Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated, "The largest oil syndicate has fled, which is why you aren't feeling its impact as much. However, our institutions have been systematically destroyed, with the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) being one of the worst affected."

He made these remarks as the chief guest at the "Prize-Giving Ceremony of ERF-Pran 2024," held at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) office today. ERF President Refayet Ullah Mirdha presided over the event, which was attended by notable guests, including the Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, Shafiqul Alam; Chairman of Pran-RFL Group, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury; and Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, Muhammad Abdullah.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin accused the previous government of laundering nearly Tk 28 trillion. “Institutions were destroyed to facilitate this embezzlement, including TCB,” he said. He revealed that TCB operates with just 142 employees across 16 offices nationwide, managing a budget of Tk 11,500 crore, of which the government subsidizes Tk 4,000 crore.

He added, “Over the past 15 years, our institutional frameworks have been systematically dismantled, causing irreparable damage.”

Citing a white paper, he said, “The report indicates that Tk 28 trillion has been laundered, equivalent to one and a half years of Bangladesh’s national income.”

The Commerce Advisor also expressed concern, saying, “A handful of individuals have stolen an enormous amount of money, leaving our institutions in ruins. This is an alarming issue for us as citizens.”

The event, chaired by ERF President Refayet Ullah Mirdha, was attended by ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem, executive members, judges of the awards, and journalists from various media outlets.

This year, awards were given in three categories: Print, Online, and Television.

In the Print Category, the first prize was jointly awarded to Ziadul Islam, Senior Reporter at Amader Shomoy, and Alamgir Hossain, Business Editor at Shomoyer Alo. The second prize went jointly to Jasim Uddin Harun and FHM Humayun Kabir, Special Correspondents at The Financial Express. The third prize was awarded to Sahanowar Said Shahin, Senior Reporter at Kaler Kantho.

In the Online Category, Ibrahim Hossain Avi, Chief Reporter at JagoNews24.com, won first place, while Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, Senior Reporter at Jugantor, came second.

In the Television Category, the first prize went to Tauhid Hossain Papon, Senior Reporter at Jamuna Television. The second prize was jointly awarded to Touhidur Rahman from Ekushey TV and Haripada Saha from Independent TV.