TT on financial bad list

THE EDITOR: Once again, TT has made an international listing for the wrong reason.

In a recent publication by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Ministry of Finance, it lists eleven (11) countries that are “high-risk” and “non co-operative” with regard to international financial compliance which deals with anti-money laundering / counter financing of terrorism deficiencies.

Two countries were listed as “non-compliant.” They are North Korea and Iran.

Nine countries were “not sufficiently compliant” with one being our beloved country. Just to draw a reference, the other eight were: Ethiopia, Iraq, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Vanuata and Yemen.

This listing was at February 23, 2018. Were we in the post-Carnival tabanca season that this serious matter slipped us?

One month later, what has been said and importantly done? How did we really reach there?

What are the explanations by the Minister of Finance? What about the joint select committee of Parliament that deals with financial matters? What did it do too?

We also need to know what can we do get off that list. What are the timelines and action plan that we have to work with?

It is embarrassing on the international stage especially as we badly need to attract foreign investment into our country.

What did the Opposition and Independent Senators do to inform the wider population of this matter that affects all of us?

We need answers, action and accountability for this disgrace.

Ian Ramdhanie, Gasparillo

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"TT on financial bad list"

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