Remittance Trends 2007

World Bank publication: "Recorded remittances to developing countries are estimated to reach $240 billion in 2007. The true size of remittances including unrecorded flows is even larger. A near stagnation in remittance flows to Mexico and a deceleration in other Latin American countries contributed to a slowdown in the rate of growth of remittances. Nevertheless, the growth of remittances to developing countries remains robust because of strong growth in Europe and Asia. The remittance industry is experiencing some positive structural changes with the advent of cell phone and internet-based remittance instruments. The diffusion of these changes, however, is slowed by a lack of clarity on key regulations (including those relating
to money laundering and other financial crimes). Remittance costs have fallen, but not far enough, especially in the South-South corridors." From: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTDECPROSPECTS/Resources/476882-1157133580628/BriefingNote3.pdf

Ethiopia: New Website Aims to Help Diaspora Find Jobs

"A newly Africa-wide job search website will benefit Africans in the Diaspora find jobs in their home country or elsewhere in the continent, owners of the website announced on Monday.
The website, named www.zebrajobs.com is a result of partnership between the Info Mind Solutions, an Ethiopian owned human resource development company and the US-based Danya International Inc." From: AllAfrica.com

Filipino Migrant Philanthropy

"Online resource center about migrant philanthropy in the Philippines— with useful information, statistics, and thoughts to ponder about the benevolence of Filipinos abroad."
Site: Philippine Diaspora Philanthropy Portal

IFAD-MIF/IDB Report and Map: "Sending money home: Worldwide remittances to developing countries"

"The importance of remittances to poverty alleviation is obvious, but the potential multiplier effect on economic growth and investment is also significant.

The driving force behind this phenomenon is an estimated 150 million migrants worldwide who sent more than US$300 billion to their families in developing countries during 2006, typically US$100, US$200 or US$300 at a time, through more than 1.5 billion separate financial transactions. These funds are used primarily to meet immediate family needs (consumption) but a significant portion is also available for savings, credit mobilization and other forms of investment. In other words, the world’s largest poverty alleviation programme could also become an effective grass roots economic development programme, particularly in the rural areas that present some of the greatest challenges to financial inclusion."

See IFAD's site and IDB Press Release

The Overseas Singaporean Portal

Portal launched in 2006 and already a success connecting 9,000 Singaporean all around the world. http://www.overseassingaporean.sg/
See also related article

Vietnamese diaspora in Thailand

"Vietnamese-Thais expressed their wishes for an association that would appeal to solidarity and support among Viet Kieu (Vietnamese immigrants) living in Thailand – over 50,000 in total – and contribute to both Vietnam and Thailand." From: THANHIEM News

Caribbean 20/20 and Diaspora

Held June 19-21, 2001, the “Conference on the Caribbean – A 20/20 Vision” is the result of a series of meetings between officials from both the US and CARICOM. Its main purpose is to strengthen the existing relationship between the United States and the Caribbean Community, to develop a vision of the future relationship between the two, and to focus on the way forward to achieve the various developmental objectives for the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Community hopes to strengthen its relationship with the United States at all political levels and to further improve its relations with the Caribbean Diaspora in the US to encourage the Diaspora and friends of the Caribbean to support regional development. See presentations and topics at Diaspora Forum

Africans in Europe seek new ways to invest back home

"Africa’s robust diaspora in Europe will soon have a facility for direct investments in their home countries, a study by the Brussels-based Africa Caribbean Pacific Business Climate says...Officials say the study will most likely recommend a closed-end private equity fund, that would invest alongside a group of diaspora investors and provide them with start-up capital. In addition, discussions are underway to provide technical assistance facilities for any such project...Remittances from Africans working abroad between 2000 and 2003 averaged $17 billion per annum, according to a 2005 report by the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. Total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flowing into African nations averaged $25 billion per year over the same period, meaning remittances account for most of the FDI flows." From: NationMedia.com/East African News

