The government is considering bringing back laundered money through settlements. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that accurate information is essential for any such settlement, emphasizing that there can be no discrepancies in the data. The more precise the information, the more successful the settlement process will be, whether through direct negotiations or the courts.

Dr. Mansur made these comments during a meeting with the press in Chittagong on April 11, 2025, regarding anti-money laundering activities and contemporary banking issues. He pointed out that Bangladesh has been a significant victim of money laundering, with certain families or groups siphoning off funds from the country’s banking sector to foreign countries. The government is now working to recover these assets. He stressed that prevention is better than cure, indicating that efforts should focus on preventing theft rather than attempting to resolve it after the fact.

He added that out-of-court settlements, a common practice in many countries, are being explored to avoid prolonged litigation. However, identifying the stolen assets is critical; without accurate information, the process cannot move forward. The Governor noted that this is the first time Bangladesh is attempting to address this issue systematically, and as a result, much learning and coordination with foreign entities are required. Initially, efforts are focused on identifying the stolen assets, with discussions underway with various governmental institutions and legal firms in multiple countries. The goal is to locate the assets within six months, after which legal proceedings will be initiated, which could take years.

Dr. Mansur also mentioned that large groups in Chittagong have allegedly taken between 1.25 to 1.5 trillion BDT from the banking sector, with others taking amounts in the range of 20 to 50 thousand crore BDT. He believes that the total amount taken by the major groups may be between 2.5 to 3 trillion BDT, and efforts will be made to recover these funds through legal channels, including the Debt Recovery Tribunal.

On the overall economic situation, Dr. Mansur emphasized that Bangladesh Bank’s main responsibility is to restore balance to the country’s economy. He mentioned that the country’s reserves are stable, exports are increasing despite various challenges, and remittance flows are encouraging. He expressed confidence that these positive trends will continue. Regarding inflation, he noted that food inflation had decreased from 14.5% to around 8%, and non-food inflation had also reduced. He expressed hope that inflation will continue to decrease, with expectations of it dropping to around 5% in the next year.

Dr. Mansur concluded by saying that policy responses take time, much like medicine for patients—it requires time to show results. He noted that despite foreign currency challenges, the government has managed to maintain smooth operations, ensuring farmers can plant rice without issues, and providing uninterrupted power supply. The efforts, he concluded, have been made with the country’s own resources.