Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Adviser for International Affairs Dr Gowher Rizvi on Saturday said the government is considering easing the transfer process of remittance Bangladeshi expatriates send from abroad.

‘The government will not take any step that may put the expatriates in trouble,’ he told a discussion titled ‘NRB & Peacekeeping: Remittance Opportunities & Challenges’ at a city hotel.

Centre for Non-Resident Bangladeshis (CNRB) arranged the discussion.

Gowher Rizvi said Bangladeshi expatriates have remarkable contributions to every achievement of the country since its independence in 1971.

Chaired by CNRB chairman SM Shekil Chowdhury, the discussion was addressed, among others, by State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan, FBCCI president Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Asif Ibrahim, former FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmad, Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta and chief trainer of Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training Brig. Gen. Abu Md Shafayet Hossain.

Speakers urged the government to take necessary steps to stop sufferings of expatriates as there is an allegation that they have to suffer a lot at airport when they return home.

They suggested easing remittance transfer process to encourage expatriates to send their money home through legal channel and providing more assistance to women workers through diplomatic missions to ensure safety in their workplace abroad.

According to data of CNBR, there are about 1.3 crore Bangladeshi expatriates in 152 countries. They send about US$ 15 billion remittance to the country a year.