A briefing session was held on Tuesday in the conference room of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to outline the responsibilities of airport-related institutions regarding the distribution of Probashi Cards, which will now include special privileges such as discounted air tickets and lounge access.
The meeting was chaired by Afroza Khanam, the minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Other notable attendees included Ariful Haque Choudhury, minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Md Nurul Haque, state minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury described the current government as pro-expatriate, saying while expatriates are often referred to as “remittance warriors”, their dignity and protection will be tangibly secured through the introduction of the “Probashi Card”.
He called for full cooperation of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to ensure successful implementation of this initiative.
Minister Afroza Khanam said initiatives are underway to ensure all types of facilities for expatriates. She announced that a policy decision has been made to provide special discounts on Biman Bangladesh Airlines tickets and use of Balaka Lounge.
Additionally, she said a shuttle bus service has already been launched at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for the convenience of passengers, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring harassment-free aviation services for expatriates.
State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat further said that the government is considering offering special discounts to expatriates at hotels and motels operated by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. He added that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism would also arrange Priority Check-in and Boarding facilities for them.
All these benefits will be accessible through the government-issued Probashi Card.
The meeting was also attended by Md Shakirul Islam Khan, special assistant to the Prime Minister (Overseas Employment for Asia-Pacific Region), along with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and their subordinate agencies.
The briefing was officially signed off by Md Borhan Uddin, public relations officer of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
