DHAKA, April 24, (V7N) – Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.)  today said Italy is keen to cooperate Bangladesh in checking illegal immigration, human trafficking alongside enhancing capacity of Bangladesh Police. 

“Italy will cooperate in preventing illegal immigration and human trafficking and enhancing the capacity of Bangladesh Police,” he said. 

He made the remarks when Italian Ambassador to Dhaka Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on the Home Adviser at his Ministry office at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon.

During the meeting, various issues of mutual interests including the upcoming visit of Italian Home Minister Matteo Piantedosi to Bangladesh (May 5-6), prevention of illegal immigration and human trafficking, cooperation in the security sector, providing advanced training to the police and BGB, enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the police in maintaining public order and combating transnational crimes, were discussed, said a press release of the Home Ministry.

Welcoming the Italian Ambassador at the beginning of the meeting, the Home Affairs Advisor said that Italy is a time-tested friend of Bangladesh. 

Bangladeshis working in Italy are making a huge contribution to the economic development of both Bangladesh and Italy, he said, adding that currently, about 250,000 Bangladeshi skilled workers are working in Italy.

The Home Adviser expressed hope that the upcoming visit of the Italian Home Minister will further consolidate the relationship between the two countries. 

Jahangir said that Bangladesh is always interested in exporting manpower through legal channels in accordance with international rules and regulations. 

He said that Bangladesh is against illegal immigration. 

“Legal action will be taken against the brokers and illegal human trafficking gangs,” he said. 

The Ambassador wished the interim government of Bangladesh success and assured all-out cooperation from the Italian government.

Regarding the visit of the Italian Home Minister to Bangladesh, the Ambassador said that during the visit, the Home Minister will meet with the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, Foreign Affairs Adviser and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul. 

Additional Secretary (Security and Immigration) of the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md. Shamim Khan, Joint Secretary (Political-1) of the Public Security Division Md. Jasim Uddin Khan, Migration Attaché of the Italian Embassy in Dhaka Giuseppe Di Giovanni and others were present in the meeting.

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