What You Need to Know
A regional workshop commenced at the Mauritius Revenue Authority to enhance the capacity of agencies combating financial crimes. Organized in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, the event gathers participants from Mauritius and Seychelles to improve investigative techniques and foster regional cooperation.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. A regional workshop aiming to enhance capacity building of agencies combatting financial and transitional crimes on Advanced Investigative Techniques and Interviewing Skills, kickstarted, this morning, at the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) Custom House, Mer Rouge in Port Louis.
The workshop, organised by the MRA in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the Western Indian Ocean Transnational Organised Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Programme, brings together around 50 participants from Mauritius and Seychelles.
The Director General of the MRA, Mr Rohit Ramnawaz, and the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US embassy, Mr Caleb Goddard, were among the main attendees. The workshop will be facilitated by programme managers of the FBI, Mr Jeffrey D. Rees and Mrs Lindsay Burt.
In his address, Mr Ramnawaz emphasised the importance of developing a deeper understanding of the evolving nature and mechanisms of crime, supported by proactive and intelligence-led interventions. “It is essential to adopt more innovative, agile, and responsive approaches to effectively combat complex transnational crimes”, he said.
He further spoke on the need to enhance institutional coordination and maintain a strong resolve to ensure that offences are rigorously investigated, prosecuted, and that perpetrators are held fully accountable. This includes reinforcing capacities for the timely detection of offences, the disruption of criminal networks, and the effective prosecution of offenders. The commitment of the MRA to promoting stronger governance, greater transparency, and more effective enforcement was also underlined by the Director General.
Mr Ramnawaz expressed gratitude to the US for their engagement in strengthening institutional capacity of both Mauritius and Seychelles. The workshop, he noted, will reinforce cooperation and align operational approaches to combatting crime in the Indian Ocean region.
For his part, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, Mr Caleb Goddard, referred to a two-year programme funded by the U.S. Bureau to support capacity building in the investigation and prosecution of money laundering in Western Indian Ocean countries, including Mauritius and Seychelles. He noted that the training aims to enhance investigative skills of agencies in addressing corruption and transnational crime, while also strengthening collaboration, intelligence sharing and parallel investigations between Mauritius and Seychelles.
The fight against financial crimes has become increasingly important in the Indian Ocean region, particularly due to the rise of transnational crime. Mauritius and Seychelles have been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen their legal frameworks and institutional capacities to combat money laundering and related offenses. Collaborative initiatives, such as workshops and training programs, are essential for enhancing the skills of law enforcement agencies and promoting effective regional cooperation.
