Brilliant Bangladeshis to be brought back from abroad to reduce dependency on foreign CEOs: Jabbar

Bangladesh will create job opportunities for talented Bangladeshis living abroad by using technologies to reduce dependency on foreign nationals for the top positions of country's multinational companies, said Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar. 

The minister made the assurance during a virtual discussion at the Dhaka University Club UK in London.

At present, a large portion of Bangladesh's 40 billion foreign reserve is from remittance of expatriates.

But a report by Transparency International has revealed that foreigners working in Bangladesh are siphoning around Tk 26,000 crore abroad. Bangladesh is losing Tk 12,000 crore a year for tax evasion of 2.5 lakh foreigners working in the country.

Tanvir Ahmed, a member of the board of directors of Dhaka University Club UK, said that reducing Bangladesh's dependency on foreign CEOs and giving priority to British Bangladeshi talented youth will reduce the risk of smuggling money abroad.

The minister said, "Those who live abroad have the potential to work in Bangladesh. For you and your next generation, under the leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the infrastructure is being developed in Bangladesh to create work opportunities in every field. You don't need to work for Bangladesh staying in the country. In the way that Bangladeshi boys and girls are doing outsourcing work staying in Bangladesh, any Bangladeshi living abroad will have the opportunity to work for Bangladesh while living abroad in the age of digitization." 

While attention was drawn to Mustafa Jabbar for bringing Dhaka University campus under free WiFi facility, he said that in the next two years, free WiFi facility will be available in higher educational institutions and residential halls across the country including Dhaka University. 

The minister said, "I have not visited the secretariat office since March 19, but there is no file pending. This has been possible only with the help of technology." 

The Minister further said, "Even though there are 17 crore mobile connections in Bangladesh, the internet cannot be used on 17 crore phones. Only 35 percent of the phones can use the internet. Therefore, Bangladeshi smart phones will be made by 2021."