Mozambique: GIFiM marks International Day of Financial Intelligence Units

The Financial Intelligence Unit of Mozambique (GIFiM) yesterday marked the International Day of Financial Intelligence Units (FIU Day), a date of strategic importance for the global financial community and for all those involved in protecting economic systems from the destabilising effects of transnational financial crime. International FIU Day is celebrated annually on 9 June. It was established by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units to commemorate the organisation’s founding at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on 9 June 1995 and recognises the critical role that Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) play in safeguarding the integrity of the global financial system.

Today, on#InternationalFIUDay, we celebrate FIU professionals worldwide & their contribution to combating ML/TFThrough the ECOFEL Certification Program (#ECP),#ECOFELis working with FIUs and partners to build a modern, globally relevant eLearning pathway for FIU professionalspic.twitter.com/vp4Nn4ZpG7 At the opening of a seminar held in Maputo to mark International FIU Day, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Albertina Fruquia described the event as an ideal platform for renewing the country’s public and international commitment to strengthening transparent mechanisms. Fruquia warned of the devastating effects of financial crime on national development, noting that funds derived from illicit activities distort formal markets, weaken public institutions, undermine public confidence and affect investment in key areas of economic and social growth. She said the current global environment is one of growing complexity, characterised by the rapid digitalisation of banking services and the increasing sophistication of capital flows operated by international criminal networks.

In this context, Fruquia noted that Financial Intelligence Units are consolidating their role as central actors in the global architecture for preventing and combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In closing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance emphasised that strengthening systems for the detection, monitoring and suppression of suspicious transactions goes beyond mere compliance with legal or regulatory frameworks. It is a strategic priority essential to safeguarding macroeconomic stability and national security.