Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday said vast sums of money were laundered out of Bangladesh over the past 15 years, much of it through what he described as “banks being looted in broad daylight.”
He added that a significant portion was also siphoned off through accounting manipulation.
Addressing a gathering of leading accountants, he said, “Many of the country’s top accountants are present here today. I would request your cooperation so that such practices do not recur in the future and we can return to a different path.”
He made the remark at the opening ceremony of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) International Conference, titled “The Profession for the Next Generation: Transforming Ethical AI and Sustainable Reporting,” held at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka.
Touhid said that, as a responsible neighbor and active member of the United Nations and other international organizations, Bangladesh supports a rules-based international order and collective action to address global economic challenges. “We advocate active engagement to promote dialogue, build trust, and seek collaborative solutions to shared concerns,” he said.
He expressed encouragement at seeing experts, practitioners, and thinkers from South Asia and beyond gathered at the conference, adding that their discussions would guide the next generation of professionals to emphasize integrity, accountability, and innovation.
The foreign adviser noted that the world is experiencing rapid technological advancement, with artificial intelligence and digital innovation transforming professions globally, including his own. At the same time, the global community is placing increasing emphasis on sustainability, transparency, and ethical practices in business and governance.
“For Bangladesh, the proposed integration of technology and sustainable capacity is particularly significant,” he said. “To achieve economic growth and deeper global integration, our professionals must not only be technically skilled but also ethically and socially responsible.”
He concluded that platforms like this conference play a vital role in facilitating knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and promoting meaningful collaboration, which can help guide both regional and international communities toward a stable, inclusive, and technologically advanced future.
