Anti-financial crime forum will target corruption

 AN anti-financial crime programme sponsored by the British High Commission is set to run from Monday to Wednesday in Port Moresby.

British High Commissioner Jackie Barson said: “Corruption and money-laundering represent serious threats to financial systems and to the development of all countries in which they are prevalent. 

“Through this programme, we aim to provide local authorities with the tools and skill sets they need to tackle such illicit practices in the most effective way possible.”

The programme is a joint initiative of the UK High Commission in Papua New Guinea, UK consultancy firms the International Governance and Risk Institute (GovRisk), PNG’s Attorney-General’s Office, and anti-corruption coordinating body Task Force Sweep. 

The programme will be facilitated by international experts focusing on best practice techniques to combat money laundering, corruption and financial crime.

Director of GovRisk, Dominic Le Moignan said: “This capacity building project will pave the way for PNG to make further strides in its anti-corruption efforts. In so doing, it will serve to bolster confidence among international investors over the integrity of PNG’s financial system and, in turn, encourage greater levels of external investment in the country”.

The three-day programme will feature managers and policy makers from the Ombudsman’s Commission, Police National Fraud Squad, Financial Intelligence Unit, Internal Revenue Commission, Auditor-General’s Office, police, Customs, Treasury, Finance, Department of Justice Legal Policy, Public Prosecutor’s Office, National Planning Department, Investment Promotion Authority, Insurance Commission, Central Supply and Tenders Board as well as banking authorities,  together with representatives from other Pacific Islands, including the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

Chairman of Task Force Sweep, Sam Koim said: “Understanding the trends of corruption around the world in areas like procurement fraud and the appropriate skills to combat it are crucial to the fight against corruption. We are grateful to the UK Government for funding these workshops.”