KUWAIT: The interior ministry’s department for combating money laundering and terrorism funding and the customs department on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in fighting financial crimes, the customs department said. The accord aims to strengthen mutual cooperation and the exchange of information in accordance with international standards set by the UN Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The customs department said in a statement that the MoU comes within the framework of boosting collaboration between state establishments in fighting money laundering and terrorism financing. It also aims at intensifying regulatory procedures to support the national system in reducing financial crimes and boost Kuwait’s commitment to relevant international standards, the statement added.

Separately, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) also signed an MoU on Sunday with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) regarding cooperation and exchange of information in the field of combating money laundering, related predicate offenses and terrorism financing. The agreement aims to establish a framework for collaboration and coordination between the two entities in this domain.

In a press release, the CMA stated that the MoU covers several aspects, including the scope of information that the FIU may provide to the CMA and vice versa. It also outlines the mechanism for exchanging information between the two parties and defines the scope of use for the shared information, ensuring full adherence to confidentiality standards.

The memorandum also specifies areas of cooperation, which include holding regular meetings to strengthen joint efforts, coordinating preventive and control measures, exchanging information and expertise, preparing training programs and development plans for personnel of both entities and participating in each other’s training sessions related to

Last month, the Kuwaiti government issued a new law that enhances the country’s legal framework in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. The legislation made two key amendments to a 2013 law on fighting money laundering and financing of terrorism to allow the Cabinet to issue decisions to implement resolutions passed by the UN Security Council regarding financing terrorism and freezing assets, and to impose hefty fines on violators.

In a June 3 report, FATF said Kuwait has solid legislation to impose financial penalties against terrorist financing and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. However, gaps in the legal system make it hard to freeze assets of these activities effectively, FATF said.