Record 34 expates from Chattogrtam named CIPs as govt selects 86 NRBs nationwide
The highest number of CIPs has been selected from the UAE, with Oman and another Middle Eastern country following with seven CIPs each, while the UK comes next with six.
The government has selected 86 expatriate Bangladeshis as commercially important persons (CIP-NRB) for 2026, recognising their contributions to the country's economy through remittance inflows, investment and overseas trade.
Of them, a record 34 are from Chattogram district – the highest number from any single district this year.
The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment issued a gazette notification in this regard on 14 December. The selected CIPs are scheduled to receive their certificates at a programme in Dhaka on 17 December, marking International Migrants Day.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to the notification, the recognition has been granted for the 2024–25 fiscal year in three categories: one non-resident Bangladeshi under the "direct investor in Bangladesh's industrial sector" category, 75 expatriates under the "highest remittance sender through legal channels" category, and 10 under the "importer of Bangladeshi products abroad" category. In total, 86 expatriates have been designated as CIP (NRB) for 2026.
Country-wise, the highest number of CIPs has been selected from the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 41 expatriates. Oman and another Middle Eastern country follow with seven CIPs each, while the United Kingdom comes next with six.
Five expatriates each have been selected from the United States and Qatar, four from Saudi Arabia, three each from Hong Kong and Australia, two each from Kuwait, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, and one each from Thailand, Canada, Sweden and Switzerland.
Chattogram's strong presence stood out again this year. Of the 34 CIPs from the district, nine are from Hathazari, followed by eight from Raozan. Satkania and Chattogram city account for five each, while Fatikchhari and Patiya have two each. One expatriate CIP has been selected from each of Boalkhali, Sitakunda and Chandanaish.
The selected expatriates from Chattogram include Mohammad Rubel of Ruhullapur, Hathazari (UAE); Mohammad Osman of Dhurung, Fatikchhari (UAE); Mohammad Mohiuddin of Fateyabad, Hathazari (UAE); Mohammad Abul Bashar of Patiya (UAE); Syed Mohammad Mohiuddin of West Dhalai, Hathazari (Hong Kong); Tahsin Uddin Khan of Patharghata, Chattogram city (UK); Abdul Gani of Motin Nagar, Fatikchhari (Saudi Arabia); Mohammad Shafiul Alam of Saroyatali, Boalkhali (UAE); Mohammad Saiful Islam of Ruhullapur, Hathazari (UAE); Mohammad Mohiuddin Talukder of Amilaish, Satkania (UAE); Faridul Alam of Fatehnagar, Noajishpur, Raozan (UAE); Mohammad Hasan Morshed of Easin Nagar, Haldia, Raozan (UAE); Shafiqul Islam Rahi of Khagria, Satkania (UAE); Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Bardona, Satkania (UAE); Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Ward No-7, Raozan municipality (UAE); Mohammad Abdul Mannan of Khagria, Satkania (Oman); Mohammad Aminul Haque of Chandgaon Residential Area, Chattogram city (UAE); Mohammad Selim Uddin of Dalainagar, Gahira, Raozan (UAE); Mohammad Jafar of West Gujra, Raozan (UAE); Md Osman Ali of North Sharta, Haldia, Raozan (UAE); Nur Nabi of Burishchar, Hathazari (UAE); Mohammad Khaled of South Burishchar, Hathazari (UAE); Md Abul Hashem of Burishchar, Hathazari (UAE); Nizam Uddin of Garduara union, Hathazari (UAE); Md Mohiuddin Bahadda Chowdhury of Muradpur, Sitakunda (UK); Mohammad Selim of North Sartar, Haldia, Raozan (UAE); Mohammad Mahabul Alam of Hamzarbag, Chattogram city (UAE); Mohammad Absar Uddin of Belekhain, Patiya (UAE); Sheikh Abdul Azad of Chawkbazar, Chattogram city (UAE); Md Manzurul Haque Chowdhury of Chandgaon Residential Area, Chattogram city (UAE); Mohammad Mizanur Rahman of Rupkania, Satkania (Qatar); Nurul Amin of Jaforabad, Chandanaish (Oman); Mohammad Zulfikar of Sultanpur, Raozan municipality (UAE); and Abul Kashem of South Madarsha, Hathazari (Kuwait).
The notification said the CIP status will remain valid for two years from 14 December. During this period, CIP cardholders will be entitled to a range of privileges, including access passes to the Bangladesh Secretariat and inclusion in relevant government policy-making committees.
They will receive priority in meetings with senior officials at home and abroad and be invited to national programmes organised by Bangladesh missions overseas on occasions such as Victory Day, Independence Day, National Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Ekushey February and International Mother Language Day.
CIP cardholders will also enjoy priority seat reservations for business travel by air, rail, road and waterways, along with access to the VIP lounge "Chameli" and special handling facilities at airports. They and their immediate family members – spouse, sons and daughters – will receive priority cabin facilities at government hospitals for medical treatment.
In addition, expatriate CIPs investing in Bangladesh will receive facilities similar to those extended to foreign investors, with their investments protected under the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980. While in Bangladesh, they will also be invited to various national programmes and civic receptions organised by city corporations.
