Regulatory Frameworks For Hawala And Other Remittance Systems

Hawala and other remittance systems have gained attention in recent years with the substantial growth of remittance flows from countries with large migrant labor forces and with increased focus on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The IMF and the World Bank have been researching these systems since 2002 to better understand the interplay of historical, cultural, and economic factors that promote such systems. This book is a survey of regulatory practices and an overview of experiences in different countries, and includes articles on regulatory frameworks in remitting and receiving countries and on the problems that can arise when regulating remittance systems.

Governments, through their regulatory bodies, typically regulate formal financial sector players such as banks, which can leave providers working in informal remittance systems outside regulatory channels. Value transfer services financial transfers performed domestically or across borders on behalf of clients are essential to the financial system, and as such, are often offered by both formal and informal actors. Law enforcement and counter-terrorism authorities are evaluating money and value transmission channels for vulnerabilities that may make these channels attractive for illicit use, including the financing of terrorism. 'Alternative Remittance Systems and Terrorism Financing: Issues in Risk Management' aims to help countries bring these informal alternative remittance systems into their counter-terrorism programs, without hindering the ability of those who depend on these systems to send and receive money at low cost.

Following the events of 9\11 individual countries and the international community became increasingly concerned about how best to prevent the funding of terrorist groups. Alternative remittance systems such as Hawala, where money is moved informally between a network of brokers in the Middle East, north Africa and south Asia have been identified as a potential source of terrorist financing leading to calls for greater regulation of such alternative remittance systems. This book analyses the risk such alternative remittance systems pose in terms of terrorist financing, offering a detailed overview of the historical origins and methods of operation of alternative remittance systems or informal value transfer systems. The factors that have come to ensure that these systems have remained operationally viable in modern times are identified along with the risks they present balanced against an overview of their actual misuse for illicit purposes to date. The book presents a detailed critique of the UK framework for the regulation of these systems drawing where possible on existing data to assess the use and effectiveness of these measures in practice. A range of options for mitigating risks associated with specific remittance corridors is considered ranging from initiatives that promote remittances through the banking sector, to efforts to mitigate risk and the impact on the delivery of UK overseas development aid. The book concludes with key recommendations as to the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework within the UK viewed from the perspective of international efforts to secure the regulation of these systems, and in stemming terrorist finance as part of national and international counter-terrorism policy.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been increased public interest in informal funds transfer (IFT) systems. This paper examines the informal hawala system, an IFT system found predominantly in the Middle East and South Asia. The paper examines the historical and socioeconomic context within which the hawala has evolved, the operational features that make it susceptible to potential financial abuse, the fiscal and monetary implications for hawala-remitting and hawala-recipient countries, and current regulatory and supervisory responses.

The International Transactions in Remittance: Guide for Compilers and Users (RCG) presents concepts, definitions, and classifications related to remittances. It is consistent with the new standards for measuring balance of payments transactions, as contained in the sixth edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6). These standards are used globally to compile comprehensive and comparable data. The RCG identifies the main remittances compilation methods currently being used by compilers and discusses in detail the strengths and weaknesses of each method. It is the first manual providing compilation guidance for remittances and is also the first compilation guide based on concepts set out in BPM6. Although the RCG is primarily aimed at remittances data compilers, it may also be useful for users who wish to understand remittances data.

Annotation The study examines the hawala system 's operational characteristics, vulnerability to financial abuse and regulatory implications.

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