Dear Ministers and distinguished guests, I am sure that over the past days you have received welcoming words several times, but it is a pleasure to welcome you one more time on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and express our joy to have you here on our beautiful island of Curaçao.
In this aspect I am glad to announce that that recently we have amended the laws on reporting unusual transactions and the law on identification when providing services, among other things,incorporating the designated non financial businesses and professions under the reporting obligation and also making the exchange of information with Egmont FIUs more efficient.
Formerly to be able to disseminate information to other FIUs, our laws stipulated that the signing of a MOU was obligatory. As of now our laws authorize the dissemination of information with recognized Egmont FIUs without the need to sign a MOU. Making the exchange of necessary information in our collective fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, much more efficient. With the two afore-mentioned amended laws, we will more than ever be able to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism by implementing the 40 recommendations and the 9 special recommendations of the FATF.
The Netherlands Antilles will, as chair of the CFATF, aim to amplify the benefits of being a member of the FATF in the further development of our regional organization. Now that the Netherlands will be chairing the FATF during almost the same period as the Netherlands Antilles will be chairing the CFATF, we will use our long time experience within the FATF and our historical relationship with the Netherlands to foster even more benefits for the CFATF organization.
Furthermore the strong and longstanding bonds with the Co-operating and Supporting Nations (COSUN’s) has played a role in the CFATF successes thus far and we hope this collaborative relationship will be strengthened during the chair of the Netherlands Antilles. We will strive to revitalize the CFATF organization in such a way that the countries speaking Spanish, English, French or Dutch all feel at home with the organization.
After all, borders and language should not be a barrier to us cooperating with each other in our fight to help maintain the financial integrity and the integrity as a whole, of our economic systems. All members must feel that their needs and their interests will be equally taken care of by the Chair and the Secretariat.
Equally important to us is the relationship with the Observer organizations in the sharing of experiences and expertise as we seek to reduce the opportunities which allow the criminal organizations to flourish. The relationship with the Observer organizations should be enhanced to our mutual benefit. The Netherlands Antilles will encourage that a high level of Ministerial attendance be achieved so the authority and force of the decision making process within the CFATF happens in accordance with our MOU.
As Chair the Netherlands Antilles think that it is of great importance that the CFATF be given a greater public prominence both within domestic public sector agencies tasked with AML/CFT activities, as well as throughout the private sector which has been brought within the AML/CFT network as a consequence of the revised FATF 40 recommendation and the 9 Special recommendations.
Last but not least I would like to show my appreciation to the general membership and especially those that supported the candidacy of the Netherlands Antilles as Chair.
Thank you all very much, or as we say in our language, Papiamentu: Masha masha danki na boso tur!
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