The second edition of the Bangladesh Remitters’ Recognition programme was held on Monday in Singapore, recognising the invaluable contributions of Bangladeshi expatriate workers, whose remittances continue to play a vital role in Bangladesh’s macroeconomic stability, foreign exchange reserves and national development.

Following the successful inaugural edition in 2025, this year’s programme once again brought together policymakers, financial institutions, employers and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora to celebrate the achievements of remittance earners and to strengthen dialogue on labour mobility and bilateral cooperation.

The Daily Bonik Barta organised the event at Plume, in partnership with Singapore’s Thakral Group. Strategic partners included Prime Bank PLC, Agrani Bank PLC, National Bank PLC and US-Bangla Airlines.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam attended as the chief guest, with Thakral Group Chairman Gurmukh Singh Thakral present as special guest.

Also present were Agrani Bank PLC Chairman Syed Abu Naser Bukhtear Ahmed, One Bank PLC Chairman ASM Shahidullah Khan, National Bank PLC Chairman and IBA Professor Dr Melita Mehjabeen, Prime Bank PLC Chief Executive Officer Faisal Rahman and Thakral Information Systems Private Limited Executive Director Basab Bagchi.

The organisers said they ensured a transparent, credible and merit-based selection process, with the entire selection and invitation phase jointly coordinated and finalised by Mustafizur Rahman, chief executive of Agrani Exchange House; Mohammed Samiullah, chief executive of Prime Exchange; and M Shahidul Islam, chief executive of NBL Money Transfer.

Beyond remittance volumes, four organisations and two Commercially Important Persons were also honoured for advancing social development, economic growth and bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Singapore.

The organisations honoured are trade body Bangladesh Business Chamber Singapore, volunteer group Singapore Bangladesh Society, Migrant Mutual Aid and The Wandering Dervishes.

The CIPs honoured at the event are Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore president Mohd Shahiduzzaman and leading remitter Main Uddin.

Three Singapore-based exchange houses owned by Bangladeshi banks — Agrani Exchange House, National Exchange Company and Prime Exchange Co — nominated 75 remitters for the award. From that pool, 15 expatriates, five from each institution, are receiving the Bangladesh Remitters’ Recognition 2026 award for their role in channelling funds through legal paths.