Dhaka Bureau: Prime Minister and Leader of Parliament Sheikh Hasina said inflation will be brought under control soon. Inflation is expected to decrease significantly in 2024 in key countries, including the United States and the European Union. In this situation, the price of fuel, food products, and fertilizers will decrease in the world market, the price of fuel oil in the country will be adjusted, and the government’s initiative to keep the food supply normal will soon bring inflation under control.
He said these things in response to a written question by Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Haque Chunnu in the National Parliament session on Wednesday (February 14).
The Prime Minister said that legal assistance agreements with 10 countries have been made to obtain the necessary information, evidence, and other necessary assistance to recover money smuggled out of the country. Prevention of money laundering is currently enforced in Bangladesh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012, which was last amended on November 26, 2015. The Act defines money laundering as an offense of unlawfully transporting money or property acquired through legal or illegal means abroad. In the case of money laundering crime, there is a minimum imprisonment of 4 years and a maximum of 12 years, and the related property shall be confiscated in favor of the state, and a fine equal to twice the value of the related property or Tk 10 lakh (whichever is higher) is provided.
Sheikh Hasina said that the “Mutual Assistance Act, 2012” has been promulgated in criminal matters to ensure mutual legal cooperation with various countries to facilitate the repatriation of money smuggled abroad. The Ministry of Home Affairs is acting as the central authority to provide mutual assistance in matters related to crimes under this Act.
He said that under the leadership of the Attorney General, the task force formed to bring back the assets smuggled abroad to Bangladesh is working.
The Prime Minister said that a strategy paper has been formulated to recover the smuggled money. After the approval of the National Coordinating Committee formed to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, the recommendations of the strategy paper have been sent to all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies for implementation. In addition, BFIU has formulated a guideline on the recovery of laundered money, which has been approved by the National Coordination Committee.
