Gold hub UAE toughens fight against financial crime

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's largest gold hubs, is strengthening its defences against financial crime, including new restrictions on the movement of cash and precious metals, the Gulf state said on Thursday.

The steps follow a 2018 tightening of financial regulations that sought to dispel a view among some foreign investors that the country is an illicit money hot spot.

Detailing the latest measures, the UAE Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing said the tools include one for submitting suspicious banking reports, a unified electronic customs platform and a programme restricting movement of cash, stones and precious metals before and after arrival.

"Through the adoption of these technical controls, the Executive Office hopes to strengthen the UAE's efforts to curb illicit flows of funds, promote asset recovery, and combat all forms of transnational financial crime," the Office, set up in February, said in a statement.

The UAE, which includes the Dubai emirate, exports bullion worth billions of dollars to refiners accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the world's most influential bullion market authority.

The association in November threatened to stop bullion from countries including the UAE entering the mainstream market if they fail to meet regulatory standards.

The UAE in December declared its support for an initiative by the LBMA to improve regulation on matters such as money laundering and unethical sourcing of gold.

Global dirty money watchdog the Financial Action Task Force last April also said the UAE, where cash transactions are common, was not doing enough to prevent money laundering.

The UAE passed an anti-money laundering and terrorism financing law in 2018. The foreign ministry has said further strengthening of its regulatory framework was a critical national priority.