Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday called upon non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to actively participate in rebuilding the nation through their collaboration and contributions, says a press release.
Describing NRBs as an integral part of Bangladesh, the chief adviser said they could play a vital role in advancing the changes brought about by the July Uprising by contributing in their respective capacities.
鈥榃e had always planned to involve you and find ways to ensure your engagement. Seeing you all here gives us the confidence to return home with renewed determination,鈥� he told the gathering.
鈥業t is very easy to speak from the gallery, but we want you to join us on the field and play together,鈥� he added.
The remarks came at a programme titled 鈥楴RB Connect Day: Empowering Global Bangladeshis鈥� in New York, attended by visiting Bangladeshi political leaders among others.
鈥楳y confidence rose even higher when I saw political leaders agreeing to join us on this visit,鈥� the chief adviser said.
The event began with a presentation by BIDA executive chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, who highlighted Bangladesh鈥檚 economic progress over the past 15 months since the July Uprising. He praised the Bangladeshi diaspora for contributing to a more than 21 percent growth in remittances and outlined government initiatives to create an investment-friendly environment.
Ashik also sought the continued support of expatriates and informed them about voting procedures in the planned general election scheduled for February next year.
An interactive panel discussion titled 鈥楤ridging Borders: Current Affairs and Diaspora Engagement鈥� followed, moderated by special envoy Lutfey Siddiqi. Expatriate welfare adviser Asif Nazrul joined three other panelists in the discussion.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, and National Citizen Party member-secretary Akter Hossen spoke passionately about their political vision for Bangladesh in the post-Uprising period.
Later, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman moderated another panel discussion, 鈥楽haping Tomorrow: The Future of Bangladesh.鈥� NCP leader Tasnim Jara, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, and Jamaat leader Nakibur Rahman took part as panelists.
The chief adviser also launched a mobile application, Shubheccha, designed to provide NRBs with essential services, guidance, and investment opportunities.