An average of 16 billion dollars were illicitly siphoned off from Bangladesh every year during the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's regime.

This information has emerged in the report of the white paper drafting committee formed to investigate irregularities and corruption in the economy.

The committee submitted its report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office, saying they were horrified by the level of corruption, plunder and statistical manipulation conducted by Hasina's regime. 

Eminent economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, the chair of the committee, led the delegation while submitting the report at a ceremony held at the Chief Adviser’s Tejgaon office.

On August 21, the interim government decided to publish a white paper highlighting the current economic situation.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that the report of the white paper has analyzed each sector of the economy separately and shown how the statistics have been manipulated to arrange the story of development. Even though the story of development is told, huge looting has been done inside.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus thanked the committee for doing a landmark, saying it should be published once it is finalised and be taught in textbooks in national college and university curricula.

“This is a historic document. It will show us the economy we inherited after the July-August mass uprising. The nation will benefit from this document,” said the Chief Adviser in his short speech before receiving the White Paper.