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Prime Minister’s Public Administration Adviser and BNP Standing Committee member Md Ismail Zabiullah has called on expatriate Bangladeshis and Malaysian investors to invest in Bangladesh, saying the country now wants “brain in” instead of “brain drain.”
He made the remarks as the chief guest at an exchange meeting organised by Malaysia BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Zabiullah said the BNP had formed the government after securing an absolute majority and that, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, work on rebuilding the country and carrying out economic reforms had already begun in line with the party’s election manifesto.
“An investment-friendly environment has already been created through consistent policies and deregulation,” he said, adding that attracting foreign investment and strengthening the country’s economic foundation were among the government’s key priorities.
He urged Malaysian investors and Bangladeshi expatriate businessmen, successful entrepreneurs and prospective investors to expand their investments in Bangladesh.
The adviser said the government would provide all-out support to the strong Bangladeshi business community and young entrepreneurs based in Malaysia to expand their investments in Bangladesh.
More than 1.5 million Bangladeshis are working in Malaysia, he said, including skilled professionals such as academics, technologists, doctors, entrepreneurs, businesspeople, IT specialists and engineers.
“Their knowledge, experience and skills can play an important role in the development of the country,” Zabiullah said, particularly urging expatriate experts in different fields to return to Bangladesh and contribute to national development.
He said more than 10 million Bangladeshis currently live and work in different countries around the world, while their hard work and remittances play a vital role in keeping the economy running.
“Remittances sent by expatriates are one of the main driving forces of our economy,” he said, stressing the need to properly recognise their contribution and ensure their welfare.
Zabiullah said the BNP’s election manifesto had pledged various welfare measures for expatriates, including ensuring their voting rights.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had taken an initiative to introduce an “Expatriate Card” to strengthen and institutionalise the relationship between the state and Bangladeshi expatriates. A pilot programme for the card is scheduled to begin in July 2026, he said.
The government has also taken measures to reduce harassment of expatriates at airports and provide them with easier, safer and more dignified services, he said.
He said the government had taken a policy decision to provide expatriate cardholders with priority check-in and boarding facilities and access to the Balaka Lounge.
The government has also initiated steps to create separate housing and investment opportunities for expatriates, Zabiullah said, adding that the programme would begin in Sylhet and gradually expand to other parts of the country.
He said the government aimed to build a modern, efficient and people-friendly Bangladesh by facilitating expatriate investment and creating opportunities for young people to receive world-class education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities at home.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has a vision of transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034,” he said, adding that expatriates’ investment, talent and experience would play an important role in achieving the goal.
Academics, researchers, technologists, women entrepreneurs and leaders of BNP’s various affiliated organisations at the meeting raised concerns over the problems and expectations of Bangladeshi expatriates.
They called for effective government measures to improve employment opportunities and working conditions for Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia and simplify passport and other consular services.
Speakers also stressed greater coordination among relevant government agencies and regular communication with expatriate Bangladeshis to address their concerns.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, Malaysia BNP President Engineer Badlur Rahman Badal, Senior Vice-President Mahbub Alam Shah, General Secretary Mosharraf Hossain, representatives of affiliated organisations, women entrepreneurs, academics and student representatives also spoke at the meeting.
Embassy officials, BNP leaders and Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia were present.
