Projects

Providing Technical assistance to the Solomon Islands to strengthen its capacity to combat money laundering (ML), terrorism financing (TF), and proliferation financing (PF). The initiative focuses on updating the national risk assessment (NRA) framework and developing a comprehensive AML/CFT/CPF strategy for 2025–2030 in alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. Key activities include refining the NRA methodology, engaging stakeholders, analyzing ML/TF/PF threats, and delivering capacity-building programs. Outputs include an inception report, an updated NRA, a national strategy with an action plan, and final documentation to guide the government and relevant agencies in risk management and compliance

Provided technical assistance across multiple regions, including the Western Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro), South-East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and neighboring nations), and the Maldives. Supported regulators and law enforcement agencies to enhance AML/CFT compliance frameworks, improve investigative and prosecutorial capabilities, and foster cross-agency collaboration in tackling financial crime. Developed tailored training materials and conducted in-person training sessions on investigating financial crimes involving virtual assets and cryptocurrency, with a focus on techniques for tracing, seizure, forfeiture, and asset management. Additionally, contributed to ABA ROLI's AML Gambling Program in the Mekong Region and delivered specialized AML/CFT training for the legal profession in the Maldives, addressing money laundering and terrorist financing risks. 

Provided technical assistance to Serbia under the Council of Europe framework to enhance the verification controls for ensuring the adequacy, accuracy, and currency of beneficial ownership (BO) information in the central BO register. Conducted an initial assessment of the existing BO regime and system to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Developed a detailed technical paper with actionable recommendations to strengthen the BO framework and compliance mechanisms. Additionally, organized and delivered a two-day workshop for Serbian authorities to build capacity and raise awareness of effective BO verification practices. 

Technical assistance is being provided to strengthen Uzbekistan's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework in alignment with international standards, particularly those established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The support focuses on developing beneficial ownership guidelines, facilitating stakeholder consultations, and implementing a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) program to enhance local capacity. By addressing regulatory gaps and building expertise, the initiative aims to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks, ensuring robust financial integrity and adherence to global benchmarks. 

Technical assistance is being provided to the Kyrgyz Republic to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework. The project focuses on improving beneficial ownership (BO) registration by developing tailored BO guidelines for financial institutions and delivering targeted training to competent authorities, supervisors, and reporting entities. These efforts aim to enhance regulatory compliance, improve transparency in ownership structures, and align the country's AML/CFT measures with international standards, ultimately strengthening its financial integrity and mitigating money laundering risks. 

Technical assistance is being provided to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework, focusing on enhancing business-wide risk assessments across 19 banks. The project involves identifying gaps in existing practices, conducting capacity-building workshops, and designing a roadmap for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to effectively monitor banks' progress in improving AML/CFT risk assessment processes. This initiative aims to bolster regulatory compliance, mitigate financial crime risks, and align the country’s banking sector with international AML/CFT standards. 

Provided technical assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina under the guidance of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, in implementing concrete measures and actionable steps for establishing a comprehensive beneficial ownership register. Offered expert advice on ensuring the interconnectivity of various national registers to promote transparency, improve regulatory compliance, and align with international standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). 

Reviewed the legal, regulatory, and administrative frameworks of selected countries concerning beneficial ownership transparency (BOT) under the EU AML/CFT Global Facility, Belgium. Provided actionable recommendations for improving BOT mechanisms to align with international standards and best practices. Drafted comprehensive research and technical papers on beneficial ownership disclosure requirements, conducting comparative analyses to identify gaps and highlight global best practices. Additionally, prepared and delivered targeted training programs on BOT to strengthen understanding and capacity-building among stakeholders.

A comprehensive research initiative is being conducted on "Information on Trusts" to provide a deeper understanding of the legal framework, existing structures, and reference data requirements related to trusts, particularly in the context of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). The project also examines the relationships among parties involved in trusts, including potential beneficial owners. This work aims to enhance transparency and comprehension of trust mechanisms and their associated legal and operational aspects across multiple jurisdictions. 

