Remittances to Bangladesh

Remittances to Bangladesh are money transfers (remittances) sent by the Bangladeshi diaspora to Bangladesh. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh is the 7th highest recipient of remittance in the world[1] with almost $22.1 billion in 2021 and was the third highest recipient of remittance in South Asia.[2] A survey on the remittance usage conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in 2013 showed that 32.81% and 32.82% of the remittances are used for food and non-food expenditures. 18.84% of remittances were used for durable and other expenses including 17.39% utilised for the purchase of land. In regards to investment and savings, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics revealed that 33.45% of remittances goes to investment and 13.74% of remittances goes to savings.[3] Presently, the World Bank stands as the foremost external financier for Bangladesh. The determination to sustain funding is rooted in Bangladesh's remarkable accomplishments and the essential measures needed to sustain its advancement towards the objective of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2031. [4]

History

In 1974, Wage Earners' Scheme was initiated in order to help the non-resident Bangladeshis remit their earnings home through legal channels. The scheme soon became popular among the Bangladeshi community working abroad. Around $11.8 million was remitted to Bangladesh in the fiscal year of 1974–75. The amount rose to over $350 million in the fiscal year of 1980-81 and to over $750 million in the fiscal year of 1990–91. Saudi Arabia is the largest source of foreign remittance to Bangladesh. Saudi Arabia, US, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Iraq, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK are also major sources of foreign remittance.[5]

The Bangladesh Bank annually names top 10 diaspora Bangladeshis who have made the highest remittances and in recognition of their contribution to the economy through remittance. One of these has been Mahtabur Rahman chairman of Al Haramain Hospital and managing director of Al Haramain Perfumes who has been listed in 2013, 2014[6] and 2015.

Remittances to Bangladesh by fiscal year and country
Year Saudi Arabia UAE Qatar Oman Kuwait USA UK Malaysia Singapore Italy Others Total (in million USD)
2019-20 4015.16 2472.56 1019.60 1240.54 1372.24 2403.40 1364.89 1231.30 457.40 699.15 1928.77 18,205.01
2018-19 3110.40 2540.41 1023.91 1066.06 1463.35 1842.86 1175.63 1197.63 368.33 757.88 2241.47 16,419.60
2017-18[7] 2591.58 2429.96 844.06 958.19 1199.7 1997.49 1106.01 1107.21 330.16 662.22 2417.34 14,981.69
2016-17 2267.22 2093.54 576.02 897.71 1033.31 1688.86 808.16 1103.62 300.99 510.78 1489.24 12,769.45
2015-16 2955.55 2711.74 435.61 909.65 1039.95 2424.32 863.28 1337.14 387.24 1798.94 14,931.16
2014-15 3345.23 2823.77 310.15 915.26 1077.78 2380.19 84.46 135.28 35.5 4209.28 15,316.90
2013-14 1477.81 1282.43 122.09 315.95 547 2323.32 812.34 489.46 197.27 780.19 6,772.75
2012-13 3829.45 2829.4 286.89 640.11 186.93 1859.76 991.59 997.43 498.79 1370.78 14,461.10
2011-12[8] 3684.3 2404.78 335.33 400.93 1190.14 1498.46 987.46 847.49 31.46 1183.03 12,843.40
2010-11 3290 2002.6 319.4 334.3 1075.8 1848.5 889.6 703.7 202.3 984.1 11,650.30
2009-10 3427.05 1451.89 360.11 349.08 1019.18 1890.31 827.51 587.09 193.46 881.72 10,987.40
2008-09 2859.09 1754.92 343.36 290.06 970.75 1575.22 789.65 282.2 165.13 658.88 9,689.26
2007-08 2324.23 1135.14 289.79 220.64 863.73 1380.08 896.13 92.44 130.11 582.49 7,914.78
2006-07 1734.7 804.84 233.17 196.47 680.7 930.33 886.9 11.84 80.24 419.28 5,978.47
2005-06 1696.96 561.44 175.64 165.25 494.39 760.69 555.71 20.82 64.84 306.14 4,801.88
2004-05 1510.46 442.24 136.41 131.32 406.8 557.31 375.77 25.51 47.69 214.78 3,848.29

Remittances to Bangladesh by fiscal year
Remittance by fiscal year [9]
YearRemittancesPercent GDP
1990–1991US$763.91 M
1991–1992US$849.66 M
1992–1993US$944.57 M
1993–1994US$1,088.72 M
1994–1995US$1,197.63 M
1995–1996US$1,217.06 M
1996–1997US$1,475.42 M
1997–1998US$1,525.43 M
1998–1999US$1,705.74 M
1999–2000US$1,949.32 M
2000–2001US$1,882.10 M
2001–2002US$2,501.13 M
2002–2003US$3,061.97 M
2003–2004US$3,371.97 M
2004–2005US$3,848.29 M
2005–2006US$4,802.41 M
2006–2007US$5,998.47 M
2007–2008US$7,914.78 M
2008–2009US$9,689.26 M
2009–2010US$10,987.40 M10.11%
2010–2011US$11,650.32 M
2011–2012US$12,843.43 M
2012–2013US$14,461.14 M
2013-2014US$14,228.26 M
2014-2015US$15,316.91 M
2015–2016US$14,931.18 M
2016–2017US$12,769.45 M
2017–2018US$14,981.69 M
2018–2019US$16,419.63 M5.73%
2019–2020US$18,205.01 M

Remittance sending system

Formal system

Remittance is sent formally through various ways such as demand draft, traveler's check, telegraphic transfer, postal order, direct transfer, Automatic Teller Machine. etc.[5]

System

Hundi or money carrier system is prevalent as informal process of remittance sending in most cases. The most popular reasons behind the preference towards Hundi system is the absence of any transaction charges, its fast delivery and the opportunity to maintain confidentiality.[5]

References
  1. "Bangladesh 7th highest remittance recipient: World Bank". The Daily Star. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  2. "Bangladesh's remittance inflow hits record high in 2021". New Age. 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  3. "Utilisation of Workers' Remittances in Bangladesh" (PDF). Bangladesh Bank. Research Department Bangladesh Bank. November 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  4. "Overview". World Bank. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  5. Bangladesh Economic Update: Remittance, 8 September 2011, Unnayan Onneshan, Dhaka, p. 9.
  6. "From transit passenger to business tycoon". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  7. "Country-wise Inward Remittances". Bangladesh Bank. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  8. "2016 Statistical Yearbook" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. May 2017. p. 110. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
  9. "Wage earners remittance inflow". Bangladesh Bank. July 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
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