Switzerland assures cooperation in recovering laundered money: Amir Khasru

Switzerland is ready to cooperate with any initiative taken by the Bangladesh government to recover laundered money, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (22 August).

"We had a discussion with the Swiss Ambassador. They wanted to know about the new political and economic landscape and the future of Bangladesh. They inquired about the direction in which Bangladesh is heading and sought our views on the matter. We also discussed BNP's thoughts on the future," he told reporters today after a meeting with the Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh, Reto Renggli. 

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present during the discussion.

"We exchanged views on how Bangladesh's institutions have collapsed and what can be done to restore them. We discussed how to bring back the destroyed institutions on track and make them functional again. Switzerland has assured us of their cooperation in this regard," Khasru added. 

Regarding the issue of recovering laundered money, Amir Khasru said, "The Swiss government has reiterated that they stand by their earlier position. They have assured that Switzerland will welcome and cooperate with any initiative taken by the Bangladesh government to bring back the laundered money."

Asked if the discussion touched upon the interim government, he said, "Foreign ambassadors often discuss the interim government and seek information. We have consistently said that the people of Bangladesh are the rightful owners of this country. The interim government will facilitate elections within a specified time. 

"The people of Bangladesh will exercise their right to vote and choose their representatives. This is the fundamental principle of democracy. The current government will do this within a reasonable timeframe. There is no reason to oppose the interim government or any other matters related to it. We are providing support to the interim government in this regard.