London: Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur attended a series of strategic meetings in London from June 10 to June 13 as part of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s delegation. The meetings aimed to bolster policy initiatives and enhance international collaboration, according to Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, as reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Mansur, alongside Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen, visited the UK National Crimes Agency (NCA) on June 11. They engaged with senior officials, including Daniel Murphy, head of the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC). Dr Mansur praised the IACCC for its collaboration with Bangladesh’s Asset Recovery Taskforce and technical support for Joint Investigations Teams, particularly in handling 11 Priority Asset Recovery Cases.
The governor acknowledged the NCA’s recent asset freezes, totaling £250 million, on properties linked t
o former land minister Syefuzzaman Choudury Javed and Beximco Group’s Shayan and Shariar Rahman. He expressed optimism for future collaborations with the NCA/IACCC, hoping that the UK’s proactive stance would encourage other countries to similarly assist Bangladesh in asset recovery efforts.
Dr Mansur was also the Chief Guest at an Asset Recovery Roundtable hosted by DLA Piper, attended by major litigation funders and investigation firms. The discussions centered on securing $100 million in litigation funding to address 30 cases by the end of 2025. Participants highlighted the urgency of establishing NDAs with Bangladesh Bank to facilitate asset tracing and legal recovery actions.
In addition, Dr Mansur supported the roundtable’s recommendation to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for pursuing legal claims in target countries like the UK and Singapore. This initiative aims to institutionalize the asset recovery process, making it resilient to political shifts.
The governor also met with Blackrock, the
world’s largest asset manager, to discuss Bangladesh’s improving macroeconomic outlook and attract investments into the banking and capital markets sectors. Further engagements included discussions with the Lord Mayor of London and fintech companies to explore investment opportunities from the City of London into Bangladesh’s financial sector. Dr Mansur extended an invitation to the Lord Mayor to visit Bangladesh.
Additionally, Dr Mansur consulted with money exchange houses in London to streamline the remittance process and sustain the growth momentum in remittances.