The Bangladesh government will launch a pilot phase of its much-awaited "Probashi Card" (Expatriate Card) in mid-August, offering migrant workers a package of at least 10 special benefits ranging from airport lounge access to remittance reward points.

The decision came at a meeting on the Probashi Card initiative held Saturday at the Chameli Hall of the Prime Minister's Office, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The meeting was told that the primary objectives behind the card are to enhance the social dignity and empowerment of expatriates, provide financial incentives, and ensure international payment and banking facilities through a dual-currency card.

The Probashi Card is part of the government's election pledges, alongside the Family Card, Farmer Card and Sports Card, all of which are already under implementation.

Ten benefits on offer

According to the meeting, Probashi Card holders will be entitled to at least 10 special facilities, including:

1. Complimentary airport lounge access at home and abroad, along with expedited service through dedicated immigration booths.

2. Complimentary Meet & Greet service at international airports.

3. Special discounts on air tickets and hotel bookings.

4. Fair-priced car booking services at home and abroad, with airport pick-and-drop facilities for Signature cardholders.

5. Dedicated expatriate service booths at government hospitals and special discounts on treatment at private hospitals.

6. Free-of-cost transportation of the deceased cardholder's body to Bangladesh.

7. Rehabilitation and insurance benefits for returnee migrants.

8. Priority in land registration, mutation, utility connections, licensing and foreign investment.

9. Remittance reward points, credit scoring, loan facilities, and easy fund transfer directly through the card.

10. Priority access to National ID (NID), passport, consular services, banking and other government services.

Rollout plan

The pilot launch of the Probashi Card is scheduled for mid-August, the meeting was told. In the first phase, state-owned Janata Bank will issue Probashi debit cards, with a target of distributing 50,000 cards by December 2026 and 200,000 by June next year.

In the second phase, all Probashi Card-related activities will be carried out through the Probashi Kallyan Bank (Expatriate Welfare Bank).

The Prime Minister also directed concerned authorities to make the National Skill Development Authority more time-befitting and modern, and instructed officials to ensure that Bangladeshi expatriates in all countries are brought under the coverage of the Probashi Card.