Italian PM Giorgia Meloni to Visit Bangladesh on Aug 30-31

In a landmark development, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit Dhaka on August 30-31, marking the first-ever official visit by an Italian head of government to Bangladesh since its independence. The visit signals Italy’s strong commitment to deepen bilateral ties across multiple sectors including trade, investment, migration, and humanitarian cooperation.

According to informed sources in Dhaka, Rome, and Milan, the visit will prioritize discussions on boosting trade and investment between the two nations. The legal and regular migration of Bangladeshi workers to Italy is expected to receive significant attention, alongside cooperation on the repatriation of Rohingya refugees and steps to combat irregular migration.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Mohammad Yunus, who invited Prime Minister Meloni, is set to host the Italian leader. The visit comes amid growing cooperation and high-level consultations to finalize the agenda, with both sides emphasizing the potential to enhance multifaceted partnerships.

The visit follows a recent meeting between Meloni and Professor Yunus during the 78th United Nations General Assembly, where the Italian Prime Minister expressed Rome’s desire to “renew” and “relaunch” its partnership with Bangladesh. Italy also underlined a keen interest in recruiting skilled Bangladeshi workers under a safe and regulated migration framework.

Professor Yunus welcomed Italy’s approach and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to collaborate closely in combating illegal migration and human trafficking by promoting legal migration pathways. European countries, particularly Italy, have voiced concerns about irregular migration and are keen to work with Bangladesh in regularizing these flows.

In June 2025, Italy approved the legal entry of 500,000 foreign workers for the 2026-2028 period—a slight increase from the previous quota of 452,000 workers for 2023-2025. Of these, about 230,550 visas will be allotted to non-seasonal workers and self-employed professionals, while around 267,000 will be issued to seasonal workers in sectors like agriculture and tourism.

This increase reflects Italy’s acknowledgement of migrant workers as “indispensable” to its economy. The Bangladeshi government, led by Chief Adviser Yunus, is expected to press for a larger share of these quotas during Meloni’s visit, reinforcing calls for large-scale formal migration.
Despite growing opportunities for legal migration, irregular migration to Europe remains a pressing issue. Bangladesh missions across several EU countries, including Italy, Germany, Spain, and France, report significant numbers of undocumented Bangladeshis, creating diplomatic challenges.

EU officials have repeatedly urged Dhaka to strengthen efforts to regulate migration and prevent illegal entry. Some diplomats criticize past governments for inadequate attention to this problem, which they say has squeezed opportunities for legitimate migrants.

Bangladesh is now increasingly engaging in constructive dialogues with the EU to promote safe, organized, and regular migration systems. The upcoming visit is expected to bolster these efforts and pave the way for formal agreements on migration and mobility.

The bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Italy is multifaceted, including significant trade and people-to-people ties. Italy was among the first European countries to recognize Bangladesh’s independence and has been a consistent development partner.

Trade between the two countries has been growing steadily, with Bangladesh exporting over $1.5 billion worth of goods, including ready-made garments, leather products, and jute items. Italy is Bangladesh’s sixth-largest export destination, and officials are optimistic about expanding this partnership further.

Italy also hosts the largest Bangladeshi diaspora community in continental Europe, numbering around 250,000. This community is valued for its hard work and contributions to the Italian economy, sending back substantial remittances—approximately €1.2 billion in 2022.

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro highlighted these ties, praising Bangladesh’s impressive social and economic progress since independence and expressing Italy’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in facing new challenges like climate change and labor standards improvement.

European nations face population decline, making migration a vital component of their demographic and economic strategies. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasized that many sectors in Europe rely heavily on migrant workers and that migration is essential for the continent’s future.

EU statistics reveal that millions of non-EU citizens reside in member states, with Germany, Spain, France, and Italy hosting the largest numbers. Migration management, including legal pathways, is crucial to balance economic needs with social integration and security concerns.

The EU has intensified efforts to curb irregular migration, often linked to dangerous smuggling networks. Initiatives include stronger border management, partnerships with countries of origin and transit, and programs promoting legal migration channels.

Bangladesh and Italy are poised to collaborate closely on these fronts, with planned agreements aiming to reduce illegal flows while ensuring migrants’ human rights and safety.

Prime Minister Meloni’s visit represents a pivotal moment in Bangladesh-Italy relations, focusing on practical cooperation and mutual benefits. With ongoing negotiations for a migration and mobility Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the groundwork is being laid for structured recruitment and legal migration of skilled Bangladeshi workers.

The partnership promises to enhance economic growth, social development, and regional stability. Both countries are keen to address migration challenges constructively while expanding trade and cultural ties.

As the world watches this historic visit, it is expected to open new avenues for collaboration, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and prosperity for both nations.