Dhaka is expecting to take the bilateral relations with Rome into a ‘new era’ during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit there from February 4 at the invitation of her Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte.
The foreign ministry is considering the visit as ‘highly important’ as it involves the search for fresh investments by Italian entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, and export of more items to Italy as well as seeking areas to export skilled manpower.
A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage members will take off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) for Italian capital of Rome in the morning on February 4.
The flight is scheduled to land at Fiumicino Airport, Rome at 4:15 pm local time where Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Abdus Sobhan Sikder will receive the premier.
After the reception at the airport, a ceremonial motorcade will escort the Bangladesh prime minister to Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa, where she will be staying during her visit to the Italian capital.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Sunday, briefing reporters, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with her Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte on February 5.
The four-day bilateral visit is going to take place at the invitation of Giuseppe Conte. This will be her median bilateral visit to Italy after taking over the state power for the third consecutive term.
The foreign minister hoped that the visit would be ‘beneficiary’ for Bangladesh economy and its ongoing development.
“Italy so far accommodated many of our nationals and more are waiting for getting residence right there … so definitely the issue (manpower export) will be discussed (during the visit),” Dr Momen said.
Italy is one of the largest trading partners of Bangladesh where all products enjoy duty-free market access. More than 200,000 Bangladeshis live in Italy.
The foreign minister is expecting three bilateral instruments to be signed during the visit.
“There are three draft agreements in their hand (Italy) … if they can finalize by this time … those (agreements) will be signed during the visit,” he said, replying to a question.
The proposed agreements are related to cultural exchange, political consultations and cooperation in the diplomatic field.
A joint statement will also be issued after the bilateral meeting, Dr Momen said. “If it’s not possible to sign the proposed agreements during the visit, those will be reflected in the joint statement and the instruments will be signed afterwards.”
During the bilateral meeting, the prime minister is likely to seek more Italian investment in potential sectors of Bangladesh.
Besides, the two leaders are expected to discuss the whole range of bilateral issues as well as important regional and international matters of common concern, the foreign minister said.
On the same day, top officials of some Italian business giant companies will call on the Prime Minister at the meeting room of her place of residence.
Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to join a community event at Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa in the evening the same day of her arrival.
Before holding bilateral meeting with her Italian counterpart in the afternoon, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chancery Building of Bangladesh Embassy in Rome in Via Dell’Antartide area in the morning.
On February 6, she will have an audience with Pope Francis in the morning.
Then the prime minister will depart Rome for the Italian city of Milan by train at 12:50 pm and reach there at 4 pm local time. She will stay at Excelsior Hotel Gallia during the visit to Milan.
On February 7, the prime minister will leave Milan Malpensa International Airport for home by an Emirates flight at 1:40 pm local time.
She will reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka at 8:10 am Bangladesh time on February 8 via Dubai, according to her itinerary.
