• HE Interior Minister: the strategy is a key pillar of building the national economy.
• The National Centre's distinguished presence has contributed to strengthening national efforts in financial intelligence.
• Shaikha May: The strategy affirms Bahrain's commitment to strengthening the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, thus enhancing the integrity of the financial system.
His Excellency Interior Minister and Chairman of the Committee to Combat Extremism, Terrorism and its Financing and Money Laundering, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa attended the launch of the National Strategy for Combating Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and the Proliferation of Weapons (2025/2027). The ceremony was held on Sunday at the Public Security Officers Club, in the presence of the Minister of Finance and National Economy, the Minister of Defence Affairs, the Attorney General, the Minister of Information, and the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
On this occasion, HE the Interior Minister affirmed that the launch of this strategy comes within the framework of the reform and stability approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the security, development, and prosperity enjoyed by the Kingdom of Bahrain, due to the follow-up and directives of the wise government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He explained that the National Strategy to Combat Money Laundering, the Financing of Terrorism and the Proliferation of Weapons (2025/2027) is an essential complement to building the national economy. He expressed thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Finance and National Economy for his role and constructive efforts through the Committee for Combating Extremism, Terrorism, Its Financing, and Money Laundering.
HE the Interior Minister praised the role of the Financial Intelligence National Centre, headed by Shaikha May bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Committee. He noted the distinguished presence of the Centre and its staff during the recent period, which has contributed to strengthening national efforts in financial intelligence and increasing effectiveness in this field. He added that building the national economy is accompanied by diligent security, embodied in the work of the centre, within the context of the global development of digital crime, its expansion, and rapid spread. “This requires us to be fully vigilant and closely monitor everything that is happening around us,” he added. HE the Interior Minister expressed his thanks to the relevant institutions, members of the Anti-Extremism, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Anti-Money Laundering Committee, for shouldering the responsibility, based on the quality of the Kingdom of Bahrain's anti-money laundering frameworks, their reliance on legislative and legal foundations, and the distinguished national performance in this field.
For her part, Shaikha May affirmed that the national strategy affirms Bahrain's commitment to strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, thereby enhancing the integrity of the financial system and maintaining the stability of the national economy.
She explained that the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Committee prepared the second comprehensive national risk assessment, and that the Committee's Secretariat oversaw the preparation of the report, with the participation of its working groups and relevant authorities, and in cooperation and integration with representatives of government entities and the private sector. This reflected a broad, collaborative approach in preparing this national report.
She continued: "Based on the results and outcomes of this assessment, a national action plan was adopted to understand risks and threats, address associated vulnerabilities, and deal with them through optimal allocation of resources to mitigate and combat these risks."
She added that the current national strategy constitutes an integrated framework that includes ten key strategic objectives linked to the national risk assessment. These objectives must be adhered to and implemented by relevant authorities within the specified period, achieving the required levels of compliance and enhancing the integrity of the financial system.
HE the Interior Minister then announced the launch of the National Strategy to Combat Money Laundering, the Financing of Terrorism, and the Proliferation of Weapons, which contributes to strengthening the capacity of relevant authorities to address the challenges associated with these crimes.
In a related context, a short documentary film was screened on the National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering, the Financing of Terrorism, and the Proliferation of Weapons. After that, HE the Interior Minister honoured the members of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Committee, praising their role and special efforts in drafting the strategy.
