The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Remittances from Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia have marked a record increase in recent times, a spokesman of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare & Overseas Employment said on Friday.

"In the year 2006-2007, it was US dollar 11.8 million. During 2007-2008 it rose to US dollar 92.44 million, which is nearly a nine fold increase," the spokesman stated.

In addition, during the past year over 370,000 Bangladeshis have found employment in Malaysia.

"It has been learnt that a further 100,000 may also able to go within this year, according to information received informally," the spokesman added.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in-charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare & Overseas Employment observed: "This is very good news for both countries. During a recent transit stopover in Kuala Lumpur, I have instructed the High Commissioner that apart from such increases in numbers and remittance amounts, workers' welfare must be accorded the highest possible priority."

A senior Malaysian official, Suhakam Commissioner Datuk N Siva Subramanium has recently said that all embassies, including the Indian Mission, should follow the example of the Bangladesh High Commission in welfare activities, particularly "in setting up a camp to help their citizens who are looking for employment and facing problems in the country."