Kathmandu:
For the first time, India has trained ten Nepalese officials under a bilateral capacity development programme to counter the challenges posed by money laundering and terrorist financing.
In total, 60 officials from Government of Nepal will participate in these courses being held in New Delhi. The first batch of 10 officers attended the first phase of the programme regarding Experience Sharing and High Level Interaction in New Delhi from July 21 to 25, 2014.
The remaining two programs spread over six weeks are being conducted over the next couple of months, a press release issued by Embassy of India said.
The first of its kind programme is being conducted in three phases covering Experience Sharing and High Level Interaction for Senior Officials, Advance Course for Investigation Officers and Basic Course for junior staff.
Government of India had approved a 'Capacity Development Program' for the officials of Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) and other stakeholder ministries in Nepal to counter the challenges of money laundering and terrorist financing, the release said.
DMLI is one of the pivotal investigative units in Nepal to check money laundering, terrorist financing and other forms of earnings from illicit or criminal activities. The programs are aimed at strengthening institutional capacity development of concerned Departments in Government of Nepal.
The Nepal-India cooperation in this matter aims to strengthen institutional capacity development of the concerned Departments in Government of Nepal, the statement said.
The programme is designed to cover the evolution of Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) Act, evaluation process by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), intelligence collection methodology, procedure for registering and investigation cases under PMLA, tracing proceeds of crime, terror financing, international co-operation and other relevant topics.
Officials from Department of Money Laundering Investigation, Financial Information Unit of Nepal Rashtra Bank, Government Attorney Office, Finance Ministry, Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority Home Ministry, Central Investigation Bureau and other relevant departments will be attending the programme.
Senior Indian officials from the Enforcement Directorate, FATF Cell and Ministry of Home Affairs would interact with the participants and share mutual experience during the programme.