Minister Johnson says Sint Maarten looking forward to hosting 4thDutch Caribbean AML & Gaming Forum

Preparations are underway for the 4thDutch Caribbean Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Gaming Regulation Forum 2019 that will take place from June 4thto June 7that the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa.

Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson says the forum is being organized in partnership with Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), and “…we are proud to be a partner in this Forum and that we are the venue for this very important event.”

Minister Johnson is calling on businesses in the aforementioned area of AML & Gaming Regulation and support sectors to sign-up to attend the Forum.

The Forum is preparing the Dutch Caribbean (Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curacao) and Suriname for the next round of Mutual Evaluations such as promoting best practices in Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and Compliance, by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). A number of issues will be discussed including digital currencies, financial technologies (Fintech) and de-risking.

“The Forum according to its objectives aims to enhance cooperation and foster greater transparency and promote best practice in both regulation and compliance for all the key stakeholders involved in the gaming and banking industries.

“Money laundering and terrorism financing are considered pressing global issues that have had the attention of the international community of nations for a number of years but has intensified due to the threats posed by organized crime and terrorist’s organizations.

“The aforementioned cannot be resolved by working alone, but by working together, hence Sint Maarten’s membership in the CFATF and Government’s efforts to put the necessary mechanisms in place locally in order to comply with international requirements and standards.

“Business and financial services conducted within the jurisdiction of Sint Maarten are dependent on an integral financial system linked to correspondent banking relationships.

“We have to ensure that as a country we are compliant in order to protect economic and financial stability, jobs and economic growth. We are looking forward to the Forum in June as an opportunity to promoting financial integrity and inclusive growth for the benefit of the Dutch Caribbean and Suriname,” Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson said on Wednesday.

The four-day Forum is geared towards Governments, Regulators (Financial Intelligence Units, Tax & Revenue Authorities), Compliance Professionals, Banks, Law Firms, Auditors, Accountants, Land-based Casinos, Online Casino Gaming Operators, Lottery Operators, Suppliers of Products & Services to the Gaming Industry.

Businesses interested in registering can go to: www.govrisk.org/dcgrf2019use promo code: TEATT

The CFATF is an organization of states and territories of the Caribbean Basin which have agreed to implement common counter-measures against money laundering and terrorism financing.

The Forum is supported by another of stakeholders and will be presented by the International Governance and Risk Institute (GovRisk) which provides consultancy and training programs to public and private sector institutions from more than 30 countries.