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
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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 Arabia Establishes Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers

The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)
The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Establishes Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers

The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)
The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Tuesday the establishment of the Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers, aimed at supporting the development and growth of the medical device industry.

The initiative aligns with the Ministry’s efforts to empower non-profit organizations in the industrial and mining sectors, reflecting its belief in their role in advancing the Kingdom’s economic and social development.

According to a Ministry statement, the Association seeks to encourage high-quality investments in medical device manufacturing, support factories’ compliance with the highest standards of quality and safety, raise awareness about locally produced devices and their advantages, and enhance the export efficiency of Saudi medical products.

The Association will also provide specialized advisory services, foster innovation, and help develop the skills of the workforce in the sector to strengthen its regional and global competitiveness.

The establishment of the Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to enable the non-profit sector and enhance its role in industry and mining. The initiative aims to increase its contribution and direct impact on the Kingdom’s GDP, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.