This report provides a summary of the anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures in place in Aruba, the Kingdom of the Netherlands at December 2008 (the date of the on-site visit) and immediately thereafter. It describes and analyses those measures and provides recommendations on how certain aspects of the system could be strengthened. It also sets out Aruba’s level of compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40+9 Recommendations (see the table Ratings of Compliance with the FATF Recommendations).

The Saudi government has made progress in curtailing the flow of money for violent extremists from inside the kingdom, but concerns remain about continued donations from Saudi individuals and charitable groups, a recent US government report stated.

The government aims to crack down on offshore companies that help Greek groups to take care of their balance sheets.

A former manager at the Newry branch of First Trust bank is reportedly being questioned in connection with a police investigation into alleged fraud and money laundering.

Italy's financial police visited 76 Italian branches of Swiss banks and related offices Tuesday to ensure they are correctly reporting their financial transactions, officials said.

Bangladesh's top anti-corruption body has charged the eldest son of ex-premier Khaleda Zia with laundering three million dollars to bank accounts in Singapore, police said.

For months, Somalis living in Columbus have complained that it has become increasingly difficult to send money home to family members because of banking-industry fears that the funds could end up with terrorists.

Huntington, JPMorgan Chase and Charter One are among the banks that have closed accounts set up by remittance companies, said Omar Tarazi, a local lawyer who has worked with the Somali American Chamber of Commerce and several remittance companies.

The black market, cross-country tobacco trade has created an underground economy Canadian authorities fear could be used to finance overseas terrorism, internal RCMP intelligence documents obtained by Canwest News Service show.

The securities sector is one of the core industries through which persons and entities can access the financial system. This report shows that the securities sector provides opportunities that criminals may also exploit. This sector is characterised by the speed of executing transactions; its global reach and its adaptability. Indeed, new products and services are developed constantly, in reaction to investor demand, market conditions, and advances in technology. Product offerings are vast and often complex. Some are intended for sale to the general public and others tailored to the needs of a single purchaser.

Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I thank you for inviting me to speak to you today and it is an honour and a great pleasure for me to address this Committee. The last time an President of the Financial Action Task Force briefed the United Nations Counter Terrorism Committee was in December 2006 during the Canadian Presidency. Today I would like to inform you about the importance that the FATF places on its relationship with the United Nations, about how the FATF assesses and monitors global compliance and the emphasis we the put on co-operation with the private sector. I will also highlight some of the present priorities and trends in FATF.