Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan on Friday engaged with members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Türkiye, listening to their concerns and proposals during a discussion meeting organised by the Bangladesh Consulate in Istanbul.
Expatriates attending the meeting raised key issues surrounding electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming national polls, pressing for the introduction of voting rights for Bangladeshis living abroad, greater transparency in democratic processes, and streamlined consular services.
They also underscored opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Türkiye, particularly in the fields of football and infrastructure, noting that Türkiye’s experiences could serve as a valuable model.
In response, Adviser Bhuiyan acknowledged the complexities involved in implementing voting rights for expatriates in some countries. However, he assured participants that the interim government is actively exploring ways to pilot expatriate voting in a limited number of countries as an initial step.
“The proposals you have put forward will be conveyed to the relevant authorities for consideration,” Bhuiyan told the gathering.
He further emphasised Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening ties with Türkiye across various sectors, including sports, with a special focus on football development.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of engagement between the expatriate community and the government, as participants expressed hope that their concerns would be addressed in the coming months.