KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has affirmed that the government has taken stringent and concrete measures to get Nepal removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list and is committed to preventing the country’s re-entry into such lists in the future.

Responding to a question from MP Prem Suwal in Parliament regarding Nepal’s placement on the FATF grey list, Minister Paudel said the government has amended 19 laws related to anti-money laundering and the promotion of a professional business environment.

New regulations and directives have also been issued and implemented to strengthen controls against money laundering.

He added that the government has already enacted the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation and is implementing strategies and action plans for the period 2024-2029. A ‘Rapid Corrective Action Plan, 2025’ has also been approved to hasten removal from the grey list.

Minister Paudel further noted that guidelines have been issued for high-risk sectors such as precious metal and commodity traders, casino operators, and real estate businesses.

Four coordination mechanisms—regulatory, investigative coordination, anti-terrorism, and implementation facilitation—have been established to monitor and enforce compliance.

He emphasized the government’s serious commitment to meeting FATF standards, stating, “We are not only determined to get out of the grey list but also to ensure that Nepal does not appear on such lists again in the future.”