The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit and ABJ signed a memorandum of understanding today, Thursday, between the two parties at the headquarters of ABJ. This memorandum aimed to frame cooperation and coordination between the two parties in the fields of anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and the proliferation of arms, requiring a partnership between the public and private sectors in capacity building. The memorandum also aimed to establish cooperation between the two parties in various related fields, especially in the areas of exchanging studies, holding seminars, lectures, and training courses for bank employees within the scope of the unit’s expertise.

The memorandum was signed by the Head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit, Her Excellency Mrs. Samia Abu Sharif, and ABJ’s Director General, Dr. Maher Al-Mahrouq emphasized that this cooperation signifies the depth of partnership in the field of cooperation and coordination between the two parties in the areas of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. He also mentioned that the ABJ is committed to creating a conducive environment that encourages communication between the banking sector and the unit, contributing to supporting dialogues and workshops to discuss issues related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing of mutual interest, awareness, and capacity building. He expressed the Association’s readiness to provide all its resources to enable the unit to carry out its tasks and provide the necessary logistical and technical support, based on the Association’s belief in the pivotal role of the unit in combating such crimes. Al-Mahrouq conveyed the greetings of the ABJ’s Board of Directors to the unit’s president and all its staff, thanking them for their dedicated efforts in various fields and for their full cooperation with the Association, which was formalized through the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

On her part, Her Excellency Mrs. Samia Abu Sharif, the Head of the Unit, expressed her gratitude to the association and the team responsible for coordinating this joint cooperation, saying, “This memorandum will mark the beginning of constructive dialogue with the private sector, represented by the banking sector through ABJ as a partnering entity of the unit.

She added, “Today, the banking sector is a major supporter of the unit’s work, and within the framework of the development of electronic payment methods and modern technology, this sector has become part of several other axes that fall under the unit’s work as the main executor and coordinator of the policies of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing and organizing local and international cooperation as well. Through this memorandum, new channels and prospects will be opened to transfer international expertise at the local level and share the latest studies, research, and best practices and everything that emerges on the international scene.