GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Guyana says it has received an assurance of support from the United States for the completion of several pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing public security. It said that the pledge was given at the Caribbean-United States, Security Cooperation Dialogue, held recently in Washington.

“The United States Government, through its embassy here in Georgetown, has started to take follow-up action in that regard,” said Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Public Security Minister Khemraj had attended the Washington meeting and presented a report on Guyana’s progress with Whistle Blower, Juvenile Justice and State Assets Recovery legislation. All of these Bills which went through a series of consultations are soon to be laid in the National Assembly.

The Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue was held following the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) meeting.

The fifth CBSI was held in Trinidad and Tobago last September.

A joint action statement from the Dialogue committed to the substantial reduction of illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean, the promotion and advancement of public safety and security, the promotion of social justice and the establishment of a strong partnership for the future, Harmon said.

The meeting also addressed the issue of de-risking in relation to Guyana’s banking system and the socio-economic implications.

“We were assured that the issues raised will be addressed,” Harmon told reporters.

De-risking refers to financial institutions existing banking relations considered ‘high risk. Correspondent banking, in particular and the threat of de-risking is of great concern to Caricom countries as some international banks have ceased their operations in the region.

The issue of de-risking was also examined at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conference in Paris, France which was attended by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.  Harmon said that a report “on the establishment of criteria for correspondent banking” was presented at the FATF conference.

Guyana was officially removed from the FATF watch list for the combating of money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons mass destruction earlier this month, at FATF’s plenary.