In cooperation with the Special Investigation Commission (SIC) in Lebanon and the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) at the US Department of Treasury, the MENAFATF organized a Financial Analysis Techniques Course in the field of AML/CFT during the period 31 March – 2 April 2009 in Beirut, Lebanon.

This course was aimed at strengthening the skills required in a financial analyst who analyses Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and other financial information in the AML/CFT context. Thirty eight experts specialized in receiving and analyzing STRs representing most MENAFATF member countries attended this course.

Some important topics were discussed at this course related to prioritizing and targeting STRs, use of additional information in STR analysis, analytical techniques and tools in STR analysis, strategic analysis of STRs, and software applications for STR analysis and data presentation. In addition, some other presentations were made on STR analysis management techniques, financial indicators, transactional analysis, offshore entities and analysis of related transactions, terrorist financing operations, movement of funds through Alternative Remittance Systems, names variations and considering this in research and analysis process. Also some practical exercises were presented.