THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN’S NATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT 2025

22 various ministerial orders and regulatory procedures have been issued to delegate and organize the implementation of AML/CFT measures. Threat Objective 74. In accordance with the World Bank tool, consultation with the public and private sector, and FATF guidance, the Kingdom of Bahrain has conducted its second formal and comprehensive NRA. The Money Laundering threat assessment period covers the years from 2021-2024 . 75. The Threat Assessment helps determine the national money laundering “threat level”, which ranges from “low” to “high” on a five-point scale. In the Threat Assessment, the NRA Working Group aims to identify the main predicate offences, origins and flows of criminal proceeds, and money laundering techniques and trends in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The assessment also facilitates systematic analysis of cross-border money laundering threats. 76. The ML Threat Assessment will incorporate three fundamental aspects: • Predicate Offence Assessment • Sectoral Threat Assessment • The Overall Threat Assessment 77. Nonetheless, the aim of this assessment is to systematically align the national (AML/CFT/CPF) strategy with a risk-based approach. This involves identifying, analysing, and assessing threats identified by relevant authorities to prioritize efforts accordingly. PREDICATE OFFENCES THREAT ASSESSMENT 78. While the assessment has covered all levels of threats emanating from predicate offences, this document focuses mainly on predicate offenses that pose higher threats compared to others to provide a clearer understanding of the most pressing threats and their potential impact on the financial system. 79. Predicate offences relating to ML violations are defined as the offences of which proceeds are concealed into the financial system or through the acquisition of assets or any other act that is conducted with the intention of disguising the original source of those funds to reflect a legitimate source instead. ML is prohibited and prosecuted under the law in accordance with Law decree No. (4) for year 2001. Predicate Offence Analysis 80. Given the diverse nature, sequence, and modus operandi of predicate offenses, it is essential to analyse trends and identify common methods used in their commission to effectively investigate, prosecute, and convict offenders.