Bangladesh should enhance the quality of its workforce, embrace innovation, upskill the labour force and harness the expertise of the non-resident Bangladeshis (NBRs) to thrive globally, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today.

With improved ICT infrastructure and strategic rebranding, Bangladesh can position itself as a hub for investment, technology and partnerships along with getting ready to compete in the digital future, he said.

The adviser made the comments as the chief guest of the NRB Conclave 2024.

The daylong event, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka with the theme "Transforming Bangladesh through knowledge remittance", aims to create a formal framework for involving NRBs as catalysts for national transformation, according to the Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF), the organiser.

The BBF organised the event with cooperation of Prime Bank PLC, bKash Limited and Team Group BD.

The conclave highlights the power of expertise and innovation of the non-resident Bangladeshis, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jashim Uddin said.

Beyond financial remittances, the migrant Bangladeshis have the potential to revolutionise sectors like investment, technology, skill development, and nation branding, positioning Bangladesh as a competitive player at the global stage.

"The NRB Conclave 2024 stems from our firm belief that Bangladesh's future lies not only in the strength of its economy but also in the brilliance of its global citizens," said Shariful Islam, founder and managing director of the BBF.

Over 10 million NBRs are contributing across industries worldwide, he said.

"We are uniquely positioned to harness their expertise to drive innovation, investment and sustainable development."

The conclave featured three keynote sessions, four panel discussions, one project-launching session, and a session on national branding context sharing.