African diaspora urged to help build Africa

A series of conferences are taking place to address how diasporas can help in "improving trade links, health services and bringing peace to countries in conflict." These diaspora discussions are taking place in London, the Bahamas, with other meetings planned for Europe, the US and Brazil. "These regional summits to be held throughout the year will culminate in a major conference involving heads of State to be held in South Africa early next year." From: SABC News

Bolivia's Ambassador in Canada: Involving Diaspora in Politics

"Currently, a proposal for the active participation of Bolivians living abroad in their country's political destiny is being worked out. On Aug. 6, 2007 the proposal will be presented before parliament for ratification." From: Embassy

Development lessons for Kenyans in the diaspora

Interesting article on the potential pros and cons of remittances from the Kenyan Diaspora. From: Kenya Times

Planning of US-Caribbean Diaspora Conference

"Caricom Caucus of Ambassadors is spearheading a major advocacy and promotion initiative in a number of US cities in advance of the Conference on the Caribbean, 2007...
A ‘Diaspora Dialogue,’ in the form of Town Hall Meetings has been organised in Washington, New York, Hartford, Philadelphia and Miami primarily to engage the diaspora in planning the conference and in shaping its outcome." From: Antigua Sun

Jamaica Diaspora Foundation

"The Foundation will serve as a liaison with the Jamaican Diaspora, the government, the private sector and community-based organizations in Jamaica." From:Jamaica Information Service

Overseas Guyanese entertainers don't always feel that sense of welcome back home

This is an article about the specific case of one artist, however, how extensive is this 'feeling'? "It seems as if Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals prefer their relatives to send monthly remittances to them rather than trying to assist in a more practical manner." From: stabroeknews

Burundi: Government reps and Diaspora create Joint Committee

Burundi parliamentarians held a conference under the auspices of AWEPA to encourage the Burundi Diaspora to participate in the countries development. The Parliamentary conference took place this Sunday, March 18th, 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. Burundians from France, Sweden, and Netherlands were present at the conference. The conference put in place a Joint Committee made up of representatives of the Burundian government and 10 experts from the Diaspora to set up a coherent project on how Burundians in the Diaspora can contribute to the development of the country. Honorable Gervais Rufyikiri, president of the senate and lead the 10 member delegation spoke on the recent developments and Burundi's future prospects. From AllAfrica

New repatriation program: Ethiopia

Article presenting a new project of the Ethiopian office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)aimed at "increasing the development potential of migration through the voluntary repatriation of qualified Ethiopians in the diaspora." The article's author shares his doubts on the level of success of the initiative: "provides various options for participation to diaspora Ethiopians that are interested in contributing their skills and/or financial resources toward development in their country of origin... It is not clear to me how this differs from MIDA (previous project), which was precisely set up with the intent of enabling different types of diaspora engagement - including short-term skills transfer missions - based on IOM's experience with RQAN and its recognition of skilled migrants' preference for mobility over permanent relocation." It also states that "
From the information provided, it is difficult to tell whether IOM is re-inventing the wheel or this new program presents features that genuinely improve upon those provided by MIDA. As more details emerge and implementation begins, it will be interesting to see the extent to which IOM's experience with previous programs allow the organization to more effectively apply its resources and expertise in order to permit higher levels of diaspora participation than have been registered thus far."
http://allafrica.com/stories/200702240149.html
Interesting experience to take into account...

Ethiopians overseas get local news on TV

"The Ethiopian Television is making significant contribution in providing timely information for Ethiopians in the Diaspora and friends of Ethiopia as it has diversified its coverage throughout the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said." More at: http://allafrica.com/stories/200702260021.html

Intellectual Capital for Communities Event (May 24-25-2007, Paris)

From WBI site:"This event will explore further the challenges and opportunities stemming from today's increasingly knowledge-based economy. It will look, in particular, on how to measure intellectual capital, how countries can benefit from their intellectual capital abroad (diasporas). This year conference will pay a particular focus on developing countries." Not sure if registration is for free.

Scholarship programme for children diasporos

Interesting news from India at: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=171770&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29350, offering schlarships to kids of Indian expatriates. Good incentive to bring them back. In Argentina though would not work, studies being not that expensive...