United News of Bangladesh

Suwaidi Park in Riyadh overflowed with thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis as renowned artist Asif Akbar made his presence felt among the Bangladesh community and their friends from other participating countries, including the host - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The atmosphere was electric—yet deeply emotional—as their beloved singer connected heart-to-heart with the very people who keep Bangladesh’s economy moving from miles away. Speaking with warmth and sincerity, Asif Akbar emphasised that the remittance fighters - the expatriate workers who sacrifice comfort, family time, and their personal dreams - deserve more than just appreciation. They deserve joy, he said. Bangladesh’s colourful heritage takes centre‐stage at Riyadh’s Global Harmony festival “Remittance fighters need entertainment to breathe, to stay human,” Asif said passionately. “Without moments of happiness with entertainment, people become hardened by the struggles they carry every day." Asif who sang a huge number of hit songs like ‘O Priya Tumi Kothai’ shed light on the silent battles these workers face abroad - loneliness, isolation, tireless labor, and the emotional burden of constantly giving while rarely receiving. Yet, despite the weight on their shoulders, they continue to send money home, build futures for their families, and strengthen the foundations of Bangladesh’s economy, he remembered. Asif described expatriate Bangladeshis as “the most patriotic sons and daughters of our nation.” He praised their unwavering dedication, calling them pillars of progress whose sacrifices often go unnoticed. “They work in foreign lands, far from loved ones, just to keep joy alive back home. But in doing so, they often lose their own moments of happiness,” Asif mentioned in between the conversation with the audience from the large stage. In Suwaidi Park, surrounded by the cheers and warmth of his compatriots, Asif reminded everyone that behind every remittance sent home lies a story of resilience, sacrifice and unspoken pain. And through music and togetherness, even for a brief moment, those burdens felt a little lighter, said the singer who sang for nearly two hours. With each song, expatriates Bangladeshis were seen singing together with their favourite singers. The Saudi Ministry of Media launched the second edition of the Global Harmony in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority highlighting cultures of 14 countries, including Bangladesh. The ‘Bangladeshi Cultural’ segment began on November 11 and ended on Friday night (Riyadh time, November 14). Asif highly appreciated the Saudi government, Saudi Ministry of Media and everyone involved for hosting such a mega event. He also thanked the organisers for honoring the Bangladeshi expatriate community with an opportunity to enjoy a concert free of charge. Read more: Global Harmony: Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage to shine in Riyadh The event, hosted by popular Bangladeshi actress Prarthana Fardin Dighi and Rabiul Haque Zaman, showcased the rich traditions, music, dance, and cuisine of Bangladesh as part of Saudi Arabia’s Global Harmony initiative. Thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis, along with some of their families, gathered to enjoy live performances and sing together, transforming the park into a sea of sounds and lights. For many, it was an emotional and pride-filled night, a moment to reconnect with their roots and share their culture with the wider Saudi community, celebrating unity, friendship, and the growing cultural ties between Bangladesh and the Kingdom. “This is absolutely amazing. We remain busy, struggling every day here to keep our families smiling back home. This event is refreshing and a chance to share joy with friends,” Rumel, a Bangladeshi expatriate who attended with his friends, told UNB. “I came here to host for the first time — a role I’ve never played before. It feels wonderful to be here, close to the Bangladeshi community. The audience is amazing. We are grateful to the Saudi authorities and the Ministry of Media,” Dighi told UNB. Sarry Shaaban, spokesperson for the Global Harmony committee, expressed his excitement at hosting one of the largest expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia as part of the initiative. “We are thrilled to have the Bangladeshi community join us. This event will help Saudi audiences learn more about Bangladesh and its culture,” he said. Other nations and regions to be featured in the event include Egypt (Nov. 15–17); the Levant (Nov. 18–20); Yemen (Nov. 21–28); Pakistan (Nov. 29–Dec. 1); Indonesia (Dec. 2–4); the Philippines (Dec. 5–8); Uganda (Dec. 9–10); Ethiopia (Dec. 11–13); and Sudan (Dec. 14–20). The Global Harmony initiative was first launched in October 2024 to celebrate the diversity of the Kingdom’s residents. Last year’s event celebrated the cultures of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Philippines. Last year’s event featured legendary Bangladeshi rock icon Nagar Baul James, DJ Sonica, and popular singers Habib Wahid, Porshi, and Beauty Khan — with James’s first-ever performance in Riyadh being a major highlight. The Global Harmony initiative continues to host a series of cultural weeks representing 14 countries over a span of 49 days. The programme is part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a global hub for cultural and civilizational diversity. Read more: Saudi Arabia to allow 78,500 Bangladeshis for 2026 Hajj

