Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday called upon all Bangladeshis, including expatriates living abroad, to contribute to building a developed and better country with improved facilities for its people at home and overseas.

“We are all Bangladeshis. Our first priority should be to do something for our country and do something better,” he said while exchanging views with Bangladeshi expatriates at a hotel in Tokyo.

Tarique said a better Bangladesh will benefit its citizens whether they live in the country or overseas.

He said the government wants people to work together towards the country’s progress, irrespective of their position or location.

“So, wherever we are and whatever position we hold, if we believe that any work we do can bring something good for our country and its people, we should try to do it,” the Prime Minister said.

He made the remarks while responding to a question from a Bangladeshi expatriate about the government’s plans for overseas Bangladeshis, including those involved in political activities abroad.

Tarique said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) received the people’s mandate to run the country and the government’s priority is to work for the country’s welfare.

Addressing the expatriates, he said they might be living abroad at present but will remain Bangladeshis and can return home one day.

The Prime Minister urged them to see the country’s development as a shared responsibility and contribute to it from wherever they are.

The programme was organised by Bangladesh Community, Japan, at a hotel in Tokyo. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman was also present.

During the exchange, the Prime Minister also spoke about plans to introduce Japanese and several other foreign languages in schools, expand healthcare services at the upazila level and improve skills training for Bangladeshis seeking employment abroad.

He said the government plans to introduce Japanese and several other foreign languages in schools from next year to equip students with skills for higher education and employment opportunities abroad.

Tarique said students will be able to choose a third language – Japanese, German or French – as part of a broader plan to strengthen the country’s education system.

“We want to build a system where students learn a third language alongside English and their mother tongue,” he said.

Responding to a question from a young expatriate about the growing interest among Bangladeshi students in learning Japanese and pursuing higher education in Japan, the Prime Minister said work on the plan has already begun, and the government expects to start introducing the languages in schools next year.

He said the government also wants to make sports, arts and culture compulsory parts of education, allowing students to develop skills in at least one sport and one area of arts or culture. Vocational education will also receive greater emphasis.

Tarique said a stronger education system will help prepare young people for future employment and enable them to compete internationally.

Upazila hospitals will be upgraded to 150 beds

Responding to a question about cooperation with Japan in healthcare and technology, the Prime Minister said the government plans to expand healthcare facilities at the upazila level to improve access to basic medical services, particularly for women and children.

He said the government aims to upgrade existing 50-bed upazila health complexes to 150-bed hospitals over the next five years.

The expanded facilities will include dialysis units, paediatric services and gynaecology departments to address the healthcare needs of rural communities, Tarique said.

He noted that major hospitals are struggling to cope with patient numbers far beyond their capacity, while many people from rural areas have to travel long distances to receive treatment.

The Prime Minister said the government will also focus on preventive healthcare and plans to recruit 1 lakh health workers, at least 80 percent of whom will be women.

The health workers will visit communities to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles, help prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions, and provide advice on common illnesses, he said.
Tarique said improving preventive healthcare will reduce pressure on hospitals and help ensure better treatment for patients who need hospital care.

Japanese language skills and employment

Responding to another question about using the skills of Bangladeshis who have lived in Japan for years but faced visa cancellations or returned home, the Prime Minister said they can contact the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment to explore possible opportunities.

He said the government has faced difficulties recruiting Japanese-language teachers despite advertising vacancies, with fewer than 30 applicants reportedly applying for Japanese-language teaching positions.

Tarique said Bangladesh needs to prepare workers properly before sending them abroad, including providing appropriate language and cultural training, to sustain its position in overseas labour markets.