“Audit will start to determine money swindled by corrupt people”

Chief Adviser to the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, said work is underway to assess the amount of money laundered abroad or swindled by some corrupt businessmen and influential people of the country.

The Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) said this in a statement on Wednesday (August 28).

"Audit will begin to determine the money swindled by the corrupt people . . . (but) it can be assumed that the amount could be over Taka 100 billion," the CAO office said in a statement.

It said initiatives were taken by now to bring reforms in the banks and financial institutions involved in such corruption and money laundering while the interim government by now reconstituted the governing boards of Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, National Bank, United Commercial Bank, Global Islami Bank and Union Bank.

"Reforms in other banks and financial institutions will start as well. The actual information of the money laundered will be collected through new managements and audit will begin to determine the money swindled by the corrupt people," the statement read.

The statement, however, said the task would require international technical assistance and funding.

Bangladesh Bank and the government have taken initiatives to restructure the banks by seizing the assets of embezzlers and bringing their laundered money home._BSS.