BB's instant steps helped avert large scale heist

Bangladesh Bank's prompt actions averted large scale hacking into its account with the New York Fed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in parliament yesterday.

Speaking for the first time about the BB reserve heist, she said the incident would not have an impact on the economy for long because of measures taken by the government.    

There is no concern about the country's monetary policy being affected either, she added. 

“A portion” of the $101 million stolen has already been realised from the Philippines.

“We hope to get back the rest of the money through legal measures,” PM said in a scripted answer, adding that the Philippine government has been cooperating with Bangladesh to recover the money.

Referring to the interim report submitted by a probe body on the heist, PM said the government was taking multiple measures on the basis of the report.

OFFSHORE BANKING

On the much-talked-about laundering of money in the name of offshore banking, PM said her government has not given permission to any of the banks in the country for offshore banking.

The government has received information that many people siphoned off money abroad during the rule of the emergency government between 2007 and 2008.

Many businessmen did so in fear of oppression by that government, the PM said.

She, however, added that there are people who do business abroad but do not bring money to the country.