Brussels, 22/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) published its new "black list" on Friday, that lists States regarded as "soft" or "uncooperative" in the fight against money laundering. Six new States are on the list: Hungary, Egypt, Guatemala, Indonesia, Burma and Nigeria.
In a press release, the FATF calls on its members to "pay special attention to business relations and operations with people, including companies and financial institutions, from these countries". The Task force has, on the other hand, decided to withdraw four countries said to have substantially improved their cooperation (Bahamas, Caiman Islands, Liechtenstein and Panama). Finally, it recommended implementing additional counter-measures, including stepping up surveillance of transactions, from 30 September, regarding Russia, Nauru and the Philippines, unless these States take appropriate legal steps to combat money laundering.