Local banks urged to get tough on money laundering

Commercial banks should mitigate business risks and ensure their reputations by strictly implementing the Government's regulations on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, heard a seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 8.
Commercial banks should mitigate business risks and ensure theirreputations by strictly implementing the Government's regulations on theprevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, heard a seminarheld in Ho Chi Minh City on May 8.

Effective deployment ofmeasures to fight money laundering and terrorist financing was essentialto banks in international operation, Nguyen Van Ngoc, director of theState Bank of Vietnam's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Department, said.

TheVietnamese Government's laws to fight money laundering and financingfor terrorists became effective in January and October last year,respectively, Ngoc said.

Most banks have issued internalregulations on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing in linewith the Government's Decree 74 on AML released in 2005, he told theseminar, which was organised by the Vietnam Banks Association andtechnology consulting firm Komtek.

However, banks shouldcarefully study current regulations and international standards to helpthem map out appropriate internal regulations for the effectivedeployment of anti-money laundering methods, Ngoc said.

Inaddition, banks should improve training for their staff, especiallythose who work directly with customers, to raise their awareness of AMLissues and enhance their ability to detect suspicious transactionsinvolved in money laundering and terrorist financing.

In addition, updating customer information is an important step to detect behavior related to money laundering.

"Banksshould select the appropriate information technology solutions tofilter and analyse transactions in an aim to prevent and fight moneylaundering and other risks," he said.

Filtering software can help banks recognise those on black lists and AML risks, he added.

Moreover,he said banks must issue daily reports of large value transactions(equal to or greater than 300 million VND or 14,285 USD) to the StateBank of Vietnam, as required by law.

Jeremy Chan, regionalbusiness development director of Fircosoft, said that AML was animportant requirement by global regulators.

The CEO of AubChapman Consulting Service Co, Aub Chapman, said that the sharing ofinformation by peers across the industry would help regulators andcontribute to the national interest.

"Document what you are doingso you can demonstrate what you have done," he said, adding that AMLrisk management should remain relevant to the bank's business and moneylaundering risks.-VNA

See more

Industrial factories in Tan Uyen city, the southern province of Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Investors upbeat about Vietnam’s industrial property market

Investors are bullish on Vietnam's industrial property market growth on the back of the nation's strategic location, sound infrastructure, and increasing demand for industrial space, particularly industrial parks that meet green standards, according to market research.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao addresses the forum (Photo: VNA)

Forum connects Vietnamese, Belgian busineses

The Vietnam-Belgian business forum took place in Brussels on October 23, offering a chance for enterprises of the two countries to introduce their products and explore new cooperation opportunities.

The expos cover over 6,000 sq.m, drawing over 210 exhibitors from 10 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi hosts textile & garment, fabric garment accessories expos

The Vietnam Hanoi Textile & Garment Industry and Fabric Garment Accessories Expos 2024 (HanoiTex & HanoiFabric 2024) is taking place in Hanoi on October 23 – 25 as part of a series of international exhibitions on Vietnam's textile and garment industry.

Representatives from Vietnamese and Lao agencies, localities and businesses at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos trade fair 2024 in Xiengkhouang province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos step up trade, tourism promotion

A Vietnam-Laos trade fair was kicked off in Phonsavanh township in Xiengkhouang province of Laos on October 23 as part of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos (October 30, 1949 – 2024).

Illustrative photo (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Vietnamese goods enter US through global supply chain

The Saigon Co.op Distribution Company Limited (SCD) - a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), and STC Natural Vina Company on October 23 held a hand-over ceremony for goods that will be exported to the US.

Vietnam’s lobsters have clawed their way back onto Chinese menus after a suspension. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s lobsters claw back prominence in China

Vietnam’s lobster export to the Chinese market in January-September rose 33 folds year-on-year on the back of lower prices and stronger trade ties between the two nations, the South China Morning Post said on October 22.