12 Bangladeshi expats get CIP status
The government has recognised 12 non-resident Bangladeshis as commercially important persons (CIPs) for their outstanding contribution to the country’s economy by remitting foreign currencies and importing Bangladeshi products abroad in 2015.
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment has revealed the names of the 12 CIPs by publishing a gazette in its website yesterday.
The selected CIPs are -- Mahatabur Rahman, managing director of Al Haramain Perfumes based in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates; Mohammad Akter Hossain, a real estate businessman in the UAE; Abul Kalam, chairman of Star Gold Group in Dubai; Ahmmad Al Zaman, a businessman in Qatar; Mohammad Adnan Imam in the United Kingdom; Mohammad Abdul Rahim in the UK; Mohammad Yeasin Chowdhury in Oman; Omar Faruk in the UAE; Jesmin Akter in the UAE; and Mohammad Mossedek Chowdhury in Oman for being the highest remitters.
Abul Kashem of Kuwait and Mohammad Selim of the UAE were selected for being the top importers of the Bangladeshi products abroad.
The CIP cardholders will enjoy privileges for one year from the issuance date of the gazette notification. The cardholders, their spouses and children will enjoy privileges in getting cabins in case of treatment in public hospitals. They will also enjoy free access to the Bangladesh Secretariat for a year.
The NRB CIPs will receive special treatment while meeting with high officials at home and abroad, different government committees and while travelling by rail and other transports.
The CIP cardholders will be allowed to use VIP lounge of the airport, receive consular services in Bangladesh's foreign missions and will be invited as guests in all programmes of Bangladesh missions in the country they reside.
They will get preference in seat bookings in the national flag carrier airline and get quick service in the immigration and special luggage handling facilities at the airports.
The NRB CIPs will also receive the similar benefits that the foreign investors get while making investment in Bangladesh.