Dhaka, Sept. 30 -- Bangladesh could see a portion of the money laundered out of the country repatriated by February, according to Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat, Salehuddin said discussions with legal firms were under way and progress had been made.

"Those who launder money know how to do it smartly. It takes some time to bring it back. But there has been some progress. We are in discussions with many legal firms. Maybe some portions will come by February. We are preparing the groundwork for the rest."

Salehuddin stressed that no government could bypass the formal legal process.

"Suppose, we ask the central bank or a ...