Ministry of Economy and Dubai Police Sign MoU to Strengthen AML/CFT Compliance Frameworks

The Ministry of Economy and Dubai Police General Command have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in the development of compliance mechanisms aligned with anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting the financing of terrorism (CFT) requirements.

Signed during the fourth edition of the World Police Summit at the Dubai World Trade Centre—under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai—the MoU aims to enhance information sharing, institutional integration, and supervisory functions within the UAE’s national legislative framework.

H.E. Safia Hashim Al Safi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commercial Control and Governance at the Ministry of Economy, and H.E. Major General Expert Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs at Dubai Police, represented their respective entities in signing the agreement.

H.E. Al Safi highlighted the UAE’s ongoing efforts in advancing legal and regulatory frameworks to counter financial crimes. “This partnership with Dubai Police is in line with the Ministry's broader vision to foster closer coordination with both federal and local authorities. It enhances our capabilities to enforce AML/CFT procedures and strengthens the nation’s integrity as a global business hub,” she said.

She further added that the MoU establishes a long-term collaborative framework between the Ministry and Dubai Police to monitor and inspect suspicious financial activities more effectively. The partnership also seeks to improve control mechanisms and align them with international compliance standards.

Echoing this sentiment, H.E. Major General Al Mansoori stated, “This MoU represents a vital step toward reinforcing institutional synergy across various national entities. Dubai Police remains dedicated to supporting anti-financial crime initiatives by upgrading its research, investigative, and analytical capacities, ensuring that our practices remain in sync with global standards.”

He also emphasized the importance of unifying expertise and leveraging smart technologies to create a more secure financial environment.

Counselor Salem Al Tunaiji, Director of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Department at the Ministry of Economy, stressed the operational significance of the agreement. According to him, the MoU facilitates advanced technical coordination and secure data sharing between the Ministry and Dubai Police—especially in monitoring Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), including real estate brokers, dealers of precious metals and stones, auditors, and corporate service providers.

The agreement includes key collaborative initiatives such as:

• Developing risk response mechanisms for financial crimes,

• Establishing effective communication channels for data exchange,

• Launching joint training and professional development workshops,

• Issuing analytical reports to support regulatory decision-making.

Additionally, the MoU outlines joint efforts to design awareness campaigns and media outreach programs focused on institutional compliance and financial crime prevention. Both entities will also cooperate in revising and developing relevant legislation to ensure UAE’s regulatory frameworks align with evolving international AML/CFT standards.

The partnership signals a robust commitment from both institutions to protect the UAE’s financial ecosystem and reinforce its reputation as a safe, transparent, and globally integrated economy.