Belize

New Documents

The Belize Financial Intelligence Unit issued a statement in response to the release of the Pandora Papers, a series of news articles which revealed persistent illegal arrangements and use of anonymous shell companies.

The Belize Financial Intelligence Unit published its annual report for 2020, highlighting that even during the ‘stay at home’ orders and other disruptions caused by the the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency remained open and committed to addressing the challenges of combating financial crime.

News

Enforcement Actions

0 Items Found


Important Facts

  • The U.S. State Department labels Belize as a major money laundering jurisdiction.  Belize has an active offshore financial sector but is not a key regional financial player.  It is particularly susceptible to illicit trafficking, illegal migration, transnational criminal organizations and corruption. Money laundering proceeds are often related to the trafficking of illegal narcotics, tax evasion, fraud bribery and corruption. Belize’s vulnerability to money laundering is due to the lack of enforcement of its laws and regulations, its cash based economy and its porous borders. However, the country’s government has made efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering regulatory regime. Belize has comprehensive customer due diligence and suspicious transactions reporting regulations. Politically exposed persons are subject to enhanced due diligence.
-Source: 2021 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)

Rankings

FATF i

Technical Effectiveness
Compliant : 2 High :
Largely Compliant : 9 Substantial :
Partially Compliant : 21 Moderate :
Non-Compliant : 17 Low :

BASEL i

Rank : 46/141
Score : 5.64/10

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL i

Rank : N/A
Score : N/A

Tax Justice Network i

Rank : 110/133
Score : 74/100