Remittances rise 7.6pc in January

Migrant workers sent 7.6 percent higher remittances in January as more jobs were created abroad for Bangladeshi workers.
Remittance inflows rose to $1.31 billion in January from $1.22 billion the same month a year ago, according to Bangladesh Bank.
The amount in January was the second highest in the current fiscal year.
In October, Bangladesh received the highest amount of remittances at $1.45 billion.
Overall, remittances rose 19.5 percent to $8.71 billion in seven months to January of fiscal 2012-13, from $7.28 billion in the same period a year ago.
Higher inflows ease pressure on balance of payments and curb volatility in exchange rates.
Government efforts to send more workers abroad and banks' steps to ensure quicker delivery of money to the relatives of migrant workers helped the remittances go up.
Bangladesh sent 6.07 lakh workers abroad in 2012, up from 5.68 lakh a year ago, according to Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training.
Currently, more than 80 lakh Bangladeshis work abroad, with the Middle East countries being the largest employer.