RMMRU Institutionalising Diaspora linkage the emigrant Bangladeshis in UK and USA

Researcher: this research was carried out by Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui, professor, department of political science, university of Dhaka with the support of ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment of gob and international organization for migration (IOM), Dhaka.
Duration: February, 2004
Abstract: a lot of people of Bangladeshi origin now reside in different countries of the world as long-term migrants and they have certain emotional, social and cultural bondage with their country of origin. For this research, this community has been viewed as diaspora community, who are residing in different country, while at the same time are aware of their origin and identity and maintain varying degrees of linkage with their country of origin and with other diasporic communities of same origin. This study has focused on the Bangladeshi immigrants of UK and USA who differ in social, economic and demographic characteristics. Expatriate Bangladeshis have contributed a lot in diverse fields, like research and education, food industry, politics, media etc. Especially the second generation Bangladeshis has shown great interest in politics and media of their home country. The ebs have formed different kinds of associations, which have helped to build a pan Bangladeshi identity in their countries of origin. Ebs can also make contribution in the development process of Bangladesh and their most popular avenue is real estate but while investing in any field they face various types of problems, which can be overcome by taking some concrete measures. The study recommends taking appropriate measures at the policy level. The gob needs to take measures for creating positive scopes to involve the ebs in large scale in the investment of Bangladesh. An award scheme should be introduced for the contribution of the Bangladeshi Diaspora and short-term migrants. Linkages should also be strengthen between the second generation and the home countries. Study programmes, student exchange programmes, study travel programmes and joint projects with young ebs and young Bangladeshis can also reinforce this linkage. For ensuring all these Bangladesh government need to have special organizational setups including an inter-ministerial coordination committee, cells in Bangladesh missions and sub-committees under the ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment as the country of origin has to take significant proactive measures to get on board its diaspora as partners in development.