Washington DC, December 31, 2023 -National Expatriate Day-2023 was celebrated yesterday (December 30) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC by calling upon the expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United States to play a leading role in building a developed and prosperous "Smart Bangladesh" through their experience, skills and investment.On the occasion of the first National Diaspora Day, the Embassy organized a program in the evening at the Bangabandhu Auditorium. A significant number of expatriate Bangladeshis living in Washington DC and neighboring states joined it. On this occasion, Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Defense Attache Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam, Minister (Political) Md Rasheduzzaman and First Secretary Ahiduzzaman Noor read the messages given by the Honorable President, Honorable Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment.

 Later, a documentary film highlighting the significance of the day and the contribution of expatriates in Bangladesh's development journey was screened. After that a seminar was held. Mohammad Imran, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, gave the welcome and closing speech.Minister of Embassy (Economic) in the seminar. Md Fazle Rabi and First Secretary (Passport and Visa Wing) Muhammad Abdul Hai Milton presented two power points separately.

The Minister (Economic) in his power point presentation highlighted the remittance flow in the country, investment climate and various government facilities and incentives for expatriate Bangladeshis such as savings instruments, opening of foreign currency accounts and universal pension schemes.

 The First Secretary (Visa and Passport Wing) in his power point presentation highlighted the consular services of the Embassy including NVR, Power of Attorney and issuance of Travel Permit. He also mentioned the issue of Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and acceptance of dual citizenship applications.

 In his speech, Ambassador Mohammad Imran extended his best wishes to the expatriate Bangladeshis on the occasion of the National Expatriate Day, and appreciated their outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.Calling expatriates as an integral part of the country, he said that their remittances are playing an important role in keeping Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves strong and the wheels of the economy moving.

 Ambassador Imran called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United States to play a multi-dimensional role in building a developed and prosperous 'Smart Bangladesh ' announced by the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by 2041 by utilizing the experience, expertise and investment.

 At the same time, he urged expatriates to work to make Bangladesh's image brighter as well as to highlight its rich history, culture and heritage on foreign soil.Expatriate Bangladeshis of various professions invited to the event also participated in the discussion and gave various suggestions to improve the services of the embassy. The program was conducted by Counselor and Head of Embassy Shamima Yasmin Smriti.