Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Sunday told Parliament that over 22 lakh Bangladeshis got jobs abroad in the last four years giving a big boost to the country’s remittance inflow.
The Foreign Minister said the country received remittance worth US$ 45.15 billion in the first four years of the present government while the amount was US$ 12.78 billion during the BNP-Jamaat alliance (2002-2005).
She came up with the data while responding to a scripted question from ABM Ashraf Uddin Nijan (Laxmipur-4) in the House.
Dipu Moni claimed that Bangladesh’s manpower export market has been expanded despite global economic downtrend following various diplomatic efforts. “Scopes have been created for manpower export in various European countries following the meaningful diplomatic efforts,” she said.
Meanwhile, steps have been taken for manpower export to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Greece, Congo, South Africa, Algeria, Sudan, Angola and Tajikistan and other countries, the Foreign Minister said.
She also said manpower export had virtually come to a halt due to massive corruption of BNP-Jamaat alliance government. “And the scope for iqama transfer in Saudi Arabia was also stopped in 2008.”
Dipu Moni said the present government stopped that corruption and redesigned the export market. “As a result, the scope for iqama transfer has been reintroduced.”
Responding to another question from Begum Faridunnahar Laily (Women Seat-18), she said it is not true that the government taken some six lakh hectares of land on lease in various African countries.
“However, the government continues its efforts to take up agriculture projects through joint initiatives. Specific information will be provided once the projects reach the implementation stage,” Dipu Moni said.
Responding to another question from Begum Rehana Akter Ranu (Women Seat-40), the Foreign Minister said it is not true that the manpower export is at stake due to diplomatic failures. “Over 22 lakh Bangladeshis got job abroad in the last four years.”
Replying to a question from Begum Nazma Akter (Women Seat-13), Bangladesh provided consular services to 1,95,000 Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia from May 11 to June 19. “The initiative has been appreciated in the Saudi media.”
Source: UNBConnect
