We were in an ocean of corruption: Dr Yunus

"We were in an ocean of corruption," Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, while describing the challenges the government faces to tackle graft.

Meanwhile, he sought supports from the United States to rebuild Bangladesh, carry out vital reforms and bring back stolen assets.

Muhammad Yunus sought the assistance when a high-powered US delegation met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Sunday (September 15).

The Chief Adviser described the challenges that the interim government is facing and said his administration has moved quickly to "reset, reform, and restart" the economy, initiate reforms in financial sectors, and fix institutions such as the judiciary and police.

"It is a very important time for us and a significant moment in our history," he said, as he spoke about the student-led revolution, which has ushered in a new era of hope in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus said his government was committed to getting back the stolen assets siphoned off by corrupt individuals linked with the previous autocratic regime.

Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State; Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative; Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator; and Jerrod Mason, a Director of the US Treasury Department; represented the US in the meeting.

Lutfey Siddiqi, the special envoy of the Chief Adviser on international affairs; Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and the head of SDG affairs, Md. Jashim Uddin, foreign secretary, and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division, also attended the meeting.
(Inputs taken from BSS)