Addressing a views-exchange meeting with expatriate Bangladeshis in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday (August 12), Dr. Yunus outlined a series of initiatives aimed at improving services for the diaspora — including the swift resolution of passport-related complications, expansion of online government services, and the development of a dedicated, expatriate-friendly mobile application.
“Our priority is to ensure that expatriates can exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national elections,” he said. “The election schedule has already been announced, and we stand ready to hand over power to the newly elected representatives.”
The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul, along with a cross-section of professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Dr. Yunus said that since assuming office, his administration has kept direct channels of communication open with expatriates, listened to their concerns, and taken action to resolve legitimate grievances. Under the “Nagorik Seba Bangladesh” initiative, he noted, government services are being made more accessible to expatriates, while a special app is in development to connect Bangladeshis worldwide on a single platform.
Commending the role of expatriates in the nation’s economic recovery, Dr. Yunus said, “The situation in the country has improved considerably, and expatriates’ contributions are playing a pivotal role in reviving the economy.”
Looking ahead to the elections, he expressed optimism: “This time, expatriates will have a new experience — everyone will be registered, and everyone will be able to vote. We have already discussed this with the Election Commission, and they are making the necessary preparations.”
During the event, participants also discussed a range of issues affecting expatriates, including increasing embassy staffing, securing Graduate Plus visas for Bangladeshi students, regularizing undocumented workers, and enhancing trade and industrial cooperation with Malaysia.
