FIJI'S Financial Intelligence Unit Plans Network

FIU plans network

www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, October 08, 2009

FIJI'S Financial Intelligence Unit has its sights set on four more domestic agencies to add to its network of intelligence sharing.

Unit director Razim Buksh confirmed this yesterday following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Lands Transport Authority on Monday that will facilitate timely exchanges and sharing of intelligence and information.

Mr Buksh said the FIU had identified a licensing authority, a regulatory authority, a law enforcement agency and a semi-government agency.

He said the FIU would continue to explore other agencies that could contribute to its effort of cracking down on criminal offenders.

"We have plans to expand our network to include domestic agencies and work together with foreign FIUs," Mr Buksh said.

The LTA joins the Department of Immigration, Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority, Fiji Police, the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau and the Ministry of Justice in FIU's existing network.

Mr Buksh said the addition of the LTA would greatly improve the intelligence that the FIU developed. He added the MOA would allow the FIU to conduct "more comprehensive profiling of individuals or parties under investigation for serious crimes".

He emphasised the importance of building a strong inter-agency co-ordination as the key to combating today's ever-changing "criminal environment".

"What ever information we can get from the database of the LTA for instance, will benefit us in our profiling."

LTA chief executive Etuate Koroi said the signing of the MOA would assist LTA crack down traffic offenders.

Mr Koroi said with the assistance of the FIU and other government agencies, the authority would make sure traffic offenders did not evade the law.