Economic and trade sanctions

Sanctions are measures used by national governments, supranational bodies and international organisations to support national security interests and/or advance foreign policy objectives. The requirements of different sanctions regimes will often vary depending on the government or body administering them, their intended aims, and the individuals, groups, vessels and entities they target. However, measures commonly imposed include:

• financial restrictions
• asset freezes
  
• travel bans
  
• targeted arms embargos, and/or
  
• import/export bans on certain commodities.
  

We are committed to ensuring the financial wellbeing of people, businesses and communities by ensuring we comply with the applicable sanctions regulations.

In light of the differences amongst sanction laws of nation states, we have a Group-wide policy which acts as basis for the development of appropriate internal procedures. We are committed to:

• ensuring employees understand the importance of sanctions compliance
• securing the Group’s operations in their respective markets
  
• working to mitigate the risk of breaching sanctions regulations
  
• promoting awareness of our role as a responsible corporate citizen.
  

We undertake due diligence on:

• our customers
• international payments
  
• trade transactions.
  

The purpose of this due diligence is to ensure that we:

• properly identify any sanction risk represented by our customers, transactions and trade deals
• avoid breaching an applicable sanctions regime as a result of conducting business with, for, on behalf of, or otherwise, in relation to a designated entity.