Staff Reporter :
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday expressed optimism that part of the money laundered abroad could be recovered by next February. He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase meeting at the Secretariat.
Dr. Salehuddin said the recovery process is advancing through legal and institutional mechanisms, but cautioned that such efforts take time.
“Bringing the money back is not like calling the Swiss Bank and asking them to release it. International legal and financial procedures must be followed.
Progress has been made, and discussions are ongoing with law firms and certain jurisdictions. We hope to see results by February,” he explained.
The government has identified 11-12 high-priority cases and frozen assets linked to them.
Bangladesh Bank has tracked foreign accounts, passports, and residencies of those involved, and cases are moving forward through formal channels.
Asked whether the effort would continue after a new government takes office, he said, “They will be compelled to continue, otherwise no money will return. These are international practices and cannot be abandoned midway.”
On food security, the Adviser said rice imports have been approved as a precaution despite healthy stocks.
“We maintain a buffer stock of Atap rice. Import approvals ensure no sudden shortage if disruptions occur,” he said. Fertilizer imports, particularly DAP and urea, remain a top priority, though global prices have eased.
He also highlighted measures for vulnerable groups, including VGF programmes and special allocations for coastal and haor communities. Fishermen, for example, will receive 20 kilograms of rice during the fishing ban.
On markets, Dr. Salehuddin noted that rice prices have declined with improved stocks, though vegetables fluctuate seasonally. Some traders still manipulate wholesale and retail prices, he admitted.
IMF loan ceiling won’t put pressure: Dr. Salehuddin also said the IMF’s $1.91 billion loan ceiling for the first quarter would not pressure Bangladesh.
“We have already cleared $5 billion in foreign debts and bills, while reserves now exceed $30 billion. No budget-support loans will be taken this year,” he assured.
He stressed stronger revenue collection, saying tax evasion is being curbed and receipts are rising.
Bangladesh will not seek fresh loans from the IMF, World Bank, or ADB at the upcoming October board meeting, though China’s New Development Bank has offered support. “For now, we have declined,” he said.
A former Bangladesh Bank governor, Dr. Salehuddin warned that excessive foreign borrowing could burden the next government.
So far, Bangladesh has drawn only $300 million under the IMF ceiling. He also pointed out that budget-support loans often come with conditions that restrict independent policymaking.
