DHAKA, Dec 29, 2023 (BSS) - The National Expatriates' Day will be observed in

the country tomorrow for the first time at the initiative of the Ministry of
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment with the theme "Probashir
Kalyan, Morzada- Amader Ongikar, Smart Bangladesh Goray Tarao Soman
Ongshidar".

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina today greeted the expatriate Bangladeshis and their family
members living in different countries across the world.

In a message, the President said the country achieved the much-awaited
independence under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman.

Bangabandhu's foresight as well as accurate and timely diplomatic action
created opportunities for immigration and foreign employment for Bangladeshi
citizens soon after the country's independence.

"Diaspora is an integral part of Bangladesh," he said, adding that Expatriate
Bangladeshis have directly and indirectly helped in the Great War of
Liberation.

Remittances sent by the expatriates and migrant workers have been
instrumental in keeping Bangladesh's foreign reserves strong and the wheels
of the economy moving, the head of the state added.

He believed that the observance of National Expatriates' Day will play a
special role in ensuring the rights and welfare of expatriates, recognizing
their contribution and motivating them to participate in the socio-economic
development of the country.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said expatriate Bangladeshis
played a unique role in the Great War of Liberation under the leadership of
the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman.

After the Liberation War, the active cooperation and contribution of
expatriates to gain international recognition of Bangladesh as an independent
sovereign state, reconstruction of war-torn Bangladesh, strengthening foreign
aid and diplomatic activities is undeniable, the premier added.

Currently, a large number of non-resident Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi
workers are staying in more than 170 countries of the world under the labor
migration, she said.

She said expatriate Bangladeshis have an important contribution to the socio-
economic development of Bangladesh.
 
She recalled their contribution with sincere gratitude.

From 2009 to 2022, Bangladeshi diaspora sent an average of US$17.5 billion as
remittances each year, she said, adding that in the financial year 2022-23,
this amount was 21.61 billion US dollars.

Awami League government has made service delivery digital and easier besides
providing incentives for sending remittances through legitimate channels, she
said.

Besides ensuring fair, safe, regular and responsible labor migration, the
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment is working
tirelessly to guarantee the rights and welfare of expatriates, she added.

"We've already started the process of formulating the 'National Diaspora
Policy, 2023' so that expatriate Bangladeshis can play a more multi-
dimensional role in the overwhelming development of the country by leveraging
their specialized networks, investments and skills," she added.

The declaration of the National Expatriates' Day is an important issue in
creating a more intensive and meaningful connection between the diaspora and
the country, she mentioned.

The Prime Minister hoped that Bangladeshi expatriates will feel more honored
by this initiative of the government.

Both the President and the Premier wished all the programmes undertaken on
the occasion of the National Expatriates' Day 2023' a success.