“We’ve more than five million expatriate workers employed in various types of jobs all over the world. They are sending about $16 billion foreign currency as remittance every year,” he said.
This amount, the Foreign Minister said, could have been much more if they would be skilled properly.
Giving importance on continuation of sincere efforts of the concerned ministries and institutions, Minister Dr Momen said, “But the opportunity is not gone yet.”
He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “International Skills Conference 2019 – Skills for the 21st Century: Unlocking the Skills Potential of the Developing World”, at a city hotel.
The Foreign Minister also said that this is no secret that many countries, over the years, have become prosperous by skilling their workforce.
“Keeping in mind the technological advancements, the countries undertook new development strategies and put adequate resources to train and equip their workforce,” he said.
Many others are also following the same as they know that retaining or speeding up economic growth is not possible without equipping the workforce with the skills required in changing global job market, he said adding that Bangladesh is no exception.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina), we have been able to achieve sustainable growth over the past decade and now moving ahead with various plans to achieve the target to graduate the country to a middle-income one by 2021 and a developed one by 2041,” said Minister Dr Momen.
Nearly 59 percent of Bangladesh population is below the age of 25 years and one-third of the nation’s population is between 18-34 years of age.
“To get demographic dividends, we would need to provide them quality education, skills training and gainful employment,” he said.
Recognizing the importance of it, the government has been implementing various initiatives for the skill development of the country’s workforce, said the Foreign Minister adding that private sector, donors and NGOs have come forward joining the efforts.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who spoke as the chief guest, said there is no alternative to have skilled manpower to face the growing global challenges.
Technical and Madrasah Education Division under the Education Ministry arranged the International Skills Conference-2019.
Planning Minister MA Mannan, deputy minister for education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury and Technical and Madrasah Education Division secretary Md Alamgir, among others spoke, at the conference chaired by Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni.