The government will launch the long-awaited 'Probashi Card' on a pilot basis in the second week of August, offering Bangladeshi expatriates a wide range of financial, banking and welfare services aimed at recognising their contribution to the national economy and improving access to public services.
The decision was taken at a meeting on the Probashi Card programme chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Tejgaon on Saturday.
Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said the state-owned Janata Bank will issue the Probashi Debit Card in the first phase under the pilot programme.
The government plans to distribute 50,000 Probashi Cards by December this year and expand the programme to 200,000 cardholders by June next year, he said.
In the second phase, all activities related to the programme will be managed through the Probashi Kallyan Bank.
The Probashi Card is one of the BNP government's election pledges and is intended to enhance the social status and financial inclusion of Bangladeshi expatriates through a dual-currency payment card offering international banking services and a range of exclusive benefits.
The initiative follows the rollout of other government programmes, including the Family Card, Farmer Card and Sports Card.
According to the Deputy Press Secretary, cardholders will receive numerous privileges, including complimentary airport lounge access at home and abroad, dedicated immigration counters, meet-and-greet services at international airports, discounts on airline tickets and hotel bookings, and vehicle booking facilities both in Bangladesh and overseas. Signature Card holders will also be entitled to airport pick-up and drop-off services.
The card will also provide dedicated service booths at government hospitals, discounts at private healthcare facilities, insurance coverage, rehabilitation support for returning migrant workers, and free transportation of the bodies of deceased cardholders.
In addition, expatriates will receive priority services in land registration, mutation, utility connections, licensing, foreign investment, National Identity cards, passports and consular services. Other features include remittance reward points, credit scoring, loan facilities, direct money transfers through the card and simplified banking services.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed the authorities concerned to ensure that Bangladeshis living around the world are brought under the coverage of the Probashi Card programme.
He also instructed officials to modernise the National Skills Development Authority to better meet current labour market demands and strengthen skills development for overseas employment.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister Md Nurul Hoque, Prime Minister's advisers Mahdi Amin and Rehan Asif Asad, Expatriates' Welfare Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, and BMET Director General Jamil Ahmed, among others, attended the meeting.
