Embassy invites expatriates to send remittances through legal channels

 Md. Al Amin Maldives representative

 Yesterday Thursday (August 11) evening, the exchange meeting was held at the initiative of Bangladesh Embassy in Maldives in the hall room of the embassy with the aim of encouraging sending remittances through legal channels to Bangladesh. In the speech of the chief guest in this meeting titled 'Send money in a legitimate way, be a proud partner in the development of the country', he urged,

Al Mamun Pathan, welfare assistant of Dutaloy presented the program.

High Commissioner

Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad.

Md. Sohail Parvez, First Secretary of the High Commission gave a welcome speech on the occasion. He highlighted the various welfare initiatives taken by the government for the expatriates and urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to cooperate in building the country by sending remittances through legitimate channels.

In this exchange meeting, Chief Guest High Commissioner Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad, mentioning the immense contribution of expatriates to the economic development of Bangladesh, said, "If money is sent through the banking channel, there is an opportunity to receive incentives from the Bangladesh government, and it is also possible to play a role in the development of motherland Bangladesh."

He said that Maldives is a small country with a lot of expatriate Bangladeshis living there and the amount of remittances is still not in the expected proportion.

The high commissioner pointed out that the negative impact of the corona epidemic on the one hand, and the relevance and necessity of remittances in the Russia-Ukraine situation are more than ever before in the current global reality.

Besides, mentioning the contribution of money transfer agencies, he requested them to continue their cooperation and efforts as well as to send remittances to Bangladesh in a legal way to all Maldivian expatriates.

"Under the prudent and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, unprecedented development has been achieved in the socio-economic field of Bangladesh." He called on community leaders, money transfer agents and local journalists to widely highlight the various incentives and facilities of the government in sending remittances to Bangladeshis living in the Maldives.

The High Commissioner said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon the diaspora to play a more effective role in realizing the vision of 2041 and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's dream of 'Golden Bangla'.

In his speech, the Chief Guest High Commissioner referred to the remittance warriors of the expatriate workers and said that in this global economic crisis, he called on the country to send remittances through legal means to strengthen the economic fear. He assured to work earnestly to solve the various proposals and problems presented by the expatriates. Finally, he requested Maldivian expatriates to work together to build Bangabandhu's golden Bangladesh by avoiding hundi and sending remittances through legitimate channels.

National Bank Money Exchange CEO Masudur Rahman and Islami Bank representative Masum Billah gave a speech highlighting the benefits of sending remittances through legal channels.

Prominent doctor Mokhtar Ali Laskar in his speech urged expatriate Bangladeshis living in Maldives to avoid hundi and urged banks to provide more competitive exchange rates.

Prominent Maldivian businessman and academic Ahmed Mottaki gave a power point presentation on the pros and cons of hundi and legitimate remittances.

Expressed their respective views and thoughts on facilitating and accelerating remittance flow. Incentives announced by the government to involve the community and carry out campaigns, stop harassment of expatriates at Bangladesh airports,

The expatriates raised various important suggestions, including increasing the rate of incentives for sending remittances, arranging the benefits of the Wage Earner Board so that the expatriates can get them easily. They mentioned that by doing this, the speed of remittance flow through legitimate means will increase. At this time, it was informed that action will be taken by the embassy.

Announcement of remittance awards to encourage expatriates to send remittances to Bangladesh. Awarding individuals and organizations who have sent the most remittances to Bangladesh on December 18 every year on International Migrants Day and honoring those who send remittances through legal channels as the most important people at home and abroad,

In the exchange meeting, the second secretary of High Commissioner Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, Md. Jasim Uddin, Moynal Hossain A. Chalam, Ibad Ullah and all the officials of the High Commissioner's office were present.

Awami League General Secretary and Maldives Branch, Mohammad Dulal Hossain, Vice President Monir Hossain, Expatriate Social Worker Association President Mohd Zakir Hossain, businessman, Hadiul Islam, local Bangladeshi community leaders, traders, money transfer agents and journalists and expatriates were present.