Expat CIPs want respite from harassment

Non-resident Bangladeshis who have been given commercially important person (CIP) status have sought protection for their investment and a harassment-free environment.

They made the demand at a function organised in Dhaka on Thursday to award the CIP status to 10 highest foreign exchange-remittance senders and one top Bangladeshi product-importing non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) for 2013.

Those who got CIP cards in forex remitting category are Mohammad Mahtabur Rahman, Abul Kalam and Muhammad Abul Kalam from the United Arab Emirates, Mohammad Ali Talukder and Mohammad Adnan Imam from the United Kingdom, Mohammad Shamsul Alam, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Bhuiyan and Abdul Aziz Khan from Qatar and Abul Kalam Azad and Kazi Safiqul Islam from Oman.

The CIP card for import went to Feroz-ul Alam from Russia.

The expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry organised the event where minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain was present.

At the function, the NRBs highlighted the harassment they faced while remitting money.

Mahtabur Rahman said: “Even after the expatriate Bangladeshis remit money through banking channels, different departments asked them where they have invested or will invest the money. It’s a kind of harassment.”

Even there was no security for their investment, he complained.

Rahman questioned why the expatriates would send money home if the situation was like that.

Mohammad Ali Talukder said they wanted the government to be more sincere to ensure their safety and security.

Adnan Imam, Abul Kalam Azad and Rafiqul Islam Bhuiyan shared with the audience the harassment they faced after coming back home.

The expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister said the government had decided to increase the number of expatriate CIPs.

“We hope the number will double or triple,” he said.

Calling NRBs the ‘main force behind country’s economy’, the minister said the government was trying to raise manpower export.

CIP status-holders get certain privileges in different government facilities for one year. They are also included in several policymaking committees and get state invitations in national day programmes.

They need to return the cards to the government within seven days of expiry of the one-year time.

A total of 55 expatriates had applied for the cards for 2013.