Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that an estimated US$234 billion has been smuggled abroad from Bangladesh during the last fascist Awami League government.
He said this in response to a written question from a member of parliament from the Comilla-9 constituency on Wednesday. Quoting the calculations of the white paper preparation committee, the prime minister said about $16 billion has left the country annually, which is equivalent to a huge amount in local currency.
The government chief said the money smuggled is believed to have been transferred to several countries. In this context, initiatives have been taken to exchange information, identify resources and strengthen legal assistance with the countries concerned. Meanwhile, the process of signing a mutual legal aid agreement with some countries has begun, and negotiations are underway with others.
An inter-regusitory task force has been set up to prevent and restore money laundering, led by the central bank. Besides, a number of joint investigation teams are working with the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Criminal Investigation Department of the police and the revenue agencies.
According to government data, assets of around Rs 70 thousand crore have been seized or blocked so far, domestic and foreign. At the same time, several cases and judicial proceedings are continuing to recover the money.
The prime minister said the restoration of wealth smuggled abroad is an important part of the government’s strategy to curb corruption and money laundering. The ongoing initiatives in this regard will be strengthened.