Moroccan Govt Heightens Money-laundering Combating Procedures

Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption and official abuses, in the Rif region in Rabat, Morocco June 11, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption and official abuses, in the Rif region in Rabat, Morocco June 11, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
TT

Moroccan Govt Heightens Money-laundering Combating Procedures

Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption and official abuses, in the Rif region in Rabat, Morocco June 11, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption and official abuses, in the Rif region in Rabat, Morocco June 11, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

The Moroccan government has amended a law to combat money laundering in implementation of the Financial Action Task Force recommendation.

Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine al-Othmani considered the ratification a qualitative addition for the sake of eradicating this crime that conceals accumulated revenues of other crimes whether corruption or others.

He added, during the government’s meeting on Thursday, that this law would enable the country to combat this crime and others. From here, the amendment was significant because combating corruption is an essential tool that could maintain security.

The PM reinstated the procedures taken to combat corruption, including establishing the National Institution for Integrity and Combating and Preventing Bribery (Instance Nationale de la Probité, de la Prévention et de la Lutte contre la Corruption) and other procedures.

Othmani stated that the purpose is to close corruption channels on all levels. Earlier, Morocco underwent the first round of mutual assessment of the system for combating money-laundry and terrorism-funding in 2007. The second round underwent mutual evaluation in Sep. 2017.

The first report on mutual assessment in Morocco was prepared during the general meeting in Beirut in November 2018, also in the general meeting in April 2019 in Amman. In the report, Morocco got a ‘basic’ level in the field of investigating terrorism funding crimes and bringing the involved to court.

Morocco was among the pioneering countries in the region in preparing the first risk assessment report on money-laundry and terrorism-funding, with the assistance of the World Bank.



Saudi Tourism Minister Announces Support for 17 Tourism Projects in Al-Ahsa

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlighted the main investment opportunities in the tourism sector. SPA
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlighted the main investment opportunities in the tourism sector. SPA
TT

Saudi Tourism Minister Announces Support for 17 Tourism Projects in Al-Ahsa

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlighted the main investment opportunities in the tourism sector. SPA
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlighted the main investment opportunities in the tourism sector. SPA

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb has met with several investors and entrepreneurs in Al-Ahsa Governorate as part of his tour to various regions and governorates of the Kingdom coinciding with the Saudi winter events calendar.
In the meeting, he highlighted the main investment opportunities in the tourism sector, emphasizing the ministry's commitment to providing comprehensive services and facilities to enable investors to join the promising sector.

Al-Khateeb noted that the tourism ecosystem supports numerous projects in Al-Ahsa, including 17 unique tourism initiatives valued at over SAR3.5 billion, providing more than 1,800 hotel rooms.

The projects aim to boost the tourism sector, leveraging Al-Ahsa's exceptional features that qualify it to become a major tourist destination in the Kingdom and the region, the minister said.

During his tour, he made a stop at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Al-Ahsa, a beneficiary of the Tourism Development Fund. Covering an area of over 10,000 square meters and costing more than SAR200 million, the hotel boasts more than 180 rooms.

It stands as a model tourist destination that combines international luxury with local authenticity, reflecting the unique charm of Al-Ahsa.