TBM Report ||
Bangladesh must restructure its manpower migration systems and pivot toward certified, high-skilled human resources to capture expanding job opportunities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, policymakers and industry stakeholders declared in Dhaka.
Speaking at a high-level dialogue titled “Bangladesh-GCC Workforce & Economic Outlook” organized by the ARISE Bangladesh Foundation at Hotel Sheraton on Thursday, September 3, 2026, leaders emphasized phasing out traditional, low-skilled labor export models in favor of market-aligned technical training.
Chief Guest Mahdi Amin, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office and Advisor (State Minister) across key ministries including Education, Expatriate Welfare, and Labor, underscored the government’s focus on diversifying international employment markets and strengthening female labor migration.
Amin stressed that building a sustainable migration ecosystem requires direct policy interventions alongside proactive private sector engagement. Expanding women’s involvement in competitive global labor markets remains a critical economic priority for Bangladesh, he added.
Special Guest Professor Dr. A. S. M. Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, alongside other speakers, pointed out that regional initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and economic diversification programs in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman are generating fresh demand in healthcare, logistics, renewable energy, and technology.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Kaniz Fatema, Executive Director of the ARISE Bangladesh Foundation, noted that the GCC should be treated as a strategic market for skill-based services and trade rather than a mere destination for manual labor, urging direct partnerships between Bangladeshi training institutes and Gulf employers.
 region, policymakers and industry stakeholders declared in Dhaka.){kind=link}