Dhaka: The Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance has signed a significant grant agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), valued at £2,970,297. This partnership aims to address irregular migration issues and support returnees in Bangladesh, as part of a comprehensive two-year project managed by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agreement was formalized at an event held at the ERD on October 29. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, the ERD Secretary, and Fathima Nusrath Ghazzali, the Acting Chief of Mission at IOM, represented their respective organizations in signing the agreement. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the UN Wing of ERD and various concerned government agencies.
The initiative, titled “Reducing Irregular Migration and Supporting Returnees in Bangladesh,” is set to receive financial backing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of
the Government of Italy. The project aims to enhance safe migration pathways by raising awareness, supporting sustainable reintegration, and providing viable alternatives to irregular migration.
This project aligns with Bangladesh’s Five-Year Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on migration-related challenges. The IOM, since its inception, has been instrumental in offering both financial and technical support to facilitate various development initiatives. As the foremost inter-governmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration, IOM’s efforts are crucial in achieving the 2030 Agenda by bridging humanitarian assistance with sustainable development.
In Bangladesh, IOM is committed to promoting migration policies that protect and benefit migrants and their communities. The organization’s collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh is pivotal in supporting the country’s Five-Year Plans (FYPs) and advancing the SDG Goal 10.7, which emphasizes facilitating orderly, safe, a
nd responsible migration through structured and well-managed policies.