Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed expressed optimism on Tuesday about recovering a hefty amount of laundered money from abroad within this year.
“We are making immediate efforts to initiate the process of retrieving the laundered money as soon as possible. In this regard, we will sign agreements with the respective countries,” he said while responding to reporters' queries after presiding over a meeting of the Advisers' Council Committee on Government Purchase in the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
When asked whether it would be possible to recover all the laundered money, Salehuddin acknowledged the government's ongoing efforts but noted that the total amount is significant.
He explained that the money is spread across various countries, and legal procedures must be followed to facilitate its return.
“You will have more clarity on this matter next month,” he said, adding that the Bangladesh Bank would be able to provide further details.
In response to another question about whether billions of dollars in laundered money could be recovered within this year, the finance adviser reiterated his optimism.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed the relevant authorities on Monday to intensify efforts to repatriate the laundered money.
He issued the directive during a meeting on money laundering prevention at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Regarding the meeting’s outcomes, CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that Yunus emphasized that the laundered money belongs to the people of the country and must be returned as soon as possible.
He further mentioned that a high-powered meeting on money recovery will be held every month, and the chief adviser has scheduled another meeting after Eid-ul-Fitr to assess the progress of the recovery efforts.
When asked about the government's stance, the chief adviser reaffirmed that bringing back the laundered money is a top priority and must be achieved at all costs.
