Engaging non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) in national progress
One of the biggest opportunities would be bringing back the knowledge from its people who reside abroad and serve in knowledge-driven sectors
Sabbir Rahman Khan
Engaging non-resident population in national development is a potential area. Globally, policy makers increasingly recognize the value of non-resident population who brings technical know-how, technology, innovative business ideas and investment for the development of the home country. Evidently, countries in this region particularly India and the Philippines have taken strategic steps to develop institutional framework for engaging diasporas in development initiatives. Following these global best practices, it is of critical importance that we need to drive the next level of transformation centered on technology and innovation backed by NRB diasporas. However, as far as expert engagement is concerned, there are a lot of academics and researchers working already in different private universities and research organizations in Bangladesh. More such opportunities should be created at both the public, private universities and research organizations.
It is perceived that about 10 million Bangladeshis are living abroad of which about 2.4 million Bangladeshis are living abroad permanently either as citizens or with other valid documents in as many as 162 countries (ERD, 2018). Good news is: government of Bangladesh has taken initiatives to tap the diasporas knowledge, skills and expertise. It is encouraging that to create a platform and engaging NRBs in the development process of the country, a two-day conference titled Convention of NRB Engineers (CONE 2019) just concluded in Dhaka.
However, it must be kept in mind that reaching out the diasporas as well as engaging them in productive and meaningful way will require political commitment, policy support, designated focal points from the government for follow-up and service-oriented support from governments investment promotion agencies like BIDA, BEZA, Bangladesh High-tech Park Authority and PPP office along with other government agencies those are responsible for issuing license, permits, utility services and required support to establish a business and industry. In essence, Bangladesh must utilize every opportunity that comes in the way. And one of the biggest opportunities would be bringing back the knowledge from its people who reside abroad and serve in knowledge-driven sectors.
Globally, there exist numerous successful initiatives of diaspora engagement that Bangladesh can review, learn lessons and potentially adapt for use. An UNCTAD study conducted in 2012 estimated that up to 80% of FDI into China was from its diaspora networks. In Lebanon, around six thousand projects have been successfully implemented through the Live Lebanon initiative with diaspora-donated money to support local communities. Contributions from the diaspora take multiple forms that include philanthropy, business and academic networks, institutional twinning initiatives, practitioners or technical advisors, etc. There are also several successful examples of the diaspora providing medical and education services and promoting tourism in different regions.
Bangladesh is a country with enormous opportunities driven by a window of demographic dividend. We have the potentiality to act on the 4th industrial revolution efficiently. As Bangladesh aspires to become a middle income country, engaging non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) as investors can be a new way to maintain the pace of 4th industrial revolution featured economic growth. A bitter truth is that our demographic dividend might turn into a demographic disaster if we do not focus on skills development. Therefore, we need a shift of mindset towards continuous learning.
Education does not end with a degree; rather life is a process of continuous learning and unlearning. The NRBs can contribute and facilitate skills development by ensuring the best coach for the builders of our nation. Moreover, it is imperative to engage NRBs in facilitating futuristic knowledge flow to the young demography in the areas of curriculum reform, science education, engineering orientation and technology drive. Given that the government should shift its policy focus from serving the migrant laborers (which would continue) towards engaging the diaspora communities in the overall development efforts of the country, a massive level awareness-raising campaign should be introduced. This should be done at both the national and international level as at the national level, the government agencies need to reorient their focus and activities and at the international level, the diasporas community need to know about this initiative along with the opportunities it may offer for them.
Business is formed when we draw a line that joins global businesses and our need for it. We need a pyramid model where knowledge is carried downstream from the top. In this connection, a supply side study on the Bangladeshi diasporas should be commissioned to capture their aspirations in every 2/3 years. In this regard, it is important that special attempt is also made to find out the interests and aspirations of the second and third generation expatriates. It is important to nurture the bond in a way that is mutually beneficial. Once this is achieved, Bangladesh will continue to receive benefits from them in the time ahead. It is encouraging to know that Bangladesh government is planning to dedicate a Special Economic Zone for NRBs. In this regard, some special sectors of the economy may be kept reserved exclusively for the NRBs to invest or they should be given preferential treatment in this regard. The government has a plan to create 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZs). My suggestion is that on this front, NRBs may also be given the responsibility to develop a number of SEZs and then should also be given necessary flexibility to invite investors of their choice (NRBs or foreign origin).
Bangladesh needs to draw a roadmap for facilitating the engagements of the diaspora in her development process. Furthermore, we need to find out the hurdles faced by NRB diasporas. There are reportedly some bottlenecks evident and the most prevalent one is lack of communication or structured activity between the diasporas and Bangladeshi side. USAID study noted that there is a perception in the US Bangladeshi community that there is not enough communication or structured activity between the US diasporas and USAID/Bangladesh specifically, or with the government of Bangladeshi in general. US Bangladeshi diasporas indicate that they believe a lack of frequent communication between USAID/Bangladesh and the US diaspora community and the lack of a point person to spearhead this communication are very important obstacles to further US Bangladeshi Diaspora engagement. We should seriously look into this matter and take timely measure to acknowledge and publicize the contribution of the NRBs. Moreover, proper branding of NRB is another issuewe should revisit. In this connection, an ERD commissioned study suggested that designation of the position Labour Attache in our diplomatic mission may be changed to Diaspora Relations Officer (DRO). Because the word labour used is sensitive to the broader spectrum of NRB branding and narrowing down its actual definition. This is just one instance; there are other areas where we need to properly revisit.
However, it is quite clear that narrating Bangladeshs economic story to the world will largely rely upon the efforts of our Non Resident Bangladeshis. Concluding with a quote from Nobel laureate Jane Addams unless our conception of patriotism is progressive, it cannot hope to embody the real affection and the real interest of the nation. Therefore, our high hope towards our respected NRBs that we must work hand in hand to contribute to the development momentum of Bangladesh and we believe they will join us here out of their self-interest and love for the nation.
The writer is Assistant Secretary (Research and Development), DCCI.
