
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance announced revisions to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act that introduce stricter compliance procedures and enhance the regulations governing financial professionals who conduct transactions on behalf of their clients. The amendments bring “relevant persons,” including practicing chartered accountants, company secretaries, and cost and works accountants, under the ambit of the anti-money laundering law. The ministry has specified in a notification the scope of financial transactions that will be subject to the new regulations when performed on the client’s behalf. These transactions include the purchase and sale of immovable property, the management of client money, securities or other assets, the administration of bank, savings or securities accounts, the organization of contributions for the creation, operation, or management of companies, and the formation, operation, or management of companies, limited liability partnerships, or trusts, as well as the buying and selling of business entities.