The UAE Ministry of Economy has introduced a training programme to enhance the skills and compliance knowledge of compliance officers in Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) and private sector employees. The programme, developed in partnership with the International Compliance Association (ICA), focuses on combating money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.
“It aims to raise the level of compliance culture among the entities under the Ministry’s supervision and to strengthen their role in combating money laundering and terrorist financing crimes,” said Safeya Hashem Al Safi, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for the Commercial Control and Governance Sector. “This is to solidify the UAE’s position as a competitive economic hub that applies the highest standards of financial integrity.”
The programme targets compliance officers across DNFBP sectors, including real estate agents, brokers, precious metals and gemstones traders, auditors, and corporate service providers. These sectors operate under international compliance standards and the Ministry’s supervision.
Participants who complete the four-month programme will receive an ‘ICA/MoEc Certificate in AML/CFT DNFBPs.’ The training consists of six modules covering money laundering and terrorist financing risks, compliance obligations, risk assessment, due diligence, reporting suspicious activity, sanctions guidelines, governance frameworks, and internal controls.
Training will be delivered via an interactive digital platform, with virtual sessions to help participants prepare for the exam. Each participant has two attempts to pass.
The collaboration with the ICA supports the UAE’s broader efforts to enhance compliance measures across the DNFBP sectors and aligns with its goals of combating financial crimes and ensuring adherence to global standards.
