DHAKA, Jan 1, 2024 (BSS)-National Expatriates’ Day-2023 was observed in the USA with a call to play a pioneering role in building developed and prosperous “Smart Bangladesh” by leveraging their experiences, skills and investment.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC was observed the event on Saturday among the Bangladeshi Diasporas living in the USA, a press release said here today.

To observe the first-ever National Expatriates’ Day, the Embassy organized a program at its Bangabandhu Auditorium in the evening with a huge number of expatriate Bangladeshis residing in Washington DC and adjoining states.

The program began with reading out of messages of the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister.

Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Defense Attaché Brigadier General Md. Shahedul Islam, Minister (Political) Md. Rashedujjaman and First Secretary Wahiduzzaman Noor read out the messages.

Later a documentary highlighting the significance of the day and contributions of expatriates to Bangladesh’s development journey was screened.

Afterward, a seminar was held there where Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran delivered the welcome and concluding remarks.

Minister (Economic) of the Embassy Dr Md. Fazle Rabbi and First Secretary (Passport and Visa Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton made two separate power point presentations at the seminar.

 In his power point presentation, the Minister (Economic) focused on remittance inflow to the country, investment opportunities, various government facilities and incentives for the expatriate Bangladeshis like savings instruments, opening of foreign currency account and universal pension scheme.

The First Secretary (Visa & Passport Wing) in his power point presentation highlighted the consular services of the embassy including issuance of no visa requirement (NVR) and power of attorney, as well as receiving applications for machine readable passport (MRP) and Dual Nationality Certificate.

In his remarks, Ambassador Muhammad Imran extended his heartfelt greetings to the Bangladeshi Diaspora on the occasion of the National Expatriates’ Day and praised their outstanding contributions to the country’s economic development.

Describing the expatriates as an integral part of the country, he said remittances sent by them have been playing a key role in keeping Bangladesh's foreign reserves strong and accelerating the wheels of the economy.

Ambassador Imran called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United States to play a multidimensional role in building the developed and prosperous “Smart Bangladesh”, envisaged by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, by leveraging their experiences, skills and investment.

He simultaneously urged the Bangladeshi Diaspora to work for further enhancing the image of the country as well as projecting its rich history, culture and heritage abroad.

The invited expatriate Bangladeshis from different professions took part in the discussion and gave various suggestions to further improve the services of the Embassy. Counselor and Head of Chancery Shamima Yasmin Smrite conducted the program.