The European Union’s removal of the Emirates from a list of countries that pose a high risk for money laundering should take place sooner rather than later, the UAE's ambassador to the bloc said.
The National reported last month how the EU planned to remove the UAE from its list, after a drive in the Emirates to boost regulatory framework.
The UAE was removed from a similar list last year by the Financial Action Task Force, the global body that combats money laundering and terrorism financing.
"As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, built on a resilient financial system, modern regulatory structures and an unambiguous commitment to sustainable growth, the UAE has demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that it has fully satisfied – and in many areas surpassed – the EU requirements for delisting," said Mohamed Alsahlawi, UAE ambassador to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, in a statement released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"A swift and decisive resolution to this matter is necessary to reflect both the facts on the ground and the strategic interests we share with our European partners. Only by resolving this issue can we unlock the true potential of the UAE-EU partnership, driving deeper co-operation, greater prosperity and shared security.
"Our robust regulatory frameworks, effective enforcement mechanisms, and proven track record in detection, prevention, and prosecution of financial crime are documented, verifiable and delivering real-world impact."
The UAE has made clear progress in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism in recent years, issuing strict laws and introducing regulations to clamp down on such crime.
Last September, the UAE set out a nationwide action plan aimed at combating terrorism financing and money laundering. The 2024-2027 National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing features 11 goals focused on risk-based compliance, effectiveness and sustainability.
"The UAE has not only met its global obligations, we have exceeded them," said Mr Alsahlawi. "Our co-operation with EU institutions and member states is deeper, more operational, and delivering tangible results.
"Since 2022 alone, we have supported the EU with 167 extraditions, including 74 extradition decisions already issued, 30 of which [were] directly to France."
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
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Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time
Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.
Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.
The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.
The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.
Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.
The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.
• Bloomberg
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
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Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
