Key anti-money laundering law takes effect

Magashula PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Magashula PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

A key statutory amendment requiring all companies that will register in the country to disclose their beneficial ownership, took effect on Tuesday, as authorities step up a fight against money laundering and other dirty dealing in the economy.

Last Wednesday, the European Union added Botswana to a list of 23 jurisdictions it intends to approve soon as a global blacklist for money laundering and terrorism financing. Other countries on the list include Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan and Panama.

The beneficial ownership law was passed last year and was expected to kick off in June 2019, to coincide with a countrywide company re-registration exercise, moving all entities to an online platform allowing public perusal of shareholding and beneficial shareholding.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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