The Chief Adviser of the Interim government, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, has sought the help of the United States for the reconstruction of the country and bring back the smuggled money.

On Sunday (September 15), the Chief Adviser sought this assistance when a high-powered delegation of the United States met him at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Describing the challenges facing the Interim government, he said his administration has embarked on restructuring the economy, reforming institutions such as the judiciary and the police.

The Chief Adviser outlined the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim government. He said his government had set up six Commissions, weeks after taking office to try to prevent vote rigging, the judiciary, police, civil administration, the country’s anti-corruption agency and constitutional amendments.

He said his government was committed to bringing back money laundered by corrupt individuals involved in the previous autocratic regime. The Chief Adviser commented that we were in the sea of corruption.

The US delegation, led by US Treasury Department Assistant Secretary Brent Nieman, praised Prof. Yunus’ leadership, saying Washington would be happy to support his reform agenda.

US officials have said they are willing to provide technical and financial support for the reforms carried out by the Interim government.

The hour-long discussion also touched on financial and economic reforms, investment, labor issues, the Rohingya crisis and Chief Adviser’s visit to UN General Assembly, New York.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu, Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Asia Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and US Treasury Department Director Jerrod Mason represented the US at the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by Lutfi Siddiqui, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser on International Affairs, Lamia Morshed, Senior Secretary and Head of SDG Affairs, Foreign Secretary Md. Jasimuddin and Secretary of Economic Relations Division Shahriar Quader Siddiqui.