UAE senior officials reaffirmed the Gulf country's strong commitment to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The UAE continues to implement an array of sophisticated and significant actions to combat financial crime and strengthen the effectiveness of anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing (CFT).
The officials underscored UAE's efforts that's being exerted at the highest level, saying this matter remains a strategic priority for the country.
Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, said in this regard: "The ongoing efforts to enhance the UAE's anti-money laundering system are a testament to our strong commitment to combating this global problem as a strategic priority."
"I commend the tremendous efforts of the UAE's Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Economy, UAE Central Bank, UAE Security and Police Forces, Federal Customs Authority, Financial Intelligence Unit and all the UAE entities that are working closely and diligently together to fight financial crime," he added, state news agency WAM reported.
"Our efforts to protect our security and economic prosperity will always come first. This means that the Ministry and the UAE law enforcement will continue to investigate and apprehend complex criminal networks and their assets in close coordination with our domestic and international partners."
For his part, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Higher Committee Overseeing the National Strategy to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, said: "The UAE is keen to accelerate the pace of the National Action Plan to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, as this issue constitutes a strategic priority for the country."
"Financial crime is a concern for all major economies, and we in the UAE are approaching this matter with the utmost seriousness."
Also, Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini said: "The UAE remains firmly committed to further strengthening efforts to uphold the stability and integrity of the financial system.
"We will closely examine the detailed recommendations received from our international partners and FATF and ensure these are swiftly addressed and implemented in the coming period and over the long term."
