Bangladesh Needs Dynamic Policy to Tap its Migrant Resources

Bangladesh, which celebrates 55 years of independence this year, needs a dynamic policy to integrate its non-resident resources into the country’s overall socio-economic development process.

It is a major supplier human resources to many developing countries. Around 17 million, or nearly 10 percent of the country’s 170 million people, now live outside Bangladesh and remit more than US$32 billion back to the country’s economy.

Of the 17 million Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), more than 1 million are either self-employed, or entrepreneurs, businessmen, industrialists and business leaders spread across different parts of the world.

A large part of them have settled in the Middle East countries, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, African and European Union member countries, contributing to the economies and societies of those countries with their skills and talents.

Although most people look at the Bangladeshi diaspora as merely a source of remittance that helps the country meet its balance of payment, it is more than that. Bangladeshi expatriates are entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, inventors, scientists, artists, influencers, social reformers and social entrepreneurs in their adopted homes.

It is high time Bangladeshi policy-makers look at the Bangladeshi diaspora as a major resource for a number of things, including utilising their skills and connections to boost foreign investment, develop trade corridors and strengthen the existing ones by accelerating exports to those countries where a sizable Bangladeshi community exists.

In order to pursue this, Bangladesh Government and policy-makers should create a dynamic policy guideline to attract the Bangladeshi diaspora in the development activities in Bangladesh. But before that, we first need to make clear definition and demarcation on two things:

1. Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs)
2. People of Bangladeshi Origin (PBO)
3. Overseas Citizen of Bangladesh (OCB)

Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs)
The definition of the NRBs should be clarified first. Usually, a NRB is a Bangladeshi national/citizen living in a foreign country with valid Bangladeshi national ID and travel document for more than six months or 180 days and earns a living in that country could be designated as an NRB.

The term NRB should have a proper legal status on their rights, privileges and obligations – in terms of tax benefits or exemption, foreign currency bank account, accessing credits, as well as priority status in access to land property and investment projects, based on their credentials.

Person of Bangladeshi Origin (PBO)
A foreign citizen whose roots could be traced to Bangladesh through his/her parents or grandparents who had migrated to a foreign country, is a Person of Bangladeshi Origin (PBO). Or a citizen of a foreign country who either of their parents/grandparents/great grandparents was born and permanently resident in a place that is under the current land boundary of Bangladesh – is a PBO. Or who is a spouse of a citizen of Bangladesh or a PIO.

These are valuable resources that Bangladesh could tap to utilize for the socio-economic development of the country – in terms of securing foreign investment, creating a caucus, a lobbyist group or a pressure group to influence policy of that country in favour of Bangladesh.

Overseas Citizen of Bangladesh (OCB)
A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of Bangladesh on 16-12-1971 or was a resident of the territory currently under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh or belonged to a territory that became part of Bangladesh after 1971 is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of Bangladesh (OCB). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCB.

OCBs should be entitled to a multipurpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa allowing them to visit Bangladesh at any time, for any length of time and for any purpose. They should be exempted from police reporting for any length of stay in the country. They should have also been granted all rights in the economic, financial and education fields in parity with NRBs except, the right to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

Diaspora Engagement
A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggested the following for Bangladesh Diaspora engagement a few years ago:

Business Networks: Diaspora business networks serve to match local entrepreneurs with their diaspora counterparts who then offer advice on how to start a business and reach the global market. These networks help to increase the flow of international trade and foreign investment to the countries of origin and at the same time foster local entrepreneurship and create long term alliances with Diaspora entities.

Business Advisory Circle (BAC): BAC is a network of individuals and institutions that can provide business advice and serve as mentors to prospective entrepreneurs.

Bangladesh needs to create a favourable investment environment for diaspora with policy development including development assistance and linking – fostering business and trade knowledge sharing etc. Estimated up to 80 percent of FDI into China is from its diaspora networks.

Proposed Initiatives to utilise the Bangladeshi Diaspora

In order to tap the hidden potential of the highly-skilled NRBs, PBOs and OCBs, the Government of Bangladesh could undertake a number of initiatives, including and not necessarily limited to:

1. Promote Foreign Investment and Exports: Create a mechanism to utilise the network/skills of NRBs/PBOs/OCBs to promote foreign investment and export development: Strengthen this through Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in key markets by first developing a proper database and engage with the most resourceful members of the Bangladeshi diaspora community to develop relationship with key investors/business houses and convince them to invest in Bangladesh through seminars, conferences and roadshows, etc;

2. Bangladeshi Caucus/Lobbyist/Pressure Group: Develop a mechanism of helping Bangladeshi Diaspora to create caucuses/lobbyists and pressure groups: This is to help the caucuses/lobbyists and pressure groups to influence foreign governments, lawmakers, officials for developing favourable policies for Bangladesh;

3. Develop Bangladesh Trade Centres: Encourage NRBs/PBOs/OCBs to develop Business/Trade and Investment centres in key economic centres such as Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Frankfurth, Milan, Jeddah, etc – that will be operated by NRBs/PBOs/OCBs and promote exports of Bangladeshi products and services;

4. Bangladeshi Soft Power: Develop a mechanism to promote and export Bangladeshi soft power, such as Bangladeshi cuisine, culture, literature, design, way of life, books, painting, art, film, music, etc and help foreigners develop a better understanding of Bangladeshi culture. These could be done through community organisations run by NRBs/PBOs and OCBs – and they could organize social events where non-Bangladeshi influential people such as local government officials, senators, lawmakers could participate and taste Bangladeshi soft power.