Regional capacity-building programme on AML/CFT concludes in India’s Shillong

Officials from seven BIMSTEC member states have participated in a regional capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening cooperation and technical capacity to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).

The two-day BIMSTEC Regional Capacity Building Programme on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism was held in Shillong, India, on 21-22 July 2026, following the successful conclusion of the 14th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Sub-Group on AML/CFT.

Organised by the Department of Revenue under India’s Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the BIMSTEC Secretariat, the programme focused on improving institutional preparedness to address emerging AML/CFT challenges and support member states in their upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) mutual evaluations.

Experts from India’s Department of Revenue, Reserve Bank of India, Financial Intelligence Unit,India, National Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and private sector shared insights on technical compliance, risk-based approaches, financial intelligence, supervision, national risk assessments and international cooperation.

Panel discussions during the programme highlighted growing risks related to cyber-enabled financial crimes and terrorist financing, stressing the need for stronger cross-border collaboration among BIMSTEC countries.

The participants concluded the programme by reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation, capacity development and effective implementation of international AML/CFT standards across the region.

BIMSTEC comprises seven Bay of Bengal countries -Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand and works across areas including security, trade and investment, connectivity, energy, climate change, health, tourism and human resource development.

-HIS