Bangladesh, which depends heavily on remittances from the Middle East, is slowly losing its footing there, raising worries about falling inflows and bigger risks ahead. After the fall of the Hasina government in 2024, remittance inflows initially surged to record highs, but recent trends show the flow is shrinking, particularly from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, remittances stood at $2.42 billion in August, down from $2.47 billion in July and $2.82 billion in June. Year-on-year figures still reflect growth, but the recent downward trajectory points to the turbulence in Middle Eastern markets as a key driver. “Bangladesh’s labour market in the Middle East is tightening. These countries are increasingly recruiting skilled workers from India and Nepal. On top of that, the aftermath of the Iran-Israel war and the recent Israeli attacks in Qatar have also had repercussions. All these regional instabilities are directly affecting Bangladesh’s economy,” said Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). Forced merger of five Shariah banks in Bangladesh faces daunting challenges Saudi Arabia remains Bangladesh’s single largest source of remittances, hosting nearly three million Bangladeshis. More than 628,000 workers migrated there in 2024 alone, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET). Yet, despite the sheer numbers, opportunities are shrinking, leaving many migrants struggling to survive and remit. Every year, tens of thousands return from Saudi Arabia after failing to secure stable work. The Wage Earners’ Welfare Board reported over 50,000 workers were forced to return in 2024 through the “outpass” process, compared to 58,000 in 2023. Many migrants spend large sums to secure jobs, only to face months or years without proper employment or residency permits (aqama). Ebaydul Islam from Jhalakathi, who returned from Saudi Arabia last year, shared his ordeal, “I was promised an aqama within three months. Even after a year, it never came. The job I was promised never materialized either. I had to live like an undocumented worker, hiding every day.” Another returnee, Mirajul Hawlader, echoed similar frustrations, “Getting an aqama for Bangladeshi workers is now like chasing a golden deer. If I can’t even send money home to my family, there’s no point in staying abroad.” Bangladesh on the cusp of a fintech boom, if challenges addressed  The declining inflows from Saudi Arabia are reflected in Bangladesh Bank’s data. In May, remittances from the kingdom stood at Tk 6,524 crore, dropping to Tk 5,763 crore in June, Tk 5,200 crore in July, and further down to Tk 4,800 crore in August. “Saudi Arabia is restructuring its labor market with new skill benchmarks. Without meeting these requirements, workers face difficulties in securing jobs or residency permits. Bangladesh must prioritize skill development. Continuing to send unskilled laborers will only cause long-term damage,” said Marina Sultana, Director of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU). The United Arab Emirates (UAE), another major remittance hub, is emerging as an even bigger challenge. Reports suggest the UAE could stop issuing work visas for Bangladeshis starting in 2026, while visa complications have persisted since last year. Bangladeshi workers already face restrictions on visa transfers and family visas. In March this year, remittances from the UAE were Tk 6,201 crore, but they fell to Tk 4,540 crore in April, Tk 3,461 crore in July, and Tk 3,382 crore in August. Economists warn that a full visa suspension could trigger a sharp collapse in remittance inflows from the UAE. “We cannot afford to delay. Dhaka must engage Abu Dhabi in urgent diplomatic dialogue. Losing the UAE market would severely weaken Bangladesh’s overall foothold in the Middle East,” Mahfuz said. Qatar, too, has shown declining inflows. Remittances dropped from Tk 1,432 crore in June to Tk 1,288 crore in July and further to Tk 1,113 crore in August. Experts call for strategy, skilled workforce to lift Biman from setbacks Oman, which banned Bangladeshi workers in 2023, shows a similar downward curve. While remittances briefly surged past Tk 2,000 crore in January this year, they started falling in June and came down to around Tk 1,700 crore by August. Experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken, Bangladesh could face deeper setbacks in remittance inflows from the Middle East. “The government must act now to safeguard the market, even amid regional instability,” Mahfuz observed. Marina Sultana added, “Improving worker skills is non-negotiable. Authorities also need to investigate why so many returnees fail to secure jobs and design programs to enhance the productivity of those who remain abroad.”  

