The United States has pledged to support Bangladesh in recovering and repatriating its stolen assets.

US Chargé d'Affaires Helen LaFave gave this assurance during a visit to Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus at his office in Dhaka's Tejgaon area on Thursday. 

LaFave highlighted the ongoing US assistance, which includes strategic advice and other forms of support to help Bangladesh recover its misappropriated funds. “Repatriating stolen money is challenging, but it is achievable,” she stated.

In response, Prof. Yunus expressed confidence, affirming, “We will make it happen.”

Prof. Yunus commended LaFave for her dedicated service as a senior diplomat and her efforts to strengthen US-Bangladesh relations during a pivotal period.

Reflecting on her tenure, LaFave said, “I am proud to have witnessed history,” as she recalled the recent student-led mass uprising in July-August.

During the visit, LaFave handed a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Prof. Yunus. She also shared updates on the US’s progress in expediting the resettlement of Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh to North America.

Their discussions further covered a range of topics, including judicial reforms, energy connectivity within South Asia, counterterrorism, efforts to retrieve billions in stolen funds from the dictatorship era, civil service reforms, and labor issues.

Prof. Yunus affirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive labour reforms.

LaFave said that several high-ranking US officials are scheduled to visit Bangladesh in the coming months to further strengthen bilateral ties.

BDST: 2008 HRS, OCT 31, 2024
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