Published : 07 Sep 2026, 12:45 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:48 AM
Owners of loan-defaulting companies will face trial if involved in corruption, but their companies will not be shut down, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said.
A company’s legal identity is separate from its owner’s, warning that closure would hurt employees, debt repayment and the economy, he said in parliament on Sunday.
His response was to a question from NCP MP Abdul Hannan Masud of Noakhali-6.
Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal led the session.
Masud cited S Alam Group’s loans, noting that overall defaults hit Tk 5.29 trillion by March 2026, then climbed another Tk 178.51 billion in three months.
He alleged that, during the years of the “fascist government”, S Alam-owned SS Power One received special permission to open a $31.98 million LC despite unpaid loans.
S Alam Group companies, he said, owed more than Tk 2.25 trillion.
Khosru said, “Company identity is separate from the identity of an individual. It’s a legal entity, a corporate entity.”
He said corruption allegations could lead to lawsuits and trials, but shutting companies was inappropriate.
“An economy cannot function by closing a company because of an individual … people work there, it has debts to repay, it contributes to the economy and provides employment.”
He said no one involved in corruption was being spared and that cases were ongoing. He also said no loans were being given in violation of Bangladesh Bank laws.
“If the law allows it, a company can reschedule its loans. The economy cannot run on emotion. It must run on law.”
State Banks’ Defaults
Khosru said six state-owned banks had Tk 1.48 trillion in defaulted loans as of Jun 30, with Janata Bank accounting for Tk 753.97 billion, followed by Agrani Tk 290.3 billion, Rupali Tk 192.82 billion, Sonali Tk 150.48 billion, BASIC Tk 81.31 billion and Bangladesh Development Bank Tk 8.89 billion.
Per-Capita Debt
Government debt amounted to Tk 129,239 per person as of Mar 31, he said.
The government is focusing on raising revenue, managing public funds efficiently and improving debt discipline, Khosru added.
Foreign Borrowing
Bangladesh borrowed $81.83 billion abroad between 2010 and Jun 2024, repaying $17.11 billion in principal and $6.04 billion in interest.
Khosru also said 13 privately run commercial banks were approved between 2010 and 2024.
