Introduction
Bangladesh’s ready-made garments (RMG) sector remains the backbone of the national economy, significantly contributing to export earnings and job creation. Yet, in an era of rising global competition and trade uncertainties, the sector urgently needs innovative strategies to strengthen its global position. One of the country’s most overlooked strengths is its vast and diverse overseas population.
Millions of Bangladeshis live in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, the UK, and the United States. Among them are successful businesspeople, investors, and community leaders who possess deep networks. However, their influence has mostly been directed toward politics or social activities, leaving enormous business potential untapped.
Learning from the Indian Diaspora Model
The Indian experience offers a valuable lesson in mobilizing diaspora strength. Indian expatriates have shown how powerful overseas communities can be when organized for commercial purposes. Through strong networking, lobbying, and proactive promotion of Indian products abroad, they have secured market access, policy support, and investment advantages.
Also Read: Rethinking Bangladesh’s Buying Houses for a Global Future
In comparison, Bangladeshi expatriates, despite being large in number and rich in talent, are far less organized for business-oriented activities. This represents a missed opportunity. If mobilized correctly, overseas Bangladeshis could become powerful Business Ambassadors who help secure better trade conditions, foster global partnerships, and elevate Bangladesh’s global economic profile.
Why Overseas Bangladeshis Can Be Business Ambassadors
Overseas Bangladeshis are uniquely positioned to serve as Business Ambassadors for several reasons. They already possess established international networks through regular interactions with foreign businesses, government officials, and investors. With proper guidance, these networks could open valuable doors for Bangladeshi exporters and investors. Their deep understanding of local markets—including laws, consumer behavior, and business norms—would help bridge gaps between Bangladeshi manufacturers and foreign buyers.
They also have the ability to enhance Bangladesh’s global image by showcasing the quality and reliability of its products. Moreover, many countries—such as Saudi Arabia—offer special facilities for expatriates, including business licenses, SME support, loans, and tax incentives. Strategic engagement with these communities could unlock significant economic benefits for Bangladesh.
How the RMG Sector Can Leverage Expatriates
The RMG sector can leverage expatriates in several practical ways. One approach is the formation of an “RMG Global Ambassador Council” comprising 20 to 30 successful expatriate businesspeople in key markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, the UK, and Malaysia. Such councils can introduce local buyers and retailers to Bangladeshi products, facilitate business meetings and trade events, and gather valuable market intelligence.
Also Read: Fair Price — The Missing Link in Bangladesh’s Garment Success Story
Regular diaspora business meetings hosted abroad by BGMEA, BKMEA, BGBA, and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) could strengthen connections and provide continuous engagement. Bangladesh could also establish overseas RMG hubs through expatriate-led initiatives, setting up showrooms, wholesale centers, and logistics hubs in major global cities including Riyadh, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, and London.
At the same time, young expatriates with strong social media presence can become digital ambassadors, promoting Bangladeshi apparel brands worldwide. Additionally, special investment packages tailored for the diaspora—such as low-interest loans, fast-track business licenses, industrial plots, and tax incentives—can encourage overseas Bangladeshis to invest in factories, washing units, printing facilities, and design houses within Bangladesh.
The Urgency of Mobilizing the Diaspora
The need for such an initiative is urgent. Countries like India and the UK, as well as Saudi Arabia, are rapidly expanding their textile trade, and Bangladesh risks falling behind if it fails to mobilize its diaspora effectively.
Although Bangladeshi expatriates represent some of the largest overseas communities in many countries, their economic potential has not been fully utilized. Engaging them as Business Ambassadors could open new markets, attract significant foreign investment, and reinforce Bangladesh’s global trade position.
Challenges to Engagement
However, several challenges impede this vision. Coordination between the government and the private sector remains weak, and communication with overseas Bangladeshis is often limited. There is no centralized support system for business-related diaspora activities, and market research for new destinations is insufficient. Many government missions abroad also lack a professional marketing infrastructure to promote Bangladeshi products effectively. A national strategy is crucial to overcome these obstacles and tap into the full potential of the diaspora.
Remittance Trends: Last Five Years
To underscore the economic significance of the diaspora, here is a table showing Bangladesh’s remittance inflows over the past five fiscal years:
| Fiscal Year | Remittance (USD billion) | Source |
|---|
| FY 2019–20 | 18.20 | Bangladesh Bank |
| FY 2020–21 | 24.77 | Bangladesh Bank |
| FY 2021–22 | 21.03 | ICAB Journal |
| FY 2022–23 | 21.61 | UNB |
| FY 2023–24 | 23.91 | Bangladesh Bank |
These figures reflect the strong financial link that Bangladesh’s expatriate population maintains with the home country, underscoring how remittances already play a critical role in the national economy.
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s overseas population represents a powerful yet underutilized force capable of transforming the RMG sector. If they are strategically engaged as Business Ambassadors, the country stands to expand into new markets, attract foreign investments, strengthen exports, and secure international policy support. What Bangladesh needs now is decisive action, strong leadership, and a coordinated plan that redirects its diaspora’s influence from politics to business. By following the successful model seen in the Indian diaspora, Bangladesh can strengthen its global trade footprint and secure its rightful place in the international marketplace.
About the Author
Md. Salauddin is Director of Reaz Garments Ltd, while also serving as an advisor to the Textiles and Garments Merchandise Blog Bunon, he actively contributes insights on sustainability, sourcing, and industry transformation. He is also Advisory Board Member of Fashion Business Journal.
He carries forward a remarkable legacy: his father, Mohammad Reazuddin, founder of Reaz Garments, is widely recognized as one of Bangladesh’s first ready-made garment exporters. In 1978, Reaz Garments shipped 10,000 shirts to France, a milestone that helped lay the foundation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry.
Building on this pioneering heritage, Salauddin combines deep industry knowledge with a commitment to innovation, knowledge sharing, and global competitiveness for Bangladesh’s apparel
