The Ministry of Justice is expanding its programme of sanctions awareness, training and preparedness and delivering sanctions training sessions to Gibraltar’s private sector as part of its wider programme of sanctions, training and preparedness.

The session, focused on the practical obligations placed on businesses under Gibraltar’s sanctions framework and the steps firms should take to ensure that sanctions risks are properly identified, escalated and managed.

The training provided an overview of Gibraltar’s sanctions framework and the interaction between Gibraltar, UN, UK and EU sanctions regimes. It also covered practical areas including sanctions screening, customer due diligence and ongoing monitoring, indirect ownership and control, asset freezes, reporting obligations and sanctions licensing.

Particular emphasis was placed on the practical steps firms should take when identifying a potential sanctions issue, including establishing ownership and control, escalating potential matches internally, maintaining appropriate records and understanding when funds or economic resources must be frozen. The training also considered cross-border transactions, where different sanctions regimes and licensing requirements may apply.

The Government recommends that the private sector take the opportunity to attend the same training to be delivered on additional dates over the coming weeks. The programme is intended to provide businesses with a practical understanding of their sanctions obligations and to support a continuous programme of sanctions awareness and training across Gibraltar. Anyone interested in learning more about the remaining sessions should contact sanctions@gibraltar.gov.gi.

The Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, the Hon Nigel Feetham KC MP, said: “Sanctions obligations extend across a wide range of businesses and professions and it is important that those operating within Gibraltar understand both the legal framework and what is expected of them in practice.

"This training is intended to provide the private sector with practical guidance on issues they may encounter, from screening and ownership structures to reporting, licensing and cross-border transactions.

"This is the first of several training sessions being offered across a number of dates to provide greater opportunity for the private sector to participate. This forms part of our wider programme to ensure that sanctions awareness and training are maintained on a continuous basis. The objective is to ensure that businesses understand their responsibilities and are able to identify and respond appropriately to sanctions risks when they arise.

"I am grateful to those from the private sector who have shown a substantial interest in attending."