Mauritius Compliance news
Inter-ministerial Committee on AML/CFT/CPF Holds First Meeting
Mauritius has established a high-level inter-ministerial committee to coordinate national AML/CFT/CPF efforts ahead of the country’s upcoming ESAAMLG evaluation in 2027. The committee, co-chaired by the Attorney General and the Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, held its first meeting on 13 November 2025. Discussions focused on strengthening readiness, enhancing coordination mechanisms, and reviewing key national priorities.
Financial Services Minister Launches FSC’s Industry Meet Series
The Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance launched the FSC’s “Industry Meet Series”, aimed at strengthening dialogue between regulators and the financial services sector. The initiative supports institutions in understanding regulatory expectations under the evolving AML/CFT landscape.
Mauritius Hosts Leadership Summit on Governance, Risk and Compliance
Mauritius hosted a major summit bringing together policymakers, regulators, and industry professionals to discuss governance, risk management, and AML/CFT compliance. Key themes included resilience, cross-border collaboration, and the role of technology in enhancing financial integrity.
United Arab Emirates — Compliance News
DFSA hosts 2025 annual outreach
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) hosted its 2025 Annual Outreach session, bringing together more than 500 senior industry leaders, MLROs, and compliance professionals. The event addressed governance standards, AI oversight, supervisory expectations, and regulatory priorities as the DIFC continues its growth as a major financial centre.
DFSA launches thematic review on CPD requirements for Money Laundering Reporting Officers
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has announced a new thematic review focused on the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) obligations of Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) across the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The DFSA noted that MLROs play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the financial system, and highlighted the need for regular, robust and up-to-date professional development to maintain effective oversight.
DFSA AI Survey: Generative AI use triples as governance continues to develop
The Dubai Financial Services Authority released the results of its artificial intelligence (AI) survey 2025, revealing a rapid acceleration in AI adoption among financial firms in the Centre, with 52% of firms actively using AI – up from 33% in 2024 – with growth particularly pronounced in the adoption of Generative AI (+166%).
The DFSA emphasised that, while the pace of innovation is welcome, it must be underpinned by effective governance and oversight, ethical use of data, and sound risk management practices. The regulator continues to engage closely with the industry to develop guidance and frameworks for responsible AI adoption.
UAE announces key update to administrative penalties regime for violation of tax laws
The UAE has announced a significant update to its tax-administrative penalties regime pursuant to Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025, which was issued on 9 October 2025 and published on the Federal Tax Authority’s website on 11 November 2025. The amendments modify the long-standing framework set under Cabinet Decision No. 40 of 2017 on Administrative Penalties for Violations of Tax Laws in the UAE and will come into force on 14 April 2026.
This reform is part of a broader effort to enhance proportionality, clarity, and compliance across the UAE’s maturing tax landscape, particularly for Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise taxpayers.
Global — Compliance News
OLAF and Europol Strengthen Cooperation Against Sanctions Circumvention
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and Europol signed a cooperation arrangement focused on combating sanctions evasion, illicit trade networks, and transnational financial crime.
OCC relieves US community banks of system-data collection for money laundering risk
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has announced supervisory and regulatory actions to reduce burden for community banks and strengthen their service as drivers of economic growth.
The OCC’s actions build on previous guidance to community banks and proposed rulemakings to tailor risk-based supervision to focus on material financial risk and prioritize reforms at community banks.
Source: https://occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releases/2025/nr-occ-2025-110.html
European Parliament releases comprehensive report on future on AML in the EU
A new briefing released by the European Parliament analyses the establishment of the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) as a cornerstone of the EU’s 2024 AML/CFT legislative reform.
As AMLA formally began its operations in the summer of 2025, a key question will be how effectively the Authority translates the new rulebook into consistent supervisory practice across the Union. The briefing examines key aspects of the AMLA’s way forward.
Source:https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/ECTI_IDA(2025)773721
FINTRAC releases new information sharing guidance for reporting entities
On November 3, 2025, FINTRAC released an updated guidance for reporting entities (REs). The guidance is designed to assist REs subject to the PCMLTFA in detecting and deterring money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion—while maintaining robust privacy protections.
The guidance is accompanied by a model practice code for reporting entities.
Sources: https://fintrac-canafe.canada.ca/guidance-directives/sharing-echange/sharing-echange-eng
https://fintrac-canafe.canada.ca/guidance-directives/sharing-echange/code-eng
Canada ushers in new financial crime agency in preparation for FATF’s November visit
In November, Canada was visited by the FATF, as part of a critical international peer review of its anti-money laundering regime in 2025, which included the on-site inspection.
In anticipation of this visit, Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne had announced the creation of a new financial crime agency to combat fraud, tackle money laundering and recover criminal proceeds.
Sources: https://www.cpacanada.ca/news/Fraud/faft-review and https://www.reuters.com/world/canada-launch-new-agency-fight-financial-crime-2025-10-20/
Probe on Russian Businessman Roman Abramovich continues after Jersey Court ruling
Lawyers for Russian businessman Roman Abramovich failed in a legal challenge to have an investigation into suspected money laundering dismissed and a freezing order over assets worth more than $7 billion lifted, according to legal judgments published this week.
The investigation unfolding in the self-governing British dependency of Jersey will continue and the asset freeze remains in place.