Italy is interested in taking more skilled and trained workers from Bangladesh legally, said Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd.).
The advisor said this while briefing reporters after the bilateral meeting between Italy and Bangladesh at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday (May 05, 2025) afternoon.
The meeting was led by the country’s Home Affairs Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who is visiting Bangladesh.
The advisor said that Italy has said that Bangladeshi workers are very hardworking and are making an important contribution to the country’s economy. The country is interested in taking skilled workers from Bangladesh legally through a new legal route. However, they have completely discouraged the tendency to cross the sea to Italy with visas from other countries. He said that Italy has sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in preventing illegal immigration and human trafficking and will work closely with them. In addition, they have also announced to increase assistance in the security sector. He further said that Italy has also been requested to legalize Bangladeshis who have already illegally entered Italy from Bangladesh through appropriate procedures.
Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) said that the Italian police are experts in suppressing organized and syndicated crimes, including mafia gangs. That is why they want to cooperate in training and capacity building of the Bangladesh Police in this regard. He said that in the meeting, we sought Italy’s assistance in enhancing the skills and capabilities of the police as well as the BGB and Coast Guard.
In response to a journalist’s question regarding the recent attack on NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, the advisor said that 54 people have already been arrested in this incident. He said that no one who tries to commit such incidents will be given any concessions.
The meeting discussed prevention of illegal immigration; policies and measures adopted by Bangladesh to suppress immigration-related crime networks; Discussions were held on strengthening bilateral cooperation in crime prevention and justice processes and bilateral agreements on cooperation in the security sector.
Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on Home Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Md. Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nasimul Gani, and others were present on behalf of Bangladesh in the bilateral meeting, while Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro, Diplomatic Advisor of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Macro Villani, and Deputy Head of Cabinet, Sabina Madaro, Central Director of Immigration and Border Police, Claudio Galzerano, were present on behalf of Italy.
Earlier, when the Italian Home Minister reached the Secretariat, he was given a guard of honor by the Bangladesh Home Ministry.
