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North Mariana Islands Country Summary

Sanctions

No

FATF AML Deficient List

No

Terrorism
Corruption
US State ML Assessment
Criminal Markets (GI Index)
EU Tax Blacklist
Offshore Finance Center

Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.

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Anti Money Laundering

North Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the United States. Information for the United States may be included below:

FATF status

The U.S.A. is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in the USA was undertaken by in 2024. According to that Evaluation, the USA was deemed Compliant for 9 and Largely Compliant for 23 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 4 and Substantially Effective for 4 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Sanctions

There are no international sanctions currently in force against this country

Bribery & Corruption

Rating 0 (bad) - 100 (good)
Transparency International Corruption Index 69
World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank 83

The North Mariana Islands, as a commonwealth in political union with the United States, reflects the US's business environment where corruption is not seen as a significant risk for foreign investors. While the US market is competitive and offers numerous opportunities, businesses must navigate a complex bureaucracy and comply with extensive anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Companies should be aware that the US government actively enforces these regulations, which prohibit various forms of corruption, and that even minor gifts or facilitation payments can lead to legal complications.

Economy

The economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is primarily driven by tourism and garment manufacturing, with tourism being a significant contributor, especially from Japan. However, the garment industry has declined since 2005, and the islands rely heavily on imports for energy and goods, as well as on federal funding from the U.S. government.

The investment climate in the Northern Mariana Islands is influenced by its status as a U.S. commonwealth, which offers certain protections but also imposes limitations on federal laws. Restrictions on land ownership for non-native islanders can deter potential investors, although there are opportunities for growth in tourism and agriculture. The local government is actively working to attract foreign investment to revitalize the economy and enhance infrastructure.

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  • Risk Analysis
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  • Executive Summaries
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  • Key Findings
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