Discussions on combating money laundering held between Al-Qallaf and representatives from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Interpol.
In a significant move towards enhancing international collaboration, Fatima Al-Qallaf, Director-General of the General Administration of Customs, recently convened a meeting with representatives from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Interpol. The gathering, aligned with the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, aimed to deepen ties with global organisations and foster expertise exchange.
The primary focus of the discussion was the fight against money laundering and financing terrorism. The Kuwaiti Customs Authority was commended by the WCO and Interpol representatives for its professionalism and effective measures in combating financial crimes and maintaining customs security.
During the meeting, opportunities for enhanced cooperation among local and international stakeholders were explored. Participants exchanged views on best international practices, with recent advancements in the field often involving digitization, international cooperation, and the use of advanced technologies.
The digital transformation of customs procedures, facilitated by electronic connectivity with government agencies, was highlighted as a key strategy for improving transparency and governance. This approach can aid in tracking suspicious transactions, a crucial aspect in the battle against financial crimes.
The importance of international cooperation was also emphasized, with the sharing of expertise among member states being vital for combating customs-related crimes. This includes exchanging intelligence on money laundering and terrorism financing methods.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications were also discussed as a means to analyze large datasets and identify patterns indicative of money laundering or terrorist financing activities.
In an effort to strengthen the institutional awareness and technical skills of customs staff, Al-Qallaf suggested organizing special training courses in partnership with the WCO. These courses would be offered both in person and virtually.
The meeting also explored advanced techniques and modern practices currently being adopted, but specific details on these discussions are not available. The WCO and Interpol play significant roles in promoting best practices in this field through their training programs and guidelines for member countries. However, specific statements or discussions by Fatima Al-Qallaf on these topics were not detailed in the provided search results.
[1] Source: World Customs Organization (WCO) – https://www.wcoomd.org/our-work/customs-co-operation/fight-against-money-laundering-and-terrorist-financing/
- Discussions during the meeting revealed the importance of leveraging advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), in analyzing large datasets and identifying patterns related to money laundering or terrorist financing activities.
- In order to bolster institutional awareness and technical skills amongst customs staff, Fatima Al-Qallaf proposed organizing special training courses in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO), which would be offered both in person and virtually.
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