The interim government has reported that immovable and movable assets worth Tk 661.46 million belonging to different industrial groups, both in Bangladesh and abroad have been “attached or blocked” as part of efforts to recover laundered funds.

A media statement issued by the Finance Ministry on Wednesday said, of this, Tk 556.38 billion is held domestically, while Tk 105.08 billion is abroad. The release did not specify which countries or individuals’ assets have been frozen.

Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed led the National Coordination Committee in its 30th meeting on Wednesday to formulate and implement policies and directives to prevent money laundering and terror financing.

The meeting decided to update certain provisions of the existing Money Laundering Prevention Act to make recovery of assets abroad “more efficient and effective”.

Progress on 11 priority cases, for which joint investigation teams were formed, was discussed in detail as well, according to the statement.

It said 104 cases have already been filed in these priority cases, 14 chargesheets submitted, and four cases adjudicated.

Under the act, documentation has been sent to 21 countries to facilitate recovery. Officials were instructed to expedite filing of chargesheets, forward documents to relevant countries, and take effective measures for swift case resolution.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said, “It normally takes four to five years to repatriate money from abroad; it is not instant. If we are lucky, the case of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed in London may yield some funds. Islamic Bank and UCB have filed claims there, which could result in partial recovery.”

He, however, cautioned that the timing of any repatriation is “uncertain”, potentially arriving in February, April, June, July, or August.

Earlier, the UK’s National Crime Agency had reported freezing assets of Saifuzzaman based on information provided by the Anti-Corruption Commission.