Last Updated on April 1, 2026 7:44 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday told parliament that an estimated $234 billion was siphoned out of the country during the previous Sheikh Hasina government’s tenure from 2009 to 2023, with the current administration launching efforts to trace and recover the laundered funds.
Replying to a written question in the House, Tarique said movable and immovable assets worth about Tk 70,446 crore had already been attached and frozen at home and abroad. He cited findings of a white paper preparation committee formed by the interim government, which estimated illicit financial outflows at $234 billion over 15 years, averaging $16 billion annually, or about Tk 1.8 lakh crore a year.
According to the PM, 10 countries have been identified as possible destinations of the siphoned money: the US, UK, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. He said Bangladesh had received consent to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements with Malaysia, Hong Kong and the UAE, while talks were under way with the remaining countries.
Tarique said an inter-agency task force led by the Bangladesh Bank governor had been formed, while legal proceedings were ongoing in 11 priority recovery cases. He added that 11 joint investigation teams had also been constituted under the Anti-Corruption Commission, with support from the CID, NBR’s Central Intelligence Cell and Customs Intelligence.
He told parliament that assets worth Tk 57,168 crore 9 lakh had been frozen within Bangladesh and Tk 13,278 crore 13 lakh abroad. So far, 141 cases have been filed, charge sheets submitted in 15, and verdicts delivered in six, he said, adding that recovery of laundered assets remained a “highest priority” for the government.
