Saudi Arabia Approves MoU with Pakistan to Combat Financial Crimes
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of State Security has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Directorate of Financial Investigation and Pakistan’s Financial Monitoring Unit to bolster cooperation in the exchange of investigations related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and associated crimes. The decision was made during the weekly cabinet meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Minister of Information Salman Al-Dosari, in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), shared that the Crown Prince briefed the cabinet on his recent diplomatic engagements, including meetings with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as a phone conversation with European Council President António Costa.
The cabinet discussed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing diplomatic efforts with various nations aimed at promoting global peace and stability. The ministers also expressed satisfaction with the progress of negotiations with Japan.
A key highlight of the meeting was Saudi Arabia’s confirmation to host the regional headquarters of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for the Middle East and North Africa. This move is expected to significantly strengthen the kingdom’s efforts in combating terrorism and various forms of crime within the region.
In other diplomatic developments, the cabinet welcomed the final statement of the six-party Arab ministerial consultative meeting on Palestine, which emphasized the need for a lasting ceasefire and the swift acceleration of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
The cabinet approved several important agreements, including a security cooperation pact between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. MoUs were also endorsed with Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, which will allow diplomatic and service passport holders from these countries to travel visa-free to Saudi Arabia.
In a significant structural change, the authority to issue licenses in the financial and accounting sectors was transferred from the Ministry of Commerce to the Saudi Authority for Auditors and Accountants.
The session also reviewed the annual reports from various government entities, including the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, the Hail Development Authority, and the Food and Drug Authority.