A comprehensive research initiative is being conducted on "Information on Trusts" to provide a deeper understanding of the legal framework, existing structures, and reference data requirements related to trusts, particularly in the context of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). The project also examines the relationships among parties involved in trusts, including potential beneficial owners. This work aims to enhance transparency and comprehension of trust mechanisms and their associated legal and operational aspects across multiple jurisdictions. 

Provided technical assistance to the Lithuanian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, in developing comprehensive guidelines for the real estate sector. These guidelines focused on assessing money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) risks specific to the sector and implementing effective measures to prevent misuse. The support included tailored recommendations to enhance risk assessment capabilities, strengthen compliance practices, and promote awareness of ML/TF vulnerabilities within the real estate indust 

Provided technical assistance to Georgia, Kosovo, and Montenegro to enhance their understanding and compliance with Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) standards. This role focused on supporting the establishment and improvement of UBO registries to promote transparency and adherence to international best practices in combating financial crimes. 

Provided technical assistance to the Polish Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, to enhance its capacity in monitoring the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) sector. Delivered written guidance on international best practices and examples for conducting sectoral money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) risk assessments specific to VASPs. The assistance included actionable recommendations to strengthen oversight mechanisms, improve compliance frameworks, and align with global standards for mitigating ML/TF risks in the VASPs sector. 

Provided technical assistance to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in developing e-learning training for regulatory and supervisory agencies in the Asia-Pacific region on cryptocurrency investigations, including asset seizure, preservation, forfeiture, and management. Additionally, supported the Bar Association of Palau in enhancing lawyers' capacity to comply with AML/CFT obligations and strengthening its systems for effective supervision. 

Dr. Ramandeep Chhina, being on the Panel of Experts of the Council of Europe (CoE) in the field of AML/CFT, advised various countries while leading FLE Compliance in delivering technical assistance to advance AML/CFT frameworks. In 2023, Dr. Chhina served as a key expert on projects addressing money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (ML/CFT), beneficial ownership, virtual assets, and trust regulations. Regional workshops and hands-on support were successfully delivered to countries including Turkey, Romania, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, strengthening their regulatory compliance with international standards and enhancing institutional capabilities. 

Provide technical assistance to assist the Serbian authorities in conducting their sectoral ML/TF risk assessment of the real estate sector. Additionally, analyse the legal and regulatory framework of Serbia on registration and supervision of the NPO sector and provide recommendations for improvement, including holding meetings and workshops with authorities and other stakeholders.

Provide technical assistance as the lead academic expert for a European Commission-funded project on AML/CFT risks in correspondent banking. Responsibilities include: a) developing a mapping of risk exposure and best risk mitigation practices for correspondent banking in the 27 EU Member States; b) developing a series of national case studies for the seven EU partner countries.

Provide technical assistance to develop an assessment methodology and tools for evaluating the capacity and knowledge of the legal profession, specifically members of the Bar Council of Maldives (BCM), on their AML/CFT obligations. Based on the assessment findings, develop a training curriculum and deliver a three-day workshop to BCM members in Maldives. Additionally, develop content for an e-learning course at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. 

Provide technical assistance to finalize a draft in-depth study of the existing and emerging systems of beneficial ownership transparency, using country case studies. To draft a summary background document for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime-UNODC/StAR Asset Recovery Forum. To create and update country-specific beneficial ownership guides to improve tools & resources to trace illicit funds in priority jurisdictions.

Technical assistance to develop AML/CFT guidelines for supervisors of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the Czech Republic, considering relevant international standards and good practices. Also, to participate in a working meeting with Czech authorities to present, discuss, and finalize the guidelines, and to present the final guidelines to various stakeholders in a workshop.

Technical assistance to Romania in developing the National AML/CFT Action Plan, including reviewing the draft action plan and providing recommendations for improvement

Technical assistance on the  ML typologies, data collection and analysis techniques, specific methodologies and best practices conducting sectoral risk assessments of the real estate sector. Review the draft risk assessment developed by Serbian authorities and provide recommendations for improvements.

