DHAKA, Dec 30, 2023 (BSS) - Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said the 
government has taken various steps for welfare for Bangladeshi expatriates 
residing across the world considering them as the heroes behind the 
Bangladesh's development miracle. 

"They are our heroes. We must recognize them," he said as the chief guest at 
the national event marking the "National Expatriates Day-2023 at Bangabandhu 
International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital.  

Momen said remittances sent by the expatriate Bangladeshis are the major 
source of Bangladesh's foreign currency reserve.    

However, he said, Bangladesh's remittance inflow is lower than other 
countries and laid emphasis on sending trained and skilled people. 

"We need well-trained and more professional people," said the foreign 
ministry. 

Momen urged all to work together and ensure greater participation of 
Bangladeshi expatriates to achieve the target of building a Smart Bangladesh 
by 2041. 

"Let's work together to build Sonar Bangla - Smart Bangladesh. We need to 
strengthen their (expatriates Bangladeshis) participation," he said. 

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad and Foreign 
Secretary Masud Bin Momen, among others, spoke at the function organized by 
the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.