Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Finance Adviser to the government, has expressed hope that a portion of the money illegally smuggled out of the country could be recovered by February. However, he did not specify the exact amount expected to return.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Procurement at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Dr. Salehuddin said, “Those involved in smuggling are aware of every step and know how to handle it. Bringing the money back requires time. Some progress has been made, and discussions are ongoing with several legal firms. Hopefully, some money will be recovered by February, and we are preparing for the rest.”
He emphasized the necessity of following formal legal processes, adding, “No government can bypass this formality. Even if I instruct the central bank or Swiss banks to return the money, it must go through the proper legal channels.”
Regarding high-priority cases, he said, “We are closely monitoring 11–12 cases as top priority, and among the remaining cases, those exceeding Tk 200 crore are also being tracked.”
On whether the new government will maintain the ongoing recovery efforts, Dr. Salehuddin responded, “They are obliged to continue. The processes we have established are essential; without them, the money cannot be recovered. Following international practices is necessary for this process to succeed.”
When asked about the total recoverable amount, he referred the question to the Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
On allegations that some money has already been smuggled again, he said, “We are reviewing the situation comprehensively at Bangladesh Bank. Assets have already been frozen in several countries. We know where the money is, which accounts hold it, and in which countries the individuals hold passports. The remaining work simply takes time.”
Responding to allegations that certain advisers receive preferential allocations, Dr. Salehuddin clarified, “No, the projects were planned long ago.”
In response to a report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) stating that three out of ten families suffer from malnutrition or food insecurity, the Finance Adviser acknowledged, “We do have some nutritional deficiencies, particularly among children and mothers.”
He added, “We are making efforts to address this through VGF and special distribution trucks. Fishermen will receive 20 kg of essential food items as fishing activities wind down soon. Our food supply is largely rice-based, but we recognize the need for protein. Eggs are especially important, although affordability remains a challenge for some.”
