The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit this afternoon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will enable the exchange of relevant information and intelligence between the two parties.
The Authority’s chief executive officer, Mr Neale Slack said that the MOU would enable the MSAF to work closely with the FIU in ensuring the protection of Fiji’s maritime industry under the current and proposed new laws.
“MSAF will be able to collaborate with the FIU to implement relevant laws and regulations, it is important for Fiji to further strengthen enforcement of MSAF powers leading to protection of Fiji from abuse of systems and resources as well as compliance with international maritime protocols and conventions,” Mr Slack said.
The FIU director Mr Razim Buksh said that the MOU will strengthen the cooperation and networking between MSAF, FIU and other relevant domestic agencies in Fiji in the fight against criminal activities including offences under Fiji’s maritime laws.
Mr Buksh also added that the FIU is required under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act to assist law enforcement and regulatory agencies in Fiji by providing investigative as well as due diligence assistance.
Through this MOU framework, the parties aim to establish and strengthen cooperation to effectively perform their respective statutory functions to implement an effective framework to detect, investigate and prosecute money laundering and other serious offences in Fiji.
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