The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a roundtable here on Saturday called for providing necessary supports to the Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), enabling them to contribute more to the development process.

Describing the NRBs working in different countries as the nation's pride, they said remittances being sent by them have long been making a significant contribution to the growth of national economy.

Former Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Justice Habibur Rahman was the chief guest at the roundtable on 'Contribution of NRB's to National Development and Dual Citizenship Issue', organized by the SAARC Citizens' Council at the Jatiya Press Club here.

Chairman of Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) Prof Dr Muzaffer Ahmed, Awami League Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu, Former Adviser Brig (retd) Dr Abdul Malek, Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Former Chairman of Dhaka Board Prof Shaheda Obaed and Chairman of Diganta Television Commodore (retd) Ataur Rahman were special guest speakers.

Besides, former lawmaker Delwar Hossain was a guest speaker while Chief Editor of the Canada-based Deshe Bideshe Nazrul Islam Minto presented the keynote paper. Chairman of SAARC Citizens' Council and Freedom Fighter Mustafa Allahma presided over the function.

Lawyers, social workers and expatriate Bangladeshis, among others, also took part in the discussion saying the NRBs have been playing an important role by sending home their hard-earned foreign currencies for further progress in the national economy.

Justice Habibur Rahman said the expatriate Bangladeshis should be included in the voters' list to ensure their rights as the citizens of this country.

"We have to raise the administrative efficiency to provide better service to the expatriate Bangladeshis, so they become more interested in investing in the country," the former chief justice said and asked them to extend their helping hands to the distressed compatriots.

Prof Muzaffer Ahmed called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to remain united by removing all petty differences among them to strengthen their positions and uphold the country's image abroad.

"The expatriate Bangladeshis should first come forward in aid of their fellow countrymen, who have been suffering for various reasons in different foreign countries," the TIB chairman said.

Amir Hossain Amu said the expatriate Bangladeshis would be increasingly interested in investing their hard-earned foreign currencies in the country provided political stability prevails at home along with smooth and uninterrupted supply of gas, power and water.

He referred to the invaluable contribution of many expatriates during the War of Liberation and said none of them have ever been awarded for such a historic role they played in those turbulent days. "I suggest that their contribution to the War of Liberation should be properly evaluated with awards," he said.

Brig (retd) Dr Abdul Malek urged the government to take immediate steps to encourage the expatriate Bangladeshis in various ways to invest in the country for further progress and prosperity of the national economy.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said that necessary cooperation should be extended to the expatriate Bangladeshis compared to other South Asian countries to help them get more involved in the country's development process.

Prof Shaheda Obaed urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to teach their children Bangla, infusing the deep sense of patriotism into their tender minds. "The more they speak in Bengali in the foreign soil, the more they feel for the country," she observed.

Nazrul Islam Minto in his keynote paper said that there are 80 lakh Bangladeshis living in different countries across the world, sending home huge remittances every year. "In this respect, we want to have 20 representatives in parliament on behalf of the expatriate Bangladeshis," he said.

Mustafa Allahma placed several suggestions like enrolment of the expatriate Bangladeshis in the voters' list, ensuring their participation in the national and local polls and opportunities for building Probashi Shilpa Palli in Bangladesh.