The government has expedited its move to retrieve money laundered abroad allegedly during the Sheikh Hasina-led government regime, as the authorities concerned are planning to hold a couple of high-stake meetings in this regard.
The National Coordination Committee (NCC) on anti-money laundering is expected to hold its meeting late this month or early next month to review the progress so far and decide the next course of action to bring back the money home, according to sources in the government.
Before the NCC meeting, a review meeting will be held, headed by the Chief Adviser, on the progress and actions to be taken to recover the money and assets stashed abroad in the middle of this month. Officials were expecting a schedule of the Chief Adviser on Wednesday next.
From now on, they added, a review meeting on the issue will be held every month, headed by the CA.
The Financial Institutions Division (FID) has already sent a summary note to Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed for necessary approval in this regard.
Between 2009 and 2023, a huge amount of money and assets were allegedly siphoned off from the country - recovery of the money and assets is one of the priority activities of the interim government, according to the note.
An 11-member inter-agency task force was formed on September 29 last year, with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank as its chairman, to ensure good governance in the financial sector, bring back money and assets laundered abroad, and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future, the note added.
In the light of the recommendations of the task force, 11 joint investigation teams (JITs) have been formed to take further action after identifying the most important 11 priority cases.
An FID official said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is acting as the lead agency of the JITs and investigating officers from Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) are being nominated jointly.
Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is coordinating the search and investigation activities.
A meeting was held on March 10 last on the progress of recovery of money and assets stashed abroad with the Chief Adviser of the interim government in the chair.
The meeting stressed on ensuring accurate data collection related to stolen money and assets which is the most important primary step to recover those. It also laid special emphasis on conducting investigation activities with utmost diligence and recommended taking appropriate measures to strengthen coordination.
Besides, a meeting of the task force was also held on March 13, 2025.
rezamumu@gmail.com
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
