GUYANA-CRIME-Guyana boosting capacity to fight financial crimes.

The head of the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS), Commodore Errington Shurland Monday said that while amendments to Guyana's Anti-Money Laundering Laws are crucial, enforcement is equally important as the country undergoes its fourth round of Mutual Evaluation by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

In a virtual address to the start of the week long Regional Security System Asset Recovery Workshop for judicial officers, the RSS executive director, said while Guyana has in recent times taken steps to bring its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) regime in line with the CFATF standards, implementation nonetheless is critical.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC (centre), Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George anf other stakeholders at the training

'The enactment of these amendments is crucial for the success of the country in its ongoing mutual evaluation. However, without demonstrating the application of these amendments, and tools, the country would only have exemplified technical compliance but not effectiveness, as required. Fundamentally, effectiveness requires a working and practical understanding of the tools and mechanisms that must be utilized,' Shurland said.

A statement issued by the Attorney Generral's Office noted that the focus on asset recovery and training local officers is part of Guyana's commitment to AML/CFT/PF and that the event is expected to address some of the deficiencies identified in Guyana's AML/CFT/PF systems.

'It's a very holistic approach to training and preparing ourselves to meet the modern changes and the modern obligation which Guyana as a nation state has to discharge at an international and regional level,' Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC told...