Head of Qatar Financial Information Unit (QFIU) HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Eid al-Thani inaugurated yesterday a workshop on combating terror financing, hosted by Qatar National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Committee (NAMLC). 
Some 30 experts from the Qatari anti-terrorism financing agencies as well as law enforcement experts from 11 countries in the region are taking part in the workshop which is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).
The workshop aims at discussing means to disrupt terrorism financing and exchanging expertise as well as best practices in this regard.
Commenting on the workshop, NAMLC Chairman HE Sheikh Fahad bin Faisal al-Thani said that the workshop is part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to enhance the regional as well as its domestic capabilities on combating terrorism financing.
He pointed out that the government of Qatar acknowledges that terror financing is one of the greatest challenges faced by the world today and considers combating it a top priority. He said that Qatari legislators are constantly working to strengthen laws and regulations that will prevent the financing of terrorist activities.
Qatari stakeholders and officials are keen to co-operate with international organisations and benefit from their expertise, which can improve Qatar’s policies and capabilities, he added.
Executive Secretary of NAMLC, Essa Mohamed al-Harden commented on the workshop saying that it aims at enhancing the capacity of experts working in the prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing field, especially law enforcement agencies, security agencies and financial information units, which are important elements in prevention of terror financing.
This regional workshop is one of many others to be hosted in the regional AML/CFT training facility that Qatar established, he added.
Al-Harden explained that Qatar is hosting this workshop in the belief that it will support the exchange of experience and expertise in the region, especially the in member-states of MENAFATF, on the issues of combating money laundering and terrorism financing and raising awareness about them, in addition to strengthening compliance with international standards and the implementation of all relevant international recommendations and resolutions.

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