Dhaka, April 1 -- Approximately US$234 billion was illicitly transferred out of Bangladesh during 2009-2023, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament Wednesday on a question about money laundering during the Awami League rule.

He quoted from the findings laid down by the White Paper Preparation Committee formed during the interim government's period.

Thus, an average of $16 billion (about Tk 1.8 trillion) siphoned off the country every year.

The Prime Minister, who became Member of Parliament for the first time, mentioned the data while responding to the question put up during his maiden PM's question hour in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

The prime minister said his government is giving the highest priority to recovering assets s...