Joynal Abedin Khan :The government has no data as to how many foreigners are now living in the country.The Home Ministry has, however, directed the police to prepare a list of the foreigners within the shortest possible time in view of the recent ATM forgery incidents in several banks. When asked, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told The New Nation on Saturday that 11,925 foreigners only are now living legally in the country. But he did not say anything about the illegal foreigners. The illegal foreigners are mainly from India, Myanmar, China, South Korea, Nigeria, Algeria and United Arab Emirates, it is believed. According to Board of Investment, about 3,800 foreigners are doing jobs in the industrial sector while 4,000 in different banks and financial institutions. Whereas, about 700 foreigners are reportedly involved in several crimes, Detective Branch sources said. According to BoI, around 12,000 foreign nationals are only doing jobs in Bangladesh with work permits from the Board.The SB office in the city has asked the country’s apex trade body to assist the security agency by giving detailed information about their foreign workers. The office has also asked the central bank, the insurance regulator, the textile mills association, garment manufacturers, shipping firms, freight forwarding organisations and the Export Processing Zones Authority to provide lists of the foreigners working with their member organisations.Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, President of the FBCCI, said, “We have received a letter from the police authority and I have asked my officials to work accordingly.”Md Ali Mia, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police, said about the data, “We will hopefully be able to complete the work within the next few months.”
