Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has said that it is the shared responsibility of all stakeholders including the government to work toward lifting Nepal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Gray List related to money laundering.
Addressing a programme organized in Kathmandu to mark the National Anti- Money Laundering Day – 2082 BS , titled “Money Laundering Prevention: Transparency and Fiscal Discipline,” minister Khanal underscored the need to create a concrete foundation for Nepal’s removal from the gray list within a year by completing all necessary reform measures.
The economic reform initiatives undertaken by the government are not driven by pressure or compulsion from the international community, he pointed out adding rather, the efforts aim to build corruption-free institutions, promote transparency and good governance so as to strengthen the national economy.
According to finance minister Khanal initiatives to prevent money laundering do not impose additional economic burdens or unnecessary costs on the country. Arguing that the lower-than-expected inflow of foreign investment is due to lack of confidence in Nepal’s financial system, he underscored the need to create an investment-friendly environment through reforms. Expressing hope that the reform efforts would be completed by the end of 2026, the minister also called for effectiveness in investigation, prosecution, and action in money laundering cases.
Also speaking at the programme, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha echoed the need to address global legal policy, and institutional challenges to ensure Nepal’s financial integrity and good governance. He said the present situation is not merely a challenge but also an opportunity for self-reflection and further reform. An action plan has been formulated to remove the country from the Gray List within the next year, he added, calling for its effective implementation through collective efforts from all sectors. Gajendra Kumar Thakur, Director-General of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, on the occasion expressed the view that elimination of money laundering is not responsibility of a single agency. Hence, he underlined the importance of collective efforts among all stakeholders to alleviate it.
He advised that a special emphasis should be laid on legal reforms and updating the legislations, enhancing efforts among the investigation agencies, expanding international coordination, development of integrated information partnership system and monitoring of digital economy to resolve the matter.
