FROM EDEN BUILDING TO MOTIJHEEL

Published: 12:23 AM, 14 February 2021

https://dailyasianage.com/news/254877/pie-framework-for-bangladeshi-diaspora

PIE framework for Bangladeshi Diaspora

M S Siddiqui Non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) includes the temporary migrant workers of Bangladeshi origin-- who are working or living abroad and sending remittance on a regular basis. NRB also includes, who are permanently residing in different countries and continents. These permanent migrants are known as the "Bangladeshi Diaspora" who has the immense potential to make substantial contributions to Bangladesh's development in terms of sharing their money, skills, expertise, technology and knowledge. Bangladeshi Diaspora very often expresses their interest in matters related to the development in their homeland. Some of them are involved with many philanthropic activities and also offer their expertise knowledge and skill for their birthplace. These philanthropic and other activities should be duly recognized and remunerated with due recognitions of the services to their own country. Bangladesh should take up strategy to utilize the potential of these Diasporas. The idea of involving Diaspora in nation building has a developed the concept of Philanthropy, Investment, Expert Affiliation (PIE) for Diaspora in three area of involvements (a) Philanthropy with recognition, (b) Investment with return, (c) Expert affiliation with remuneration. This categorization of the PIE framework used to explain briefly how different countries have prospered using Diaspora engagement. The philanthropy, which can be a donation of assets (cash, land, properties etc.). It can be anonymous, by name, by the name of a family member or for a cause. The concept of donation has been changes in the world. The contribution of donors to NGOs now with profit for contributors. The NGOs throughout the world has changes from 'non-profit' to 'not so profit' organization. The business models of NGO are named as social business. There is a multitude of investment opportunities in Bangladesh. The globally recognized NGOs such as BRAC, Grameen Bank etc have changes their policy and attracted sizable overseas investment in the social model of businesses. All of their investment be with financial return whether in business or any NGOs. Diaspora will invest if the investment and profit is secure. They need a location such as economic zone for NRB with all preferential arrangements. All the regular business and the social businesses are with profit but will all social, environment compliance and for reasonable profit. After withdrawal of WB from Padma bride project, there was a discussion that NRB can finance Padma Bridge after withdrawal of World Bank from the financing with an allegation of corruption. NRB investors can invest in government-sponsored projects or can engage directly with private business entities and NGOs. Government may encourage and facilitate those investments through a well-planned policy and proper implementation. The third and the final area is expert affiliation. Bangladeshi Diaspora have reputation of good educational background and working skill and sincerity in the western world. They have excess

to modern technology and knowledge. Their area covers all areas of expertise such as Engineers, medicine, Academics, economic and ever-changing ICT technology etc. Government may organize and connect these experts through establishing a networking and well plan career path to these experts. Recognizing potentiality, Bangladesh government has taken up the idea to design an institutional framework that would implement the PIE approach in Bangladesh on the basis of experience of other countries. The model's ultimate aim is to attach a return with each of the three avenues of Diaspora contribution and encourage further engagement by promoting philanthropy with recognition, an investment with reward, and expert affiliation with remuneration. Policy makers got a study report with two alternatives proposals - one argues for introducing a project to be house in external sources division (ERD) of Ministry of planning, where PIE would be introduced in three different sub-clusters, each of sub-cluster being led a specialized ministry. At the same time, different government and non-government departments would work in collaboration within these sub-clusters. The study also outlines detailed activities to be performed by these actors. A project implementation committee will be in charge of the overall coordination. The second alternative follows the same approach except for the fact that it argues that the PIE-based sub-cluster approach while keeping it within the PMO. The study points out that in case of both the alternatives the ultimate goal is strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEW & OE), so that a specialized unit, known as Diaspora Engagement Unit can be established within the MoEW & OE, which would eventually take charge of Diaspora engagement. The three sub-clusters will be transformed into three specialized sub-units (i.e. philanthropy sub-unit, investment sub-unit and expert engagement sub-unit) placed within the unit and a national level steering committee to be headed by PM would be set-up which would provide overall policy guidance and oversee the activities of the unit. The study also identifies possible challenges that may hinder the implementation of PIE approach of Diaspora engagement. Despite government attempts at integrating the Diaspora population into national development, multiple base-level issues exist which need to be addressed before any other strategy implement, with the most significant problem being the absence of an online database that contains information of these long-term migrants. There is the difficulty of collecting information from and engaging permanent migrants who do not have legal stay permit in their country of residence. NRBs have many associations abroad and those are divided on their political line and regional groupings. They are also not reliable sources of information about all the Diaspora. The difficulty of collecting data from and engaging permanent migrants who do not have legal stay permit in their country of residence further cripples the process. There is no policy with provisions relating to Diaspora engagement may become a key challenge as the existing policy provisions do not address the proposed PIE approach. The proposed Diaspora engagement following a PIE approach requires a major shift in policy which also makes it essential for different government agencies to change their approach. Bringing about organizational changes, especially if it requires change in policy focus, has always remained a challenge in the administrative context of Bangladesh. Currently, the MoEW&OE is overwhelmed with huge workload as this Ministry is dealing with the numerous issues of the temporary migrants and therefore it will be difficult, if not impossible, to devote its efforts with its existing manpower strength to deal with the engagements of the Diaspora as this will require special capacity, skills and a lot of inter-ministerial level coordination. This Ministry may need total overhauling to take up new responsibilities. By this time government may also take-up some policy decision to encourage Diaspora to come forward to involve in different activities within the country.

An area in each district may be earmarked for such philanthropy for educational, religious institutions for other purposes with due recognition of the contributors. The education, health and other department may take up new policy of accepting donation and contribution from NRB and give recognitions through naming and otherwise to encourage them for philanthropic activities. Government may create a partnership with NGOs to look after such philanthropic venture. The formation of trusts may an option to involve the Diaspora or their nominated representative to play a role in investment and operation of those organizations. The NRB's existing perceptions about the investment climate in Bangladesh may not be very positive. For the expert affiliation, coupling or matching the interests of the NRB professionals and the host institutions would be a challenge. The government should shift its policy focus from serving the migrant labourers towards engaging the Diaspora communities in the overall development efforts of the country. Some special sectors of the economy may keep reserve exclusively for the NRBs to invest or they should be given preferential treatment in this regard. There may be a free trade zone for NRB. A list of interested NRB professionals willing to make expert contributions to Bangladesh's should be prepared immediately for every country having major professional NRB concentrations. Besides, internet-based professional networks can be effective mechanisms linking NRB professionals to professionals in Bangladesh to pool their collective knowledge and contacts. The writer is a legal economist. Email: mssiddiqui2035@gmail.com