Bangladesh recorded export earnings of US$ 8.69 billion during the first two months (July–August) of the current fiscal year 2025–26, reflecting a 10.61 percent growth compared to the same period during the previous fiscal year. Despite this overall positive performance, the year-on-year growth declined by 2.93 percent in August 2025. Export earnings for August 2025 stood at $3.92 billion, slightly lower than the $ 4.03 billion achieved in August 2024. Expatriates sent $2.08 billion in remittances in 27 days of August US tariffs disrupted global demand and supply chains, causing a fall in supply orders from international buyers. After a successful tariff negotiation with Washington, export orders surged in Bangladesh, businesses said. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) noted that while export performance in the opening months of the fiscal year indicates resilience, the slowdown in August underlines the challenges facing Bangladesh’s export sector in the context of global demand fluctuations and evolving market dynamics. Bangladesh Bank reconstitutes Premier Bank board over poor governance  

Expatriates sent a record US$30.32 billion in remittances in the just-concluded 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a 26.8 percent year-on-year increase from the US$23.9 billion received in FY2023-24. According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, the historic amount was received between July 2024 and June 2025, making it the highest annual remittance inflow in the country’s history. In June 2025 alone, the remittance inflow stood at US$2.81 billion, an 11 percent rise compared to US$2.53 billion in June 2024. The highest single-month remittance in FY2024-25 was recorded in March, when inflows surged past the US$3 billion mark, driven by Eid-ul-Fitr-related transfers. Bangladesh received $2.7 billion remittances in 29 days of June This not only marked the peak for the fiscal year but also set a new monthly record for Bangladesh. Banking sector insiders attributed the surge to a growing preference among expatriates for using formal banking channels over informal ones such as hundi.  They believe the positive trend will help ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and support import payments. The inward remittance flow throughout FY2024-25 was as follows: June: US$2.81 billion May: US$2.97 billion April: US$2.75 billion March: US$3.29 billion February: US$2.53 billion January: US$2.19 billion December: US$2.64 billion November: US$2.20 billion October: US$2.39 billion September: US$2.40 billion August: US$2.22 billion July: US$1.91 billion    

Expatriates sent US$2.7 billion in remittances during the first 29 days of June, pushing Bangladesh’s total remittance earnings to $30.21 billion so far this fiscal year. Blessed by strong remittance inflows and foreign aid, Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves rose to $31.68 billion on June 30, though the BPM6-compliant figure stood at $26.66 billion on the same day. According to the Bangladesh Bank's latest update, June 01-29 in 2024, expatriates sent $2.37 billion remittance. Accordingly, Bangladesh remittance earnings saw a growth by 14.1 percent year-on-year. Remittance crosses $30bn on June 28, setting new record July-June 29, of the previous fiscal year, FY2023-24, Bangladesh received $23.74 billion remittance. Compared to this, while at the same time of FY2024-25, remittance earnings reached $30.21 billion. Compared to this, remittance earnings saw a growth of 27.2 percent. The inward remittance flow in the FY2024-25 is as follows: · June (1-29) 2.7 billion · May $2.97 billion · April: $2.75 billion · March: $3.29 billion · February: $2.53 billion. · January: $2.19 billion · December: $2.64 billion · November $2.2 billion · October: $2.39 billion · September: $2.4 billion · August: $2.22 billion · In July: $ 1.91 billion 

Bangladesh received US $1.15 billion remittance in  the first 14 days of June 2025, a slowdown of 30.1 percent year-on-year. Despite this slide, Bangladesh’s remittance earnings grew by 24.5 percent in the current fiscal year 2024-25. Bangladesh received $28.65 billion remittance so far in the FY2024-25, which was $23.01 billion in the previous FY2023- 24. Remittance inflow stays strong as BD expats send $1.61bn in 17 days of May According to Bangladesh Bank's latest update, the expatriates have sent $1.15 billion remittance in 14 days of June 2025, which was $1.64 billion in June 2024. Last year, Eid-Ul-Azha was celebrated in the third week of June last year. As a result, remittance in that time was 30.1 percent higher. The expatriates sent $27.5 billion remittance in 11 months (July-May) of the current FY2024- 25. The scenery of 11 months remittance is as follows- *May $2.97 billion *April: $2.75 billion *March: $3.29 billion *February: $2.53 billion. *January: $2.19 billion *December: $2.64 billion *November $2.2 billion *October: $2.39 billion *September: $2.4 billion *August: $2.22 billion *In July: $ 1.91 billion

