Tokyo, May 30 -- Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday acknowledged the vital role of Bangladeshi expatriates in nation-building, stating that their contributions have been instrumental in helping Bangladesh rise from a state of devastation after last year's student-led mass uprising.

"It is the expatriates who help sustain the country (by sending their remittances in hard times)," he said while speaking at a community reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, held at Bangladesh House.

Prof Yunus said the ousted government had left the state exchequer and banks empty, and without the support of expatriates, Bangladesh would not have been able to recover.

"Bangladesh would not have turn around if you did send remit...