https://www.newagebd.net/post/Foreign%20affairs/257127/begum-para-assets-yunus-seeks-canada-help-in-stolen-money-recovery

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday sought Canada’s support to recover the money siphoned off from Bangladesh to the North American country.

He said that hundreds of billions of dollars were stolen from Bangladesh by oligarchs, cronies, and politicians connected with the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship, and a part of it was laundered to Canada, including in buying assets in Toronto’s infamous ‘Begum Para’ neighbourhood, according to a press release issued by the chief adviser’s press wing.

The chief adviser sought help to identify, freeze, and recover the assets during his meeting with the Canadian high commissioner to Dhaka, Ajit Singh, at the state guest house Jamuna.

‘They stole money from our people and bought assets in Begum Para. We need your help to recover the assets. It is the money of our people,’ the release quoted Muhammad Yunus as saying.

Ajit assured Canada’s support in response to the chief adviser’s asset recovery efforts.

The Canadian High Commissioner also offered the country’s support to interim government’s reform initiatives in its transition to democracy.

He said that Canada was keen to expand trade with Bangladesh and invest more in the country.

He added that a Canadian minister would visit Bangladesh soon to discuss the issues of mutual interest.

Professor Yunus recalled his meeting with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said that Dhaka needs more Canadian investment.

The chief adviser said that many Bangladeshi people now live and study in Canada, and Ottawa should make a move to set up its visa office in Dhaka.

Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and the principal coordinator of SDG affairs, also attended the meeting.