WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao is allocating XCG 6 million to strengthen government agencies involved in combating money laundering, financial crime and other threats to the integrity of the financial system.
The money will support the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Customs, Tax Department, Fiscal Affairs, National Investigation Department, Curaçao Police Force and Directorate of Foreign Relations.
Of the XCG 6 million, XCG 4 million has been placed in a central budget reserve.
The government intends to use the funding partly for advanced audit software and data-analysis tools designed to improve risk-based supervision, investigations and enforcement.
Another portion will finance international training and certification programs for government personnel involved in financial supervision and enforcement.
The government says the investments are intended to ensure that Curaçao’s audit and investigative methods comply with international CFATF standards.
The spending comes as Curaçao works to address recommendations resulting from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Mutual Evaluation Report.
The budget also calls for additional forensic auditors and compliance analysts and a broader expansion of operational capacity within agencies responsible for financial and economic crime.
The government considers strengthening these agencies important not only for law enforcement but also for protecting Curaçao’s international financial reputation and investment climate.