In a significant move to tackle illegal migration, Italy and Bangladesh have reached an agreement aimed at containing the flow of undocumented migrants to the European country.
As part of a bilateral migration and mobility arrangement, Italy has agreed to welcome skilled workers from Bangladesh, particularly in sectors such as construction, shipbuilding, and hospitality. The decision was announced during the first-ever Political Consultations held in Rome, where Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Secretary General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Riccardo Guariglia, led their respective delegations.
Italy expressed satisfaction with the current situation, noting that over 46% of workers under the Flussi Decree, which regulates seasonal and non-seasonal employment, originate from Bangladesh. The consultation also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations between the two countries foreign ministries.
Both Italy and Bangladesh expressed a strong desire to deepen their relations and expand cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment, technological advancements in Bangladesh’s textile sector, defense and security, ICT, agriculture, migration, and mobility.
During the meeting, Italy commended Bangladesh for its humanitarian efforts in hosting Rohingya refugees and pledged continued support for their well-being and their safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar. Furthermore, Italy expressed its willingness to collaborate closely with Bangladesh as an Indo-Pacific partner within the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
This collaborative effort between Italy and Bangladesh reflects a proactive approach toward managing migration and fostering mutually beneficial relations between the two nations. By channeling skilled workers through legal channels, both countries aim to address illegal migration while promoting economic cooperation and shared interests.
