Chief Adviser seeks Canada's help to bring back laundered money

  • Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has sought the cooperation of the Canadian government to bring back money laundered in Canada to Bangladesh.

When Canadian High Commissioner to Dhaka Ajit Singh met the Chief Advisor at the Jamuna State Guest House on Tuesday (February 4), he sought this cooperation.

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Professor Yunus said, "Oligarch businessmen, their close associates and political figures during the regime of Dictator Sheikh Hasina have stolen hundreds of billions of US dollars from Bangladesh. A part of which has been laundered to Canada, especially by buying assets in the infamous 'Begum Para' area of Toronto."

He sought assistance in identifying, seizing and recovering the assets laundered in Canada.

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The Chief Adviser said, "They stole our people's money and bought assets in Begum Para. We want your help in recovering these assets. This is the assets of our people."

The Canadian High Commissioner welcomed the efforts of the interim government led by Professor Yunus to recover the stolen funds. He assured that the Canadian government would support the initiative of the Chief Adviser to recover the assets.

He said that the Canadian government has launched a ‘process’ to seize and recover the money laundered by identified individuals. His country is ready to support the reform program undertaken by the interim government for the transition to democracy in Bangladesh.

Referring to the state reform program, Ajit Singh said, ‘We support the great work that you are doing. The progress that has already been made is commendable. We are interested in knowing how we can help you further.’

He said that Canada is interested in expanding trade and increasing investment with Bangladesh. He also said that a Canadian minister will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Professor Yunus recalled his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the UN General Assembly session in New York. He said, ‘Dhaka is expecting more Canadian investment’.

The Prime Minister had said, ‘Bangladesh is ready for business. We want to expand trade with your country and we want Canadian companies to relocate their factories to Bangladesh.’

The Chief Adviser also said that currently many Bangladeshis are living and studying in Canada. Therefore, there is a need to establish a Canadian visa office in Dhaka.

Lamia Morshed, Principal Coordinator for SDGs in the Office of the Chief Adviser, was present at the meeting.