Speech of H.E. Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, the Hon'ble Adviser for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment
on
Expression of Interest from the NRBs
for investment in 'Probashi Palli'
a Real Estate Project of Inspired Development Ltd.
at the
Ball Room- Hotel Sheraton,
29 January 2008 at 1100 hrs

Distinguished Guests,
- I deem it a great honour to have been invited as Chief Guest to this event. It is always a pleasure for me to be able to interact with NRBs. Not just because not so long ago I was a bit of an NRB myself - having lived abroad for many years through as a representative of the State - but mainly because I feel that there is so much that the NRBs can do to contribute towards the development of what is, has been, and always will be, their home, Bangladesh.
- Recently in December a gathering of NRBs was organized at this very hotel where I was privileged to have been a Special Guest at the final session. I was able to gauge a tremendous enthusiasm among NRBs to relink themselves with Bangladesh. It was a most welcome sentiment, through not a unique one. As all are aware, just like you, the non-resident Indians and the non-resident Chinese have had a tremendous role in the economic boom that their countries of origin, China and India, are now experiencing.
- The government of Bangladesh is must keen to support this phenomenon. Indeed my own Ministry of Expatriate Welfare is taking a lead role in organizing Special Economic Zones to facilitate their investments. Last year, from Bangladeshis abroad in general, we obtained over $7 billion as remittances from the 4.6 million Bangladeshis.
- I believe that if we can better direct those resources, ensure proper returns for them, much more will be forthcoming. It is important, therefore, to identify the sectors in which such investment can take place.
- Real Estate is surely one of those. I would therefore commend those behind the founding of the 'Inspired Development Limited, and their PROBASHI POLLI initiative. It would doubtless lead to the fruition of many a dream. I am sure those who are the inspirers of the project will calibrate their initiative with the appropriate authorities. It is important to deliver what is promised, and rules and laws to be conformed to.
- The NRBs are a great asset, one that our nation is proud of. We fully recall their contribution during the War of Liberation. We know they have much to give towards the new struggle we have embarked upon, the development of our country and the progress and prosperity of our people.
- A new dawn of hope is breaking across our horizon. The NRBs have a share in raising this hope, in engendering this aspiration. We must all work together to bring this to reality.