Bangladesh, Italy to Collaborate on Preventing Transnational Crimes

Bangladesh and Italy Strengthen Security Cooperation, Sign MoU on Migration

Bangladesh and Italy have agreed to deepen cooperation in tackling transnational organised crimes, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, terrorism, and cybercrime.

Both countries underscored the significance of capacity-building, sustained information and intelligence sharing, and joint training initiatives to enhance their respective security architectures.

According to a joint statement following the official visit of Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi to Bangladesh on May 5–6, both sides also agreed to set up a Joint Committee to foster cooperation on transnational crime prevention and law enforcement capacity-building.

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Migration and Mobility between the two governments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted this as a reflection of Bangladesh’s efforts to expand overseas labour markets, secure remittance inflows, and promote legal migration for economic upliftment.

For Italy, the MoU addresses labour shortages while ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration. It also aims to strengthen cooperation in combating irregular migration, in alignment with the ‘Standard Operating Procedures for the Identification and Return of Persons without Authorisation to Stay’ signed between Bangladesh and the EU in 2017.

During his visit, Minister Piantedosi met Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus and held bilateral talks with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain; Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul; and Home Affairs and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

The visit reaffirmed the long-standing Bangladesh-Italy friendship, based on shared values, mutual respect, and common interests. Both countries reviewed their bilateral relationship and discussed various topics including security, migration management, law enforcement collaboration, visa processing, and the welfare of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy.

They reiterated their shared commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership for economic growth, social development, and the wellbeing of their peoples.

In his meeting with the Chief Adviser, Minister Piantedosi reaffirmed Italy’s continued support for Bangladesh’s interim government and its reform initiatives—echoing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s earlier commitment during a UN meeting in September 2024.

Describing Italy as a key partner, the Chief Adviser called for deeper trade ties, greater market access, and collaborations in textiles, leather, IT, and food processing, along with expanded cooperation in innovation, climate change, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

In talks with the Adviser for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Italian minister expressed interest in strengthening labour mobility. Highlighting Italy’s demand for skilled workers and Bangladesh’s youthful, hardworking workforce, the Adviser urged increased quotas for Bangladeshi workers under legal migration pathways. Both sides agreed to boost skills training and formal remittance channels, while committing to the dignity and safety of migrant workers.

During discussions with the Foreign Affairs Adviser, both parties acknowledged the vital contributions of the Bangladeshi diaspora and agreed to address irregular migration and enhance legal pathways. The Adviser appreciated Italy for hosting the second-largest Bangladeshi diaspora in Europe and urged a speedy resolution of pending visa applications in Dhaka and improved verification processes for work permits.

In a separate meeting with the Home Affairs Adviser, Minister Piantedosi welcomed the ongoing cooperation between law enforcement agencies and highlighted the importance of collaboration on repatriation of illegal arrivals.

Both sides expressed interest in a future visit by the Italian Prime Minister to Bangladesh. The Italian minister also praised Bangladesh’s efforts to stabilise its economy and host the displaced Rohingya population. Bangladesh, in turn, acknowledged Italy’s support at the EU and international forums.

The visit concluded with a shared belief that the outcomes would further solidify Bangladesh-Italy relations and open new avenues for cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.