The expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry has awarded 11 non-resident Bangladeshis CIP (commercially important person) status for their contribution to the country’s economy.
Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain handed over CIP cards to the recipients at his office on Thursday afternoon.
Of the recipients, 10 were given CIP status for sending remittance through banks in 2013 while another received the status for importing products from Bangladesh.
The status, in the remittance category for 2013, was bestowed upon Md Mahtabur Rahman, Md Abul Kalam and Md Abul Kalam in United Arab Emirates; Md Shamsul Alam, Md Rafiqul Islam, and Abdul Aziz Khan in Qatar; Abul Kalam Azad and Kazi Shafiqul Islam in Oman; Mohammad Ali Talukdar and Md Adnan Imam in United Kingdom.
Firize-ul-Alam in Russia was awarded the status for importing goods from Bangladesh in 2013.
Non-resident Bangladeshis will receive CIP cards if they send remittances of at least $150,000 in a fiscal year or import Bangladeshi goods worth $500,000 to their countries of residence.
Card holders, their spouses and their children will enjoy privileges in getting cabins when admitted to public hospitals. They will have free access to the Bangladesh secretariat for a year. When meeting high officials at home and abroad, they will receive special treatment.