Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman announced that Bangladesh's 86 missions across 63 countries are actively running mobile consular camps to provide essential consular services directly to expatriate Bangladeshis.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Rahman, while responding to a starred question by Bilkis Islam, a ruling party lawmaker from Reserved Women's Seat-7 in Parliament, emphasized that these camps offer crucial services such as passport processing. The diplomatic missions ensure that the details of the camps, including venue, date, and time, are advertised in advance via their websites and social media to facilitate easy access for expatriates residing far from the missions.
The minister highlighted the availability of online applications and payment options for e-passports, which allow expatriates to initiate procedures remotely. For those unable to visit the missions due to legal, mobility, or other constraints, emergency hotlines and email contacts are provided to facilitate communication with the relevant missions.
Dr. Rahman reiterated the government's commitment to delivering accessible and swift consular services to expatriates, regardless of their location or circumstances. He mentioned that the government is contemplating the further expansion of these mobile consular camps in response to growing needs.
In response to another query from Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul, a ruling party lawmaker from Jamalpur-3, the foreign minister clarified that Bangladesh currently has 86 diplomatic missions in 63 countries, consisting of 62 embassies and high commissions, and 24 consulates, deputy high commissions, assistant high commissions, and permanent missions.