Connecting Cultures

Written by Kinza Mujeeb • August 2010

8-1 By History being a witness to large and small-scale migrations has also appreciated its various aspects, which resulted in progress and development for mankind. The quest for obtaining better job opportunities and the overwhelming desire to improve lifestyles through advanced facilities which foreign lands have to offer, has been the prime motivational factor for most immigrants. Yet a vast population is also seen migrating to a politically stable country in an attempt to secure their future.

South Asians, being a rich source of skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled work force are found settled in different parts of the world. Besides the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada, Gulf countries i.e. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have large South Asian communities that work in the Gulf region.

By providing the highest number of professionals and technicians the Indian expatriate community has gained a worldwide reputation of being diligent and reliable. Whereas the geographical dispersion of Pakistanis shows that within Asia, it not only has the highest proportion of workers moving to foreign lands but more than half of the population is engaged in skilled and professional occupations. There has been a recent trend of influx of Bangladeshis to U.S.A. and other foreign regions. The Sri Lankan Diaspora mainly consists of unskilled workers and housemaids. Together the South Asian expatriate community serves as an asset by being involved in different categories of work ranging from professional, technical, managerial, and executive to administrative fields.

Initially South Asian countries had a tendency to overlook the significance of migration or some viewed it in purely negative terms. A change in mindset occurred gradually after realizing the importance of remittances that they make. Remittance not only benefits the country but also has a direct positive impact on family income, which helps them in up grading their living standards. The skilled overseas Diaspora has contributed to a great extent in the growth of remittance which also had a direct and indirect positive impact on trade, income, welfare of the society which in turn helped in stabilizing the situation in respect of poverty alleviation. Due to this reason the South Asian governments have also recently realized the value of migration and mobility that immensely contributes to the country's GDP and guarantees foreign exchange through remittance.

Since 1990s, Indian government, acknowledging the value of remittance, played a crucial role in devising policies that provides incentives to non-resident Indians (NRIs) in supporting Indian economy by investing without any bureaucratic constraints. For instance, introduction of non-resident ordinary accounts and non-resident external accounts in rupees enable inflow of huge sum of money, which is sufficient to start numerous businesses in India.

Moreover, Indian government introduced different schemes to promote formal banking channels and the stock market to help in mobilizing remittances. Resurgent India Bonds scheme in 1998 and the India Millennium Deposits scheme in the year 2000 are such examples, which enable NRI to maintain tax-free and high interest earning foreign currency account within India.

The attempts of Pakistani government to harness the flow of remittance are also evident through the liberalization of exchange rate regimes. An attractive investment package by Pakistan has been proposed which consists of a number of facilities. It involves exemption from the requirement of government approval for investments in the manufacturing sector. It grants automatic approval to invest in non-manufacturing sectors along with ease of capital repatriation, tax relief and 100% foreign equity permission. The package also envisages liberal policies for payment of royalty and technical fees. Also, it does not impose any minimum capital requirements.

South Asian Diaspora is composed of diverse cultural backgrounds. It is therefore hard to draw comparisons about their activities and interests. Yet a profound similarity exists in all members of expatriate community. Every generation of Diaspora retains a distinct yet significantly deep level of attachment with their country of origin. This bond ensures the possibility of various opportunities and benefits for both the countries. It has led to an increased philanthropic contribution made by expatriate communities. South Asian doctors constitute a huge Diaspora community. The collaborative efforts of the overseas doctors by providing their mother countries with financial and human capital flow, which can help upgrade their health sector. For instance, well known Pakistani physicians along with the help of other influential individuals have established a well-equipped and reputable hospital in Islamabad - Al-Shifa International. 8-2

Globalization has served as a catalyst in speeding up the circulation of economic resources and exchange of ideas. The Diasporas are aware of the morals and other values of their cultures. They are also exposed to the western knowledge and the possibilities that it offers. Such an exposure can allow them to blend and intertwine several aspects and ideas into an ingenious concept to which both the societies can adapt. The mobility and interconnectedness enables the Diasporas to take collective measures and unite other members for a common cause, thereby enhancing the impact of their efforts.

The South Asian Diaspora has also influenced their host countries to enter their mother country markets, thereby flourishing trade and bridging the gaps between South Asian countries and other lands. Over the years, the Indian Diaspora has established itself considerably to ensure favorable treatment from the western world. Therefore the Indian expatriate community has been an untiring advocate of Indian goods, including art, handicrafts, jewellery, gems, leather and herbal products. The western market is remarkably influenced by the Indian Diaspora's efforts to promote Indian exports.

The efforts made by the Bangladeshi Diaspora are a commendable example of a collaborative venture through which they were able to set up the Bangladeshi ICT Business Centre, a shared business office made by the American Association of Bangladeshi Engineers and Architects (AABEAT), whereas, the Bangladesh Medical Association of North America (BMANA) is involved in the donation of latest technology and providing services of trained specialists. They have also arranged for some Bangladeshi doctors, settled abroad, to help domestic doctors to perform complicated medical procedures. Thus Bangladeshi patients are being provided with the best medical care.

The South Asian Diaspora can contribute in many different spheres. They can help establish foundations, trusts and also educational institutions to elevate the standards of the citizens of their home country. These expatriates can influence western entrepreneurs to invest in their country of origin and that would boost its economy.

The South Asian Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC), have taken several initiatives which may support the growth of a robust tourism business. Some South Asian governments, such as India, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka have made substantially large-scale efforts to promote tourism, mainly through attractive Diaspora-focused events. As a huge number of foreign workers is expected every year, they play a pivotal role in the growth of tourism. The blend of nature, culture, greenery and adventure that these countries have to offer, have been consistently highlighted in other countries to gain admiration, which in turn ensures tourists. The magnitude of the efforts made by Pakistan, Bhutan and Afghanistan are considerably low, yet the presence of their Diaspora in the summer has always been fruitful to their economy.

Another major contribution, which specifically deals with the South Asian Muslim countries, is the effect these expatriates can have on their mindsets. The gap between the two groups of Muslims, liberals and extremists, is widening rapidly. The close interaction with the open-minded Diasporas can help dilute the beliefs of the extremist groups.

The contribution of the South Asian expatriate community has been of immense importance. It not only boosts the economy but has also proved valuable in bringing a positive change in the perceptions of the locals, which helps them in adapting to a modern world.