundering Efforts and Approves Key Measures
KUWAIT CITY, April 8: Kuwait's Cabinet on Tuesday heaped praise on the diligent efforts of state bodies to combat money laundering and terror financing, saying that such measures are firmly backed by the government. Amid its weekly session presided over by Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the Cabinet lauded the efforts of Finance Minister and State Minister for Economic and Investment Affairs Nora Al-Fassam, in addition to Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Askar, saying that the measures introduced by the ministers serve to bolster Kuwait's reputation as an active participant in the fight against money laundering. Discussing the matter, the Finance Minister presented to the Cabinet a visual display of the intricacies of the aforementioned efforts, which include Kuwait's compliance with the objectives of the global financial crime watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), she said, citing a monthly report by an ad hoc committee to clamp down on money laundering and terror financing. In a similar presentation, the Commerce and Industry Minister outlined his ministry's commitment towards a Cabinet decision that shifted the inspection of currency exchange outlets to Kuwait's Central Bank, which in turn, would regulate the works of the local currency exchange market. On the healthcare front, the Cabinet said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled A-Hamad Al-Sabah in attendance, will be sponsoring the opening of a new maternity hospital in Al- Sabah medical zone early on Wednesday. The Cabinet was also informed that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah will be representing His Highness the Amir in a gala set to take place in Germany to mark the 50th anniversary since the start of Kuwait's partnership with German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The Cabinet went on to look into several letters addressed to His Highness the Amir from leaders of friendly nations, all of which focus on efforts to strengthen Kuwait's ties with these countries across various fields. The Cabinet also approved a decision to strip Kuwaiti citizenship off several individuals, based on the works and findings of a national committee formed to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, Kuwait's government has postponed a visual presentation on its work plan that was initially slated for April 10, its communication center said on Tuesday. The delay comes as part of efforts to ensure that the presentation would take into account recent developments and current happenings, subsequently allowing for a more complete and inclusive work plan, it added, citing that a new date for the visual display would be announced after technical matters are sorted out. (KUNA)
