Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has urged non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to actively contribute their knowledge, experience, and investment toward rebuilding Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of its people.
Addressing a packed gathering of NRBs in New York on Saturday evening, he emphasized the global reach of the Bangladeshi diaspora and their integral role in shaping the country’s future.
“Bangladesh is truly spread all over the world. There is no distance between us—you are very much part of Bangladesh,” Prof Yunus said, highlighting the diaspora’s emotional and economic connection to the homeland.
He credited remittances from NRBs as a lifeline for the national economy during its most difficult periods. “Our economy had collapsed. It was remittance that gave birth to a new Bangladesh,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
The event, titled NRB Connect Day: Empowering Global Bangladeshis, was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Political leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) also attended, alongside senior advisers and officials including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.
Prof Yunus encouraged NRBs to move beyond commentary and engage directly in nation-building.
“It’s easy to speak from the gallery. We want you on the field, playing with us,” he said, adding that the presence of political leaders on the visit had strengthened his confidence in the country’s future.
He also launched Shubheccha, a mobile application designed to offer NRBs access to citizen services, community engagement tools, and investment opportunities.
BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud showcased the app’s features and presented an overview of Bangladesh’s economic progress since the July Uprising, noting a 21% surge in remittances and improved investment conditions.
Ashik also briefed attendees on voting procedures for the upcoming general election scheduled for February next year and called for continued support from the diaspora.
The evening featured two panel discussions.
The first, Bridging Borders: Current Affairs and Diaspora Engagement, was moderated by Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi and included Expatriate Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul.
The second, Shaping Tomorrow: The Future of Bangladesh, was led by National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and featured NCP’s Tasnim Jara, BNP’s Humayun Kabir, and Jamaat’s Nakibur Rahman.
Throughout the event, speakers echoed a shared vision: that the Bangladeshi diaspora is not just a support system, but a driving force in the country’s transformation.
