Gov’t tries to prevent Int’l blacklisting; Public statement to be made tomorrow
By Fareeza Haniff
Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon.
Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira is currently in Paris trying to convince the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) not to internationally blacklist Guyana due to its failure to amend the Anti Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism legislation.
Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon told a news conference today, Wednesday June 25 that government is optimistic that the FATF will “act outside of the box.”
“I have no doubt that Guyana’s unique situation presented some need for FATF to operate outside of the box,” Dr Luncheon said.
He further noted that a public announcement on Guyana’s fate from the international body will be made tomorrow. According to Dr Luncheon, Teixeira expressed optimism that the work of all stakeholders in attempting to pass the amended legislation will not go in vain.
“Some expectations are out there that FATF will recognize the uniqueness of Guyana’s situation,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
Since last year the government and the Parliamentary Opposition have been at loggerheads in relation to passing the amended legislation. The country has already been blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.
Despite many meetings and discussions, the two sides have failed to reach a compromise on the issue. Government is accusing the Opposition of not wanting to pass the Bill, while the Opposition is blaming the government.