bg-img (2)

RYJA CONSULTING

AML & AEOI COMPLIANCE SPECIALISTS

...frictionless compliance...

...frictionless compliance...

The regulatory environment for business is undergoing unprecedented restructuring in keeping with evolving international standards and best practices.

In varying degrees, new registration, compliance and reporting obligations have been introduced within the offshore and domestic sectors, affecting regulated and unregulated activities.

Notably, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism financing and sanctions (AML) compliance obligations have been extended to include Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professionals (DNFBPs). This has brought within the AML scope, certain business activities in the legal, accounting, auditing, tax, real estate, corporate services, precious metals, precious stones, and virtual asset services sectors, amongst others.

Additionally, and more broadly, a number of entities are potentially within scope for tax transparency obligations arising from ESR, FATCA and CRS mandates.

For many DNFBPs and SMEs, the increased regulatory requirements have presented challenges.

Ryja Consulting understands the challenges and adopts a whole-of-business approach to its compliance solutions to reduce operational friction. At Ryja, we believe that effective adjustment to the new regulatory environment ensures that businesses remain competitive and are better equipped to manage their risks.

About Ryja

Ryja Consulting Fze (Ryja) is a boutique consultancy that specializes in public governance, AML regulation of DNFBPs, and FATCA and CRS compliance. It is registered with the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority since 2019 under license L-0268. Its offices are located in the iconic Sheikh Rashid Tower, DWTC, Dubai, UAE.

It offers customized advisory and consulting services on compliant systems and controls to satisfy:

  • AML obligations for DNFBPs.
  • FATCA, CRS and ESR requirements.
  • Data Protection obligations.
  • Corporate Registry mandates.

We assist with start-up activities, remediation and onsite examinations. Contact us to discuss how we may help meet your compliance needs.

NB: Ryja Consulting does not provide corporate or financial intermediary services, tax or legal advice.

Principal & Managing Director

Rowena Bethel has a comprehensive background spanning over two decades in AML Regulation, International Tax Policy and Data Protection across multiple jurisdictions in both the public and private sectors. She has advised on and implemented related regulatory frameworks for DNFBPs, cross-border tax information exchange arrangements, and data protection. She has worked in the regulatory compliance space in the UAE for over 5 years and is a DFSA-approved CO/MLRO/SM. She is qualified as a Barrister of the Middle Temple, England; a Counsel and Attorney of the Bahamas Bar; and CAMS certified.

She brings to her clients demonstrated global leadership expertise and insight from working with IMF FSAPs, World Bank ROSCS, FATF MERS, and as a past representative on the OECD Global Forum on Taxation, UN Expert Committees on (1) International Cooperation in Tax Matters and (2) Public Administration; and ACAMS Advisory Board.

Her current professional memberships include: ACAMS; International Fiscal Association (UAE Chapter); International Association of Privacy Professionals.

2 (1)

Rowena G. Bethel, LL.B (Leics), LL.M (Strath)

Linkedin Twitter

Why Ryja?

Ryja draws on its unique experience with the transition process for DNFBPs to become AML compliant & the implementation of FATCA, CRS and data protection at national and enterprise levels. Your business will benefit from Ryja’s diversified background -

International –

  • o assessors for FATF Mutual Evaluation Reviews and OECD Global Tax Forum Peer Reviews
  • o member of UN Expert Committee on International Cooperation in Tax Matters& Public Administration

National –

  • o former DNFBP regulators in offshore centres
  • o negotiation and administration of tax information exchange agreements
  • implementing legislative and regulatory frameworks for AML, international tax cooperation (including FATCA, CRS) & data protection

Enterprise level -

  • o DFSA approved CO/MLRO and SM
  • o Internal Systems and Controls for FATCA/CRS/ESR

Our product service lines (AML/FATCA/CRS/DP) include -

  • Policies and Procedures Manual​
  • Systems & Controls gap analyses
  • AML/FATCA/CRS/DP Risk Assessments
  • AML/FATCA/CRS/DP Training
  • Remediation

Our team members are readily accessible with a proven track record in cust omizing and executing compliant business systems and controls

Our Services* include support with the following -

Gap Analysis

Entity Classifications**

Policies & Procedures Manual

Training

Adequacy Reviews

Regulatory Onsite examinations

Regulatory Registrations

Reporting

Onboarding forms for banks & financial institutions

Regulatory Remediation

* At this time our AML services are tailored primarily for DNFBPs.

** Incl. for ESR purposes

Get in touch with us .............