The Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry yesterday awarded 11 non-resident Bangladeshis the status of commercially important person (CIP) in recognition of their contributions to the country’s economy.
Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain handed over CIP cards to the recipients at the conference room of the ministry.
Ten of the recipients were given CIP status for sending remittances through banks last year. They are Md Mahtabur Rahman, Md Abul Kalam and Md Abul Kalam in the 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 the United Kingdom.
Besides, Firize-ul-Alam in Russia received the status for importing products from Bangladesh.
Seeking anonymity, a senior official at the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board said Tk110,000 was spent for arranging the card distribution ceremony.
Terming the CIP recipients the country’s ambassadors, Mosharraf urged them to play their due role in building the country’s positive image abroad.
A non-resident Bangladeshi is given CIP cards if he/she sends remittances of at least $150,000 in a fiscal year or import Bangladeshi goods worth $500,000 to their countries of residence.
Cardholders, their spouses and children will have the privilege of getting cabins if they are admitted to public hospitals. They will also have access to the Bangladesh Secretariat for a year. While meeting high officials at home and abroad, they will get special treatment.