'Bridge to Bangladesh' taps diaspora to shape nation's future: Envoy | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
May 30, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025
'Bridge to Bangladesh' taps diaspora to shape nation's future: Envoy

Bangladesh

UNB
25 May, 2025, 01:30 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2025, 01:47 pm

Related News

  • Oxfam and Fair Pay Foundation sign MoU to transform Bangladesh’s tea sector
  • Oxfam and Wateraid launch ‘Anirban – rise and lead’ to empower mid-career women
  • Experts urge responsible business for national progress
  • Billionaire wealth surges three times faster by $2 trillion in 2024: Oxfam
  • Bangladesh should ratify int'l conventions to extend legal protections to informal workers: Oxfam

'Bridge to Bangladesh' taps diaspora to shape nation's future: Envoy

With over 650,000 people across the UK, and a rising presence in politics, business, and academia, the British Bangladeshi diaspora is one of the most influential diaspora communities in the world

UNB
25 May, 2025, 01:30 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2025, 01:47 pm
Bangladeshi High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Abida Islam speaking at a programme organised by Oxfam in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2025. Photo: UNB
Bangladeshi High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Abida Islam speaking at a programme organised by Oxfam in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2025. Photo: UNB

A new initiative titled 'Bridge to Bangladesh' was launched in London yesterday (24 May), aiming to strengthen collaboration between the UK-based Bangladeshi diaspora and Bangladesh's development efforts.

"Our diaspora has done more than sending money home. They've built communities, shaped narratives, and stood by Bangladesh in every crisis. Bridge to Bangladesh recognises their power to now co-author its future," said Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Abida Islam.

The British Bangladeshi diaspora is one of the most established and influential globally and both the UK diaspora and Oxfam joined hands for Bangladesh development.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

With over 650,000 people across the UK, and a rising presence in politics, business, and academia, the British Bangladeshi diaspora is one of the most influential diaspora communities in the world.

Concentrated in areas such as Tower Hamlets, Birmingham and Luton, the community includes policy makers, politicians, entrepreneurs, academics, cultural icons, healthcare professionals, and public leaders.

It contributes more than $1.5 billion annually in remittances to Bangladesh, making the UK the second-highest source after the United States.

The platform 'Bridge to Bangladesh' aims to channel diaspora resources, skills, investments and advocacy into Bangladesh's national priorities, including climate resilience, gender equality, humanitarian actions and inclusive growth.

The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, diaspora leaders, parliamentarians, academics, development experts, and second-generation changemakers in an effort to move beyond emotional ties and remittances.

The event highlighted that diaspora engagement must now evolve.

According to Oxfam and expert speakers, Bangladesh lacks a robust framework to tap into the full potential of its global citizens.

The newly launched Bridge to Bangladesh platform aims to fill that gap, they said.

Baroness Pola Uddin, member of the House of Lords, UK, praised the initiative as "a timely structure for collective ambition," and stressed that the diaspora is not an extension of Bangladesh—it is a part of Bangladesh.

Professor Naomi Hossain of SOAS University of London said development without dignity cannot succeed, and diaspora inclusion must reflect values of equity and respect.

Halima Begum, chief executive of Oxfam GB, reflected: "For over 50 years, Oxfam has stood with Bangladesh in moments of struggle and triumph. Today, we are proud to stand with the diaspora—with people like me, who carry Bangladesh in our hearts even when we are far from it."

Bridge to Bangladesh also seeks to bridge intergenerational divides, inviting second-generation British Bangladeshis.

Designed as a multi-functional ecosystem, the platform will offer diaspora members concrete pathways to engage with Bangladesh—through knowledge exchange, investment matchmaking, youth engagement, diplomacy, and global advocacy.

"This is not just about nostalgia—it's about nation-building," said Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh. "The diaspora can offer not only capital, but ideas, networks, and influence. We want to unlock that potential and turn it into sustainable impact."

The event was moderated by Aziz-ur Rahman, patron of Oxfam GB with a presentation from Md Sariful Islam, head of Influencing, Communications, Advocacy & Media (ICAM), Oxfam in Bangladesh.

The participants signed up to join the Bridge to Bangladesh platform. The initiative is now live with a website. Oxfam and its partners are calling on UK-based Bangladeshis—from business owners to students—to take part in this platform.

Top News

Oxfam / Bangladesh High Commission in London / Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Deep depression over Bay of Bengal on 29 May. Photo: ANI
    Heavy rain, tidal surges trigger flood warnings as deep depression crosses coast
  • Powerful tidal surges from the Meghna River flooded more than 100 villages in four coastal upazilas of Lakshmipur on 29 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    Meghna tidal surge floods over 100 villages as incessant daylong rain batters Lakshmipur
  • Attackers vandalise the windows of the residence of Jatiyo Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader and set fire to a motorcycle in Rangpur on 29 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    Jatiyo Party chief GM Quader's Rangpur house attacked; NCP, SAD activists blamed

MOST VIEWED

  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Md Nazrul Islam Swapan, chairman of EXIM Bank. Sketch: TBS
    Exim Bank restored depositors’ confidence, overcoming challenges
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • Oxfam and Fair Pay Foundation sign MoU to transform Bangladesh’s tea sector
  • Oxfam and Wateraid launch ‘Anirban – rise and lead’ to empower mid-career women
  • Experts urge responsible business for national progress
  • Billionaire wealth surges three times faster by $2 trillion in 2024: Oxfam
  • Bangladesh should ratify int'l conventions to extend legal protections to informal workers: Oxfam

Features

For hundreds of small fishermen living near this delicate area, sustainable fishing is a necessity for their survival. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

World Ocean Day: Bangladesh’s ‘Silent Island’ provides a fisheries model for the future

11h | The Big Picture
The university will be OK. But will the US? Photo: Bloomberg

A weaker Harvard is a weaker America

11h | Panorama
The Botanical Garden is a refuge for plant species, both native and exotic. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

The hidden cost of 'development' in the Botanical Garden

11h | Panorama
Stillbirths in Bangladesh: A preventable public health emergency

Stillbirths in Bangladesh: A preventable public health emergency

11h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Record migrant deaths in 2024

Record migrant deaths in 2024

8h | Podcast
News of The Day, 29 MAY 2025

News of The Day, 29 MAY 2025

10h | TBS News of the day
Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts

Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts

13h | TBS Insight
Love is essential for human life

Love is essential for human life

12h | TBS Programs
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net