[191213.EN.BIZ] Hong Kong, Malaysian Firms Now On US Entity List For 'Illicit' Trading

A GROUP of Malaysia and Hong Kong companies have appeared on the US Government's "Entity List" for facilitating trade that undermines American security and/or violates various trade restrictions, mostly with Iran.

The first group of entities added are namely Anvik Technologies Sdn Bhd, Montana Advanced Engineering Sdn Bhd, Albin Technologies Sdn Bhd, Hansen Technologies Limited, and Babak Jafarpour, which were involved in purchasing items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) from US companies and having the items shipped via virtual offices and freight forwarders in Hong Kong and Malaysia to Iran.

Beijing Tianhua, Tenfine Ltd, Longtek Co, FOC (HK) Technology Co and Comsum Technologies (Group) Ltd are also listed as procurement agents for a listed entity, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), because of its involvement in the development of rockets and drones.

Other parties being added to the Entity List are in Armenia, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Iran, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, said the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

BIS has added 36 companies and individuals to the Entity List for "engaging in actions contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests" of the United States.

Investigations conducted by BIS's Office of Export Enforcement identified those companies and individuals who engaged in illicit shipments of US-origin goods to Iran and prohibited end-users in China.

"We are committed to using every available method to prevent illicit diversions from harming our national security," said Undersecretary of Commerce Eric Hirschhorn, reported American Shipper.

The Entity List provides public notice of entities that have engaged in activities that could result in an increased risk of the diversion of exported, re-exported or transferred items to weapons of mass destruction programmes; entities sanctioned by the US State Department and companies that have acted contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests.

The items purchased included various types of electronics, and navigation and avionics equipment.

The second group of entities - Saeed Talebi, Satco, Satco Corp, Satco GmbH, Kadin Satco FZE, AAG Makina, and Murat Peker - operated as part of a procurement ring coordinating the sale and supply of items to Iran in violation of OFAC regulations and the EAR, the agency said.

BIS said Saeed Talebi purchased items from US companies and shipped them to Iran via Germany and Turkey. Mr Talebi allegedly established businesses in the UAE, Germany and Canada to facilitate shipments while Murat Peker, an employee of AAG Makina in Turkey, allegedly worked with Mr Talebi and provided false information to the US Government concerning final destinations.

Also listed are Aeolian Airlines, Seyyed Abdolreza Mousavi, Eurocenter Havacilik Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Kral Aviation Services Ltd, Kral Aviaton, Asian Aviation Logistics Co, Gulnihal Yegane, Pioneer Logistics, Havacilik TurizmYoonetim Danismanlik Ithalat Thracat San Tic Ltd Sti, Thrust Aviation FZE, Aerostar Asset Management FZC, Avistar Havacilik Bilisim Turizm Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Mostafa Oveici, Vertir Airlines, Sawa Air Aviation FZCO, Avia Trust, Khalidee Boolay Surinanda, Kosol Surinanda, Ergin Turker and Glasgow International Trading - all are engaged in a procurement scheme for Iranian airline Mahan Air, a US-designated terrorist organisation.

Source : HKSG.