At a time when India is at the forefront of the global fight against black money, the country will play host to the 14th annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering later this month.
The five-day event, scheduled from July 18 to 22 at Kochi, will be attended by the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, who will make the opening address on July 19, an official statement said.
The 10th annual technical assistance and training forum of the APG will also be held simultaneously.
“The meeting will provide a platform for high-level discussion and cooperation and will evaluate the progress made by APG members in implementing the international standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” the statement said.
More than 300 senior government officials from the Asia-Pacific region and other parts of the world are expected to attend the event.
The APG co-chairs for the meeting are Mr K. Jose Cyriac, Secretary to the Government of India, and Mr Tony Negus, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.
Among others who will be in Kochi for the meeting is Mr Giancarlo Del Bufalo of Italy, President of the Financial Action Task Force, which sets international standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Kochi meet assumes significance at a time when India has taken a strong position in the fight against black money. India took over as co-chair in the FATF in February this year.