A delegation from the United State Department of Treasury visited Port Moresby earlier this month to explore new avenues for technical assistance.
The US Treasury team met with government leaders and officials, including the Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey and Police Minister Sir John Pundari, to discuss strategies for removing PNG from the “grey list.”
Meetings were held from March 9 to 13 with key PNG agencies, including the Bank of PNG and its Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit, Office of the Public Prosecutor, PNG Customs, PNG Forest Authority, Internal Revenue Commission, Independent Commission Against Corruption. The week concluded with a roundtable discussion with relevant agencies on how to partner with anti-money laundering efforts in PNG.
Treasurer Ling-Stuckey and Minister Pundari expressed strong support for the US partnership. During their engagements with the police and treasury ministries, the US Treasury team offered to provide technical expertise as PNG undertakes ambitious reforms. Sir John highlighted the crucial role of law enforcement in this effort.
With strong inter-agency cooperation and expertise from the Treasury Department, PNG is poised to make significant progress in combating financial crime and restoring international confidence.