The government has undertaken an ambitious plan to bring down the cost of migration for Bangladeshi workers to a maximum of Tk 3 lakh while simultaneously enhancing the skill sets of outbound manpower, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam.
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Sending skilled workers, reducing migration costs to minimum is government’s goal: Shama Obaed
Speaking as the chief guest at the "Second Bangladesh Remittance Awards 2026 Singapore" ceremony held at Plume in Singapore on Monday, he noted that Bangladeshi workers currently pay exorbitant fees—often between Tk 10 lakh and Tk 14 lakh—due to unscrupulous intermediaries and syndicates. The government has now set a clear target to cap this expenditure and streamline the recruitment process.
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The event was organized to recognise the invaluable contributions of expatriate Bangladeshis who channel their hard-earned money through formal banking channels, thereby strengthening the national economy.
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Focus on Skilled Manpower
The State Minister emphasised that the government's objective is not merely to send a larger number of workers abroad but to ensure that they are adequately trained and skilled.
"Alongside English, we must create opportunities for our workers to learn Chinese, Japanese, and other key languages. We are also scaling up technical education, vocational training, and technological skill development," he said.
He added that to remain competitive in the evolving global labour market, Bangladeshi workers must upgrade their linguistic abilities and technical expertise. The government is therefore prioritising the modernisation and relevance of education and training systems.
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Migration Wing Now Operational
To streamline consular services and expedite resolution of migration-related issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a dedicated "Migration Wing."
Shama Obaid informed that this wing, led by a Director General, works in coordination with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment. Its primary mandate includes ensuring safe migration, facilitating overseas employment, and providing swift assistance to Bangladeshis in distress abroad.
He also thanked Singapore's Ministry of Manpower for its cooperation in rehabilitating 125 out of 200 Bangladeshi workers recently affected by the bankruptcy of three companies in Singapore.
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Singapore: A Growing Remittance Corridor
Describing expatriates as a key driving force of Bangladesh's economy, the State Minister said that during the 2024–25 fiscal year, Bangladeshi migrants sent nearly $45 billion** in remittances. Of this, Singapore alone accounted for approximately **$475.03 million, placing the city-state as the 10th largest source of remittances for Bangladesh.
Currently, around 150,000 Bangladeshis are employed in Singapore across vital sectors such as construction, marine, manufacturing, and processing. Their remittances not only bolster foreign exchange reserves but also fuel the education, healthcare, and futures of countless families back home.
"Every law-abiding, hardworking Bangladeshi in Singapore is a 'remittance warrior'—not just the 15 awardees today. Each one is a source of pride and a partner in Bangladesh's development," he remarked.
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Call for Investment, Not Just Remittances
The State Minister urged expatriates to move beyond being mere remittance senders and become investors and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
"The current government is building a transparent, corruption-free investment environment with 'one-stop service' facilities. If Bangladeshis established abroad invest back home, it will create massive employment opportunities for our young population," he said.
He also noted that expatriates in Singapore can play a pivotal role in opening new markets for Bangladeshi products, including jute and jute goods, agro-processed items, ready-made garments, and pharmaceuticals.
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Five Key Advices for Expatriates
Addressing Bangladeshis working in Singapore, Shama Obaid offered five essential pieces of advice:
1. Avoid hundi and always send remittances through legal banking channels.
2. Respect Singapore's laws, regulations, and work culture to the fullest.
3. Use social media responsibly, steering clear of extremism, violence, and hateful propaganda.
4. Maintain communal harmony by showing respect toward people of different languages, cultures, and religions.
5. Continuously upskill by acquiring new technological, technical, and language competencies.
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15 Expatriates Receive Remittance Awards
Following the success of last year's initiative, the second edition of the awards recognised 15 expatriates selected from a pool of 75 nominees put forward by three Bangladesh-based exchange houses—five from each.
From National Bank Exchange House:
· Highest remittance: Md. Rezaul Karim, Nazmul Arefin, and Md. Omar Faruk Sobuj
· Most frequent remittances: Mohammad Babul and Mohammad Zamiul Islam
From Agrani Exchange House:
· Highest remittance: Abdus Sattar and Mohammad Ferdous Hossain
· Most frequent remittances: Akram Hossain, S.M. Arifur Rahman, and Saima Akter
From Prime Exchange House:
· Highest remittance: Mohammad Rashedur Rahman, Shahidul Islam, and Khorshed Alam Chowdhury
· Most frequent remittances: Md. Saleh Joha and Riyad Sarkar
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Four Organisations and Two CIPs Honoured
In addition to individual remitters, four organisations were recognised for their contributions to community development, economic activities, and strengthening Bangladesh-Singapore bilateral ties:
· Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore
· Singapore Bangladesh Society
· Migrant Mutual Aid
· The Wandering Dervish
Two Commercial Important Persons (CIPs) were also honoured:
· Md. Shahiduzzaman, President of the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore
· Main Uddin, a top remittance sender
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Expatriates Hailed as 'Silent Heroes of the Economy'
Speaking at the event, distinguished guests praised expatriates as the backbone of Bangladesh's economy.
Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed, Chairman of Agrani Bank, said expatriates play a vital role in strengthening foreign reserves and driving sustainable national development.
Dr. Melita Mehzabin, Chairman of National Bank, remarked: "Even a single dollar sent by an expatriate can contribute to a family's education, healthcare, or future."
A.S.M. Shahidullah Khan, Chairman of ONE Bank, proposed introducing a 'Wage Earners' Card' for expatriates to link savings and investments with government services, health benefits, airport facilities, and insurance coverage.
Faisal Rahman, CEO of Prime Bank, reminded the audience: "Behind every remittance transaction lies long hours of labour, sacrifice, and the pain of separation from family. Reducing remittances to mere statistics ignores their human dimension."
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A Gathering of Banks and Businesses
The event was organised by Bonik Barta with the support of Thakral Group as the associate partner. Strategic partners included Prime Bank, Agrani Bank, National Bank, and US-Bangla Airlines.
Among those present were:
· Gurmukh Singh Thakral, Managing Director of Thakral Group
· Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed, Chairman, Agrani Bank
· A.S.M. Shahidullah Khan, Chairman, ONE Bank
· Dr. Melita Mehzabin, Chairman, National Bank
· Faisal Rahman, CEO, Prime Bank
· Md. Shahiduzzaman, President, Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore
· Dewan Hossne Ayub, Director General (Southeast Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs
· Lutfun Nahar, Chargé d'Affaires, Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore
Officials from the Singapore government, representatives from financial institutions, exchange houses, and a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis also attended the ceremony.
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A Step Towards Safe Migration and Investment
The second edition of the Bangladesh Remittance Awards in Singapore not only honoured those who channel their earnings through formal routes but also highlighted the government's strategic priorities: safe migration, skilled manpower development, and expatriate investment engagement.
The event reaffirmed the message that expatriates are not just senders of money but vital partners in Bangladesh's journey toward inclusive and sustainable growth.