Bangladesh witnessed a notable surge in remittance inflows in April, with expatriates sending US$2.75 billion, marking the second-highest monthly remittance in the country’s history. According to data from Bangladesh Bank, $144 million was received on April 30 alone. The total remittance inflow for the month (April 1–30) reflects a significant 34.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year. In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2024–25 (July to April), Bangladesh received a total of $24.54 billion in remittances. By comparison, the inflow during the same period of the previous fiscal year (FY2023–24) was $19.11 billion, showing a 28.3 percent year-on-year growth. Analysts note that the continued strong performance of remittance earnings, even after Eid-ul-Fitr, is a welcome boost to the country’s economy. Bangladesh received $2.61 billion remittance in 29 days of April March recorded an all-time high of $3.29 billion in monthly remittances. Notably, every month of the current fiscal year has seen remittance inflows exceeding $2 billion, underscoring migrant workers' growing confidence in formal banking channels. According to central bank sources, this upward trend is being driven by government incentives, strict enforcement against illegal money transfers (hundi), and the availability of convenient banking services for expatriates. In parallel, a steady exchange rate of Tk 122 per US dollar and positive export growth have also contributed to the encouraging trend. Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves reached a record high of $48.06 billion in August 2022. But, due to political instability and heavy dollar sales, the reserves declined to $20.39 billion by mid-2024. Since the interim government assumed office, Bangladesh Bank has shifted from selling dollars to purchasing them from the market, which is aiding the recovery of reserves. Economists believe that the ongoing rise in remittance flows will contribute to macroeconomic stability and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign loans. The remittance figures for the first 10 months of FY2024–25 are as follows: April: $2.75 billion March: $3.29 billion February: $2.53 billion January: $2.19 billion December: $2.64 billion November: $2.20 billion October: $2.39 billion September: $2.40 billion August: $2.22 billion July: $1.91 billion

Bangladesh received US$ $2.61 billion remittances in 29 days of the current month, April. At the same period of the previous year, the expatriates sent $1.91 billion remittance. Expatriates sent $1.78 billion in remittances in first 19 days of April According to the latest report of Bangladesh Bank, in the first 29 days of April expatriates sent $2.61 billion remittance. The remittance inward trend saw a growth by 36.6 percent in 29 days of April 2025, compared with April 2024. Bangladesh so far (till April 29) received $24.39 billion remittance, which is already higher than what was received during the entire 2023-24 fiscal.

The strong inflow of remittances has continued into April, with expatriates sending $1.78 billion in the first 19 days of the month. This follows a record-breaking $3.29 billion received in March. Bangladesh Bank’s latest update revealed that Bangladeshi expatriates have sent around US$ 1.72 billion in inward remittance in 1-19 days of April. In April last year, the expatriates sent $2.04 billion remittance, while in the 19 days of April this year sent $1.78 billion remittance. Accordingly, Bangladesh received $90.45 million remittance so far in each day of April. The state-owned commercial banks received a total of $639.7 million, two specialised banks received $90.26 million, private banks received $985.42 millio,n and foreign banks received $3.35 million. Among the banks, Solani Bank Plc received the highest $278.09 million, Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC received the second highest $266.88 million, and Agrani Bank PLC received the third highest 183.41 million in 19 days of April. Bangladesh received $1.05 billion in remittances in first 12 days of April The expertise sent $21.77 billion remittance in the 9 months (July-March) of the current fiscal year FY2024- 25. On the other hand, remittances of $17.07 billion were received in the first 9 months of the previous FY2023- 24. March $3.29 billion February $2.53 billion. January $2.19 billion December $2.64 billion November $2.2 billion October $2.39 billion September $2.4 billion August $2.22 billion In July $ 1.91 billion

Bangladesh received remittances amounting to US$1.05 billion in the first 12 days of April, according to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank. This amount reflects a daily average remittance of $87.69 million sent by expatriates during the period. While the flow remains significant, it marks a slight decline compared to the same timeframe in March, when the country recorded its highest remittance inflow in recent months. Bangladesh receives $18.49 billion in remittances over 8 months In March, remittances totalled $3.29 billion, averaging $109.85 million per day. Despite the dip, remittance continues to be a key source of foreign currency for the country’s economy, experts said.