Chamber passes money laundering bill

At a plenary session on Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies passed a previously rejected bill combatting money laundering and terrorism financing, 170 to 70. 

The bill transposes several European directives on combatting money laundering. 

The bill provides for associations and foundations to be placed under an obligation to disclose to the relevant public bodies - including the National Office for the Prevention of and Combat against Money Laundering (ONPCSB) - all their beneficiaries. According to an amendment added on Monday by the Judiciary Committee, the organisations of citizens belonging to national minorities members of the Council of National Minorities, are exempted from these provisions and will not be disclosing entities. 

The bill also provides for a ban on the issuance of nominal shares. 

ONPCSB should submit to the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) monthly reports on cash transactions, reports on external transfers to and from accounts, and reports on money remittance activities received from reporting entities that are under an obligation to disclose such information to the ONPCSB.