In a significant move aimed at empowering expatriates, the government is set to launch the 'Probashi Card' pilot program next month. The state-owned Janata Bank will issue the Probashi Debit Card in the initial phase, as announced by Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The pilot aims to distribute 50,000 cards by December and 200,000 by June next year.
The Probashi Card is designed to offer a wide range of facilities to Bangladeshi expatriates, enhancing their social status and providing financial incentives. It will also ensure international payment and banking services through a dual-currency card. Among the benefits, cardholders will enjoy complimentary airport lounge access, expedited immigration services, meet-and-greet services at international airports, and discounts on travel and accommodation.
Further facilities include dedicated service booths for expatriates at government hospitals, discounts at private hospitals, free transportation of the bodies of deceased cardholders, and rehabilitation support for returning expatriates. The card also offers insurance coverage, priority in land registration, mutation, utility services, licensing, and foreign investment. Additionally, cardholders will benefit from remittance reward points, credit scoring, loan facilities, direct money transfers, simplified financial transactions, and priority services for National Identity cards, passports, and consular services.
The Prime Minister has directed the concerned authorities to ensure that all Bangladeshis living abroad are covered under the Probashi Card program. The government is also committed to modernizing and updating the National Skills Development Authority to meet current requirements. The initiative is part of the government's election pledges, which include the implementation of the Family Card, Farmer Card, and Sports Card programs.
The meeting was attended by key officials including 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 and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, and Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Jamil Ahmed.
