With an objective of empowering appropriate personnel on combating money laundering and terror financing in Qatar, a two-day workshop on “Interdiction and investigation of cross border bulk cash smuggling” got underway in Doha yesterday.The workshop also aims to train experts on the anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism legal framework and regulatory system as well as to provide an overview on the application of the declaration system of the cross-border transportation of currency in the state.The workshop has been organised by the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terror Financing Committee (NAMLC) in co-operation with the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement with Customs and Border Protection. It will also focus on giving an overview on the techniques of collecting information and conducting investigations of anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism and also introduce participants to the Qatari law relating to the customs violations and smuggling.Speaking on behalf of Qatar Central Bank deputy governor and board of directors chairman Sheikh Fahad Faisal al-Thani, NAMLC executive secretary Essa Mohamad al-Ebrahim stressed that in the light of current international changes and with the advent and use of sophisticated tools and instruments in various criminal activities, training the human resources to deal with the variables has become necessary for development and growth, especially since national regimes cannot achieve progress in combating the threats posed in any area.He mentioned that the core functions of the NAMLC that is overseeing the national anti-money laundering strategy in Qatar, include assuring smooth co-ordination among the authorities concerned, organising and hosting national training programmes aimed at applying cutting edge combating tools, in addition to laying down the necessary strategies to protect the national economy from the illicit cash smuggling.