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.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health, represented by the Healthy Cities Office, launched the final evaluation phase of the “Muazzaz” initiative, which aims to recognize health-promoting malls across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The evaluation marks a key step ahead of the announcement of winning malls at the regional level. Director of the Healthy Cities Office Dr Amal Al-Yahya said on Sunday that the initiative is supervised by the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities and supported by the Gulf Health Council. She noted that the effort is part of broader joint Gulf activities to improve living environments and promote public health across the region.

Dr Amal Al-Yahya

Amira Al Arimi

Director of Dar Al Othman Abdullah Al Othman

Al-Yahya explained that the current evaluation is being conducted through collaboration at the national and regional levels by accrediting and classifying participating malls. She pointed out that Kuwait has been implementing the initiative since 2023 and has so far accredited six health-promoting malls. This year, The Promenade, The Avenues, and 360 Mall are participating in the evaluation phase, which includes on-site visits by evaluators from both Kuwait and other GCC countries, she added.

Amira Al-Arimi, an evaluation specialist from Oman, praised Kuwait’s leadership in advancing the Muazzaz initiative, highlighting the country’s role in developing the program’s implementation guide. Al-Arimi noted this is her third visit to Kuwait and commended the nation’s distinguished efforts, which align with community initiatives adopted by the World Health Organization. Director of Dar Al-Othman, Abdullah Al-Othman, expressed pride in The Promenade Mall’s continued participation in the initiative, citing efforts to provide a safe and healthy shopping environment. These include hosting health awareness campaigns, organizing blood donation drives, and inaugurating the Al-Othman Ambulance Center last April.

Al-Othman added that The Promenade received gold accreditation in the first edition of the initiative, reaffirming its commitment to supporting public health and fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. In June, the Ministry of Health hosted the 24th meeting of the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities, during which representatives discussed health-promoting commercial communities and organized a training course for field evaluators, including site visits to participating shopping centers. — KUNA