Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit Dhaka in the third week of December 2025 at the invitation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, in a move aimed at boosting bilateral ties. The visit, likely between December 18 and 20, will be the first-ever by an Italian premier since Bangladesh’s independence. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka, Rome, and Milan said the trip would focus on trade, investment, and legal labour migration.
A senior foreign ministry official said, “The visit will mark a new chapter in Dhaka–Rome relations, particularly in trade, investment, and labour cooperation.”
Italy plans to recruit 50,000 skilled Bangladeshi workers over the next two years as part of its effort to issue 500,000 work visas for non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028. Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro said, “Italy promotes regular and legal migration. Bangladesh should emphasise this to tap a greater share of our labour market.” He urged Dhaka to “punish traffickers” and raise awareness against irregular migration.
Italy is Bangladesh’s sixth-largest export destination, with $2.2 billion in two-way trade, led by RMG exports. Remittances from Italy-based Bangladeshis rose to $1.65 billion in FY25. During the visit, Yunus is expected to seek Italy’s support for Bangladesh’s reform agenda and social development initiatives, officials said.