By Imtiaz Ahmed
Italy, a member of G-7 group, has recalled the role of expat Bangladeshi community in the economies of Italy and Bangladesh as both countries have increased their engagement in various levels.
Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro has expressed this view while giving an interview with an online news-portal recently.
Recognizing the contribution of Bangladesh diaspora in the society of Italy, Antonio Alessandro said, “Italy is proud to host the largest Bangladeshi community in continental Europe. It contributes significantly to the well-being of Italy and is also an important source of remittances for Bangladesh with 1.2 billion euro transferred in 2022,” said Antonio Alessandro
“The last available figure is 175,000, but we consider around 200,000 with irregulars and recent arrivals. Italy is proud to host the largest Bangladeshi community in continental Europe” added
Antonio Alessandro.
The rest part of the interview is given below
01. Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of Independence in 2021. How do you see the social achievements of Bangladesh after 50 years?
Bangladesh has made impressive social progress since independence. It has been a success story of the developing world. Italy is proud to have contributed to it through it bilateral and multilateral ODA. Now Bangladesh has to tackle new challenges: adapt to climate change, upgrade its labour standards, prevent irregular flows of migration, among others. Italy wishes to continue to be a partner of Bangladesh in its transformation into a smart and modern state.
02. Bangladesh became a middle-income group country by 2021. How do you see the economic development of Bangladesh in the last 50 years?
The economic growth has been quite sustained over the last decades Export and remittances have provided important financial resources. Despite some global constraints, the prospects remain solid. This is reflected in the trade exchanges between Italy and Bangladesh which continues to expand and diversify.
03. Women in Bangladesh are participating in different sectors. How do you see participation of women in Bangladesh?
Women are a key component of society. I wish the condition of women in Bangladesh to further advance, including in politics and academics. Cultural and religious traditions should pose no impediment to that in a mature and secular society like in Bangladesh.
04. What is the present trade volume between Bangladesh and Italy ? What is our target to reach bilateral trade within the next five years?
Our bilateral trade reached the record figure of 2.7 billion euro in 2022. Data for 2023 are not official yet, however we are expecting a slight decrease due to the global crisis. As discussed with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud during my recent courtesy call to him, the dimension of both our economies and their complementarity should produce a larger volume of trade. Both sides are committed to work to this end.
05. The government constructed some megaprojects like Padma bridge, Metro Line 6, the expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Karnaphuli tunnel, and so on. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is near completion. How do you see the government’s success in developing the projects?
It is understandable that Bangladesh wants to see its development reflected also in big infrastructure projects. I commend the Government on their successful completion. Some of them are extremely beneficial. A thorough cost/benefit analysis must always be conducted to ensure the best use of the available resources .
06. What is the number of Bangladeshi living in Italy and how you evaluate their contribution to our country? How many Bangladeshi are unregistered in your country
The last available figure is 175,000, but we consider around 200,000 with irregulars and recent arrivals. Italy is proud to host the largest Bangladeshi community in continental Europe. It contributes significantly to the well-being of Italy and is also an important source of remittances for Bangladesh with 1.2 billion euro transferred in 2022. The Bangladeshi people living in Italy are workers, entrepreneurs and their families, with long-term prospects of staying which makes them a well-integrated and prosperous community.
07. Foreign direct investment (FDI) to Bangladesh recorded at 3.5 billion US dollars in 2022-23 fiscal year. The government has been working hard on improving business environment in Bangladesh. What are your observations about the business environment in Bangladesh? How do you see the prospect of Italian government in the prospective sector?
The business environment could be improved and I appreciate the great efforts of the Government as well as of the private sector in this direction, especially in taxation, property rights, banking system, labour and environment regulations. Italian companies are interested in Bangladesh and follow developments in all sectors, including energy, space technologies, textile and leather.
08. Bangladesh sent a total of 16,820 workers to Italy during January–November period of the last year. How do you see the prospect of labour market in Italy this year?
The Italian “flow decree” has increased the number of foreign workers admitted to Italy in the 2023-2025 period. Bangladesh is the largest group of foreign citizens getting these entry permits. Migration from Bangladesh to Italy is very beneficial to both Countries. Our Governments have to accompany this growing flows to prevent irregular transit schemes and undue costs of mediation.
09. How do you see the prospect of Blue Economy in Bangladesh ?
Bangladesh’ strength lays on water, Like in Italy, a sustainable and effective maritime system is key for the future. There are many opportunities for cooperation in this area that I would be glad to explore during my term in Dhaka.
10. Can your government give scholarships to Bangladeshi students in its educational institutions?
The Italian Government provides some scholarship to Bangladesh every year. Further scholarships are provided by individual universities and regional governments in Italy in the framework of their internationalization policies. Moreover Italy attracts many Bangladeshi recipients of Erasmus + scholarships.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on being re-elected as prime minister of Bangladesh.
“On the occasion of your inauguration as prime minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, I would like to send you, on behalf of the Italian government, my congratulations on your prestigious assignment,” Meloni wrote last month.
Given the long tradition of friendship between two countries, Giorgia said, “I will be glad to continue our constructive bilateral collaboration in areas such as textiles, immigration, security and energy transition, and to work together to help strengthen peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
