Jude Scott, chief executive officer (CEO), Cayman Finance, has said the publishing of the online database of entities, officers and intermediaries linked to the Panama Papers released on Monday (9 May) show links to the Cayman Islands to be relatively minor in terms of the volume of data.
It was found of the 214,000 offshore companies set up by the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, only 104 has a link to the Cayman Islands.
Scott said this was within the typical range of business expected of a global financial hub such as Cayman.
He commented: “Cayman Finance and the Cayman Islands have no tolerance for those who choose to violate our laws.”
“Unfortunately, no jurisdiction in the world is free from the threat of criminal financial activity. Top jurisdictions ensure appropriate law enforcement authorities are empowered and informed fully to prevent crimes, investigate and apprehend criminals. On these efforts the Cayman Islands has been a leader.”
Scott also said that Cayman’s financial services industry’s collaborative relationship with government was supporting further enhancements to the jurisdiction’s legal infrastructure to promote even greater transparency with law enforcement.
He added: “These enhancements include a new agreement to provide UK authorities access to beneficial ownership information with the utmost urgency, but in a way that is also appropriate for our jurisdiction. These further include a newly announced prohibition on the use of bearer shares, repeal of Cayman’s Confidential Relationships (Preservation) Law and new data protection legislation that will be on par with what is in place in the European Union.
“Combatting global financial crime requires a unified legal, social and law enforcement approach – and not just by any one jurisdiction, but by all G20 countries and International Financial Centres. We will continue working with those who pursue practical solutions that also recognise the critical role International Financial Centres like the Cayman Islands play in the global economy.”
Cayman Finance, Panama Papers, Jude Scott, Cayman Islands
