Bangladeshi diaspora keen to contribute to economic development
Expatriates can play a crucial role by channelling remittances and investments and engaging more actively in the country’s economic development, they said
A group of Bangladeshis living abroad has expressed strong interest in contributing to the country's economic development, strengthening governance and institutional capacity, and promoting skilled workforce and youth development by leveraging their experience, global exposure, and technical expertise.
They said that following the mass uprising and the upcoming national election, the economy is expected to rebound through fresh investment and job creation, particularly at a time when the growing use of artificial intelligence has made skilled human capital increasingly important.
In this context, expatriates can play a crucial role by channelling remittances and investments and engaging more actively in the country's economic development, they added.
The views were shared at a policy dialogue held in Dhaka on Sunday night (11 January) by the Global Bangladeshi Alliance (GBA), a US-based, non-partisan, research-driven organisation.
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The dialogue focused on ensuring democratic governance and institutional reform, economic development through trade and investment, ICT innovation and job creation, youth empowerment and skill development, diaspora engagement, international advocacy, and the revitalisation of the Bangladesh caucus.
Veteran politician and BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the programme as the chief guest, while renowned political figure Mahidur Rahman presided over the event.
Policymakers, academicians, business leaders, and civil society representatives were present as special guests.
Welcoming the diaspora, Abdul Moyeen Khan said expatriates had returned to the country with the intention of contributing to national development. He noted that several projects and policy issues were presented during the dialogue and said that the country would benefit if those initiatives were implemented.
"You have focused on job creation and other important issues for our economy. Bangladeshi youths are very close to realising the vision of economic development, and we must nurture this potential with the support of expatriates," he said.
He also said that former prime-minister Begum Khaleda Zia, with a visionary outlook, had established the information and communication technology ministry, which paved the way for technology adoption in the country.
Referring to recent political developments, he expressed hope that the upcoming election would restore democratic governance and said diaspora engagement would be essential to boosting the economy.
GBA co-chair Kawsar Chowdhury stressed the need to diversify the export basket by strengthening the SME sector and other emerging industries, alongside creating more jobs and expanding manpower exports to new destinations.
Conference president Mahidur Rahman said that members of the diaspora had previously been unable to return to the country or speak openly. "After the uprising, we returned to contribute to the economy. At present, we are supporting the economy mainly through remittances," he said.
He added that future political leaders must consider how expatriate Bangladeshis can play a more active and structured role in the country's economic development.
