PRESS RELEASE

Customs Department Hosted Training on Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

On the 2nd and 3rd of October, 2019 Managers and Senior Officers of the Customs Department participated in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training facilitated by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Money laundering is ubiquitous and a great hazard to the National Economy. Customs Departments around the world are confronted with Money Laundering and its predicate offences, not just limited to drug related offences but also financial fraud and in particularly, tax and duty evasion. The Department’s aim is to increase its awareness of and ability to fight corrupt practices associated with Money Laundering, and the predicate offences, such as trade-based Money Laundering by increasing awareness, developing Department-wide Training Programmes and advocating best practices.

In keeping with this, the recently held AML Training enabled participants to gain an understanding of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 recommendations and the status of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Mutual Evaluation Report process. Participants were also introduced to the documents and Legislative Amendments that have been made to date to strengthen the TCI’s AML/CFT Framework in line with the FATF recommendations.

Commenting on the training, the Collector of Customs Ms. Chawa Williams stated; “This training is not only crucial, but timely. It comes at a pivotal time where the TCI’s Mutual Evaluation Report will be tabled at the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Plenary this November. Money Laundering and the predicate offences are becoming more and more prevalent within the Caribbean Region, and so we must prepare and equip ourselves to address these threats head on. This training is part and parcel of a rigorous set of planned training in the area. It sought to apprise officers of our obligations. Other training sessions will focus directly on Trade based Money Laundering typologies, such as fictitious shipments, under invoicing and over invoicing. We are exceedingly grateful to the AG Chambers for all of their assistance and we look forward to their continued support.”

Subsequent training will be organized to ensure the information received is trickled throughout the department’s staff complement.

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PRESS RELEASE

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COMBATING THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM & PROLIFERATION FINANCING (AML/CFT & PF) TRAINING

The TCI, in compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations continues its efforts to implement measures and enhance its ability to effectively undertake anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) and proliferation financing (PF).

The Attorney General’s Chambers, International Division conducted a one-day training on the on anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing. The training focused on promoting an understanding of measures within the TCI to ensure the effectiveness of its' framework to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and weapons proliferation.

The training was held on Tuesday, 23rd July, 2019 in the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, Providenciales. Areas covered included an overview of FATF Standards, the TCI’s National Risk Assessment Report and its Outcomes- National AML/CFT Strategy and Action Plan, application of Targeted Financial Sanctions in the TCI and the FATF Mutual Evaluation Process. In attendance were officials from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Gaming Department, Ministry of Immigration, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Customs Department, Integrity Commission and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

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The Legislative Drafting Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers hosted a seminar for Senior Managers across the public service on ‘The Legislative Process and Drafting Instructions’.  The seminar took place on Grand Turk at the Life Centre Building on Old Airport Road on 26^th  June 2019.

The seminar focused on four key areas: 

1) how to develop legislative policy; 

2) how to provide quality legislative drafting instructions; 

3) how to prepare Cabinet Papers on Legislative  proposals and frame recommendations; and 

4) the legislative process.

The seminar was geared to Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Heads of Department and generally, persons who are involved in providing legislative drafting instructions to the Attorney General’s Chambers.

This training forms part of the work plan of the Attorney General’s Chambers for the financial year 2019/2020 and sought to strengthen the capacity of senior managers across the public service to promote quality legislative proposals of interest to their respective Ministries and departments. 

Presenters at the Seminar were Ms. Desiree Downes MBE, Principal Legislative Drafter in the Attorney General’s Chambers along with Ms. Gogontle Gatang and Ms. Priscilla Paquette both of whom are Senior Legislative Drafters in the Attorney General’s Chambers. 

There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the interactive sessions with some 7 Ministries, 21 departments 3 Statutory Bodies participating for a total of some 58 persons in attendance. The training consisted of a series of presentations followed by mock exercises designed to test understanding and provided an opportunity for feedback. 

The Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE QC brought remarks and thanked the participants for their strong interest in gaining a better understanding of the Legislative process and how to provide drafting instructions. She noted that the Legislative Drafting division of the Attorney General’s Chambers works in accordance with the Government’s legislative agenda fixed by the Cabinet which sets out the Government’s Legislative priorities for each financial year. The Hon. Attorney General welcomed the opportunity provided by the Seminar to foster greater collaboration across the public sector. 

Due to the high level of interest within the public service and wider public sector, the training seminar will be held again in July on Providenciales and on that occasion will seek to include senior officers of statutory bodies. 

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