Government Seizes £66 Billion in Assets

The Government has successfully frozen and seized assets worth a staggering 66,146 crore Bangladeshi Taka, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance. This extensive operation covers both movable and immovable properties across multiple industrial groups, both domestically and abroad. Of the total seized assets, 55,638 crore Taka are located within Bangladesh, while 10,508 crore Taka are held overseas.

Officials from the Ministry clarified that once assets are attached, the registered owners lose all rights to sell, transfer, or withdraw them. Similarly, bank accounts associated with these assets are blocked, preventing any withdrawals. The measure forms part of a broader strategy to combat money laundering, illegal wealth accumulation, and the financing of terrorism.

The announcement comes following the 30th meeting of the National Coordination Committee, held at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. The meeting reviewed key measures to strengthen the government’s legal and administrative framework for asset recovery and anti-corruption enforcement.

One of the major outcomes of the session was the decision to update the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. Selected provisions of the law will be amended to make the recovery of overseas funds and assets more effective and expedient. The Ministry emphasised the need to submit chargesheets in priority cases promptly and to ensure swift resolution through coordinated investigative measures.

The committee also discussed the progress of joint investigation teams formed to recover overseas assets in 11 priority cases, noting the need for greater efficiency in tracing and repatriating these funds.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted Bangladesh’s upcoming fourth round of mutual evaluation by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) in 2027–28. Finance Adviser Ahmed instructed that preparations for this evaluation be treated as a top priority, to ensure full compliance with international anti-money laundering standards.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials including the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Principal Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Finance Secretary, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Commerce Secretary, Secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, Foreign Secretary, Additional Attorney General, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, and representatives from the Home Ministry, Bangladesh Police, and the Financial Intelligence Unit.

This coordinated effort demonstrates the Government’s commitment to clamp down on illicit wealth accumulation and financial crimes, ensuring that both domestic and overseas assets are effectively traced, recovered, and brought under the state’s control.