THE Asia Pacific Joint Group (APJG) face-to-face meeting on Myanmar’s progress report regarding anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing was held on 3 and 4 September in the Macao Special Administrative Region, China. Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) Governor Daw Than Than Swe led the Myanmar delegation at the meeting.
APJG co-chairs, representatives from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Secretariat, and APJG assessors attended the discussions. The Myanmar delegation presented immediate outcomes already implemented in line with recommendations from APJG assessors, providing a comprehensive update on the country’s compliance efforts. Assessors then raised further queries on specific outcomes, which the delegation addressed in detail.
Discussions covered how Myanmar’s law enforcement agencies are using intelligence from the Financial Intelligence Unit in investigations, prosecutions, and concurrent financial investigations in ongoing cases. Cooperation on cross-border money laundering cases, the confiscation and management of criminal proceeds, instrumentalities, and equivalent-value assets, as well as measures to preserve asset value until confiscation, were also explained.
The meeting further reviewed Myanmar’s legal framework improvements to align with FATF standards, ongoing legislative amendments, and next steps to strengthen implementation. Participants also discussed recognition of Myanmar’s efforts and the potential upgrading of its rating status. — MNA/KZL
