The “Branding Bangladesh” World Conference Series 2024, organized by the Centre for NRB, was held on August 26 at a hotel in London. The event brought together community leaders and expatriate Bangladeshis to discuss the future of Bangladesh and its diaspora. The conference was presided over by Centre for NRB Chairperson M.S. Shekil Chowdhury and moderated by Wadud Ansari.
The chief guest of the event was Barrister Saifuddin Khaled, a prominent Bangladeshi-origin politician and the Speaker of the Tower Hamlets Council in London. The conference began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Mohammad Mahmud Hossain.
Expatriates attending the conference expressed their views on giving the newly formed government in Bangladesh enough time to carry out its overall activities. They also showed interest in participating in the country’s reform process. Furthermore, they urged the new government to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of expatriates’ assets back in Bangladesh.
Elderly expatriate leaders highlighted the complications surrounding the “Power of Attorney” system and the difficulties in obtaining National ID cards. They called on the interim government to simplify these processes. Additionally, they demanded stringent legal actions against financial criminals and those involved in money laundering abroad, regardless of political affiliations.
Key Issues Raised by Expatriates
The conference also saw expatriates raise several crucial issues that require immediate attention from the new government:
Biman and Ticketing Issues: Concerns were voiced over the disorder in the flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and the complexities surrounding online ticketing systems.
Political Neutrality and Diplomatic Appointments: Attendees demanded the limitation or prohibition of Bangladeshi politics abroad and the appointment of competent, non-partisan diplomats in foreign missions.
Economic Reforms and Anti-Corruption Measures: They urged for the introduction of a special savings scheme for remittance senders and a call for strict adherence to the rule of law across all sectors of the administration. Expatriates also sought measures to ban corrupt individuals from holding political positions.
Several prominent expatriate leaders spoke at the event, including community leaders Barrister Ataur Rahman, former mayors Serwan Chowdhury, Saiful Alam, Parvez Ahmed, and former speakers Ayas Mia, Sabina Akhter, Ahbab Hossain. Other notable figures included Deputy Mayor Shahid Ali, Mahmud Hasan MBE, and academics such as Dr. Zaki Rizwana Anwar and Dr. Ansar Ahmed Ullah, among others.
Special Recognition for Contributions to “Branding Bangladesh”
In recognition of his significant contributions to the “Branding Bangladesh” initiative in 2023, London-based expatriate Abul Hossain was awarded the “Branding Award 2024” during the event.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for the new government to take concrete steps to address these concerns, reinforcing the expatriate community’s commitment to playing a constructive role in Bangladesh's development.