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Bangladesh has laid emphasis on more transparency and accountability over issues involving money laundering, noting that in most cases Bangladesh does not get required feedback when it comes to mutual legal assistance, reports UNB.
"We want all countries to cooperate… one single country or institution cannot do it," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told reporters after his meeting with US State Department Coordinator for Global Anti-corruption, Richard Nephew, at Foreign Service Academy on Monday.
He said he emphasized cooperation so that there is no impunity and adverse impact on society.
The foreign secretary said the US side has invited Bangladesh to attend the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention Against Corruption in Atlanta in December this year.
He said Bangladesh will take part in the meeting where the host US will seek renewed commitment from the participating countries or institutions to jointly tackle global corruption.
Masud Bin Momen said Bangladesh will also attend a meeting at G20 on similar issues and the law minister is likely to lead the Bangladesh delegation.
The foreign secretary said the US side appreciated Bangladeshi organizations while Bangladesh expressed interest in collaborating more on capacity building.
Responding to a question, he said the visiting US official told him that sanctions are a tool against corruption around the world.
Momen said Nephew told him that the US was giving priority on global anti-corruption efforts and would, in future, tag the issue in areas of business and investment.
"We also spoke of capacity building and support of the countries that received laundered money," he said.
The Foreign Secretary said there was no discussion on any individual but in future the US will consider viability of projects in terms of integrity and environment, especially while funding big projects.
He said Bangladesh has the National Integrity Strategy, but all should practice it to have true impacts.
He also detailed how Bangladesh maintains the obligations to the international conventions including the UN Convention Against Corruption, especially how it coordinates with the Anti-Corruption Commission and Bangladesh Bank.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
