Bangladesh, Italy to work together on economy, jobs, skills development: LGRD minister

Bangladesh and Italy have stressed the need to deepen their longstanding friendly relations and expand cooperation in areas including the economy, employment, skills development, prevention of irregular migration, language education and urban management.

The issues were discussed during a courtesy meeting between Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro at the minister’s office at the Secretariat on Monday (7 September).

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the meeting.

Dr Moyeen said Bangladesh-Italy relations were rooted in longstanding friendship and mutual cooperation, and that new areas of collaboration should be identified to take the relationship forward.

“There is scope for the two countries to work together not only to strengthen economic ties but also to create employment and develop skilled human resources,” he said.

The issue of raising public awareness to prevent irregular migration was also discussed at length.

The minister said various ministries and agencies have roles to play in preventing irregular migration, while greater public awareness could encourage people to pursue safe and legal routes to migrate.

Emphasising the importance of learning a third language to increase the export of skilled workers, Dr Moyeen sought Italy’s support for Italian-language education programmes in Bangladesh.

The two sides also discussed creating opportunities for language training for skilled workers interested in employment in Italy, alongside developing local trainers.

Ambassador Antonio Alessandro praised the important role played by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives in Bangladesh’s development activities and expressed Italy’s interest in further expanding cooperation with Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said around 250,000 Bangladeshis live in Italy. Discussions focused on increasing legal migration of skilled workers through skills development and Italian-language training, he said.

He added that initiatives would be taken to raise awareness against irregular migration by involving local administrations and elected representatives.

The state minister said the meeting also discussed cooperation between Milan and Khulna City Corporation on food security and preventing food waste.

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There were also positive discussions on training and experience-sharing for Bangladeshi architects, as well as increasing trade, remittances and employment between the two countries, he said.

The meeting underscored the importance of further strengthening Bangladesh-Italy economic and development cooperation and deepening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hasan, Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Secretary Dr Rafiqul E Mohamed and senior ministry officials were also present.