Conduct research and develop a knowledge product that provides a comprehensive overview of the status of beneficial ownership reforms in the Asia and Pacific region, including progress and best practices on BO reforms, emerging challenges and practical guidance and recommendations for governments. To facilitate the Asian Development Bank and EITI joint regional workshop on beneficial ownership.

Assessed two EU Member States on the concrete implementation and effective application of the selected articles of the EU Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (4AMLD). Conducted on-site meetings and interviews with the relevant institutions to obtain the necessary information and data, and to prepare and submit the evaluation report to the CoE Secretariat. Drafted a horizontal review report on the practical application of the 4 AMLD for all EU Member States by taking into account all 27 country assessment reports.

Developed training materials and delivered two days' training to the law enforcement authorities and other national authorities in Azerbaijan on beneficial ownership transparency.

Reviewed the draft National AML/CFT Action Plan for Bulgaria and provided recommendations for improvement, including holding meetings with the relevant authorities to discuss and advise on the recommendations.

Design and deliver interactive training course to inform key staff of the Federal Commission for Integrity (FCoI) and the Iraqi Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) on conducting financial investigations, modern auditing methods, analysing the sources and legitimacy of funds, and investigations of conflict of interest.

Developed a policy briefing on ‘effective, proportionate and dissuasive’ sanctions and enforcement for ensuring compliance with a beneficial ownership transparency regime, and to provide key policy considerations and recommendations for implementers.

Downlaod Paper:  Designing sanctions and their enforcement for beneficial ownership disclosure

Technical assistance to the Financial Regulatory Commission, Mongolia, in drafting the law to effectively regulate and monitor the activities of dealers in precious metals and precious stones in Mongolia, especially considering their AML/CFT obligations, while also conducting an impact assessment of the draft law associated with a cost estimation.

Developed a step-by-step guideline on identification of beneficial ownership for law enforcement authorities (LEAs) and reporting entities in Kosovo. Conducted workshops on BO for financial institutions and LEAs, respectively.

Technical assistance to the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), especially the Office of Banking Commission (FIU) for the purpose of preparing the third-round mutual evaluation of RMI by the APG.

Legal Opinion on the draft law amending the provisions related to the 'politically exposed person' in the AML/CFT law of Ukraine.

Provide technical assistance to Kosovo to enhance the transparency of beneficial ownership under GIZ Global Programme on ‘Combating Illicit Financial Flows’ by drafting the Law on Register of Beneficial Owners in close consultation with the national multi-agency working group.

Technical assistance to the Czech Republic for the development of guidelines to assist NPOs in conducting their ML/TF risk self-assessment and detecting ML/TF

Technical assistance to Serbia to draft a technical paper providing a comparative study of AML/CFT supervisory methodologies on virtual asset service providers (VASPs) with focus on good supervisory practices

Technical Paper : Virtual Assets and Virtual Assets Service Providers: Analysis of AML/CFT Regulatory, Supervisory and Oversight Approaches and Challenges

Technical assistance to the Republic of Albania to finalise the draft law on ‘Centralised Register of Bank Accounts’. 

AML/CFT training for investigators, prosecutors and judges and their respective training institutions in countries of Central Asia 

Technical Assistance to Samoa to conduct national risk assessment in the field of AML/CFT

Technical assistance to Philippines in the conduct of AML/CFT sectoral risk assessment

Training to Taiwan financial institutions on the financial crime and other risks associated with Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Anti-Money Laundering, Virtual Assets and Virtual Currency

Technical Assistance to Montenegro to review regulations establishing Beneficial Ownership Registry

AML/CFT needs assessment of relevant institutions in Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia to assess the level of technical assistance and capacity building support required from donors in their fight against AML/CFT

Developing training curriculum and 'Training of Trainers' for prosecutors and judiciary  in Ukraine on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of AML/CFT cases

Delivering AML/CFT training to DNFBPs sector - accountants. auditors, real-estate agents and high-value dealers in Moldova

Technical Assistance in Georgia on strengthening the AML/CFT law and regulations

Technical Assistance to Kosovo in reviewing the bye-law on Politically-Exposed Persons (PEPs)

Delivered training to Belgian Development Agency (BTC) on ‘the Evolution of Controls in Public Finance Management’