Trade Misinvoicing Drained US$763.4bn from Poor Countries in 2011, according to GFI Research
Influential News Weekly Features GFI’s Research & Experts in Latest Issue
WASHINGTON, DC – The latest issue of The Economist profiles the problem of trade-based money laundering, which drains hundreds of billions of dollars from developing economies each year, according to Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington, DC-based research and advocacy organization. The prestigious financial news magazine cites heavily from GFI’s research and experts, while warning that efforts to tackle trade misinvoicing are “the weakest link” in the international effort to fight illicit financial flows.
Follows Prime Minister’s Move to Create Public Registry of Beneficial Ownership for All UK Companies
Pressure Continues to Rise on U.S. Government to Follow Suit
WASHINGTON, DC – Global Financial Integrity (GFI) lauded UK Prime Minister David Cameron today for urging all British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies in a letter today to crack down on the abuse of anonymous shell companies by creating public registries of meaningful beneficial ownership information. The letter follows recent moves by the UK Government, which is currently in the process of creating the world’s first such public registry to do the same.
On Friday, 11 April 2014, Global Financial Integrity convened a high level gathering of policymakers, thought leaders, and donors in Washington, DC for a candid discussion of the links between income inequality and illicit financial flows.
European Vote Increases Pressure on White House & Congress to Move
Full EU Parliament Endorses Creation of Public Registries of Beneficial Ownership Information; Follows Earlier Committee Votes
European Council Should Endorse Move to Curb Phantom Firms in Negotiations with Parliament
WASHINGTON, DC – Global Financial Integrity (GFI) praised the full European Parliament for voting today to crack down on anonymous shell companies, a major conduit for laundering the proceeds of crime, corruption, and tax evasion.
Following similar votes by two committees of the EU Parliament last month, the full legislative body voted today in favor of requiring public registries of beneficial ownership information for companies incorporated in the EU, as part of its revisions to the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD).
WASHINGTON, DC – Global Financial Integrity announced today that Arvinn Eikeland Gadgil has joined its Advisory Council. GFI, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington DC, will benefit from Mr. Gadgil’s experience working to promote economic development and curtail illicit financial flows at the highest level.
Mr. Gadgil is Director of Partnerships and Policy at the Norwegian Refugee Council in Oslo. Prior to his appointment in January 2014 he was Norway’s Deputy Minister for International Development from April 2012 to December 2013. Previously, he was Political Advisor to the Minister of Development. From 2006–2007 he worked in the South Asia and Afghanistan section in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Gadgil has also been posted to Afghanistan and worked for Development Fund Norway.
European Vote Raises Pressure on White House & Congress to Follow Suit
EU Parliament Endorses Creation of Public Registries of Beneficial Ownership Information
WASHINGTON, DC – Global Financial Integrity (GFI) praised the European Parliament for voting today to crack down on anonymous shell companies, a major conduit for laundering the proceeds of crime, corruption, and tax evasion.
The European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee as well as the Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee voted in favor of requiring public registries of beneficial ownership information for companies incorporated in the EU, as part of its revisions to the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD).
Kenya lost over $700 million in taxes in 2012 due to smuggling. But despite popular belief, the main problem with smuggling isn’t corruption. It’s tax havens, phantom firms and secrecy.
At the end of January, the Kenya Sugar Board, acting on a tip off, seized and impounded over 1,800 bags of illegally imported sugar. Arrests were made and the board vowed to begin a country-wide crackdown on other cartels who smuggle tons of sugar into the country each year.
E.J. Fagan, +1 202 293 0740 ext. 227
New Standard Ensures All Nations Can Potentially Benefit from Robust, Automatic Exchange of Financial Information
G20 Finance Ministers to Review Document for Approval Next Week Ahead of Australian G20 Summit in the Fall
Research and Advocacy Organization Expects New Transparency Regime to Be ‘Game-Changing’ Deterrent to Cross-Border Tax Evasion, Money Laundering
WASHINGTON, DC – Global Financial Integrity (GFI) applauded the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) today following its historic release of a new model multilateral agreement that countries will use to tackle tax evasion, money laundering, and other financial crime. GFI, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC, touted this as a major victory and welcome culmination of one front in the long battle for cross-border financial transparency.