In Tokyo Meeting with Expatriates, PM Tarique Rahman Calls on Bangladeshis at Home and Abroad to Work Together

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on all citizens living at home and abroad to work together from their respective positions to ensure the overall development of the country and the welfare of its people. He made the call on Wednesday (28 October) evening while speaking as chief guest at an exchange meeting with members of the Bangladeshi community in Japan at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

The Prime Minister said their first plan is to do good for the country and that Bangladesh must be built into a developed country through collective effort, the benefits of which will be enjoyed by all Bangladeshis at home and abroad. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, was present with him at the meeting.

In response to various questions from the expatriates present at the meeting, the Prime Minister presented various long-term plans, including on education, healthcare and creating skilled manpower, as well as increasing the participation of Bangladeshis in Japan's labour market.

As part of making the education system stronger and more up to date, the Prime Minister announced a plan to introduce the teaching of foreign languages including Japanese, French and German in schools from the primary level from next year. He expressed hope that this would greatly increase students' employment and higher education opportunities.

The Prime Minister mentioned that, alongside not keeping students confined only to textbooks, special emphasis would also be placed on sports, arts and cultural practice, as well as technical and vocational education.

Describing the development of the health sector as one of the government's main priorities, the Prime Minister said the current 50 beds in upazila hospitals would be increased to 150 over the next five years.

In addition, to ensure healthcare for ordinary people at the grassroots level, especially in villages, and for women and children, there is a plan to introduce diabetes and dialysis facilities at the upazila level and to recruit 100,000 new health workers to create health awareness by going from house to house, 80 percent of whom will be women. He expressed hope that this would significantly reduce the extra pressure of patients on big cities and big hospitals.

The Prime Minister emphasised sending workers with proper training, Japanese language education and an understanding of the country's culture, in order to make Bangladesh's position in Japan's labour market stronger and more lasting.

Expressing interest in using expatriates proficient in the Japanese language as teachers or in other roles in the country, he said contacting the relevant ministries on this matter would smooth the way for possible initiatives to be taken.

Finally, calling on expatriates to play an all-out role in this journey of increasing the country's economy, education and manpower skills, the Prime Minister said that even while living abroad, they are children of this country and everyone has equal opportunity and responsibility for the welfare of the country.

Local party leaders and activists were present at the meeting, which was chaired by Japan BNP president Mir Rezaul Karim Reza.