FATF blacklisting is not an honor
Member of the Board of Representatives of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce: We can make exceptions in the approval of the FATF, but it is not interesting that the label is blacklisted. This is not a club to be proud of.
According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, Alireza Kolahy Samadi said about the effects of the FATF on the country's economy: "Our main problem is US sanctions, but now that, God willing, there will be negotiations and there is a possibility that countries will return to the FATF, then the FATF is better." Accept so as not to give an excuse to anyone. If the sanctions are lifted, the FATF will be a more serious problem for us.
The member of the delegation of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce stated: I am sure that in the end, if the acceptance of the FATF is in the interest of the country, rationality will prevail and the acceptance of the FATF at the right time will be in the interest of the country.
He continued: "There are disagreements in this regard, for example, there is disagreement in the list of terrorist organizations." I think Iran rightly believes that some groups are not considered terrorist groups, and some of these categories are political. Of course, we can make exceptions to the FATF approval, but it is not interesting that we are blacklisted. This is not a club to be proud of.
He added: "First, the issue of sanctions must be resolved, which unilaterally affects the Iranian banking system. We must also think about the FATF." Of course, we have to think about the implications of any excuse to remove Iran from the international banking system, as this would greatly increase transaction costs for both the government and the private sector.
Kolahy pointed out: The banking system has a series of requirements that do not only address the issue of sanctions. If an Iranian bank wants to work with its counterparts in the global banking system, it has requirements that specify the rules and so on. The unpreparedness of our banking system to work in the international banking system must be addressed.
Referring to the importance of paying attention to the executive aspects of the FATF, he said: "The approval of the FATF with its implementation are separate issues." We must weigh all aspects of the matter and prepare ourselves.
* ILNA
