Govt to bring back money sent abroad
Govt to bring back money sent abroad
PM on Bangladeshis' deposits in Swiss banks
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would take steps to bring back money deposited with Swiss banks by some Bangladeshis.
Referring to recent media reports about deposition of money into Swiss bank accounts by Bangladeshis, she noted, “We've already taken initiatives to get the list of the depositors. We'll also take steps to know the amount of deposits and bring the money back.”
She was speaking at a rally at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan in the afternoon marking the Awami League's 65th founding anniversary.
Also the AL president, Hasina said the government is not only collecting information about the accounts with Swiss banks, but also with banks in other countries and would take measures to bring the money back.
“There's no doubt that she [BNP chief] will be caught too. Money of her one son has been brought back and Inshallah [God willing] we will be able to bring back others' money [siphoned off abroad],” she mentioned.
According to latest data of the Swiss National Bank, Bangladeshis have deposited Tk 3,236 crore with different Swiss banks till 2013, a 62 percent rise over the previous year.
Bangladesh Bank has already sent a letter to the financial intelligence unit (FIU) of Switzerland for signing a memorandum of understanding to get access to information on money laundering.
Castigating BNP, the PM said the party had played with people's fate, patronised terrorism, smuggled money abroad, resorted to killings and lootings when it had been in power.
She alleged that all members of the Zia family, including late president Ziaur Rahman, his wife BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and two sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, are killers.
Calling BNP's decision to boycott January 5 national polls “wrong”, the AL chief said the BNP chief is now turning to foreigners to get their sympathy as she has failed to draw public support to indulge in conspiracies.
Hasina urged the BNP chairperson not to speak ill of the government and the people to the foreigners.
Highlighting different development activities of the AL government, she said Bangladesh made all its achievements under the AL leadership. “And today Bangladesh has become a role model of development in the world,” she mentioned.
“The Awami League is like a piece of diamond… the more you cut it, the more it will shine,” noted the ruling party chief.
The PM directed the party men to strengthen the organisation at all levels.
AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Matia Chowdhury, Syed Ashraful Islam and Dipu Moni spoke at the rally, among others.