The government has significantly strengthened its legal cooperation with multiple countries in a concerted effort to recover money illicitly transferred abroad. As part of this initiative, Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs) have been formally submitted to 23 countries, while a further 21 requests are currently under active processing, according to Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, who disclosed the information during Wednesday’s parliamentary question-and-answer session.
The minister emphasised that the recovery of laundered assets remains one of the government’s highest priorities. He noted that authorities are working through established legal frameworks in partner jurisdictions to identify, freeze, and ultimately repatriate assets held overseas. According to him, the initiative is designed not only to retrieve stolen funds but also to reinforce long-term deterrence against money laundering and illicit financial flows.
To improve coordination and operational efficiency, the government has established a 12-member inter-agency coordination committee headed by the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. This body is tasked with providing policy-level guidance and ensuring seamless collaboration among the various institutions involved in asset recovery efforts. Its mandate includes streamlining communication, reducing procedural delays, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of ongoing investigations.
In parallel, under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, authorities have identified 11 priority cases for focused investigation. These cases involve complex financial networks, cross-border transactions, and multiple layers of alleged intermediaries. Several joint investigation teams have been formed to probe these matters in detail. The Anti-Corruption Commission is leading the investigations, with support from the Criminal Investigation Department, the Central Intelligence Cell of the National Board of Revenue, and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate.
Officials have reiterated that international cooperation is indispensable in tracking and recovering laundered assets, as such funds are often dispersed across multiple jurisdictions through sophisticated financial structures. Consequently, diplomatic engagement and legal coordination with foreign authorities are being further strengthened.
Progress Overview
| Area of Action | Current Status |
|---|---|
| MLARs submitted to foreign countries | 23 countries |
| MLARs under process | 21 requests |
| Inter-agency coordination committee | 1 committee (12 members) |
| Priority investigation cases | 11 cases |
| Joint investigation teams formed | 11 teams |
Experts suggest that while these measures represent a positive and structured approach, their long-term effectiveness will depend on more than policy intent alone. They stress the importance of accelerating judicial processes, improving the speed of international information exchange, and enhancing coordination among domestic agencies.
They also caution that legal complexities in foreign jurisdictions, combined with slow administrative procedures, often delay asset recovery efforts. As such, stronger bilateral agreements and more responsive mutual legal assistance mechanisms are considered essential.
The government has expressed optimism that ongoing initiatives will lead to meaningful progress in the recovery of stolen assets and contribute to a gradual reduction in capital flight over time.