NRBs: Not Really Bangladeshis? or EBO?

[Miraz]

Raises some valid points regarding the participation of NRBs into development of Bangladesh economy and policy making.

Another interesting suggestion to call NRBs as EBO (Expatriates of Bangladeshi origin).



NRBs: Not Really Bangladeshis?
Syed Saad Andaleeb

THE recent interest in, of, and by NRBs (Non-resident Bangladeshis) is a healthy sign reflecting their possible role and contribution to national development and emancipation. Among others, Zafar Sobhan of the Daily Star called for a Ministry of NRB Affairs, and the need to integrate the NRBs into the mainstream economy (May 19, 2006 Daily Star). Then December 2007 saw many NRBs participating in a well-intentioned conference in the capital.

Dewan Sadek Afzal (February 5, Daily Star) suggested the need to promote NRB investments and to provide one-stop services to the toiling Bangladeshis who send back huge amounts of remittances, many hoping to buying a plot of land to enjoy some creature comforts after surviving inhuman labour conditions in a foreign land.

Halimur Khan (February 6, Daily Star) provided concrete figures about the substantive and growing amount of remittances, reaching $6.4 billion in 2007 that reflects an upward trend with the potential of replacing foreign aid. He also urged the authorities to devise ways of reducing remittance costs, providing more remittance centers, negotiating with employing governments to ensure frequent and legal transfers, and ensuring safer methods by which money can be transferred.

I might add to this list that the government must also aggressively protect and defend the rights of the NRBs in distant lands where they need a strong and reassuring backing to avoid being exploited by opportunistic foreign nationals.

Anis Chowdhury (February 10, Daily Sar) has analytically and innovatively suggested ways to circumvent the Gregory Effect by allowing NRBs to imports goods rather than money to keep the value of the Taka competitive for exporters.

I have even noted an iconoclastic piece by an anonymous person who, interestingly, does make an important point about how "some" NRBs are perceived as "guest birds" who make holiday trips to the country, enrich their CVs, flaunt their money, and have the "temerity" to demand positions of authority in the government and other services. NRBs must heed these observations.

This new ferment is a good thing, and will highlight areas of contention that need to be ironed out; however, it should not degenerate into dysfunctional exchanges that generate much heat but little light. The point is that NRBs, collectively, make substantial contributions to the national economy and they can and do make an enormous difference.

It is time they have a voice in how their contributions are utilised. What is most important is to continue this dialogue, and find areas of cooperation and collaboration whereby the needs of RBs and NRBs are effectively met. Turning NRBs away, as some seem to propagate, is not in the interest of Bangladesh.

In fact, my point of writing this piece is to argue that the size and contributions of NRBs will increase, possibly exponentially; and that has a vast potential of transforming the country if some trends and demographic shifts can be effectively harnessed. Let me summarise:

Read full from DS

[ammark]

Originally Posted by shuaib
NRBs ... those people who live in the slums in dhaka that speak urdu? and the rohingyas in chittagong? well they are far most not regarded as bangladeshis because mainly of thier language plus thier ethnic minority is very different compared to bangladeshis, but i think if they should live like all bangladeshis if they are going to stay for another few years or so then why not call them as 'Bangladeshis'.

No shuaib. NRB's are not the refugees in Bangladesh. They are Bangladeshis who have migrated to countries abroad, and settled there. Most of the active members of this forum are by definition NRB's, somewhat akin to Non-Resident Indians. NRBs are VERY distinct from Non-Bengali refugees in Bangladesh.

[Rabz]

NRB or EBO, whichever name you call them, i think the time has come for the govt to properly turn this into an asset.

We already rank 4th in terms of foreign remittance ( after India, China and Phillipines) in Asia.
With proper management we can strengthen our position even further.