Special Correspondent: Dulal Miah

When expatriates come together, the heartbeat of Bangladesh can be felt even in the heart of Europe — where love for the motherland, patriotism, and dreams of development merge into a unique emotion. Just such an evening was created in Paris on 13 May.

When Alhaj Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, founder and chairman of Bhuiyan Global Foundation and a member of Brahmanbaria District BNP, arrived in Paris on a short business trip, the Brahmanbaria Community in France organized a grand reception program to welcome him at an upscale restaurant in Paris. The gathering of expatriates turned into an emotional celebration — filled with discussions about the country, its people, and the future.

The program was presided over by Rakibur Rahman Uzzal, a distinguished son of Brahmanbaria and a prominent businessman. It was conducted by former student leader and France Jubo Dal Vice President Kazi Abdur Reza Tuhin and businessman Kamrul Islam.

Special guests included former General Secretary of France BNP EM Taher, former Vice President Mahbub Alam Ranga, former Joint General Secretary Junaid Ahmed, former International Affairs Secretary of Jubo Dal Central Executive Committee SM Milton Sarkar, senior France BNP leaders Kabir Ahmed, Arman Sohel, Jahangir Alam Milan, Nazir Uddin Yashori, businessmen Mohammad Habib, Md. Kamrul Hasan, and many others. France Jubo Dal Vice President Mirza Khaled, Jubo Dal leader Saidur Rahman Nizam, Tanjirul Abas, former student leader Ashikur Rahman, and numerous other leaders and activists from Brahmanbaria were also present.

Addressing the expatriates, Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan said that expatriates do not only send remittances — they are one of the main driving forces behind Bangladesh’s economy, development, and democratic progress. He reiterated his commitment to work together with expatriates for the development of Brahmanbaria.

However, his speech was not limited to emotion alone — it contained specific demands and proposals. He said that by utilizing the knowledge, skills, and networks of experienced expatriates working abroad, the government can create much larger employment opportunities. He demanded that every Bangladesh High Commission abroad should function as a One Stop Service center to provide quick services such as passport renewal and birth registration. He also called for expanding government arrangements for bringing back the bodies of Bangladeshis who die abroad.

His strongest demand was the resumption of direct Paris–Dhaka flights. He said that if this flight is restarted, expatriates will benefit, government revenue will increase, and there will be better opportunities for the quick transportation of perishable goods. At the same time, he warned that to put the country’s fragile economy on a strong foundation, expatriate investment is now urgently needed.

He further stated that if the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare works in coordination with experienced expatriates, it is possible to create employment for at least two crore people in the next five years — which would increase remittance flows and transform the population from a burden into a strength.

The special guests, in their speeches, highly appreciated Alhaj Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan’s humanitarian activities, visionary leadership, and sincere attitude toward expatriates. They said that the unity and organizational strength of the expatriate community is essential for the overall development of the country.

At the end of the program, guests were honored with crests and souvenirs. The event, filled with cordiality, unity, and joy, left a lasting impression on the minds of the expatriates in Paris.