Guyana Ranks 93rd in Global Terrorism Financing Assessment
Guyana Scores Low Risk of Terrorism Financing
According to a recent assessment conducted by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as part of its National Risk Assessment (NRA), Guyana has been ranked 93rd out of 163 countries, with a score of 0, placing it in the category of “little to no risk” of terrorism financing.
Measures Taken to Address Identified Issues
To address identified issues and mitigate risks related to terrorism financing (TF) and proliferation financing (PF), Guyana has taken several measures:
- Developing a National Counter-Terrorism Strategy: A national counter-terrorism strategy has been developed, which includes strategies for countering TF and PF.
- Risk Assessment of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs): A risk assessment of NPOs in Guyana was conducted, finding that the risks associated with TF were low.
- Improved Cooperation among Agencies: Cooperation among agencies involved in investigating TF and PF cases has been improved.
- Enhanced International Information Sharing and Cooperation: Efforts to enhance international information sharing and cooperation have been made.
Key Agencies Involved in Countering Terrorism Financing
The following key agencies are responsible for countering terrorism financing in Guyana:
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
- Guyana Police Force (GPF)
- Customs Anti-Narcotics Agency (CANU)
FIU’s Response to Requests for Information
According to the assessment, between 2018 and April 2023, the FIU received five requests for information related to TF from other Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs). The unit responded promptly to all requests.
No Matches of Listed Persons or Entities Found
To date, there have been no matches of persons or entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) conducting transactions locally. However, in 2020, the FIU responded to two requests from a regional FIU for information on subjects believed to be involved in TF.
SOCU’s Investigation Results
The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), responsible for investigating money laundering and terrorist financing, has investigated all TF matters referred to it by the FIU. However, no actual instances of TF were found.
Conclusion
Overall, Guyana’s ranking indicates a strong commitment to combating terrorism financing and proliferation financing. The country’s efforts to improve international information sharing and cooperation are also commendable.