Luxury New Zealand Accommodation
M) Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
Turkey. Turkey is an important regional financial center for Central Asia and the Middle East and continues to be a major transit route for Southwest Asian opiates moving to Europe. Most money laundering that takes place appears to involve tax evasion rather than narcotics transactions, according to U.S. law enforcement sources, and local narcotics-trafficking organizations are responsible for only a small portion of the total of funds laundered in Turkey. Terrorist financing is also an issue, although Turkey has traditionally taken a strong stance against terrorism. Money laundering takes place in both banks and non-bank financial institutions. Traditional money laundering methods in Turkey involve the cross-border smuggling of currency, bank transfers into and out of the country, and the purchase of high-ticket items such as real estate, gold and luxury automobiles. Illicit funds are also integrated into the economy through the financing of the construction of large apartment com ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
About 150 miles further to the southeast is Wilson’s Promontory, the southern extremity of the Australian mainland. It comprises 116,000 acres of National Park that makes an ideal spot for walkers and swimmers. Flats and lodges of varying bed capacities are also available for hire at Tidal River within the Promontory. Arrangements for the rental of these accommodations are made through Tourism Victoria. There are also several small towns nearby where one can find adequate motel accommodations. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The PCC (Paper Check Conversion) software has been installed at the Cashier window. Personal checks presented at the window for accommodation exchange are immediately scanned and electronically transferred to the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland; and, they are cleared in 24 hours.Checks and credit cards are not readily accepted, except by major hotels, some restaurants and a handful of retail shops. For businesses that accept credit cards, it is not unusual that they add a 3% to 5% surcharge to the transaction. Post employees can cash U.S. traveler and Treasury checks at the U.S. Embassy cashier and at some local banks. However, the local banks charge a fee for service. As of this writing, there are around 20 Western Union agents located in Phnom Penh and more than 60 in other locations outside of the city. ... [Read More]
Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
In October 2000 Vanuatu addressed deficiencies in the regulation of the banking sector by passing the Financial Transaction Recording Act. This law requires financial institutions to identify customers and beneficial owners when establishing business relations or account accommodations. Regulatory agencies in Vanuatu have instituted stricter procedures for issuance of offshore banking licenses and continue to review the status of previously issued licenses. This legislation requires all financial institutions, both domestic and offshore, to report suspicious transactions and to maintain records of all transactions for 6 years, including the identities of the parties involved. Safe harbor provisions are provided under this legislation to all suspicious transactions reported in good faith. ... [Read More]
1996 Country Commercial Guides
U.S. Department of State Australia 1996 Country Commercial Guide Office of the Coordinator AUSTRALIA 1996 COUNTRY COMMERCIAL GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER II: ECONOMIC TRENDS AND OUTLOOK A. MAJOR TRENDS AND OUTLOOK B. PRINCIPAL GROWTH SECTORS 1. MINING AND ENERGY RESOURCES 2. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 3. VALUE ADDED PROCESSING, MANUFACTURING 4. HIGH TECH INDUSTRY 5. SERVICES 6. TOURISM C. GOVERNMENT ROLE IN THE ECONOMY 1. BUDGET PRIORITIES 2. ECONOMIC REFORMS D. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS SITUATION E. INFRASTRUCTURE SITUATION 1. OVERVIEW 2. AIR TRANSPORT 3 ELECTIONS; AND ORIENTATION OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES CHAPTER IV: MARKETING U.S. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES A. RETAILING TRENDS B. DISTRIBUTIO ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Bank of America provides accommodation exchange three days a week at the Consulate General. To get U.S. dollars, there is a fee in addition to the exchange rate. Employees and TDY visitors may cash up to US$ 1,000 per day. ... Hong Kong has converted to the metric system, but pounds, inches and gallons still compete with grams, meters and liters. Local markets continue to use the catty, which is roughly 1 1/4 pounds. Temperature is recorded in Celsius. Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of PropertyLast Updated: 3/15/2004 0:32 AM Personnel assigned to the Consulate General and accredited as members of the consular corps are exempt from the payment of local taxes and duty. This includes the duties charged for imported luxury items such as automobiles, gasoline, liquors, and cigarettes. The Consulate General's General Services Office will advise you on how to purchase such items tax and duty free. As noted previously, the Hong Kong dollar is linked to the U.S. dollar. The Consulate Genera ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Under contract to the Embassy, a commercial bank operates an accommodation exchange facility for Mission personnel on the Chancery compound. The bank cashes personal dollar checks for baht or for limited amounts of dollars. Employees are advised to arrange for automatic overdraft coverage since returned checks can result in loss of accommodation exchange privileges. ... Bangkok's R&R location is Sydney, Australia. Many employees take advantage of their tour in Bangkok to visit countries throughout the region. Air connections are excellent from Bangkok and many companies offer excellent package tours including airfare and hotel accommodations at the destination. Social ActivitiesLast Updated: 2/28/2002 6:00 PM ... [Read More]
1996 Country Commercial Guides
U.S. Department of State Hong Kong Country Commercial Guide for FY 95-96Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs Country Commercial Guide for FY 95-96 Hong Kong TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYCHAPTER II. ECONOMIC TRENDS AND OUTLOOKCHAPTER III. POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTCHAPTER IV. MARKETING U.S. PRODUCTS AND SERVICESCHAPTER V. LEADING SECTORS FOR U.S. EXPORTS AND INVESTMENTCHAPTER VI. TRADE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDSCHAPTER VII. INVESTMENT CLIMATECHAPTER VIII. TRADE AND PROJECT FINANCINGCHAPTER IX. BUSINESS TRAVELCHAPTER X. APPENDICES APPENDIX A -- COUNTRY DATA APPENDIX B -- DOMESTIC ECONOMY APPENDIX C -- TRADE APPENDIX D -- INVESTMENT STATISTICS APPENDIX E -- U.S. AND COUNTRY CONTACTS APPENDIX F -- MARKET RESEARCH APPENDIX G -- TRADE EVENT SCHEDULE This Country Commercial Guide (CCG) presents a comprehensive look at Hong Kong's com ... [Read More]
Documents 166-190
The report seems totally to disregard the value which our policy and position in the Middle East have derived from our Military Assistance program to Iran. This program has been instrumental in keeping this underdeveloped Moslem state, located on the borders of the Soviet Union, firmly on the side of the Free World in the cold war. The Steering Group report appears to assume that our military aid program for Iran can be radically altered against the desires of the Iranian regime while that regime's adherence to the United States will remain as strong as ever. I am convinced that the concept held in some quarters that the Shah has no place to turn but to the United States is erroneous. Out of concern for his country's security and worried by an apparent lessening of U.S. interest in this he might seek some accommodation with the USSR, with the concomitant adjustment of Iranian policy which the Soviets would require. We must not forget that the Shah was on the point of making such an arr ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Embassy cashier provides accommodation exchange services at the cashier’s office. The service is provided for the convenience of U.S. Government employees and for dependents for whom a power of attorney is on file. Accommodation exchange is provided only for Japanese yen and U.S. dollars. For those leaving post, the cashier provides an opportunity to sell back excess Japanese yen. ... The Consulate will meet newly assigned officers and their families at Fukuoka Airport or Hakata train station, if advised in advance of travel plans. Housing Temporary QuartersLast Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM New employees and their families almost always move directly into government-owned housing on arrival. If necessary, several good Western-style hotels in Fukuoka have accommodations within the temporary housing allowance. Meals in the hotels are more expensive than in the U.S. Permanent HousingLast Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM [Read More]
|