Speakers at a discussion have laid emphasis on working closely to promote bilateral economic and commercial relations between Bangladesh and Italy acknowledging huge and untapped potentials between the two countries.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Rome organised the discussion titled “Mapping Exercise: Bangladesh-Italy Trade and Investment Opportunities” at a local hotel in Rome recently as a part of the first “Economic Diplomacy Week” initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A good number of Italian business leaders spoke and shared their perspectives while expressing their readiness to work closely to explore the opportunities.

Also read: New Chancery building of Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon inaugurated

Bangladesh-Italy bilateral trade volume stands at around US$ 2.2 billion while Italy is the 6th largest export destination of Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome.

Secretary (West) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury identified economic emancipation of the common people as the core objective of the War of Liberation of Bangladesh and underscored strengthening economic and trade relations between the two friendly countries.

Gianpaolo Neri, Head of South Asia Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy highly lauded the development journey of Bangladesh.

He expressed all-out support from the Italian government to forge strong economic and commercial links between the two countries.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Md. Sirazul Islam emphasized on launching of a Business Council.

Appreciating the huge interest shown by Italian and Bangladeshi stakeholders at the maiden initiative of the Embassy, aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting bilateral trade, Bangladesh ambassador to Italy, Montenegro and Serbia Md. Shameem Ahsan underscored the importance of exploring the huge untapped potentials to inject dynamism in the existing cordial bilateral relations.

Also read: Sudhakar Dalela likely to be next Indian envoy to Bangladesh

Citing the on-going celebration of the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries, he urged the Italian investors and business leaders to invest in Bangladesh in a big way.

The ambassador paid deep tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who dreamt of “Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal)”.

He mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is carrying the mantle of Bangabandhu to materialize his dream.

The ambassador shared the happy moment of the opening of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge by the Prime Minister which was fully funded by the resources of the country.

Textile, apparel, leather, renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, food retailing and bakery, ICT, ceramics, light engineering, jute and jute products, solar modules, blue economy, robotics for automotive sectors, healthcare equipment and technology were identified, among others, potential sectors of collaboration.

Concerned Directors General at the MoFA, Presidents of FBCCI, BGMEA, BASIS, LFMEAB and Apex Footwear and representatives from Walton, E-CAB joined the interactive session from Bangladesh side while Trade Commissioner at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi, CEOs and representatives of top Italian trade bodies spoke.

Acknowledging untapped huge potentials, they shared their perspectives with specific recommendations so that Bangladesh-Italy relations assume economic significance.