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Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram has invited Italian commercial companies to explore and extract oil and gas resources in the country’s coastal areas amid efforts to address the energy crisis.
He made the invitation when Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on the Speaker at his office on Sunday.
During the meeting, the Speaker said Bangladesh and Italy enjoy longstanding and cordial relations, which began with Italy’s recognition of Bangladesh in 1972. He also appreciated Italy’s longstanding support for Bangladeshi migrants and noted that Italy is a major destination for Bangladeshi exports among European Union countries.
Hafiz Uddin said Bangladesh had embarked on a renewed democratic journey following the latest parliamentary election, while the expansion of parliamentary democracy had further strengthened relations with democratic countries around the world.
He said Italy was working to facilitate safe and legal migration for Bangladeshi migrants. Italy also provides substantial annual financial assistance to Bangladesh to support efforts to address the Rohingya crisis and their rehabilitation, he added.
The Speaker described Italy as an important commercial partner of Bangladesh in supplying defence equipment. He also noted that Italian machinery and equipment are widely available in the Bangladeshi market.
He expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Italy would expand further on a more strategic basis.
The Italian ambassador said Bangladesh was an old friend of Italy and that the Italian government remained firmly supportive of Bangladesh’s democratic progress.
Antonio Alessandro said Italy was interested in expanding parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries through the formation of a Bangladesh-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group and exchanges of parliamentary delegations.
He noted that Bangladesh exports substantial quantities of readymade garments, leather goods and ceramics to Italy every year.
During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of forming a parliamentary friendship group, resolving the ongoing Rohingya crisis and exploring and drilling for oil and gas in Bangladesh’s coastal areas to help address the country’s energy needs.
The meeting was attended by diplomatic representatives of the Italian Embassy and relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat.
