Oxfam in Bangladesh on Sunday launched Bridge to Bangladesh, a digital platform aimed at connecting the country's global diaspora with national development by enabling overseas Bangladeshis to contribute knowledge, skills, mentorship, innovation and investment alongside remittances.
The platform, comprising a website and mobile application, was unveiled at a launch event in Dhaka attended by senior government officials, representatives of civil society and international organizations, diaspora leaders, academics and journalists.
The initiative aims to engage Bangladesh's more than 2.4 million diaspora members by creating opportunities to contribute knowledge, mentorship, professional expertise, innovation, advocacy, philanthropy and investment linkages through verified Bangladeshi organizations and individuals.
Speaking at the event, Dr Nazrul Islam, secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said members of the Bangladeshi diaspora are eager to contribute to the country's development, but sustained engagement depends on building trust. He also revealed that the government's long-awaited diaspora policy is in its final stage and is expected to receive approval soon.
Highlighting the challenges faced by overseas Bangladeshis, he said many potential investors have been unable to invest because of a trust deficit, limited institutional support and difficulties navigating government services.
He stressed the need for regulatory reforms, greater transparency and improved facilitation through Bangladesh's overseas missions to encourage stronger diaspora engagement.
Md Mokhtar Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, said the initiative complements the government's efforts to strengthen ties with the diaspora and could play an important role in implementing the upcoming diaspora policy.
"Once the connection is well established, it can bring about revolutionary change," he said.
Joining the event virtually, Apsana Begum MP, chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh, said the Bangladeshi diaspora has consistently stood beside the country during national crises, natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies and periods of significant political and social change.
She expressed hope that the platform would provide a practical pathway for British Bangladeshis and other diaspora communities to contribute their knowledge, experience and professional expertise to Bangladesh's development.
The program began with a welcome address by Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh.
Describing the initiative as more than an Oxfam project, Damle said Bridge to Bangladesh represents a collective national vision that could reshape the country's global narrative from one primarily seeking support to one contributing knowledge, expertise and innovation to the world.
Among those attending the launch were Dr Laura Tomm-Bonde, chief of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh; Sabur Khan, founder and chairman of Daffodil International University and Daffodil Group and former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI); Max Tuñón, country director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Bangladesh; and Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh.
The event also featured a presentation by Md Sariful Islam, head of Influencing, Communications, Advocacy and Media at Oxfam in Bangladesh, who outlined the platform's journey from concept to launch. Dr Tanzil Shafique, associate professor of Urban Design at the University of Sheffield, shared insights from the research that informed the platform's design.
Developed following a two-year research process conducted between June 2024 and June 2026, the platform draws on a global survey of diaspora members across 12 countries, consultations with international experts, analysis of 11 diaspora engagement platforms worldwide, and workshops with NGOs and civil society organizations in Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, Bridge to Bangladesh seeks to transform diaspora engagement from a remittance-driven relationship into a strategic partnership for inclusive and sustainable national development.
The platform offers verified user profiles, smart matchmaking, mentorship opportunities, community forums and impact tracking, allowing diaspora professionals, local organizations and institutions to collaborate transparently and contribute skills, knowledge and advocacy to Bangladesh's development.