Swiss Banks and Potential Bangladeshi Money

Switzerland's ambassador to Bangladesh, Natalie Chuard, said that most of the money deposited by Bangladeshi citizens in various banks in Switzerland has been illegally earned. However, the Bangladesh government has not asked any specific information from the Swiss bank or authorities so far. He said these things at the National Press Club on Wednesday morning.

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Natalie Chuard

Ambassador Nathalie Chuard answered various questions about Bangladesh-Switzerland trade relations, investment, cooperation in solving the Rohingya problem at the DICAB Talk organized by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh.

The Swiss ambassador said that according to the annual report published in June 2022 by the central bank of Switzerland, Swiss National Bank or SNB, Bangladeshis have deposited money equivalent to about three thousand crore rupees in various banks in Switzerland.

In December 2021, the deposits of Bangladeshis in Switzerland stood at 87 million 11 million Swiss francs. As 95.70 taka per Bangladeshi franc, the total amount of money stands at 8 thousand 333 crores, which is the highest ever

"We have told the government what to do to get information, but we have not been asked for any specific information," said Nathalie Chuard. We are committed to maintaining international standards. Such information sharing is possible and must be done based on the consent of both parties. We are working with Bangladesh on this.'

Noting that Swiss banks contribute 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product, Nathalie Chuard said, 'Our banks are not safe places to keep illegal money. In the global financial sector, Swiss banks have introduced a variety of reforms, creating new and improved standards, and they are tempting to keep illegal money.' He said this is not right.

"How much money Bangladeshis have deposited is given by the Swiss National Bank every year and it is not possible for us to say whether the money has been earned illegally or not," said the Swiss ambassador.

Trade between the two countries has grown over the past decade and currently stands at around $1 billion. The Swiss ambassador said, 'Many Swiss companies are present in Bangladesh and we are trying to increase bilateral trade relations.

Switzerland is working to solve the Rohingya problem and is providing humanitarian aid for them.' He further said, 'We want a solution to this problem. For this, the supportive environment needed to be created in Rakhine has not yet been created. We are all trying to do that together.'

AKM Moin Uddin, general secretary of the organization, gave a welcome speech at the event moderated by DICAB president Rezaul Karim Lotus.

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