Exchange visits boost ties between Narcotics Bureau and Singapore
International co-operation is an essential part of Hong Kong's Anti-money Laundering (AML) Regime. To further boost communication and understanding with a close regional partner, officers from the Financial Investigation Division (FID) and the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) of the Narcotics Bureau (NB) have recently taken part in an exchange programme with their counterparts in Singapore. The exchange also formed part of NB's training and development for Junior Police Officers.
Between March 7 and 11, four NB officers, Detective Senior Inspector (DSIP) Choi Chun-hoo, Sergeants Tai Poon-kong and Kwok Kam-wah, and Police Constable (PC) Wong Yam-wing, visited the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore, the Criminal Investigation Department and the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force.
DSIP Choi, who led the NB delegation to Singapore, pointed out: "The visits had not only achieved the aim of strengthening the relationship between Hong Kong and Singapore but also allowed officers from both sides to share practical experiences of financial investigations."
For PC Wong, who has been involved in a number of investigations with an international dimension since joining the FID in December 2006, it was his first overseas duty visit and he found the visit rewarding both for his career and personal development.
Co-operation enhanced
During a reciprocal visit to NB between March 15 and 18, five Singaporean officers were briefed on the money laundering trends and obstacles in international investigations. The subsequent discussions further boosted the understanding between FID and JFIU officers and their Singapore counterparts, auguring well for future co-operation at various levels.
JFIU Senior Inspector Wong Chung-on, who had presented an analysis of financial intelligence to the visitors, saw the exchange visits as a huge success with great benefits to the work of his unit. "Close international co-operation is built on mutual trust and respect and this important foundation was laid during the exchange visits," he noted.
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exchange visits prove beneficial to both parties - Narcotics Bureau and
Singapore Police Force