Press Release No 41 –
Launch of National Anit-Money Laundering Learning Centre
Press Release No: 41/2010
Date : 22 November 2010
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) today opened the National Anti-Money Laundering Learning Centre which provides electronic computer based training (CBT) courses targeting officials from financial institutions and various law enforcement agencies in Fiji.
The CBT Courses cover topics such as money laundering, human trafficking, precursor chemicals, search techniques on a car, container, person or aircraft, controlled deliveries, basic intelligence analysis and airport and seaport security. Each e-course contains a number of modules with durations of 30 – 120 minutes per module.
The Learning Centre is a result of a partnership between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the British High Commission Suva, Reserve Bank of Fiji and the FIU.
The e-courses were developed by the UNODC that would help member countries to counter illicit drug trafficking, organised crimes and other serious crimes. The e-courses include high quality voice, pictures, graphics, videos, animations, interactions, simulations and tests.
The AML Learning Centre is located within the FIU office at the Reserve Bank of Fiji and is managed by staff of the FIU.
The Centre consists of 4 stand-alone computers which were donated by the British High Commission, Suva. The Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Martin Fidler said countries are required to comply with global requirements on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing. The leadership role of the FIU is highly commendable and the steps taken to educate stakeholder officials is very timely. This would ensure that the authorities in Fiji including financial institutions have a better understanding and skills to combat complex crimes in Fiji.
Director FIU, Mr. Razim Buksh said that the AML Learning Centre and the CBT courses will be of tremendous value to Fiji’s law enforcement agencies as it will allow these agencies to train their officials without any cost. He further added that Fiji is fortunate to have been provided this training opportunity. The e-courses have been delivered in more than 50 countries and have been recognized by the United Nations for its high quality and effectiveness.
The CBT courses will also provide a good opportunity for staff of commercial banks and other financial institutions to be trained on the methods criminals use to launder money and steps financial institutions can take to detect and report suspicious transactions that maybe linked to money laundering and other criminal activities.
Mr. Buksh said that the CBT courses would benefit officials from FIU’s partner and other relevant agencies such as the Fiji Police Force, Immigration Department, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, Ministry of Defense, Fiji Military Forces, Reserve Bank of Fiji, Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The CBT courses are available free of charge to all interested officials and a completion certificate will also be awarded