Dedicate genuine service to foreign residents: Home advisor to instruct passport and visa department staff
Bangladesh Emphasizes Importance of Expatriates in Economy and Services
On August 17, Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the chief guest, underscored the crucial role of expatriates in Bangladesh's economy at a training and orientation program held at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The event, focused on providing passport and other services, highlighted the significant contributions of expatriates, primarily through substantial remittance inflows. In the fiscal year 2024-25, these funds reached an all-time high of approximately $30.33 billion.
Expatriates play a vital role in Bangladesh's economy, supporting household incomes, bolstering the national economy, and increasing foreign exchange reserves. These funds have been critical in driving economic recovery, enabling infrastructure development, and maintaining forex reserves above $25 billion. Remittances are the second-largest source of foreign currency after the ready-made garment sector.
The government emphasizes the need for officials of passport and visa wings abroad to ensure that expatriate Bangladeshis have proper documentation before travel to prevent legal and administrative issues. They are also encouraged to provide responsive, prompt services to address expatriates' concerns and facilitate their welfare and overseas employment needs. Recognizing expatriates' critical economic contributions, officials are advised to support them by delivering efficient, helpful consular services.
Chowdhury, in his address, urged officials to work with sincerity and a service-oriented mindset. He emphasized the importance of treating expatriates with respect and maintaining good relations. The training and orientation program was for officials selected for appointment as first and second secretaries in passport and visa wings of foreign missions.
The government sees expatriates as crucial economic partners and advises officials abroad to serve them by facilitating smooth, legal migration and comprehensive support. Most expatriates in Bangladesh are part of the working class, making them a significant driving force for the economy.
In summary:
- Expatriates play a vital role in Bangladesh's economy, primarily through substantial remittance inflows.
- The government emphasizes the need for proper documentation, prompt services, and empathetic support for expatriates.
- The training and orientation program was for officials selected for appointment as first and second secretaries in passport and visa wings of foreign missions.
- The government sees expatriates as crucial economic partners and advises officials abroad to serve them by facilitating smooth, legal migration and comprehensive support.
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- Expatriates not only contribute significantly to Bangladesh's economy through remittances, but they also play a pivotal role in shaping the lifestyle, fashion, and beauty trends, food and drink preferences, and home and garden styles in the country, enriching its cultural landscape.
- Aware of the diverse needs of expatriates beyond economic contributions, the government encourages officials to ensure prompt, responsive services in areas such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden, in addition to prioritizing proper documentation and empathetic support.
