Day: March 9, 2023

Interestingly, today the Guardian reported on growing number of mainland Chinese among the migrants crossing the Darién Gap into Panama on their way to the US. The numbers have grown to a level (and the Chinese migrants have more money than the average migrant) where a new Chinese restuarant has opened in the Colombian town from where the journay starts – to cater for the new transient visitors.

The newspapers in Panama are also marking the 9 March being the third anniversary of the first case of Covid-19 being reported. In Panama, 1,031,731 are reported to have been infected, out of a population of less than 4.5 million, with 8,609 reported fatalities. Despites disputes over the benefits and effects of the controls that were adopted, the Panamanian Society of Pediatric Infectology (SPIP) has said in a news release that it was “irrefutable” that the lockdowns and social distancing strategies saved many lives at the beginning of the pandemic crisis, that masks have prevented the transmission of the virus, that vaccines have saved lives and have proven to have an acceptable safety profile in the general and pediatric population, as well as treatments of proven efficacy and effectiveness for the management of Covid-19.

9 MARCH 2023

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On 9 March, the EU Sanctions blog reported that the EU General Court has annulled the 2021 designations of Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and Kalev Mutondo under the EU’s DRC sanctions regime.  The Court said that the Council had not established a sufficient link between them and the security situation in the DRC.  However, the Court rejected the applications of 6 other DRC nationals.

https://www.europeansanctions.com/2023/03/drc-sanctions-eu-annuls-2-listings-upholds-6/

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On 9 March, OFAC added Yun Xia YUAN and a large number of entities.  The listings include a network of 5 companies and one individual for supporting Iran’s UAV procurement efforts.  They also include 39 entities constituting a significant “shadow banking” network, one of several multi-jurisdictional illicit finance systems which grant sanctioned Iranian entities, such as Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. (PGPICC) and Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Triliance), access to the international financial system and obfuscate their trade with foreign customers. Iranian exchange houses create front companies abroad to enable trade on behalf of their Iranian clients, with foreign currency transactions maintained via internal ledgers. 

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20230309

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1330

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20230309

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1331

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

On 9 March, Loadstar reported that it is said that ICS2 meant there would be more emphasis on ensuring “better quality data pre-departure”, and noted it would be “great for customs authorities”.  ICS2 if the EU’s new advance cargo information system which supports implementation of a new customs safety and security regulatory regime aimed to better protect single market and EU citizens.  The second phase from 1 March affects postal operators, express and air carriers and freight forwarders.  All goods transported by air in postal, express and general cargo consignments will be subject, in addition to pre-loading filing requirements, to complete pre-arrival ENS data requirements.

https://theloadstar.com/eu-customs-authorities-and-industry-welcome-second-phase-of-ics2/

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0_en

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0/import-control-system-2-release-2_en

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On 8 March, the FCPA Blog reported that Burhani Engineers Ltd and its 3 affiliates are ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the World Bank Group during a 24-month debarment.  It is alleged that the activity took place in connection with a $168 million World Bank-funded project was designed to increase access to electricity in rural areas of Uganda.  The debarment qualifies for cross-debarment by the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the African Development Bank.

https://fcpablog.com/2023/03/08/world-bank-debars-engineering-and-construction-company-for-fraudulent-practices/

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On 9 March a post from the Home Office was concerned with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme – an ETA being a digital permission to travel to the UK.  It is broadly for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays to the UK, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling.  It will launch for Qatari nationals from 25 October.  From 1 February 2024, the scheme will be extended to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia; and will replace Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW) for nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia.  By the end of 2024, the scheme will be extended worldwide for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, including those visiting from Europe.  It will be valid for multiple journeys over a 2-year period or until the passport the individual used to apply with expires – whichever is sooner.

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/09/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-scheme-factsheet-march-2023/

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On 9 March, Nikkei Asia reported that the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission had arrested the former PM on corruption-related charges.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Malaysia-s-ex-PM-Muhyiddin-arrested-on-corruption-charges

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3212908/malaysian-ex-pm-muhyiddin-yassin-be-charged-corruption

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On 9 March, the EU Sanctions blog reported that the EU General Court had annulled the designation of Nizar Al-Assad.

https://www.europeansanctions.com/2023/03/eu-court-finds-that-the-eu-syria-sanctions-listing-was-unjustified-and-breached-fundamental-principles-of-eu-law-nizar-al-assaad-v-council/

https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=271013&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=1059457

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