Maria Tripodi, Vice Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, reaffirmed Italy’s strong support for Bangladesh’s ongoing political and economic reforms.
Tripodi announced her support during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday.
Tripodi emphasized Italy’s commitment to standing by Bangladesh during this transformative period, stating, “We hope you will be successful with the reforms. As our Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned to you at the UNGA, you can always count on us.”
She highlighted the close ties between the two nations, noting the significant role played by the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy. “Italy and Bangladesh are very close. Many Bangladeshi citizens live in Italy and contribute importantly to our country,” she said.
The Italian Vice Minister also urged Bangladesh to collaborate closely to curb illegal migration, a concern shared by both nations. In response, Chief Adviser Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s efforts to combat human trafficking and promote legal migration channels. “We are working hard to stop human trafficking and increase opportunities for skilled workers to migrate through formal channels,” he said.
Yunus praised Tripodi’s visit as timely and significant, coming at a historic juncture for Bangladesh following the July mass uprising that ended years of misrule. “Your visit came at a historic time. This is a very important period for us as we address challenges like revitalizing the economy and restoring faith in the political system,” he remarked.
Tripodi assured that Italy would continue its development support for Bangladesh, including assistance for Rohingya refugees. She also expressed interest from Italian companies in investing in Bangladesh, particularly in textiles, energy, and defense sectors.
Professor Yunus encouraged Italy to relocate factories to Bangladesh and proposed youth exchange programs to strengthen bilateral ties. “Relocating Italian factories to Bangladesh and engaging our youth in exchange programs can foster deeper collaboration,” he suggested.
Tripodi’s visit marks the first ministerial-level trip from any European Union country since the formation of Bangladesh’s Interim Government in August last year. The discussions underscored Italy’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s reform agenda and exploring new avenues for economic and cultural cooperation.
Senior officials, including Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs, were present during the meeting.
